Between the Lions - Winter/Spring 2023

BETWEEN the Lions

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

Aaron Parr ’06 Interim President

Edye Simpson, Ed. D. Principal

Jenn Sedlack Director of Advancement

Mary O’Brien Beyer ’82 Advancement Coordinator

Michelle Crofton Special Events Coordinator

Kristin Vari Dooley ’01 Director of Alumni

Anne Marie Dooley Edwards ’96 Assistant Director of Advancement

Laura Patch O’Connell ’94 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 the numerous students, parents, faculty, and staff who submitted photos used in this publication.

From the Interim President

Dear Golden Lion Families,

For the first time in nearly three years, St. Pius X students experienced the excitement, stress, and joy of a semester filled with Pius traditions. They enjoyed freshman orientation, Camp Golden Lion, allschool Masses, retreats, class pilgrimages, service projects, and packed sporting events. Likewise, fine arts performances, pep rallies, the homecoming dance, and so much more, filled our first semester. While the first semester may not have been easy, students received the fullness of the Pius experience. Our mission is not to make things easy for our students. Our mission is to prepare our students for college and heaven. As the late Pope Benedict XVI said, “The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort, you were made for greatness.”

At the beginning of the school year, I challenged our student body and faculty to strive for greatness by living out the mission of St. Pius X. It is easy to recite a mission statement but more challenging to live it out actively each day. I am so proud of our student body for how they have responded. We recently had our Academic Awards reception. In total, over 600 students made one of our honor rolls.

Our students are also actively living out our Catholicity. We have record numbers completing service projects, and Catholic Charities of Atlanta recently presented an inaugural award of outstanding service to Allie Orsagh. Allie, a current junior and the child of an alumnus, embodies what we strive to teach our students. Additionally, our teachers have created both a faculty and a student Bible study, and work diligently to provide opportunities for our students to receive the sacraments. Many schools are great academically, but I am so proud that we have stepped up to the challenge to be a tremendous spiritual school as well.

Our prayers continue for the successful completion of the Ring the Bells Capital Campaign. This is the largest campaign in school history, and its completion has been a daunting task, but the St. Pius community has stepped up in a big way! Our renovated Library is a constant hub of activity, and the security enhancements to the main school building provide a safer experience for all. This semester we begin construction on our

Athletic Field House and Seaver Family Sports Complex Press Box, the campaign’s final phase. We still have work to do, and I pray our community continues to step forward to help us ring the bells of victory!

Winter and spring are enrollment season, and our team has been hard at work identifying mission-fit families for the next school year. Interest in a St. Pius education remains strong, as evidenced by the 450 students attending shadow days, and the 300-plus families at our Open House. One of my favorite activities at St. Pius is welcoming our new families, and I am excited to invite them to campus for our enrollment kick-off event in April.

Just as our new families will leave their mark on St. Pius, a big part of my vocation as the leader of St. Pius is to leave my own legacy. My goal is to make sure that our school is in a better place each year so that future generations of Golden Lions will benefit from our mission. I know I don’t have all the answers, but together, we have a loving community of students, faculty, parents, and alumni working together to improve St. Pius. We make a great team and will continue striving for greatness.

Domini Sumus, Aaron Parr Interim President

“At the beginning of the school year, I challenged our student body and faculty to strive for greatness by living out the mission of St. Pius X...Many schools are great academically, but I am so proud that we have stepped up to the challenge to be a tremendous spiritual school as well.”

Campus Ministry

Building Our Faith Through Service and Fellowship

It has been a busy and productive school year in Campus Ministry. Our new Campus Ministry team, Susan Baker and Lizzie Bond, hit the ground running with a year full of retreats, class pilgrimages, and service projects galore.

The Frassati Brotherhood, a spiritual fraternity, and the Perpetua Sisterhood, a spiritual sorority, were formed this year. The events hosted by these groups are spiritual, service-oriented, and social. Students support and encourage each other through their faith in God and daily encounters in school. Campus Ministry looks forward to these groups growing in the coming year.

On September 13, the freshman class experienced their first Class Pilgrimage at St. Pius X. They climbed Kennesaw Mountain, spent time with Lectio Divina, and wrote letters to their senior selves. It was a beautiful day to start their journey as Golden Lions!

On October 27, St. Pius participated in Rise Against Hunger. Students packaged over 40,000 meals, which were sent to the American Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa (ARAHA) in Somalia. We remain committed to the important and essential work of feeding those who are hungry in the world.

The Junior Pilgrimage took place on November 3. The day began with Mass in the Young Center, and then the class headed to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. Students had an opportunity to talk to Father Augustine Myslinski, the Abbot of the monastery, about his journey from running away from God to devoting his life to God. It was a beautiful day for the class to walk around the property and enjoy the homemade fudge at Monk’s Bakery.

In November, the National Honor Society and Campus Ministry held their annual canned food drive. Campus Ministry made it a competition between the homerooms, and they collected over 2,400 cans. The cans were donated to StreetWise Ministries and a local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.

The Girls’ Retreat took place January 27-29 at Camp Hidden Lake in Dahlonega. The fun, empowering weekend included small groups, individual reflections, games, and team building.

On February 7, the sophomores went on their pilgrimage to the Biblical History Center in LaGrange. This center has numerous exhibits and interactive activities, all related to the Bible. Students journeyed through the Time Tunnel to see how early Christian buildings were designed and functioned and saw artifacts on loan to the Center from Israel, many dating back thousands of years. This pilgrimage coincides with the sophomore Theology curriculum focusing on scripture, and students could experience and interact with the very places and buildings they learn about in class.

Campus Ministry has no plans to slow down this spring! The senior class will head to Kennesaw Mountain for their pilgrimage in April, students continue to complete their Works of Mercy service projects, and plans are underway for a summer mission trip. Our faith is alive and well at St. Pius!

St. Pius X News

Students Volunteer with Cop-N-Stuff

This past Christmas, St. Pius X students partnered with an officer and an underprivileged child as part of Cop-N-Stuff. A police officer escorted the children to Walmart, where our students helped them select and purchase Christmas gifts.

National Merit Scholarship and College Board Honorees

Congratulations to our students who received recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Program and the College Board’s National Scholars. Senior Carson Dubay earned Semi-Finalist standing in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Receiving distinction as National Merit Scholarship Commended Students are: Omeno Abutu, Philipp Alting, Cat Amy, Samantha Hefner, Zoe Kling, Lily Perella, and Hannah Schemmel. Receiving distinction as College Board National African-American Scholars are: Omeno Abutu, Dede Amaizo, and Darryl Jackson. Receiving distinction as College Board National Hispanic Scholars are: Chase Alderman, Chloe Burgoon, Vincent Casal, Liv Diaz, Jack Galvez, Dylan Gilbert, Andrew Mattei, and Ava Ryback.

Gracie Crofton ’23 and her AP French teacher, Carrie Stockard, attended the Phi Beta Kappa Book Award reception. The reception honored the 2021-2022 Book Award recipients from the state of Georgia and afforded students the chance to learn about Phi Beta Kappa and meet the local members of the Metropolitan Atlanta Alumni Association of Phi Beta Kappa. In attendance was Alumni Chapter Treasurer, Bill Miller, father of Press Miller ’03.

Alumni Day of Service

Colin Crosby ’25 is the winner of the 2022-2023 Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Award. The “HOBY” award recognizes a sophomore who the faculty has chosen as having the most leadership potential based on exhibited peer leadership and excellent character.

The St. Pius X Alumni Association created an opportunity in conjunction with Catholic Charities Atlanta to benefit the residents of St. Joseph Place, an independent living community for low-income seniors in south Atlanta. Through the “Loads of Love” service project, the St. Pius X community donated laundry supplies for the 47 residents.

At a fall all-school assembly, Math teacher Katie Stilson, together with the school, was recognized for contributions to the Red Cross through annual blood drives. Retired Athletic Director Mark Kelly also spoke about the importance of the annual blood drives.

Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Award

Phi Beta Kappa Book Award Reception

Red Cross Honors St. Pius X

Students Selected for Round One in Governor’s Honors Program

St. Pius X News

Retired Faculty and Staff Luncheon

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 the following St. Pius X students who have been selected to represent St. Pius X in the Governor’s Honors Program selection process: William Kaplan (Band), Zach Sutter (Computer Science), Olivia Landers (Dance), Lauren Smith (English), Bridget Consolazio (English), Shane Donnelly (French), Mary Montello (Latin), Lucy Downer (Latin), Randy Graebner (Math), Carter Holcomb (Math), Molly Pitra (Math), Vincent Casal (Math), Jake Fjelstul (Social Studies), Eero Cheatham (Social Studies), and Logan Yates (Theatre).

Student Wins Catholic Charities Award

Once a Golden Lion, always a Golden Lion! St. Pius X former and retired faculty and staff recently reunited over lunch at Petite Violette.

Front row, L-R: Jeanie Brieske, Norma Johanneson, Michele Berrell, Bonnie Spark

Back row, L-R: Beth Thompson, Charlotte Smith Owen, Pat Fries, Ruth McCullough, Jan Collier, Robin Tanis, Anna Pereselli, Betsy Smith, Pat Reiley, Consuelo Leon, Liz Schupp

Veterans Day Assembly with Lt. Colonel Blair Tighe ’01

On November 11, 2022, our freshmen and sophomores enjoyed a Veterans Day assembly with guest speaker Lt. Colonel Blair Tighe, United States Army, a St. Pius X Class of 2001 alumnus. Tighe spoke to the students about his experience serving in the Army, and he stressed the importance of family, faith, and country.

Allie Orsagh ’24 received the inaugural St. Thomas Aquinas Award from Catholic Charities for her charitable contributions to the community. The award was presented at our all-school Mass on Friday, January 27. St. Pius X also received a plaque to display on campus. Allie is the daughter of Doug Orsagh ’88.

In attendance were his mom, Stephanie (left), and wife, Katherine (center).

St. Pius X News

Top Chef Competition Heats Up Maloof Plaza

On October 21, as part of our Hollywood-themed Homecoming week, St. Pius X Administration held the ultimate Top Chef competition. Each team created their own unique recipes, which were enjoyed by students, faculty, and staff. The black team, led by Interim President Aaron Parr, took the grand prize with their grilled chicken wings and homemade blue cheese dipping sauce.

A New St. Pius X Sport: Flag Football

The fall 2022 athletic season welcomed Varsity Girls’ Flag Football to St. Pius X. Coach Andy Harlin had a big turnout for tryouts and selected 22 players for the inaugural team. The season included 12 games, a tournament, and playoffs. The team finished with a record of 15-5 and won the region championship. The first season exceeded all expectations and brought a new level of excitement to Golden Lions Athletics.

Coach Andy Harlin said, “To be a part of this has been an absolute blast. These are great kids who have a competitive mentality and who want to put in the work. This is new to everybody. A lot of them come from different sports environments, but nobody has played flag football, so it’s neat to see the progress. Like any team, the coolest part is to watch them grow from first meeting each other to really having each other’s backs. In a short time, you can already see that they care about each other, and that skill will carry over to life, so it’s important.”

Holocaust & Genocide Classes Tour D.C.

For 18 years, Theology teacher Dennis Ruggiero has taken his Holocaust and Genocide classes to Washington, D.C. This year’s trip took place October 6-9. Interim President Aaron Parr ’06, his wife Katie Perez Parr ’07, and Dean of Students Rachel Braham ’86 accompanied Mr. Ruggiero as chaperones.

The weekend included visits to nearly every memorial on the National Mall, as well as Arlington National Cemetery for the “Changing of the Guard” ceremony, John F. Kennedy’s grave site, the Smithsonian Institute, the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House, and a variety of museums. The students attended Saturday Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic Church in North America. The group headed to the Verizon Center on Saturday night to catch the Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets NHL game.

Class Trips

The main reason for the trip was a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which took place on Sunday morning. Students were immersed in the subject they learned about in class, helping them better understand the grand scale of this mass atrocity. Natalie Hungeling ’23 said, “The Holocaust trip was an eye-opening and unforgettable experience, as we explored some of our nation’s greatest landmarks and spent time walking through and reflecting on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to learn more about one of the most horrific events of world history.”

“The Holocaust trip with our seniors was incredible. Having the opportunity to be with our students in a non-academic setting was rewarding, and the Holocaust museum was both a learning and emotional experience that I will never forget.”

Theatre Students Become Mousekeeters!

Students from the SPX Theatre program attended Disney’s Imagination Campus on October 8 and 9, with their Director, Tracey Buot, and SPX Theatre Assistant, Amy Williams ’85. The theatre students had the opportunity to participate in “mock professional auditions” and learn from Walt Disney World professional performers at Broadway Magic. The students auditioned, cast, learned, and performed a scene from a musical number from the Broadway musical, Frozen. In addition, they auditioned, learned, and performed a “Princess/Prince” Broadway style dance number at the Broadway Dance workshop.

While in Orlando, theatre students attended mass at the Basilica of Mary Queen of the Universe and enjoyed going to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

“The Disney trip was a great experience, not only for the workshops we got to go to, but also for the time we got to spend with friends. It was super enjoyable, and I would love for others in the future to get to experience something like it, too!”

Gracie Crofton

- Aaron Parr

-

’23

Grandparents’ Day

A Favorite Event is Back in Full Swing

November 1 was a beautiful Grandparents' Day at St. Pius X. We had 268 grandparents join us for Mass with Fr. Robbie Cotta from Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, followed by a brunch reception.

During the reception, the St. Pius X Jazz Band performed sentimental standards, such as Moon River, and grandparents enjoyed an art gallery from the Visual Arts students. St. Pius’ own “Chef Eric” from Sage Dining Service created a brunch menu that was enjoyed by all. As a souvenir, each grandparent received a hand-painted cross created by our students. We believe that grandparents are an integral part of the St. Pius X family and the roots on which we grow our faith. We offer our heartfelt thanks to all of the grandparents who joined us.

Next year’s Grandparents’ Day is scheduled for Friday, September 15, 2023 and will once again be for grandparents of the freshmen and senior classes only.

Honoring the “Original Golden Lion”

On Grandparents’ Day, St. Pius X alum and current grandparent Bill Poole '62 was honored as the "Original SPX Golden Lion." In 1958, when Mr. Poole was a freshman, he wrote an essay about why the lion would best represent St. Pius X as the school mascot. Because of his essay, St. Pius X became known as the "Golden Lions."

Above left: Poole’s freshman year essay. Above right: A newspaper clipping about the new mascot name. Below left: Poole received a plaque from Interim President Aaron Parr ’06 and Principal Edye Simpson. Below right: Poole with his family, L-R: Son-in-law Bill Reese, Bill Poole, Grandson Patrick Reese ’23, wife Barbara ’62, and daughter Mary Reese.

Heritage Homecoming 2022 was a festive celebration of the diversity and unity within the St. Pius X community. Held on October 18, the event brought families and students together to share in our different cultures and traditions while enjoying delicious foods! The St. Pius X student body represents ties to over 70 countries, with 25 languages spoken in our homes.

Over 250 attendees took part in the event, coordinated by St. Pius X Guidance Counselor Mary Pat Martin ’86. Parents generously prepared food from their native cultures while student volunteers served samples to the appreciative crowd. Emcees for the night were juniors Luna Ochoa and Georgia Guadamuz, who introduced the international entertainment and cooking contests.

The cooking competition, modeled after the show Chopped, offered a unique opportunity for our students to display their culinary talent. The contest challenged contestants Peter Soulimiotis ’26, Hailey Brown ’24, and Georgia Guadamuz ’24 to use the same three ingredients to create a dish. Hailey Brown’s dish, Pesto Chicken Tacos, earned her the title of 2022 St. Pius X Top Chef.

In the baking competition, each student contestant prepared their version of a Mexican Tres Leches Cake. The contestants were sophomores Erin Madison, Roxanne Wroe, Sophia Todros, and Marli Nicholson. It was a challenge for the judges to select the best one, but Erin Madison came out on top as the 2022 St. Pius X Top Pastry Chef.

Parents Gregg Soha and Amanda Steward faced off in the Parent Cooking Contest, where Soha’s Chicken Kiev earned the Top Chef title.

Parent Co-Chair Vicky Soulimiotis said, “The Heritage Homecoming Celebration was the start of a new St. Pius X tradition, one that we hope deepened a sense of community and celebration during Homecoming Week. The event was a foodie’s dream come true! With hundreds of different entrees and desserts to sample, it was a night of culinary exploration.” Parent Co-Chair Kelly McCluskey added, “The evening felt like we were invited into families’ homes to experience their culture and cuisine. You could feel the warmth and hospitality of the St. Pius X community.”

St. Pius X Begins a New Tradition

Above, L-R: Ashley Curlette, Avery Parr, Aaron Parr, Kristen Kramer, Sara Schmitt

Above, L-R: Nisha Mossing, Sikta Sarkar, Antoinette Gomes, Prithi Dey

Above, L-R: Keith Williams, Hailey Brown, Sonya Williams, Mary Pat Martin

Above, L-R: Yordanos Tesfaye, Addis Alemayehu, Bethelehem Shemelis, Kaleb Yimtatu, Sofia Hagos

Above, L-R: Emcees Luna Ochoa and Georgia Guadamuz

Above, L-R: Jackye Jiotsop ’24 and Alice Tiomeguim

Above, L-R: Liza Love, Elizabeth Nelson, Ava Swanegan

Above, L-R: Miles Johnson, Avery Jones, Zainab Hicks, Sofia Arboleda

Golden Lions Athletics

The 2022 fall sports season saw St. Pius X move up another classification to AAAAAA. However, this did not stop the teams from the success to which Golden Lions fans are accustomed. Four teams captured region crowns, while one team finished as state runner-up.

Girls’ Cross Country boasted the individual state champion, as Hannah Schemmel ’23 took the top spot in the race. The team finished as state runner-up, and captured the region championship. Boys’ Cross Country had a top-ten finish at the state meet, as Dominic Noel ’24 was the top finisher for the harriers.

Football advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, finishing the season as region runner-up with a 6-6 record. The Golden Lions defeated Mundy’s Mill in overtime in the first round of the playoffs before succumbing to Thomas County Central in the Sweet 16. Jack Tchienchou ’23 was named to the 6A All-State team, and region defensive player of the year.

Volleyball finished the season 36-9 with their eighth straight region championship, and twelfth straight trip to the state quarterfinals. The ladies won their fourth Catholic Cup at McGill-Toolen in Mobile. Coach John Frederick became the winningest coach in the state of Georgia during the year. Nina Shaw was named to the AAAAAA All-State team by the Georgia Volleyball Coaches Association. Shaw was joined by Kelly Stephenson and Abby Williams on the American Volleyball Coaches Association AllSoutheast Region team.

Flag football completed its inaugural season with a trip to the state semi-finals. The team finished with a record of 15-5 and won the region championship.

Competition cheer captured its sixth straight region crown. The team ended the last two meets of the season with first-place finishes.

Softball ended 13-12 and finished fourth in the region. Nina Parker ’24 led the team, batting .494 with two home runs and 22 runs batted in. Sadie Flynn ’25 and Sarah Schubert ’24 each recorded four wins on the season in the pitchers’ circle.

The winter sports are winding down their seasons at press time. Wrestling placed 14 wrestlers in the state traditional sectional in early February. The grapplers won the region traditional meet. Joe Brewster ’23, Luca Tolusso ’24, and Ben Tomasello ’26 each captured first place in their respective weight classes. The team also finished third in the region duals, and advanced to the state tournament.

Boys’ Basketball sits at 18-5 and 10-1 in the region at press time. The team won the regular season region crown. Girls’ Basketball is 11-11 and took the third seed into the region tournament. The boys have qualified for the state tournament for the eleventh consecutive season, while the ladies are looking for their thirteenth straight appearance.

Swim and Dive wrapped up its season with top ten finishes in the state championship meet. The boys’ team took third place, while the girls placed fifth. Julia Herring ’23 capped her high school diving career winning her fourth straight championship. Herring signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Alabama to further her diving career. Six relay teams had top ten finishes, and the Golden Lions had 10 individual top ten finishers in the meet.

Winter Signing Day

February 1 was Winter Signing Day, where our senior winter sport athletes who have committed to a particular college sign their National Letter of Intent. Congratulations to these student athletes!

Shug Bently: Football, Stetson University

Julia Herring: Diving, University of Alabama

Thomas Morales: Soccer, Mercer University

Jack Tchienchou: Football, Troy University

St. Pius X Fine Arts

Dancers Perform on the Stage and on the Court

The Dance Program is filled with over 130 enthusiastic students this year! They have been busy learning choreography and technique since August to prepare for performance. The Dance Company visited Christ the King School, and all dance classes participated in the Dresden Christmas Gift Project.

The Dance Company, Advanced Dance, and Dance III classes had a sold out Christmas Concert where the dancers performed to popular Christmas songs and excerpts from The Nutcracker.

The Varsity Dance Team, led by team captains Bailey Apgar ’23 and Hana Odeh ’23, wowed spectators at the home basketball games with their choreography, plus work by choreographer Cameron Seeley and Head Coach Madison Schrama.

All classes are eager to present the annual Spring Dance Concert March 9-12 and are especially excited to perform at the Arts Festival on May 6.

Georgia High School Ceramics Exhibition

The 2023 Georgia High School Ceramics Exhibition accepted the works of Grace Tran ’23, Maya Mazurkiewicz ’25, and Owen Jones ’25 in this year’s exhibition at the Lamar Dodd Art Center and Visual Arts Museum of LaGrange College. Over 250 pieces were submitted by over 180 students from 26 different schools.

Left to right: Grace Tran, Vase in the shape of a female form; Maya Mazurkiewicz, Self Portrait in Clay; Owen Jones, Textured bowl

Visual Arts Student is Nationally Recognized

Visual Arts student Lily Perella ’23 won two Gold Key awards, one Silver Key award, and three Honorable Mention awards for her photography at the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. Gold Key works automatically advance to the national level of judging in New York City, and Gold Key and Silver Key works were featured at SCAD in an exhibition from February 26 - March 5, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.

Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition recognizes some of America’s most celebrated teen artists and writers. Previous winners have included Stephen King, Amanda Gorman, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol.

One Act Play: Dark Road

This fall’s One Act Play, Dark Road, was a multifaceted experience of theatre and history. Led by Avery Jones ’23, Logan Yates ’24, and Lauren Baker ’26, the actors took audiences on a journey back to Nazi Germany. The actors shared a chilling story of two sisters broken and changed by the forces of evil.

Thanks to the coordinated effort by Social Studies teacher Rebecca Rose ’96, Theatre Director Tracey Buot, and Theology teacher Dennis Ruggiero, a very special guest, Mr. Hilbert Margol, attended the final performance. Mr. Margol and his twin brother, Howard, were with the 42nd Infantry that discovered the Nazi concentration camp, Dachau, on April 29, 1945. Mr. Margol spoke to the cast about his experience, and he was also a guest speaker in Mr. Ruggiero’s Holocaust and Genocide classes.

Tech Crew Workshop

Led by moderators Keith Cordell and Giovanni Reyes, the Tech Crew visited the Cobb Energy Center to take part in a workshop entitled Theatre: Inside-n-Out. Offered by ArtsBridge, the behindthe-scenes experience provided students lessons on general and specialized skills used for lights and sound. Students enjoyed learning from industry professionals and touring the John A. Williams Theatre!

Ring the Bells Capital Campaign

New Field House Construction Begins Soon

FIELD HOUSE - FIRST FLOOR

The first floor includes the strength training room, which will be nearly three times as large as the current Donnellan weight room. The entire football program will be housed on the first floor as well, providing room for the 9th grade, JV, and Varsity teams. Shared laundry facilities and the Athletic Training room will also be located on the first floor. In addition, there will be team storage rooms accessible from an outside entrance.

FIELD HOUSE - SECOND FLOOR

The second floor houses two classrooms that can be converted into a large meeting or event space. These rooms feature windows that look out towards the stadium. Locker rooms for boys and girls lacrosse and soccer programs, as well as cheer, wrestling, and physical education classes are also located on this floor. Coaches will have separate locker and office facilities, and both the Athletic Director and the Athletic Director Assistant offices will be on this floor.

The building also features an elevator and a second set of stairs in case of an emergency.

Left: Stadium Field House. Above: Seaver Family Sports Complex Press Box.

Students Right at Home in New Library

The Flannery O’Connor Library is the “living room” of the school, and students are making full use of this comfy new space! Every lunch period finds the library abuzz with activitystudents gathered around board games, engaged in quiet study in the dedicated classroom, and meeting in the small conference rooms. Students have a myriad of options for studying and socializing and they are taking full advantage of the renovated space.

The dedicated Library classroom hosts study groups, clubs, silent study space on exam days, classes for research projects, and general meetings. The Collaboration Stairs provide casual seating along the windows with lots of natural light. The Computer Lab hosts classes while also serving as a “tucked away” quiet space for faculty to work. The Services Desk is easily accessible so students can get their needs met quickly. The soft booth seating is especially popular, and allows for a larger, semi-private gathering space for students. All of the tables and chairs are on wheels, so the Library furniture is constantly being reconfigured to meet the needs of the students using the space.

Funded by generous donors to the Ring the Bells Capital Campaign, the Library was completed during the summer of 2022 as part of phase one construction. The Campaign continues this year with phase two, which includes a new Field House behind the stadium, and a new Press Box at Seaver Family Sports Complex. These new buildings are highlighted on the opposite page. Once construction begins, the Field House will take a year to complete. The Press Box is slated to be built between the spring baseball and fall softball seasons.

Annual Fund Gifts Make Mac Lab a Reality

Ask most any student, and they’ll tell you that Mac computers are the best, most user-friendly computers out there. Favored by graphic designers, creative professionals, software engineers, and students alike, they are a sought-after learning tool. Thanks to generous donations to this year’s Annual Fund, St. Pius X installed a Mac Lab complete with 22 new Mac computers.

Before this new lab, students did have access to the Mac experience, but in a very limited way. Students had to toggle between a PC and a Mac, so it wasn’t a true Mac experience. And it was clunky, with a lot of thick cords to make it work. “Precious class time was wasted having to reset and reboot,” explains Kevin Ksionzyk ’05, a member of the Business/ Computer Science Department. Many students who owned Macs simply used their own devices. This made for a disjointed experience because applications are different on a Mac versus a PC.

To prepare for the new lab, the classroom was painted and sound-deadening baffles were installed. The sleek, cleaner look makes for a pleasant and engaging space. Students use the Macs for numerous classes including music production, graphics and publishing, personal finance, and AP Computer Science Principles. In Principles, students learn to code in Python, which is the preferred language for gaming, videos, and AI applications - and the Macs make this experience much more dynamic.

Mr. Ksionzyk commented, “Macs are everywhere. We’re so grateful to all of the Annual Fund supporters who helped us upgrade to a full Mac Lab this year. Our students are energized and excited to use these computers every day, and they’ll be better prepared for the working world!”

Your Annual Fund giving further enhances the St. Pius X experience for every student. Please consider making a donation today by scanning the QR code or by visiting spx.org/support. Thank you for your generous support!

Please make your gift today and help us Ring the Bells of victory for St. Pius X!

Home and School Association Builds Community Through Events and Service

By: Aimee Trupiano and Megan Drinan, Co-Presidents

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

Home and School kicked-off the new school year with the annual Camp Golden Lion. It was a fun evening for all involved as new parents and students attended Mass together, parents heard from former Athletics Director Mark Kelly, and the freshman joined the Lion Leaders for dinner and plenty of get-to-knowyou activities like corn hole and spike ball, while also enjoying bouncy houses, music, and more. Soon after was the ever-popular Mini Class Night for parents. This is always a well-attended event and a great way for parents to meet their student’s teachers and experience a day in their student’s life at St. Pius X.

In September, Home and School hosted a blood drive for the American Red Cross and donated over 100 pints of blood. It is always amazing to see our students, faculty, and staff turn out to support this life-saving event. This fall, Pius received an award from the Red Cross in recognition of the amount of blood donated through our drives. Home and School ended September with a breakfast for our seniors, where they received their senior t-shirts and took their partner school yearbook photos.

November was a busy month as we showed off all that St. Pius has to offer at our Open House for prospective students and their families. We also hosted Career Day which brought in 42 speakers, of which 22 were alumni. Students had the opportunity to choose from several different career fields where they could learn and ask questions about the different types of jobs the speakers held.

With the second semester upon us, the Home and School Association looks forward to all that spring has to offer and what we can do to make it even better. We will continue to serve the students and school community as we strengthen our faith which binds us all together to create our incredible St. Pius X family!

Mothers’ Club Supports the Pius Community and Beyond

By: Jill Pierce, President

For more than 30 years, the St. Pius X Mothers’ Club has been meeting in friendship, sharing in faith, and working in service for the good of the community. Mothers’ Club provides a bridge of supplemental financial and volunteer support to students, families, faulty, and the extended community.

The organization’s primary focus is raising money for student scholarships. This is achieved through the Holiday Marketplace, Used Uniforms Sales, Membership, and generous donations. We thank the St. Pius X community for its generosity and support of Mothers’ Club.

We have had a busy start to the school year with the Dresden Workday and Luncheon, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, two social events, Prayer Group, Adoration, and faculty birthday recognitions.

Our annual Holiday Marketplace was a great success with roughly 1,500 shoppers and 160 vendors. The event was held the week before Thanksgiving and gave shoppers the chance to purchase Christmas gifts while supporting scholarships for St. Pius students.

For the sixteenth year, the Dresden Christmas Project delivered a Merry Christmas to 133 children from 55 families. The focus of this project is to provide clothing and other essentials like school uniforms, winter coats, pajamas, toys, and grocery gift cards. This project truly shows the meaning of the season. We wrapped up the calendar year with the annual Advent by Candlelight event with roughly 100 women in attendance.

Thank you to all of our volunteers and donors for a fantastic first half of the school year!

MOTHERS’ CLUB IMPORTANT DATES

Adoration: Every Friday

Prayer Circle:

Second Wednesday of each month

Dresden School Supplies Drive: Feb 22 - March 31

Social: March 15

Dresden Luncheon: March 17

Sorority Information Night: April 25

Homecoming 2022

The Golden Lion spirit filled the air for Homecoming-Reunion Weekend on October 21-23, 2022. The St. Pius X community came together for a fun-filled three days of football, service, reunions, and fellowship.

Friday night, the alumni community enjoyed a festive BBQ dinner on Messner Plaza while cheering on the Golden Lions to a victory over Riverwood High School. Saturday brought a morning of service with a “sandwich build” for Crossroads Community Ministries followed by an evening of class reunions.

The weekend culminated Sunday with the Alumni Mass celebrated by Monsignor Richard Lopez and family and friends enjoying a delicious catered brunch in the courtyard of the Young Center Auditorium.

Save the date for Homecoming-Reunion Weekend 2023 to be held September 29 through October 1.

Ironman Triathletes

Pius Parent Heidi O’Shea Discovers a Love of Triathlons and Competes at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii

awesome to see my family along the course and at the finish after about 12.5 hours. It was everything and more than people described it would be, with hot and humid conditions plus a nice headwind coming back into town at the end of the bike. There were ups and downs during the race, but I was determined to finish.

Give us insight into what goes on inside your head during a competition and how you keep yourself going.

I’m always a little nervous before a race, but I think about all the training I’ve done beforehand, which gives me confidence. For the swim, most races, except for Kona, do rolling starts, meaning a few athletes start every few seconds so that there is a gap between swimmers. This takes a lot of stress out of the swim portion. Once on the bike, I check my numbers periodically and zone out to enjoy the exhilaration of riding through the countryside, taking in the scenery. Being active outside reminds me to be thankful that I can physically do this. It’s also a form of meditation for me. Once I’m off the bike and running, I’m good to go, checking my heart rate every so often. I’m happy because it’s my favorite leg of the race.

Tell us a little bit about your connection to St. Pius X. Our daughter Kathleen, a current senior, is a swimmer and lacrosse player. Our son Dennis graduated in 2021 and is currently a second-year cadet at the U. S. Coast Guard Academy playing football. Steve Spellman, my brother-in-law, was the principal/ president at St. Pius X for 20 years.

How long have you been competing?

I’ve always been a runner, completing 25+ Peachtree Road Races since 1989, numerous half-marathons, and four marathons: NY ’95, St. George ’99, Boston ’01, and Atlanta ’07. A running injury led me to triathlon, which adds swimming and biking to the mix.

I’ve been competing in triathlons since 2008, starting with local Sprint (500 yd swim, 13 mi bike, 5K) and Olympic (1500 yd swim, 24 mi bike, 10K) distances. Nancy Jackson Anastasiades, a Pius parent of alumni, showed me the ropes in my first Irongirl triathlon in 2008 at Lake Lanier. I fell in love with the sport. I love being outdoors, I love the challenge of learning about the logistics of a race, and I love to encourage my fellow competitors.

In 2011, I started training with a coach for a 70.3 Ironman (1.9mile swim, 56-mile bike, half-marathon) in Augusta, qualified for the 70.3 World Championship in Las Vegas in 2012 and was hooked to the longer triathlon distance. In 2021, I signed up for a full Ironman (2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike, marathon) in Florida. I had trained hard for my first ocean swim and was glad I did! That swim was unexpectedly challenging, with a Nor’easter coming in that morning, causing some rip currents.

After the Florida Ironman, I learned I had qualified for the 2022 Ironman World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii. My husband and I had a wonderful trip to Hawaii for the race and to see other parts of the big island with my sister’s family. On race day, it was

How/when did you meet Devon Dabney ’13?

Several years ago, I met her dad, Bill Dabney, through training groups. I first met Devon at the ATS Pain Cave, a cycling gym. She is a very talented athlete, a cool person, and a super-star swimmer! When I saw Devon running in Kona, she looked cool as a cucumber at mile 18. She looked like she was having a good race!

How do you fit training into raising a family, a career, etc.?

Being a mom and an amateur athlete with a graphic design business is challenging. Sometimes I need to miss a day or two of training or cut a workout short. Or I would move a key workout like a long ride to a weekday to maximize weekend time with loved ones. My family is very supportive and will step in during these times to help. When I’m not traveling or working, I always look forward to Sundays when I’m off from training. I can relax, take a deep breath, and stay home to make a nice evening dinner!

Above, l-r: Heidi’s husband Dennis, daughter Kathleen ’23, son Dennis ’21, and Heidi.

Ironman Triathletes

Devon Dabney ’13 Follows in Her Father’s Footsteps to Compete at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii

What have you been up to since you graduated from St. Pius X?

After graduating from St. Pius X, I went on to Louisiana State University where I broke the oldest school record in the 500 yard freestyle. Since graduating from LSU, I’ve worked at some of the most renowned corporations in Atlanta such as the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, Spanx, and now Wahoo Fitness.

When did you start competing in triathlons and why?

I started competing in triathlons at the age of ten all thanks to my dad, who has completed 25 Ironmans, and went to Kona in 1995, the year I was born.

Many people only think about the physical aspect of competing in an extreme event, but don’t take into account the mental part. Which is the more difficult aspect of preparing for the competition, the physical or the mental, or are they equal? In my opinion, the mental aspect is the most challenging to train for. Thankfully, as a young female, I’ve set a tone of expectation and discipline for myself. I truly honed into those skills when I was training for the Ironman World Championships these past three years (it was delayed every year due to COVID). That also took a toll on me mentally as well. Every September would roll around, after having a solid ten months of consistent training only to be postponed again. Each year that went by, the news sank a little deeper but I kept showing up, year after year. That’s all it takes!

Time to do a self critique: Which part of a triathlon is your strongest? Your weakest? Why? Statistically speaking, I’d have to say my swim is my strongest, my run is my weakest. From a personal opinion, I’m strong at all three and my mind is my weakest. I’ve carried this weight with me for a long time that “I’m not a runner.”

Maybe because I never ran a 17-minute 5k or broke a fiveminute mile in comparison to other girls in high school who did. However, I did run a 5:07 mile and I did run an 18-minute 5k off the bike to secure a junior worlds with team USA. When I leave the doubt behind in my races, and just go until the wheels fall off, I find that if I can dig deep enough, the wheels never are going to fall off...it’s my mind that will give in first.

What’s your advice for someone just starting?

Never be afraid to fail! Sometimes winning can be great, but losing can be better. Within losing, you learn more about yourself than you ever could winning. I’ve learned so much these last 27 years, and that’s what drove me to my successful day in Kona.

Above: A photo of Devon from the 1995 Golden Echoes Yearbook.

Above: Devon and her father Bill competing in Ironman competitions 27 years apart.

Focus on Alumni

Alumni Teachers Walk the 500-mile Camino de Santiago

In the words of SPX Teacher, Kristin Kramer ’98

As soon as school was out in May 2022, Melissa Beam ’88 and I went east – 4,370 miles east, to be exact! We flew to Paris and, via two trains and a bus, readied ourselves to begin the Camino de Santiago. Starting in the French town of St. Jean Pied-de-Port, we would go west – 490 miles west, to be exact – across northern Spain, to the city of Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds that the remains of St. James the Apostle are buried.

I can’t tell you when or how I learned about the Camino de Santiago, one of three major pilgrimages that medieval Christians could undertake to earn a plenary indulgence (the other two were to Rome and Jerusalem). All I can remember is wanting to do it “some day.” I’m generally attracted to travel by the food and history of a particular place, but the Camino offered something else. I would cover 500 miles on foot. I would carry everything I needed on my back for five weeks. I would walk on paths that people of great faith have walked for 1,000 years. I would get to share this experience with a dear friend who was brave enough to say “yes” when I first proposed this trip in 2019.

Because the Camino takes so long, it’s hard to say what it was “like.” We didn’t vary a lot from a basic routine – wake up, walk 12-20 miles, eat, wash clothes, sleep, and repeat – but the days themselves could vary in terms of temperature, company, scenery, and difficulty. We met everyone from a couple just trying the Camino out for a day to an Irish school teacher who does the Camino a week at a time to a French man who walked out his front door and kept on walking for the next 1200 miles!

“God, I go east: You call me to begin in light my journey towards you...

God, I go west: You point me again to the Scriptures where I can meet your Word on the highways and byways of Life.”

- Hildegarde of Bingen, 1098-1179

I can say that the Camino was beautiful, and that it surprised me in a number of ways, despite the amount of research I did before the trip. One of the best surprises of the Camino was how warmly we were greeted and accepted by the local population who regularly wished us “Buen Camino” as we tramped through their neighborhoods whilst they were out walking their dogs.

In many ways, Melissa and I joyfully anticipated our escape from St. Pius X and the hundreds of decisions we have to make every day as classroom teachers. However, St. Pius found us, even on the Camino! We set out on our very first day of walking, and, approximately seven hours later, ran into Lara Bancroft, who grew up in Lilburn. “You teach at St. Pius?” Lara asked. “Do you know the Wolfs, by any chance? They’re my cousins.” Yes, we met the cousin of Wes, Whitney, Warner, and William Wolf in a hostel in the French Pyrenees. Over the next five weeks, Lara would become a good friend to both of us, and we ultimately walked into Santiago together, 37 days later on July 6. We both had to wonder if former Athletic Director Mark Kelly ’70 was right...maybe all roads do lead to St. Pius?

L-R: Kristin Kramer, Melissa Beam, and Lara Bancroft

Alumni Highlight

Alexandra V. Méndez ’09

A Q&A with the Author of New Youth Novel, What the Jaguar Told Her

Describe your inaugural book, “What the Jaguar Told Her.” This book is a magical realist novel about a thirteen-year-old girl named Jade, and how she comes to terms with her MexicanAmerican identity with help from an elderly jaguar-storyteller. It takes place in Atlanta in 2001. Jade has just moved to Atlanta from Chicago, so everything is new to her, including her Catholic school. In the trail in the woods behind her house she meets a wise old man named Itztli who can take the form of a jaguar. He makes works of art and tells her stories of ancestral Mexico. As Jade deals with her Abuela’s sudden illness, the challenges of making friends and running cross country, and the shock of the Twin Towers falling, Itztli’s stories begin to take on new meaning. Jade must learn to have strength and patience to become who she was always meant to be. This is a book about family, friendship, and the power of stories.

Summarize your professional experience. I graduated from Harvard University in 2013 with a degree in History and Literature of Latin America. After graduation, I lived in Seville, Spain for a year, writing and doing research on a traveling fellowship from Harvard. I moved to New York for my Ph.D., and at Columbia I studied early modern narratives of the colonization of the Americas. After the Ph.D., I taught in the Latin American and Iberian Cultures department at Columbia, and I now teach Spanish language and Hispanic cultures at Barnard College in New York.

What the Jaguar Told Her is my first novel, published in October 2022 with Levine Querido. I’ve been honored by the excellent reviews the book has received. Kirkus Reviews included the novel in a list of the Best Middle-Grade Fiction of 2022, and the Southern Review of Books named it one of “The Best Southern Books of October 2022.” In a starred review, Kirkus called the novel “A coming-of-age story with parallels to Judy Blume’s classic Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” The responses of critics, friends, and strangers who have read the book have been extremely gratifying, and I’m very excited for the release of the Spanish edition in September 2023.

I had a book launch in New York and one in Decatur at Little Shop of Stories. The novel was on display as part of an art exhibition at the Decatur Visitors Center during Hispanic Heritage Month, and at the closing reception I did a series of readings and signed books. It was really special to reconnect with old Pius friends and teachers

at the events in Decatur, including Carrie Stockard, who taught me freshman year English, and Rachel Braham, who coached me on the golf team. I was also honored with the presence of Cornel Hagiopol, the husband of the late Mme. Liliana Hagiopol, who taught me French and encouraged me greatly, and with whom I wish I could have shared these celebrations.

What inspired you to write a book?

I’ve always wanted to be a novelist, ever since I understood that such a thing was possible. I grew up in a house full of books, and What the Jaguar Told Her is dedicated to my parents because I will always be grateful for their support and encouragement. In this book I strove to capture and share the magic of my childhood, and also to voice some of what it means to grow up multilingual and multicultural in Atlanta. The literature I read at St. Pius informed who I am as a writer. My English teachers were truly committed to making us better writers, and to this day I carry with me the guidance I received in classes with Carrie Stockard, Mike Scirocco, Jan Collier, and Mary Martha Spear.

Where did the idea for the story come from?

The idea for the story arose from my interest in the art and stories of Mexico from before the arrival of the Spaniards. In college I became fascinated by the old statues, architecture, murals, and even books that the Indigenous people of Mexico created. I wanted to write a story that celebrated this heritage, the way Greek and Roman myths and heritage are so often celebrated. I also wanted to explore what it means to inhabit and embrace multiple identities. Jade’s family, like mine, is white and Mexican, and her world is in English and Spanish. I wanted Jade to live in Atlanta and go to Catholic school, because I didn’t know of any stories that represented this particular experience. One day as I was walking in my childhood neighborhood, I passed by a trail through the woods behind my parents’ house, and I got the idea.

Any advice for our St. Pius X young alums?

I have two pieces of advice:

1. Don’t be afraid to name and follow your dreams, even if they don’t match up with what you think is expected of you. This takes courage, dedication, and hard work, but it’s worth it.

2. Nurture your relationships with your friends, family, and community. Difficult times will come, and you will need each other.

Favorite memory of St. Pius X: My favorite memories of St. Pius X are chatting with my friends at lunch or around our lockers before school started.

Above left: Méndez with her freshman English teacher, Carrie Stockard.

Scan code to learn more and purchase the novel.

Alumni Spotlights

Chris Murphy ’97 Returning “Home” as the New Dean of Students

What brought you back “home” to St. Pius X? The job opportunity in leadership. I had been trying to get a leadership role in public schools, but kept my eye on St. Pius X and my grade school, Immaculate Heart of Mary. When I heard Pius needed a new dean, I reached out to everyone I knew at Pius. I knew that a job at Pius would be a dream come true. To know that I now work in a building where so many of my relatives once roamed the halls is amazing.

What inspired you to start a career in education? How long have you been in the education business?

Chris Murphy ’97, a member of one of the largest families in St. Pius X history, was welcomed “home” to Pius last year as the newest Dean of Students. After graduating from Pius, Chris earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Georgia State. He and his wife, Barry, have three kids, Kate, 14, Graham, 9, and Duncan, 7.

How many Pius-related relatives do you have?

My mother Celeste graduated in the Class of 1960. Her siblings, George Pratt ’62, Graham Malcolm ’67, and Julie Pratt ’69 are graduates as well as her three Norris cousins, Dina ’73, Jim ’74, and Rita ’76. Including myself, ten of the eleven Murphy siblings are graduates: Cam ’81, Erin ’82, Julie ’84, Katie ’86, Bart ’88, Carolyn ’90, Patrick ’93, Michael ’95, and Louise ’99. The most recent Pius graduates in my family are my nephew Joe Murphy ’21 and my niece Hannah Murphy ’24.

My wife is an educator and she encouraged me to finish my degree and become a teacher. I always loved math and helping others. My wife helped me realize that I could make a bigger impact on others in a school setting. I was a teacher for 13 years, and this is my first year in administration.

What advice would you give our young alumni?

Don’t forget where you came from and continue to do the great things you began at St. Pius X. Discover what sets you apart from others and venture out of your comfort zone. Always come back to visit, we love to hear about all the great things you are doing!

THEN & NOW

The eleven Murphy siblings featured in the 1997 Golden Echoes yearbook.

The Murphy Siblings. Front row, l-r: Louise, Timothy. Second row, l-r: Cam, Julie, Katie. Third row, l-r: Erin, Carolyn, Patrick, Bart. Fourth row, l-r: Chris, Michael.

Kristin Vari Dooley ’01

St. Pius X Welcomes a New Director of Alumni

The St. Pius X Advancement office welcomes Kristin Vari Dooley ’01 as the new Director of Alumni. Kristin attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, where she met her husband, John Dooley ’01. Kristin is the mother of Collier, 10, Knox, 8, and Mackenzie, 4, whom all attend Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School.

Kristin graduated from Florida State University and began her career in real estate with Janet and Bill Weidmann, parents of Pius alumni. After five years as a buyer’s agent, she moved into a sales position at Coca-Cola and later became their Special Events Manager. After having her second child, she became a preschool P.E. teacher at Dunwoody United Methodist. She continued in this role until their family was relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where she and John welcomed their third child. They moved back to Atlanta last year, and Kristin is thrilled to return to her home at St. Pius. Kristin said, “Anyone that knows me knows my love and passion for St. Pius, and I cannot think of another place I would rather work!”

Dennis Kelly ’76 Press Box Named for Long-Time Golden Lions Announcer

“Okay folks - the officials are ready! The players are ready! The ball is on the tee, and it’s Friday night in Georgia! Let’s get on our feet and make some noise up here!”

For the last 25 years, Golden Lions Announcer, Dennis Kelly ’76, began every varsity home football game at St. Pius X with those words. During his four years as a St. Pius student, Dennis played football under the legendary George B. Maloof. He was active in everything at Pius and his legendary stint as emcee of the 1976 “Talent Show” is still remembered. Dennis’ siblings, Mark ’70 and Sharon ’72, are St. Pius X graduates, as are his three children, Casey ’01, Dylan ’04, and Emma ’08. Dennis has served the Archdiocese of Atlanta as a Senior Program Manager for Catholic Construction Services for 25 years. He has been actively involved in many St. Pius X building projects including the current Ring the Bells Capital Campaign.

In 2022, Dennis decided it would be his last season as the Golden Lions announcer. His last game, a state playoff game against South Cobb which Pius won 29-7, took place on November 4, 2022. Dennis’ love for and dedication to St. Pius X has been an amazing gift to our entire community. In appreciation of his service, the Press Box at George B Maloof stadium was named the Dennis Kelly Press Box. Yes, the officials were ready, the players were ready, and the fans were ready, and so was Dennis Kelly. Thank you, Dennis!

Above: Dennis receives a plaque from Aaron Parr and Steve Spellman. Above: Dennis announces a game. Above: Dennis, his wife Trisha, and their children in the newly-named Dennis Kelly Press Box.

Alumni Events

Alumni Baseball Players Dust Off Their Gloves

On October 29, St. Pius X Baseball hosted an alumni baseball game at Spellman Field. Alumni players spanned the 1970s through the 2020s. Andy May ’74 and Shawn Sullivan ’85 were the two most senior representatives. Former head coaches Tony Stephens (1981-1988) and Brion Deitsch (1992-1993) were present and still throwing batting practice!

The bleachers were packed with family and friends of the alumni players, and everybody enjoyed barbecue from Pig & Chick restaurant. The teams were divided by graduation year, with the “older” guys playing the “younger” guys. The older alumni jumped out to an early lead but the young guys came back to take the victory.  Win or lose, everybody had a great time not only getting a chance to play, but also catching up after the game.

All of the players contributed to the Golden Lions in different ways and made their mark on St. Pius X baseball history. It was special to bring the Golden Lions baseball family back together. The highlight of the day was hanging around the field telling stories of the past and reliving memories that will last a lifetime. The baseball program will make this an annual event, occurring every year at the end of October.

Lion Lines

Christopher Travers ’12 and his Offbeat Media Group co-founders Bailey Grady and Shep Ogden were included in Forbes’ “30 Under 30: Social Media” 2023 list. Offbeat is an Atlanta-based media company that creates digital campaigns for brands, including virtual influencers and custom augmented reality filters. Offbeat’s website, VirtualHumans.org, also offers a slate of avatars from Barbie to the Geico Gecko. The cofounders have raised $2 million from investors including Mark Cuban, and landed partnerships with McDonald’s, Twitch, Netflix, and Samsung. Travers is pictured center.

Lara O’Connor Hodgson ’88 was included in Worth Magazine's "Worthy 100" list of people using their influence and affluence to have a positive impact on the world. The honorees were selected from over 1,000 nominations.

Kate Ward ’12 was nominated for a 2022 ESPY award in the Best Athlete with a Disability category. While at Pius, Kate was a four-year varsity soccer player and a member of the U.S. Women’s Deaf National team, winning her first gold medal in 2009 at the Taipei Deaflympics. She continues to play for the team and recently as captain, lead the team to a fourth consecutive gold medal in the Deaflympics in Brazil. She was also chosen to be a flag bearer for the US contingency at the Opening Ceremonies.

From Homecoming

dates to soulmates, Tim Pittman ’09 and Kelci Garrison ’09 are engaged. They’ve been enjoying their engagement since September 2022 and can’t wait to become “The Pittmans” this summer!

Noah Law ’18 is engaged to Caroline Branan. They will be married on April 15, 2023 in Pembroke, outside of Savannah, Georgia. Noah is in sales at H&E Equipment Services and Caroline will start physical therapy school.

Charlie Kapp ’22, Jack Herring ’21, and Taz Butler ’21 played on the Brookhaven Bucks in the Sunbelt Baseball League summer of 2022.

Lion Lines

John Evan Laughter ’16 and Riley Hooper ’17 got engaged on December 17 at Burge Plantation. Both of their families were there to celebrate with them. They are getting married on June 1, 2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

After graduating from St. Pius X, Riley and John both went to UGA, where Riley studied Marketing and John studied Economics. Riley works in marketing in Atlanta, and John is a second-year law student at the Georgia State University College of Law.

Doug Wagner, St. Pius X retired math teacher, and Carolyn Schwartz, parent of Megan Schwartz Shelley ’12 and Craig Schwartz ’15, were wed on November 5, 2022. The wedding took place at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with the reception following at Emory Hotel and Conference Center. The couple resides in Tucker, Georgia.

Mary Kate Standard Combs ’12 and Michael Combs were married in Amelia Island at St. Michaels Church on December 30, 2022. P.G. Standard ’09, Elizabeth Standard Reynolds ’10, Maggie Standard ’22, and Paul Standard ’80 were all a part of the wedding party. The couple resides in Augusta, Georgia.

Carol Martin Garrison ’16 and Zachary Garrison were married on September 17, 2022 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Their reception was at SweetWater Brewery. They currently live in Brookhaven with their adorable dog Hazelnut.

Adrien Bernard Spencer ’10 married Morgan TaylorBurns ’09 on August 27, 2022. The wedding was held at The Carlyle in Atlanta, Georgia. The wedding party included St. Pius X graduates: Jessica Gray ’09, Misha Jackson ’09, Kyle Frazier ’09, Ronald Brown ’10, Justin Harris ‘10, Chigozie (Ike) Onyeka ’10, and Christopher Kuhstoss ’10. The couple currently resides in Portland, Oregon.

Ali Asip Wood ’11, St. Pius X Social Studies teacher, married her long-time friend Mason Wood. The two grew up in Dunwoody and officially started their life together on January 29, 2022. They were married at St. Jude Catholic Church and celebrated with their families and friends at Dunwoody Country Club.

Emmy Bishop ’10 married Michael McBride on September 10, 2022 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. The Celebrant of the ceremony, Father Avery Daniel ’11, was among the many other St. Pius X alumni in attendance. The McBrides live in Atlanta where Emmy is a Product Marketer at Popmenu and Michael is an Analyst at the Home Depot.

Lion Lines

Natalie Corso ’13 married Dallas Coyne on June 18, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. Natalie is the daughter of Cecelia Shannon Corso ’83 and Fred Corso. Her sister Caroline ’17 served as Maid of Honor and Abby Castro ’13 as one of her bridesmaids. Natalie and Dallas live in Nashville, where Natalie is a math teacher at Father Ryan High School and Dallas is a PM for Enterprise Electric.

John Rudolph ’18 married Haley McMonagle from Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania on July 10, 2022, at The Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens. John and Haley reside in Pittsburgh where they both work for PNC bank. John graduated from The University of Pittsburgh, in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Human Resource Management. John is the brother of Thomas Rudolph ’21. John and Haley enjoy traveling, cooking, and exploring Pittsburgh and their two cats, Gus and Louie.

Miles Robert Wilford was born on January 19, 2023 as the first child to Joanna Thompson Wilford ’11 and her husband Pierce. Miles is the grandson of Jane Udell, St. Pius X staff member since 2001, and nephew to Chris Thompson ’03, Matt Thompson ’05, and Patrick Thompson ’09. The family feels blessed beyond measure to welcome this little miracle into the world.

Molly McCarthy Wack ’06, Pius Enrollment Coordinator, her husband Kevin, children Liam, 10, Phoebe, 6, and Conor, 4, welcomed Mabel Rose Wack on September 26, 2022. The whole crew is adjusting to a party of six but is grateful for every moment together.

Tonnie Cassandra, St. Pius X Business and Computer Science Department Chair, and her husband John Cassandra welcomed their second child, Rosemarie Claire Cassandra, on September 11, 2022. Rosemarie was born weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 19 inches long. Rosemarie joins big sister, Valerie.

In Memoriam

(Listings as reported to St. Pius X as of February 9, 2023. Contact alumni@spx.org with news to share.)

Chandler Berthelsen, June 24, 2022

Son of Lisa Smyke Berthelsen ’78 and Chris Berthelsen ’79, brother of CJ Berthelsen ’11 (Merricks White Berthelsen ’11), Ryan Berthelsen ’14, nephew of Daphne Smyke Davis ’67, Terry Berthelsen Gruber ’74, Susan Berthelsen Pettit ’75, Joanie Trotochaud ’72, and cousin of Amy Davis Morris ’93, Brooke Million O’Donnell ’01, Caitlin Smyke Epstein ’04, Katherine Million Welch ’05, Molly Smyke Herrin ’12, Elizabeth Pettit ’13, Matthew Pettit ’10, and J.J. Pettit ’06

Tom Boyle, November 14, 2022

Husband of Corinne Boyle, father of Michael Boyle ’87, Kathleen Boyle Mathers ’89, Chris Boyle ’91, Kelly Boyle Warfel ’98, and grandfather of Ryan Boyle ’22, Lane Boyle ’24, and Lisa Boyle ’26

Sandy Briscoe, October 20, 2022

Mother of Laura Briscoe Robertson, St. Pius X World Language teacher

Hugh Caffrey, July 5, 2022

Husband of Kathleen Caffrey and father of Richard Caffrey (deceased), John Caffrey, Michael Caffrey ’86, Mary Beth Caffrey Rozboril ’95, and grandfather of Jack Caffrey ’21 and David Caffrey ’25

Anna May Castricone, November 5, 2022

Wife of Dr. Nicholas R Castricone Jr. (deceased) and mother of Nick Castricone ’74, Karen Castricone Crook ’76, Kathy Castricone ’81, and David Castricone ’89

Bob Cowhig ’65, June 30, 2022

Husband of Lynn Cowhig, father of Allison Cowhig and Robert Cowhig III

Val Gene Crelia, October 26, 2022

Husband of Mary Crelia, father of Valerie Crelia Shaw ’77, Melanie Crelia Muench ’79, and Sally Crelia ’83

Edna Deckbar, November 3, 2022

Wife of Gerry Deckbar (deceased), mother of Gayle Deckbar Keating ’66, Carole Deckbar Guerin ’69, Claire Deckbar Taylor ’72, Tom Deckbar ’74, Donald Deckbar ’79, Barbara Deckbar Colcord ’80, and grandmother of Laura Guerin ’99, Jennifer Guerin ’03, and Alexa Deckbar ’12

Drew Dunn ’00, October 1, 2022

Son of Sally Allen Dunn (deceased) and Al Dunn (deceased), husband of Lawrence Dunn, brother of Shannon Allen Dunn and Ashlee Leigh Dunn

John Foley, November 14, 2022

Former St. Pius X Guidance Counselor, husband of Barbara (O’Keefe) Foley (deceased)

Barbara Claire (O’Keefe) Foley, January 14, 2023

Mother of Karen Ann O’Keefe ’72, Kevin Larson O’Keefe ’74, Barbara O’Keefe-Shea ’77, and Mary Beth (O’Keefe) Rutenis ’80

Dave Gastley, July 26, 2022

Husband of Mary Kramer ’71, brother-in-law of Bill Kramer ’64, Steve Kramer ’67 (Sally McQuaid Kramer ’69), Patricia Kramer ’70 (deceased), uncle of Kristin Kramer ’98, Michael Kramer ’00, and Anna Kramer ’05

Rosemary Gerstner, October 31, 2022

Wife of Ernest Gerstner (deceased), mother of Miriam Gerstner Wilson, Greg Gerstner ’73, Linda Gerstner Manning ’76 (Michael Manning ’76), and Debra Gerstner Jones ’79

Jim Girard, November 6, 2022

Husband of Peggy Girard, father of Meghann Girard ’11 and Patrick Girard ’14

James W. (Jim) Goggin, November 7, 2022

Husband of Jean Goggin, father of Betsy Goggin Buechner ’85 (David Buechner ’73), Patricia Goggin Fioretti, and Kathleen Goggin Nicholas

Mary Haywood, January 14, 2023

Grandmother of Matt Bailey ’02 and Jackie Kulzer ’06 (deceased)

Fred Hedges, August 28, 2022

Husband of Virginia Hedges, father of Don Hedges ’70 (deceased) (Linda Trotochaud Hedges ’70), Bill Hedges ’71, Steve Hedges ’73, Mary Hedges Smith ’76, Diane Hedges Draa ’79, Laura Hedges Hipp ’80, Nancy Hedges Regan ’81, and Cathy Hedges LeBlanc

Polly Herrin, January 17, 2023

Mother of James Landers ’72, Marie Landers Cain ’74, and Alan Landers ’80

Graham Hodges ’21, July 14, 2022

Son of Tanja Hodges and Jeff Hodges (Christine Hodges) and brother of Harrison, Chandler, BJ, Christian, and Charlie

Robert Q. Jameson, October 13, 2022

Father of Rob Jameson ’82, Jackie Jameson Mintz ’89, Patrick Jameson, Eileen Jameson Martell, and Kevin Jameson

Patricia “Paddy” Shikany Joseph ’74, July 31, 2022

Wife of Steve Joseph (deceased), mother of Stephanie Shunnara, Audrey Fleming, and Michael Joseph, and sister of Lorie Shikany Rice ’77, Lisa Shikany, and Annette Shikany Miller ’76 (deceased)

David Kerner, June 28, 2022

Husband of Barbara Kerner and father of Karen Kerner Pagoaga ’82 (Jose Pagoaga ’80), Jon Kerner ’83, Peter Kerner ’92 and grandfather of Devon Pagoaga ’09, Michael Pagoaga ’10, Melissa Pagoaga ’15, Kavi Kerner, Jack Kerner, and George Kerner

Rick Miller, October 29, 2022

Husband of Cal Bedard Miller ’79, father of Molly Miller Patel ’11 and Davis Miller, brother-in-law of Judy Bedard Callahan ’77 (Tom Callahan ’75), Mary Bedard Gilmore ’83, and the uncle of Patrick Callahan ’05, Elizabeth Ripley Rees ’05, and Katie Callahan ’07

Fred Mohr, December 5, 2022

Husband of Velma Mohr, father of Greg Mohr ’77 (deceased), Michael Mohr ’79, Lisa Mohr Bir ’82, Chris Mohr and grandfather of Meredith Mohr Comeford ’14, Joseph Mohr ’15 (Callie Cardenas Mohr ’15), Daniel Mohr ’18, Natalie Mohr ’21, James Bir ’19, and Paul Bir ’23

Tom Nichols, September 10, 2022

Husband of Audrae Nichols (deceased) and father of Tom Nichols Jr ’71, John Nichols ’73, and Kathy Nichols ’74

Santiago Parada, January 9, 2023

Father of Ruth Hernandez, St. Pius X Sage Dining Services employee

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.

Joyce Petit, October 23, 2022

Wife of Jim Petit (deceased) and mother of Leann Petit O’Donnell ’68, Courtney Petit Snow, Scott Petit ’69, Jeff Petit, and Brent Petit

Maria Pinilla, September 23, 2022

Mother of former St. Pius X teacher Emabeth Espinosa and grandmother of Jose Espinosa ’08, Camilo Espinosa ’09, and Alejandro Espinosa ’13

Connor Shehan, January 12, 2023

Nephew of Mike Lancaster, St. Pius X Dean of Students/Coach

Chet Quilliams, November 1, 2022

Husband of Charlotte Quilliams, father of David Quilliams ’95 and Matthew Quilliams

Karl Rieger ’79, July 24, 2022

Husband of Christine Rieger, father of Sydney, Ben, and Walker, brother of Holly Curley, Tamia Rieger ’78, Tom Rieger, and Siobhan Rieger Finnegan ’85

Mark Rubesch, January 28, 2023

Brother of Mike Rubesch ’75 and Laurie Rubesch Wilson ’81

Michael Shikany ’66, November 13, 2022

Husband of Charlene Shikany, and father of Jessica Shikany Trippe ’00 and Charlie Shikany ’08

Dorothy (Dot) Todd, September 17, 2022

Wife of Robert Todd (deceased), mother of Bill Todd, Mary Todd Bowman, Bob Todd, John Todd, Jim Todd, David Todd, Joe Todd ’78, George Todd ’80, and Paul Todd ’82

Ramon Toledo, January 1, 2023

Husband of Blanche Toledo (deceased), father of Danny Toledo ’82, Teresa Toledo, Linda Toledo, and Laura Toledo

Paul Wojcik ’62, January 10, 2023

Husband of Susan Wojcik (deceased), father of Andrew Wojcik, brother of Mary Rose Wojcik Hilscher ’61, John Wojcik ’63, Tom Wojcik, Greg Wojcik ’67, Chuck Wojcik, Jessie Wojcik Whiting, Jimmy Wojcik, Michael Wojcik, Judy Wojcik Ashley, and great-uncle of Grier Jobson ’18, Theodore Jobson ’21, and Sophie Jobson ’22

Correction Notice

Joanne Podhorez , March 20, 2022

Wife of former St. Pius X staff member John Podhorez and mother of Joni Podhorez Babineaux ’94, Jan Podhorez O’Donnell ’98, and Jason Podhorez, former St. Pius X employee

Remembering Michael Shikany ’66

Obituary Tells the Beautiful Story of a Humanitarian

Michael Shikany's love for St. Pius X ran deep. He was a long-standing Alumni Board member, the classmate that rallied everyone together at reunion time, the parent on the sidelines cheering on the Golden Lions, and always ready to assist in any special event, fundraiser, or Pius gathering. He is deeply missed but his legacy lives on.

Michael Marion Shikany, 74, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022 surrounded by his beloved family. Michael was born August 15, 1948, in Atlanta to the late Abraham and Maybelle Shikany. He is preceded in death by his mother Maybelle Maloof Shikany, father Abraham Shikany, and his brother Johnny Shikany.

Michael was truly one of kind and he left a lasting impact on every person that he met. He was widely known for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, and his wonderfully stubborn personality. In his early years Michael developed his passion of football and played through 12th grade at St. Pius X Catholic High School, coached by his cousin, well-known and admired Coach George B. Maloof. Michael developed some of the closest relationships playing football in high school and he and his football brothers never lost touch, but instead formed their special crew The Catfish. Through his young adult years, he joined and played with the south’s premiere rugby club in Atlanta “Old White Rugby” where he learned immeasurable lessons on life and made long lasting friendships.

Michael discovered and dove into his passion for acting a bit later in life, but it blossomed into a portfolio of many local-based theater performances, as well as a few major films such as Taken 3 and Selma, the film in which he was most proud.

Michael was a true humanitarian. He had a deep love for giving back to the community through many different charities. One of his biggest successes was Atlanta’s annual St. Jude Magic Carpet Ride gala benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He was the brainchild and the driving force behind this fundraiser and through his inspiration and his own hard work, this gala has raised nearly $1,500,000 for St. Jude’s hospital over the past decade.

Michael loved his Lebanese heritage and was a leader in his local club and in the Southern Federation of Syrian Lebanese American Clubs, serving as President and Chairman of the Board of both

organizations. He also helped found the Cedar Club Foundation, the charitable arm of the Cedar Club of Atlanta.

Michael was a loving husband to Charlene Shikany who he met through voice/music lessons. He fell in love the moment he saw her absolute beauty and heard her incredible voice. They would go on to make many memories over their 43 years together. Michael was a proud and beloved father to Jessica Trippe and Charlie Shikany. There was nothing he loved more than gathering around the kitchen table with his wife and kids to tell jokes, stories, and most importantly, laugh. He couldn’t wait to watch baseball with his grandson Andrew, or lovingly debate with his son Charlie and son-in-law and fellow lover of history, Alex. Michael loved and was proud to have and be a part of his wonderfully large extended family including his many Maloof and Mansour cousins in and around Atlanta and Newnan.

Michael will truly be missed by the many people who were fortunate enough to know him. This is a true testament to the kind of person he was. His warm personality, giving spirit, and sense of humor, along with his diverse interests and his vast amount of knowledge on so many subjects enabled him to create genuine, lasting relationships that truly touched the hearts of the people that knew him.

Michael is survived by his wife Charlene Shikany, daughter Jessica Trippe, son Charlie Shikany, grandkids Andrew Farmer and Daisie Trippe, nieces Christy and Aliyah Shikany, nephew Trey Riley, daughter-in-law Katie Spell and son-in-law Alex Trippe.

Above: “The Catfish”

Left: Scan QR code to read Michael’s full obituary and to support his favorite charities.

St. Pius X Catholic High School

2674 Johnson Road, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30345-1720

404/633-4290

www.spx.org

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