St. Thomas Eagles' Nest Spring 2018

ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

S pring 2018

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Eagles’ Nest

EVENTS MAY 8........................ Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge Society Dinner

Eagles’ Nest

DEPARTMENTS

28 EAGLE FLIGHT

Eagle scholars again soar to distinction while the 11th Annual Scholarship Breakfast personifies The Strength of Giving And Gratitude.

MAY 12 ............. Sports Hall of Fame Induction MAY 18............................. Baccalaureate Mass MAY 19...........118th Commencement Exercise AUG 9........... 2018-19 Academic Year Begins AUG 31.........Eagle Football vs. Strake Jesuit at NRG Stadium

sths.org/calendars/

Eagles’ Nest Printed April 2018 The Eagles’ Nest is published three times annually by St. Thomas High School 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77007-7332 | 713-864-6348

Rev. Kevin Storey, CSB - President Aaron Dominguez ’96 - Principal Mary Criaco - Assistant Principal Eve Grubb - Vice President of Finance Mark deTranaltes ’83 - Vice President for Advancement Rodney Takacs - Dean of Students Keith Calkins - Director of Communications Darla Arter - Layout and Design Assistance Provided By: Sebastian Domenech ’10, Catherine Chandler, Molly Hittinger Some photos provided by STH Publications Staff Circulation 9,500 c2018

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34 EAGLE SPIRIT

Campus Ministry Director Marty Matulia leads student mission trip to Honduras as he caps a near two-decade commitment to St. Thomas.

50 EAGLE PRIDE

Social Studies Dean Brett Mills recounts oneof-a-kind encounter with Justin Timberlake.

Yes, that Justin Timberlake.

65 EAGLE FIGHT

Eagle Soccer and Eagle Swimming relish signature seasons while acclaimed Eagle student-athletes seize opportunities to extend their careers.

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FEATURES

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Passionate Partners Strike A Cord “... the most improbable of pairings ... eventually dissolving what appeared to be clear and divisive differences, discovering a common purpose that united them as one.”

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“... an outburst of raffle ticket sales which generated a Glengarry-esque frantic Friday finish that would have had Ricky Roma riveted and Blake ordering coffee for one and all.”

“I have great belief in my business concept and model. But more than anything else, I own great belief in myself.”

The Round-Up ABCs. Always. Be. Closing.

Jay Vaughn ’15 – Rapid Ascent To What’s Next

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“... we want families and students to walk in and say this is the best science area they’ve seen in any private school in Houston.”

“... Catholicism and faith-based components predicated on the Basilian credo Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge with heavy academic elements and challenging team-building activities.”

“... unsurpassed value and visibility for our school. And most importantly, NIKE recognizes St. Thomas as a premium institution that aligns with their own passions and purpose for excellence.”

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Highest Tech

Ties That Bind A Brotherhood

Just Do It

LEADING OFF - FROM THE PRESIDENT

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ccording to University of Pennsylvania psychologist, Angela Duckworth and St. Thomas alumnus, David Scott Yeager ’00 at the University of Texas, the best predictor of success is not SAT scores, family wealth or IQ. Rather, students who believe that they can improve their abilities are consistently far more successful than students who believe that their talents are fixed.

At St. Thomas, we actively encourage our students to explore different courses, clubs and extra-curricular activities. Students who move out of their comfort zone and try lacrosse, robotics, ceramics, Mandarin, rocketry, wrestling, theatre and more develop invaluable skills. Not only do they find new interests, but even when they fail, they develop a resiliency which makes them far more successful in the long run. The key factor for educators and parents is to emphasize that the failure - whether it’s in web design or baseball - is specific and temporary rather than pervasive and lasting.

I consistently hear about our graduates finding their transition to college easy, starting their own business or becoming great husbands and fathers.

The research suggests this path to success began when our students learned Eagle Fight Never Dies! On the football field, in the classroom or at home, those four words convey a pathway to prosperity.

Rev. Kevin Storey, CSB St. Thomas President

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LEADING OFF - FROM THE PRINCIPAL

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ecently President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB presented to our faculty and staff on the Basilian Charism in education.

During the presentation, Father emphasized the diversity of the 10 founders which is responsible for the richness of the DNA embedded in the Basilian tradition. The presentation led me to reflect on diversity and its role at St. Thomas.

We consider ourselves blessed as our location is in the heart of one of this country’s most diverse cities. The fact that nearly half of our total enrollment is composed of students who identify as Hispanic, Black, Asian, or Other is evidence The Basilian Tradition is alive and well at St. Thomas. Similar to the Basilians, diversity enriches the very fabric of our school and positions us to offer an exceptional academic experience to all those fortunate enough to matriculate here.

As we look to the future of St. Thomas, you will notice a renewed intentionality, celebration, and proliferation of the diverse student body which makes St. Thomas the superior college preparatory experience, not only in Houston but beyond.

Aaron Dominguez ’96 St. Thomas Principal

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PASSIONATE

PARTNERS

STRIKE A CORD

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hey were positioned at polar extremes of an aggressive and arduous four-bid negotiation with HISD for a prime property that both parties identified with equal need and desire in a process that proved as unusual as it was tactical.

What ultimately emerged was the most improbable of pairings, the relentless Basilian school president and the savvy natural gas entrepreneur, eventually dissolving what appeared to be clear and divisive differences, discovering a common purpose that united them as one.

St. Thomas is blessed to accept a transformational gift from Houston philanthropists Glenda and Russell Gordy, a $2.5 million pledge that matched all new offerings dollar for dollar through May 20 in the Double Your Donation Challenge to complete funding for the Joplin Campus expansion through the 4500Forever and 4500Forever Finish Strong capital campaigns.

“Russell and I firmly believe young people need a good beginning to life, and it’s our responsibility to do our part in making that happen for everyone.

Not just for a select few.

For everyone.”

– Glenda Gordy

“We hope our contribution directly impacts young lives, a boost to students who otherwise would not have the possibilities that St. Thomas provides,” Russell says. “Many private schools carry exorbitant costs and appeal to an extremely low percentage of the population. That’s not what Glenda and I are about, and she’s the decision maker on our gift-giving. She told me this was worth pursuing and we should do it.”

St. Thomas President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB believes “Glenda’s and Russell’s amazing act of generosity gives St. Thomas the opportunity to truly take 4500Forever and ‘Finish Strong.’ We are blessed and grateful for their investment which will benefit our students for generations to come and enable us to continue building upon the foundation set forth by our Basilian founders 118 years ago.”

The leadership gift places the Gordys among the most generous St. Thomas benefactors, those who through extraordinary philanthropy share the same vision, spirit and strength in laying the bedrock for a greater St. Thomas.

“The majority of our charitable contributions are aimed to help young people,” Russell says. “Texas Children’s Hospital, DePelchin Children’s Center, Halo House (provider of low-cost housing for out of town patients receiving blood cancer treatment at the Texas Medical Center). Glenda is a long time member of Mothers Against Cancer. That’s where we started. And partnering with St. Thomas is compatible with that same intent.”

Russell Gordy’s booming professional success is rooted in oil and gas, rising from humble origins to roughneck rigs to land rights and oil drilling to one of the largest landowners in the United States.

Gordy’s sundry exploits are a sweeping tale of defying the longest of odds through innate intelligence, shrewd financial investments and sheer will.

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Yet through his substantial gains, Gordy never lost a compassionate perspective of his modest beginnings and the essential value of seizing and capitalizing on opportunity when presented.

Fr. Storey shared with the Gordys the historic and distinguished St. Thomas legacy of diverse enrollment fueled by tuition assistance and merit scholarships, enabling students to benefit from - and uniquely add to - the Eagle experience.

In a series of conversations, Fr. Storey imparted on the Gordys with absolute conviction “that the next Russell Gordy is going to come from St. Thomas. I want you to engage our campus community, speak with our geology students, and discover your fit with St. Thomas. Yes, we’re a private college preparatory school. Yes, we’re a Catholic school. But we can replicate your story better than any other school in Houston. Because reaching out to a wide-ranging mix of students has been our mission since 1900.”

The testimony resonated with Glenda and Russell, along with Fr. Storey’s personal upbringing earmarked by challenges ever similar to their own.

“Fr. Storey owns a great passion for what he’s doing,” Glenda says.

“He speaks of St. Thomas from the heart. We’re approached every day for sizable contributions, often by professional fundraisers. But when you come across someone who is directly involved and personally committed, there is a sincerity that you cannot overestimate.”

Russell was struck by “Fr. Storey’s spirit. He’s tenacious. Determined in all the right ways. Neither one of us has allowed obstacles to prevent our reaching and achieving our goals in life.”

But throughout 2013, their respective dogged determination for land acquisition was in stark conflict. Both Fr. Storey and Gordy seared a laser focus on acquiring the 11-acre HISD property adjacent to the St. Thomas campus. An unorthodox bidding sequence wasn’t determined until November with a final-hour $60 million bid in favor of St. Thomas.

Before the high stakes financial tug-a-war involving HISD, Russell Gordy possessed no working knowledge of the all-boys Catholic high school secured at the corner of Memorial and Shepherd Drive since 1940.

“Zero.”

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And in the aftermath of the bidding, Russell could not muster even a slice of intent to further any sort of relationship between the two neighbors.

“No. Never going to happen. It was time to move on,” Russell says matter of factly. “I was actually asked to donate to St. Thomas and I said, ‘Have you lost your mind?’”

In the distant wake of these events came a chance encounter at the Hall of Fame weekend for Astros icon Craig Biggio, unifying the unlikeliest of partners in the pursuit of Basilian ideals.

In July 2015, Fr. Storey travelled to Cooperstown, New York on the Astros private charter as a personal guest of Biggio to serve Sunday Mass at Biggio’s hotel. Later, Fr. Storey accepted transportation to the afternoon celebratory festivities from former Astros player and manager Phil Garner.

“One small detail ... Phil was riding with me,” Russell says with a laugh. “I was the chauffeur. Glenda and I walked down to the car and Phil chimed, ‘Fr. Storey, I want you to meet Russell Gordy. You need to get to know Russell Gordy.’ You should have seen the expression on Fr. Storey’s face. I’m sure he thought at the time I was going to drop him on the side of the road.”

Becoming involved with St. Thomas is consistent with Glenda and Russell’s ongoing commitment to several targeted scholarships spread over multiple departments at Sam Houston State University, including The Russell D. Gordy Scholarship established to provide financial assistance to students pursuing a degree from within the College of Business Administration.

The Double Your Donation Challenge also represents a further testament to Glenda and Russell’s expanding commitment to “a (Heights) neighborhood we care deeply about.”

The couple has a long donor history with Stages Repertory Theatre, located just off Memorial Drive at Waugh Drive, including a magnanimous gift contributing to an upcoming three-theatre campus expansion.

Also on Russell’s current radar is a 4-acre, mixed-use development at the corner of Washington Avenue and South Heights Boulevard with a 96,000-square-foot H-E-B serving as the anchor tenant.

Gordy & Sons Outfitters is just north on Waugh Drive, a grand hunting and fly-fishing emporium designed for the avid sportsman, featuring one of the finest and most exclusive gun rooms in the world.

From that uber encounter, Fr. Storey and the Gordys began to thaw their differences through a series of interactions, paving the way to the Double Your Donation Challenge which was decided in January 2018.

“Glenda and I are focused on this particular area of the Heights, from Studemont to Shepherd Drive,” Russell says.

“This is going to be our hub and we hope to enhance the community in a wide variety of meaningful ways.”

“The world is full of surprises,” Russell says. “I was obviously disappointed at the time because the HISD deal would have made a great addition to our portfolio. But it’s just land. As it turned out, I acquired another property that I maybe wanted a little bit more. And I give Father Storey all the credit for moving us both forward. He provided a great insight into the true mission of St. Thomas and the Basilian Fathers.

Without him, I wouldn’t be involved like this.”

In the most powerful of displays, Glenda and Russell Gordy are advancing young men and the future of St. Thomas while stamping a lasting statement about the value of investing in the Catholic Basilian education experience.

Another contributing factor essential in Russell gradually gathering “great confidence in St. Thomas was Craig. He’s a good friend and a wonderful ambassador for the school, where he coached (two TAPPS state baseball champions in five years), where his sons (Conor ’11 and Cavan ’13) attended. That endorsement meant a great deal to me.”

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HIGHEST

TECH S

t. Thomas is partnering with Vaughn Construction and global architecture and design firm Perkins + Will to create a multidisciplinary science wing that will give the institution an unprecedented environment for equipping college preparatory students as leaders in pursuing future scientific challenges.

The guiding principles for the 9,000 square foot redevelopment for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences and STEM are fostering an interactive community, creating a culture of discovery and ensuring future flexibility - all key academic imperatives as St. Thomas reaffirms and strengthens its distinctive Catholic Basilian mission.

“At the end of the day, we want families and students to walk in and say this is the best science area they’ve seen in any private school in Houston. That’s the goal. If so, we’ve done our job.”

– Ed Cordes Leader of the Science + Technology practice for Perkins + Will.

St. Thomas is utilizing immense expertise in an extremely aggressive timeline, fast-tracked for eight months from the start of design to construction finish, that will reflect the school’s history, culture and community while incorporating advances in technology with the natural environment.

Perkins + Will has designed more than 50 million square feet of science facilities in the previous 10 years, working in every type of industry including private, federal agency, and academic institution.

The Cordes relationship with generational St. Thomas supporter Vaughn Construction dates to founder Joe Vaughn ’62 and now represents more than $1 million in joint construction projects.

“We know the firm and family really well ... how they do business ... from the Med Center to Texas A&M and across the state. It’s an ideal match,” Cordes said.

“It became evident from the very beginning that St. Thomas was not replicating what school districts throughout Greater Houston were doing, but seizing an opportunity to lead the pack and allow students to prepare for what they’ll experience at the university level.”

Cordes, whose sons Thomas ’10 and John ’19 exemplify the Eagle experience, owns a 30-year career focused on the design of complicated environments, beginning with the International Space Station while working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. His significant portfolio of design and programming work includes projects at Texas A&M, Baylor, University of California-San Diego, Louisiana State University, Texas Children’s and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

He and his design team are employing many of the same concepts visible with university teaching for sciences, a philosophy founded on team science and open science with a vision to accelerate understanding.

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“Fundamentally the focus here is on experiential learning that is sweeping higher ed,” Cordes said. “Students are demanding more interactive team participation. Studies have proven the retention rate is vastly superior when that is the foundation for the course. It’s the blending of lab and lecture space, whiteboards, secondary monitors, all mobile, all the ideas presented electronically. Let’s place science on display, make it an exciting element of the campus.

“Everything we design is fully integrated with virtual reality modeling. We’re equipped to walk faculty and senior administrators through the space in 3D. Definitely some aha moments.”

Project Architect Rebekah Gandy sees an emphasis in “highperformance facilities maximizing space and transparency, technology and flexibility. Two primary physics labs separated by a movable wall can easily flip into a specialized support area. Soft seating and collaboration zones will provide a fun and funky element, and promote informal and impromptu sessions. And there’s a faculty touchdown area that will also serve for tutorial.

“I have a two-year-old son and I can already see myself at St. Thomas.”

Gandy participated in a series of extensive one-on-one interviews with St. Thomas faculty to gauge their needs and the inherent challenges of 21st-century pedagogy.

Distinguished instructor Daniel Bryant ’93 immediately recognized the project as “state-of-the-art, incorporating the freshest presentation technologies which will promote more direct instruction with students, which then transitions directly from lecture to the lab, table tops proven in industry but rarely available at the college preparatory tier. The seating will promote movement and may be reconfigured for any teaching style, any teaching activity.”

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Cordes also describes the newly created STEM makerspace bringing “much greater value than the 400 square feet devoted to the area. The celebration of allowing students to become creative in the sciences is at the nexus of the two corridors, all glass, where laser cutters and 3D printers are prominent, sparking curiosity, inviting students to get involved.”

The redevelopment reflects the St. Thomas dedication to the green building community and the strategic importance of sustainable design practices, emphasizing highefficiency lighting and performance standards, goals for an innovative approach to understanding the interaction between natural and technical systems.

St. Thomas also shares a like-minded social responsibility with Perkins + Will in fundamental outlook and culture.

Every year the firm donates one percent of its design services to non-profit organizations.

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LESSONS LEARNED W E L L

The top-10 Round-Up sellers for 2018

When it comes to Round-Up ... Eagle scholars have long mastered their ABC’s.

Always. Be. Closing.

ALWAYS BE CLOSING. For the third consecutive year, the like-minded and aspirant harnessed a collective and aggressive late surge to ignite an outburst of raffle ticket sales which generated a Glengarry-esque frantic Friday finish that would have had Ricky Roma riveted and Blake ordering coffee for one and all.

Within minutes, a 2007 single-engine four-seat R44 II Rotorcraft helicopter touched down onto Hotze Field to deliver St. Thomas President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB, and faculty members Casey Johnson ’05 and Grover Green ’04, the two driving forces who inspired, pushed, prodded and cajoled the Eagles to the actual greater than grand total of $574,150.

Round-Up, yet again bigger, better and more robust, for the 15th consecutive year, crashing the $500,000 threshold for the third straight year, with all monies annually and always devoted to St. Thomas tuition assistance, a Basilian practice which dates for 91 years.

The assembled crowd for the late afternoon reveal watched the Senior Board parade into Granger Stadium flanking a classic Rolls Royce Silver Spur.

And nowhere in the student community is the Basilian motto Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge more alive and in full force.

Dean of Students Rod Takacs, with an award-winning caliber performance lending new meaning to the term “sandbagging” as it relates to Round-Up, acknowledged a not-to-be-ashamed total of less than $553,000, well short of the projected goal.

“Round-Up is not a gimmick,” Fr. Storey said. “It’s not a temporary trend that quickly washes away.

People who share our history and many others with no connection whatsoever respond to our students, their genuine efforts resonate. We have employees of

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other private schools buying books of tickets. It’s how we teach goodness.

When students have coursework, other priorities, they make a sacrifice in present time so that someone will have a better life next year, or in five years.”

Eagles arrived on campus March 2 needing to collect almost $100,000 in less than six hours in order to rebrand the Round-Up standard. There was a conscious decision by the St. Thomas administration that a deep-pocket donor would not be solicited simply for the sake of record-busting.

One buyer committed to a number then doubled it. And somehow it got done.”

Deja vu. All over again.

Largely because of a dogged determination and keen understanding of the decided difference between desire and achievement, with a group of seniors at the vanguard who embraced a noton-my-watch mentality as it relates to rip-roaring Round-Up results.

Students hurled themselves into the challenge like divers from the dock. By 12 noon, the total sales suddenly swelled to about $500,000, and then rocketed within the next 90 minutes, squeezing past the 2017 standard of $572,808.

“Just chipping away” is how Green described the breakthrough. “At one time we had 26 board members out on the street. One guy bringing in $1,000 here. Another $500 there. Here’s another $1,200.

Then a couple of big checks. Here’s one for $5,000. Here’s another $3,000.

Hotze ’21 leads Round-Up charge

“I was the pessimist this year,” Green said. “I didn’t think we would get there.

It started with Hurricane Harvey. And then some other circumstances. But this is what strikes me more than anything else ... every quota counts. Every single

quota counts. The difference in breaking the record this year and not amounts to about six students selling or not selling their quotas.”

Out front in individual sales was Brendan Hotze ’21 in what has become a lasting family tradition. His $22,469 came in the immediate wake of his older brother David ’17 leaving as the top Round-Up producer each of his four years.

“I would call people multiple times until I got some kind of answer,” Hotze said of his throw-back entrepreneurial tactics and techniques clearly absent of machine learning analytics and artificial intelligence. “I even went door to door. Got some rejections, sure. But I just kept going.”

And that persistence proved the prevailing thought that there is no heavy Round-Up hitter like a Hotze.

As a freshman in 2014, David ’17 racked a mind-numbing individual total of $62,970, easily the largest single stake in Round-Up history. He then closed out as a senior just as be broke as a freshman, the leader of the pack, his $25,340

The Round-Up Student Board for 2018

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Johnson ’05, president Fr. Storey and Green ’04

advancing his cumulative four-year total to a staggering $132,490.

Brendan promptly served notice that perhaps no Round-Up record is safe when a Hotze is hovering.

“There was never any pressure to reach a certain amount or live up to years past,” Brendan said. “It was just something I wanted to do for the school. What means the most to me is future Eagles having an opportunity to attend St. Thomas, a Catholic institution where teachers and classmates care about everyone.”

Student body president Daniel Garcia ’18 ($11,800) and Josh Hanks ’18 ($11,600), the second and third overall sellers, led a senior assault that generated $175,000, with Creigh Klenke ’18 sixth ($6,760) and Travis Rosenblad ’18 10th ($5,720).

Ben Huggins ’19 was fourth overall ($9,020) and tops among the junior class for the second straight year, with Plato Pappas ’19 eighth ($6,020) and Damian Patronella ‘19 ninth ($5,850).

Nicolas Prodoehl ’20 was the lone top-10 sophomore with $6,600. Aiden Kelley was fifth ($6,880) to join Hotze from the Class of 2021.

Hanks generated top-10 distinction for the second time in three years, Klenke and Prodoehl for back-to-back years.

And linking it all was a relentless dream-big, no limits pursuit, Eagles not motivated for personal acclaim or gain, but for the powerful impact on future students, many of whom the ticket sellers will likely never know, never meet, all for the colossal greater great of St. Thomas.

“The energy from the student body was measurable,” principal Aaron Dominguez ’96 said. “They truly took ownership.

I was in the room with the Board when Fr. Storey indicated they had made the mark. That group erupted. An awesome feeling.”

I see the Bonanza Booth which has been run by the same family for more than 40 years. And in another area of Reckling Gymnasium is the Big Red Market which has taken us to a completely different level. I teamed with Jeff Camp (class of 2016) and we finished third in the Horseshoe Tournament. This really feels like home.”

Gerald Lusk captured the grand raffle prize, a 2018 Toyota Tacoma truck on a ticket sold by Seth Deitz ’19. The Xbox One X gaming console was won by Tina and Bradley Crawford on a ticket sold by Jackson Crawford ’19. Victor Sanchez claimed the Apple Watch, Series 3 device with a ticket sold by Alex Arellano ’19.

Dominguez recalls his own student body totals from the mid-1990s maxing out at “roughly $150,000” in what now seems to be a shadowy Mesozoic Era.

But the most indelible benchmark for Round-Up remains the students’ resolve in refusing to accept the inevitability that one year the sales record simply will not fall.

His initial year as principal stirred his own Round-Up revival, “a connection unlike ever before. I saw old friends and joined so many of our current families ... and just appreciated this from a much different perspective. Much is the same.

“The senior leadership drives this,” Green said. “For three years students see what happens. They hear what has gone on for decades and generations. Eagles helping Eagles. It’s the culture of St. Thomas.”

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he Basilian Fathers extend their deepest appreciation to all in the St. Thomas community and beyond for making our 91st Round-Up celebration a student fundraising event unmatched anywhere in the United States, generating more than $574,000 for St. Thomas tuition assistance ... more than $2.6 million since 2014.

Eagles caring for Eagles.

ROUND-UP 2018

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e were blessed to have phenomenal leadership with chairs Deena Skucius, EJane Myers and Sara Roberts, plus a legion of volunteers who devoted countless hours to support another record-smashing extravaganza.

Eagles caring for Eagles.

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his was truly a superlative effort capped with a Sunday filled with fun, food and fellowship, all saluting a brotherhood unlike any other.

Eagles caring for Eagles.

SEE YOU MARCH 3, 2019!

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A BROTHERHOOD G

row as many, unite as one.

Understanding that the current student generation is inundated daily … academically, socially, personally and spiritually … with untold pressures and challenges … St. Thomas has developed a five-day orientation program for incoming freshmen during the first week of the academic year that infuses the traditions and values of the 118-year Basilian institution while creating an accepting support system that allows students to forge relationships and embody the Eagle spirit.

The learning liftoff launching 2018-19 lands 75 miles north of Houston at Camp Cho-Yeh outside of Livingston for Camp Aquinas.

Unplugged from electronics and technology, students will build character and brotherhood, community and culture.

And most importantly, gain an authentic understanding that a leader’s greatness is found in bringing out greatness in others.

“We want to isolate our freshmen in a positive environment that is conducive to bonding and collaboration,” principal Aaron Dominguez ’96 says. “When you’re away from the physical space of campus, away from your home, away from cell phone and mobile devices, the barriers and excuses that prevent interaction are eliminated. You equalize the playing field, so to speak. Our freshmen will discover a lot about themselves, as well as the young men they will be spending the next four years with.”

The priority in establishing Camp Aquinas is igniting and increasing personal connection, dramatically raising students to meet expectations for behavior and attaining their God-given potential.

“We have seen that not everyone who attends St. Thomas as a freshman graduates from St. Thomas,” Dominguez says. “Some students lose their way for various reasons. We believe that bringing the group together before their Eagle experience begins will solidify the group, build a brotherhood and when there are inevitable challenges down the road, they will have the skills and a support group that has been established that they may utilize.”

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Faculty members Andrew Quittenton, Grover Green ’04 and Casey Johnson ’05 crafted the blueprint for Camp Aquinas at the urging of President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB. The intent was to infuse Catholicism and faith-based components predicated on the Basilian credo Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge with heavy academic elements and challenging team-building activities.

Eagle students will be clustered in eight groups or ‘houses’ on the Camp Cho-Ye grounds named for notable St. Thomas Basilians and will gain a perspective of their lifetime commitment to the mission and their legacy within the school.

Three dozen faculty members will participate along with 40 Eagle student leaders.

The tech-free methods will encompass a range of pedagogical goals and promote a myriad of developmental benefits - better physical health and wellness, stronger relationship skills - which often lead to lower rates of depression.

But the deepest dividend of Camp Aquinas is establishing how a true Man of St. Thomas measures well beyond mastering mottos and the school’s alma mater.

“Eagle Fight Never Dies! is so much more than an athletic battle cry,” Dominguez says. “The words speak to the heart of St. Thomas. When our freshmen return to campus, they’ll understand that they’ll face adversity during the next four years because every single student does. Be prepared. This will not be easy, nor should it be. Understand you are not

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alone, that your peers and teachers and school are here to support you.”

Quittenton believes that at the end of five days Eagle freshmen “will have the necessary bedrock beneath them to be successful contributors to their community. They’ll know what the standard is, in the classroom, in the hallways, and when no one of authority may be watching.

We have so many incoming students arriving from all over Houston from so many different backgrounds who don’t really know the St. Thomas culture.

“We will discuss what temptations they’re going to be facing … drugs, vaping, sexting … the realities of their world. They have to have the confidence to say ‘no.’ And at times some will make wrong decisions. But there are available resources in place to help them. The plan is for our senior leaders

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to continue as mentors for their freshmen throughout the academic year and reinforce what has already been established.”

At the foundation of Camp Aquinas is the causal relationship between outdoor activity with increased social interaction and decreased stress and anxiety.

“Our freshmen are going to be pressed and pushed out of the comfort zones without question, both physically and mentally,” Quittenton says. “That’s the intent. And they’re going to fail at times. It’s not devastating to have a bad day. Figure it out. That’s life. But they’ll also realize they have skills they didn’t necessarily know they possessed.”

Quittenton sees Camp Aquinas as a logical extension and expansion of his experience with incoming freshmen in the two-day Camp GDK within the Summer@STH program.

During June and July 2017, Quittenton and St. Thomas Athletic Director Mike Netzel orchestrated campers Students routinely learn to work more through a series of alliance challenges, effectively in groups, better manage conflicts, cooperate in a more effective all entwined with a spiritual element, to better prepare them for the manner, take risks responsibly in a safe transition into a demanding college context and exhibit an improved comprehension of nonverbal emotional cues. preparatory setting.

Particularly meaningful were community service projects with the Memorial Park Conservancy where volunteers aided the park’s continuing recovery following the devastating 2011 drought and subsequent fire that wiped out nearly 50 percent of its trees.

More than two dozen Eagle students worked the biocycle area within the Southside Trails system, uprooting pine seedlings designated for the Eastern Glades project.

Eagle

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Four weeks later, Quittenton headed a separate group transporting water by wheelbarrows and buckets for those same pine saplings, while another dozen freshmen established a one-mile fence line barrier within the Memorial Groves area to protect World War I features before ecological restoration will take place.

“That kind of experience is so much greater than simply outdoor leisure time,” Quittenton says. “It helps these maturing young men become more self-sufficient and mutually reliant.

They reach beyond their immediate friends and families, and bring that experience back to campus.”

Being a St. Thomas student means being part of a long, proud history … of academic rigor, of ethical living, of being educated in the Catholic Basilian intellectual tradition. Camp Aquinas extends the St. Thomas obligation, the passion, the goal to provide a supportive, safe environment for students to thrive.

“There are ideas that may live within organizations for years but only emerge when the right combinations exist for them to come to fruition,” Dominguez says. “Andrew, Grover and Casey were invigorated by the concept and are the catalysts. We were determined to make this happen, to provide a powerful impact on our students and community.”

Grow as many, unite as one.

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ore than 40% of the current St. Thomas enrollment has maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average, with 153 champion scholars rising to St. Thomas Club distinction which requires at least a 4.0 GPA. The 286 recognized students represent the largest-ever percentage of Eagles to earn such collective acclaim in the school’s esteemed 118-year history.

This latest metric of academic excellence verifies St. Thomas among a select group of college preparatory institutions with a strong commitment to innovative teaching and personal attention, giving students the opportunity to partner favorably with faculty mentors.

Principal Aaron Dominguez ’96 believes the spiking trends are an acknowledgment of the overall strength of the St. Thomas academic experience and the emphasis placed on successful student outcomes.

“The caliber of student entering St. Thomas is obviously high. The academic rigor here is intense. And this underscores the depth of our of care and commitment, from our faculty to our Learning Enrichment Center, from counseling to our dean of students department, comprehensive resources that drive our students to achieve their potential,” Dominguez said.

St. Thomas remains on a significant upward trajectory during the past decade, attracting high-achieving students who

think critically and consistently earn prestigious national scholarships and awards.

n 4 National Merit Semi- Finalists from the 2017-2018 academic year

n 56% of the class of 2017 applied to Texas A&M University with 76% of those scholars accepted (74 of 97)

n 43% of the class of 2017 applied to the University of Texas Austin with 70% of those scholars accepted (53 of 76)

n 30% of the class of 2017 choose out of state universities

n 75% of the class of 2017 selected public universities

n 16 Advanced Placement courses offered, with 86% of students from 2016-17 scoring 3 or higher

This continued academic excellence validates the unwavering St. Thomas focus on educating the complete student and involving them in the scholarly pursuits of an award-winning faculty.

“That’s the St. Thomas mission,” Dominguez said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to prepare our students for the colleges of their choice and realizing their life-long dreams. It’s is our obligation, our passion, our goal to provide a supportive, safe environment for our students to thrive.”

St. Thomas also has undertaken a major development initiative that will dramatically enhance its facilities and campus landscape.

Design and construction has begun on a state-of-the-art 9,000-square STEM center, a state-of-the-art wing incorporating the latest technology and teaching/learning environments for study of the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

22 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

Class of 2018 Members of the St. Thomas Club Henry Adair Nathaniel Belcher Brooks Brickley Nicolas Brito Kristopher Brolan Juan Castillo Peter Chauvel Michael Colucci Kenneth Dang Samuel Donoho Philip Everist Tristan Fauntleroy George Fisher Daniel Garcia Joshua Gensheimer Andreas Giannitsopoulos Cooper Gottschalk John Green Barrett Gregory Zachary Hamm Jackson Hanna Samuel Hebert Michael Hessel John Horner Mario Juguilon Noah Kotlarek Alexander Lee Andrew Leyendecker Joseph Little Grant Lurix Philip Matulia Gabriel Meriano Christopher Miller Michael Patton Joshua Prusak Adam Rinaldi Gabriel Rios Parker Rzasnicki Christopher Schlak Chase Shanley Trevor Sides Mathew Soto William Swan Alexander Whiteley Class of 2019 Members of the St. Thomas Club Armando Amador Ben Bludau Jarrod Brown Joseph Chavez Harrison Fason Robert Grove Hunter Henderson Benjamin Huggins Jacob Lara Gabriel Lenz Joshua Madden Theodore Mai

Connor McGovern Kellin McGowan Brendan Murray Francisco Narro Matthew O’Connor Clement Ong Plato Pappas Je Yoon Park Andrew Phan Carson Rau Tuscan Savarino Thomas Snow Angel Sosa-Yanez Samuel Stroh Juan Vazquez Maxwell Voltz Class of 2020 Members of the St. Thomas Club Martin Beirne Alec Burbridge Nicholas Chandler Carlos Copello Grayson Drinkard Adam Dunn Christopher Ezeude John Gardner Daniel Jones Zachary Kroencke Jonathan Lay Nathan Lee Grant McCoy Ryan Mercado Thomas Minton Ryan Moore Jordan Navarijo Jean-Paul Nguyen Kien Phan Nicolas Prodoehl Andrew Rentz Mason Ritchie Kyle Rzasnicki Anthony Schlak Edward Sprigg David Steffes William Sterner Joseph Swan Cooper Thomas Michael Tran George Varcados Charles White Maxwell Zaebst Class of 2021 Members of the St. Thomas Club Evan Benavides Augustus Boettcher Brady Bourgoyne Zachary Bryant Max Chung Arthur Clarke

Travis Cummins Robert Diamond William Dundee William Edmundson Tanner Erb Adam Gensheimer Christopher Guzman Jacob Hulvey Carlos Kaehler Aidan Kelley Samik Khosla Alexander Kinsel Erich Krueger Sebastian Lanz Vincent Lee Francisco Llamosa Raphael Mamaradlo Luke McLane Dylan Michaels Noah Mims Leonardo Morales Benito Moreno-Garza Joseph Mundell Thomas Murray Roman Ochoa Jhosua Pasuquin Patrick Pham George Rentz Michael Requenes Luis Reyes Micah Reyes John Rizzo Christian Rumohr Aaron Schlosser Chris Tan Drew Tolson Thomas Valdes Zachary Voltz Creighton Ward Jonah Webster Zachary Wilson Bishop Yokubaitis

Jonathan Kerr Creigh Klenke Soren Knudsen Joshua Longoria Shawn Martinez Owen Meaney Jose Mendez Daniel Moreno Kyle Paige Alexander Pollock Haden Ritchie Matthew Rodriguez Cole Ross Mason Ruch Rene Sanchez Andrew Schlosser Sean Sisolak Jacob Stevens Daniel Vannoy Everett Vaughn Michael Vogelsang Ryan Wagner David Weber Wallace Woodlief Class of 2019 Members of the St. Thomas Honor Roll

Tucker Alch Cristian Capasso Cole Carrabba Colton Christ Jackson Crawford Seth Deitz Johnathan Evans Rory Gonzalez David Gordon Daniel Griggs Jack Hatcher Alexander Jacobs Bryan Jasper Jeev Lamba Seth Macias Mason Maida Class of 2018 Members of Tyler McStravick the St. Thomas Honor Roll Cameron Mills David Nemec Jason Barroso Donovan O’Hare Patrick Bartlett Nico Pivnik Henry Batt Nelson Suarez Jack Brogan John Teague Charles Colley Camden Thomas Sebastian Estremadoyro Daniel Tran John Evans Kenneth VanDoren Joshua Falcone Ian Wheeler Clark Flowers Diego Garcia Class of 2020 Members Faraon Gonzales of the Honor Roll John Griffin Lake Anderson Zachary Hablinski Ethan Armenta Joshua Hanks Thomas Ballard Andrew Hernandez Luke Bennett Andrew Herrera Charles Boutte Sebastian Housh

Aidan Brelinsky Shane Brelinsky Daniel Coco Javier De Leon Kyle Dietert Travis Enochs Travis Froboese Carson Hechler Harrison Held Jose Hernandez Zachary Hernandez Spencer Kryger Nicholas Kurzy Paul Langemeier Adrian Marquez Avila Ismael Melendez Matthew Onufrow Luke Pane Matthew Payne James Peoples Jackson Phillips Hamilton Pierce Joseph Powell Alessandro Rivero David Rodriguez Miguel Sanchez Dylan Shirley Sterling Smith Taylen Washington Beamon Welch Kamal Zeidan Class of 2021 Members of the St. Thomas Honor Roll Vinicius Braga Nicky Calzolari Jack Carter Jackson Cooper Peter Corbett Xander De Anda Adam Desroches Diego Garcia James Gibson Eduardo Gonzales Griffin Gregory Anthony Herger Nickolas Kanakidis Matthew Lim Andrew Love Cameron McCurry Julian Melchor Phillip Patch Finnley Polidore Nicholas Prioli Clark Somma John Sudkamp Pablo Tager Ballesca Dean Thomas Marshall Turbes Nathan Vu Haotong Wang Patrick Welch Leo Wilson

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or more than a decade, Fine Arts Dean Mike Nebel has fostered much more than a simple appreciation for the ceramic arts within his seniors only curriculum.

He’s orchestrated a seismic shift for the program, providing a rigorous yet supportive environment that relies on persistent curiosity and due diligence, exposing students to a wide range of traditional techniques and contemporary concepts while encouraging their signature style.

And through their authentic tactile and cognitive experiences, Eagle artists continue to gain regional and national acclaim from the premier juried competitions in the United States.

‘It’s not living up to the St. Thomas standard, it’s redefining the standard,” Nebel says in his annual manifesto delivered at the beginning of each fall semester. “Every year that motivation becomes increasingly more ambitious. After this year, raising the mark will be especially challenging.”

Early in 2018, Nebel celebrated a staggering 27 Eagles capturing esteemed recognition from 29 entries to the National Scholastic Regional Art Competition sponsored by the Harris County Department of Education, including nine of the 12 Gold Keys from the region advancing to the national level, two each from Andreas Kapetanakis ’18 and Nolan Pfeil ’18.

“Astounding” was Nebel’s one-word qualifier. “I never envisioned results like that. Those percentages are out of sight.”

Nick Burns ’18, Josh Hanks ’18, David Jackson ’18, Jonathan Kerr ’18 and Trevor Sides ’18 joined the Gold Key parade, their submissions applauded by panels of highlyqualified professionals.

Hanks and Sides were also among 11 Silver Keys recipients, along with seven Honorable Mentions in Ceramics & Glass,

24 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

and two Silver Keys for Drawing and Illustration earned by William Castillo ’19 (the first-ever Eagle to be honored with Gold Key identification in 2017).

The distinction becomes even more notable within the context that Nebel’s students begin their projects only weeks into Ceramics II with but one previous semester of experience to develop an emphatic personal direction with their work.

“We aren’t attracting artists advancing to study ceramics at the university level,” Nebel says. “It’s a decided mix of elite scholars, achieving students, theater performers, studentathletes, all with almost no background in the materials or the process. These guys are future lawyers, engineers, business executives. But they routinely bring a great desire, and from there, a hidden skill may emerge.”

Kapetanakis, Pfeil, Burns, Kerr and Sides also contributed to the 20 St. Thomas entries for the 21st Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition. Hanks, Jackson and Owen Meaney ’18 were all selected for the national show March 14-16 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from more than 1,200 submissions.

“Three incredibly distinctive and deserving pieces,” Nebel says. “Hanks crafted the most riveting pottery we’ve ever done. Cone 5 Stoneware clay, low fire glazes for a variance, then into the kiln (oven) to produce a horse hair-firing effect and burnt sugar for an added texture. Then to really blow it out, he sprayed ferric chloride on the glaze work to represent fuming and an iridescence look. People in the (ceramics) community have really been taken back and impressed.”

Hanks was stunned by the artistic results and the jury’s reaction to his Mystic Sultan. “I really didn’t expect it to turn out that well. I had a plan but there were some definite adjustments with coloring as we went along. When you invest a great effort, it’s an equally great payoff and satisfaction.”

Nebel marvelled at Jackson’s Mechanical Parts Teapot which featured “modelled clay objects that looked extremely real.

A pipe, gears, bolts and nuts with a complimentary glaze that produced a chrome/metallic look. He had the Trompe l’oeil working (art creating the illusion of a real object).”

(L-R) Josh Hanks ’18, Owen Meaney ’18, David Jackson ’18

Jackson said his “original draft wasn’t going to work so I started sketching and came up with modifications. I tried to

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make the best piece I could, came in after hours when the rest of the class had moved on to the next project. I honestly didn’t expect to make it (to show) but it’s a great reward for some intense work.”

Meaney, who also collected a Silver Key in the Scholastic judging, opted for a more classic approach for his Green Tea Anyone that proved superior in the eyes of the judges to more lavish entries. When revealing to the class the latest round of supreme achievement in National, Nebel took particular delight in announcing Meaney’s inclusion last, anticipating a pulsepounding reaction which was delivered promptly on cue.

“Owen screamed, jumped three-feet in the air and the room went nuts,” Nebel says. “Priceless. You just never know who’s going to be the top dog.”

Nebel credited his current student group for bringing “amazing originality to the lab. Unique shapes, captivating to the eye, some very large (24-26 inches in height), others extremely small (six inches). A great range of talent with precision for detail.”

Owen Meaney ’18

“Ceramics is the definition of hands-on problem solving.”

– Mike Nebel STH Fine Arts Dean

Clay is one of the most dynamic and versatile mediums for translating the creative impulse into three-dimensional forms.

At the intersection of art, craft and design, Nebel shepherds students to push the limits of their visual imaginations, striking a balance between the acquisition of fundamental skills and the promotion of independence and innovation.

“I don’t want to see what we’ve done before,” Nebel says.

“Each new group will sample images from the posters (saluting previous Eagle exemplary showings) but then they must apply their own twist to make it their own.”

In the current coast-to-coast academic climate espousing the sudden virtues of makerspaces, Nebel views his program as an original in what is now trending within 21st-century education, combining a deep investigation of materials, process and ideas.

26 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

“Ceramics is the definition of hands-on problem solving,” Nebel said. “I was struck by the collective ingenuity and chemistry within the lab this year. This group really encouraged and fed-off one another. If someone was stuck, his lab mates would break from their own projects to help. It was a team attitude along with individual advancement. And believe me, they all wanted to beat each other, without leaving any doubt.”

Meaney has enjoyed wide-ranging success at St. Thomas, his primo pitching prowess earning TAPPS all-state recognition two consecutive years while leading Eagle Baseball to the 2017 Division I state championship. On the November National Signing Day, he cemented his commitment to attend the University of Texas.

He sees the stimulating and competitive culture within ceramics as very similar to Eagle Baseball, and that “really starts with Mr. Nebel. He’s a strong instructor but keeps the environment lose which helps us all enterprise. But when it comes time to work, everyone knows to take ownership, to complete the projects on time and up to expectations.”

The series of Scholastic and National Exhibition notoriety continues to separate the St. Thomas powerhouse program from the pack, clear validations of artistic and intellectual growth, promise paired with persistence.

But perhaps the truest indicator of the ethic Nebel has inspired and sustained was a recent anonymous Friday afternoon without a national judge in sight.

“I came into the lab after classes and more than a dozen guys were in here working and fine-tuning their projects,” Nebel says with a significant sense of pride. “At the end of the week. On their own time. They were that motivated to do their best. And so often after the competitions, almost every one of their pieces goes home and is kept for years and years.

“That may be the greatest award of all.”

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The Strength of

GIVING & GRATITUDE

F

or nearly 120 years, St. Thomas has embraced its goal, its passion, its obligation to provide a supportive, safe environment for Eagle students to thrive, empowering them to create positive change everywhere life takes them.

how the gathering of 235 benefactors and students, faculty, administrators, and staff, epitomized St. Thomas as an institution, “the meeting of people from different backgrounds and perspectives who share and leave each other richer as a result.”

Fr. Storey, Vice President of Finance Eve Grubb and Vice President for Advancement Mark deTranaltes ’83 collaborate with a nine-member Foundation Board headed in 2018 by Ken Fisher that oversees a $16 million endowment with 77 named and endowed At the 11th Annual Scholarship Breakfast, scholarships made possible by the benevolence of contributors since 1969, President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB gazed more than half established since 2000. about Cemo Auditorium and expressed Prominent and central to that Basilian mission is furnishing need-based financial assistance and merit-based scholarships in order to ensure that St. Thomas can continue to recruit, retain and graduate a talented and diverse learning community.

28 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

Long-time St. Thomas advocate John Rathmell ’75 has continued serving on the school’s Board of Directors following his tenure as president from 2014-17.

The president of Lockton Marine & Energy at Lockton Companies believes that “supporting all St. Thomas students is our priority, and within that effort is a deep determination to reach out and involve those in the Eagle experience who otherwise would not be able to participate. We can never lose sight of that responsibility.”

Approximately 30% of the annual enrollment receives tuition assistance or merit scholarships, including Michael

Garza and Melvin Larkins from the Class of 2018, who were chosen to provide their personal testimonies to the strength of giving and gratitude.

coaches, my peers, reached out to us and have continued to do so to help me through that extremely tough time. Their faith in me was inspiring.

Larkins was a penetrating and commanding campus presence throughout his four years, an Eagle Ambassador and Senior Leader, a member of the Round-Up Board and two-sport contributor to Eagle Football and Eagle Basketball.

“I’ll miss the brotherhood and all the great people of this community. I will always connect with the goodness, discipline and knowledge that remind me of St.Thomas.”

Except for St. Thomas. Garza discovered a refreshing fit where he felt the freedom to “explore and determine my strengths through the curriculum, clubs and sports.”

But Garza knew his enrollment was contingent on tuition assistance, and not until late in his final St. Pius semester did he receive confirmation he was awarded the Basilian Fathers Scholarship offered Larkins plans to study sports management to one eighth grade applicant per school Larkins arrived from HISD’s Pershing at the University of Houston where he based on academic achievements.

Middle School and readily admitted to “a will continue as a student-athlete with sudden wake-up call” his freshman year. a preferred walk-on opportunity that “One of the happiest moments of my was confirmed February 7 on National life,” Garza said. “And during my “Reality hit me. Multiple assignments in Signing Day 2018. four years, I’ve learned photography, a day, multiple tests in a week. But with ceramics, the value of selflessness and the help of the faculty and the Learning Garza is joining Larkins at UH to teamwork. And most importantly, how Enrichment Center, I learned the true pursue biochemical engineering and we are all called to serve one another. value of discipline and organization that business following his distinguished and I’ve made lifelong friends, brothers who was equally valuable on the field and on multi-dimensional college preparatory have always been there for me and I’ve the court. experience, including active involvement always been there for them.” in the Columbia Squires, Eagle Soccer “I was involved in numerous service and Eagle Track.

Garza then personally thanked “the projects, including Camp GDK, where donors who made my St. Thomas dream I gained a deep understanding of He arrived from the predominantly possible. Without your generosity, none selflessness that will carry with me Hispanic St. Pius V Catholic grade school of this, none of any of us here today, through my adult life.” in Pasadena where, as an eighth-grader, would have been possible.” he had “no idea where I wanted to attend Larkins’ true appreciation for his Eagle And before leaving the Cemo podium, connection surfaced through adversity and high school.” like any Good Man of St. Thomas would, the sudden impact of suffering a seasonGarza sifted through various private he seized the moment with a savvy ending football injury in August that cost school options but after tours and request, knowing all in the room would him the rest of his high school career. interviews, he found many of the relate. interactions resembling “a business ...

“Never did I nor my family ever feel everyone was supposed to look and act “Would anyone like to purchase Roundas though we were alone,” Larkins the same way every day.”

Up tickets?” said. “The St. Thomas community, my

“I was involved in numerous service projects, including Camp GDK, where I gained a deep understanding of selflessness that will carry with me through my adult life.”

– Melvin Larkins ’18

“During my four years, I’ve learned photography, ceramics, the value of selflessness and teamwork. And most importantly, how we are all called to serve one another.”

– Michael Garza ’18

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THE BASILIAN FATHERS

are eternally grateful to the generous supporters who empower the St. Thomas scholarship and tuition assistance program, catalysts for change, fueling a broad movement of giving within the Eagle community.

Those who attended the 11th Annual Scholarship Breakfast heard the compelling heartfelt testimonials from Michael Garza ’18 and Melvin Larkins ’18 who spoke to the benefits and influence of a premier college preparatory experience buttressed by a brotherhood unlike any other.

Theirs is but the beginning of how students from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds are currently sharing in the Basilian educational tradition, giving rise to their lives and fortifying their futures, all funded by philanthropy honoring the legacy of Teach Me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge.

Throughout my tenure at St. Thomas High School, I can proudly say that the time I have spent at this amazing school, has been the best experience I’ve ever had. For me, the educational experience here at

My St. Thomas experience has been a wild ride. For

St. Thomas is unparalleled to any other education I

me being a senior, I have been able to make long-

have received. The school nurtures such a supportive

lasting memories, great friendships, win a state

environment in which anyone can grow and develop

championship, and experience what it truly means to

their interests. For myself, personally, I have grown

be a man of St. Thomas. I love the brotherhood that

as a St. Thomas singer, Drama Club actor, EBN

St. Thomas offers to everyone who attends. I am truly

anchor and Columbian Squire. I have developed new

blessed to have received a financial aid scholarship to

talents and interests I did not know I was capable of.

attend school here because of the opportunity it has

All of these amazing programs and opportunities, or

given me to excel in my academics and athletics.

even the chance to go to St. Thomas, would not have been possible without all of your generosity. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely would like to express my thanks and gratitude. ~ Member of the Class of 2019

St. Thomas has given me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. It has given me a foundation and skills that I will cherish for the rest of my life. STH has shown me how to be a better young man of society in many ways. The main thing I will take from this great institution when I leave here is the way the community comes together and helps everyone succeed and reach their goals. That’s what I love most about STH. ~ Member of the Class of 2018

30 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

~ Member of the Class of 2018

I really didn’t know to expect when I first came to

I appreciate how STH has allowed me to expand my

St. Thomas. I was new and felt a little cut-off. I was

interests and be involved in organizations like rugby and

starting to get the feel of the schedule when Harvey

publications: two things I never thought I would end up

hit. I was sort of stuck back to square one. Once I

joining coming into high school. Because of this, and

came back though, I was thrust into a place of awe

because of the great academics and spiritual experiences,

and excitement. I had plenty ups and downs during

STH has been more than just a high school for me and I

the year. I did learn quite a few things at St. Thomas

am well prepared for college. Eagle Fight Never Dies!

and not just academics. One of the things I learned

~ Member of the Class of 2018

here was pretty much all I need to feel that a school is right for me. It is the “idea of family” has always been the most important part for a school to have.

St. Thomas has something that is just right. This is something special. This feels like home. So thank you for accepting me and let me fly high. ~ Member of the Class of 2021

My experience at St. Thomas has been amazing. I’ve met many great people who’ve helped me grow in my education, as well as my interest in the arts. I’ve made so many memories that I’ll never forget and can’t wait to make more. St. Thomas is a school, as well as a brotherhood and I’m reminded of that every day.

I am a junior at St. Thomas and it still amazes me how

~ Member of the Class of 2020

great this school is. St. Thomas has allowed me to fully spread my wings and become a true Eagle these past few years. I am a part of the St. Thomas singers, the

My experience here at St. Thomas has been quite

Columbian Squires, the St. Thomas theater program,

remarkable so far. When I was looking at different high

and the founder of a St. Thomas club. I am thankful

schools, St. Thomas really stood out to me because

for all St. Thomas has been able to offer me, from life-

of the brotherhood here. I have met plenty of great

long friendships to an education like no other, and I

people that I know that has helped me better myself

sing my alma mater with pride, for I am a proud man

as a person. I’m very glad to be here and I’m looking

of St. Thomas.

forward to the next few years here at St. Thomas. ~ Member of the Class of 2019

~ Member of the Class of 2021

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 31

TODAY Pay cable bil

Buy grocerie

l

s

Remember S

t. Thomas

Plan now.

Give later.

Remembering St. Thomas in your will or estate plans costs nothing during your lifetime, but will transform the lives of STH men down the road.

Contact

Mr. Mark deTranaltes, ’83, P ’10 Vice President for Advancement remember@sths.org 713-341-5557

Learn More

sths.org/remember

32 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

So many of our students could not have the St. Thomas experience without the faithful giving of others. If St. Thomas opened doors for you, consider how you can now open doors for others.

Join the 1900 Society by including St. Thomas in your will or estate plans and help provide affordable tuition, exemplary instruction and spiritual growth for generations of students to come.

If you remember all the goodness, discipline and knowledge that St. Thomas gave you, then please: Remember St. Thomas.

Eagle

SPIRIT

Honduras Mission Trip................................ p34 Eagles Express Life & Life.......................... p37 Best In Quiz Show........................................ p38 It’s Curtains Spring Musical........................ p39 Jay Vaughn ’15 - Rapid Ascent To What’s Next............................................. p42

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arty Matulia was only a few months into his new role as the campus ministry director when he quickly gained an acute understanding for the value of student mission trips and “the power of paying it forward.”

Now in the closing weeks of his deeply impactful and respected 16-year tenure, the one-time college hardball hand describes his final St. Thomas effort as a “grand slam home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.”

In March Matulia teamed with Dads’ Club cohorts Rafael Garcia and Ed Cordes, along with faculty member Danny Hernandez ’08 and Johnny Sangree ’04, in leading 11 Eagle students to a region of unmatched aesthetic beauty buffered by the most unsavory of underbellies.

For decades Honduras has forged a difficult time dodging its decidedly dangerous identity and long history of military rule, corruption, crime and poverty which have rendered it one of the least developed and most unstable countries in Latin America.

That stunted political and economic growth lies in stark contrast to the country’s untrammeled natural resources, the mesmerizing views of Caribbean coral forests and the world’s second-largest reef system.

Along with the breathtaking Bay Islands and award-winning West Bay Beach in Roatán are 91 protected areas and national

parks, impressive archaeological sites, and exquisite bird watching opportunities of more than 750 different species.

Yet ...

Between 2010 and 2015, Honduras had the highest murder rate in the world.

Routinely more than 60% of the nearly nine million in population live in poverty while more than 40% of Hondurans live in extreme poverty, many in rural areas, outside of the two most populous cities, Tegucigalpa and San Pedro, where farming is the main source of income and survival.

Modest economic and equality gains were briefly notable until President Manuel Zelaya was deposed in a 2009 military coup that has stalled the redistribution of wealth.

Although primary-school enrollment is near 100%, educational quality is poor, the drop-out rate and grade repetition remain high, and teacher and school accountability are low.

In the mix of such incongruity, social upheaval and economic inequality, the St. Thomas contingent was welcomed to a Catholic retreat center that serves as a boarding house for 16 male students aged 15-21 where academic opportunity is combined with a daily work exchange. They shared in simple but comfortable cabana-style dormitories, communal meals, bilingual liturgies, safely harbored where the division of

HONDURAS

MISSION TRIP Fosters Lasting Commitment To Faith, Service

34 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

culture, language, history and lifestyle was immediately dissolved.

“Such innocence and joy in these young men despite their economic strains,” Matulia says. “They were so excited to see us, just starved for male interaction, even with the adults, among the so many things we often take for granted in the United States. These young men understand they’re receiving educational options available to so few others in their villages. There’s also the hope a handful will continue at the seminary.”

The mission group provided a permanent and immediate difference in the life of those in need, delivering manpower and construction assistance, building materials and tools for a week of meaningful day-long work projects, creating two high-functioning water tanks, one devoted exclusively for tilapia with the intent that the aquaculture will promote sustainable development.

“The most compelling element in any mission trip is building community,” Matulia says. “This is a third world area but we arrived as partners, taking direction to assist their existing needs.”

And most evident to Matulia from the immersion was that the poverty hadn’t stripped the people of an unwavering spirit and faith.

“Their reverence for Christ and the Church is remarkable,” Matulia says. “Even without a weekly routine for Mass the students will gather and do the liturgy together, are responsible for the readings and even the reflection.”

The St. Thomas Sunday began with a 5:00 a.m. wakeup call for Mass with Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, the archbishop of Tegucigalpa, who also provided a private audience in the sacristy.

The group then explored the solitude of the uninhabited outskirts, including a three-hour hike through hillside paths, lush tropics and rugged terrain that included waterfalls and cascades.

Breaks from the physical labor included Eagle scholars contributing to nightly English tutorial, a Karaoke session high in hilarity, and a midweek soccer match that found Matulia, appropriately clad in the official blue and white scheme of the Los Catrachos national team, serving as

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CONTINUED

goalkeeper for the host Hondurans, who also claimed Rafael’s younger son Diego ’18, given his mother’s Honduran dissent.

“We kicked their butt, a slaughter,” Matulia says with a laugh and only slight nod to the obvious talent and tactical advantages. “I gave up only one goal ... just the best time.”

The traveling party also sampled Valle de Angeles (Valley of the Angels), part of a circuit about 30 minutes outside of Tegucigalpa restored to the charm of the old Spanish Colonial mining towns, featuring a variety of restaurants, souvenir and wood carving shops.

“Our group never once felt unsafe,” Matulia says.

And never has a more unlikely providence-spawned pairing produced the likes of Marty and Rafael.

Originally from Cuba, Garcia grew up in Honduras attending the American school in Tegucigalpa, then spent his senior high school year in Jacksonville, Florida, before enrolling at Georgia Tech. As an undergraduate, he would visit his future wife Claudia who was attending Virginia Tech. On random weekends the two would travel to nearby Radford College in Virginia where Matulia was a student-athlete helping merge Highlander baseball into Division I Big South competition.

“Believe it or not, the three of us actually met even though we didn’t know each other,” Matulia tells with utter amazement of an against-all-odds encounter. “Rafael and Claudia had a mutual friend who attended Radford, a student I knew casually. They would visit her, attend Mass on Sundays.

I distinctly remember them as a couple, and years later at St. Thomas I recognized I had met them both. In 1988. In Radford, Virginia.”

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The absurd re-introduction occurred six years ago as Rafael’s older son Daniel ’16 was emerging as a consistent presence within St. Thomas Campus Ministry, an enthusiastic volunteer with an unwavering commitment to helping others, taking a cue from his father who has supported the Honduran retreat center financially for years and convinced Matulia the site would prove ideal for the next St. Thomas service project.

Matulia initially collaborated his student mission efforts with Bruce Clay, the brother of longtime St. Thomas benefactor Al Clay ’61, whose leadership gift was essential to the 4500Forever capital campaign.

What Clay and Matulia launched in 2003 with an Eagle excursion with St. Pius X to north central Mexico morphed into a six-year pilgrimage ... and was followed by consecutive years to hurricane-ravaged Hackberry, Louisiana ... then to Eagle Pass in 2011... Joplin, Missouri in the wake of devastating 2012 tornado damage ... Weslaco in 2013-14 ... all in the run-up to international trips that landed Eagle students in Nicaragua in 2015, Cuba in 2016 and Honduras ... each and every group fostering lasting commitments to social justice and the underserved.

“We’ve been able to touch only very small corners of the world but in a sense, we’ve been bridge-makers,” Matulia says. “We brought our resources, expertise, compassion, blessings ... ourselves ... and tried to make a small difference.

Yet, what we all have received in return is beyond measure, more than I can fully explain.”

Eagles attending the Nicaraguan mission trip included Diego Garcia ’18, Jake Moreau ’18, Marcus Gutierrez ’18, Cole Letlow ’19, Matthew O’Connor ’19, John Sparks ’19, John Cordes ’19, Luke Pane ’20, John Lucas ’20, Alex Wise ’20, Alex Kinsel ’21, with faculty member Danny Hernandez ’08, Johnny Sangree ’04, Rafael Garcia and Ed Cordes.

Eagle

SPIRIT

EAGLES

EXPRESS

Faith & Life

J

ean-Paul Nguyen ’20 earned second-place distinction while Jacob Lara ’19 captured fourth-place merit to lead another strong St. Thomas showing at the 14th annual University of St. Thomas/Archdiocesan Essay Contest.

National Merit semifinalist Michael Patton ’18, Christopher Ezuede ’20 and Brendan Hotze ’21 were each recognized with honorable mention within their respective academic classes.

Ezuede was a third-place finisher in the 2017 contest when Jordan McCoy ’17 and Maxwell Voltz ’19 each won first-place acclaim.

Students were asked to submit an original and creative work inspired by the theme ...

“Does God have a house that He lives in?” ... and were honored at an awards ceremony and Mass celebrated at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart by Galveston-Houston archbishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardo with concelebrant St. Thomas President Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB and the Archdiocese Vicar for Catholics of African Descent, Deacon Leonard Lockett, the assistant director of St. Thomas Campus Ministry.

More than 8,000 students from third grade through 12th authored essays for the contest that is sponsored by the UST Office of Catholic Outreach and traditionally leads into National

Catholic Schools Week, commemorating the benefits of Catholic education.

Individual schools selected finalists from their submitted essays from each grade level, which were then read and ranked by UST faculty members, staff members and alumni, who determined the winners.

Cardinal DiNardo applauded the student’s collective efforts and “for writing about our Catholic faith ... planting the seed of faith in your hearts. May God give great grace to our Catholic schools who hand on the faith and our Catholic identity while we also hand on mathematics, science, social studies and other disciplines.

Families are committed and make great sacrifices every day for Catholic education, along with our principals and teachers ... helping the seed grow ... cultivating the seed that God has given us.”

First and second-place essay winners in the 11th and 12th grades receive a $2,000 scholarship to UST if they chose to enroll. n The contest award ceremony fell on the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists.

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 37

Eagle

SPIRIT

BEST IN QUIZ SHOW

T

yler McStravick ’19, Nicholas Kurzy ’20 and Nicholas Chandler ’20 defeated Baton Rouge Central to successfully defend the St. Thomas team championship at the 14th annual WWII High School Quiz Bowl, hosted by The National WWII Museum in New Orleans and sponsored by the New Orleans Advocate.

The threesome emerged from the February 24 preliminaries to finish among the top two teams in an event that featured entries from 20 high schools across Texas, Louisiana and a single entry from Kansas.

St. Thomas then returned March 8 to capture the title. The competition included questions on a wide array of WWII topics, including the European and Pacific theaters, Louisiana in World War II, World War II in the news, World War II geography, and more, as well as several challenging teamwork activities.

In 2017, McStravick, Kurzy and Nate Belcher ’18 secured the championship with a victory over New Orleans Jesuit.

Eagle Quiz Bowl launched six years ago from ground zero with only seven charter members under the leadership of faculty member Grover Green ’04 who has built one of the premier programs in Texas.

38 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

Eagle

SPIRIT

T

he St. Thomas spring musical unleashed a killer comedy complete with brass and sass showcasing a bevy of theatrical talents and illuminating backstage expertise.

Curtains premiered in March on the Cemo Auditorium stage, the breezy Tony-award nominated murder-mystery whodunit from 2007 Broadway, the last big show created by John Kander (composer) and Fred Ebb (lyricist), the formidable team responsible for Cabaret, Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

IT’S CURTAINS Spring Musical Rises Through the Roof for Rollicking Good Fun

“I wanted to do an ensemble piece that gave our really deep senior class the opportunity to have fun,” director Dan Green said. “This offered eight-10 strong roles and a number of great numbers for the entire cast. There is a particular challenge in assuring each actor has his or her moment. There’s an element of patience for both the performers and the audience but we all enjoyed a big payoff by the end.”

Curtains unfolds in Boston’s 1959 Colonial Theatre, where untalented unlikable Jessica Cranshaw (Alyssa Moreno, Incarnate Word Academy ’18), the hapless star of a tryout musical-within-the-musical Robbin’ Hood, is poisoned on opening night during the curtain call, and local detective and musical theater fan Frank Cioffi (Parker Robertson ’18) arrives to investigate the dirty deed.

Cioffi lines up and quarantines the usual showbiz suspects but quickly the lure of the theater proves irresistible for the tunehumming lieutenant. The stagestruck sleuth is drawn with equal vigor toward making the show a hit, as he is in solving the murder, just as crazed for cues as clues.

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 39

Eagle

SPIRIT

CONTINUED

As an unexpected romance blooms with ingenue Niki Harris (Abby Meyer, IWA ’18), Cioffi eliminates her from suspicion but is still left with a long list of possible culprits to consider: properly pugnacious and battle-scarred producers Carmen and Sidney Bernstein (Emma Loden, IWA ’18 and Michael Banks ’18) ... lyricist-turned-reluctant-star Georgia Hendricks (Susannah Wilson, IWA ‘18) and her former hubby, composer Aaron Fox (Dante Segura ’19) ... snide director Christopher Belling (scene-stealing Carl Collins ’19) ... choreographer and leading man Bobby Pepper (Jake Moreau ’18) ... soubrette Bambi Bernet (Caitlyn Gilliam, St. Agnes Academy ’20), who also happens to be the Bernstein’s daughter ... stage manager Johnny Harmon (Cooper Gottschalk ’18) ... deep pocket investor Oscar Shapiro (Isaac Flanagan ’18) ... smug theater critic Daryl Grady (Michael Patton ’18) ... and, well, the rest of the Robbin’ Hood cast.

A complex plot only begins with financially motivated producers, scheming understudies, feuding songwriting exes, all colliding over a crisisriddled musical. So many motives, so little time, because the show must go on!

Complications abound and the body counts mount as unwieldy characters spar and jab and bicker and barb.

The assorted cloak-and-dagger aspects smartly directed by Green and Teresa Stranahan all came together to create a rowdy and campy tongue-in-cheek series of madcap settings for a cast of oversized personalities zipping through the material, ping-ponging off set-up lines with equal aplomb.

“I really admired the ethic and dedication during rehearsals as our stage became complete,” Green said. “We were largely off-stage until the week of the engagement, and then re-packaged and assembled in a matter of five days. And our understudies provided great force and depth to the cast.

They proved to be as accomplished and well respected as the principals.”

40 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

Leading a stellar group of senior actors and crew members making their grand St. Thomas finales, Robertson shined in the rich dialogue-driven role of the charming gumshoe/ de facto show doctor, delivering a commanding centerpiece performance that included a magnetic Fred-and-Ginger tap-dance number with Meyer that flashed impeccable comedic timing and their quick-witted chemistry, all part of an entertaining engagement buoyed by splendid support characters played with assured control.

“I had watched videos of (Tony Award-winning) David Hyde Pierce and his delivery was completely different than the interpretation I chose,” Robertson said. “His approach was much dryer ... obviously hilarious ... and that’s a testament to the strength of the material that the character can be driven any number of ways.

“This was as demanding as any production I’ve been involved with at St. Thomas. Up until the final show, we were subtly making changes to extract the most from everyone. I’ve looking to study straight acting moving forward (at the university level) so this is probably the final musical I’ll be involved in and the last here with a great group. The focus from everyone throughout the process was let’s make sure this our best-ever show. Not until we took those final bows did we become somewhat reflective and understand all we had shared during these years together.”

The lavish expenditure of energy by a top-of-the-line cast included a script firing a tireless fusillade of jokes, witty wisecracks, delightful dance numbers, colorful inventive sets and costumes, all cleverly choreographed for a large contingent of proficient performers giving a maximum effort and matching the full array of skills and craftsmanship from a legion of contributors. “(Faculty member) Elizabeth Schaeperkoetter and (University of St. Thomas drama student) Iris Lacsamana were remarkable instructing tap-dance in three weeks or less,”

Green said as he rattled off a litany of unsung supporters. “(Faculty member) Chris Patton, his mother (Debbie) and younger brother (Michael) have now given to nearly a dozen productions. (Faculty member and alumnus) Daniel Bryant and Chris Hodge were invaluable in designing the set and the LED stairwell. Katy Neaves (mother of Andrew Neaves ‘17 now studying and performing at the University of Southern California) ... (senior) Joseph Hassell on our light crew for six shows ... (senior) Josh Genheimer on the set crew for seven ... the efforts are endless.

“I’ve seen so many of these seniors mature since the fifth, sixth, seventh grades. Their talent is undeniable but their heart and dedication are what we’ll miss the most. An Isaac Flanagan embodies the spirit of what we hope all of our actors will embrace and take as far as they can.”

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 41

Eagles’ Nest

FEATURE

Rapid Ascent to

WHAT’S

NEXT

N

ow that Jay Vaughn ’15 has speed-raced to his degree from Texas A&M ... studied in Spain among architectural savants... hip-hopped (at times, literally) from one Euro tapas playpen to another ... skydived Dubai ... taken stay within the ghettos of India ... been received by kings and queens (just kidding, perhaps) ... gauged and curried financial investors for his very own crafted startup while enterprising and leveraging an original software feature unlike any of his competitors ... established a college scholarship program ... all within closing time to his 21st birthday and all, when at age four, doctors were warning mom and dad he would never walk ... isn’t it time for what’s next?

There’s next, and there’s Next. Lowercase next is about adjustment. To the weather, to the traffic. It’s about dealing with change. Of place. Of circumstance.

What’s Next, uppercase? Undefinable fury

42 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

and undeniable intelligence and unbridled compassion and carefree charisma packaged to influence if not change the world.

What’s Next? Jay Vaughn, that’s what.

And the immediate next for Next is forging a premier construction equipment rental company in Austin. Vaughn’s Opifex (Latin for craftsman, artisan, inventor) carries the brand “By Builders For Builders” with the full intent of continuing award-winning distinction in an industry where the Vaughn name is a gold standard synonymous with construction excellence and deals deep in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

thought. I couldn’t believe it. Cancel my immediate schedule ... meet him on the job site ... start problem-solving. The pump still not working. In short time, I’m knee deep in mud trying to figure out the issue and I’m thinking ... I could be almost anywhere else ... back on the A&M campus ... sleeping late after partying with my friends ... back in Spain ... working for Vaughn Construction ... any number of options.

“And yet, I could not have been happier.

This was mine. My company. My pump which wasn’t working, and then it was.

I’m making this happen.”

And regardless of how far, how high Vaughn’s borderless ambitions and altruism vault him, his first-day foray will be forever embossed on his brain.

Vaughn admits to temporarily tapping into an inner Jack Sparrow, mounting the sail like the boss and riding the ship as it sinks beneath the surface, epically stepping right from the top of the mast onto the dock at precisely the opportune time.

“My first rental is a pump and I am so proud,” Vaughn says. “Then I get a call from the client ... pump is broken ... so we

And since that slightly inauspicious entry to business reality, Vaughn is proving to be Sparrow-like suave, savvy and

savage owing any situations he’s a part of, metaphorically jumping straight into the mouth of the Kraken with a healthy dose of signature swag and saving-the-day optimism.

“I have great belief in my business concept and model,” Vaughn says. “But the most important thing is to believe in yourself.”

Such uncommon confidence is embedded in the Vaughn family bedrock.

Jay’s grandfather Joe Vaughn ’62 began working in construction as a laborer at age 12, eventually climbed through the trades and founded Vaughn Construction in 1988. One of the largest contractors in Texas, and a leading builder of healthcare, research, and higher education facilities throughout the state, he oversaw many expansion and renovation projects on the St. Thomas campus, including the Lloyd Posey Webre Building.

Following Joe’s death in 2014, Vaughn

Construction remained family owned, steered by three fraternal kingpins. Jay’s father Tom ’85 is the chairman and chief executive officer, uncles Bill ’87 the vice president/preconstruction director and Mike ’89 the president.

Jay followed their lead, springboarding from St. Thomas to Texas A&M. After slam-dancing through the Aggie Construction Science curriculum in less than three years, Vaughn carefully and strategically plotted a presence in Austin’s tech sector, one of the top areas for venture capital funding in the country, with $800 million invested in 2016 according to the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

With the private equity flowing like the restless vibes from melody makers along the Red River music district, Vaughn aims to take full advantage of the extremely collaborative and social nature of the diversified ecosystem that fosters and encourages entrepreneurship.

“The plan is to be a rental company with software answers for business solutions, bringing analytics into the marketplace,” Vaughn says. “I built a module to create daily and weekly reports automatically ... easy to read pdf ... what is being rented ... for how long ... decreases redundancy ... increases efficiency. Rent from me and I’ll provide the program as a value-add.

When I approach superintendents who I would argue are among the smartest, most aware professionals in America, who have been managing multimillion-dollar capital projects about twice as long as I’ve been alive, I have to deliver some impact.”

Vaughn brainstormed his concepts while engrossed in a 2017 internship with Luis Vidal+Architects, one of the largest and most progressive firms in Spain with a reputation for its large-scale public buildings.

A St. Thomas contact, Arturo Chavez ’85 (Senior Principal, Page Southerland Page, Inc.), provided the connection to a practice renowned for Madrid Airport’s Terminal 4,

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 43

Eagles’ Nest

FEATURE

CONTINUED

Zaragoza Airport, and Heathrow Terminal 2, plus several hospital projects across Europe and Latin America, as well as museums, master planning, interior designs and product designs.

An extensive apprenticeship is mandatory for the A&M degree plan but Vaughn admits “not everyone goes international.”

“I wanted to become fluent in Spanish,” he says. “The Hispanic population in Texas is only going to continue to expand. I think it’s irresponsible to want to own a large construction company and not be able to communicate effectively with a large sector of the labor force. It’s respect.

And such direction was never adjusted as Vaughn endured a life-long physical struggle prompting an act of adaptation to behold. As an infant he was inexplicably stricken by vaccine-derived polio in his left leg, the extremely rare case of a disease prompted by the very remedy commonly used to prevent it.

Even without a left calf muscle and only 20% strength in his left hamstring, Vaughn sought normalcy, remained active in athletics through elementary school and St. Thomas, including a varsity career with Eagle Basketball. His perceived disability

40 44 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2016 2018

That 2,000 square foot warehouse is along the U.S. Highway 290 industrial strip with immediate access to the Interstate 35 corridor for prime positioning. Vaughn is growing his inventory organically, from pumps to fans, generators to dump buggies, skid-steer loaders to hammerhoes.

Vaughn currently serves as his lone fulltime associate. He’s in talks to add an upcoming A&M graduate in May and perhaps a third in August.

As Opifex expands, so will the company’s dedicated stewardship. Vaughn is convicted when he says one of the most important lessons learned through his life is that very few people control their “thing.”

Vaughn also cultivated a sincere appreciation for the “right brain/left brain” genius shared by architects and construction managers in relation to project completion, gaining a valuable (if not essential) industrycollective mindset. He returned to Houston convinced he was ready to rock.

Vaughn’s accelerated exit through academia was fueled by what his father would refer to as the Vaughn family “builder’s spirit” and his mother’s inspiring motivation to become “a striver. Whatever your aspiration, pursue it.”

“His response was, ‘It doesn’t really matter what I think. What do you think is best?’ I signed a five-figure lease agreement in Austin the next week.”

“If a constructor calls and requests whatever and I don’t have whatever in stock, I’ll go out, make the purchase and secure the business,” Vaughn says.

“The immersion worked. The firm forced me out of my comfort zone. My superiors told me ‘Your Spanish isn’t great. You’re going to learn.’ We would be involved in projects, I would break into English and they would just ignore me. I learned very technical Spanish as it relates to construction. One of the major reasons I was there.”

“I decided my business idea was too good to wait so I threw down the hammer, took 17 hours in the summer (of 2017) and then 19 in the fall to graduate in December,” Vaughn says. “When I met with the academic advisors as a freshman and told them I was finishing in three and half years, they said that’s not practical, the requirements are too demanding. With a semester internship, this is is essentially a four and half year process. When I shrank the timeline again, initially there was skepticism within the department but I guess I won them over. The faculty and advisors couldn’t have been more supportive.”

weighing his immediate post-graduate options.

was often offset by intense physical therapy and mental discipline, as well as a gargantuan appetite for success and gregarious personality. His quality of life was then dramatically enhanced in 2011 when he was fitted with a dynamic bracing system - lightweight, custom-fit, black carbon fiber - that provided substantially more lower limb support.

Quickly realizing the device was cost prohibitive to many in the general population, Vaughn petitioned Blue Cross Blue Shield with a seven-page document detailing the life-altering impact. The health insurance giant took heed and altered its coverage policies to assure greater accessibility.

With a defy-the-odds attitude, Vaughn approached his father for consultation in

“In many ways, we are a product of our environments. If I had been born in India with my physical challenge, I’m not getting out, right? The fundamental reason I can control my thing, who I am, who I may be, is that I have two loving educated parents who are willing to invest in me.

I’ve been blessed, part of a select few. I believe it’s essential for those like me to be leaders. So, as my company grows, we want to have a positive impact on communities.”

With that objective, Vaughn is teaming with his former St. Thomas and A&M classmate Joseph Buckle ’15 to provide the Saint Joseph Scholarship Fund catering to those with physical disabilities.

“The goal is to create a million dollar endowment during the next 10 years that pays for students with physical disabilities to attend college,” Vaughn says. “The mission statement is ‘activate ambitions through academic achievement.’

“When I was in high school I always thought athletics would be the ticket to

gain a certain amount of equality and acceptance, and as I got older I planned to get kids involved in sports, sponsor athletic teams. The immediate payoff is awesome and the confidence building can be significant. But there’s a ceiling. How long can you actually participate? Why not show the physically challenged they don’t have to be like everyone else, but can still attend Texas A&M and graduate magna cum laude. Right now we have $20,000 in pledges. The short-term goal is to raise $100,000 this year and award a $15,000 gift in August. It’s just the start.”

Sometimes what’s Next is a retrofit, in this instance driven by the gene for giving, alive and passing through generations.

In 2013, a state-of-the-art 500 squarefoot Vaughn Construction Student Collaboration Area at Texas A&M was made possible by a $150,000 gift from the company, part of the Francis Hall renovations which at the time were among 45 projects totaling more than $600 million that the company had built on the eight Texas A&M System campuses.

In September 2015, Vaughn secured a partnership in a joint venture for the redevelopment of Texas A&M’s historic Kyle Field, and delivered the largest collegiate athletic construction project in history, at more than $1.3 million under budget.

The company has also established the Vaughn Construction Endowed Scholarship in A&M’s College of Architecture, awarded each year to a construction science student based on academic achievement and financial need.

The ethic for such philanthropy was firmly rooted by patriarch Joe Vaughn who remains among the most cherished St. Thomas alumni largely for his years as a longtime Board member. He greatly supported scholarship students, not simply serving on the Financial Aid Committee but often reading each of the applications himself in order to connect more deeply with those who sought the Eagle experience but simply could not afford the full cost of attendance.

Jay’s mother Suzanne possesses an extensive history in the nonprofit stratum,

including a decade of relentless leadership in a series of high-profile fundraising efforts and brand enhancing initiatives for St. Thomas worth more than a million dollars.

Eagle

The Next is extending that Vaughn family legacy with a determination to pair incredible purpose in equal proportion to professional gain, the former forever in lockstep with latter.

PRIDE

“There are core values I learned at St. Thomas that students simply don’t capture at any other school,” Vaughn says. “So much of what I gained was an understanding of how to be a man by genuine definition ... try to be the best person, best husband, best father ... that the world is much larger than yourself.

Answers For The Ages......... p46 Casino Night......................... p48 How Did He Not Know?...... p50 Going 10 Rounds With Ed Marintsch, PhD.............. p52

“Think about Round-Up. I was part of the Senior Board ... two dozen 18-yearolds raising a half a million dollars (for St. Thomas tuition assistance). We took ownership of something beyond our abilities and experience ... and wouldn’t be denied. And that’s not altogether different than my situation right now. On the surface, starting my company is way bigger than what I should be able to handle. But we’ll see.”

Still, implicit in the designation of Next is ... not quite there yet. Vaughn is very much a work in progress buoyed with an insatiable I can do this, I can figure this out tenacity regardless of unforeseen obstacles.

“During my internship, I was returning from a weekend trip in the South of France,” Vaughn says. “The train stalls out and stops. My traveling partner and I were not going to wait so we jump out ... hitchhike to the airport. I had some extra time so I try to find some lunch ... step off the bus ... and my brace shatters. Oh, #$%&. I had to hop on one foot back to the bus ... get through the airport ... fly to Madrid ... get through that airport to the taxi stand ... up the stairs back to my apartment with all my stuff. I managed Spain from France on one leg.

“After that, I thought I could do almost anything.”

Almost anything - next for the Next.

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 45

Eagle

PRIDE

ANSWERS

for the

AGES n What do you want to do with your life? n What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? n Who do you want to be as a man?

A timeless inquiry that Eagle scholars have pondered for the majority of the school’s historic 118-year mission.

Certainly Fr. Clark Sample ’01 contemplated life’s potential paths during his days on campus, continuing into his undergraduate years at the University of Texas, which fueled a thriving career in the oil and gas industry, all before answering God’s call in 2009 and his stunning about-face entry at age 26 into the priesthood.

Fr. Sample seized a recent return to his alma mater to turn quizmaster, using the annual student community Mass to honor patron St. Thomas Aquinas as a way to connect with the current enrollment occupying a crossroads he encountered at the threshold of the new millennium and then dramatically re-routed less than a decade ago. n What do you want to do with your life? n What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? n Who do you want to be as a man?

“In no way did I ever think, sitting as you are here today, that I would ever be preaching to you as a Catholic priest,” Fr. Sample said during a concise yet compelling homily.

Fr. Sample then paired his own example of discernment and call to the priesthood with the legacy of one of the most impactful Scriptural theologians and philosophers of the thirteenth century.

Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican priest who emerged as an authority of the Roman Catholic Church, a prolific writer whose influence on Catholic intellectual life remains immeasurable.

Fr. Sample explained how Thomas Aquinas abandoned his family’s expectations for him, ultimately driven by “an incredibly simple

46 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

“The ultimate happiness can only come from God. To discover our unknown journeys, the answer at the most fundamental level includes placing Jesus Christ first in our lives. Everything else will play out.”

– Fr. Clark Sample ’01

and deeply profound principle ... true for him then and just true for (us) today. He saw that every single person seeks happiness. The problem, then and now, is that not everyone understands that true happiness only comes from God. Every single person on the planet defines his or her life by what they see as the ultimate good. Often that definition is money ... sex ... fame ... popularity. At a young age, Thomas knew that the only thing that made him truly happy was his relationship with Jesus Christ.

him for his lifetime vocational commitment which is not necessarily identical to being prepared for the immediate priestly challenges.

“The same applies to all of us. The ultimate happiness can only come from God. To discover our unknown journeys, the answer at the most fundamental level includes placing Jesus Christ first in our lives. Everything else will play out.”

n What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

n What do you want to do with your life? n What do you see yourself doing in 10 years? n Who do you want to be as a man?

Seventeen-year-old Vincent Rizzotto ’49 couldn’t begin to craft a reply for the resident St. Thomas Basilian, who in turn made a simple request that proved equally life-altering and affirming.

Rizzotto was instructed to gather an index card and write ...

“God, what do you want from me today?”

Rizzotto attached the 8x10 to his home bathroom mirror, consulted the text each and every day when brushing his teeth and washing his face.

Following his graduation from St. Thomas, clarity led Rizzotto to enter St. Mary Seminary. He was ordained a diocesan priest in 1956, raised to the rank of Monsignor in 1978, served as pastor of St. Cecilia Church for two decades, then assumed multiple Archdiocesan roles including Vicar General, Vicar for African American Catholics and Secretariat Director for Chaplaincy Services and Clergy Formation.

“It’s no different than competing for a team,” Fr. Sample said.

“You need the game day reps. And like an athlete you want to limit your mistakes as much as possible while learning and maturing every day.” n What do you want to do with your life? n Who do you want to be as a man?

The personal probe from one generation to the next often reveals that the path to God’s perfect plan is rarely in a straight line.

Fr. Sample grasped the unfailing love of God and sought to offer his life sacrificing for Him all while the Catholic Church has experienced a crisis in vocations to the priesthood.

Bishops have been forced to close down parishes where there are simply not enough priests to meet the demands. But a number of dioceses in the United States have found that where there is faithfulness to Catholic doctrine, vocations to the priesthood flourish.

“For too many years in the Church we lacked a culture of vocation,” Fr. Sample said. “The numbers had been strong but during the 1960s and 70s, the prevailing attitudes became that someone else would will the voids. There was a resurgence (under St. Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI), then a slight downturn. We have to continue re-establishing the culture and promote that the priesthood is a viable life option that brings happiness if God is calling you.”

In 2001, Bishop Rizzotto was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston and Titular Bishop of Lamasba by Pope John Paul I. He retired in 2006 following a half-century of esteemed priestly service.

Frs. Rizzotto and Sample shared the same Cemo Auditorium altar in late January, the oldest and youngest men from St. Thomas dedicating their lives to the priesthood.

Since his ordination in 2016 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Fr. Sample has assumed the associate pastor position at St. John Vianney, a flourishing Catholic community in west Houston which draws 10,000 parishioners each week for Sunday Mass.

“Every day is different, a surprise,” Fr. Sample said.

“We’re in the people business, so the challenges are helping a wide variety of ages and backgrounds navigate their pilgrimages.”

Fr. Sample’s intense and thorough study at Gregorian University in Rome may have properly prepared

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 47

Eagle

PRIDE

A

nother awesome turnout for the annual St. Thomas Casino Night ... great fun and friendship ... games and gamesmanship ... with our alumni and current Eagle fathers.

Tremendous thanks to Greg Gatlin ’98 and Gatlin’s BBQ & Catering ... and all those who make this return to campus part of our brotherhood unlike any other.

Stay in contact with Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Associate Sebastian Domenech ’10 for the next scheduled activities.

Eagle Fight Never Dies!

48 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 49

Eagle

PRIDE

HOW DID HE

NOT KNOW

?

S

uper Bowl LII returned Justin Timberlake to the scene of a previous and infamous halftime crime.

For St. Thomas dean of social studies Brett Mills, the mere mention of the onetime wildly successful boy bander turned pop provocateur demands rekindling an episode from his own past, one that Mills readily owns with gusto, the perceived absurdity and subsequent mystifying impressions be damned.

Kentucky Derby Saturday in the mid-aughts. Posh Boca Raton hotel lobby bar catering to an affluent yet ambivalent crowd to the sport of kings.

Mills side-by-side with the freshest chart-busting heart-throbbing face on the planet as thoroughbreds thundered down the backstretch.

And Mills with utterly no earthly idea the nature of his company.

Now well into his second decade at St. Thomas, Mills was in Florida participating in a training conference for a college preparatory summer program operating out of Washington, D.C. The first Saturday in May demanded a comfortable vantage point for another running of the most famous ... the only famous? ... horse race in the United States.

Flat screens flashed images of the hat-filled festivities at Churchill Downs, 150,000 Mint Julep-soaked horse hounds and experience seekers squeezed from the infield areas to the grandstands, many of whom flaunting their finest flock.

The sheiks and financiers, the heirs and hedge fund heroes and hustlers, Kodachrome clad jockeys flanked by somber trainers with their four-legged three-year-olds, a Bob Baffert here, a D. Wayne Lukas there, all mixing within morning line faves and leaps of faith.

Mills observed all with a keen and discerning eye, one who “knows his horseflesh” after spending his formidable and college years in Montana. He was soon met with a question both innocent and obvious given the proceedings.

“Who do you have in the race?”

The strangers soon struck an immediate and favorable rapport that continued throughout the Derby undercard.

50 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

“Just call me JT. Can I buy you a drink?”

Mills agreed but with an internal reservation.

“This guy looks awfully young. Is he even old enough to be in here?”

The two traded observations and adult beverages into the culminating ride down a blazing fast rail, a furious finish that prompted cheers, tears, sizable paydays and unfulfilled parlays.

With the lush blanket of roses awarded and draped on the winner, and “My Old Kentucky Home” reverberating throughout the bar, Mills was offered a proposal.

“Brett, I’m having a party at my penthouse tonight. Would you like to drop by?”

Mills graciously declined.

“No, seriously, you’ll enjoy a good time. Come on up.”

Mills again passed and parted ways with his Derby day watch partner.

“The minute he leaves the bar, two women who were part of my student conference came running up to me. ‘Oh, my God, how do you know him?’”

“Know whom?”

“Justin Timberlake!”

Slight pause “Who’s Justin Timberlake?”

“You have to be kidding!”

A perplexed Mills quickly reached for his mobile device, contacted his wife Sonya back in Houston seeking insight and clarification.

“Do you know anyone named Justin Timberlake? Apparently, I just had drinks and watched the Kentucky Derby with him.” “!@#$%&*” “Is he an actor? Musician? Celebrity? What does he do?” “!@#$%&*” Mills had inadvertently sidetracked Timberlake’s two-decade rocket ride from the Mickey Mouse Club to music and movie stardom, the kiddie star who launched from ’N Sync, the bestselling boy band which still holds the world record for the most albums sold in the space of a week.

“Authentic. No entourage. No bodyguard. No ‘cult of personality.’ Zero pretenses. He couldn’t have been more approachable. Just a cool cat.”

And Mills admits to a somewhat lingering lament to not accepting Timberlake’s late-night offer.

“Sonya mentioned at the time he was dating Cameron Diaz.

Then I was really disappointed I turned down that invitation,” Mills says with a laugh.

“But can you imagine the reception I would have gotten. Justin Timberlake introduces me as his horse racing friend from the bar. Sure.”

Perhaps Mills should have opted for a raincheck. As a runup to SB 52, the now 37-year-old singer rented out Prince’s 65,000-square-foot Paisley Park estate outside Minneapolis for a listening session and party.

Timberlake returned to headline the Super intermission stage 14 years after his closing slot with Janet Jackson drew a stunning end to the notorious XXXVIII halftime show at Reliant (renamed NRG) Stadium, sending assorted standards and practices departments into DEFCON 1 and forever embossing “wardrobe malfunction” into the lexicon.

Timberlake’s Super Sunday close-up was gang-tackled by more than 103 million total viewers, many in a brief cease and desist from their deluge of Velveeta and Frito-Lay products to scream/ cry/clutch while worshiping the HD delivery assortment of “Rock Your Body” ... “My Love” ... “Cry Me A River” ... and “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”

Count Mills among the throng who sampled a large slice of America’s last communal ritual, fully aware that his family of cohorts would renew the “Me and JT” story with a heaping helping of everlasting grief.

“Hey, dad, recognize that guy?”

Mills has since drawn familiar and gained an understanding for Timberlake’s wide-ranging skills, and yet will never be enamored with what enables the ‘Suit and Tie’ guy to drop something north of 350k downloads in an opening week.

But Mills owns a deep appreciation for what Timberlake revealed during their totally unexpected and equally inexplicable encounter.

“He really came across as a genuine person,” Mills says.

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Eagle

PRIDE

Going 10 Rounds With

ED MARINTSCH, PhD The acclaimed faculty member completing his 33rd academic year within the science and math departments at St. Thomas tackles a speed round of questions.

Q

Originally you’re from New York City, attended Christ the King High School, Middle Village, Queens. Later, City College of New York. What brought you to Houston?

A

“I took a job with Shell Oil as a geologist in Rocky Mountain exploration

(at the Woodcreek Complex near Dairy Ashford in what has since been dubbed the Energy Corridor). I promised my wife Fran a real job after graduate school.”

Q

Why the jump to academia?

wasn’t that happy at Shell ... saw a posting in the Catholic Herald for a A “Igeology/math teacher at St. Thomas. Father (Charles) Christopher hired

52 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

me (for the 1986-87 academic year). Have the same 6201(room). Started with six classes ... three different preps ... Geology ... Algebra II ... and Biology ... average class size was mid-30s. I remember gazing out the window one day wondering what the hell have I gotten myself into.”

Q

And how often during 30-plus years have you raised that very same question?

occasionally (laughing). I still enjoy the young men A “Only and the importance of education ... putting them on the

right path to success ... trying to instill what’s important in life and what they might expect in the future.

“I’ve learned two things. Students are impacted most by what you say casually and not from the proverbial soapbox.

And the only time you hear their success stories are during impromptu sightings in a Kroger parking lot. They’ll say so much of what I had said had made such a difference. I always tell them, ‘Thanks for sharing.’”

Q

Your adventurer’s spirit has taken you to each of the 50 United States. Why?

A

“It just happened without any real intent. I was 22 and in New York when a friend bought a new van. He said, ‘Let’s go to Alaska.’ I said, ‘Sure.’ Told my mother I was going away for a few weeks. We drove 3,000 miles the first three days. Took the Alaska-Canadian Highway before it was paved. On the way home, visited Yellowstone and Grand Tetons (National Parks in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho).

“When I got married and had kids we bought our own van ... would throw everyone in the back ... take off for camping trips during the summers. A Northern loop one year, a Southern loop the next.

Q

Scotia for an eclipse in the early 1970s and knew what to expect. Fran and my sons were skeptical but I convinced them to go and they were awestruck. They’re already making the plans for 2024 (when some of the best viewing areas for the rare astronomical event will cut right through Texas).”

But the eclipse is a fleeting phenomenon, to say the least.

A totality in a matter of minutes. Was it worth the effort?

A

“Absolutely. If it had been one minute it would have been worth it.”

Q

What else have you collected along the way other than

epic road trips, bucket list destinations and St. Thomas tenure?

I was 13-years-old I was a huge Yankees fan ... the final A “When years of their dynasty ... Mickey Mantle ... Whitey Ford ... Ralph

Terry ... Bobby Richardson ... Tony Kubek ... Moose Skowron.

And the Mets had just come into the National League as an expansion team (with the Houston Colt 45s). So I decided to collect the entire 1963 Topps baseball card set. Bought one individual pack (of five-six cards) at a time. Sometimes Woolworth’s would have a super pack before the term became political ... maybe 30 cards. Roger Maris was no. 1 on the checklist and the absolute hardest to find but I eventually got all 800 cards. I bought one replacement card from Topps ... Minnie Minoso ... for 20 cents.”

“The stops just added up, each with a purpose, never to just check the box. Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills (South Could there be more to all this than Minnie Minoso?

Dakota) ... Acadia National Park and the Rocky Coast (Maine) ... mansions in Rhode Island ... Cape Cod ... Big Bend ...

“Much more. I’m working at the Smithsonian in D.C. on a prealways an attraction ... certainly always some geological

doctoral fellowship. The guy next to me mentions he collects reason to visit. That was the impetus.” baseball cards. I say, ‘Oh, I collect too. Have the ‘63 Topps set.’

He says, ‘I collect Bowman cards.’ I say, ‘Bowman, what the

What was the final jagged piece of a very large jigsaw hell is that? Never heard of them’ puzzle?

“Turns out he has the complete 1954 Bowman set with one

Q

this previous Christmas. I didn’t really want to go A “Hawaii but Fran said you have a choice. You can either stay home,

Q

A

notable exception ... doesn’t have (Boston Red Sox Hall o Fame icon) Ted Williams ... one of the most valuable individual cards on the market.

put up the tree and all the ornaments, decorate the house ... or go to Hawaii. I said, ‘Sold.’”

“A few weeks later I was visiting my aunt in Brooklyn. In her basement for 15-20 years was a box with hundreds of random cards an upstairs neighbor had given me. He just walked into

And months before you were part a much different my room ... threw all the cards in the air ... said if you pick them

quest. Why the mad dash to the Pacific Northwest for up, they’re yours. So I’m sifting. Turn over the final card. It’s the

Great American Eclipse? only Bowman in the box. It’s Ted Williams. I almost fell on the floor. My co-worker was stunned. Of course, he offered to buy “Fran and I flew to Portland and met our sons Eric and Scott it. Obviously no way. Too valuable and the story way too good. from Los Angeles. We settled on an Indian reservation about Today the Bowman is worth $3,000-4,000.”

100 miles north near Madras (a small agricultural city east of the Cascades) that offered the highest percentage chance of seeing the eclipse. Location, location, location.

A grand slam ending that would make Ted proud?

“The experience is truly impossible to describe ... the “You better believe it.” awesomeness ... almost mystical. I had traveled to Nova

Q

A

Q A

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PRIDE

G

reat appreciation to all those who celebrated in our 27th Annual St. Thomas Golf Tournament,

chaired for the second consecutive year by Posie Clinton ’91, Brian Cronin ’91 and Bill Dennis ’91, hosted by iconic Masters Tournament champion Jackie Burke ‘40 at his historic Champions Golf Club.

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O

ne of the city’s most vibrant and

deeply rooted alumni and support

groups embraced the past and

present on a day where the setting was matched only by a brotherhood unlike any other, with all monies supporting St. Thomas tuition assistance and Eagle Athletics.

Well played!

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Eagles’ Nest

FEATURE

S

JUST DO IT

t. Thomas has entered into a licensing and apparel affiliation with industry giant NIKE which will begin in July 2018.

The fiercely innovative program-wide agreement, unparalleled in school history, will supply 12 varsity sports, with Eagle Basketball featuring the Jumpman logo as the Jordan Brand continues to expand both on the court and on the field.

Athletic Director Mike Netzel believes the highly impactful deal delivers “unsurpassed value and visibility for our school. And most importantly, NIKE recognizes St. Thomas as a premium institution that aligns with their own passions and purpose for excellence. They respect our academic reputation, our integrity and achievement at all levels, our thriving alumni base, the whole package. Their intent to unite was aggressive from the beginning, their vision and enthusiasm genuine and compelling. After careful consideration, the right partner for St. Thomas is NIKE.”

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Netzel said the school began dialogue with NIKE in the fall of 2017 and finalized its negotiation in the previous month. The commitment will begin when the St. Thomas contract with Adidas expires at the end of June 2018.

“NIKE’s comprehensive nature provides benefits beyond athletics,” Netzel said.

“The support access, affordability and brand recognition certainly resonates with our student-athletes, parents, supporters and corporate leaders. At the core, this partnership speaks to much more than uniforms and apparel.”

Eagle Athletics will continue its decadelong relationship with Beau Blackard, now regional sales manager for BSN Sports, the nation’s largest direct marketer and distributor of sporting goods to school and league markets, and the largest distributor for NIKE in the United States.

Netzel will also collaborate closely with Houston-based NIKE Territory Manager Bradley Clapp, who brings a wealth of

experience in marketing, product management, product development, event activation and sales.

“Our student-athletes deserve the best performance wear to compete at the highest levels and get the most from their St. Thomas experience,” Netzel said. “NIKE offered a collegiate-type opportunity without a transitional conversion. We are going custom NIKE product from day one in all sports. There’s such a breadth and depth of options that they offer which gives us tremendous flexibility as a department and for our families.”

St. Thomas now shares corporate common ground with the vast NIKE family of iconic collegiate programs. Texas, Michigan and Ohio State were signed in 2016 – one after the other – for record financial amounts, and the expansive roster of partnerships also includes Oklahoma, Baylor, TCU, LSU and Houston among a litany of Power 5 competitors.

Eagle Athletics enjoys a long-standing history of acclaim and accomplishment.

In the previous five academic years, St. Thomas has claimed three TAPPS state championships (2014 and ’17 baseball, and 2016 track and field), four state runners-up (2014 and ’16 golf, 2018 soccer and 2018 swimming) and four state semifinals (2014-15 football, 2016-17 basketball), plus Harrison Grant ’14, the first Eagle to win a TAPPS individual cross country championship, 2016 TAPPS individual golf medalist Henry Fisher ’16, and Peyton Matocha ’19, a two-time high jump champion at the TAPPS state track and field championships.

The legacy includes seven consecutive TAPPS All-Sports awards from 2010-2016, earned through playoff participation and cumulative on-field performance, and 101 state titles celebrated since 1950.

Among the current St. Thomas studentathletes positioned to continue their careers at the college and university level are tackle Max Banes ’18 (Houston football), outfielder John Griffin ’18 (Johns Hopkins baseball), linebacker Jackson Hanna ’18 (Texas football preferred walk-on), linebacker Melvin Larkins ’18 (Houston football prefered walk-on), all-state catcher Philip Matulia ’18 (Louisiana Tech baseball), two-time all-state Owen Meaney ’18 (University of Texas baseball), receiver Blaine McDaniel ’18 (University of Mary Hardin Baylor) and Josh Wolf ’19 (Texas A&M baseball commitment).

Since 2012, the rousing total of 115 Eagle student-athletes across nine sports have extended their careers at Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Stanford, Purdue, Missouri, Rice, Texas State, Air Force, Army, Cornell and Princeton, among many others, plus a wide range of distinguished Division III institutions.

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 57

Eagle

FIGHT n early December, Mother Nature lightly coated the St. Thomas campus and Houston’s inner city with rare winter-white wonderland.

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LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!

I

Eagle

FIGHT Getting Their Kicks....................... p60 Wave Of Success............................. p62 All In The Cougar Family............. p63 Dream Makers................................ p65 Bringing Back The Big Stage........ p68

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 59

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FIGHT

GETTING THEIR

KICKS

E

agle Soccer soared to heights in 2018 not realized in the program’s recent history.

And in one notable instance, not seen ever.

Yet ultimately the upstart Eagles were denied in the season’s most defining moment.

Eagle Soccer surrendered the only goal of the TAPPS Division I state championship at the 22:12 mark of the second half and fell to defending state champion San Antonio Central Catholic 1-0.

“There were some matchups especially in the midfield that just did not work in our favor,” head coach Kenny Martin ’01 said.

“There’s a disappointment for sure but also great appreciation for a season that on the surface no one saw coming.”

Goalkeeper supreme Jacob Manley ’18 was sensational in his St. Thomas finale with at least six superior saves, including a rapidfire series of rejections after a scoreless first half that included a 60-minute weather delay in Waco.

“He was phenomenal,” Martin said. “I know how good he is after four years as our starter and he was at his absolute best.

He excelled at every level when the stakes were highest. I don’t hesitate to say he’s the best in the state, championship caliber, private school or public, and the best this program has ever seen.”

The curtain dropped as Eagle Soccer finished 22-5-2 after advancing to the state title tilt, crashing the postseason final four and claiming the district championship, all for the first time since 2008.

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For exclamation, three consecutive scintillating playoff shutouts had them scaling a victory plateau no previous St. Thomas team had ever reached.

The 4-0 state semifinal takedown of St. Pius X included goals from catalyst Julian Zanovello ’18, Zach Blice ’19 and Diego Garcia ’18, plus enduring an hourplus weather stoppage in the second half after mounting a 2-0 halftime advantage.

The shutout was the 15th of the season for Manley, lowering his goals against average well below 0.50.

“Our guys were a great example of ‘team’” Martin said. “We’ve had talent in the past but this group had that ‘it’ factor.

And at the start of the season, we had no idea how they would all mesh. Many of the younger guys got the minutes but everyone understood and accepted their role. Success was a great elixir to foster the right chemistry.”

The cathartic knockout of SPX completed a three-game season-sweep of the series and avenged a 2-1 defeat in the regional round of the 2017 playoffs.

Zanovello broke through on a free kick 22 minutes into the game for the first goal, then delivered in quicktime a thunder-foot approach from near midfield to the back post that Blice headed into the opposite box for a commanding shock-and-awe two-goal advantage.

“We didn’t necessarily expect to score on that kind of play but there was always a strong possibility throughout the season,” Martin said. “We had the skill to convert and it had a gut-punch effect on the opposition.

“Manley really set the tone with a save six minutes into the game on a corner kick that was point blank. That’s a goal 80% of the time. But Manley reacted and stole the ball out of midair. That was a gamechanger even though the final margin eventually blew up.”

Eagle Soccer surged into the state playoffs with a wave of momentum as the winningest team in the tournament.

The opening verdict was a decisive 3-0 blanking over Plano Prestonwood

Academy after first-half scoring from offensive ace Alex Rivero ’20 and Blice, and later a remove-all-doubt goal from Pablo Tager ’21 in a game where the Eagles were never threatened at Hotze Field inside Granger Stadium.

advanced the ball. We developed a dominant combination in the midfield with Julian, (freshmen) Nico Prioli, and (sophomore) David Steffes. Plus, (freshman) Jordan Augustine really added to our defensive presence.”

The immediate encore was a 1-0 thriller over El Paso Cathedral at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, a more than equitable payback for a 4-2 December decision that was the first defeat of the season in the campaign’s seventh game.

The Eagles’ steady assault included only four regular-season defeats. A young roster with no proven postseason pedigree then resisted the temptation of satisfaction with an insatiable humble-and-hungry desire until the final seconds of the single setback that ended the campaign short of the most valuable prize.

Rivero again proved the master of clutch with the lone goal in the 37th minute off a Garcia throw-in.

At the outset of the season, Martin was facing a significant rebuild with a roster low on returning experience and punch.

Gone were the ferocious front three of Rory Hogan ’17, Matthew Leal ’17 and forward Jesus Toscano ’17, all capable of a moment of brilliance while igniting the high-octane Eagles to a long series of overwhelming wins.

Martin entered his 17th year with Eagle Soccer and seventh as head honcho fully prepared to digest a consistent diet of lowscoring grind-it-out outcomes featuring Manley and deluxe defender Blice commanding the backside.

But to Martin’s stunning surprise, a lineup that included only four senior starters quickly discovered a powerful mojo featuring the tag-team talents of Rivero (28 goals) and Zanovello (22 assists) leading a lethal thrust that outscored opponents 78-18.

And with Manley and Blice living up to every ounce of their advance billings, the Eagles surrendered only 18 goals against, and just six in a district race the Eagles captured convincingly by two games.

“It really started with our captains, two demonstrative leaders who set the tone, got with our young guys and let them know what was expected every day,” Martin said.

“Alex gained a much better feel for staying high in the field and he could absolutely finish at the goal when we

And for the third time, Eagle Soccer came up one agonizing win shy of matching the lone state championship in program history.

In 2003, the Eagles cradled a 1-0 margin into the final six minutes of the TAPPS final, only to see Fort Worth Nolan escape with the crown thanks to a golden goal in double overtime.

Next came a 4-0 blanking to Central Catholic in 2008, and 10 years later a deadly dose of deja vu couldn’t be avoided when the cosmic forces provided another staredown with the foe from San Antonio.

More than a half dozen members of the ’81 Eagle champs here in attendance hoping to see history repeat nearly 40 years after their own glory days.

“Of all the supporters who reached out to us throughout the season and championship week, those guys meant the most to me,” Martin said. “We all recognized we were playing for much more than family and friends. Just another example of the brotherhood at St. Thomas that is unlike any other.”

Martin will soon take solace that next season seven of the 11 starters return, poised and primed with a potent combination of enhanced skill and savvy understanding of what is required to stake a claim on that elusive next championship victory.

“I’m already encouraged by what we have coming back,” Martin said. “And they’ll bring that big game experience with them to take it one step further. That certainly will be the objective.”

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WAVE OF

SUCCESS T

ravis Zetka ’18 and Shane Williams ’19 fueled a recordsmashing time in the 400 Freestyle Relay and contributed in five other valuable results to pace Eagle Swimming to a convincing second-place finish at the 2018 TAPPS Division I State Championships.

Without winning a single individual event the Eagles leveraged superior depth for four top-four and 14 top-eight finishes to rack 128 team points and easily outdistance third-place Tomball Concordia Lutheran (95) and sixth-place The Village School (74) in matching the program’s best-ever state showing in the first season with head coach Donna Skorupinski.

Zetka, Sebastian Ortiz ’20, Williams and Gabriel Lenz ’19 were active throughout the docket and teamed for a blistering 3:20.76 in the 400 Relay to shatter the St. Thomas standard set in 2010 by 3.56 seconds.

Zetka, Williams and Lenz also combined with Hunter Nguyen ’19 to stake early momentum with a fourth-place time of 1:41.89 in the 200 Medley Relay.

Zetka then captured fifth in the 50 Freestyle (22.84) with Lenz sixth (23.27), and took fourth in the 100 Yard Freestyle (50.13).

The versatile Williams added a pair of fifth-place results, the 200 Individual Medley (2:07.76) and the 100 Yard Backstroke (57.48).

62 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

The convincing series of Eagle performances at the Mansfield Natatorium included Ortiz, Patrick Pham ’21, Dylan Michaels ’21 and Nguyen taking fourth in the 200 Freestyle Relay (1:34.12).

Michaels (1:55.58) and Ortiz (1:55.66) stacked a seventh-eighth in the 200 Freestyle before Michaels continued a strong close to his freshman season with a fifth in the 500 Yard Freestyle in 5:19.44.

Lenz also clocked a sixth in the 100 Butterfly (57.38) while Barrett Gregory ’18 (1:06.23) and Nguyen (1:06.77) contributed a sixth-seventh tag-team in the 100 Breastroke.

Less than three weeks previously Zetka packed two individual victories with a pair of blazing performances in anchoring two relay wins to push the Eagles to the TAPPS East Regional Championship at the University of Houston.

Eagle Swimming totalled 134 team points to overtake St. John XXIII (114), The Village School (81) and Concordia Lutheran (71).

Eagle

FIGHT

All in the

COUGAR FAMILY

M

an-child Max Banes ’18 cannot remember a time, even as far back as when he was never quite a tiny tot when the Houston Cougars were not his household’s blood-rooting interest.

Red and White color scheme for another, making his six-month verbal commitment to UH official during the newly created early signing period for National Letters of Intent.

“My baby book has a ticket from my first game when I was less than a year old,” Banes admits.

And to the delight of many within the Banes bunch, Max will further a legacy at the same campus where his football playing father Joey carved notable distinction while making lifetime memories, where his mother Linda was a cheerleader and assistant in the Cougar recruiting office, where his sister Tayler will graduate in 2018 and his brother Trevor ’16 is a sophomore.

Now measuring a robust 6’5” and 305 pounds, a highquality combo of sizable strength, bulk and balance with the necessary nasty to command the offensive line’s pivotal left tackle position, Banes is trading one

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FIGHT

CONTINUED

“There was so much anticipation for today ... the goal for almost my entire life ... to finally sign those papers ... my parents sign them ... to see the pride in their faces ... just an awesome moment,” Banes said. “I know my mom has been waiting for this since I was born.

And there’s also a great satisfaction for my dad.”

Banes was an instant Eagle varsity starter as a sophomore, earned TAPPS second team all-state as a senior and acclaim as the program’s lineman of the year. He now joins the first UH recruiting class for Applewhite in the wake of his 7-4 debut season and second place in the American Athletic Conference West with an upcoming date in the Hawaii Bowl against Fresno State.

Banes the Elder was one of seven Cougars selected in the 1990 NFL Draft from that famed run-and-shoot pyrotechnics squad that shattered records and scoreboards will equal authority and audacity.

With Banes teaming with Byron Forsythe and Mike Holley in the Cougars offensive front, UH blew-up opponents for more than 600 yards a game and engineered outrageously lopsided outcomes (for the times) with more than 60 points in five of its nine victories. The aerial activities resulted in maniacal maestro quarterback Andre Ware becoming the program’s first and only Heisman Trophy winner.

Banes was first offered a Cougar scholarship at the end of his freshman St. Thomas season only to witness the UH head coaching carousel swirl from Kevin Sumlin to Tom Herman to Major Applewhite.

Banes performed in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, played for the Indianapolis Colts and is currently a vice president of sales for Merrill Corporation in Houston.

During the summer Banes and UH reaffirmed a mutual interest, and Banes then made an evaluative deep dive behind the athletic scenes.

For now, no crystal ball gazing is desired by the Banes to see if the past will serve as a prelude to their next football generation at UH.

In the midst of inspecting state of the art practice and locker room facilities, ever-expanding quality control staffs, supreme academic support, nutrition and elite performance instruction, all within the arms race to compete among top-tier college football, what proved striking for Banes was a “genuine connection” with Applewhite and offensive line coach Chris Scelfo.

The family celebration is firmly focused on the opportunity afforded through dedication and purpose to pave a path where Max might fulfill his promise to reveal unimaginable rewards.

“I really believe they have a sincere interest in me outside of just the football, to succeed in academics and life,” Banes said. “Coach Scelfo never emphasized the family connections, only the benefits of my attending UH, and that it was what would fit me.

“A big emphasis from coach Applewhite was not to make a choice based on a coach because coaches change all the time. He really stressed how my network and comfort zone was already in place in Houston with my family and the St. Thomas community. Attending UH would continue building my future on that foundation. Made a lot of sense to me.”

64 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

Eagle

FIGHT

F

ebruary’s traditional National Signing Day provided more than the usual Red & White salute for acclaimed St. Thomas student-athletes seizing the chance to continue their careers at the university level.

In the midst of the coast-to-coast carnival capping the wild world of frenzied football recruiting that long ago reached peak absurdity came the engrossing journeys of tackle Max Banes ’18 and linebacker Melvin Larkins ’18 to the University of Houston, linebacker Jackson Hanna ’18 to the University of Texas, and receiver Blaine McDaniel ’18 to the University of Mary Hardin Baylor.

DREAM MAKERS

All four Eagles navigated unlikely paths, conquering sizable odds and obstacles without allowing frustrations, ill-timed circumstances and self-doubt douse their determination nor deter them from fateful destinations.

Hanna ignited interest from the Longhorns with a lights-out showing during an invitation-only camp during the summer of 2017 when he left with a treasured preferred walk-on offer.

He was poised for a sensational senior send-off before a high ankle sprain in the preseason scrimmage against New Caney limited his final Eagle hard knocks to two quarters and then one full game where he registered 15 tackles.

Hanna weighed options with Davidson College, Cornell and Princeton, but Texas never wavered from its intent and Hanna never swayed far from his desire for the Forty Acres.

“UT was my number one choice for both athletics and academics,” said Hanna who is a member of the National Honor Society and the St. Thomas Club which requires at least a 4.0 GPA. “Their recruiting assistants stayed in close contact during my senior season when I wasn’t playing and emphasized they still wanted me. There are never guarantees in the recruiting process so I had some reservations during the fall but it all worked out as well as I could have dreamed.”

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CONTINUED

Hanna will enroll at Texas in June as a full member of the Longhorns, granted the same status and receiving the same benefits as scholarship players in terms of coaching, athletic training, housing, academic support, etc.

He’s among five preferred walk-ons mixing with the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class, including 11 of the state’s top 15 players ranked in the 247Sports composite, who are expected to become a primary talent boost in Tom Herman’s rebuild with hopes of propelling the Longhorns back into the top tier of college football.

Hanna grew up a self-described “football guy and a Texas Tech guy. That’s where my father played baseball.”

Which might explain in part why Hanna was seen at the Signing Day celebration sporting stylish burnt orange and white neckwear borrowed from his neighbor.

Hanna believes that since arriving at St. Thomas from Lanier Middle School he has “always been in the position of having to prove myself so (UT) is really nothing new for me. I’ve been one of those off-the-radar types, always in the weight room trying to get bigger and stronger. The (Longhorn) coaches really emphasized to me that a year inside their strength and conditioning program will make a huge difference.”

At 6’3’’ and 220 pounds with impressive combine measurables, Hanna projects as a hybrid linebacker who can impact as a destructive force off the edge.

The same kind of role UH envisions for the athletic 6’2’ 220-pound Larkins who spent the majority of his two-sport Eagle career with aspirations to “play basketball in college. I didn’t really focus seriously on football until my sophomore year when the college recruiters really became interested.”

But similar to Hanna, Larkins saw his final St. Thomas gridworld go-round derailed by a September season-ending injury without playing a single snap.

Then roughly a week before the February NSD, the Eagles team captain had a long-standing offer from a state Football Championship Subdivision program suddenly vaporize.

Larkins was left scrambling and considered “not even pursuing football to focus strictly on my degree. UH was at the top of my list to study sports management.”

But the morning after absorbing the gut-kick notice that he was no longer wanted, the interest in UH proved mutual when Cougar coaches discovered that Larkins was available and quickly convened on the St. Thomas campus offering a prefered walk-on opportunity.

“They told me I fit their program not only as a player but as a person,” Larkins said. “They knew all that I had gone through last season and recognized I was never going to back down.

Coach D (Mark D’Onofrio, defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach) was super excited to have me and is a big reason I’m a Cougar.”

66 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

In January Larkins was a featured speaker at the 11th Annual Scholarship Breakfast which honors the vibrant St. Thomas tuition assistance and scholarships program.

His testimony to the value of the Eagle experience proved to be as penetrating and commanding as his campus presence throughout his four years when he served as an Eagle Ambassador, Senior Leader and a member of the Round-Up Board.

Revealing an even greater depth to his character, Larkins’ famine to feast reversal of fortune generated a genuine appreciation rarely reserved for the NSD shenanigans.

“Someone asked me if I thought that God was maybe looking out for me. No maybe about it. He definitely was,” Larkins said. “Even after I was left empty I kept the faith, kept praying, and God provided a way. When one door closes, another one opens. I really believe that.”

The serendipity means locking Larkins and Banes into a second tour as football brothers.

Banes cemented his binding commitment with the Cougars during the inaugural early signing period when more than 70% of the players in the class of 2018 finalized their recruitment in December.

The 6’5’’ 305-pound Banes is another two-sport Eagle standout and TAPPS second team all-state performer is one of seven members of VYPE’s Hot Houston 100 within Major Applewhite’s first recruiting haul as the Cougars head coach.

Banes burst into the world a robust 10 pounds, two ounces, and within his first six months was tagging along for the family’s fall rituals to Robertson Stadium for Cougar home games (see pages 63-64).

From a distance, Banes might appear preordained for the #HTownTakeover but those impressions would prove deceiving. Joey and Linda opted for a grand master plan minus manic youth league strategies and overzealous expectations which often leave aspiring student-athletes burned out and/or disillusioned in the far term.

“We held Max out of football until his eighth-grade year,” Joey said. “I just never saw the advantage before his body started to mature. He played soccer and basketball to work on athleticism and footwork but I never groomed him (to play in college football). I only had one year (at Klein High School) before Bill Yeoman recruited me, finished out with Jack Pardee, and that seemed to work out. (Linda and I) just let the road for Max take care of itself. This has been his desire and his decision start to finish.”

McDaniel excelled in his one season with Eagle Football as an unselfish and versatile plug-and-play contributor, a running back and slot receiver influencing in ways that statistical spreadsheets and Hudl videos will not necessarily expose.

Undersized by most projections, the 5’ 9’’ 170-pound McDaniel was selected to participate in the exclusive Blue-

Grey All-American Bowl showcase and is now rewarded with an entry into one of the premier Division III programs in the nation. Head coach Pete Fredenburg has produced a litany of success since founding the program in 1998, including the 2016 NCAA national title, one NCAA runner-up, four NCAA semifinals and 15 American Southwest Conference championships.

“I made my unofficial visit last summer and was immediately blown away,” McDaniel said.

“Awesome facilities. Personable coaches. They stayed in contact with me every week throughout last season and that made a really strong impression.”

McDaniel’s never-will-be-denied ethic and attitude is a preferred fit inside a DIII powerhouse that values the team-building business rather than strict talent acquisition, where every prospect is evaluated only in the context of the Crusader system, how and where that player would perform in Belton, Texas.

Larkins and family

McDaniel took his decision down to the final days leading into February 7, reaching his conclusion while on the road returning from his official contact with UMHB and absorbing the full frontal realization that an out-of-sight childhood dream was about to materialize.

“If you had asked me in the seventh grade if I would be playing college football, I would have said no way,” McDaniel said with conviction.

“And the only reason I think this is happening is God. I prayed every single night, kept believing and he gave me the strength to push forward, even through injuries and sceptics and negative moments. I was just never going to give up. And now it’s happening.”

All too often National Signing Day proves to be the pinnacle of a student-athlete career, a fast lane entry on an anticlimactic excursion where dreams are soon drenched in disappointment when distorted Disney-like anticipations do not take shape.

McDaniel and family

Joey Banes owns a savvy perspective that provides the proper gauge to calibrate what is soon approaching for the Eagle foursome (see pages 63-64).

“I’m thrilled for Max and his teammates,” Joey said. “But this is not just fun and games anymore.

The stakes will be raised and they have to be prepared for an adult-type result-oriented world.

Still, there are special times ahead ... mostly great ... some not so good. They have lifelong friends they haven’t yet met. The camaraderie of college athletics is what I miss the most. That’s what they can look forward to and much more. Ultimately, it’s all a part of their becoming a man.”

Hanna signs on with Hook ‘Em ‘Horns

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Eagle

FIGHT

T

he 2018 schedule for Eagle Football includes hosting a prime time return to NRG Stadium plus four true home games in a mix of traditional series, familiar foes, first-time engagements and a re-tooled TAPPS Division I District 3 that now includes two San Antonio Catholic schools.

The Eagles launch the campaign renewing the long-standing match-up with Strake Jesuit after a sudden one-year hiatus due to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Bringing Back the

BIG STAGE

The 2018 debut unites the two Catholic school rivals in the home of the Houston Texans which served as the backdrop for the pulse-pounding 2015 St. Thomas victory that drew nearly 10,000 for the fast and furious scoring-fest, and fourth straight Eagle win in the series.

Quarterback Michael Keating ’16 capped a six-touchdown extravaganza by completing an ad-lib scoring pass to receiver Drew Guidroz ’16 in the final maniacal moments of a wild 42-35 madhouse that featured more visceral plot twists than a Dennis Lehane novel.

“Such a great atmosphere and the way NRG adjusts the configuration in the lower bowl for our game actually makes for an intimate football setting,” coach Rich McGuire said. “Having one of the country’s elite NFL stadiums as our home-away-from-home energizes our alumni base and is an attention-grabber for our student-athletes. Where we open and what’s at stake in week one absolutely intensifies our off-season workouts.”

The Eagles then travel three of the next four weeks beginning at Needville (UIL 4A Division I District 13) before resuming their private school showcase set with Kinkaid, interrupted last year by the onslaught of Harvey.

St. Thomas owns three straight wins in the head-to-head by a combined score of 10951 after the 27-20 knock in 2016, ignited by three unanswered touchdowns in the final six minutes of the first half.

68 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

The result was the final victory in an Eagle home field win streak that stretched over six seasons and 27 consecutive games.

Following an off week, the season concludes November 9 with the traditional regular-season finale against St. Pius X.

The Eagles close out September with road trips to Stafford (4A DI 12) and Cedar Hill Trinity Christian (coached by former NFL running back Aveion Cason and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders), a redux with the defending TAPPS Division II state champions whose 12-1 campaign included a 28-27 win at Hotze Field inside Granger Stadium in a delayed seasonopening start to 2017.

Eagle Football will not face Beaumont Kelly Catholic after nine straight district wins in the series by an average score of 48-9.

After a home date with China Spring (4A DI 5), Eagle Football begins district competition at Tomball Concordia Lutheran, followed by San Antonio Antonian College Prep and a close encounter with San Antonio Central Catholic for the third straight season.

Last year quarterback Peyton Matocha ’19 connected on the move with receiver Hunter Cheek ’19 for a touchdown in the right corner of the end zone in the final five minutes to complete a frantic fourth-period rally at Central and a 31-28 non-district victory.

In 2016 Matocha delivered two first-half scoring throws as the Eagles jumped to a 21-0 lead and crushed Central 40-13.

McGuire readily admits to the challenge of arranging a desirable and competitive schedule operating out of a five-team TAPPS district, “knowing there are so few public schools available in weeks five and six. Which is why establishing relationships with private schools outside of Houston is the trend that likely continues.”

With the schools, dates and times for 2018 determined, McGuire sees “an intense work ethic from our student-athletes in the weight room since last season ended. We have quality numbers and depth up front, four returning starters on the offensive line, and (juniors) Jackson Phillips and Jarrod Brown on defense. And obviously, Matocha is really primed for a sensational third season starting at quarterback. That’s the foundation moving forward.”

The Eagles prepare for 2018 with an August 23 scrimmage with New Caney.

Eagle Athletic Director Mike Netzel echoes the same sentiment, that given the difficulty of finding suitable opponents, seeking options outside the city has become more and more a necessity.

“We can’t be simply at the mercy of the UIL schools and their reclassification every two years,” Netzel said. “I see us planning regular road trips that have our fans and alumni excited about the travel for Friday night football and then extending into the weekend. I’m confident we can bring the numbers to the right destination and San Antonio or Austin are certainly two of the best.”

Keating ’16 with one of his six touchdowns in 2015 win at NRG Stadium

2 018 EAGLE FOOTBALL 8/31 ............................................. Strake Jesuit NRG Stadium 8:00 p.m.

9/7 ............................................................................ at Needville 7:00 p.m.

9/14 ................................................................................. Kinkaid 7:00 p.m.

9/21 ............................................................................ at Stafford 7:00 p.m.

9/28 ............................................ at Cedar Hill Trinity Christian 7:00 p.m.

10/5 ...................................................................... China Springs 6:30 p.m.

10/12 ..................................... at Tomball Concordia Lutheran 7:00 p.m.

10/19 ............................. San Antonio Antonian College Prep 7:00 p.m.

10/26 .................................... at San Antonio Central Catholic 7:00 p.m.

11/2 ................................................................................................. Off Week 11/9 ............................................................................. St. Pius X 7:00 p.m.

Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018 - 69

Great Appreciation

response to our annual Open House event.

for the overwhelming

Students and their families from throughout Greater Houston discovered that the best way to learn about our 118-year institution was to participate in the urban campus in person and become familiar with the distinct benefits of a St. Thomas education.

From our dedicated, award-winning faculty to our values-based curriculum to our near $70 million dollar campus expansion, St. Thomas delivers an incredible college preparatory environment in the steep tradition established by the Basilian Fathers that simply cannot be replicated, preparing students who have multiple interests, multiple facets to their personal and academic lives, and who explore openly how those various identities play out.

We welcome our future Eagles to a caring community of learners and a personalized experience that fosters every student’s intellectual and spiritual well-being.

70 - Eagles’ Nest Spring 2018

IN MEMORIAM Gregory L. Brown ’68, February 13, 2018 Thomas L. Brown ’65, February 1, 2018 John J. Burke III ’71, December 3, 2017 Louis “Buddy” Cernosek ’53, December 31, 2017 Dr. David O. Childers Sr., father of David ’75, Mike ’76, John ’77, Steve ’82 and Suzie St. Agnes Academy ’83, March 6, 2018 Frank J. Corso ’51, January 9, 2018 Anthony M. Davila ’58, December 9, 2017 Michael A Dionne ’65, November 26, 2017 Matthew R. Fote ’09, November 13, 2017 Jose F. Gonzales ’95, March 26, 2018 John H. Hanson, father of Eric Hanson ’74, September 1, 2017 Joseph B. Lombardo ’56, December 3, 2017 John D. Martin ’45, November 27, 2017 Michael D. McCown ’64, January 12, 2018 Gustave A. Mistrot ’46, November 16, 2017 Jerry Ogren ’53, March 19, 2018 Stephen J. Parisi ’50, November 27, 2017 Daniel A. Purcell ’43, March 3, 2018 James D. Romano ’55, February 10, 2018 Ignatius “Jim” Trauth ’48, January 1, 2018 Lawrence Wilmesmeier ’55, January 26, 2018

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Please let the Alumni Office know if an alumnus has passed away. Call 713-864-6348 x150, fax 713-864-6402, or email alumni@sths.org.

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