SABER
Twenty-five years ago, shortly after graduating from Saint Thomas Academy, my father and I went out to lunch and happened to drive on Mendota Heights Road. We both got quiet as we just looked at the school we had been so heavily invested in for four years. After being lost in nostalgic memories for a few moments, I asked him a question that I had never asked before, “Why did I go to Saint Thomas Academy when you went to Hill, while Grandpa, my uncle, and sister went to Cretin-Derham Hall?”
He replied with something I will never forget. He said, “Because I saw a different type of potential in you, and what sold me was that Mr. Culbertson saw it too. He promised me he’d help develop you and your leadership abilities. They saw you for you, but more importantly, for who you could become.”
I’ve told this story many times, and each time, I feel a sense of gratitude to my family for the opportunity of a lifetime! The Academy has a long history of developing boys to be the moral leaders of tomorrow’s world by its mission of developing boys into men of character, through its dedication to transforming every student to become a man who not only excels academically but is empowered with leadership, character, and Christ.
In an all-male environment, it is deeply critical for the cadets to turn into 21st-century men. Although this includes the importance of speaking confidently, looking people in the eye, and having a firm handshake, it also means the ability to obtain, sustain, and maintain relationships with a wide variety of people and make good, kind, and just decisions.
MISSION
Our mission — to develop boys into men of character — is our promise to our students, our families, our community and the world.
We accomplish this through the transformative power of an educational and life experience deeply rooted in Catholic faith and traditions, academic excellence, military leadership, and an all-male environment.
This takes nothing short of a village, and it’s our village, made up of dedicated community staff (past and present), parents (past and present), and alums; thousands upon thousands of people working together for the success of the institution, one student at a time. Together, it is our responsibility to transform each of our cadets into a man of character and a man of God. I believe that when we all work together, students win, every time and in doing so, the cadets in our building will be a man of success too.
In my opinion, a successful school needs to have relationships at its core, with God and each other. We must be willing to act and show our Cadets the way of truth and justice. To that end, one of my favorite passages in the Bible is John 14:31, when Jesus was speaking to his apostles, asking them to follow his way, saying, “The world must know that I love the Father and that I do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up; let’s go!”
In summary, to educate the whole person, we must be willing to work for the betterment of each person and each other. Schools should teach students that excellence matters, faith matters, relationships matter, and service matters, but so does learning how to learn, how to listen, how to prepare, how to persevere, how to achieve, how to fail, how to act, how to respond, and how to live morally. If we can do this every day for every student, we will build upon a foundation of excellence and succeed in our mission of developing boys into men of character, which is exactly what I plan on doing and achieving as the President of at Saint Thomas Academy.
Mr. Brian Ragatz ’98
President
Brian Ragatz ’98
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LEADERSHIP
Chief Officer
The Most Reverend Bernard Hebda
Chairman
Mr. Thomas Lee ’85
Past Chairman
Mr. Daniel Kubes ’87
Vice President
Mr. Marty Schreier ’88
Secretary
Mr. Brian Ragatz ’98
Founding Partner
Mr. Michael Ciresi ’64
CORRECTION:
In the Spring 2023 issue of Saber, on page 34, All-District Honorable Mention for football should have included Jordan Wold ’23. Our sincere apologies for this error.
Brian Ragatz ’98 Named First-Ever President of Saint Thomas Academy
BY DAVID JACOBSON
It took Brian Ragatz ’98 just 25 years to land his dream job as the first-ever president of Saint Thomas Academy.
“Our newspaper predicted 25 years ago that I would be doing this,” Ragatz said.
“And, on a Facebook post about my hiring someone commented, ‘Brian told me when he was 17 that he wanted this job.’ ”
President Brian Ragatz greets Philly Solomon ’24 on the first day of the school year.
Ragatz is the Academy’s 30th leader – succeeding Kelby Woodard – and the first to carry the title of President. The change in title breathes fresh breath into a position that has evolved over the years. Current Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Tom Lee ’85, explained, “The title of Headmaster is antiquated. The new title reflects what we are: a professionally run Catholic institution with the mission of turning boys into men of character.”
Lee noted that there were many great candidates for the role of President, but “Brian was the best of the bunch. His passion for the job was exceptional, drawn from how the school impacted his life.”
— Continued on page 4
Top: Brian with his family, wife Anne, son George, and family dog. Bottom: Brian in his office, with a sign that embodies his work ethic.
Ragatz received the “Battalion Soldier of the Cycle” award. Pictured with him are his father, Steve (middle) and his uncle, Command Sgt. Major Paul Ragatz with the Minnesota Army National Guard (right) as they attended the award presentation event.
Ragatz arrives from his previous position as president of the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence, which bolsters academic performance and admissions in Minnesota’s preK-8th grade Catholic schools. His prior positions also include service as the principal of St. Odilia, St. Thomas More and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic schools.
Ragatz served as second lieutenant in the Army National Guard for four years after graduating from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in secondary education from St. John’s University and a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. He earned his educational specialist/Minnesota K-12 principal’s license in 2021 from the University of St. Thomas. He has taught social studies and religion at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic School, as well as teaching education courses as an adjunct professor at both St. Mary’s and the University of St. Thomas.
Ragatz pictured at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Training in 2003.
Ragatz pinning ceremony with his parents when he became a commissioned officer and a Second Lieutenant.
Ragatz in his social studies teacher days.
Of course, Ragatz’s time as a Cadet provided the basis of his thought process and approach to leadership. “Saint Thomas Academy was always the right fit for me,” he said. “I say unapologetically that those were the best four years of my life. It was critical. It taught me who I am. It gave me a solid foundation and a moral compass so I would know what I should do.”
One highlight was his sports career, including basketball, baseball, track and field, and football, where he played tight end and defensive end and was a tri-captain his senior year, along with Jim Miley ’98 and Pat Gilbert ’98. Football also played a role in one of the most important occurrences in Ragatz’s young life.
“My grandpa passed away during my junior year, and that crushed me,” Ragatz recalled. “He meant the world to me and had great impact on me. The last time I saw him was at the Academy when I was named a team captain, and he passed away the next month. My football coach, Bob Slater ’77, let me put my jersey, number 16, into his casket.
“At my grandpa’s funeral, I sat in the front row, and I saw Willie Abbott ’98, my friend from grade school and high school, take communion and then walk over to me and tap my shoulder. Then all 100 Cadets who attended each came up to me and tapped my shoulder, and I just lost it.”
— Continued on page 6
“We want to be a school that has figured out how to teach boys academics and teach them character and kindness.”
Brian with his family, wife Anne, son George.
Brian played tight end and defensive end for the Cadets.
Ragatz also was instrumental in the Peer Mentor Group and Choose to Be Chemical Free, now known as The Choose Program. Another key activity, again inspired by his grandpa, was performing in VISTA’s production of The Music Man.
“He’d always wanted me to be in a show,” Ragatz said. “I kept explaining to him that as an athlete, that was not my crowd. My grandpa told me to have the guts to do what I wanted, and the year after he passed, I decided to join the cast.”
That experience in crossing social lines informs Ragatz’s views of student life today. During lunch with seniors soon after his hiring as president, Ragatz asked their advice and heard Cadets’ concerns about cliquiness. “That can be blamed on the pandemic, when we were limited to contact with a core group of friends. But we want everyone walking down a hallway to say, ‘Hi, what’s up?’ to each other. Simply acknowledge each other.”
That view, along with supporting a no-cell-phones-inthe-hallways policy, “can create a culture of caring,” Ragatz said. “That starts from the top down, but it also has to come from the bottom up.” Walking that talk, Ragatz endeavored to greet by name every staff member in their first group meeting during Workshop Week. He studied the yearbook to memorize faces and names.
The caring culture as a complement to the Four Pillars should contribute to advancing the Academy’s overall excellence. “We want to put men out into the world to make good and just decisions,” Ragatz said. “We want to be a school that has figured out how to teach boys academics and teach them character and kindness. We want other schools to call us and ask how we do it.”
Ragatz anticipates fielding those calls for a long time to come. “This has always been my dream job,” he said. “God willing, this will be my last post before I retire.”
Above: George in front of the many jerseys, as the Ragatz family enjoys all sports.
Below: A friendly game of pop-a-shot at home.
Ragatz shared this Leadership Statement:
I believe that everybody who walks into my building asks me three questions:
1) Do you see me? 2) Do you like what you see? 3) How will your decisions uphold our mission?
My job is to answer those questions for every person every day through my words and actions. I do this by getting to know them, knowing when to lead and when to cheerlead, bridging gaps, and bringing various constituencies closer to the aligned mission.
There is a difference between leading to be “right” and leading to be “successful.” I think a sign of a good leader is somebody who understands how people need to be led and then adapts to make others successful. I can understand what needs to be done and the intentionality and dedication to get there.
This also supports my philosophy of education, which is to educate the whole person, establish authentic and empathetic relationships, and lead to success by meeting the needs of people. To do this with integrity, schools must develop an educational experience that is transformational versus merely transactional.
A transformational education pushes students and staff to their best versions of themselves while gaining a deeper relationship with God, self, and others. In contrast, a transactional education is meant only to attain credentials for college admission.
In an all-male environment, I would take a stance on how critical it is for the cadets to turn into 21stcentury men. Although this includes the importance of speaking confidently, looking people in the eye, and having a firm handshake, it also means the ability to obtain, sustain, and maintain relationships with a wide variety of people, including God, and make good, kind, and just decisions.
This takes nothing short of a village, and that is why I am very intentional about not only working with leadership teams and the staff they are accountable for, but also having the staff working in collaboration with each other, as well as parents, to ensure that students obtain a solid foundation in all of these areas. I believe that when we all work together, students win every time. This is why I thrive on working closely with stakeholders while being accessible and highly visible to all.
It is my belief that relationships are at the center of any successful school. At Saint Thomas Academy, that means a relationship with God and one another is at the core of what we do. Just as the Bible shows us how Jesus centered the relationships with his apostles in John 14:31, so must we prioritize our relationships with our faith and with each other.
For holistic education to be successful, we must not only work to improve ourselves, but also each other. At Saint Thomas Academy, learning how to learn, how to listen, how to prepare, how to persevere, how to achieve, how to act, and how to respond matters just as much as pursuing excellence, faith, and service to each other and our communities.
Suppose we can do this every day for every Cadet. In that case, we will build upon a foundation of excellence while transforming them to morally lead tomorrow’s world, which is exactly what I plan on doing and achieving as President of Saint Thomas Academy.
Academy Alumnus Feeds Tanzania
BY DAVID JACOBSON
Chris Robert ’58 retired from his lucrative computer technology sales career at age 63, began supporting various charities for the next dozen or so years, and then started his real work.
His philanthropy took a turn when Robert realized, “I’m an operations guy. I have to know what’s happening with things. I don’t care about my name in lights, but I had to find a way to see my money doing something.”
Robert, who can tell a story, explained, “I was talking to a guy who runs a hospital out here in Massachusetts, and he told me about a doctor from Tanzania who wanted to build a hospital. That doctor explained to me that her village had no water or electricity. I wanted to help, and I wanted test her, so I gave her $50,000 to put the water and electricity in. When she showed me the well water coming out of a hose – you’re familiar with Texas Hold‘em? I was all in — I decided to fund the hospital. It’s now delivering babies in a town called Gera.”
During the hospital project, Robert learned that malnutrition stunts the growth of about half of all children born in Tanzania. “My wife, who is an RN, was over there, and they asked her to run a test on a child. He was 14 years old and less than three feet tall. That is typical there, and this same problem affects the brain. So, 50 percent of the kids can’t grow up tall and don’t have a good brain. It’s specifically the lack of protein. That starts with the mother’s lactation, which does not have enough protein in it and goes on to the children not getting enough protein as they’re growing up.”
In response, Robert last year launched Jenga Tanzania Agriculture as a long-term solution to get children the proper food, he said. “We have now identified five pieces of land close to my goal of 20,000 acres, and we will acquire them probably in October and then plant on that acreage in January of 2024.”
In keeping with his “operations guy” approach, Robert sought assurance that the organization could grow the right crops in Tanzania. He called on one of his associates, Dr. Mwemezi Deusdedit, who grew up farming in Tanzania, and who also can tell a story.
“I received a call from Chris, who said ‘I want to start a farm in Tanzania, and I want you to help me. I can’t do it without you.’ Chris had not only helped us build that hospital, but also purchased a CT scan, the second one in a region where 2.6 million people live and had to take up to a 16-hour bus ride to get a CT scan.
“Now Chris wanted to help the charity be selfsustainable by developing its own economic activity through commercial agriculture. He wanted us to see what we could do with modern commercial agriculture investment. He invited a group of us on a trip to Chihuahua, Mexico to visit the Mennonites who transformed their lives through modern agriculture practices, which in a period of 100 years, turned an area that was once a desert into one of the richest areas in Mexico. He believed that if we could help Tanzania do what the Mennonites did in Mexico, Tanzania could potentially feed East Africa and even the world.”
Robert added to Deusdedit’s story: “The Mennonites’ land was not different than the land the Israelis were given, sand everywhere. I went down there. It was stunning. They had wheat fields and corn fields and sunflower fields. You couldn’t see the end they were so long. They were able to take crappy land and make it highly productive. I thought that if they could do it I could do it.”
The plan is to plow all revenue, much of it from growing sunflowers, back into the local economy to ensure better nutrition for the region. “My goal is to make Tanzania the breadbasket,” Robert said.
Just as he strives to feed others, Robert recalled how his time at Saint Thomas Academy fed him. “I will never forget a day, 65 years ago, that we fed families at Thanksgiving. My ethics and my interest in helping people stems from the Academy.”
Chris Robert ’58
Kelly Rowe ’79 Receives Hames Alumni Honors Award
BY DAVID JACOBSON
This year’s Hames Alumni Honors Award was historic, as Kelly Rowe ’79 followed in the footsteps of his father, Clarence “Gus” Rowe ’34, who received the Hames Award in 1976. The Rowes are just the second father-son duo to be so honored, the other being William Fallon ’15 and William Fallon ’49.
Kelly Rowe’s nomination from Alumni Association Past Presidents Stephen Kelly ’86, Stephen Sheahan ’86, and Bob Moeller ’86 emphasized Rowe’s commitment to the Academy, including his own previous service as Alumni Association President, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and leader of the Fathers’ Club, which presented him the 2019 Archbishop John R. Roach Volunteer Award.
Kelly Rowe receives the Hames Award from Saint Thomas Academy President Brian Ragatz.
Rowe’s further contributions to his alma mater include establishing STA Ventures, LLC, which gives the Academy a portion of its revenue earned from helping clients’ businesses grow through connection to services (legal, accounting, insurance, etc.), personnel, and financial resources.
In addition to a career focused on his Rowe & Kelly Law Firm, the Hames Award recipient also supports many other business and community concerns:
• The Catholic Defense League, where he has served as President
• Safe Place for Newborns, which he assisted Bishop Cozzens in establishing and has served as President
• Trinity Sober Homes
• Serra of Saint Paul, past-President
• Knights of Columbus
• Cathedral of Saint Paul Men’s Club, President
In short, his nominators wrote, “Kelly’s life is dedicated to the service of his family, his community, the Church, and Saint Thomas Academy. He has made real Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s famous quotation, ‘Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.’ Kelly’s service, informed by his great faith and the values he learned at Saint Thomas Academy, continues to grow as he continues to serve.”
Those values for nearly a century have nourished the roots of the Rowe family tree, planted firmly in Academy lore, starting with Gus, who once went saber shopping with his classmate, Ward Fleming ’34 (and the rest is history). Ward famously passed his saber to his
younger brother, Richard ’35, and Gus’s saber went to Padraic Rowe ’71, Rory Rowe ’72 , and Kelly, who then handed it to his son, John ’18.
Speaking for the trio of nominators, Stephen Kelly said this year’s Hames Award recipient “has a love for Saint Thomas Academy beyond anyone I’ve ever met. He knows his history. When he was a kid, he knew Cadets all the way back to the 19-teens, up through the ‘30s and into the present.”
That knowledge and sense of significant impact moved Rowe to lead an effort to make Bill Culbertson an honorary alum, eventually leading to Culbertson receiving the Hames Award in 2014. Summing up Rowe’s character Stephen Kelly said, “He has a dry sense of humor, and he’s very humble. He likes to put other people at the center of attention and prefers to work in the background. He’s very compassionate and has a great moral center. He’s also gregarious and can tell a story. He has the Irish gift of gab. He has oldfashioned manners. He’s the type of guy who stands when a woman enters a room, and I’ve never seen him play golf in shorts.”
Kelly Rowe ’79
Daoud Saman ’24: Teen Entrepreneur
BY DAVID JACOBSON
Topping the list of things you don’t expect to hear from a Cadet who has joined the ranks of Saint Thomas Academy entrepreneurs: “I used to be much more of a hustler than I am now.”
But Daoud Saman ’24 says exactly that in explaining the evolution of the sneaker flipping business he started as an 8th grader.
WARNING: Do not attempt to read this article until you are at your computer, ready to search words and phrases in bold, especially at
Similar to flipping real estate, buying low and selling high, Saman started out by flipping sought-after Supreme Stickers that he could buy for $1 and sell for $5. “That’s when I realized, ‘Damn! I could make some real money off of this!’”
Once Saman translated sticker flipping to sneaker flipping, he was off and running. As the son of a Jordanian immigrant father and a mother from Chicago, Saman said, “I’ve always been around the hustler immigrant mentality. I spent a lot of time with my dad at the gas stations he owned, and I learned a lot from my cousins. Plus, I’m personable and likable, in my opinion.”
Saman’s business card for his sneaker business.
During the pandemic quarantine, “my business went 10X,” he said. “The Last Dance came on and put the hype on retros. The Nike sneaker app shows all the releases and tells you when shoes are gonna drop, and I could buy them for $170 and sell them for $1,500.”
Saman’s hustle also has included re-selling booth space at the sneaker exchange events he attends and parlaying sneaker sales to celebrity customers (Timberwolves and Vikings players, rappers, and at least one Fortune 500 CEO) into his burgeoning entertainment promotions business called Daoud Entertainment.
Saman estimates he spends 10 hours per week texting customers and prospects, networking and letting them know when he has a lead on a prized pair of sneakers in their size. That leads to connections with rappers such as Polo G, Tee Grizzley, and NLE Choppa, who purchase shoes from him, appear in his Instagram feeds (@therealsneakerheads and @mnsnkrxchange), and occasionally perform in shows promoted by Daoud Entertainment.
“My idea is not to be famous,” Saman said, “but I want to be with famous people. I just wanna be that guy who, if you know, you know.”
With Saman, it’s not all about the Benjamins. He is passionate about the sneaker culture and keeps a personal collection of 30 or 40 pairs, including a pair of orange Louis Vuitton trainers designed by the late Virgil Abloh that retails for $1,330.
Abloh – a child of Ghanaian immigrants, who passed away from cancer at age 41 in November 2021 – is one of Saman’s inspirations. Others in the field who inspire Saman include the musician Pharrell Williams, who inherited Abloh’s mantle at Louis Vuitton, Ye (the rap star formerly known as Kanye West), and Scooter Braun, whom Saman calls “the G.O.A.T. manager,” for promoting Justin Bieber, Ye, and Ariana Grande.
If the culture Saman inhabits seems a world away from Saint Thomas Academy, he still recognizes the school’s impact on his career path and his future. “I plan to tie this into my senior speech,” he said. “I’ll keep it real Saint Thomas Academy is grade-driven, but I wanted to get good grades and stand out in other ways. I get respect and understanding from teachers for running this business, and that motivates me.”
Saman plans to apply to the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas, major in business, “and then go to law school, because in an immigrant family the only career choices are doctor or lawyer.”
Below: Saman (right) working a sneaker exchange event with a Minnesota Timberwolves customer.
Saman working a show promoted by Daoud Entertainment.
Fr. Timothy Combs Named New Chaplain
BY DAVID JACOBSON
On any given Sunday, you might find Fr. Timothy Combs, Saint Thomas Academy’s new chaplain, watching his beloved Kansas City Chiefs. Or, his other Sunday duties completed and another Patrick Mahomes Miracle behind him, you might find Fr. Combs sitting outside his residence puffing a pipe.
His other hobbies include swimming (which he did competitively in high school), canoeing (especially the Boundary Waters), reading about the Saints (such as St. Thomas Aquinas, whom he calls the “greatest mind in the history of the Church”), or visiting with friends.
During his working hours at the Academy, Fr. Combs is responsible for Mass and Confession, occasional substitute teaching, and “getting to know students, welcoming them to come in and talk to me about whatever they want – stress, their home life, their prayer life, spiritual guidance, or anything else they need.”
In those cases, he may draw from a favorite passage of Scripture, Romans 12:12, advising, “Rejoice in hope; be patient in suffering; persevere in prayer,” for as Fr. Combs observed, “No matter what the circumstances of your life may be at a given time, this verse offers invaluable counsel.”
He reached that conclusion along a long path to Saint Thomas Academy. Fr. Combs grew up in Kansas City, the eldest of four children, and stayed in Missouri to attend Truman State University, followed by Conception Seminary College. Additional stops en route to his 2014 ordination as a Dominican priest included Denver, St. Louis, and Purdue University. He spent one year at Fenwick High School just outside of Chicago, and the last three years at the University of St. Thomas, leading campus ministry and teaching theology.
His education and career background have prepared him well for his role at the Academy. “One of the most transformative experiences for me in seminary,” Fr. Combs said, “was learning about St. Thomas’ vision of ‘the good life’ – the pursuit of virtue and holiness as a quest for happiness. This teaching of our patron saint is an inexhaustibly rich resource to undergird and guide the Academy’s mission to form boys into men of character. Every dimension of the mission coincides with the Church’s and God’s desire for young men to become more Christlike.”
Fr. Combs brings a unique understanding of the Academy’s military leadership pillar. “One of my favorite preachers when I was growing up had been a Green Beret,” he recalled. “He helped me to see that the parallels between military discipline and the principles of spiritual life are many and profound. As the Catechism has it, ‘the whole of man’s history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil,’ so the Academy’s military leadership pillar is a powerful asset for our overall mission.”
Fr. Combs’ affinity for the Academy’s mission stems from his belief that “adolescence is such a formative time in people’s lives,” he said. “Especially at Fenwick I realized how much impact one can have in imparting faith and a Judeo-Christian world view even when the prevailing culture is so contrary to that view. Many of St. Thomas Aquinas’ insights provide answers to much of the confusion that has beset society today, so it’s awesome to have the school under his patronage.
“Most Catholics will remember learning that the Sacrament of Baptism imprints onto the soul ‘an indelible mark,’ which is a rough translation of the Greek word for character, referring to the character of Christ. The whole Christian life is a process of being interiorly configured to Christ more and more deeply by the work of grace and the pursuit of virtue. This is what I see as the heart of Saint Thomas Academy’s mission, and I’m tremendously honored to be a part of that.”
Caps off to the Class of 2023!
THE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PAUL ON JUNE 1, 2023. The traditional toss of the garrison caps after graduation on the stairs of the Cathedral.
2023 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
GARRISON CAPS LOST AFTER TOSS
2022-23 Class President Bennett Kotok
English Faculty member and coach Luke Marks ’11 gave the commencement speech.
Seniors Noah Erickson, Teddy Farrell, Andrew Fahning, Nathan D’Souza, and Sorin Engstrom
Seniors Lincoln Pollard, Alejandro Montemayor, Charles Weix, and Nathan Albert
2023 Valedictorian Tate Hinkemeyer
COLLEGE DESTINATIONS FOR 2023 CADETS
Baylor University
Bethel University (MN)
Boston College
Carleton College
Chapman University
Colby College
Colgate University
Colorado College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University–Fort Collins
Columbia University in the City of New York
Concordia University–Saint Paul
Creighton University
DePauw University
Duke University
Gonzaga University
Gustavus Adolphus College
Indiana University–Bloomington
Iowa State University
Miami University, Oxford
Michigan Technological University
SERVICE ACADEMIES
Minnesota State University–Mankato
Montana State University
New Mexico State University–Dona Ana
North Iowa Area Community College
Northeastern University
Providence College
Purdue University–Main Campus
Rice University
Rockhurst University
Saint John’s University (with College of Saint Benedict)
Saint Louis University
Saint Norbert College
San Diego State University
Southern Methodist University
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
The University of Tampa
United States Air Force Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy
United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Mary
University of Miami
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
University of New Mexico–Main Campus
University of North Dakota
University of Notre Dame
University of San Diego
University of South Florida–St Petersburg
University of St. Thomas (MN)
University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–River Falls
University of Wisconsin–Stout
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Xavier University
This past school year, the Class of 2023 secured appointments to four out of the five Federal Service Academies. Eventually, we will see Cadets enter into each of the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps through either an academy or ROTC commission. Congratulations to these seniors!
The following cadets have received appointments.
United States Naval Academy:
• Luke Pucel
• Thomas Ondrey
United States Military Academy:
• Emmet C. Wolf
United States Air Force Academy:
• Nathan Albert
United States Merchant Marine Academy:
• Daniel Creamer
The following cadets have received full ride ROTC Scholarships to their respective services and selected schools:
• Luke Audette – Air Force; University of Notre Dame
• Leo Ogle – Army; University of Chicago
• Eric Zauha – Army/Navy (undecided); University of Minnesota
• Samuel Hosch – Army; Iowa State
• Roman Perri – Army; Purdue
• Bradley Klemz – Navy; University of Notre Dame
STAFF NOTES
JAMES LUNDBERG (College Counseling) and his wife Kelly, welcomed Isabelle Joy on May 10. Isabelle joins big brothers Austin (2) and Milo (5)
TYLER MADDAUS (Marketing) was recently married to Danielle Stromme on September 8 in Fargo, North Dakota.
STAFF UPDATES
WELCOME TO NEW STAFF
COACHING UPDATES
RETIREMENTS
Father Tim Combs, Chaplain and Theology
Travis Walch, Head Football Coach
Jamie Jurkovich, Social Studies
Greg Vannelli ’72, Physical Education & Health. Vannelli was also a long time coach for hockey and golf. He will remain Head Varsity Golf Coach.
Logan Moe, Counselor
Captain Nick Honan, Interim Commandant
Jacob Sand, Varsity Basketball Head Coach
Brian Ragatz ’98, President
Brian Kallman, Health and Physical Education
Sergeant Major Kimberly Reed, Military Leadership
Maggie Klimisch, Reading Specialist
Myser Award
The Myser Family Foundation Teaching Excellence Award, a financial award generously established by the Myser family (the late Buzz ’52 , Pat, John ’77, and Michel ’79), recognizes teaching excellence at the Academy. A committee of parents, students, and faculty vote for two deserving members of the faculty who have been on staff for at least five years.
The two award winners are:
• David O’Connell, English
• Father Mark Pavlak, Theology
SHELL ECO MARATHON
The Experimental Vehicle Team took on a new challenge this year, designing and building the team’s first hydrogenpowered vehicle to compete in the 2023 Shell Eco-marathon Americas at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway April 14-17.
After a very rigorous technical inspection conducted by Shell engineers, the team proceeded to break the Shell Eco-marathon Americas’ urban-concept hydrogen fuel-cell record. The team of 11 students coached the one-person vehicle to an efficiency of 118 miles per cubic meter of hydrogen (equivalent to 1,430 miles per gallon of gas).
The 237-pound car has a carbon fiber body that was laid up in a 3D-printed mold and a 1000W hydrogen fuel cell that is managed by a custom driver interface. The Eco-marathon presented student teams with extensive design parameters for vehicles participating in the competition.
In addition to the hydrogen-powered vehicle, the team designed and built a battery electric prototype vehicle, which came in fourth at the Eco-marathon with a best result of 254 mi/kWh.
Team members include:
• Huy Do ’23
• Eric Zauha ’23
• Charles Davis ’23
• William Boland ’23
• Gabriel Grady ’23
• Cason Rivera ’23
• Henry Batzler ’24
• Greta Westlake
• Charlie Meyer ’24
• Jack Orme ’24
• Sam Martin ’25
The Myser recipients left to right: Father Mark Pavlak, David Hottinger ’85 (Advancement), Pat Myser, and David O’Connell
“(THE ACADEMY’S) LEVEL OF COMMITMENT IS SOMETHING THAT INSPIRED ME
Gema Canete
YEAR STARTED AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | 2020 (Substitute), 2021 (Full time)
SUBJECTS/CO-CURRICULARS/ CLUBS | Spanish, Spanish Club (co-moderator), Pickleball Club (moderator)
FIRST TEACHING JOB | University of the Estate of Mexico, Economics School, Math teacher.
HOBBIES | Watch movies, learn another language, read, travel.
A FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENT | Every time a student comes to me for help and they leave the classroom saying “Now, I get it”.
BRUSH WITH FAME | Being a teacher makes you kind of famous, I think. Wherever you go, someone will recognize you (colleagues, parents, and students). You are constantly setting an example, it is a great responsibility too.
FAVORITE EXPERIENCE | My favorite experience ever in life came with motherhood, which also brought my biggest challenges. Aside from that, coming to a different country and learning their language and culture, only to end up teaching in my native language about my native culture is among my favorite experiences.
WHY I TEACH AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | Because I liked what I saw here. I was a substitute teacher at the Academy during the Covid year, and got to experience first hand the lengths this institution will go to provide the service they promise to their students and families. That level of commitment is something that inspired me, and made me come back to help continue with their mission.
FAVORITE MUSIC | Alternative Rock
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT | Anywhere in Mexico or some place I have not been before.
FAMILY | Husband and two kids (Chris-14, Sofi-10)
Logan Moe
YEAR STARTED AT
SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | 2023
SUBJECTS/CO-CURRICULARS/ CLUBS | I run social/emotional support groups with Mr. Larson here at school. We cover topics related to anxiety and social connection.
FIRST TEACHING JOB | My first teaching job was with River Falls High School. I have past experience counseling in the River Falls School District at every age level. I also have past experience with before and after school programming with St. Paul Public Schools.
HOBBIES | I love spending time with friends and family, traveling, running, spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, cooking, and reading.
A FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENT | I do not have one particular favorite moment. I value the collection of memories I have with my students. My favorite memories usually come from empowering students through supportive relationships. It is a privilege to stand by a student’s side as they overcome challenges in their life.
BRUSH WITH FAME | I am a very laid back person, I try to let the spotlight shine for others!
FAVORITE EXPERIENCE | My favorite experience was proposing to my now fiancé Brooke. I proposed in July of 2023, and we plan to get married in October 2024. She is my best friend and words cannot express my love for her.
WHY I TEACH AT SAINT THOMAS
ACADEMY | I enjoy the connection with the boys. They are all wonderful in their own unique way, and I enjoy relating to the many aspects of their life.
FAVORITE MUSIC | My favorite genre of music is hip hop!
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT | Vancouver, Canada
FAMILY | My mom, my fiancé, and my younger brother.
“ IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO STAND BY A STUDENT’S SIDE AS THEY OVERCOME CHALLENGES IN THEIR LIFE. ”
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
VISTA PRODUCTIONS
VISTA Theater presents Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, the story of Henrietta Leavitt.
PERFORMANCES:
November 10-11, 17-18 at 7:30 p.m.
November 12, 19 at 2 p.m.
Visitation’s DeSales Auditorium
2455 Visitation Drive Mendota Heights
VISTA Theater Receives Spotlight Awards
It was an inspiring and energy-filled three days as the theater students from Visitation and Saint Thomas Academy experienced the Hennepin Theatre Trust, Spotlight Education program rehearsals for the annual Showcase. Including hundreds of students from across Minnesota, theater kids were preparing to perform on the stage of the Historic State Theatre. Some kids worked with professional choreographers and music directors to learn vocals and choreography. Tech kids were given the opportunity to stand at the professional sound and light boards working alongside professional technicians. Some students honed their skills as hosts for the evening. Ben Cardwell ’24 was one of the very first people onstage welcoming the audience. Maia Sutton and Pierce Moberg ’23 were outstanding in the opening and closing numbers.
Much like the Tonys, schools who received Outstanding Honors are offered a chance to perform a cutting from their show. The second act gave the production of Peter and the Starcatcher a chance to shine. Cast members included James Barrett ’25, Ben Cardwell, and Pierce Moberg, performed beautifully and were able to give the audience a glimpse into the production. Thomas Lund ’23 supported the performance, skillfully running the light cues and representing the Outstanding Technical Achievement VISTA crew.
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
On September 21, we welcomed grandparents to campus to spend the day with their grandsons. Grandparents were able to see the campus, meet teachers, watch the Crack Drill Squad perform, and listen to a STA history presentation from Mr. Hoverson and Mr. Simmons. Grandparents and grandsons also celebrated Mass, and attended the Upper School Pass & Review.
The Crack Drill Squad performs.
Upcoming Admissions Events
Above: Mass on Grandparents’ Day. Below: Cadets march at the Upper School Pass & Review.
The best way to get to know Saint Thomas Academy is to spend time on our campus. We offer various opportunities to tour the school, see our beautiful facilities, and meet faculty, students, and parents. Please share the below events with those who may be a good fit for the Academy.
ACE VISIT: AUTHENTIC CADET EXPERIENCE
Scheduling an Authentic Cadet Experience (ACE) shadow visit is the best opportunity for your son to experience a day in the life of a Cadet. He will be paired with a Saint Thomas Academy student that shares similar interests. ACE visits offer prospective students an understanding of the school day, class content, and our community environment. (Lunch is included!) Select your in-person or virtual visit at cadets.com/ace
TUESDAY TOURS
Led by the Admissions Office and Parent Ambassador Team, these campus tours provide prospective families with an exploration of our exceptional 88-acre campus and its preeminent learning facilities, such as our Innovation Center and advanced learning tools. Tours include classroom visits, meeting with faculty and conclude with taking in Formation, a unique daily gathering for the students. Tuesday Tours are typically 90 minutes and cover much of our amazing educational experience. Select your Tuesday Tour at cadets.com/tuesday
BOY SCOUTS
Leadership Doesn’t Take a Summer Vacation
Cadets Michael Korf ’26 (pictured left) and Liam Ryan ’24 (right) successfully completed the BSA National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) – also known as Grey Wolf – week-long training this summer. As members of Troop 5 in Woodbury, Michael and Liam were nominated by their troop to participate in this program. The Grey Wolf program develops better leaders as well as offering skill development around team building, problem solving, and decision making.
Philmont Scout Ranch
Sailing and Snorkeling Fun
This summer, Cadets Billy Armstrong ’27 (pictured left) and Liam Ryan ’24 (right), experienced sailing and living aboard a 47' sailboat while also fishing and snorkeling the coral reefs around the Florida Keys. As members of Troop 5 in Woodbury, Billy and Liam were part of a crew that participated in a week-long high adventure experience that was organized by the BSA Sea Base program.
Cadets (pictured from left to right) Ben Treacy ’25, Vince Audette ’25, Declan Schultz ’24, and Will Rencher ’24, were among a crew from Nativity Troop 67 that attended the Philmont Scout Ranch this summer. Pictured from the top of Baldy Mountain, 12,441 feet, the Scouts woke up at 12 a.m. to get to the top in order to watch the sunrise. Philmont Scout Ranch is located in Cimarron, New Mexico. The scouts did a 12 day backpacking trek in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, culminating in the Baldy summit.
EAGLE SCOUTS
This past summer, two Cadets earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Earning the rank of Eagle is a lengthy process. To attain the Eagle rank, a scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, fulfill leadership roles, display outdoor skills, demonstrate by example the Scout Oath and Law, and complete a comprehensive service project in the community, all by the scout’s 18th birthday.
For his Eagle project, Ryan Farrington ’23 organized and led a group of volunteers who renovated the backyard space and playground at Dakota Woodlands women’s shelter in Eagan.
Gabe Grady ’23 organized and led volunteers in assembling tool sheds and compost bins for the Open Door Food Pantry community garden in Eagan.
State Fishing Tournament
Justin Thilmany ’24 (pictured left) and Jack Groppoli ’24 (right) placed fifth in their conference at the Minnesota State Fishing Tournament. They had a very successful season by placing 9th in the first round, 11th in the second round and 3rd in the final tournament. In the last round they caught a total of 11.35 lbs and Justin had a nice catch at 5.58 lbs. The Cadets also received the award for biggest catch, 6.02 lbs by Henry Batzler ’24 and Antonio Pedri ’24 in the final round.
Ryan Farrington (second from left) and Gabe Grady (sixth from left).
SPORTS UPDATE
LACROSSE
Cadets Lacrosse ended their season ranked in 9th place on the final regular season poll, went 5-0 in the Metro East Conference, and were Conference Champions. The season was more than their 10-5 record, as the program featured two of the four Academic All-American players from Minnesota, Matthew Hudson ’23 and Adam Husaby ’23. Matthew Hudson was also a Mr. Lacrosse and Pioneer Press Player of the Year finalist. Team Captains were Max Candon ’25, Matthew Hudson ’23, Adam Husaby ’23, and Tommy Simmons ’23.
For the Academic All-America awards, there were only four boys who were All-Academic, so 50% of this year’s boys US Lacrosse Academic All-American recipients for Minnesota are Cadets! In addition to lacrosse accomplishments, a 3.85+ GPA and an ACT score of 30+ were needed for consideration.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Max Candon ’25
• Hunter Carver ’24
• John Dzubnar ’24
• Matthew Hudson ’23
• Adam Husaby ’23
• Gabe Meisterling ’24
• Carter Stahl ’23
• Charlie Youtt ’23
ALL-STATE
• Matthew Hudson ’23
• Adam Husaby ’23
ACADEMIC ALL-STATE
• Dominic Castro ’24
• Sam Fulton ’23
• Adam Husaby ’23
• Jordan Wold ’23
• Charlie Youtt ’23
• James Zavoral ’24
COLLEGE
LACROSSE BOUND
• Matthew Hudson –Colorado College
• Adam Husaby –Rockhurst University
• Carter Stahl –Milwaukee School of Engineering
Gabe Meisterling ’24
Tommy Simmons ’23
Adam Rozkowski ’23
Adam Husaby ’23
Luke Hudson ’23
Matthew Hudson ’23
Hunter Carver ’24
GOLF
The Cadets Golf team was led by captains Sean Burns ’23 and Colin Dalseth ’23 and featured a second place finish in the Metro East Conference, impressive for such a young team. The starting line-up included three freshmen and one sophomore in the top six. Season highlights include Sean Burns with a first place finish in the Dakota County Invitational, Leo Vincelli ’26 with a second place finish in the Albert Lea Invitational, and Sean Burns qualifying for state in the 3AAA.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Colin Dalseth ’23
• Leo Vincelli ’26
• Abe Walther ’26
HONORABLE MENTION
• Sean Burns ’23
Freddie Walther ’25
Abe Walther ’26
Sean Burns ’23
Colin Dalseth ’23
Leo Vincelli ’26
Nick Mork ’23
BASEBALL
Cadets Baseball had a very successful 2023 season, with their first conference championship since 2010. The team also made their fourth consecutive trip to the State Tournament, ending the season with winning the consolation State Championship against Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
Captains Gavin Engelbert ’23, Bennett Kotok ’23, Michael Miller ’23, Asa Rapp ’23 led the team to an overall 20-7 record, a Metro East Conference Championship, and a Section 3AAA Championship.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Daniel Dahl ’23
• Jonathan Dobis ’24
• Gavin Engelbert ’23
• Michael Miller ’23
• Asa Rapp ’23
COLLEGE BASEBALL BOUND
• Nick Becker – Gustavus
• Daniel Dahl – Gustavus
• Michael Miller – Duke
• Asa Rapp – NIACC
Bennett Kotok ’23
Michael Miller ’23
Michael Stavseth ’24
Gavin Engelbert ’23
Asa Rapp ’23
Graham Sukup ’23
Jonathan Dobis ’24
TENNIS
Led by captains Tate Hinkemeyer ’23 and Gavin Massey ’23, the Cadets Tennis team went 12-6 overall and 6-2 in the conference, finishing third overall in the Metro East. The team made it to the quarter finals and will build upon the young players for next season. The team was also recognized for an Academic Gold Award.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• William Bonfe ’24
• Tate Hinkeymeyer ’23
• Britton Jarpe ’25
• Drew Lindstrom ’26
• Gavin Massey ’23
• Braxton Spata ’27
HONORABLE MENTION
• Noah D’Souza ’23
• Dante Ziperstein ’26
Britton Jarpe ’25
Braxton Spata ’27
Noah D’Sousa ’23
Jordan Tacheny ’23
Gavin Massey ’23
Drew Lindstrom ’26
TRACK & FIELD
The Cadets Track Team had a very successful season! The team was the 3AA Section Champion, True Team Section Champion, True Team State Champions, and advanced 12 athletes to the state meet. The team also had several first place finishes, against Hill Murray, Mahtomedi, the STA Invite, the Milan Matasich Memorial Invitational, the Metro East Conference Mid-Season Meet, South St. Paul, Two Rivers, and the Varsity Catholic Schools Championship. The team did have a nail biter finish in the Metro East Conference Championship, finishing second.
Led by captains Cooper Clinton ’23, Emmett Wolf ’23, Nick Henseler ’23, Mark Rogalski ’23, Daniel Creamer, Patrick Koegel ’24, Philly Solomon ’24 and Savion Hart ’24
Patrick Cunningham ’24
William Carey ’26
Damian Fru ’25
Luke Cierzan ’25
Cadance Fru ’25
Same McNellis ’27
Mark Rogalski ’23
Luke Markert ’24
Emmett Wolf ’23
Logan Stofferhahn ’28
Ben Cleary ’23
Drew Ryan ’25
Ben O’Shaughnessy ’25
Jonny Miller ’23
Niko Vargas ’24
Dane Dow ’25
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Cooper Clinton ’23 – Discus
• Patrick Cunningham ’24 – 110 Hurdles
• Jackson Najarian ’24 – Pole Vault
• Freddie Plessner ’23 – Pole Vault
• Nick Henseler ’23, Marshall Wright ’25, Grant English ’27, Ian Kirvida ’24 – 4x800
• Luke Markert ’24, Michael Thompson ’23, Max MapelLentz ’24, Daniel Creamer ’23 – 4x400
• Luke Market ’24, Michael Thompson ’23, Avery Buckner ’26, Mark Rogalski ’23 – 4x200
• Niko Vargas ’24, Kian Farooq ’25, Mark Rogalski ’23, Avery Buckner ’26 – 4x100
STATE MEET ACCOLADES
• Daniel Creamer ’23, 2nd place, 400 meters
• Philly Solomon ’24, 1st place, 1600 meters
• Emmett Wolf ’23, 2nd place, 1600 meters
• Philly Solomon ’24, 1st place, 3200 meters
• Patrick Cunningham ’24, 2nd place, 110 hurdles
• Michael Thompson ’23, 1st place, 300 hurdles
• Kian Farooq ’25, Avery Buckner ’26, Mark Rogalski ’23, Niko Vargas ’24, 1st place, 4X100 Relay
• Lukas Markert ’24, Avery Buckner ’26, Mark Rogalski ’23, Michael Thompson ’23, 1st place, 4x200 Relay
• Daniel Creamer ’23, Michael Thompson ’23, Max MapelLentz ’24, Lukas Markert ’24, 1st place, 4x400 Relay
• Cooper Clinton ’23, 1st place, Shot Put (new section record)
• Cooper Clinton ’23, 1st place, Discus
Caleb Ling ’24
Andrew Deeb ’28
Freddie Plessner ’23
Lars Osteraas ’26
Liam Ryan ’24
Magnus Mehlhoff ’26
Max Iffert ’24
Partick Koegel ’24
Jackson Ciecioglu ’23
Cooper Clinton ’23
STA is in Good Hands!
BY DAVID HOTTINGER ’85 DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
IDavid Hottinger ’85
t is with great pleasure and excitement that I write to you in this issue of the Saber to celebrate the beginning of what I hope will be a long and successful tenure of our President, Brian Ragatz, a distinguished member of our alumni family from the Class of 1998.
Since taking the helm on July 1, Brian has already made a significant impact on STA, building on the strong foundation laid by his predecessors. His journey from his days as a student at our institution to becoming our President is a testament to the dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment that characterizes our alumni. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and the vision he continues to bring to life. There is a certain pride that comes with having one of our own lead our school.
Brian’s background is rich with experiences that will enable him to steer our beloved institution toward an even brighter future. As we begin this next chapter, I encourage each of you to share your insights, experiences, and aspirations for STA with him. Your involvement and support are invaluable in shaping the path ahead. Together, under Brian’s capable leadership, we can continue to uphold the mission, four pillars, and traditions that make STA so unique and special.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to engage and meet with President Ragatz. We started this fall with on campus events which will continue. We have already had out- state events in Chicago and New York. Look for information regarding dates in Denver, Dallas, Austin, Florida, Arizona, and California to be scheduled.
As always, thank you for your support and all that you do for STA. Go cadets!
David
CadetWorks
CadetWorks is busy working to place graduates with employers! Contact John Barnes if you need to hire or if you need a job or internship! Thank you to our employers who have recently hired Academy graduates.
The long term goal of CadetWorks will be to become a year-round program to help young Cadets in the ever changing job market. LOOKING FOR AN INTERNSHIP?
Contact John Barnes at jbarnes@cadets.com
Some of the participating companies: Aris Clinic
Haus United Health
Voyage Wealth
SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY REUNION WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 19-21, 2024
SAVE THE DATES IN 2024!
CLASS OF
Joe "Balls" O'Neill - joseph.e.oneill@gmail.com | 612-209-6001 19 74
50 YEAR REUNION
If you would like to help organize/contact classmates, please get in touch with: Tim "Red" Carroll - tcarroll74@gmail.com | 651-492-9575
Mark"Mazz" Mazzitello - mmazz56@aim.com | 612-865-8099
HELP SHAPE THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Whether it has been months, years, or decades since you attended STA, we want to remind you that you’re a member of the esteemed Saint Thomas Academy Alumni Association. Throughout the cadets.com website, you will discover various ways for alumni to engage with the Academy and each other both on and off campus. We invite you to explore the many opportunities available like: upcoming events, educational programming, volunteer opportunities, and networking (to name a few). Getting involved will provide meaningful connections, keep you informed, and foster lifelong friendships.
A great high school doesn’t just happen; you make it happen and the future of Saint Thomas Academy is bright. The Academy cannot achieve new heights without our alumni involvement. By creating a vibrant alumni network, we will ensure that Saint Thomas Academy’s tradition of excellence continues inside and outside the hallowed halls of 949 Mendota Heights Road. DON’T WAIT, BE A PARTICIPATING MEMBER OF THE SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TODAY! Email John Barnes or STA Alumni Association President Joe Schultz ’14 with questions.
The following folks met for the regular STA
Football
L
R
1950s
The class of 1955 created the Last Man Standing Award at their 55th reunion in 2010. Recently, the award was presented to TOM LEE ’55, as the “last man standing” of his class. The award included a bottle of Hennessey VSOP cognac and a plaque (now lost, through years of transfers). Retired Alumni Director and former football coach, GERRY BROWN ’58, presented Tom with the cognac. Cheers to Tom and the entire STMA class of 1955.
At a recent lunch, Cadet Captain and Company Commander TOM LEE ’55 presented the F Company Guidon Flag to freshman Private MIKE DOUGHERTY ’58 (future Torch Club member) for his “key role” in F Company’s winning the Best Company Award in May 1955. The Torch Club is an elite (but unofficial) organization of proud cadets who graduated with the rank of Private and who were never promoted for ALL FOUR YEARS!
1960s
On June 6, RICH ALLEN ’60, assisted by Cerenity volunteer TERRY FRIEDRICHS ’74, presented to 30 members of the Cerenity Marian Catholic Senior Community on Rich’s life in baseball. Rich spoke on his growing up in the baseballsupportive West 7th neighborhood in St. Paul, his starring as a pitcher at STA (1958-60), his years in the Twins and Athletics organizations, and his life after baseball. Residents sang “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” ate ballpark food, and showed off their baseball knowledge — both old and contemporary wisdom — with their great questions. They provided these STA alums with a very warm welcome. Thanks, Cerenity Marian!
Jayce Feely, grandson of TJ ’70, nephew of PAT ’62, DICK ’65 and great-grandson of STMA basketball coach Tom Feely Sr. Jayce plays for the University of Colorado who upset TCU on September 2, 2023 on national television. Jayce kicked a 49 yard field goal for the Buffalos.
Faded
Heroes (and one referee) lunch recently: pictured
to
KEVIN BERG ’76, ED KIEGER ’76, Tony Ruiz (referee), JIM CROSS ’79, TOM CROSS ’75, KEVIN FENELON ’75, seated: Coach GERRY BROWN ’58 1950s
Members of the CLASS OF 1955 gathered for lunch and fellowship this past Wednesday at The Pool & Yacht Club.
Coach Walch with the CLASS OF 1953.
JIM BOHEN ’65 has published 3 books recently, all with a dose of humor. The Granddaughters features short poems about his grandparenting daycare “adventures.” The Calendar Book (paperback only) has one short poem for each date, with baseball, mortality, Covid-19, the seasons, Jan. 6th and much more covered. The Famous GREEN Fire Engine is a children’s book with stories for children of all ages. Paperbacks and e-books are available on Amazon.
This year’s Sporting Clays Classic was a great day at Minnesota Horse and Hunt. Thanks to our Title Sponsor JP Enterprises –JOHN GANGL ’69 and all those who attended. The individual high score came from MIKE MYSER ’79 who hit 73 of 75 clay targets. Team Miller – JUSTIN MILLER ’08, DAVID ZIMMERMAN ’08, DREW ZIMMERMAN ’10, JUSTIN OPPEGARD ’07 and Alex Quinnel – were the Team Champions with a score of 303. Mark your calendars for September 9, 2024 for the 2024 STA Sporting Clay Classic.
1960s
JOHN OSSANNA ’60 hosted a group of 1960 grads for lunch at the Scoreboard.
The “boys’ retreat” at Mike Ciresi’s lake home. Pictured left to right are: TOM LINSTROTH ’64, ADAM CIRESI ’95, GEORGE CARROLL ’63, MIKE CIRESI ’64, DOMINIC CIRESI, MIKE BARCELOW ’64, and DON BACHMEIER ’64. Not pictured: DAVID CARROLL, ’64
Ridley, Flynn & Brown implemented an offense that would carry their teams past Cretin for 17 years in a row. The foundation was built by EARL WETZEL (STMA ’65) and Sgt. Max Beilke, the Freshman Coaching Staff of the era. Twenty two years ago today Sgt. Beilke lost his life serving his fellow soldiers and the Country at the Pentagon. He had survived his post STA assignment in Viet Nam and passed [while working] at a suburban office complex. Ironic.
1970s
A group from the CLASS OF ’64 met for lunch at the Pool & Yacht Club.
A group from the CLASS OF ’73 met for breakfast on Monday. Front row: JIM MURLOWSKI, ED O’PHELAN, MIKE SIREK, LARRY FRYKLUND, PETER GILLEN Back Row: TIM RIDLEY, CHRIS LEE, KEVIN DALY, TIM PLUNKETT, JOHN HUBER
1970s
Father DOUG EBERT ’64 and MIKE BARCELOW ’74 were able to catch up here at the Academy.
A group from the Class of 1977 played in the 59th Annual Alumni Open on Monday. From left to right MIKE BANN, MICHAEL FLOOD, DAN LONG, JOHN HYNAN, and JOHN ERTEL
For the 5th year in a row, JOE NUNEZ ’77 was named a SuperLawyer™ in the Real Estate practice category, as well as to Best Lawyers™ (also in real estate). Since 2015, Joe has enjoyed professional life back in private practice at Vantage Law Group after 20 years in-house at Target Corporation (and 8 years before Target as a partner in a mid-size Minneapolis firm). Congratulations, Joe!
MARK PAPPENFUS ’78 and his wife, Ellen, just happened to run into HEINIE LUND ’82 at the Grand Lodge Peak 7, in Breckenridge, Colorado.
The CLASS OF 1973 had their 50th reunion celebration.
1980s
Former teacher and coach Tom Ihnot with BILL WALSH ’84 at a Center of the American Experiment event on July 6. Bill is the Director of Marketing and Communications for American Experiment.
PETER MORK ’85 and Capital Partners are excited to share that they were awarded the “Owner/Landlord of the Year” at the Minnesota Real Estate Journal’s 2023 Awards ceremony. Learn more about Capital Partners at our website.
In a new episode of Beyond the Skyline, Capital Partners
co-founder
PETER MORK ’85 talks about his commercial real estate path, the current state of industrial development in the Twin Cities, and the challenging debt market.
DOMINIC DZIK ’86 was nominated for Officer of the Year in Saint Paul.
1990s
Congratulations to JOE KLEIN ’93 on earning his Doctorate in Nursing: Nursing and Organizational Leadership. Pictured with his sons, JORDAN KLEIN ’19 and ANTHONY TERNES ’19.
Former Headmaster Kelby Woodard ran into FATHER NATE WILLS ’95 while at Notre Dame.
MATTHEW DELMONT ’96, the Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Professor of History, has received a 2023 AnisfieldWolf Book Award, a national juried prize for literature that confronts racism and explores diversity. It carries a $10,000 award. Delmont was selected for his critically acclaimed book, Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad, which illuminates Black Americans’ heroism during the war and experience of racism. The book was also listed in the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2022.
1980s
Cadet Baseball is as strong as ever with over 75 athletes in the program. Alumni involvement is also strong with 8 alumni throughout the program living up to Coach Mono’s motto that “At STA, Tradition Never Graduates!!!”
Back row L to R: DREW JOHNSON ’03, Head Coach
BOBBY THOMPSON ’14, CHARLIE JONES ’20, JT ENGESWICK ’15. Front Row L to R: MONO ’81, MARCUS SCHLEPER ’15, RYAN AURAN ’20, DAVID KRIEGER ’04
A great time was had by a crew of ’87 ALUMNI who got together at Dan Kubes’ lake place in Nisswa. (L-R standing) JARROD LYNCH, DAN KUBES, TOM THUENTE, PHIL RITTEN, ANDY WILHOIT (photo), RICH (BEAR) HANOUSEK, JOHN GRIFFIN, STEVE FARLEY, (seated) NORB WINTER III
Not pictured: TIM DYRHAUG, KEVIN LOVEGREEN
TOM STROUSE ’87 has accepted the position of 8th Grade Dean on top of his teaching responsibilities at University Prep. Going forward, he’ll have a lot of work on his hands keeping those rapscallions in line.
ROB GRADY ’96 has written his first book! Curious Leadership offers an approachable starting point for anyone eager to embark on their leadership journey. It acknowledges that what aspiring leaders truly seek is not an overwhelming array of tenets but a compass to guide them in the right direction—a direction fueled by curiosity, questioning, and understanding. It’s for anyone seeking success and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives. Whether you’re a seasoned professional yearning for more or someone unsure of the next step to take, this book will help you identify what truly matters to you and forge a path towards fulfillment and success—however you define it.
MARTIN LUDDEN ’98 is stepping down as Executive Director of the St. Paul Neighborhood Network. Congratulations on your accomplishments in that role Martin!
2000s
RJ WELSH ’00, has a new baby girl with his wife Sinsze. She is now two years old. LTC Welsh is back in the USA after spending almost two decades overseas for the US Army. He currently lives in Alexandria, VA working for a DOD defense contractor. He is still in the Army Reserves.
Major JOE KELLY ’00 recently participated in Immediate Response ’23 with the 1/34 Armor Brigade Combat Team and the 34th Infantry Division. Immediate Response took place in Albania, Bulgeria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. The Immediate Response included approximately 2,800 US and 7,000 multinational participants. Joe is a Ranger, Air Assault and Pathfinder infantry officer. He has been in the Minnesota National Guard for more than 16 years. His previous deployments were to Kuwait and Afghanistan as a platoon leader and North Sinai as a company commander. Joe currently is practicing law with the firm Kelly and Lemmons and is recognized as a Super Lawyer in the area of Labor and Employment Law.
Next time you’re in Chicago, look in on John, KARL ’01, and GRAEME ’04 FEHR. The three brothers recently opened Bistro Monadnock.
Michaela (O’Brien) Johnson (VIS ’12) and TAYLOR KLAAS ’03 recently joined Headspace Health as Consultant Relations Managers supporting the Midwest/ Southeast and Mid-Atlantic/ Northeast regions, respectively. Headspace offers
a “best in class suite of services that empower clients to normalize mental health, destigmatize seeking help, and drive cultural change.” Driven by their passion for mental healthcare access and support, Michaela and Taylor are helping Headspace elevate its presence in the employee benefits space. They encourage all to live the Headspace mantra of, “be kind to their mind.”
CHARLIE WELSH ’03, has a new baby boy, Henry, who is now 9 months, with his wife Missy. Charlie now lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC where he works for Sprinturf, the nation’s only Made in America, artificial turf company, where he is the Regional Sales Director for the Southeast. He does still handle many of the private schools in Minnesota, such as Saint Thomas Academy’s baseball field, St. John’s, Bethel, Gustavus, and Concordia Moorhead football and baseball fields. He started selling for Sprinturf while he was the assistant football and baseball coach at St. John’s University.
Big ups to DANNY MICHEL ’04, for steering his way to an impressive milestone of half a million brake pads sold! Navigating the winding roads of the industry, he’s proven that true success isn’t just about having a guarantee on the box.
Congratulations to recently published author, GRANT ANDERSON ’05. Grant wrote a children’s book, SPLENDID!: The Tale of the Shoes that didn’t Fit. Available for purchase on Amazon.
ZAC BROWN ’06 brought his 3 sons and his wife to STA for the first time and got a tour of the campus from Coach Barnes. Zac has been living in Illinois for over 10 years working for the United States Army Special Operations Command. Zac stated, “It was great to show my boys a place where boys become men.”
Congratulations to STEPHEN REESE ’07, he will be getting married on June 24, 2023!
Congratulations to FOLEY SCHMIDT ’08 on starting a new position as Chief Financial Officer at Profound Commerce.
NICK CREAMER ’09 was recently promoted to Tax Manager within the public accounting firm CBIZ MHM, LLC. Congratulations Nick!
2010s
Congratulations to WILLIAM BARTH ’10 on starting a new position as Vice President at Diameter Capital Partners LP.
HOOTIE HUBBELL ’12 and WOODY HUBBELL ’16 both celebrating two years chemo and cancer free in April 2023.
Congratulations to PADDY CLANCY ’12 on starting a new position as Director - Capital Markets at Ryan Companies US, Inc.
MICHAEL SMILANICH ’14 and KEVIN GUST ’12 are publishing a series of blog posts around the impacts of AI on cyber risks. The first blog is linked below and they will post more on their LinkedIn pages.
Congrats to KEVIN ZIMMERMAN ’13 on receiving the Academic Excellence Award in Construction Science and Building Technology from Dunwoody!
Congratulations to RYAN GALL ’15 on being promoted to Graduate Business Chair at Phillips Neighborhood Clinic.
Congrats to BRANICK WEIX ’15, BRENDAN QUINLAN ’16, and MATT MICHALSK ’15 whose company, Aryeo (a leading real estate media software and content management company), was recently acquired by Zillow!
SAM SUPPLEE ’15 was in Spain and Switzerland this summer for work, Indian Motorcycle (a Polaris division). When he returned to the US, he went out to Washington state for an Advanced Rider course.
JACK SCHULTZ ’16 is happy to share that he is starting a new position as Outside Sales Associate at Holly Hunt.
2010s
KYLE ROHDE ’10 got married (pictured with a slew of 2010 grads). Congratulations, Kyle!
DILLON PTACEK ’12 got married. Congratulations, Dillon!
It was great time in Washington D.C. for Tipton Woodard’s wedding. Grant Oncay, MICHAEL CONNERS ’14, DOMINICK VIERLING ’14, TIPTON, JOE SCHULTZ ’14, BEN FIERS ’14, and ANDERS RAARUP ’14
NOLAN SULLIVAN ’17 graduated in 2021 from University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s Degree - Mechanical Engineering and accepted a position at Resonetics, a medical prototyping, micro manufacturing company located in Circle Pines, MN. Nolan is engaged to Margaret “Meg” Hughs (Visitation ’18) and they are planning an October 2023 wedding in Cross Lake, MN.
2010s
TOMMY ODEGARD ’19, LLEYTON HORNIG ’19, and CALLAN HAPPE ’19, recently joined HAYES ’19 and BAKER REDING ’21 for a College of the Holy Cross lacrosse game. Tommy, Lleyton, Callan and Hayes will be graduating this May.
Congratulations to all Saint Thomas Academy 2019 cadets who graduated from college this past spring!
On Monday, April 3, MATTHEW GOLDADE ’18 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from the US Merchant Marine Academy.
Congratulations Matthew and thanks for including STA in your commissioning ceremony!
2020s
Congratulations to GARRETT RIVERS ’20 on earning athletic and academic recognition at Maryville University.
Congratulations to ANDREW BOEMER ’20 on being named MIAC Athlete of the Week!
Congratulations to JAMES MCDONALD ’21 on earning the following lacrosse accomplishments at Benedictine University: second team all-conference, sophomore year, and in his freshman year, he set a new program record for single game saves!
CALEB SMIT ’21 graduated from Air Assault School at Westpoint. Caleb is in the Unniversity of Minnesota Army ROTC program.
JACKSON HALLUM ’21 was featured in an article in The Rink Live Congratulations, Jackson! WILL BENSON ’22 is excited to announce that he has accepted a Fall 2023 communications internship with the Office of Senator Ted Cruz.
JEEVAN VENKATESAN ’22, was featured in a story on DesiStoriesAshaUSA.com. We can’t wait to see what you do next!
Congratulations to Patch Mendota Heights Minnesota Star Student THOMAS ONDREY ’23! He was nominated for the honor by JOHN KENNEY ’85.
JAKE BORMAN ’23 is the recipient of the $5,000, 2023 Minnesota Minute Men’s Amateur Athletic Foundation Award. Congratulations, Jake!
THOMAS ONDREY ’23 was inducted into the Naval Academy class of 2027 on June 29, marking the beginning of six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training during Plebe Summer.
Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Academy’s “plebe” or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer.
In Memoriam
During this time, plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet, or music and restricted access to cellphones. They are only permitted to make three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer.
The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval
Academy and the four years of challenge that awaits them. As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft. Plebes also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.
Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental,
physical, and professional development and teambuilding skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, and obstacle, endurance, and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental, and team-building skills. Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.
Please remember in your prayers these classmates and friends of the Academy who recently passed away or of whose death we were recently notified. We have made every effort to present an accurate list.
Don Moritz ’45
August 2023
Mark Berens ’45 September 2023
Gerald Conroy ’46 May 2023
Bill Dorsey ’49 October 2023
John Berg ’50 July 2023
Paul Felion ’50 July 2023
Ray Gleason ’50 June 2023
Bob Harvey ’50 July 2023
Bill Butler ’51 June 2023
Bob Donatelli ’51 August 2023
Jim Poelking ’51 April 2023
Harold Thibault ’51
August 2023
John Stewart ’52 May 2023
Larry Countryman ’53 August 2023
Don Laschansky ’53 July 2023
Ed Lynch ’53 May 2023
John Lepak ’54 September 2023
Peter Morgan ’54 October 2023
James Steigauf ’55 June 2023
Tony Wegner ’55 August 2023
Larry Kelly ’56 August 2023
Tom Lynch ’56 May 2023
Larry Praml ’57
September 2023
William Search ’57 March 2023
Joe Corcoran ’58 July 2023
Bill Freeman ’59 June 2023
Jack Wydella ’59 April 2023
John LaBossiere ’60 May 2023
Bud Stahel ’60 June 2023
John Murphy ’63 September 2023
Mike O’Brien ’63
October 2023
Mark Gehan ’64
June 2023
Bill Anderson ’65
August 2023
Mike Kelleher ’65
September 2023
Tim Ruggles ’65
July 2023
John Borowicz ’69
July 2023
Gregg Horeish ’70
August 2023
Bob Kleason ’72
July 2023
David Burns ’73
July 2023
Michael Hanton ’80
July 2023
Tim Capistrant ’81
May 2023
Daniel Aldridge ’94
May 2023
