St. Pius X Connections - Winter 2018 by St. Pius X High School

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Meet Our New President Creative Sartans Excel Alumni Association Launch

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CONNECTIONS Saint Pius X High School 5301 St. Joseph’s Dr. NW Albuquerque, NM 87120-1712 (505) 831-8400 www.saintpiusx.com A d m i n i s t r at i o n Principal Dr. Barbara Rothweiler President Rev. John B. Trambley II Assistant Principal - Academics Barbara Neff Ducaj ’79 Assistant Principal - Instruction Orlando Rodriguez Assistant Principal - Dean of Discipline San Juan Mendoza Business Manager Carmen Cavnar Director of Marketing and Enrollment Jeff Turcotte Director of Athletics Jim Cook ’83 Director of Community Service Alicia Eiler ’83 Director of Technology Jose Samora A D V A N C E M E NT O F F I C E Director Bobby Wallace

We are so blessed by the generosity of the St. Pius X High School community. Students have just completed their annual food drive in support of Barrett House, an emergency shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness. This year students collected 10 truckloads of food and piled it beautifully around the altar at our Thanksgiving Mass to be blessed. The 4,000 pounds of food – 1,000 pounds more than we donated last year – will truly bless Barrett House and the people they care for. Learn in this issue about the generosity that abounds here every day. Our new President Fr. John Trambley sets the stage with his generous presence at everything from daily Mass to C-Team football games (page 3). Our alumni carry forward generously the gifts received at St. Pius X, with Chris Maxwell ’95 chairing our new alumni association (Page 11) and a long list of alumni who have returned to SPX as staff members, including newly-hired Ana Maria Allensworth ’78 and Maya Suazo ’82 (Page 4). Our donors also keep generosity at the forefront. SPX Foundation board member and parent Jerry Sais says: “It’s important to support the school beyond tuition because tuition just keeps the lights on everyday – if we want it to thrive and to be something special, we’ve got to add our support. It wouldn’t be what it is today without families of the past realizing that and giving to creating the truly special place we have today.” (Page 7) Learn more about the generous spirit and success of SPX throughout the magazine and consider how you might help ensure a St. Pius X High School experience for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Barbara M. Rothweiler, PhD Principal

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President is Where the People Are........................3

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St. Pius X Connections is published by the St. Pius X High School Advancement Office. The mission of St. Pius X Connections is to provide alumni and friends of SPX with news, information, and inspiration regarding the school and each other.

Around Campus.........................1 SPX Sports ..............................10 In Memory...............................12 Alumni Notes...........................13

Fr. John Trambley jumps in to his new role.

Associate Director of Advancement and Alumni Jean Marie Skipp ’87 Editor Melissa W. Sais

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Fr. John Trambley prepares for school Mass with members of the Campus Ministry Team.

nt Meet Our New Preside el Creative Sartans Exc Launch Alumni Association

AroundCampus

Creative Sartans Excel Senior Sings with All-National Choir

Amanda Stone

St. Pius X senior Amanda Stone performed with the National Association for Music Education All-National Choir in November with 240 singers from across the country. Stone is the first St. Pius X student to be selected for the choir and the choir’s first student from New Mexico since 2014. Stone performed classical, African and English contemporary pieces with the Mixed Choir at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 27. She was accompanied to the event by SPX Choral Director Clarissa Clark. Stone auditioned at the encouragement of SPX Fine Arts Co-Chair Keith Jordan, who saw the opportunity and told Stone about it. The competitive audition was open only to elite high school musicians who had been selected for their All-State music ensembles. “Coming into Pius, I did liturgical singing, but I didn’t think I could be a serious singer,” Stone said. “It took me three years to earn the St. Pius singing scholarship. Once I did, it opened my eyes to what I can do with music. After that I tried out for All-State and made the Mixed Choir. My take away from it all is that I just to have confidence in myself. If I put out the effort, I can achieve.” Her efforts are paying off in many ways. In addition to the national choir, at this fall’s state Solo and Ensemble Festival, Stone gave an excellent solo performance. Rated 1 to 5, with 1 being the high score, Stone received a 1+, a rare plus given at the judge’s discretion for an outstanding performance. A National Hispanic Merit Scholar and a member of the Top Ten students of the Class of 2019, Stone plans to major in civil or architectural engineering and minor in music, so she’s looking for universities with strong programs in both areas. Her career goal is to work for Disney as both an engineer and a performer. “Music brings the creative to math, and math brings foundation to music,” she said.

Creative Writer Honored for Her Work

Martinique Sedillo

Senior Martinique Sedillo is making her mark at SPX as a two-time member of the creative writing class, a contributor to the school’s creative writing publication, Akira, and now as the winner of the Florence Offtermatt Doughty Memorial Award for an exceptional student in the art of communication. “I got into (the creative writing class) last year and it was so much fun,” Sedillo said. “You have more time to write, put your ideas down and expand ideas.” “Martinique has demonstrated not only an aptitude but also a passion for the written word,” said Jennifer Hillsey, creative writing teacher. “Her contributions to the school literary magazine, both as writer and as a staff member, have been invaluable.” Sedillo also worked this fall in the SPX theater on her fifth show, Frankenstein, managing props and working the trap door under the stage. Several years ago, the SPX English Department was bestowed with a generous gift from Francis Doughty in memory of his beloved wife, Florence. Through that gift, St. Pius X is able to recognize an outstanding student who reflects the ideals that Mrs. Doughty held dear. She was a master of language, both written and spoken, and she raised her family to respect and embrace communications in all forms. The financial award towards current year tuition is given to an exceptional student who carries writing skills from English class and expands them. Sedillo plans to study in the areas of biomedical science and journalism and is considering Eastern New Mexico University and the University of New Mexico. “I think that Pius has given me a lot of preparation for college,” Sedillo said. “It has made me feel more prepared knowing how to write, to study, and to talk to teachers.”

St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

Homecoming 2018

The 2018 SPX Homecoming celebration culminated with a Sartan Football 54-0 win over Pojoaque on Oct. 4 at Milne Stadium. During halftime, SPX honored members of the very first Sartan football team (left), which took the field in 1968. Pictured are, (kneeling in front) Philip Aragon, (left to right standing) Phil Sciarrotta, Rick Mahboub, Dennis Sanchez, Rick Vandam, Stan Chavez, Paul Benson, Chris Jillson (standing in the very back), Leve Otero, Mike Heaphy, Ben Miramon, Gary Walker, Phil Martinez, and John Van Sichle. Named Homecoming Queen and King were seniors Julia Lopez and Jacob McCoy (top right.) Earlier in the week, the seniors captured the first place float prize with their depiction of Rome for the European adventure homecoming theme.

AroundCampus President is Where the People Are On the first noticeably cold night in October as St. Pius X C-Team football battles on the field, one voice carries above all the others, slowly booming out: “Let’s. Go. Sartans!” That’s Fr. John Trambley, SPX president, doing what he’s called to do – be where the people are. “Whether that means cheering on teams, attending plays and concerts, teaching class, meeting with faculty, alumni or parents, my philosophy is to be present and to be where the people are,” Trambley says from his office on the SPX campus. “Spending time with the people, that’s the role of a pastor.” For Trambley that also means teaching a 9th grade theology class on sacred scripture. “It’s a blessing,” he says. “It gives me that extra connection with students and with teachers. So many kids don’t have the opportunity to talk to a priest and ask questions; these spend 45 minutes a day with me. And teaching helps me to understand the challenges that face teachers. I’m still growing and learning as I teach.” When Archbishop John Wester appointed Trambley to the newly-created position of school president, Trambley said he told him, “This is your parish.” “I do all the things a priest does in a parish,” Trambley says. “I provide the

sacraments, daily Mass and weekly all-school Mass, confessions. My role is to be present, to bring Christ into situations where there might be conflict, and to bring forgiveness.” While the president position assisting in the administration of the school is brand new, Trambley steps into the chaplain role filled by the soccer-playing Fr. Chike Uba for the past five years. Wester assigned Uba to St. Anthony Parish in Pecos. This fall, Trambley went on his first Senior Retreat at Camp Oro Quay in the Sandia Mountains. “It was amazing,” he said. “I was climbing the rock wall in my clerical garb and getting asked questions like, ‘What’s your favorite – Red Vines or Twizzlers’. This was my first high school senior retreat. It was good for me as well as the kids. We all got something out of that.” Fr. Trambley also joined the SPX Ambassadors for Indigenous People Club and got right to work. Formerly called the Native American Club, the group traditionally makes and sells fry bread at the annual Homecoming bonfire. This year Trambley helped make 10 trays of fry bread dough for the event. “I’m enjoying being present to these kids who have great ideas,” Trambley said. “And as president I have the opportunity to support those ideas.” Along with the campus Apologetics Club he has signed up for, and the Croquet Club he hopes gets going, Trambley also is active in SPX faculty, staff and foundation meetings, and serves as the vocations director and priest notary for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Luckily all of his roles are right on campus. “I walk between St. Pius and the Catholic Center and I even have lunch at the cafeteria,” he says. “I’m waiting for the kids to come around and sit with me. “For the first six months I am here to learn and to listen,” Trambley adds. “Those are my two biggest roles right now. Learning what each teacher does, each committee, each board – there’s so much to absorb.” He even sold SPX raffle tickets to see what that’s like. He’s also hearing suggestions from students including interest in a Eucharistic procession, a listening session on clergy abuse, encouraging more attendance at daily Mass, and regular campus confession times. “I want to participate, learn and listen,” he says. “And for my overall vision, I want to see

evermore, faculty, staff and students to grow in holiness. That’s the desire of any pastor.” Born and raised in Iowa, Trambley never attended a Catholic school until seminary but was active in his parish and Boy Scouts, earning the Ad Altare Dei religious award. He majored in mass communications and art at Buena Vista University in Iowa and moved with his parents to Albuquerque after graduating in 1989. He worked in programming at KOAT Channel 7 for 16 years, rising to program director. He left the station to enter the seminary in 2005. “Looking back I can see God calling me from a very young age,” he said. “I remember signing up to be an altar server and having a tremendous feeling of peace. In high school art class, I made a chalice and paten out of clay. I just wasn’t thinking, not recognizing it. I felt I was going to be happy doing television or art.” After being approached by lay people and priests encouraging him to consider a vocation to the priesthood, and actively avoiding vocation discernment weekends for three years in a row, he finally decided to attend. After further conversations and support from Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan, he decided to enter the seminary in 2005. “I was called to this, but I had to decide to cooperate and trust what God wanted to do,” he said. “Sometimes, I think, ‘What took me so long?’” Trambley says he never would have dreamed he would become a Catholic high school president. “But what a wonderful opportunity to work with young people, and have the chance to turn to them and say, ‘Have you thought of becoming a priest or a religious brother or sister?” he said. “Maybe God’s going to use me in that way.” St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

SPXAlumni

Alumni Return to Give Back Maya Suazo ’82 and Ana Maria Allensworth ’78 say returning to St. Pius X High School as employees this year has offered them a tremendous opportunity to give back to the school and faith community that so nurtured them as students. “It feels like you’re coming home,” says Suazo, a learning specialist at SPX. “Pius was such a nurturing and supportive place for me. I’m happy that I can use my experience to give back to our community.” Suazo supports students’ academic journeys, providing them with organization tips, management, study skills and resources. “I am happy I can provide strategies and support to help students meet the rigorous and diverse demands of being a Sartan,” she says. “I found it surprising and reassuring that so many of the families I went to school with continue to send their family members here,” Suazo adds. “That’s a testament to the values and education that Pius provides.” Suazo went from St. Pius X to Benedictine College in Kansas, earning a degree in education, followed by a master’s degree in special education from the University of New Mexico. She has worked with pre-schoolers through adults in public and private schools across the country, the last 17 years at Albuquerque Public Schools.

“Education was very important to my family who sacrificed a great deal to send all three children to St. Pius,” Suazo says. “My being here now honors those values. I experience tremendous joy in imagining how my mom would feel knowing I had returned to St. Pius.” Allensworth, an administrative assistant in the SPX Advancement and Alumni Office, supports the school’s endowment and fundraising programs. “I hope my time here at St. Pius will be one in which I am able to give back to the school some of the love and joy my heart has been blessed with as a result of the teachers and students who helped shape my life,” Allensworth says. Upon graduating from SPX, Allensworth received a scholarship to attend the University of Albuquerque, which she says was a result of the great academic foundation St. Pius X gave her. She graduated magna cum laude in 1982. For her, returning to a job at SPX also meant returning to her college campus, as St. Pius X has resided on the former University of Albuquerque campus since 1988. Allensworth went on to a career as a federal investigator, a security analyst, and an IT recruiter. In the last few years, she was a homeschool teacher for her daughter.

Maya Suazo ’82 and Ana Maria Allensworth ’78 This year her grandson enrolled as a freshman at SPX. “As I would drop him off at St. Pius every morning, my heart felt a strong calling to return to St. Pius and I was blessed with this position,” she says. Allensworth hopes her grandson experiences the love, joy and inspiration she felt from her teachers, and that his faith is strengthened and solidified by St. Pius X. “I am constantly in awe of the love and kindness I get to experience every day at St. Pius, from all the students and the staff,” Allensworth says. “There truly is something ‘holy’ and ‘blessed’ occurring at this campus.”

Alumni Continue to Build SPX Ana Maria Allensworth ’78, Advancement Stephen Armijo ’07, English Marissa Avila ’11, Dorados Kevin Barkocy ’85, Theology/Physics Michaela Bruzzese ’86, Theology James Cook ’83, Athletic Director Emily Dieterichs ’15, Girls Basketball Robyn Dow ’98, Girls Basketball Priscilla Doyle ’05, Softball Barbara Ducaj ’79, Math Alicia Eiler ’83, Community Service David Fevig ’05, IT Anna Giannini ’00, Fine Arts Greg Hakeem ’10, Theology A.J. Herrera ’99, Soccer

St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

Scott Howard ’85, Theology Annin Keiser ’01, Administration Matthew Larranaga ’95, Track and Field Elisa Machtinger ’99, Social Studies Jason Maestas ’04, Boys Soccer Jennifer Maldonado ’91, Athletics Matt McCoy ’89, Baseball/Football Cassandra Montano ’11, Cheer David Montoya ’95, Football Gavin Montoya ’05, English Ryan Myers ’09, Basketball Ryan Neuschwanger ’90, Spanish Nathan Petersen ’15, Basketball Monica Reedy ’98, Math Gina Rightley ’81, Dorados Ruth Riley ’08, Fine Arts

Gary Romero ’87, Baseball Micah Sanchez ’13, Basketball Lorraine Schierstein ’98, Science Jean Marie Skipp ’87, Advancement Annaliese Smith ’17, Cheer Charla Smith ’89, English Kathleen Stratmoen ’70, Math Maya Sauzo ’82, Learning Specialist David Sullivan Jr. ’02, Soccer Abigail Tarin ’09, Counseling/Girls Soccer Stefanie Tierney ’97, Girls Soccer Frances Torres ’88, Math Ashley Turcotte ’07, Athletics Taylor Whitener ’13, Boys Basketball Matthew Wildau ’07, Football

SPXAlumni

SPX Paves Engineering Path Hailey Stock ’14 clearly remembers loving history and science as a kid and believing she would become a teacher. “But every day as I walked into math class at St. Pius, Mr. (Larry) Sanchez would tell me, ‘There are not enough women in engineering. You’re so good at math. You need to be an engineer,’” Stock says. “Literally, every day.” When she didn’t respond affirmatively during that sophomore geometry class, Mr. Sanchez threatened to tell her mother Stock should pursue engineering. Then he did. “My mom helped me explore the field after Mr. Sanchez ratted me out,” she says with laughter in her voice. When Stock graduates in December 2018, she will be recognized as the University of Arizona’s Outstanding Senior of the Biosystems Engineering Department and will start a job she landed last April with the U.S. Forest Service at the Coronado National Forest in Tucson working on environmental remediation projects. Her degree in biosystems engineering focuses on water resource management and she graduates with a minor in mechanical engineering. “We focus on human interaction with the environment,” she says of her field. “The problems it is tackling are the problems that are important to me.”

Stock began considering engineering problems as a junior in high school with internships at Sandia National Labs that stretched through the summer of her sophomore year at U of A. An internship after her college junior year with the U.S. Forest Service led to her job offer. Stock will start a master’s degree program in civil engineering next fall. Stock says St. Pius X High School instilled a solid work ethic in her that other students sometimes have to learn after they get to college. It also inspired her to pursue leadership and presented her with opportunities and connections. “At St. Pius I was surrounded by really high achieving students encouraging me to do my best,” she says. “I still try to surround myself with high achieving people. And because of Pius, it’s natural to be doing something in addition to going to school. Pius inspires you to be a leader.” While at U of A, Stock served as leadership chair and website manager of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and became an Engineering Ambassador, speaking to prospective students and visiting middle and high schools to talk about engineering careers. “When I came to U of A, I met two Engineering Ambassadors who were women,”

Hailey Stock ’14 Stock says. “I saw them, and finally, I could see myself in the field. I said to myself, ‘I can be an engineer. I am capable of this.’ I wanted to be that for someone else.”

The St. Pius X High School Theater presented Frankenstein in November. The cast and crew included 16 students under the direction of drama teacher Annie Giannini ’00. Pictured in the cast are (from left to right ) Pascale Correa-Bruzzese, Ronan Braun, Ana Rios, Santiago Montoya, Nathan Setter, Samuel Valenzuela, Vanessa Lucero, Melissa Hipple and Tristian Ruiz.

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PlannedGiving They Have Plans for a Sartan Future.

Make St. Pius X High School a Lasting Part of Your Sartan Legacy It’s easy to give to future generations of St. Pius! Just use the following language in your estate planning to create a valued Sartan Legacy for generations to come. I hereby direct for charitable purposes $_______________ (or ________ percent of my residual estate) (or ________ percent of my retirement plan) (or ________ percent of my life insurance policy) (or________ percent other, i.e., Charitable Trust, etc.)

We Have Plans for Future Sartans. Darren Beckett Eddie Castoria ‘64 Ron Fernandez ‘84 Lonny Hurley ‘77 Michael A. Olivas ‘68 and Augustina H. Reyes Tony Pino ‘74 and Julie Pino ‘75 Chuck Reynolds ‘64 Marijo Rymer ‘64 Al Schubert ‘75 Frank Schubert ‘78 Joe Schubert ‘70 Please join us in creating a Legacy Plan for future generations of Sartans. Some of us have designated percentages of our retirement plans, life insurances or life income trusts to St. Pius. Others have made dollar amount or percentage bequest provisions. All of us believe in a future where every aspiring Sartan family has the chance to experience the Catholic, values-based, college-preparatory education that only St. Pius X High School provides in Albuquerque. 6

St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

to the St. Pius X High School Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, for the benefit of St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This gift shall be used for ______ General Purposes

______ Tuition Assistance

______ To support the existing endowment of ___________________________________________(Specify) ______ To create the ________________________________ Endowment as a permanent endowment for the benefit of St. Pius X High School. (Amount required to establish a permanent named endowment fund is $30,000.) As with any decision involving your assets and/or estate, we urge you to seek the advice of your professional counsel when considering a gift to the St. Pius X High School Foundation, Albuquerque, NM. For Your Estate Plan For St. Pius X Foundation

St. Pius X High School Foundation Sartan Legacy Society Gift Notification

When you have named St Pius X in your estate plan, let us know! Inspire others with your generous example. Complete the following information and include it in the reply envelope on page 6. I hereby notify the St. Pius X High School Foundation in Albuquerque, N.M., that I have named the Foundation as a beneficiary of my estate plan. The estimated amount of my gift for charitable purposes is $__________________ (This dollar figure is optional for St. Pius X High School Foundation planning purposes — we will never disclose publicly any amounts you indicate in this notification.) Should I change my intent toward the St. Pius X High School Foundation, or should the dollar value of my estimated estate gift significantly increase or decrease, I agree to notify the Foundation of the change. I hope that my Sartan Legacy Society Gift Notification will encourage others to contribute, currently or through their own Estate Planning, to the St. Pius X High School Foundation for the benefit of St. Pius X High School in Albuquerque, N.M. Signature(s) _____________________________________________________ Date __________________ ______ I/We wish to remain anonymous as a member of the St. Pius X High School Legacy Society. ______ Please list my/our names on the public roster of the St. Pius X High School Legacy Society as: _______________________________________

______________________________________

As with any decision involving your assets and/or estate, we urge you to seek the advice of your professional counsel when considering a gift to the St. Pius X High School Foundation, Albuquerque, NM.

SPXFoundation Supporting Growth in Academics, Faith and Leadership For Jerry and Melissa Sais, contributing to St. Pius X High School through the St. Pius X High School Foundation means creating a truly special place that helps young men and women grow in important ways. “We think it’s important to support those institutions we have in our community that allow children to grow academically, in their faith and in leadership,” Jerry says. “We were very fortunate last year to be able to support the foundation’s Coach San Juan Mendoza Endowment and be a part of the Honor the Founders effort. We were happy to do so because of the impact Coach Mendoza had on our son, Alex, and the impact St. Pius X High School has had on all three of our kids.” Alex Sais ’16 was a First Team All-State defensive end for the Sartan football team his senior year. Also a member of the Class of 2016’s Top Ten, Alex took his academic and athletic achievements to St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., where he earned the Trustees Scholarship and plays linebacker for the Johnnies, one of the top D3 football programs in the nation. Alex is majoring in accounting and minoring in music and was selected to study in SJU’s Entrepreneurial Scholars program. “St. Pius prepared Alex in many ways and it opened doors for him,” says Melissa, a freelance writer and editor. Following Alex through SPX are Isabella ’19, a Dorados Dance Team captain, and Dominic ’21, a cornerback on the football team. “St. Pius has provided a great opportunity for them to be challenged academically and has complemented the values we have in our home,” Jerry adds. Jerry, an investment manager at the Bank of Albuquerque, accepted a position on the SPX Foundation Board when Alex was in kindergarten at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Belen. “St. Pius was a distant goal for us at that time,” Melissa says.

“I took the opportunity to join the board at that time because I wanted my kids to go to Pius and I wanted to make it as good an experience for them as I could,” Jerry says. He served for several years, took a break, and then returned to the board in 2016. “It’s important to support the school beyond tuition because tuition just keeps the lights on everyday – if we want it to thrive and to be something special, we’ve got to add our support,” Jerry adds. “It wouldn’t be what it is today without families of the past realizing that and giving to creating the truly special place we have today.”

Coach Mendoza Endowment

Honor the Founders

The Coach San Juan Mendoza Endowment recognizes Coach Mendoza for his service to St. Pius X High School and its football team while supporting tuition assistance for deserving students. Throughout 25 years and two championships, Coach kept one thing in mind: “My true goal was to develop my players into good men – hard-working, dedicated, strong and loyal men.”

In 1955, Archbishop Edwin V. Byrne challenged the Albuquerque community to find 100 donors who would make gifts of $1,000 each to build a new Catholic High School dedicated to the honor of St. Pius X. In only three short years, 195 donors answered the Archbishop’s call to help create the new St. Pius X Catholic High School campus on Louisiana Boulevard in Northeast Albuquerque.

Income from endowed funds like the Coach San Juan Mendoza Endowment is a source of ongoing tuition assistance for students who would not otherwise be able to afford the outstanding Catholic and college-preparatory education provided by SPX.

To honor the spirit of our founders, and in gratitude to those original donors who created St. Pius X High School with their gifts of $1,000 in the 1950s, we plan to honor a set of New Founders who will be memorialized alongside those on the original plaque for gifts today of $10,000.

The Coach San Juan Mendoza Endowment must reach $30,000 to begin benefiting students. Your donation of every size can be mailed in the envelope on page 6 or made by credit card online at saintpiusx.com/give. Note on your check or in the online drop down menu that your donation is for the Coach San Juan Mendoza Endowment. For more information, contact Jean Marie Skipp ’87 at jskipp@spxabq.org or 505-831-8500.

The plaques will be placed beside each other in the Alumni Scholarship Circle on campus. The new plaque will be dedicated and offered as a gift to the school upon the occasion of the 60th graduating class of St. Pius X High School in May of 2020. Gifts of $10,000 will be gratefully received for this St. Pius X High School New Founders Plaque Initiative until Jan. 1, 2020. Contact Jean Marie Skipp ’87 at jskipp@spxabq.org or 505-831-8500 for more information. St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

Tinnin Memorial Clay Shootout Raises Funds for SPX The SPX Jamie Tinnin Memorial Clay Shootout to benefit the St. Pius X High School Foundation was a smoking success as more than 100 people turned out on Oct. 27 at the Tinnin Hunt Club in Bernardo, N.M., to join in the sporting clay shoot fun. Proceeds benefit the SPX Foundation, ensuring that educational opportunities will continue to be affordable to every student that desires an exceptional Catholic education. This year SPX also partnered in the event with the Rotary Del Sol Foundation, which raises funds for charities serving children and families throughout the state. A warm thank you to our Premier Sponsor, RPM Lending. Thanks also to sponsors Steier Group, Gateway Financial, EXP Realty, Roses SW Papers Inc., Robertson & Associates, Kaufman Fire Protection, Eddie Castoria ’64, Joe Menicucci ’98, Herman S. Haase, GAAR, Lone Mountain Roofing, First Impressions Inc., Kit Turpen HUB Insurance and Jo M. Cito. Live Auction sponsors were Los Ranchos Gun Shop and Champion Truss. We’re also thankful for teams sponsored by Bank of Albuquerque, RAKS Building Supply and Greer Stafford Architecture. Chow Sponsors included Jimmy’s Cafe, Taco Cabana, Smith’s Los Lunas, Sprouts, Natural Grocers, John Brooks, Bimbo, Route 66 Donuts, Bagel Express and Bristol Doughnut Company. Goodie Bags were filled by Cavender’s, Trader Joe’s and Planet Fitness. Our raffle prizes were donated by Ace Hardware, Amerispec, Archery Shoppe, Butch’s Guns, Cabela’s, Calibers, Carley Adventure Studios, Central Grill and Coffee, Champion Truss, Christian Brothers Automotive, Gateway Financial, High Noon, Hit or Miss Archery, Keller’s Farm Stores, Longhorn Steakhouse, Los Pinos Fly and Tackle, Michael Thomas Coffee, Monte Carlo Steakhouse, Pelican’s, Rancher’s Club, Seared, Sports Systems, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Texas Roadhouse, The Grill and Trifecta Coffeehouse. Caps were sponsored by Visions Screen Printing & Embroidery-JJ Hensley.

Thanks to everyone who made the event a blast!

St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

SPXAlumni And Now Her Dream Comes True – with Your Help On January 7, 2019, Sol Gutierrez of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, will attend her first day as a St. Pius International Student. What makes this such an extraordinary event is that, without the amazing charity and resourcefulness of St. Pius X High School students back in 2004, Sol would not be alive today. As reported in our Spring Connections issue, at age 4, Sol needed life-saving surgery to correct her severely deformed back, a complicated surgery not available in her birth country of Ecuador. Her family needed to raise $30,000 to pay for expenses, even after a surgeon and hospital in New York City agreed to waive their costs. When told of Sol’s situation, the 2004 students of St. Pius X went into action and raised over $12,500 toward the cost of that first surgery. On their way to New York City, Sol and her mother visited St. Pius, and the students absolutely fell in love with her, as they did again when she visited in 2007. With the ongoing support of Shriners International Hospitals, Sol has now had nine back surgeries and two leg surgeries, and yet is a vibrant, intelligent, and talented 18-year-old young woman whose biggest dream since that first visit in 2004 has been to attend her beloved “San Pio” as a student. Her hopes for this special time: “What is important to me, what is indispensable? Of course, I want to have fun, to make new friends that I will cherish for life and to create treasured memories. More importantly, I want to learn the Catholic values that are at the heart of life at St. Pius, as well as the knowledge I will need to succeed in my chosen path of helping others like me. This is my time, and I intend to spend it well.” Time is short. Sol’s host family needs help now to cover Sol’s expenses while in Albuquerque. Learn how you can help today at www.GoFundMe.com/Sol-Gutierrez-Fund. Sol needs you now.

Sartan Open

2019Reunions Class of 1969

50th Reunion – Weekend of June 15, 2019 Contact Tessy Schooley at patriceschooley@comcast.net or Kathy Henry Robinson at kathihr@gmail.com for more information or to update your contact information.

Class of 1999

20th Reunion – July 20-21, 2019

Save the date! April 26, 2019

Contact Chair Lindsey Kasprzyk Sachs at sachs.lindsey@gmail.com or 919-806-9012; Co-Chair Benjamin Sachs at bdsachs@gmail.com; or Co-Chair Christina Boothe Holcomb at Booth.cmb@gmail.com

Class of 2009

10-Year Reunion – June 14-16, 2019 Contact Monique Miscusi at Spx09reunion@outlook.com for more information.

For more information about registering a team or partnership opportunities for the 18th Annual Sartan Open, contact Jennifer Maldonado ’91 at 505-831-8437 or jmaldonado@spxabq.org.

Visit saintpiusx.com/alumni/reunions for more information, and be a part of the moments that make the memories! If you are interested in planning your reunion, contact Jean Marie (Wegman) Skipp ’87 at 831-8500 or at jskipp@spxabq.org. St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

SPXSports Sartans Earn 5 District Championships St. Pius X Boys Cross Country earned District 5-4A Champion honors. Girls Cross Country placed third in the district meet. Coach Jeff Turcotte was named District Coach of the Year. At press time, top-seeded St. Pius X Football was set to play in the Class 4A State Football Tournament semifinal against No. 5 Bloomfield. The Sartans won their quarterfinal game against Aztec 31-25, during which junior quarterback Derek Rivera suffered a leg injury. The District Champion Sartans at press time had an overall record of 8-3 and a district record of 5-0. SPX Boys Soccer, District 5-4A Champions, finished with an overall record of 16-3 and had an undefeated district season. They lost in the Class 4A State Championship Tournament quarterfinals to Los Lunas. The team earned the overall No. 1 seed in the state tournament for the first time since 2008, posted 11 shutouts, and produced an 84 percent win percentage, the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best since 2008. Named First Team All-District were forward Marcus Garcia, midfielder Mason Davis, midfielder Levi Barela, defender Bryan Carrillo, defender Michael Freisinger and goalkeeper Zack Kolkmeyer. Named Second Team All-District were midfielder Jaren Rodriguez, midfielder Isaiah Garcia, midfielder Abelino Garcia, and defender Michael McGrath. SPX Girls Soccer, District 5-4A Champions, finished with a record of 13-7-1, losing in the Class 4A State Championship Tournament semifinals to Hope Christian. The Sartans had a slow start to the season with what was ranked the toughest eight game stretch in the state of New Mexico. After the grueling stretch they went on a 12-game win streak including their win in the State quarterfinals against Goddard. The Sartans, a very young team that included 16 freshman and sophomores, were led by seniors Esperanza Chavez, Izzy Pilon and Lillian Wyckoff. Chavez, a defender, was named District 5 Player of the Year and First Team All-District. Also named First Team All-District were defender Nicole Taibbi, midfielder Sierra Saenz, midfielder Emma Donlin, forward Elena Resta, and forward Hannah Irons. Midfielder Grace Romero was named Second Team All-District. St. Pius X Volleyball finished the season District 5-4A Regular Season Champions, District 5-4A Tournament Champions and with an overall record of 16-5 and district record of 8-0. The Sartans were the No. 1 seed going into the Class 4A State Tournament. They lost in the quarterfinal round to Hope Christian High School.

St. Pius X Connections â&#x20AC;˘ WINTER 2018

SPXAlumni Alumni Association Kick Off With the goal of engaging alumni in the continuing traditions of St. Pius X High School, the new SPX Alumni Association launched its activities this fall providing free alumni tickets to the Homecoming football game along with a free SPX alumni t-shirt. “Our goal is to continue the tradition of SPX as the elite Catholic college preparatory school in New Mexico,” said Chris Maxwell ’95, chair of the Alumni Association. “The path we will take to reach that goal may be different for every alumnus. We all have different backgrounds, different expertise and different ideas to contribute. That is why we want to encourage as many alumni to be involved as possible.” Alumni will work directly with the SPX Advancement and Alumni Office and the SPX Foundation Board to develop the Alumni Association. The group will meet monthly in the evenings. Maxwell, a mortgage loan originator with Bank of Albuquerque, spent an active four years at SPX that included soccer, baseball, speech and debate, and student council. His two sisters Heather George and Kimberly Pino ’00 attended from 1993 to 2000 and his two brothers-in-law Lyle Pino ’00 and Curtis Pino ’02 attended from 1996-2002. Maxwell hopes to see as many alumni as possible participating in and attending various SPX events, including athletics, performances, social activities and gatherings of clubs and organizations.

St. Pius X High School

% of faculty

members hold advanced degrees

16 AP classes offered Student-Teacher ratio

10:1

2 out of 3 Students participate in Fine Arts including music, drama and art programs

$16.2 Million

Scholarships Awarded to the Class of 2018

“The most important things that we can do is be available to the SPX family, have a noticeable impact on the current student body and continue to put our faith into action through community service and volunteerism events,” he said. Maxwell was encouraged by the response of alumni at the Homecoming game, including SPX Foundation President Joe DeBlassie, Alumni Association Chair Chris Maxwell the gathering of the 1968 SPX and Advancement Director Bobby Wallace. football team, the first the school ever fielded. “There were more alumni attending this homecoming game than I can remember in recent years,” he said. “So many classes were represented and it was great to see people bring out their families. That is what our SPX family is all about: Continuing to support and celebrate each other!” For more information and to get involved, contact Jean Marie Skipp ’87, associate director of the SPX Advancement and Alumni Office, at jskipp@spxabq.org or 505-831-8500. Contact Maxwell at cmaxwell@bankofalbuquerque.com.

34 teachers

By The Numbers

99%

with more than 10 years of experience at SPX

of SPX graduates pursue higher education

Recent acceptances include: Boston College Carnegie Mellon University Cornell University Duke University Fordham University Georgetown University Gonzaga University Loyola University - Chicago Massachusetts Institute of Technology Princeton University New York University Northwestern University Stanford University U.S. Air Force Academy University of Notre Dame Vanderbilt University Yale University

1/3

of students receive financial aid

44 Catholic parishes

2 3 24 out of

Students are Athletes

Athletic Teams including the 2018 Girls Golf 5A State Champions

23,600

Community Service Hours Performed Over 4 Years by the Class of

2018

Students recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program and the National Hispanic Recognition Program over the past six years

represented

St. Pius X Connections • WINTER 2018

In Memory Debra A. Bischoff, age 65 of Albuquerque, died Sept. 8, 2018. Her survivors include her husband, Gerald Bischoff; children, Robert Bischoff ’97, Elizabeth Bintner ’98, Michael Bischoff ’00, Mark Bischoff, and Maria Bischoff ’12; and grandchildren, Ashton Bischoff ’22, Caiden Bischoff, Oliver Bintner, and Grace Bintner. Margaret H. Brooks, age of 95 of Albuquerque, died July 20, 2018. Margaret was preceded in death by two of her sons, Phillip ’66 and Randall ’69. Margaret is survived by her daughter, Marita ’76; son, Brian ’78; daughters-in-law, Debee (Phillip) and Annette (Randall); three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Phillip Wayne Brooks ’66, age 70 of Albuquerque, died February 4, 2018. He was preceded in death by his father, Stan Brooks and his brother, Randy Brooks ’69. Phillip’s survivors include his wife, Debee Risvold; sister, Marita Brooks ’76; and brother, Brian Brooks ’78. Patricia Byrnes, age 80 of Albuquerque died March 13, 2018 Her survivors include six children, Judith Byrnes, Timothy Byrnes ’82, Jeanne Byrnes ’82, Joy Stotts ’84, Michael Byrnes ’87, and Sean Byrnes; and six grandchildren. Geraldine V. Chavez, age 93 of Cincinnati, died June 2, 2018. Her survivors include six children and their spouses, Manuel ’65 and Cynthia Chavez, Andrea Chavez Dietz and John Dietz, Lydia Chavez and Mark Rabine, Robert and Debra Chavez, Susana Chavez and Jim O’Callahan, and Martin and Kimberly Chavez; 19 grandchildren; and 31 great grandchildren. Alfred De Guio, age 85 of Albuquerque, died Feb. 2, 2018. He is survived by three children, Fred ’76 and his wife Susan, Lisa (De Guio) Claiborne and her husband David, and Chris and his wife Deidre ’84; and five grandchildren, Christina and Alexander Claiborne, and Benjamin ’15, Chase ’17, and Christy De Guio ’20. Mark M. Haney ’68, age 67 of Irvine, Calif., died Aug. 27, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; his three

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children, Ashleigh, Emily, Bryce; and grandson, Rhys. He is also survived by his siblings Thomas ’67, Mary Pribilovics ’68 (his twin), Anne, Cary, Suzanne, and Stephen; nephew Patrick T. Haney ’95 and nieces Michaela Haney ’99 and Megan M. Haney ’97.

Ortiz y Pino ’74; daughter, Julie Pino ’75 and husband Tony ’74; and daughter Rebecca Lyle ’78; 15 grand-children including Lyle A. Pino ’00 and Curtis Pino ’02; 30 great-grandchildren; and 1 great, great-grandchild.

Patrick (Pat) Herrera, age 76 of Albuquerque, died July 6, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Herrera; one son, Marty Herrera; his daughter Deborah ’87; his daughter, Sandra Herrera; and two granddaughters.

William J.D. O’Mara, age 87 of Albuquerque, died Sept. 2, 2018. Bill is survived by his loving wife Pat, of 57 years, their three children, sons Sean ’83 and Terry, and daughter Amy Borkstrom ’89; seven grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Helen Martha (Schnitzer) Hottenroth, age 101 of Albuquerque, died July 5, 2018. Her survivors include her four children, Cathy Kummet ’67, Terry Hottenroth ’69, Jim Hottenroth ’71, and Marian Magee ’76; eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Lorenzo “Larry” Archibeque Larrañaga, age 80 of Albuquerque, died Oct. 9, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Charletta; his son, Alan; his daughter, Pam; six grandchildren including Alicia Thies ’20; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Alfred Larrañaga, Leo Larrañaga, Percy Larrañaga, Victor Larrañaga, Ernest Archibeque; his sisters, Josie Thomas, Viola Marez, Reyes Perea, MaryEllen Villanueva, Angie Lopez, Trinnie Chilton, Kay Cordova, Genie Hofeldt; and his brother Victor’s family: Regina Rizek ’86 and husband Timothy ’86, Haley Rizek ’18, Quintin Rizek ’12, Tristen Rizek ’14, Dean Larrañaga ’88, Santana Larrañaga ’18, Edward Larrañaga ’84, Joseph Larrañaga ’11, Brittany Larrañaga ’09, and Matthew Larrañaga ’95. Joseph S. Llamas ’78, age 57 of Albuquerque, died unexpectedly on June 6, 2018. Joe is survived by his mother, Pilar Llamas; and brother, David Llamas ’80 and wife, Pam. Harry Thomas “Tom” Lyle, age 94 of Albuquerque, died on May 29, 2018. Tom was one of the founding families of St. Pius X High School. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Janet, and his son, Danny Joe ’69. He is survived by six of his children, son, Thomas; Danny Joe’s wife, Linda; son, Stephen; son, Peter; daughter, Jana

Mary Louise Parkes of Albuquerque died October 26, 2018. She is survived by her sons, Steve ’72, David and Paul Parkes; her daughters, Ginger Cook ’73, Cindy Garcia ’76 and Jennifer Van Roie; her daughters-in-law, Sandy ’77 and Michelle Parkes; sons-in-law, Dennis Garcia and Fred Van Roie; 15 grandchildren including Stephen Arguelles ’03, Francie Arguelles-Vigil ’02; and 12 great grandchildren. Nanette “Nan” Skipp, age 74 of Albuquerque, died July 6, 2018. She is survived by her husband, Herbert Skipp; two sons, Tracy Skipp ’84 and Christopher Skipp ’86; five grandchildren including Nikalus George ’18 and Madeline Grace ’20; and three great-grandchildren. Dorothy Douchey Slimp, age 96 of Albuquerque, died Oct. 5, 2018. She is preceded in death by husband, Robert J. Slimp; son, William Slimp ’73; and granddaughters, Shena Devinney and Catherine McNeese. Dorothy is survived by Jim Slimp, Mark Slimp ’67, Joni Bakken ’72, Leslie Monette ’76, Sam Slimp ’85, 17 grandchildren including Brienne Montoya ’02, and 12 great-grandchildren. Harold G. (Harry) Weingardt, age 88 of Albuquerque, died in August 2018. Harry is survived by Mary his loving wife of 68 years, their five sons Harry ’69, Alan, Jay ’81, Kent ’84 and Kirk ’92, and eight grandchildren, Jeff, Kelly, Ashley, Kendall, Alison ’11, Collin, Karin, and Elyse. Send your “In Memory” contributions to msais@spxabq.org.

AlumniNotes 1970s

Hear Jeffrey Candelaria ’77 on “The Jeffrey Candelaria Radio Show,” Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST on 94.5 FM and AM 770 News Radio KKOB. He features business discussions and topics impacting New Mexico. Call in “live” at 505-243-3333.

1980s

Rebecca S Lopez, BA, MA, Ed.S. ’88 has been named the Director of Advanced Academics and Gifted Services for the Cherry Creek School District in Greenwood Village, Colo. Rebecca has been with Cherry Creek for six years as the Coordinator of Gifted and Talented and Twice Exceptional Programming, having previously taught in Albuquerque, Half Moon Bay, Calif., and Littleton, Colo. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature and education, a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in giftedness, and an education doctoral specialist degree in educational leadership.

2000s

Courtney Harris ’04 of Austin, Texas, has started an online and Austin-area business as a Life Coach for Teens and Parents. Courtney Harris Coaching supports young people in overcoming anxiety, overwhelm, and isolation as they find their voice, grow confidence, and embody empowerment. Additionally, Courtney supports parents of pre-teens and teens in maintaining self-care, growing alongside their children, and developing balanced sensitivity towards the unique process their child is creating. Sessions with both teens and parents guide families in developing the trust, communication, and connection that’s crucial for a life of ease. Learn more at courtneyharriscoaching.com.

2010s

Dr. Michelle Sandoval ’10 completed the University of New Mexico’s Combined BA/MD Degree Program and is pursuing a residency internship in pediatric medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The residency will prepare Sandoval to go into practice as a pediatric doctor when she returns to New Mexico.

Kayla Matteucci ’14 was selected a James C. Gaither Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a prominent global think tank with research centers around the world. She began her yearlong fellowship focusing on nuclear policy in August. The policy is an area of study she became interested in as an intern in the Center on National Security at Fordham Law and Sandia National Laboratories. In April, Matteucci traveled on a Fordham-funded trip to Geneva for the U.N. Preparatory Committee meeting for the 2020 Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty. Rory Martinez ’15 was chosen in 2017 to be a Student Ambassador to the Vatican Conference on Nuclear Disarmament with Pope Francis Nov. 10-11, 2017. It was the first student delegation of the conference and only 21 students were selected. Martinez is a double major in theology and history at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and hopes to one day be an ambassador to the Vatican. “I am honored that my university has chosen me, but of course this would not have been possible without Saint Pius X and everything it has gifted me,” she said. Verónica Baca ’15 and Santiago Baca ’13 performed in the musical Footloose with the Albuquerque Little Theater in October. Verónica played the lead role of Ariel. Santiago was cast in the ensemble.

Daniel Gallegos ’96 spoke to SPX senior government students during teacher Dan Cappleman’s annual election candidate speaker series. Gallegos was running in a partisan election to keep his seat on the N.M. Court of Appeals, which he was appointed to by Gov. Susanna Martinez. He lost his bid for election in the November mid-terms.

Share your news! Send your Alumni Notes to the editor at msais@spxabq.org St. Pius X Connections

WINTER 2018

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