Saint Thomas Academy Fall Winter 2024 Saber Magazine
Dear Saint Thomas Academy Community,
Each year, between August and November, the number one question I receive is, “How is the year starting o ?” People usually expect a quick ‘things are going well’ response. But when I get the chance, I love to highlight our school’s amazing programs, opportunities, and culture.
The reality is that the school year is o to an excellent start. Our boys are truly impressing me this year with their commitment to both academic excellence and character development. Recently, I shared at Formation how I believe deeply in the mission of Saint Thomas Academy, where we develop boys into men of character. With the guidance of our dedicated teachers and sta , they’ll become the gold standard of what it means to be “a man”, a man of character and faith.
Integrity is key. Do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Focus on your responsibilities, not your entitlements. Our educators will teach you everything we know, yet your success is your responsibility.
To that end, I shared two goals for the year:
1. Earn the respect you seek by treating people with respect. Look sharp, hold the door open for people, ask them how they are doing, and address adults you don’t know by sir or ma’am.
2. Make a positive impact every day. Instead of just thinking about your intentions, consider the results you want to achieve. As Jesus asked Peter, ‘Who do you say I am?’ Ask yourself that question about yourself. That question alone should guide your 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.
Recently, I received an email from an alum from the Class of 1960. He shared about a recent visit to school in September, two boys opened the door for him, addressed him as sir, asked him how he was doing, and escorted him to the meeting, as he was struggling to walk after a leg injury. I shared this email with the Cadets at Formation because if I am going to ask them to meet expectations, I want them to know that when they do, it will become the norm.
Personally, my goals for the year are as follows:
1. Uphold and enhance STA’s four pillars as the non-negotiable di erentiators woven into the new Strategic Plan.
2. Attract and retain the maximum number of boys from diverse addressable markets and grow enrollment.
3. Engage our Alumni network and support our Advancement team to enhance and grow the financial goals of the school.
4. Strategically improve our middle school’s program o erings to attract more students and strengthen its connection to the high school, while ensuring that Catholic grade schools are not adversely a ected.
5. Attract and retain an industry-leading faculty and sta whose culture embodies the above commitment to 1-4.
ON THE COVER: Owen Schlehuber ’24 working with plants in the biology lab.
We are one school, with one mission, with many parts. Let us continue to work together to stay focused on our mission and values and continue to deliver excellence and character to the Cadets of today and tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Mr. Brian Ragatz ’98 President
Brian Ragatz ’98
Features/Article Writers: David Jacobson
Designer: Jason Stones
Printing: Dolan Printing
Photo Credits: Tyler Maddaus
Michael Murray Photography Saint Thomas Academy Alumni, Friends, and Family Tom Dolphin ’97
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LEADERSHIP
Chief O cer
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
Land Management Class and Community Garden Feeds Minds, Bodies, and Souls
BY DAVID JACOBSON
For her capstone project in the Hamline Natural Science and Environmental Education Masters program, Saint Thomas Academy Science Teacher Tess Ingebrigtsen led students taking her elective land management class in raising a community vegetable garden on campus.
One of the vegetable bounties from the community garden.
Her thesis answered the question, “How can creating a community garden enhance environmental education and action for 10th-12th grade boys in a science elective?” But the process of raising the garden and the class content as a whole addressed deeper issues at the heart of the Academy’s mission.
Consider, for example, this student testimonial at Ingebrigtsen’s website for the project (https://sites.google.com/ hamline.edu/community-garden/home):
“I grew as a person alongside my plants.”
While the land management class and community garden project taught many practical skills with the potential to feed into Cadets’ future careers, Ingebrigtsen also valued the class’s unusual educational modes. “The biggest thing we learned was utilizing ‘soft skills’ in a unique environment,” she said. “Some of the boys garden at home and others had no idea about gardening, that it’s not just throwing stuff into the ground. This took planning, decision-making, and teamwork in difficult circumstances, such as crawling inside of the troughs where we planted to attach screws and hard work like shoveling on hot days and working through people’s tempers.”
Another striking facet of Ingebrigtsen’s project was its reliance on student leadership. “If they feel like they are heard, they become even more enthusiastic,” Ingebrigtsen said.
Students were largely responsible for determining how to spend a $1,500 budget, which included funds from an anonymous family donation, and how to use space that the Academy’s administration allocated near the freshman football field. The class of 15 students split into groups to research various garden structures and present pitches to their peers on how to use the space and budget. The class voted and agreed to design raised garden beds, using 6'x2'x4' galvanized steel cattle troughs on wheels.
— Continued on page 4
Cadets Will Hornig ’26 and Jack Kelly ’26 prep the outdoor community garden materials.
Downstream from that choice came a key learning from the class, according to Ingebrigtsen: “Not everyone has the same skills with a drill.”
Once drainage holes were added, the groups of students were to attach four wheels to the troughs, one toward each corner, but two groups put their wheels too close together causing them to collapse later in the garden process. This freedom to fail, to understand trial and error and real-world consequences also was an invaluable educational element of the class.
Next, availing themselves of free compost offered by Dakota County, the Cadets shoveled dirt into the troughs, which gave Ingebrigtsen the opportunity to “set the world record for the number of times telling a group of 10th-to-12th-graders to not throw dirt at each other.”
Meanwhile, in the classroom, students researched weather patterns and their friendliness or lack thereof to the types of produce the Cadets wanted to grow. Students then measured and calculated the ideal number and type of plants per bed.
“Some of the boys wanted to grow pineapples but realized those wouldn’t work,” Ingebrigtsen said. “The layout of some of the beds is, let’s say, ‘abstract.’ I threw out some ideas about sections in the some of the beds, but the students said no to that, and their ideas worked out better than I thought they would.”
Above: Mrs. Ingebrigtsen demonstrates how to harvest basil from the hydroponic chamber. Below: Lettuce varieties in the outdoor garden.
"I grew as a person alongside my plants.”
— STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
Harvesting peppers and cucumbers from the outdoor garden.
The final line-up: watermelon, tomato, zucchini, peppers, herbs, and leafy salad greens. Students took responsibility to maintain the garden, learning accountability, attention to detail, and some facts about plant life. The occasional harvests set out in Flynn Hall for the taking typically would be gone in about two hours, Ingebrigtsen said.
Throughout the summer, students watered and maintained the garden. The land management class for the newly started 2024-2025 school year is now responsible for removing any inedible left-over plant matter and tarping the garden beds for winter. But Ingebrigtsen’s capstone project continues to yield.
“We have solidified the point that boys are passionate about outdoor learning and acquiring real-world skills,” she said. “In the future, we’re hoping to double the number of beds and increase alumni involvement, maybe having them work alongside our students and share their career and life experiences with the boys, pull some weeds, and take home some vegetables.”
Her vision also includes contributing produce to more of the Saint Thomas Community, including SAGE Dining Services. “We need to find more funding to expand,” Ingebrigtsen said. “The boys loved it, and we could grow this to feed the larger community, especially people facing food insecurity, maybe get in touch with a food pantry and do trips there to drop off our produce.”
The still-greater yield from her project lies in what her students took away.
• Academic lessons in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Environmental Science, Life Science, Nutrition, and Physical Science all through the lens of a project that students loved and which required them to invest sweat equity
• Introductions to career possibilities in forestry, botany, and business disciplines
• What it feels like to feed their community and gain a sense of pride in providing sustenance.
IMark Westlake Receives A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year Award
BY DAVID JACOBSON
n September, Saint Thomas Academy Innovation Center Director, Mark Westlake, received an honor for doing work that’s literally out of this world.
Westlake was named the 2024 A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, making him the 37th “Crossfield Kid.” The Award, founded in 1986 by Hall of Fame Enshrinee Scott Crossfield, is a juried annual competition that recognizes a teacher for exemplary use of aerospace in classroom curricula.
Westlake’s nomination came from Visitation School Middle School Science Teacher Caroline Little, herself the 2021 Crossfield Educator of the Year. Little’s nomination materials read, in part, “Mark’s infectious love of engineering and drive to bring ‘real world’ STEM into the classroom and lives of every student he encounters were key factors in opening the Saint Thomas Academy Innovation Center. This nationally renowned engineering space…is a place where innovation comes alive; where drones whiz past as students design aerodynamic pieces for their NASA
rover, and where engineering students work on designs for a washing machine for the International Space Station.”
The award ceremony occurred at the President’s Reception as part of the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 60th Enshrinement events in Dayton, Ohio. For all his humility in crediting Cadets for the success he’s experienced, Westlake also enjoyed the Enshrinement weekend like a kid in a candy store. “It was fantastic that I got to hang out with Air Force generals, NASA scientists, and astronauts,” he said, “and the venue itself is so impressive.”
Mark Westlake, left, pictured with English teacher Pat Callahan at Formation. Westlake has been at the Academy for 35 years and Callahan for 40 years.
Westlake and his wife, Rebecca, participated in several related events during their days in Dayton. The morning following the awards ceremony, they attended a breakfast with Former NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr. at a home where Orville Wright once lived and took a private tour of the home with Wright’s great-niece. The Westlakes also attended the black-tie Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony and met the daughters of Katherine Johnson of Hidden Figures fame, who was being enshrined posthumously.
Winning the Crossfield was a peak experience for Westlake, a lifelong NASA aficionado, who said, “The Apollo 11 moon landing changed my life. I decided then to study science for the rest of my life. And the Challenger disaster really affected me.”
Among the projects at Saint Thomas Academy that earned Westlake his honor was the NASA SOAR engineering challenge, for which his students designed, fabricated and tested an instrument that measured vibration and atmospheric conditions in the unpressurized payload area of a WB-57 High Altitude Plane. More recently, he and his sophomore students from the 2023-2024 school year participated in the NASA TechRise Challenge, creating a device that captured tropospheric and stratospheric data during a NASA balloon flight.
Considering all his work in the field and reaching this career pinnacle, Westlake concluded, “There are only 37 ‘Crossfield Kids.’ I know a bunch of them and to be included on that list with people I call my friends is really neat.”
Westlake Also Succeeds Terrestrially
Westlake’s overall success as a scientist, teacher, and moderator also includes activities on the Earth’s surface, namely with the Academy’s Experimental Vehicle Team (EVT). For April’s Shell Eco-marathon held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (home of the Indy 500), the Cadets’ hydrogen-powered urban concept car won the e ciency competition, which measures cars’ fuel consumption relative to equivalent travel in a car using fossil fuel.
The competition included roughly 80 cars from across North and South America, Westlake said, and facing primarily collegiate teams, the street-legal Cadet car reached a gasoline equivalency of 1800 miles per gallon.
The Cadets’ electric car also won its category over the likes of the University of Michigan, Cal Poly, and Colorado School of Mines. “Then their people came over to ask how we did it and to start recruiting our kids!” Westlake said.
In May, the Cadets earned another victory at the Minnesota Technology and Engineering Educators Association (MTEEA) Supermileage Competition at the Brainerd International Raceway. “We ran our car there nearly 20 times,” Westlake said. “That gave more of our students a chance to actually drive than we could at the Shell Eco-marathon.”
Westlake expressed gratitude for sponsorship support from “Power Systems Research, the Cadet class of 1958, inkind sponsorship from many companies in the Twin Cities, and the Academy’s Board of Directors. They always say, ‘Yes’ to us, because they think it’s important and a point of pride that we turn out some first-class engineers, which is our endgame.”
The 2023-2024 EVT included:
Seniors: Henry Batzler, Charlie Meyer, Jack Orme, and Greta Westlake
Juniors: Sam Martin, Jackson Skagen, and Benedict Treacy
Sophomores: Reid Barberot, Matthew Brost, Luke Marvin, and Colin Shea
Freshman: William Armstrong
Moderators: Sara Krivak and Mark Westlake
Revitalizing the Saint Thomas Ice Arena: A New Era for Hockey Excellence
BY DAVID JACOBSON
If you want to host one of Minnesota’s most sought-after hockey programs, you need a venue that’s exceptional in every way both literally and figuratively cool. The initial renovations to the Saint Thomas Ice Arena have focused on ensuring just that.
“Our goal is to have great ice and an outstanding environment for our players and fans,” said Ice Arena Manager Travis Walch. “The arena is a solid facility, but two decades of deferred maintenance have created a growing list of needs we must address. Over the past three months, we’ve made progress by re-caulking exterior walls, repainting, and completing an emergency roof repair.”
The most significant upgrade involved the installation of a new humidification system and air handling units. This enhancement will improve airflow and regulate the dew point, resulting in better ice quality and extending the lifespan of critical equipment, such as the Zamboni. In addition to addressing a variety of deferred maintenance needs, aesthetic upgrades have also been added including an updated lobby display, new flooring in the lobby and locker rooms, and improved hospitality accommodations. These upgrades to the arena were made possible through the generous support of donors.
The ST logo is installed in the Cadets Hockey Varsity locker room.
The improvements have been well received by the arena’s tenants, including the Cadets hockey team, the Visitation hockey team, the University of St. Thomas men’s and women’s teams, and the Minnesota Advancement Program (MAP) for elite player development.
The next phase of renovation will include replacing the original compressors. “We’re still running on the original compressors,” Walch explained. “Each of our four compressors has exceeded 100,000 hours of operation.” Future phases of renovation will include replacing the original refrigeration plant and repaving the parking lot and sidewalks.
The figurative bottom line for implementing these plans is directly tied to the literal financial bottom line. Addressing deferred maintenance now will save greater
“Our goal is to have great ice.”
costs down the road, while a strong hockey program has the potential to generate revenue and attract new students to the Academy. With the continued support of donors, the Academy may soon be able to take full ownership of the Ice Arena and its revenue streams.
Tony Mullen ’93, the Academy’s new Director of Advancement, is pleased to welcome alumni contributions toward this effort.
“Having an on-campus ice arena gives a distinct advantage to our student-athletes, parents, and fans,” Mullen said. “We see the arena as a valuable campus asset that strengthens our community and enhances our appeal to prospective students.”
Before... ...After, showing the redesigned trophy case
Cadets Travel to European World War II and Holocaust Sites
BY DAVID JACOBSON
Way beyond the classroom, Saint Thomas Academy Social Studies Teacher Josh Kaeppe educates students through experience. This past summer, that meant taking 10 Cadets to Berlin, Krakow, and Prague to study World War II and the Holocaust.
“It was 10 days, immersed in something so heavy, but also balanced with fun” Kaeppe said. “We toured historic sites like the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, the Terezin ghetto outside Prague, and Auschwitz near Krakow. But for fun we also did some hiking and climbing through Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic. We ate local foods, saw architecture that predates the United States as a nation, and even got a chance to see a famous painting by Leonardo.”
In addition to learning historical facts and gaining exposure to different cultures, the students’ educational experience included reflections on humanity, good and evil, morality, and today’s conflicts throughout the world. “We had a lot of conversations,” Kaeppe said. “Not so much about what happened during the Holocaust, but about human behavior and takeaways about why people would do this. Some guys did not want to give too much of themselves in sharing their inner thoughts, but you could still see what they were taking away.”
If nothing else, the Cadets gave careful consideration to what they were learning. “Now that the Holocaust is leaving living memory,” Kaeppe said, “some of the sites we visited are having trouble, especially with kids not showing respect. But our kids seemed to recognize the gravity of what they were seeing.”
At Auschwitz, for example, Cadets toured the concentration camp’s administrative building, prisoners’ barracks, and the ruins of gas chambers used to exterminate prisoners. “Our guide was very knowledgeable,” Kaeppe said. “Our kids were glued to that guy.”
The National Theater in Prague
An aspect of the travel that Kaeppe appreciated and which he believes delivered value to the students was simply getting them outside the Academy bubble. “STA is a conservative community,” he said. “It’s good to expose kids to places outside of their affluent neighborhoods.
“Part of my contribution to the school is to open avenues for different ways of thought. For a lot of these guys, it’s an awakening. Learning in a classroom about 12 million people being killed leaves that as an abstraction. Going to see the places that they’ve seen in textbooks or by watching Schindler’s List brings a level of realism and inspires them beyond ‘How can I get a good grade?’ to getting new understandings. When you walk into the gas chamber and stand in the spot where people were gassed by the hundreds, there’s an intellectual discovery mixed with horror. A collective lightbulb goes off over their heads.”
Cadets with their guide as they tour Auschwitz.
The concrete slabs of the “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe”, a memorial in Berlin.
Cadets and their tour group in Prague with the Estates Theater in the background.
Lawyer, Father, Punk Rocker
TOM DOLPHIN, A ’97 GRADUATE, IS CONQUERING DENVER’S TRIBUTE ROCK SCENE ONE BEAT AT A TIME.
BY BRIAN SCHEID
’97
Since moving to Denver in 2018, Tom Dolphin ’97 has become a new father, a successful real estate and land use attorney and one of the most influential rockers in the Mile High City’s curiously thriving tribute band scene.
It all started with Guns N’ Roses.
Dolphin, a 1997 STA graduate, remembers the first time he heard ‘Paradise City’ by the Los Angeles hard rock band as an 8-year-old and became transfixed by the iconic, opening bass and snare beat.
Now an arena rock staple and a favorite on dad rock playlists, the song was like nothing Dolphin had heard before. He was committed to learning how to play drums before Axl Rose started singing of the virtues of green grass and pretty girls.
This was decades before YouTube drum tutorials or rock and roll music lessons so Dolphin just took to his half brother’s drum set and spent hours a day just trying to teach himself.
“It was just repetition,” said Dolphin in a phone interview. “It was figuring out that coordination between the limbs. I wouldn’t say it was easy, but it just came natural.”
Dolphin spent years trying to master the drum parts for some of the most celebrated 1990s radio rock works, but it was not until his junior year when he played his first gig: the VISTA Variety Show in 1996. Paul Berens, a 1996 STA graduate, was the lead singer of that band and he remembered how fun it was to play with Dolphin and how natural he seemed on stage, despite his lack of experience in front of a crowd. “I always felt we had a Robert Plant-John Bonham-esque vibe and kinship,” Berens said in an e-mail. “But we named our band Obscurity, and alas, that proved to be our musical destiny as we flamed out after our third gig. I had a hunch that rock ‘n’ roll wasn’t done with Tom.”
After feeling that first rush of live performance with a group of friends, he played again at the annual talent show his senior year and formed a rock cover band while at Notre Dame. But, when he went to University of St. Thomas School of Law he never played drums once.
“I didn’t even think about it,” Dolphin said.
It wasn’t until years after law school when he bought a house in southwest Minneapolis and he decided to fill his bare basement with a new drumkit. For months, Dolphin annoyed his new neighbors with near-constant buzz rolls, drags, rudiments and rim clicks and then helped form License 2 Thrill, a bar band that played tribute to Def Leppard, 3 Doors Down, and other cheesy rock mainstays of Dolphin’s youth.
Within days of moving to Denver a few years later, Dolphin was already lining up rehearsals and tryouts for his next band. He has since helped form: Blink 303, a tribute band for California pop punk group Blink-182; Appetite for Destruction, a Guns N’ Roses cover band; and Sweater Destroyer, a Weezer tribute.
While Minneapolis’ music scene seemed to center on original acts, with cover bands often cast aside to the suburban bar scene, Dolphin found Denver surprisingly supportive of tribute bands. Venues regularly near capacity to see amateur musicians play the music from bands whose popularity peaked during the Clinton administration.
“It’s just 100% nostalgia,” said Dolphin.
Dolphin is self-taught, cannot read music and likely never will, and does not consider himself a “true” musician. Still, on nights when he’s doing his best Travis Barker or Steven Adler impression he’ll look out and see hundreds of people, 50-year-old moms and 22-year-old college kids, giddily rocking out to songs they haven’t seen played live in decades or maybe never saw played at all.
“That makes it all worth it,” Dolphin said.
Dolphin playing in the Blink 182 tribute band, Blink 303.
Dolphin playing in the Weezer tribute band, Sweater Destroyer.
Chris Ritten Receives Hames Alumni Honor Award
BY DAVID JACOBSON
The life of Chris Ritten ’80 is filled with full-circle moments. For example, last May, at the funeral of his father, Peter Ritten ’51, Chris learned that like his late father he would receive the Hames Alumni Honor Award. “You could have knocked me over with a feather,” Chris Ritten said.
But the Award seems made for Ritten and vice versa, given that the criteria for honorees are “advancement of the goals of the Academy and enriching the lives of those around them through professional and civic leadership, intellectual and cultural pursuits, and human welfare activities.”
The throughline from Ritten’s years as a Cadet to his September acceptance of the Award is immaculate. “I was fortunate to be there at the tail end of the Old Guard,” he recalled. “My Dad had those guys as teachers!”
Among Ritten’s favorite memories from those days: serving as Cadet colonel and student council president his senior year, and most fondly, formation and football, where he played fullback and was a team captain his senior year. “I remember filing out single file from the locker room,” he said. “We always had more kids than the other team, and we would run down the hill and start calisthenics and not say a word.”
Ritten also gained from the formative experience of study with the Academy’s late Religion Teacher and Claretian priest Fr. James Curran. “He had a big impact on me in terms of servant leadership,” Ritten said. “I had my heart set on volunteer service, and the Claretians had just started a volunteer program, so I joined them in their second year of existence, 1984, and I served into 1986. That instilled in me the desire to eventually create educational opportunities.”
Post-Academy, Ritten also earned bachelor’s degrees in English and business from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in international management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. Ritten in 1991 launched a career in finance, first at Morgan Stanley and later Deutsche Bank.
Chris Ritten in his senior portrait from the Kaydet.
In another full-circle moment at that time, an echo from his Claretian days called him to service as a volunteer baseball coach for North Side Little League, located near the notorious Cabrini-Green housing project and portrayed in Dan Coyle’s book titled Hardball: A Season in the Projects and its film adaptation, starring Keanu Reaves. Ritten remains in touch with a brother and sister he tutored and mentored at that time, Quincy and Tata Jones, as well as with his fellow coaches, and with Coyle.
The finance career lasted into 2008, but the call to service continued. Ritten answered by leading a capital campaign for Chicago’s San Miguel Schools. Then, he received another kind of call, this one from his Saint Thomas Academy classmate, Tom Schrier Jr. ’80, asking him to take a fundraising role at the Academy.
Initially, Ritten resisted, refusing to uproot his wife and five daughters from their lives in Chicago. But talks with Schrier and then-Headmaster Tom Mich turned to Ritten commuting as necessary and led him to visit campus. “They were showing me around,” Ritten recalled, “and we got to the priest’s quarters. We had trouble entering, so we needed to use the intercom, the kind of thing I might never have noticed, but I saw on the faceplate of the intercom the brand name, Rittenhouse, and I knew somebody was trying to tell me something.”
Ritten listened, and that full-circle moment around heeding the call made him the Academy’s Director of Institutional Advancement from 2009 to 2014, most notably spearheading an $18-million capital campaign to fund the construction of Vincent J. Flynn Hall.
Ritten’s next returned to a Chicago-based position as president of Julius Capital Partners, a business services consulting firm for non-profit clients, including dioceses, schools, foundations, and charities. In 2016, he left for Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL, working until August of 2024 as Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
— Continued on page 16
Front Row: Shannon Smith, Christopher Ritten ’80, Sue Nybakken, Mary Culbertson, Jason Sedlak ’93.
Back Row: Mike Maxwell ’84, Gerry Brown ’58, Ingrid Peterson, Laurie Kropp, Tom Cierzan;
Not Pictured: Jodie Whaley, Kristen Kloskin, Bill Culbertson
Pictured in the back row, right, Chris Ritten with National Merit Scholars.
There, Ritten and his team raised more than $50 million in gift commitments. The elite college prep school, which all of Ritten’s daughters attended, sits about a half mile from the border of Chicago’s extremely under-invested Austin neighborhood. So, harking back to the calls to service that he experienced at the Academy, Ritten helped forge a partnership between Fenwick and St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Catholic Grade School, which draws from the neighborhood’s under-served population.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars later, the grade school’s gym is renovated, and the school is now home to the Fenwick Center for Educational Excellence tutoring facility. “The whole notion,” Ritten explained, “is that if we can provide service to St. Catherine-St. Lucy, then a place like Fenwick could be more of an option for those kids to attend so that it changes their lives and their families’ lives.”
Circling back from Ritten’s recent impact to how Saint Thomas Academy impacted him, Ritten said, “I think of my Dad as a Hames recipient and the kind of legacy he and his peers left, and for me to even be thought of in that context is humbling. It’s one of the great honors of my life.”
Chris Ritten, left, pictured with President Brian Ragatz at the fall Hames Ceremony.
Chris Ritten pictured with past Alumni Association Presidents and previous Hames Award recipients.
Billy Michal Student Leadership Award
The National WWII Museum has named senior Patrick Koegel a 2024 Billy Michal Student Leadership Award recipient. This national honor is awarded annually to one student from each state and the District of Columbia who embodies the American spirit in their community through strong records of volunteerism, school and community activism and creative problem-solving. The honorees were flown to New Orleans to participate in the Museum’s American Spirit Awards program in May.
The leadership award, which the Museum first presented in 2017, was created in honor of Billy Michal, who was a child living in Louisiana during World War II. At only 6 years old, Michal helped his one-room school win a statewide scrap metal collection contest during the war, proving that every citizen could contribute to America’s victory. His example, and the actions of millions of other students on the home front, illustrates that service to country and community helps create active, engaged citizens and continues to inspire students across America today
Koegel is an astute, charismatic and meticulous leader. He has been engaged in all facets of student life inside and outside the Saint Thomas Academy community during his four years at the Academy, enabling him to grow into a confident leader. As an Eagle Scout and the second-ranking cadet in the school’s military leadership program, he consistently lends a hand and supports those around him. Koegel has served as a volunteer at the Neighborhood House, which primarily helps low-income Hispanic families in the greater metropolitan area. Having a mother from the Dominican Republic has exposed him to an international community, and he hopes to expand this knowledge in college, studying international business with a focus in Spanish and political science. Koegel has focused his community service in the fields of veterans affairs, the Hispanic community and politics.
The National WWII Museum’s American Spirit Awards presented by Hancock Whitney celebrate individuals who exemplify the outstanding qualities of the American spirit and inspire these values in others. The multi-day event at the Museum included the formal American Spirit Awards gala as well as the Student Leadership Forum presented by Kevin G. Clifford Family, where the 51 student recipients of the Billy Michal Award were recognized alongside the 2024 American Spirit Award honorees: the trailblazing Tuskegee Airmen represented by Lt. Col. George E. Hardy, four-star US Army Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody and acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg. During their time in New Orleans, the students also participated in a community service project to help beautify the playgrounds and classrooms of a local school.
Proceeds from the American Spirit Awards support educational programming at The National WWII Museum, including the ongoing development of classroom materials and professional development opportunities for teachers in schools across the country, as well as online experiences that bring the Museum and its resources to students around the world.
Patrick Koegel with Lt. Col. George E. Hardy
2024 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Social
2024 Valedictorian Nathan Aamodt
Studies Faculty member Josh Kaeppe gave the commencement speech.
Cadets gathering before graduation in the Cathedral.
the Cathedral.
Left to right: Sean O’Brien, Daoud Saman, J.D. Dobis, William English, and Christian Janssen. 2023-24 Class President Jonathan Dobis
DaoudSaman,left,andAdrianSingh
COLLEGE DESTINATIONS FOR 2024 CADETS
Boston College
Creighton University
Georgetown University
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hampden-Sydney College
Indiana University-Bloomington
Jacksonville University
Lipscomb University
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Marquette University
Miami University-Oxford
Minnesota State UniversityMankato
Montana State University
New York University
Normandale Community College
North Dakota State University
Pennsylvania State UniversityPenn State Main Campus
Purdue University-Main Campus
Saint John’s University (with College of Saint Benedict)
Saint Louis University
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
San Diego State University
Santa Clara University
St Olaf College
Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station
Texas Christian University
The University of Alabama
The University of Montana
The University of TennesseeKnoxville
United States Naval Academy
University of Arizona
University of California-Berkeley
University of Dallas
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Miami
University of Minnesota-Duluth
University of MinnesotaTwin Cities
University of Mississippi
University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of North Dakota
University of Notre Dame
University of South Dakota
University of St Thomas
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Villanova University
Xavier University
SERVICE ACADEMIES
This past school year, Patrick Cunningham received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.
The following cadets have received National ROTC Scholarships to their respective services and selected schools:
• Henry Cleary – Army; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• Patrick Koegel – Army; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
STAFF NOTES
NEW BABY
Luke and Samantha Marks and big sister, Maggie, welcomed their baby boy, Arthur James Marks (8'7 lbs., 21'') into the world this past spring.
STAFF UPDATES
WELCOME TO NEW STAFF
RETIREMENT
Bill McCarthy, Health & Physical Education, 27 years
Joseph Lepsche, Health & Physical Education
Mark Strobel, Advancement O cer & Head Varsity Hockey Coach
STAFF UPDATES
Mary Greeley, Attendance & Admissions
Nancy Schacherer, Nurse
Matthew Brounstein, Theology
Maura Williams, World Language
Tony Mullen ’93, Director of Advancement
Anna De Santis, World Language
Seamus Kelly ’13, Advancement Manager
Rick Stevson, Associate Dean of Students
Paul McKeehan, Interim Director of Technology
David Hottinger ’85, Major Gifts
Internal sta transitions for the 2024-25 school year.
“
WORKING AT THE ACADEMY HAS BEEN A REWARDING OPPORTUNITY BEYOND WHAT I HAD EXPECTED
Brittney Cohn
YEAR STARTED AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | 2022
ROLE AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | Accountant
HOBBIES | Reading, gardening, travel, a fan of all sports, and love for animals.
A FAVORITE TEACHING MOMENT |
Having a few students come to me to share that they want to convert to the Catholic faith! Praise God!
FAVORITE EXPERIENCE |
My favorite STA experience has been the senior speeches. Hearing each story and seeing the support from their peers is a touching experience to see every time.
WHY I TEACH AT SAINT THOMAS ACADEMY | Although I am not a teacher, I enjoy participating in the STA community and witnessing the traditions throughout each school year. Assisting families, faculty and sta , and the occasional student through the business o ce services has been a rewarding opportunity beyond what I had expected.
FAVORITE MUSIC |
I enjoy all types of music but listening to country music live is my favorite.
FAVORITE EXPERIENCE |
I love exploring new places but you can’t go wrong with warm weather and a beach!
FAMILY | Mark, husband; Gabe, junior at Saint Thomas Academy; Reagan, freshmen at Visitation; Joe, Grade 7 at Faithful Shepherd
BOY SCOUTS
Recent Cadet graduate, Liam Ryan ’24, was awarded his Eagle Scout rank this past June. Liam’s Scouting journey began with Cub Scouts and ended on the last day of camping at Tomahawk Scout Camp his 18th birthday, this August. For his Eagle Project he led a restoration of the Stations of the Cross walking path by the STA Grotto. The crew also repaired a broken bench and removed invasive buckthorn. He was a member of Troop 5 in Woodbury-Saint Ambrose Catholic Community, the sponsor organization. Liam held various leadership positions in the troop, but he particularly had a passion for camping. Liam experienced the high adventure bases of Philmont Scout Ranch (hiking the mountains of New Mexico), Florida Sea Base (sailing along the Florida Keys) and Summit Bechtel Reserve (whitewater rafting the New River in West Virginia). Liam is now attending Miami University in Ohio, majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Sport Analytics.
A PRESIDENTIAL WELCOME
President Brian Ragatz speaks to cadets on the first day of the 2024-2025 school year
Ryan at work on his restoration project of the Stations of the Cross Path by the STA Grotto.
MIDDLE SCHOOL HOUSE CAPTAINS
House Captains were recently named for the Middle School. The House System develops leaders among the students, while strengthening bonds between grade levels in the middle school.
There are six houses, made up of students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Each House is guided by two faculty members. Elected student leaders are House Captains, who strive to provide opportunities for all students to lead.
BYRNE HOUSE
House Captain: Noah Scott
Lieutenant House Captain: Eric Thomas
DOFFING HOUSE
House Captain: Christiano DeLeon
Lieutenant House Captain: Wyatt Schultz
ROACH HOUSE
House Captain: Brooks Fritz
Lieutenant House Captain: Duke Wright
BASSETT HOUSE
House Captain: Connor Flanagan
Lieutenant House Captain: Henry Schneeman
FLEISCHHACKER HOUSE
House Captain: Oscar Amarante
Lieutenant House Captain: Christopher Clark
IRELAND HOUSE
House Captain: Erik Ehnstrom
Lieutenant House Captain: Dom Clark
The 2024-25 House Captains and Lieutenant Captains for the Middle School.
Band Show/Concert December
The VISTA Band will hold their annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Visitation in the DeSales Auditorium. All VISTA Bands will perform the jazz, middle school, and military bands. The concert is free and open to the public.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
VISTA PRODUCTIONS
VISTA Theater presents Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley. The play centers on Mary Bennet, the middle sister in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice
PERFORMANCES:
November 15-16, 22-23 at 7:30 p.m.
November 17, 24 at 2 p.m.
Visitation’s DeSales Auditorium
2455 Visitation Drive Mendota Heights
STATE FISHING TOURNAMENT
Justin Thilmany ’24 and Jack Groppoli ’24 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.
NATIONAL MERIT SEMI-FINALISTS
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) annually recognizes high-achieving high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability. Semifinalists are selected based on their scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. This year, seniors Ben O’Shaughnessy and Jackson Skagen were named as semi-finalists.
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY
On September 26, we welcomed grandparents to campus to spend the morning with their grandsons. Grandparents were able to see 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.
Upcoming Admissions Events
The best way to get to know Saint Thomas Academy is to spend time on our campus. We o er 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 o er 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 O ce 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
EXPERIMENTAL VEHICLE TEAM TAKES TWO FIRSTS IN SHELL ECO-MARATHON
Both vehicles designed and built by the Saint Thomas Academy Experimental Vehicle Team took first place in their divisions at the 2024 Shell Eco-marathon Americas competition, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April. The team took home $6,000 total for winning the two divisions.
“Entering two cars in the competition gave the large team more hands-on opportunities to design, build and drive the vehicles,” said Sara Krivak, co-moderator of the team. “This year’s team has several new and younger members, who did an amazing job learning the ins and outs of building a vehicle. Overall, we are thrilled with our performances against many engineering powerhouses at both the collegiate and high school levels.”
In the battery-electric prototype division, the team’s vehicle traveled 276 miles/kWh, besting the second place team from Dunwoody College of Technology by 28 percent at 198 miles/kWh. The team also surpassed its result of 254 miles/kWh in the 2023 competition. This year’s battery-electric prototype division included more than 30 college and high school teams from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil. University teams included Université Laval, California Polytechnic State University, Northern Illinois University, Bradley University and James Madison University. Minnesota was well-represented in the competition, with teams from Brainerd High School, Southwest Christian High School, Alden-Conger High School and Granite Falls High School in addition to Dunwoody and Saint Thomas Academy.
The hydrogen fuel cell urban concept vehicle took first in the division with a record-setting 146.7 miles per cubic meter of hydrogen. This year’s team traveled 28.7 miles further than the 2023 team, which had set the previous record in the division. Evidence of the rigor of the technical inspections conducted by Shell engineers, Saint Thomas Academy fielded the only hydrogen fuel cell urban concept vehicle to clear all 12 technical inspections and proceed to the track. Saint Thomas Academy was also the only high school team in the division, which included teams from Louisiana State University, University of California Los Angeles and the University of Toronto.
Team members included:
• Reid Barberot ’26
• Luke Marvin ’27
• Matthew Brost ’27
• Jackson Skagen ’25
• Henry Batzler ’24
• Billy Armstrong ’27
• Colin Shea ’27
• Charlie Meyer ’24
• Jack Orme ’24
• Sam Martin ’25
• Ben Treacy ’25
PERSONAL FINANCE DECATHLON
A team of four seniors placed second in the 2024 State Personal Finance Decathlon, excelling among a field of 13 schools from across Minnesota. From the state competition, the first place team, Mounds View High School, advances to the National Personal Finance Challenge in May.
The top-placing schools of the 2024 State Personal Finance Decathlon were:
1. Mounds View High School, Teacher: Aaron Oseland
2. Saint Thomas Academy, Teacher: Dean Simmons
3. Hopkins High School, Teachers: Jesse Theirl and David Braaten
The Personal Finance Decathlon program is the flagship program of the Minnesota Council on Economic Education, providing students from across the state an opportunity to demonstrate critical-thinking and financial communication skills. Each year, more than 300 high school students participate in the online qualifying competition that tests their familiarity with ten areas of personal finance, including insurance, investing, saving, budgeting and more. The state competition uses a case-study format that allows students to experience financial planning, for a fictional family, helping the family reach their financial goals by applying knowledge of personal finance concepts and presenting recommendations to a panel representing industry, academia and government.
This year, 300 students from 13 schools across Minnesota participated in the Personal Finance Decathlon program, with 36 students advancing to the state in-person competition held at Securian Financial.
BARNES COACHING AWARD
Head Swim & Dive Coach John Barnes has been selected for a 2025 NISCA Outstanding Service Award from the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association. Barnes is just the eighth Minnesota coach to receive the award since the program began in 1971. He will be recognized at the organization’s annual meeting in June 2025 and his name will be displayed along with other winners in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the state of Minnesota and our swimming community,” Barnes said upon learning of the award. “I am proud to be a part of such a distinguished group, following in the footsteps of great Minnesota coaches.” Previous winners from Minnesota include Paul Lukens, Evar Silvernagle, Bob Mowerson, Harry Boardman, Elmer Luke, Bob Erickson, and Art Downey.
Up to five association members may be recognized with the Outstanding Service Award annually. A member can only receive the award once. To be considered for the award, members must have been a swimming, diving and/or water polo coach for at least 15 years; be a member in good standing in the organization for at least 10 years; had above average success as a competitive coach; and shown leadership at the local, state or national level in interscholastic aquatics.
“This is an incredible honor for Coach Barnes and Saint Thomas Academy,” said Reed Hornung, athletic director of Saint Thomas Academy. “His ability to draw out the best in our student athletes is exemplary and has led to us having one of the strongest swim and dive programs in the state for many years.”
Coach John Barnes
Dean Simmons
SPORTS UPDATE
GOLF
Led by captain Fredrick Walther ’25 and Head Coach Greg Vannelli ’72, the Cadets Golf team had a spectacular season finishing 8-1 and second in their conference. The team finished third out of 12 teams in the 3AAA Section Tournament. Phillip Ebner ’26 had two first place finishes in non-conference invitationals. Leo Vincelli ’26 finished first at sections, punching his ticket to the State Tournament. The team looks to achieve big things next season as the Varsity team looks to capitalize on the success of the 2024 season.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Leo Vincelli ’26
• Colin Leymeyer ’27
• Henry Allen ’25
HONORABLE MENTION
• Phil Ebner ’26
• Abe Walther ’26
• Fred Walther ’25
Reid Barberot ’26
Alex Howie ’26
Sam Smith ’26
Abe Walther ’26
Frederick Walther ’25
Leo Vincelli ’26
Sports summaries compiled by Michael Korf ’26
LACROSSE
The Cadets Lacrosse team had an amazing season closing out with a record of 9-6 and Metro East Conference Champions. The team fell to Eastridge in the section semi-finals. This year’s team was led by captains Gabe Meisterling ’24, John Dzubnar ’24, Hunter Carver ’24, and Max Candon ’25. Two players received Academic All-State honors, Dominic Castro ’24, and Luke Hudson ’26. Max Candon is committed to play college lacrosse at St. John’s University and Luke Hudson committed to Bucknell.
ALL-SECTION
• Luca Pedri ’26 (2nd team)
• Hunter Carver ’24 (2nd team)
• Luke Hudson ’26 (1st team)
• Max Candon ’25 (1st team)
• Gabe Meisterling ’24 (1st team)
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Luca Pedri ’26 (HM)
• Dominic Castro ’24 (HM)
• Hunter Carver ’24 (HM)
• John Dzubnar ’24 (1st team)
• Antonio Pedri ’24 (1st team)
• Luke Hudson ’26 (1st team)
• Max Candon ’25 (1st team)
• Gabe Meisterling ’24 (1st team)
Antonio Pedri ’24
Gabe Meisterling ’24
Max Candon ’25
Coach Frank Clark Luca Pedri ’26
Hunter Carver ’24
Dominic Castro ’24
BASEBALL
The Cadets Baseball Team was led by experienced senior captains JD Dobis, Max Sims, and Michael Stavseth. Head Coach Bobby Thompson ’14 led the team to a 13-14 finish and winning the 3AA section and advancing to the State Tournament for the fifth consecutive year.
The team had a hard fought loss to Benilde-St. Margaret’s in the opening round of the tournament, but finished as State Tournament Consolation Runner-Ups. The team did work just as hard off the field, earning the team Academic and All-State Gold honors from the Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Association. A season highlight included the walk-off win against Mahtomedi at home, after which a ceremony was held to honor Bennett Kotok ’23 and retire his jersey, after his untimely passing in 2024. The baseball program is excited to see the building of the new batting cages, dedicated to Bennett Kotok, and set to open for the 2025 season.
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
• Eddie Gray ’24
• Maximus Sims ’24
• Jac Wright ’25
ALL-SECTION TEAM
• Rowan Cashill ’24
• Jonathan Dobis ’24
• Maximus Sims ’24
• Jac Wright ’25
Maximus Sims ’24
Jac Wright ’25
Eddie Gray ’24
JD Dobis ’24
TENNIS
Led by captains Britton Jarpe ’25, Drew Lindstrom ’26, and Will Bonfe ’25, the Cadets Tennis Team finished 15-5 on the season. The team finished third in the Metro East Conference with a record of 6-2. The team had a hard fought loss against Eagan in the section semi-finals, however Drew Lindstrom did win third place in the individuals for the 3AA Section Tournament. The team put in great effort on and off the court this season, earning the Team Academic All-State Gold Award for having an average G.P.A. of 3.6+.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Drew Lindstrom ’26
• Dante Ziperstein ’26
• Tim Noonan ’25
• Britton Jarpe ’25
• Finn Ganje ’27
• Braxton Spata ’27
Tim Noonan ’25
Britton Jarpe ’25
Drew Lindstrom ’26
Will Bonfe ’25
Coach Paul McKeehan
Academy Sports
TRACK & FIELD
Cadets Track & Field had an excellent season, finishing first out of four of the seven regular season meets they took part in. The team won the section 3AA meet, competing against 12 other schools, for the third consecutive year in a row. From the Section meet, 10 individual athletes went on to the State Tournament. Avery Buchner ’26 set a new school record for the 100 meter dash this season with a time of 10.99.
ALL-CONFERENCE
• Grant English ’26 – 4 x 800 Relay
• Brendan Gerber ’24 – Discus
• Matias Johannson ’24 – 4 x 100 Relay
• Luke Markert ’24 – 4 x 100 Relay
• Sam McNellis ’27 – 4 x 100 Relay
• Jackson Najarian ’24 – Pole Vault
• Todd Rogalski ’26 – 4 x 100 Relay
• John Parkos ’26 – 4 x 800 Relay
• Gus Tennessen ’24 – 4 x 800 Relay
• Marshall Wright ’25 – 4 x 800 Relay
ALL-CONFERENCE
HONORABLE MENTION
• Patrick Cunningham ’24 – 100m
• Luke Cierzan ’25 – 200 m, 4 x 200 Relay
• Damian Fru ’25 – Triple Jump
• Kayden Greeley ’26 – 110 Hurdle
• Max Maplelentz ’24 – 400m
• Sam McNellis ’27 – 4 x 200 Relay
• David Ogungbe ’25 – 4 x 200 Relay, Triple Jump
• Todd Rogalski ’26 – 4 x 200 Relay
• Philly Solomon ’24 – 1600m, 3200m
• Gus Tennessen ’24 – 800m
TEAM CAPTAINS
• Patrick Cunningham ’24
• Patrick Koegel ’24
• Max MapelLentz ’24
• Luke Markert ’24
• Jackson Najarian ’24
• Owen Schlehuber ’24
• Philly Solomon ’24
• Gus Tennessen ’24
• Marko Vukovich ’24
• Vinny Audette ’25
• Kian Farooq ’25
• David Ogungbe ’25,
• Chase Young ’25
ALL-SECTION
• George Anderson ’26 – High Jump
• Avery Buckner ’26 – Long Jump, 100, 4 x 100, 4 x 200
• Luke Cierzan ’25 – 4 x 200, 4 x 400
• Patrick Cunningham ’24 – 4 x 100
• Grant English ’26 – 4 x 800
• Logan Fotsch ’27 – Pole Vault
• Matias Johannson ’24 – 4 x 100
• Patrick Koegel ’24 – Discus
• Max MapelLentz ’24 – 4 x 400
• Todd Rogalski ’26 – 200, 4 x 200
William Carey ’26
Sam McNellis ’27
Luke Markert ’24
Max MapelLentz ’24
Nico Vargas ’24
Luke Cierzan ’25
Progress is underway for the Michel Aquatic Center!
On September 4, the “Topping O ” ceremony was held to celebrate the last interior beam going into place. Donors, coaches, and student-athletes signed their names onto the beams, marking the exciting moment. Both President Brian Ragatz and Head of School Jennifer Bigelow from Visitation led the event. The Michel Aquatic Center is set to open in time for the 2025-26 school year.
Thrilled to be Back!
BY TONY MULLEN ’93 DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
Iam thrilled to be working at Saint Thomas Academy, a place that holds deep significance for me. As a proud member of the Class of 1993, my time here has shaped me in profound ways that continue to influence who I am today. The friendships I formed, the lessons learned both in and out of the classroom and the values of discipline, faith, teamwork, and community have stayed with me throughout my life.
This fall has been remarkable for our community. The construction of the Michel Aquatic Center is progressing on schedule, with a planned opening date of June 30, 2025. Our Alumni Weekend was a tremendous success, reuniting graduates from across generations to celebrate the shared experiences at the Academy. On October 8, we held our annual STA Give Day, and the spirit of generosity was truly inspiring, with our community coming together to support our students, programs, and faculty. I’m thrilled to report that we exceeded our ambitious goal, with over 1,000 donors contributing more than $1,000,000!
Looking ahead, I invite you to save the date for our 60th Community Auction on Saturday, April 26, 2025. It promises to be a special evening filled with camaraderie and support for our students and programs. I hope to see you there!
As the Director of Advancement, I’m honored to help Saint Thomas Academy continue building on this momentum. Together, we will create even more opportunities for future generations to experience a life-changing education and personal growth.
Thank you for your support and the warm welcome home. I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Tony Mullen ’93 Director of Advancement
Scan this QR code to support Saint Thomas Academy and the Aquinas Fund. Your generous donation will make a lasting impact on our Cadets and community.
Tony Mullen ’93
Remembering Tom Mich
BY DAVID JACOBSON
His Star Tribune obituary refers to him as Dr. Thomas Barrett Mich. And, in fact, the late former Saint Thomas Academy Headmaster wore that formal courtesy title well after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. But throughout Mich’s 48-year career in education including two separate stints at the Academy, first as a teacher and then as Headmaster from 2004 until his 2014 retirement his friends and close colleagues did not stand on ceremony and just knew him as “Tom.”
For example, Bill Culbertson, who taught at the Academy from 1968 into 2008, recalls Mich as “warm, a person who made friends easily, and a first-class guy who carried himself well, even though he went to high school at Cretin. He got along well with people. He was open, and he would tell you what he thought. Even if we had something serious to address about the Academy, it was a conversation between friends. We were both from ‘St. Small.’ ”
Similarly, Mich’s community roots from his childhood in St. Paul’s Midway area also bonded him with another contemporary, Mike Byrne ’63, who served 37 years at the Academy, including time as middle school director. “I was two years behind him in grade school and never knew him then,” Byrne said, “but as colleagues, I always felt comfortable talking to him, and he always listened. He made my job very easy and enjoyable.”
Both Culbertson and Byrne fully felt Mich’s commitment to the Academy and its Cadets. “He spent a lot of time in the building,” Culbertson said. “He cared a lot about the faculty and the students. As the dean, my job was to encourage the lads to move along through the hallways, and Tom would always be out there greeting people. It might be easier for a headmaster to just be a ‘corporate guy,’ but Tom felt it was necessary to get to know the kids and their parents.”
Added Byrne, “Tom was so committed to education and to helping our young men pursue their dreams. He was always looking for ways to improve Saint Thomas Academy and help those boys become men. He always wanted to know how we were doing in testing, what programs we could bring in to help students decide about college, what guest speakers we could bring in from different professional fields.”
As much as Mich focused on academics, character education, and whatever else he could do to advance the Cadets, he also promoted the Academy as a whole. “He did a lot of traveling to visit alums all over the country to help them support the Academy,” Byrne said. “He was an active fundraiser as headmaster.
“He often invited people to Formation. When alums came, they were always so impressed. They loved seeing the kids in Formation, and the kids loved it, too. The court was so important to Tom, and he loved the chapel.”
For all of Tom Mich’s career in education including more than three decades as an adjunct professor at the College/University of St. Thomas and 18 years as superintendent of the Orono School District nothing surpassed his love for Saint Thomas Academy and its students.
Thanks for joining us for a GREAT TIME at the
ALUMNI OPEN
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Thomas Perrault ’64, John “Jack” Blum ’66, Mark McDonald ’80, Nicholas Tongen ’96, David Hicks ’06, Dylan Thomas ’11, William Ratelle ’11, Alan “AJ” Reid ’11, Jordan Schroeder, Coach Frank Deig
The Saint Thomas Academy Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was inducted at a special ceremony on September 20.
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was a truly inspiring event, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of our remarkable inductees.
Together, Alumni Aim for STA Success
The Saint Thomas Academy Alumni Association is excited to continue building a strong and vibrant alumni community. Our Association is committed to supporting the school’s mission of developing boys into men of character. We are actively working to increase alumni participation and ensuring that Cadet alumni can continue to connect and engage with the school. We focus on initiatives that directly benefit the students, including providing yearly scholarships for son’s of alumni, funding the STA Hockey Arena Improvement project, and growing the Alumni Sons Endowed Scholarship Fund to support future generations of cadets. We also recognize the incredible addition of the new pool and are committed to helping its continued development in the coming months.
The Saint Thomas Academy Alumni Association also cultivates alumni participation by hosting events such as the Alumni Golf Tournament, Pickleball Tournament, and the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony during Reunion Weekend.
We encourage all alumni to join us at upcoming events, volunteer their time and talents, and consider contributing to the school’s success. Together, we can make a real di erence in the lives of current and future Saint Thomas Academy Cadets!
Dominick Vierling ’14, Alumni Association President Christopher Kettler ’15, Alumni Association Vice President
Alumni Gather for some Clay Shooting
The recent Saint Thomas Academy Sporting Clays event, hosted by the 3A Fund, was a resounding success. The event brought together nearly 15 teams who enjoyed a fantastic day of clay target shooting, delicious lunch, and great camaraderie at the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club. Proceeds from the event will directly support the arts, athletics, and activities programs at STA.
Christopher Kettler ’15 Alumni Association Vice President
Dominick Vierling ’14 Alumni Association President
1950s
Retired coaches GERRY BROWN ’58 and Mal Scanlan meet for the pre-game “handshake” before the recent STA-Cretin/ Derham Hall football game. The Cadets won for the third year in a row, 24-7. Also pictured are retired coaches Dave Ziebarth and Rich Kallock, and an amused o cial!
1960s
STMA class of 1961 had their 18th Annual Last Ever Golf and BBQ at the home of COURT STOREY after a round of golf at the beautiful Eagle Valley Golf and Country Club. Twenty six members of our class were able to attend and many from out of town. Attending were: CRAIG ANDERSON (Pequot Lakes), BOB BISANZ, DICK BRADY, BOB CHIRPICH, MIKE COFFEE, PAT COONAN, DICK CRAGG (Hastings), DICK DONOVAN, JOHN DOWNEY (Leesburg, VA), BILL FABIAN (North Branch), PETE HUCH, JIM JAMBOR, MIKE KELLEY, ED LECLAIR, BILL LUCAS, PAT MADDEN (Olathe, KS), PAT MCCAULEY,
TOM MILLER, STEVE RUSSELL, JIM RUTZICK, JOE SCHERER (Jacksonville, FL), RAY SPACK, COURT STOREY, DAVE SWANSON, MIKE WOOLSEY, and GREG ZEGLEN
Congratulations to TOM MAHON ’62! To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Tom’s book on Silicon Valley, Charged Bodies, People, Power and Paradoxes That Launched Silicon Valley, the book has been re-published. Tom’s book has come to be recognized as a valuable historical document since most of the key figures in the story are no longer with us. Tom has also blessed The Academy with a copy of the book. Thanks, Tom!
Here’s an update from GENE LAFOND ’63: He’s still standing, writing songs, and playing music with his harmonic partner, Amy Grillo, on the North Shore of Lake Superior and throughout the Midwest. He’d love to do a house concert for his buddies in the class of 1963 (notoriously the best class). You know where to find him. All the best & shine on!
From MICHAEL BATTIS ’64: The Battis & Bohen families have had 28 members attend Saint Thomas Academy. We just celebrated 90 years of our Thanksgiving Battis & Bohen Football Game over 60 people showed up young and old. We designed a 2” brass coin to celebrate the occasion. We were on the front page of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press and on the news!
1960s
TOM BRABECK ’65 is an Active Glider pilot. The farthest Tom has gone is 500 miles and the highest is 26,000 ft. Tom has also been married to Barbara Ann Brabeck for 55 years. Congratulations, Tom & Barbara Ann!
Members of the CLASS OF ’60 met recently for lunch at the Scoreboard, hosted by John Ossanna. Pictured left to right: DICK SCHWEIZER, JOHN OSSANNA, PAT MAGLICH, BILL JERUE, TOM CAPISTRANT, JOE JESMER, HENRY HUOT, VIC TSCHIDA, and JOHN O’ROURKE.
A group of ’64s (plus a ’63 & ’95) gathered at Mike and Ann Ciresi’s lake home last week. Pictured are back row: DAVID CARROLL ’64, DON BACHMEIER ’64, GEORGE CARROLL ’63, ADAM CIRESI ’95 and front row: MIKE CIRESI ’64, TOM LINSTROTH ’64, and MIKE BARCELOW ’64.
1970s
The weather interfered with the CLASS OF 1973 breakfast turnout but the guys had a great time catching up on things such as health, retirement, trips, Tom Cosgrove’s horse “Seize the Day” winning the Preakness, and John Barnes gave his STA New Pool update. Pictured are: (back row) TOM COSGROVE, JOHN MAGUIRE, CHRIS LEE, PETER GILLEN, JIM MURLOWSKI (front row) MIKE SIREK, TIM PLUNKETT, JIM JOYCE
Members of the CLASS OF 1973 gathered for their monthly memorial luncheon. Pictured are: back row: ED O’PHELAN, KEVIN DALY, TIM PLUNKETT, JOHN MAGUIRE and front row: TOM COSGROVE, LARRY FRYKLUND, JOHN MCQUILLAN, JOHN BACICH, GEOFF MAHONEY.
The CLASS OF 1973 at their monthly memorial lunch. Pictured are (clockwise form left): TIM PLUNKETT, JOHN MAGUIRE, MIKE BRECKMAN, GEOFF MAHONEY, JOHN MCQUILLAN, TOM COSGROVE, PAT MAHONEY, LARRY FRYKLUND, TOM CLEMENTS, TIM RIDLEY, and Tim Ridley future class of 2040.
ROBERT KIRSCHER ’68 has been busy in his semiretirement. He’s President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Assoc., Sarasota Chapter, National Restaurant Association finalist for community involvement/ contributor, Sarasota tourism leader of the year, Siesta Key Chamber Sharon Cunningham Award recipient, and 17 year board member of FRLA.
1970s
THOMAS FEELY ’70 just released his second book in a series called The Crowning. The first book, Culmination of the Nation, was published in November 2023, and the sequel, titled Exodus from Cerberus, was released on April 26, 2024. The genre is suspense thriller. Also, in January of 2024 Thomas welcomed his 9th grandchild and also his first great grandchild the following day. Both boys are healthy and doing great. Congratulations on all these milestones, Thomas!
CHRIS COX ’70 has a book scheduled to be released this September. The book is titled, Woodrow Wilson, The Light Withdrawn
Some members of the class of 1973 took a trip to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Pictured are: JOHN ROONEY, TOM CLEMENTS, TIM RIDLEY, and TIM PLUNKETT
JIM MURLOWSKI ’73, KEN MALLOY ’73, and PETER GILLEN ’73 have been playing golf together annually since 1973. This year marks their 51st match.
RICHARD EBERT ’71 is launching Silentcide2: Vengeance on September 24. This sequel is about atypical sibling assassins trying to foil a plot to kill US senators. Learn more at RichardEbert.com.
Congratulations to MIKE BOYLE ’75 on his recent retirement!
Congratulations to DAN KEYPORT ’75 on his recently published the nonfiction work Extraordinary Popular Delusions of Our Times, a modern sequel to Charles Mackay’s 1841 literary classic Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. His book is available in multiple formats on Amazon.
Congratulations to Head Football Coach Travis Walch and Assistant Coach
TIM HERNANDEZ ’77 on bringing home some hardware from this year’s Minnesota Football Coaches Association Banquet on April 6. Coach Walch received the Section Coach of the Year and Coach Hernandez was awarded the Butch Nash award, honoring an assistant coach that has had a lasting impact on their program. Congratulations Coaches! #GoCadets
1980s
After 27 years as a Biology Professor at College of St. Benedict + St. John’s University, MICHAEL REAGAN ’81, retired at the end of spring semester 2024. He’s looking forward to travel, golf, and whatever adventures life throws his way. Congratulations, Michael!
Congratulations to PAUL PENCE ’82, who recently retired from the Army Corps of Engineers as a Natural Resource Manager. In his words, “Life is good!”
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston recognized MICHAEL SULLIVAN ’82 for his work tutoring refugee and immigrant high school students in English. Many of the students enrolled in Catholic Charities’ St. Jerome Emiliani Foster Care program are orphans, come from war-torn countries, or have come to the U.S. with no parent or guardian. Sullivan also leads the e orts of other volunteers who have helped many Catholic Charities’ clients pass Texas State testing, obtain their GEDs, and give them much-needed confidence to succeed in school and eventually get jobs. Congratulations and keep up the great work, Michael!
1970s
TIM ’73 and MIKE ’76 PLUNKETT
continued their Plunkett Band of Brothers tour by visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library to review their father’s Second Infantry Division G2 and G3 reports.
The Catholic Athletic Association (CAA), founded by the father of TIM DORAN ’79, is celebrating 75 years of supporting youth athletics this year! The article pictures a couple alums from the class of 1979 (TONY BERG & JOHN HANOUSEK).
PAT O’NEILL ’82, PAUL DONOVAN ’82, and TOM JUREWICZ ’82 celebrated their 60th birthdays by golfing the west coast of Ireland (and visiting the O’Neill family farm). Tom’s grandson was born while they were playing the 7th hole of Ballybunion, while Pat’s grandson waited for him to get back stateside before making his appearance.
Welcome home
MARK FISLER ’82! After 32 years in California in two stints, Mark and his wife, Sandra, decided to move back to the Twin Cities. They are currently in temporary housing while looking for a home. They are both very pleased to be back!
2000s
Congratulations to BILL SZLAIUS ’85! Bill’s company, Logic, is being acquired by Accenture!
Fox 9 Good Day interviewed MARK CONNOR ’87 about how the lessons his father taught him inspired his book (available for pre-order), It’s About Time. Mark also talks about going from being a boxer to a professional author to being a poet.
Congratulations, Mark!
Congratulations to MICHAEL DAVERN ’88 for the honor of being named the 2024 University of Notre Dame Graduate School Distinguished Graduate Alumni!
1990s
MATT PARK ’94 will be in the Children’s Theatre Company’s production of Drawing Lessons. The show runs October 8 to November 10, 2024.
St. Mary’s Ryken (SMR) has announced the appointment of NICK COTRONEO ’97 as the new head coach for the girls’ ice hockey team. Congratulations, Nick!
2000s
RUSSELL ALLIEV ’04 married his wife, Stephanie, in 2016, he plays pickleball, dances (Ballroom & Latin), and is participating in the 2024 RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa).
Congratulations to MATT MILNER ’08 on his recent marriage to Christina Billman. Matt’s brother, PAUL MILNER ’07, was best man and there were lots of STA, Vis, and SJU alums in attendance.
ARTHUR MORRISSEY ’00 launched a new company, M Consulting. M Consulting works to redefine a company’s and a brand’s public image and amplify the brand presence with strategic communication and unparalleled public relations expertise.
AARON MCGOWAN ’04 is a US Army Military Intelligence O cer currently deployed in the Middle East (his third deployment). Aaron completed 20 years of service this past March and is looking forward to coming home before the new year. Cheers to the class on 2004 on our 20 year reunion!
Congratulations to CULLEN REIF ’05 for being included among the Top 100 Retirement Plan Advisors Under 40 for the second year in a row by the National Association of Plan Advisors. Cullen’s SageView Advisory Group Wayzata team has also been recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors as one of the top 2024 DC advisor teams in that nation.
BRIAN BORG ’05 recently made the news for being an amazing Dad. Last September, Brian donated his kidney to his son, Michael (4), aka “Miracle Michael”. Michael has been fighting for his life since before he was born and has beaten the odds countless times. With the gift of his father’s kidney, Michael is well on his way to seeing many more milestones previously thought to be unattainable. All our best to the Brian, Tricia (Vis ’06), Michael, Johnny (10), Peter (9), Gianna (7), and Danny (5) as they celebrate everything that life brings them!
TOM HENDERSON ’06 joined WIZ, the rapidly growing and Israeli-founded cloud security company, early in 2024. He is the VP of Worldwide Channel Sales. Tom was previously at Zscaler, AppDynamics, and Aeritae consulting with NICK HERNANDEZ ’79 He was recently interviewed in London for the “Hunters + Unicorns” podcast.
Congratulations to JIM MCGUIRE ’07 on his new job! Jim recently joined Medtronic as Global Portfolio Marketing Manager Cardiac Rhythm Management, Defibrillation Solutions.
In June, NICK CREAMER ’09, accepted a position with BDO USA, joining their team as a Tax Senior Manager. Nick will be responsible for leading the local pass through entity (partnerships and s-corps) practice. Congrats, Nick!
2010s
Congratulations to MITCHELL PERRY ’12 on graduating from Stanford Law School in June 2024. Mitch will be working at the law firm Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan starting this in the Fall of 2024.
Congratulations to J.P. BRUNO ’14 on earning his PhD in Economics this month and on his upcoming wedding in October!
Congratulations to MATTHEW DORLE ’14, talent manager to Mr. Beast and professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau.
1LT JOSEPH HARVEY ’16 graduated helicopter flight school at Fort Rucker, AL in March, 2022, and was then stationed at Fort Drum, NY in 3-10 GSAB, 10th Mountain Division. A UH-60 Black Hawk aviator, 1LT Harvey recently deployed to Iraq in Spring, 2024, and is expected to return in 2025.
Congratulations to JAMES REDING ’17 on his new position as Associate at Citadel!
Congratulations to Lizzie and LUKE CASHMAN ’10 on their recent wedding! STA Alumni
RUBEN HIDALGO ’10 and TUCKER WALSER ’10 were also part of the celebration.
MAXIM ABRAMOWICZ ’14 has graduated from the U of M Carlson School of Management and is now the Practice Manager at South Saint Paul Animal Hospital PA.
DANE MOSHER ’14 has hit lots of milestones in the last few years. He’s living in Shakopee, has gotten married, and has two beautiful children, Cash & Kam. Congratulations, Dane!
A couple great updates from JACK COLLERAN ’16. Jack married his beautiful wife, Grace Fallon, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington D.C. on July 12 and was promoted to Associate Director of External A airs at United Health Group. Congrats to Jack and Grace!
Congratulations to TUCKER EVERETT ’12 and his new wife, Sarah! They were married on December 30, 2023. 2010s
Congratulations to RAY CHRISTIE ’18 on earning the Scott Winkler Award at Colorado College. This award is given to the player that earned the respect of his teammates by showing humility, optimism, and support through his love and appreciation for the game (hockey) as well as his teammates!
CHASE FOLEY ’18 and RAY CHRISTIE ’18 will be transferring to University of St. Thomas!
On Father’s Day June 16, 2024 JORDAN KLEIN ’19 and his girlfriend, Jordyn, welcomed ther son Ryder Buck into their family. Jordan said, “We are so blessed to have a happy and healthy baby.”
Congratulations to GARRETT RIVERS ’20 with Maryville University and BEN MANSUR ’19 with Lewis University for being Co-Champions of NCAA D2 Men’s Lacrosse Great Lakes Valley Conference! Rivers would go on to be recognized as 3rd Team All American and
2000s
1st Team Academic All American for NCAA D2 as well as participate in the Senior All Star game in Philadelphia, May 2024. Garrett graduated with a master’s in data science and started a job as Data Engineer Team Lead with Small Business Consulting Corporation (SBCC) as an Air Force contractor in June.
2020s
Congratulations to MAX STEWART ’20 on joining the Industrial team at Transwestern in January of 2024. Max is available to aid in any future commercial real estate transactions for you or your company!
Congratulations to MATT BOLAND ’20 as he looks forward to joining the American Robotics team!
RALEIGH DROEL ’20 will be starting as an associate at PwC in October 2024; congratulations, Raleigh!
A distinguished group of cadets gathered in Quincy, Illinois to celebrate the marriage of ANDREW GROEBE ’18 to Miss Kegan Wall on May 25. Pictured from left to right are: RYAN DORLE ’19, JACK ANDERSON ’10, WILL ANDERSON ’19, ANDREW GROEBE ’18, CHARLIE ANDERSON ’25, LARRY ANDERSON ’77, TIM CARROLL ’74, BILL ANDERSON ’85, TOM GROEBE ’14, RICK ANDERSON ’80, STU WHITNEY ’13, SEAN BAUMEISTER ’11 and TIM ANDERSON ’12. Andrew and Kegan are both graduates of Iowa State University and reside in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
ALEX ADAMS ’20 recently completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Boston College (Class of 2024) and started a new Investment Banking Analyst position at Piper Sandler in Minneapolis, MN. Alex said, “Cheers to the Cadets for making it all possible.”
Congratulations to NICK KETTLER ’20 who recently graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and will be joining PricewaterhouseCoopers in Minneapolis as an Audit Associate!
STA was well represented at Holy Cross this past weekend, BAKER REDING ’21, LUKE CANDON ’22, MAX CANDON ’25, ZACH SANTRIZOS ’22, and TJ ADAMS ’22.
Congratulations to BOBBY CUNNINGHAM ’22 for earning the US Naval Academy’s men’s hockey team Rookie of the Year award!
PATRICK CUNNINGHAM ’24 is now a Plebe at USNA, and BOBBY CUNNINGHAM ’22 said STA really helped him at Navy, thank you all.
Congrats to JONAH SAAD ’25 and ERIC SILGEN ’25! These Fishing Team captains had some great catches on Cedar Lake on July 17!
In Memoriam
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 e ort to present an accurate list.
