February 2024 Wolftracks

Wolftracks Magazine

Mr.JoeDickens

NewLasallianLeadership

SaintPaul’sSchoolispleasedtoannounceMr.JoeDickenshasbeenappointedto betheschool’snextPresident.HesucceedsMr.TrevorWatkins,AFSC,Interim President,whowasfirstappointedbytheBoardofTrusteeswhenBrother RaymondBulliardsteppeddownduetoillness,andhecontinuedinthisrole uponthedeathofBrotherRayinApril2023.

Theannouncementcomesfollowingacomprehensivenine-monthsearchbythe BoardanditsSearchCommittee.

ChairmanoftheBoardofTrusteesforSaintPaul’sSchool,Mr.PaulJ.Mayronne‘88,noted, “Mr.DickensreceivedtheunanimousrecommendationoftheSearchCommitteeandwas unanimouslyapprovedbytheBoardofTrusteesafteracomprehensivesearchprocess. Whilethe searchwastrulynationwide,andotherimpressiveandqualifiedcandidateswereconsidered,we believethebestpersontoleadSaintPaul’shappenedtoalreadybeoncampus.TheBoardofTrustees isgratefultoMr.DickensforhiswillingnesstoserveSaintPaul’sinthisimportantrole,andweare confidentthathepossessesthevisionandskillstobuildontheleadershiptraditionsestablishedby BrotherRay,Mr.Watkins,andotherLasallianleadersbeforethem.”

Mr.DickensbeganhistenureatSaintPaul’sinAugust2003. Hehasservedinseveralcapacities duringhistwentyyearsattheschool,includingfootballcoach,Englishteacher,EnglishDepartment Chair,AssistantPrincipalforAcademics,and,mostrecently,astheprincipalofSaintPaul’sSchool. Mr.Dickens’academiccredentialsincludeaBachelorofArtsdegreeinhistoryandaMaster’sdegree ineducationaladministration,bothearnedattheUniversityofNewOrleans. Significantly,healso isagraduateoftwoLasallianPrograms:theButtimerInstituteforLasallianStudiesand DiscerningLeaders. Bothprogramsaredesignedtoindoctrinatelaypartnersintothehistory, pedagogy,andspiritualityoftheBrothersoftheChristianSchools.Healsoholdsstatecertifications inEnglish,SocialStudies,andK-12Administration. Mr.Dickens'experiencebeforejoiningthe facultyatSaintPaul’sincludesa7-yearstintasateacher,coach,andathleticdirectoratHolyCross SchoolinNewOrleans.

CongratulationstoMr.Dickensonbeingselectedtobethe18thPresidentofSaintPaul’sSchool.He willbeginhisnewroleJune1,2024.

(ChairmanoftheBoardofTrustees, officialannouncement)

Mr.LeePierre

Mr.JoeDickens,whosetermasthenewlyselectedPresidentofSaint

Paul’sSchooliseffectiveJune1,2024,announcedhisfirstdecisionwillbe toappointMr.LeePierreasthenextPrincipalofSaintPaul’sSchool. Mr. PierrecurrentlyservesasAssistantPrincipalandhasworkedcloselywith theadministrativeteamforthelastfiveyears.Hebeganhisteachingcareer atSaintPaul’sin1999andhasservedinvariouscapacitiesovertheyears, includingascoach,sciencedepartmentchair,andCurriculumCoordinator.

Mr.PierrecompletedhisundergraduateworkatLoyolaUniversityofthe SouthandearnedaMasterofArtsdegreefromtheUniversityofSt.Mary’s inKansas. LikeMr.Dickens,Mr.PierreisagraduateoftwoLasallianPrograms:theLasallian LeadershipInstituteandDiscerningLeaders.

DickensalsowillnameMr.MatthewPineroasthenewAssistant Principal.Mr.PinerobeganhisSaintPaul’scareerin2014. Hehasworked closelywiththeadministrativeteam forthepastseveralyearsandcurrently servestheschoolastheCurriculumCoordinatorandtheEnglishdepartment chair. Mr.PineroisalsodedicatedtoLasallianCatholiceducationatSaint Paul’sandhascompletedtheButtimerInstituteofLasallianStudies. He earnedhisBachelorofArtsinEnglishattheUniversityofNewOrleansand completedamaster’sdegreeinLasallianLeadershipatSt.Mary’sUniversityof Minnesota.

Mr.MattPinero

InPrincipalDickens’announcementoftheappointmentofMr.PierreandMr.Pinerotothe SaintPaul’sSchoolcommunity,hestated:“Iassureyouthatthistimeoftransitionwillgosmoothly andwillonlyadvancetheLasallianCatholiceducationalMissionatSaintPaul’sSchool. Inaword, SaintPaul’swillcontinuetofeelandlooklikeSaintPaul’s.”

EchoingMr.Dickens’comments,InterimPresidentMr.TrevorWatkins,AFSCnoted,“While thisisatimeoftransitionforSaintPaul’s,itiscertainlynotatimeofdisruption. Infact,thenew leadershipteam,trainedandmentoredbyBrotherRayformanyyears,hasalreadybegunto coordinateandplanfortheformaltransitionthissummer.”

“May God continue what he has begun in you.”

Letter46-toBrotherRobertinDarnetal,justoutsideRouen,1709Med

Mr.MickNunez‘88

LasallianLeadershipTeamCont’d.

PrincipalJoeDickensannouncedthatMr.MickNunezwillassume theroleofDeanofStudentsfor2024-25,replacingMr.KenSears(seearticle below). Mr.Nunez,aClassof1988alum,hasservedSaintPaul’sSchoolin variouscapacitiesduringthepast28years. Hewillcompletehistenureas headbaseballcoachattheendofthisseasonbeforesteppingintohisnew duties.Mr.Dickensnoted,“Mickenjoysagreatrapportwithourstudents, faculty,andparents,andheembodiesalloftheleadershipqualitiestobe highlyeffectiveinhisnewrole.”

Additionally,SaintPaul’sisblessedtohaveMr.JohnMorvant,AFSC returntohisLasallianrootsatSaintPaul’sSchooltoassumethenewposition ofAdvancementDirector. Priortohis14-yeartenureasheadmasteratChrist EpiscopalSchool,Mr.MorvantservedSaintPaul’sSchoolfor32yearsin numerouscapacities: teacher,guidancecounselor,andcoach. Duringthelast20 yearsofhisservicetoSaintPaul’s,heworkedalongsidehislong-timefriendand colleague,PrincipalBro.RayBulliard,FSC,ashisAssistantPrincipal. Mr.MorvantrejoinedthestaffinOctoberandhasbeenbusyrestructuringthe AdvancementDepartmentinpreparationforimportantupcomingevents.

LeadershipChange

Mr.KenSears

Mr.KenSears,whohasservedSaintPaul’sSchoolastheDeanof Studentsfor23years,hasdecidedtostepdownfromthatpositionnextyear. Mr.Sears,whohasspenthisentire34-yearprofessionallifeatSaintPaul’sand isanalumnusofvariousLasallianformationprograms,willcontinueashead footballcoachandwillservetheschoolinanothercapacitynextyear. In sharingthisannouncementwiththeSaintPaul’sSchoolcommunity, Mr.Dickensstated,“IwouldberemissifIdidnotthankKennyforthe effectivejobhehasdone...andfortheincredibleamountoftimehehasgiven totheschool...Hehashelpedtomaintainasafeanddisciplinedenvironment andmentoredinnumerablestudentstobeabletomeetourexpectations.”

InterimPresidentMr.Watkins,AFSC‘79added,“Mr.Searshasbeeninstrumentalinmany positivechangesthatenhancedthesafetyanddisciplinethatwetakeforgrantedtodayatSaintPaul’s. Hehasbeentirelessinitseffortsinapositionthat,frankly,isperhapstheleastrewardingamongthe administrativetasks. Yet,hehasperseveredwithgrace,alwayskeepinginmindtheneedsofthe individualstudent,hisfamily,andthsschool,oftenadifficultbalancetoachieve.”

Mr.JohnMorvant,AFSC

Alumni News

AlumniandfriendsofSaintPaul’sSchool,

Inassociationwiththeplethoraofrecentpressreleases,Ifeltcompelledtorecycleafewwordsofcontinued relevancefromlastyearatthistime.

Nowmorethanever,itisimperativetoappreciatethattheSaintPaul’softodayisabyproductofallusthathave steppedfootonthiscampus,haveheldSaintPaul’sSchoolinsuchhighregardandwhohavecalledthisplacehome. Eachandeveryadministrator,facultymember,staff,student,family,andcommunitysupporterhasleftan indeliblemarkonthefabricofthisinstitution.BrotherRay’somniscient,omnipotentandomnipresentleadership fornearlythepastfourdecadeshasguidedustoonceunimaginableheights.

WetrulylookforwardtofurtheringtheMissionandtoabrightandprosperousfutureledbythecapablehandsof ournewformallyappointedleadershipteam.Andaswecontinuetocommemorateoursenseofcommunity,please perusethefollowingupcomingopportunitiesandinitiativesforengagement.

SAVETHEDATES:

Thursday,March21,2024-SaintPaul’sandSSAAlumniBingoNightattheCovingtonBeer Garden-AllSaintPaul’sandSSAAlumniareinvitedtojoinusforBingoNightattheCovingtonBeer Garden.Comeearlytoreserveyourspotandsocialize.Bingowillstartat7,andcardsare$2each.Prizeswill beawarded.

Saturday,April20,2024-13th AnnualCrawfishCook-Off/ReunionWeekend

Thiseventhasonceagainsoldoutforboilingteamswhoareeagertoshowcasetheirbestrecipes.Ticketsare onsalenow.Visitwww.spscco.comformoreinformation

August‘24-AlumniFishingRodeo-presentedbytheBoyceFamily. Weareeagerlyanticipating anotherinstallmentofourannualFishingRodeo.ManythankstotheBoycefamilyfortheircontinuelead sponsorshipandsupport.Staytunedfortheexactdateandfurtherdetail,butinthemeanwhileplease contactAlNastasiataln@stpauls.comwithanyinterestorquestions.

Friday,September20,2024-JosephA.ChampagneJr./GeneBennettMemorialGolfTournament

AlumniGearStore:ShopNow!Checkoutournewonlinestorewhichhasalargeinventoryofqualityitemstofityour needs.

AnnualFund:OurAnnualFundisanintegralpartofmakingtheSaintPaul’sexperiencesoimpactfulforgenerationsof youngmen. YourperpetualpartnershipandinvestmentinSaintPaul’sSchoolhavecontributedtonumerousenhancements whichbenefitourfaculty,staff,students,parentsandalumni. Ifyouareinclinedtosupportatthistime,pleaseclickHERE CampusTours-WelcomeHome:IfyouhavenotbeenbacktocampusinawhileandwouldlikeacloserlookattheSaint Paul’softoday,pleasecontactAlNastasitoscheduleatour.

IfImayeverbeofanyassistancetoyouhereintheAlumniOffice,pleasedonothesitatetocontactmeat985-892-3200ext 1971oraln@stpauls.com.

Sincerely,andSaintPaulOurPatron…PrayforUs! AlNastasi‘91

MichaelSeal‘84

Communication;Minor inBusinessMarketing fromSoutheastern LouisianaUniversity.

Family:Marriedto HeatherSeal,Children: SarahBeth(24),Matthew (17)

Occupation: DirectorofSalesGulfCoastRegion withCemex Corporation

WhatisyourfavoritememoryatSaintPaul’s?

Withoutadoubt,someofmyfavoritememoriesatSaintPaul’swereduring baseballseason. Lookingback,itwasn’tsomuchplayingtheactualgamesbut moresothepracticesthatwentonforever,thelockerroomribbing,thebusrides (especiallyafterawin)andthetimerightbeforethegamewhenwecametogether asone.

WhatdoyouvaluemostaboutSaintPaul’seducationandexperience?

OneofthethingsIvaluemostfrommytimeatSaintPaul’sistheongoing brotherhood. IhavetheprivilegeoflivinginCovington,andit’salwaysapleasure torunintoformerclassmatesaroundtownoratSaintPaul’seventswheretheyare watchingtheirsonsparticipate. ThereisacamaraderieamongSaintPaul’s graduatesthatexistswellpastgraduation.

Doyouhaveanyotherfamilymemberscurrentlyattendingorwhohave attendedSaintPaul’s?

MytwoolderbrothersattendedSaintPaul’s,Ricky(‘74)andDavid(‘78). Myson Matthew(’27)isafreshmanintheCOREPackProgram.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetocurrentstudentsoryoungalumni?

Youhavebeengiventheprivilegetobepartofaspecialgroup. Yourparentsareor havemadesacrificestonotonlyprovideyouwithaqualityeducationbutalsoto bepartofauniquebrotherhoodthatwilllastalifetime. Myadviceistowork hardandbeactivewithintheschoolcommunity. SaintPaul’sofferssomany extra-curricularactivitiesthatthereissomethingforeveryone.

WhydoyoucontinuetosupporttheSaintPaul’smission?

IalwaysknewthatthemissionofSaintPaul’swasuniqueandimportant. IsupposeItookthemissionand FiveCorePrinciplesforgrantedduringmytenureasastudent. Isimplyknewthatmyschoolwasagreat placetogrowup. WhenmysonwasbornblessedwithDownsyndromeseventeenyearsago,Ihadtofacethe harshrealitythatmylegacyatSaintPaul’swouldend. Matthewwouldnotbeabletoattendmyfamily’s school. LittledidIknow,thatintrueLasallianspirittheCORE(CatholicOpportunityforResponsive Education)PackProgramwasinitiated,andMatthewiscurrentlyafull-fledgedmemberoftheSaintPaul’s brotherhood. Iwillalwayssupportthisschoolbecauseitsmissioniseverevolvingandtrue.

WhywouldyouencourageyoungmentoconsiderattendingSaintPaul’s?

SaintPaul’sisawonderfulschoolthatpreparesyouforcollegeaswellaslife. Theeducationreceivedhere goesfarbeyondtheclassroom. Lessonsarelearned,modeled,andtaughteverydaybyupperclassmen,faculty members,staffmembersandpeers. ThebrotherhoodcreatedatSaintPaul’swilllastalifetime.

WhatwouldyoudescribeasyourgreatesttakeawayfromSaintPaul’s?

MygreatesttakeawaysfromSaintPaul’sarethefriendsandrelationshipscreatedduringmytimeasa student. ThereisaninstantconnectionamongSaintPaul’sgraduates. Thisconnectionalsoextends toteachers,coachesandstaffmemberswhosupportedmeandothersalongtheway. Theyhave madeanimpactonmethatIwillalwayscherish.

RiseUp‘OMenofGod

Mr.MichaelDonovan‘10

Mr.MelvinPeterHymanSr.,FatherofMr.DavidHymanandGrandfatherof CullenHyman‘27

Mrs.EvelynPeltier,Great-GrandmotherofBraydenFord‘28and Grandmother-in-lawofDr.RandyFord

PleaseprayforthereposeofthesoulofMrs.JanNeumann,formerSaint Paul’sSchoolmathdepartmentchair,whopassedawayonFebruary5th surroundedbyherfamilymembers.Mrs.Neumannwasknownasan innovatoratSaintPaul’sandwasinstrumentalinraisingthelevelof mathachievementofallofherstudentsthroughherteachingand leadershipasdepartmentchair.

Uponheruntimelyretirementduetoillness25yearsago,theschoolchosetohonorherby namingtheannualmathaward,giventotheoverallbestmathstudentatSaintPaul’s,after her.DespitemovingtoHoumaafterherretirement,Mrs.Neumannkeptintouchwithher formercolleaguesandremainedinterestedinallthattranspiredhereatSaintPaul’s.Shewill be rememberedforherwarmth,humor,andoptimism.Pleaseprayfortheconsolationof herfamily.

Eternalrestgrantuntothem,OLord,andletperpetuallightshineuponthem. Maytheyrestinpeace!Amen!

AlumniNews

AsanadjuncttotheSaintPaul'sexperience,tenofour currentstudentsrecentlyparticipatedinaCloseUptripto WashingtonD.C.,whichheldseveraluniqueopportunities includingavisittotheofficesofourrepresentativesand senators.WhilelearningwhatitisliketoworkonCapitol Hill,theyunitedwithamemberofthepackfromtheClass of2012,ZachBarnett.

Picturedleft(LtoR): AshtonAdamcewicz,ChristianLueg,Jacob Trosclair,GrantVoyles,HarrisonPowell,MylesMcCormick,Luke Ward,Thomas(Max)Toomey,BradenMaglioloandVincentPicouin front.

StandingareCivicsTeacherPaulScoriels,BenWisniewskiStaffAssistantforSenatorKennedyandZachBarnett'12, CommunicationsDirectorforSenatorRogerWickerofMississippi.

CareerDayforJuniors

OnThursday,February1,membersoftheClassof2025engagedinCareerDayinourBriggs AssemblyCenterobtainingrelevantinformationregardingsomepopularcareerchoices.Ourveteran panelofalumnipresentersgenerouslygaveoftheirtimetoenrichthestudentsinregardtothe natureoftheirrespectivecareersandtheirjourneytothepresent,includingtheroleofSaintPaul’s intheirpreparation.MentoringopportunitieswerediscussedalongwithaQ&Acomponentwhich affordedourjuniorsinsightswhichmaypossiblyimpacttheircourse/activityselectionwhilestilla studenthereandcertainlyinassociationwithmajorandcollegediscernment. Afterwards,the alumnispeakersenjoyedsomefellowshipandadeliciouslunchprovidedbyKeithFrentz'96of LOLA.Whilethereareinnumerablewaystohostsuchanevent,theobjectivesofouradvisors,the eagernessandretentionofourpanel,andtheefficiencyoftheeventcontinuetoservethestudents

Pictured fromL-R:JustinGreenleaf'04, Greenleaf Architects;AdamMartin'06, President,MartinBuildingGroup; MichaelSciortino'03,SciortinoFinancial,LLC; PhilNuss'72,HarveyGulfInternationalMarine, LLC,&GulfCoastYachtCenter;Trey Henderson'05,BSNatSaintTammanyParish Hospital; Dr.JoelBurvant'99,BurvantFamily Dentistry;MontyFontenot'84,Mathematics instructorandheadboysbasketballcoachat CovingtonHighSchool: ChrisSimpson'95,Fire CaptainatMandevilleFireandEMS;Jason Kauffman'90,ChiefofFirePreventionat MandevilleFireandEMS; ChadDanenhower ’92,DanenhowerLawFirm

CrawfishCookoff!

JoinusonSaintPaul'sbeautifulcampusforour13thAnnualCrawfishCookoff,a charitableeventwhichraisesfundsforHopeHouseofSaintTammany,SaintPaul's School,andtheAlumniAssociation,whileprovidinganentertainingeventforallto enjoy.Ticketsareonsalenow.Visitwww.spscco.comformoreinformation

TheRoyalGoldGala

TheRoyalGoldGala

School News

MarchingWolvesinAction-InclusiveCommunity

Everyyear,theSaintPaul’sMarchingWolvesentertainhundredsinthecrowdsalongtheparade routesbringingtheirSouthernStyleshowbandtonumerousparadesonbothshoresofLake Pontchartrain. Infact,thisMardiGrasseason,Mr.AndrewMoran,theMarchingWolvesBandDirector, achievedthehallmarkofhavingmarchedin1,000milesofparadesduringhis15-yearsasthemusical leaderoftheMarchingWolves--animpressiveaccomplishment!

Despiteabusyscheduleofmarchingengagements,theMarchingWolvesmadethetimetolend theirlivelybrandofentertainmenttotwonotableparadesontheNorthshore.Overtheyears,the MarchingWolveshavebecomeafanfavoriteattheWalmartSpecialNeedsparadeheldintheWalmart SupercenterinCovington. Additionally,theMarchingWolves“laissezlesbontempsrouler”asthey joinedforceswiththeSt.TammanyParishSheriff’sOfficeandFireDistrict#13tobringtheir one-of-a-kindmovestoKreweD’Ava,auniqueparadeheldinhonoroffive-year-oldAvaThomaswho hadrecentlyreceivedher“princesslungs”and,asaresult,couldnotparticipateinMardiGras.

Thanks,Mr.Moran,MarchingWolves,andthenumerousparadechaperonesforaspectacular MardiGrasseasonandforanimatingtheLasallianMissioninourcommunity.

MarchingWolves

Sights&Sounds

MardiGras2024

Checkoutthevideoofthe MarchingWolves&610 Stompersentertainingthe crowds!

Saint

QualityEducation–NationalMeritScholars

ThreeSaintPaul’sSchoolseniorshavebeennamedNationalMeritFinalistsin thescholarshipprogramandwilladvanceinthecompetition.TheSaintPaul’s SchoolFinalistsare:WilliamColes,sonofRobertandJennyColesofMandeville; JosephMire,sonofMichaelandSusanMireofCovington;andPrestonOlivier, sonofBrianandNanetteOlivierofCovington.

Quality Education

Theseacademicallytalentedhighschoolseniorswillcompeteforscholarshipsworthmorethan$28 million.BeginninginMarchandcontinuingtomid-June,theNationalMeritScholarshipCorporation (NMSC)notifiesapproximately7,250Finaliststhattheyhavebeenselectedtoreceiveoneofthreetypes ofawards: NationalMerit$2500Scholarships,Corporate-sponsoredMeritscholarshipawards,and College-sponsoredMeritscholarshipawards.

Over1.3millionstudentsenteredthe2024NationalMeritScholarshipProgramsponsoredbythe NMSC. SixteenthousandwerenamedSemifinalistsandonly15,000havemetallrequirementsto advancetoFinaliststandinginthecompetition.ThemissionoftheNMSCistorecognizeandhonor outstandingstudentscholarsthroughouttheUnitedStates. Congratulationsonthisrecognition!

byJeaneenSchmitt

Also,congratulationstoWilliamColesforbeingselectedasacandidatefortheUnited StatesPresidentialScholarsProgram. Theprogramwasestablishedin1964,by executiveorderofthePresident,torecognizeandhonorsomeofournation'smost distinguishedgraduatinghighschoolseniors.Eachyear,upto161studentsarenamedas PresidentialScholars,oneofthenation'shighesthonorsforhighschoolstudents. Well done,William!

WilliamColes

JosephMire

PrestonOlivier

WolvesMakingTracks

WolveswereonthemoveinearlyFebruaryexemplarilyrepresentingSaintPaul’sSchool

Anti-DefamationLeague,UnityDay

Picturedabove:

Underwood,

The

traveledto NewOrleansrepresentingSaintPaul’satthe 24thADLUnityDayatLoyolaUniversity LawSchool.

CatholicSchoolsWeek

CatholicSchoolsWeekculminatedwithamass heldforallArchdioceseofNewOrleansSchools. SaintPaul’srepresentativespicturedbelow: HunterFahr,EthanWard,NoahRea,Esteban Chicas,AndrewKraus,JackZiifle,LukeWard, JacobStrecker,DamianRea,NathanBahamand DominicMuguira

TheEthicalWolves

TheEthicalWolvestraveledtoHoustontocompeteinthe regionalEthicsBowlcompetitionagainstnumerousteams fromTexasandbeyond.Theyanalyzedtheethical implicationsofAI-generatedart,nucleardeterrence, terminalillness,andreturninggifts.Theteamrepresented SaintPaul'swellinthinkingthroughcomplexissues.

Congratulationsandthanks toKaidenKlebbafor representingSaintPaul’s SchoolintheArchdioceseof NewOrleansCatholicStudent oftheYearcompetition.

Picturedabove (L-R):KaidenKlebba, HarrisonMurr,BennettBarreca,Parker Emery,BensonGreer

Aiden

Andrew Dunne,AndrewDanenhower,JudeRomeo, andMatthewGay.

group

InclusiveCommunity-CostaRicanExchange

SaintPaul'srecentlyhostedagroupofstudentsfromourLasallianpartner fromColegioLaSalleinSanJose,CostaRica. Overthecourseoftwoweeks, SaintPaul’sstudentshadthechancetointroducetheirgueststoavarietyof activities. Inadditiontoexperiencingthewarmthandhospitalityofthe SaintPaul’scommunity,thestudentsenjoyedaswamptour,aPelicansgame, theWorldWarIIMuseum,andavarietyofotheractivitiesorganizedby theirhostfamilies.

OnMay24th,agroupofSaintPaul’sstudentswillbegoingtoCostaRicato enjoytheincrediblebiodiversity,beaches,andculture.Ifyouareinterested inhavingyoursontakeadvantageofthisopportunity,pleasecontact Dr.ShawnMulletats.mullet@stpauls.com.

byShawnMullet‘92

ConcernforthePoor&SocialJustice–HabitatforHumanity

Concernforthe Poor&Social Justice

Afteradisappointingcancellationduetothe weatherinJanuary,theHabitatClubwas backinactioninFebruaryforthefirsttime 2024.ModeratorMr.RichardPichonstated, “SomememberswereattheLiteraryRally, butwestillhad8greatguyscomeoutto makeadifference,includingsomenew members.Theweatherwasperfect,too.”The groupcleanedupajobsiteon6thStreetand builtseverallatticepanelsandhungthem underthehouse.Afterward,theywalkeda fewblockstocleanupanotherjobsitein preparationfortheirnextworkday, Saturday,March23rd.

Inclusive Community

FaithinthePresenceofGod–Retreats

ThemonthofFebruarywasfullofretreatsforourjuniorclass,freshmanclass,and ourfacultyandstaff.Firstup,ourjuniorclass!Onehalfofthegrouptraveledtothe NationalWorldWarIIMuseumwhiletheotherhalfembarkedontheirretreatday. Thegroupsswitchedlocationsonthesecondday.Thefocusofthejuniorretreatwas "Identity,Mission,andVocation"andallowedthestudentstotakeapausetoponder life'sbigquestionsinthecontextofGod'suniquecalltoeachofus.

WhilethestudentbodyenjoyedanearlystarttothebeginningofLentholiday,the facultyandstafftookpartintheirannualretreat. Thethemeoftheretreatwas “OpeningourStories.” Br.DavidCaretti,FSCjoinedourfacultytohelpfacilitate theretreat.Br.DavidservesastheDirectorofVocationMinistryfortheDistrictof SanFranciscoNewOrleans.

Lastly,thefreshmentookadvantageoftheextradayinFebruaryfortheirannual retreatday.ThedaywasfocusedonbuildingChrist-centeredrelationshipsinour lives.Thefreshmenwerealsoaccompaniedontheirretreatbygroupsofsenior by

Seniorretreatleaders

JeffRamon

Above:JuniorslistentoMr.Marcel,WWIIveteranand museumvolunteer,ontheirrecenttriptothemuseum.

Above: SaintPaul’sfacultyparticipateinretreatlead

Freshmenplayagameof CatapultsAway--teamwork!

SeniorsAustinSouthandPrestonOliviertalk aboutfriendshipwiththefreshmen.

Congratulations!

CongratulationstoBenjaminJacobStrecker'24onbeing namedthe2024maleCatholicYouthLeaderAward recipientfortheArchdioceseofNewOrleansin recognitionforhisservicetohischurch,schooland community. Thisrecognitioncomeswitha$1K scholarshipawardandadvancesStreckertothestate competition. StreckerwasalsonamedtheSt. Benedict-CovingtonKnightsofColumbusCouncil3061 maleCYLArecipientatthelocallevel,whichmadehim eligibleforthearchdiocesancompetition.

CongratulationstoScoutsEddie d’Hemecourt‘25andDominick Giacontiere‘28whowere namedyouthMVPsfortheir volunteerismatCubScout camp.

CongratulationtoJacksonPicone‘25whowasawarded 3rdplaceinthelocalVoiceofDemocracycontest sponsoredbyVFWPost8720.

TheVoiceofDemocracyessayprogramprovideshigh schoolstudentswiththeuniqueopportunitytoexpress themselvesinregardstoademocraticand patriotic-themedessay.

SoccerWolvesCompleteaSeasonofWins!

CongratulationstotheVarsitySoccerWolvesonatremendousseason.TheWolvesgaveupthefewest goalsofanyteaminLouisianaandtiedforthefewestwiththe2015SPSsquad(givinguponly6goalsin 29games).TheSoccerWolveswonanotherdistrictchampionshipandhavemadeittothesemi-finalsthe last15yearsstraightincluding12appearancesinthechampionshipgame. Despiteheadingintothe semifinalswithconfidence,havingreeledoffa15-gamewinstreakand18-0goalsinthe1stthreerounds oftheplayoffs,theseasoncametoanendlateinthegameandconcludedwitha1-0loss,toCatholic HighofBatonRouge. CongratulationsalsotothecoachingstaffofSeanMoser(head),KyleSmith, MattJaques,CamRobinson,andHectorVasquezonoutstandingseasonsforthe8th,9th,JV,andVarsity soccerteams.

season.Alongthewaytheyscored37goals,andallowedbut7,with8shutouts. NicholasGristinaledwith9goals,HarrisonWallscored5and11different playersscoredgoalsinvariousgames,showingthedepthoftalentinthisyoung group.

WrestlingWolvesFinishaSuccessfulSeason!

CongratulationstotheWrestlingWolveswhofinished6thinState atBossierCity.ThreeWolvesfinishedasStateChampionsintheir weightclass!Readmore:nola.comarticle.

Winnersatthetournament:

CalebShartle-5th

RhettNastasi–6th

ScottCascio–StateChampion

ConlanEnk–StateChampion

JacksonPeak–StateChampion

StateChampions

2024WrestlingWolves:JuniorHighStateChampions

CharlieKingrea,EliUlfers, OliverScarpelli,GrantBadon, AdrianLachin,Bennett,Calderaro, AlexanderHebert,BatemanGreen, BrennanMills,GustavoGascot, CadenRogers,AndersonPadilla, CarterLanders,EthanForet,Henry Jones,RomanTarasov,Ryder Caston,ZacharyYazbeck,Tristan Moore,TristinHauptmann,Patrick Hamby,PayneWeileman,Houston Dugas,GreysonArmentor,Ethan Sable,MarkLamere,Dominick Giacontiere,IanSmith,John Harvey,OwenPierce,EliHadley, JacksonCarrey,RyderCambre

Picturedright: Junior JacksonPeak(35-4)pinned opponentinthethirdperiod towinthe190lb.statetitle.

Picturedright: FreshmanScott Casciowinsa9-6 decisionoverhis Jesuitopponent towinstateinhis weightclass.

pictured belowwithCoach Pinero: JacksonPeak,ScottCascioandConlanEnk

Picturedleft: TheJuniorHigh WrestlingWolvesStateChampion Team:

WhatDoesItMeantoBeaChampion?

ACoach’sEndoftheSeasonReflection

byMattPinero

Whatdoesitmeantobeachampion?Sure,beinga championrequirestechnique,strength,talent, toughness,resilience,andheart.Undoubtedly,it takesdisciplineanddedicationandanunwavering desiretodowhateverisnecessarytoaccomplish one’sgoals.Ittakesthefortitudetodothingsthat mostpeoplearen’twillingtodoatthetimesthat mostaren’twillingtodothem.Butatrue championextendsfarbeyondvictoriesinsports. Truechampionsinspireandupliftothers, recognizingthatsuccessisnotsolelymeasuredin titles,butinthepositiveimpacttheyleaveonthe world.Atruechampionstrivesforexcellencenot onlyintheirchosendisciplinebutinthecharactertheyexhibit,makingalasting markontheheartsandmindsofthosearoundthem.Wewerefortunateenough tohavethreestatechampionsthisweekend,andallthreearechampionsinlife. ThiswasmadeabundantlyclearoverthelastfewdaysasIhavebeeninundated withcommentsfrompeopletellingmehowgladtheythateachofourmenwon becauseofthequalityoftheircharacter.Iamgratefulthatourteamisfilledwith individualswhoareallmenofcharacter.Whileweonlycrownedthreechampions onthemat,theyareallchampionsoffit,andforthat,Iamproud.

ThreeSaintPaul’sRobo-Wolvesteams competedatHolyCrossintheirfirst competitionoftheyear. Theteamscompeted andconductedthemselvesinanexemplary manner.TheC-Team(LarryBeachler,Max Gremillion,andJacksonLorenz)achieved quarterfinaliststandingandtheD-Team, (DavynHoover,CullenHyman,andDamian Rea)receivedtheVEXInspireAward.

TheVEXawardispresentedtoateamthathas inspiredjudgeswiththeirapproachtothe VEXRoboticsprogram,effectively communicatedtheirpassionfortheVRC programandmaintainapositiveattitude throughouttheevent,participatedwithbotha highlevelofintegrityandgoodsportsmanship, anddemonstratedthattheybelievetheycan achievewhattheysetouttoachievethrough theirdiligence.Thejudgesweremost impressedbytheteam'sabilitytoassemblesuch aneffectiverobotinlessthantwoweeksbefore thecompetitionandtheireloquenceduringthe interviewprocess.

Inthefinalcompetitionoftheseason,two selectRobo-Wolvesteams(JacksonLorenzand QuadMulligan)and(CullenHyman,Gray Davis,andNoahTaylor)traveledtoSpringfield HighSchool.

Bothteamsshoweduptoworkmakingsome clutchadjustmentstotheirbotsinorderto passinspectionandthenmodifyingbetween eachmatch. Onceagain,theteamsrepresented SaintPaul’sexemplarily. Clearly,theyoung Robo-Wolveshaveabrightfutureahead.

byEmilieTravers

Picturedabove:RoboWolvesattheHolyCross competition: BraydenFord,MatthewHarmon,and JudeNunenmacher,LarryBeachler,MaxGremillion, andJacksonLorenz,DavynHoover,CullenHyman, andDamianRea

ThePaperWolf

ShawnCooney

HiddenTrauma,ExposedImpact:TheTeenMentalHealthCrisis

Highschoolersarefacingtheworstmentalhealthcrisesinhistory. Forgenerations,societyhastrainedteenagerstoeitherbottleuptheiremotionsor channelthemintounhealthy,self-destructivehabits.Thesephilosophiesarenow manifestingsubstantiallyharmfuleffects.

Thecrisisstemsfrompreviousgenerations’stigmaaroundthevery thoughtofmentalhealth.Theyweretaughttosimply“suckitup,”“beaman,” and“justkeepgoing.” Thiswaspassedontotoday’sgeneration,butthereisa disconnectamongthem;moderngenerationsaremorecompassionateandmore opentodifferentideasandviews.

Whattheoldergenerationsfailtounderstandisthat“beingaman”doesnotmeanignoring one’semotionsandbeingacold,aggressivebrute.Itmeanslearningtolivewithone’semotionsand findingabalancebetweenbeingkindyetstrongandgentleyetfirm.Realmenarenotsimply physicallystrong;theyarementally,emotionally,andspirituallystrongaswell.

SaintPaul’sseniorJacobStrecker,someonewhobattledwithanxietyanddepression himself,arguesagainsttheoldergenerationalphilosophyagainstmentalhealth:“Ithinkthatthe oldergeneration’sbeliefthatourcommunityissoftisfarfromright.Ibelievethatourworldhas evolved,andthenewtechnologythatweuseallowsformanydifferenttypesofmentalillnessto occur.”

Inresponse,somemaycalltoday’sgenerationsoft;however,thebenefitsof“suckingitup” arecompletelyoutweighedbythedetrimentaleffectsitcanleaveonpeople.Astudyconductedby theHarvardSchoolofPublicHealthandtheUniversityofRochesterprovidedevidencethat peoplewhobottleduptheiremotionshada30%higherchanceofprematuredeath,witha70% higherchanceofcancerdiagnosis.

Thenewergenerationshavemoreissuesmentallytodealwiththatthepreviousonesdid not.Previousgenerationsfounditeasytotrudgeonbecausetheysimplydidnothavethetimeto worryaboutanythingotherthanworldwar,economicdepression,orsimplygettingby. Withtheseissuessubsided,theyouthoftodayhavebeenleftwiththetimetoconsidertheir mentalhealth.Thishascausedteenstounderstandtheneedformentalhealth,buttheirparents simplyhavenotgottenit.

Thisdisconnectbetweenteensandtheirparentsleavesteensfrustrated,depressed,andlost. Forinstance,theratesofteendepressionincreasedfromaround8%toalmost16%in2019,a significantlylargerincreasecomparedtoanexaminationoftheratesfrom2005to2014,according toSyliaWilson,Ph.D.,andNathalieDumornay,BS,intheUnitedStatesNationalLibraryof Medicine.

Therateofteendepressionisincreasing,accordingtoStatista.com. Therisingratesof depressionandanxietyleaveteensnotknowinghowtoopenup,ornotwantingtoseekhelpatall, feelingasiftheyhavetobeartheirproblemsontheirown.However,whenfewactuallydecideto openup,theresultsmaynotbefavorable. Forexample,teenswhoseekhelpareoftenridiculed, insulted,orleftfeelingunheard;this,inturn,compoundstheneedtokeepfeelingsinside.

Holdinginone’sfeelingsgrowsincreasinglytiring,exhaustingthecoreuntilnostrengthis left.Whensomeonegetstothatpointofexhaustion,heeitherletssomeoneintohelphimpickup thebrokenpiecesorletshimselfwasteaway. Unfortunately,morehighschoolersthaneverarechoosingthelatter.

Suicideisthesecondleadingcauseofdeathfortheagesof15-24,withmorethan9% ofhighschoolersreportingatleastoneattemptedsuicide. Between2000-21thesuicide ratesforthisagegroupmorethandoubled,accordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControl andPrevention(CDC).

Onein10highschoolersattemptedsuicidein2021. Morethanoneinfive(22%) studentsseriouslycontemplatedthesame. TheseCDCstatisticsshouldshockthesystem. Suicidedeathsareincreasing,definedper100,000populationbygender,pertheCDC. Thesefiguresaloneshouldbecauseforconcern,butconcernitselfisnotenough. Actionis required.

Suicideshouldnotbeanywhereneartheleadingcauseofdeathforanyage;there shouldbebetterprogramsinplacetohelpthoseincrisis.Evenwherethereareoutletsfor help,thoseinneedhavebeentaughtthatitisbettertosufferalone,drivingthemselvesto suicide,ratherthantosimplytalktosomeone.

AccordingtotheCDC,malesaresignificantlymorelikelytodiebysuicide. This maybeduetotheaforementionedpressureto“beaman,”whichisexacerbatedbythefact thatmenaresignificantlymoreviolentthanwomen. Theissueisthatwhenpeoplehide theirfeelingsinsteadoffindinghealthywaystoletthemout,theyfesteruntiltheloadis toomuchtohandle. Atthispoint,menaremorelikelytofollowthroughandcommit suicide,tryingtogetridofthepaintheyhavebeenfeeling.However,thisonlytransfers sorrowtotheirlovedones.

Streckerrecountstheeffectsoflosingoneofhisclosestfriends,CooperHall(alsoa SaintPaul’sstudent),tosuicide: ‘Inmyfreshmenyear,Ididnotthinkthatmentalillness couldaffectanyonethatIknew. Goingintomysophomoreyear,myperspectivechanged whenIalmostlostmylife,andoneofmyclosefriendslosthisduetomentalillness. Ever sinceCooper’spassing,Ihaverealizedhowpreciouslifeis,andthatnomatterwhoyouare, everyonematters. Ibelievethatweneedtoimplementhighschoolcoursesthatprovide individualorclasscounseling,whichwouldallowstudentstoexpressthemselvesandfeel safe.”Clickheretoreadtheentirearticle.

WolvesforMentalHealthisanewlyformed groupatSaintPaul’swhichtypicallymeets onWednesdayat6:00PMonthefirstfloor ofBenildeHall. Thenextmeetingis Wednesday,March6th. ContactShawn Cooneyformoreinformation.

SpringandSummerareRightAroundtheCorner!

TheMarianPlayers

ThisApril,jointheMarianPlayersofSaint Paul'sSchoolinajointproductionwithour sisterschool,theBenedictinePlayersofSaint ScholasticaAcademy!Takeatripunderthe wavestoBikiniBottom,whereavolcanowill soonerupt,destroyingeverythingaroundit. SpongeBob,Patrick,Sandy,andalltheirfriends mustfindawaytocometogetherandsavetheir world.Featuringamazingsongsfrommany differentgenres,thisshowwillentertainyouas itprovesthatsometimes,heroescancomefrom themostunexpectedofplaces.OpeningApril 18,2024.Ticketsareavailableat https://ticketpeak.co/saintpauls/events.

Registrationisnowopenfor allofoursummercamps!We havesports,STEM,and musicalscampsavailableatthis time.Checkoutthewebsitefor informationabouteachcamp aswellasregistration.Spaceis limited.

EasyWaystoGiveBack!

BoxTopsforEducationcontinuestobeaneasywaytoearnmoneyforSaint Paul’s.Thetraditionalclipboxtopshavebeenreplacedwithaneasy-to-use app.AllyouhavetodoisbuyBoxTopsparticipatingproducts(like Cheerios!)andscanyourgroceryreceipt.BoxTopsareworth$.10eachand twiceayear,ourschoolreceivesacheck.DownloadBoxTopsforEducation appHERE.UsethisreferralcodeR26O6QQ0whenyousignupandyou’ll get20BonusBoxTopswhenyouscanyourfirstreceiptnowthrough 05/31/2023,whilesupplieslast!

OfficeDepotwilldonate5%ofyourqualifyingpurchasebacktoSaintPaul’s School.Atcheckout,givethecashiernumber70041640andwewillreceive thedonation.Can’trememberthenumber?Justaskthecashiertolookup theschoolcodeforSaintPaul’sSchoolinCovingtonandtheycanapplythe purchase.

TheStrengthofthe WolfisthePack

WolfTracksisapublicationofTheSaintPaul’sSchoolin Covington,Louisiana,aLasallianCatholicschoolforboys, grades8-12.

Publisher: JeaneenSchmitt jeaneens@stpauls.com 985-892-3200ext1974

Contributors:TrevorWatkins‘79,AFSC,MimiMonteiro, ShawnCooney‘24,Dr.ShawnMullet‘92,AlNastasi’91, MattPinero,EmilieTravers,JoeDickens,JohnMorvant, RichardPichon,JeffRamon’08,LeePierre