Reflections - Spring/Summer 2015

SPRING – SUMMER 2015

reflections

IN THIS ISSUE ST. A NN V I S I TAT I O N M E E T T H E DE A NS L IV I NG T H E M I S S I O N AU DR E Y S M I T H ‘ 0 5

“ T ODAY YOU ARE YOU, THAT IS TRUER THAN TRUE. THERE IS NO ONE ALIVE WHO IS YOUER THAN YOU.”

– Dr. Seuss

2015 CALENDAR REMINDERS

HALL OF HONOR

Check the school calendar online for details www.stalux.org

SAVE THE DATE May 13, 2016

May 14

Grandparents Day Ascension Thursday Mass

May 15

Coffee House

May 20

Spring Concert 7pm

May 25

No School – Memorial Day

May 26-29

Senior Week Activities

May 29

Baccalaureate (6pm)

May 31

Graduation (12 noon)

June 17

Last Day of School

June 30

2014-15 Aquinas Fund Campaign Ends

August 8

Class of 1965 50th Reunion

August 25

Opening Day of School – All Students

September 18 30th Annual Family Golf Open October 10

Homecoming

October 18

Fall Open House

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School Hall of Honor celebrates members of our past and present St. Thomas Aquinas community who have greatly distinguished themselves through outstanding professional accomplishment, dedicated servant leadership, and exceptionally meritorious service to St.Thomas Aquinas High School and to their individual communities.

Honorees serve as timeless reminders that the St. Thomas Aquinas High School mission carries an energy and living commitment to continue Christ’s abiding message of love, justice and service.

We will be accepting nominations for the 2016 Hall of Honor induction beginning in the Summer of 2015.

October 23 Saints Taking Action – All School Day of Service

www.stalux/hallofhonor

$

TUITION

11,750

$

B Y T H E

SERVICE HOURS DURING STA DAY OF SERVICE

2,600

St. Thomas Aquinas High School

STUDENT / TEACHER RATIO

14:1

COLLEGE MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AWARDS

3,500,000

$

N U M B E R

S

a place to be welcomed, a placed to be nourished, a place to be cherished.

Join us October 18 at 1pm for Open House VARSITY SPORTS

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CLUBS

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RSVP is not necessary, but greatly appreciated. www.stalux/rsvp

IN THIS ISSUE FEATURE 2

message from the Principal St. Thomas Aquinas High School and St. Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center have always had a great deal in common – apart from bricks of the same color. We both serve a Catholic mission for the Seacoast community, albeit at opposite ends of the age spectrum.

Over the years, the St. Ann’s visitation program – the brainchild of

FASHION SHOW 5 LIVING THE MISSION 6 STAFF SPOTLIGHT IN THE NEWS

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SPORTS 11 AQUINAS FUND

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REUNION / ALUMNI

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AQUINEWS 14 FACULTY NEWS

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IN MEMORIAM

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Theology teacher Patrick McCafferty, who continues to oversee and nurture it – has enriched the lives of both the residents there and our own graduates. The visitation program has long been one of the cornerstones of STA’s commitment to service, and there are countless numbers of alumni who see that experience as a major inspiration in their lives.

As we celebrate this partnership – both spiritual and communal – with New Hampshire Catholic Charities and St. Ann’s, we are also celebrating the purpose of a Christian life. Giving of one’s self for the betterment of others lies at the heart of both institutions and embodies our Catholic faith. Education and service don’t stop at the door, or after graduation… they are the work of a lifetime…and one that is truly fulfilling.

st. thomas aquinas high school

197 Dover Point Road Dover, NH 03820 phone 603 742 3206 fax 603 749 7822 www.stalux.org reflections

Sarah Scheffer P’14 16, Brian Harrison ‘80, Anne Fortin P’06 09 11, Molly Wade P’18, Kevin Collins P’01 02 photography

God bless you.

St. Thomas Aquinas Staff, Parent Volunteers, Peter Ferrin ’15, Jen Novelli P’18

Kevin J. Collins, Principal

publication design

On the Cover: Participating in Read Across America, seniors Xavier Quinn and Peter Ferrin share some Dr. Seuss with area Catholic school students.

Idea Outfitters Direct questions or comments: communications@stalux.org

30 th ANNUAL ST. THOMAS AQUINAS GOLF OPEN

SAVE THE DATE Friday, September 18, 2015

at The Oaks Golf Links in Somersworth, NH In the traditional hospitable spirit that is uniquely St. Thomas Aquinas, staff, faculty and volunteers will take to the greens on September 18, 2015 at The Oaks Golf Links in Somersworth, NH. Last year, we were blessed by a sold-out field and we are looking forward to another fantastic event this coming year, our 30th year celebration. Seasoned golfers, amateurs, alumni and our own STA students - please SAVE THE DATE and plan to register EARLY. If you are interested in supporting this event, please contact us at golfopen@stalux.org.

Thank you. www.stalux.org/golfopen

The Golf Tournament benefits STA athletics

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f e at u r e

PEERING Inside the Box

ALL TOO OFTEN nowadays in both education and sophisticated thinking, young people are urged to think outside the box. “Think Unconventionally!” “Embrace Difference!” “Adopt a New Perspective!” Slipping on the robe of unique thinking promises great things for young people: vision, possibility, opportunity.

But every year there is a special group of students who shrug off this particular type of thinking and remind their peers to spend quality time embracing what lies inside the box.

They cast aside outer wrapping, frown upon superficial appearances and delve deeply into a treasure box rich in history and storytelling. In essence, these students connect with the past in the most authentic and humble of ways.

Where do they unearth these boxes of gems? Next door at St. Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

A mainstay of Dover Point Road, St. Ann is a facility that has offered nursing care to local elderly residents for years. Nearly 20 years ago, St. Thomas Aquinas High School forged a symbiotic relationship with St. Ann’s that has been mutually benefitting both communities ever since. As the Visitation Program’s founder and facilitator Patrick McCafferty points out, “It’s a natural connectiongood kids here and good, often lonely, people there. It is simple friendship.” The friendship may be simple but the mutual joy and delight experienced by both parties is multi-tiered. Our students offer their fresh faces and spread their youthful exuberance while the seasoned seniors provide glimpses into the past and offer their unveiled appreciation.

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Benefits of Seeing Eye to Eye The benefits to this program are real and deep and are more than what originally meets the eye. In fact, it is that very concept that reveals the program’s greatest gift.

The technological era of today is wonderful in many ways. Information and access to information is available at the click of a button. Never before has it been so easy to connect, network and conduct research and this provides our student community with numerous advantages.

However, as is often the case, great reward may pose unwanted risk. In an era of technological overload and without imposing moderation, the development of young people’s brains (particularly auditory and visual responses) can be negatively affected. Increasing in their popularity by the nanosecond, technological gadgets and hand-held devices threaten to consume our younger generation. With their eyes perpetually downcast and their attention utterly focused on the next text message, young people may be missing out on the beautiful spectrum known as life.

Additionally, social media and the Internet have conditioned this Millennial Generation (sometimes referred to as the iGeneration) to accept that few things are private. For most, accessing all information, all the time is not only interesting, it is essential. What a friend is eating for breakfast, what is trending in the five second scroll, and how to text while walking are all part and parcel of a typical teenager’s morning routine.

As a consequence, young people are losing important person to person skills. Conversations occur through

REFLECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2015

screens and thumbs supplant voices as principal communication tools; there is no longer a need to develop eye contact or social skills. Respect and connection- two intangibles that organically arise with face to face dialoguecannot wholly develop through digital dialogue.

Empathy, an important human element, can also be a difficult emotion to develop without the requisite social interaction and body language observations. Overall, experiencing social cues are an integral element in the formation of one’s social well-being and ability to interact with peers and others. After all, looking into another’s eyes is like lifting a shade into a person’s soul.

Today’s young generation should be lauded for its creativity and confidence. Seldom do they receive criticism for lacking individuality. While heightened self-awareness can positively affect one’s outlook and confidence, it can, however, also create an imbalanced perspective or, worse, completely distort it. A “Population-Me” attitude serves no one but the individual and can lead to a disregard for other people, societies and even generations.

laughter of the students coming down the hallways. The weekly student visits allow our residents to reminisce and have meaningful conversations.”

Chrystal continues, “This year, St. Thomas Aquinas High School has increased its effort to bring more entertainment to our residents and to involve them in social activities. It is our hope to strengthen intergenerational relationships and allow our seniors to participate in upcoming performances and events that occur at STA. It is common for young people to be wary of nursing homes and the elderly.

Therefore, the connection between St. Ann and St. Thomas Aquinas helps break down

Healthy Connections Why is all of this noteworthy? Because the lovely connection between St. Ann residents and St. Thomas Aquinas students transcends the challenges imposed on both generations. Our young adults set aside their coveted mobile devices and learn the essence of relationship and communication. Our senior community members see themselves in their youthful partners and feel blessed to meet the future of their world.

No one models “good relationship” like the elderly. Not rushed by schedules nor distracted by technological devices, they relish time and conversation. And, like it or not, teenagers do well to learn how to engage (and be engaged by) their elders. (Statistically, adults who exhibit good communication skills are perceived as being more powerful, more warm and personable, more qualified and competent, and more trustworthy, honest and sincere.)

“The high school students bring a great deal of joy to our elderly residents during their visits,” says Chrystal-Leigh McCaffrey, Administrator at St. Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. “Our residents miss having a younger population around and they smile as soon as they hear the

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these barriers and opens the hearts and minds of the students to see that the elderly population still has so much to give to our society.”

Mind Twists Aging can be a lonely experience. Disorientation in moving to a new residence, difficulty in remembering people, places and things, and a longing for times gone by can contribute to feelings of sadness. Loneliness has even been known to cause stress and memory loss in the elderly.

Patterns, Paradigms and Paradoxes

St. Thomas Aquinas student visitors provide a wonderful opportunity for bonding and connection; they provide a safe encounter for the residents who know they are not expected to remember specific facts or details of the students.

Over the years, there have been many St. Ann residents who have left an indelible mark on our students and chaperones. Bea Cullinan, whose grandchildren all attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School and whose grandson James is a former faculty member, was frequently found “holding court” in her room with five or six students at a time. Magnetized by her personality, the students would flock to her side and enjoy an hour of laughter and happy banter with her.

A current St. Ann resident is likewise known both for her wit and her charm. Ninety years young, Jeannette doesn’t miss a beat and is quick to remind the St. Thomas Aquinas students to, “Watch out! When you grow older, your mind starts to twist!” She uses this expression to explain away her forgetfulness or repeated questions. Her comment is invariably met, however, with smiles and tenderness as the students find it not just honest but beautifully endearing.

Like Bea, Jeannette is a show stopper.

But there is another soft side to this lovely partnership that attracts student participants. High school is not always easy. Admittance to a new school, challenging classes and an accelerated learning pace can feel overwhelming.

Participating in the St. Ann Visitation Program offers students a chance to “vent” to an eager and sympathetic listener in a safe space.

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S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

Communication in the 21st century assumes an entirely new meaning than it did for previous generations. Whereas the younger generation seems much more focused on digital lingo, emoticons, and a quick response time, our elderly still rely on traditional communication patterns: steady eye contact, proud posture and a physical presence.

By modeling non-verbal communication cues in their gentle almost vulnerable way, the St. Ann residents provide our students a basic understanding of how to simply be… human.

“Get good marks, be kind to people and have a strong work ethic,” said a St. Ann senior to a student recently.

“These will lead you through a good life.”

When the St. Thomas Aquinas students enter St. Ann, it is as if they take a step back in time. The residents are not impressed by how many Facebook likes one has, how many Twitter tweets have been received or if an Instagram post was popular. What they seek is interaction with our young people. And when they peer into our students’ eyes, they are cherishing the time, the gift and the beauty of youth.

Outer packages change considerably over time. Life’s paradox of course is that, even as the body loses stamina, the spirit gains strength. As life’s events, experiences and encounters contribute to a person’s perspective, so, too, do these elements design one’s final journey.

When St. Thomas Aquinas students and St. Ann residents focus on each other, they experience Christianity’s ultimate paradox: it is in giving that we receive.

Thus, the greatest of gifts does indeed reside…inside the box.

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fa s h i o n s h o w

Fashion Show On Sunday, April 19, 2015, St. Thomas Aquinas High School held its annual Fashion Show. “Fashion Fanfare” featured trend-setting, stylish, and formal attire from local retailers modeled by St. Thomas Aquinas High School students.

This year, we welcomed guests from St. Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and local Seacoast Catholic schools (St. Mary Academy, St. Elizabeth Seton School, St. Patrick School and Sacred Heart School).

Fashion Show guests enjoyed a festive raffle, bid on special auction items and participated in fun and games. All funds raised at the St. Thomas Aquinas Fashion Show benefited the Tuition Assistance program – a program that helps nearly one in four families afford a St. Thomas Aquinas High School education.

Thank you to the following stores for participating in our show.

City Shoes – Portsmouth Club Boutique – Portsmouth LunaChics – Exeter Tuxedos with Style – Dover George & Phillips – Exeter Madeleine’s Event Central – Portsmouth Kali Klass Boutique – Dover 20 Below Boutique – Portsmouth Summer Sessions – Portsmouth SolSistar – Durham Pretty Little Things – Portsmouth Blush Bridals by Andrea’s – Dover Men’s Warehouse – Newington Cynthia Designs Studio – Dover Threads – Dover The Lux / STA School Store – Dover

Special thanks to The Flower Room and Blown Away Beauty Salon both of Dover.

Please visit www.stalux.org/fashionshow for a complete list of donors and supporters.

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living our mission

living OUR MISSION

L I S T E N I N G TO T H E H E A RT Audrey Smith ’05 shares her story of living the St. Thomas Aquinas mission one heartbeat at a time.

NURSING IS AN art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires as exclusive a devotion, as hard a preparation, as any painter’s or sculptor’s work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or cold marble, compared with having to do with the living body- the Temple of God’s spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts; I had almost said, the finest of the Fine Arts.

– Florence Nightingale, 1868 These words from Florence Nightingale have inspired Audrey Smith ’05 to be true to her calling and to her faith.

A pediatric nurse, Audrey earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Salve Regina University in 2009. Newly graduated back then, she began working at an orthopedic medical surgical unit at Concord Hospital. While she enjoyed helping adults alleviate their chronic pain and restore their knees and hips, she discovered later that her true calling was in pediatric care. Once, when she was walking through a hospital, a medical colleague jokingly inquired if she was lost, she quickly responded, “No, I am found.” And indeed she was.

Of particular satisfaction to Audrey was her opportunity to work with pediatric patients of all ages. “I love having a mixed assignment; it could range from aiding a withdrawing infant to tending to a suicidal teenager to working with a cute toddler. It never gets boring,” she notes.

Over the years, as numerous nursing students performed clinical rotations, Audrey began to realize how much she enjoyed not only nursing but teaching nursing. And so, with a little encouragement from her manager, she decided to push herself a bit further and obtain her Masters in Nursing Education (MSN) which she earned

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in December, 2013. “I will be teaching another pediatric clinical rotation this fall and I am really looking forward to it. I have much to learn in the world of nursing education, but hopefully I have been relating well to the students as I was also in their shoes not too long ago. I know how difficult it can be to push through nursing school, so I hope I can encourage them the best I can.

When I graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas, I debated whether to go into teaching or nursing and it has been such a blessing to have the opportunity to do both.”

While Audrey finds her career/ vocation fulfilling, she has come to realize that participating in community outreach activities enriches her life in an even deeper way. “As busy as life can get, I find that what little I actually give back to my community provides me so much in return.” Through her service on the St. Thomas Aquinas Alumni Leadership Council and the New Hampshire Catholic Adult Core team for the Diocese, she has organized numerous young adult retreats and pilgrimages and chaperoned many a mission trip.

“I think I can speak for most St. Thomas Aquinas alumni in that when you graduate from St. Thomas,

S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

you leave knowing the importance of serving one’s community. I know many of my fellow classmates and alumni are doing amazing things locally and abroad; I am only doing my small part.

Participating in service activities has broadened by outlook on life. I love getting to meet various members of the body of Christ. Everyone has different experiences, stories, perspectives, gifts and talents to bring to the table.”

On a recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic (organized through Windham’s St. Matthew’s Parish and Exeter’s St. Michael’s Parish), Audrey found an outlet for two of her strongest desires- to use her nursing skills and to strengthen her faith. Over the span of a week, Audrey and the rest of the mission group interacted with local adults and children. They brought and distributed donated supplies, medical necessities, toys, games and basic toiletries. While there, Audrey helped facilitate several basic medical clinics which, although able to utilize her skills, left her feeling helpless.

“I found it very disheartening. We had to underdose medication for people because we simply had only so much acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antibiotics, prenatal vitamins and basic necessities (such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and topical antibiotic ointments) to distribute. At least our mission team had plenty of donated eyeglasses to give out.”

While Audrey worked on providing medical care, the group’s high school students showed the local children how to jump rope and play with some of the donated toys, some of which included electronic tablets. “Within minutes, they were thoroughly engrossed in the technology- the apps, their ability to take selfies, and they

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living our mission

Sharing Love even began listening to beautiful Spanish music!”

In her service journey, Audrey noticed that it wasn’t just physical medical care that the Dominican people valued and sought, it was also emotional care.

“People just wanted to vent and my taking the time to listen to their heart and lungs, to treat their infections, and to tend to their scrapes and cuts meant so much to them. Although I had tried to learn Spanish before the trip, my ability was less than proficient. Luckily, many Haitians have crossed the border and so my years with Madame Chamberlain paid off as I relied on my French.”

For Audrey, reflecting on this mission trip has provided her valuable insight into how exactly St. Thomas Aquinas’ motto lives on in its graduates and in the world around them. “On this mission trip, I realized quite literally how the Eucharist, how sacrificial love, is at the center of all we did. We were a light in darkness. The people were so grateful to celebrate Mass. We often used the altar in the village chapel to lay out donated items as it was the only table available. This was a great reminder that every day, every moment is an offering we can dedicate to God whether we are at home or abroad.”

“It was an honor and a privilege to serve His people in this capacity. My faith and my nursing were united. I could not and would not be able to do my best work as a nurse without first being Christ-centered.”

As a St. Thomas Aquinas High School alumna, Audrey recognizes and appreciates the endurance and stamina provided by her faith. It sustains her throughout her career challenges and carries her forward even when her limits are strained. When asked for her final reflections about her service work, the mission trip, her nursing career and her faith, Audrey cites Philippians 4:6-9:

Four St. Thomas Aquinas High School students, Kate Breton ‘17, Ian Schaaf ‘18, Kevin Kaneb ’15 and Angel Kaneb ‘17 traveled to the Dominican Republic on the same mission trip as alumna Audrey Smith ’05. The purpose of the trip was to reach out to those in need and spread the Word of God. Here, each of them shares a brief reflection of their significant journey: God asks us to clothe those who are bare and feed those who are hungry which was our main goal.

Our faith was key to traveling to different villages and spreading the Word of God. – Angel Kaneb ’17

Building relationships with all of the families helped me grow as a student and as a person. I felt a genuine love for the kids that we met. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the kids when it was time to depart. – Kate Breton ’17

The trip was life-changing as this year I really learned the value of life’s basic necessities.We piped water from the river to the village, learning the tremendous value of water to the people. It was an amazing experience. – Kevin Kaneb ’15

My favorite part about this mission trip was living with the bare minimum. We had limited food and water and lived without television commercials and the drama back at home. The Dominicans don’t care about how their hair looks or what clothes they wear because none of those things matter to them. – Iain Schaaf ’18

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.”

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s ta f f s p o t l i g h t

COME BACK TO THE FIVE-AND-DIME OVER THE COURSE of the summer of 2014, a group of teachers met with the St. Thomas Aquinas administration to plan the 2014-15 school year. This group – Chemistry teacher Mr. Matt Endrizzi, Math teacher Mr. Marc Schoff, Music teacher Mrs. Brenda LaForce and Social Studies teacher Mrs. Jen Duprat ‘90 -- had been asked to take on the additional title of Class Dean, a new program for STA beginning this year.

There were a number of reasons for this change, mainly due to a new role for former Associate Principal Mr. Gordon Quimby, as well as the changing nature of the job.

Add in Mr. Jason Strniste’s advancement to Principal of Bishop Guertin High School, and it was clear that a major transition was about to take place.

What do we mean by “the changing nature of the job”? Certainly, technology has played a huge role in education…and not just the proliferation of (and dependence on) computing devices, but also in the increased number of staff members required to collect, produce and deal with the amount of data this technology creates. In other words, managing the lives of 525 students takes a lot more work than it used to.

With years of experience, Mr. Quimby was able to wear many hats…from Safety Officer to Bus Coordinator to Dean of Student Life and beyond…and he fine-honed these skills here at STA. Absent his extensive background in any one individual, it was clear that reorganization was necessary. Some duties would be assumed by staff members, some would fall to our new Associate Principal for Academics, Mr. James Daley. The core duties – developing a relationship with our students from academic standing to behavior – would be shared by four full-time faculty members.

We selected the four Deans with several things in mind.

Each of them is able to balance authority with an ability to connect to their students. Each of them has a reputation for being knowledgeable in his/her field. And each of them is known for being eminently fair and just.

And so, they met frequently throughout the summer to establish and build their philosophy as Class Deans.

They based their discussions on the tenets expressed in the Introduction to our Student Handbook: A school is a living, breathing entity…because it is a community; its faculty, staff, students, parents and friends continually contribute to its culture and to its collective personality.

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By Principal Kevin Collins

From there, they built their program…and a foundation for themselves and our students: 1. Treat all individuals and property with care and respect.

2. Be honest and take responsibility for the results of your actions.

3. Be present and engaged in the school day and in the community life of the school.

4. Be on-time and responsible, both on and off campus.

5. Dress appropriately, adhering in spirit and detail to the school dress code.

6. Obey all laws – federal, state, and local.

7. Be a positive representative of the school, and enhance the reputation and community of the school.

8. Take care of yourself, and look out for those around you.

9. Put forth your best effort at all times.

10. Be mindful, act wisely, and learn from mistakes As we further develop the Dean program, we hope that each and every student has the opportunity to interact with these fine individuals. They have a lifetime of advice to share with your children, and will dispense it with concern and care. We are proud of our Deans and their commitment to this endeavor…they continue to be a blessing to our community.

MR. JIM DALEY, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL FOR ACADEMICS,

Reflects on His First Year When asked to write a few comments on my first year at St. Thomas Aquinas, these words came immediately to mind – relationships and community. It became apparent within a short period that the root of success at St. Thomas Aquinas is its enormous capacity to reach everyone in a meaningful and lasting way. While clearly a goal of the administration and faculty, the true success of this close community is driven by the day-to-day interactions of a remarkable student body.

St. Thomas Aquinas embraces and delivers on a Jesuit philosophy of educating “the whole person” – mind, body,

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MEET OUR NEW DEANS

MATTHEW ENDRIZZI – Freshmen Class Dean Matthew Endrizzi is in his second year of teaching at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Previously, he taught for nine years at Somersworth High School and Career Technical Center. Prior to teaching, he worked at various universities as a molecular biology research assistant, including Florida State University, Harvard Medical School, and The Whitehead Institute affiliated with MIT where he worked as part of a large team finishing the Human Genome Project. Mr. Endrizzi was attracted to St. Thomas because of its academic rigor focused on transitioning young adults into college as well as its mission to transform lives in a Christian community. He currently teaches Chemistry and Biotechnology. As a Class Dean, he hopes to help students discover who they are and who they will be in the world. When not at STA, Mr. Endrizzi enjoys time with his wife and three children, playing music with friends, and occasionally dirtying all the dishes in his kitchen to prepare an elaborate meal for friends and family.

MARC SCHOFF – Sophomore Class Dean Marc Schoff began his career at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in the summer of 1999. He is currently completing his 16th year here. Mr. Schoff teaches courses in the Mathematics Department; Geometry and Algebra I. In addition to his teaching duties, he is heavily involved in the athletics program at St. Thomas Aquinas, serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Operations. His passion for coaching has led him both onto the diamond and the green where he is the Varsity Baseball

and Varsity Golf Coach respectively. Mr. Schoff graduated from Marshwood High School and played football for (the legendary) former STA Coach Rod Wotton (winning State Championships in his sophomore and senior year). He also played baseball for Mike Lewis, and captained the team that won the State Class B Championship during his senior year.

BRENDA LAFORCE – Junior Class Dean Brenda Hathaway LaForce began her teaching career at STA in the fall of 1992. After 10 years, she left to raise her children. In 2011 she returned to her STA family where she teaches Chorus, Chamber Singers, Jazz Choir, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Piano, Music Theory and guitar. She also works on the school musical and assists with campus ministry. Mrs. LaForce feels lucky that she works at a school that is not just focused on scoring the highest test grades, but on fostering well-rounded students who show compassion for others. One of the reasons Mrs. LaForce was willing to take on the task of being a Class Dean was because she believes in the mission of the school and wants to be part of creating a positive and safe environment for students. When not at STA, Mrs. LaForce enjoys spending time with her husband Marc and their two children, Carter ‘19 and Madison.

JENNIFER DUPRAT ’90 – Senior Class Dean Jennifer (Sceggell) Duprat is married and has three lovely daughters who all attend St. Mary Academy in Dover. Mrs. Duprat is in her twentieth year of teaching at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and is a valued member of the Social Studies Department, teaching four sections of CP Western Civilization.

“I love this school because of the community. Some of my closest friendships have come as a result of my relationships here at St. Thomas. I love being able to work at my alma mater.

It’s amazing to see how some things have changed, but many things remain unchanged,” says Mrs. Duprat. She also enjoys working as part of a team with the other three deans. “We each bring something different to this position and it’s important to hear other perspectives as we meet the challenges of the job.”

heart and spirit. It is through the rigor of the classroom, the pursuit of theological reflection, the competition in programs from athletics to robotics, the exploration of the arts, and the deep focus on service to others that students learn to know each other…and ultimately to know themselves.

This learning environment is both strongly based in tradition and the variable skills and knowledge necessary to best prepare our students for college and beyond. I encourage parents and alumni to join in and participate deeply in this conversation. We will be contacting you this summer to seek your partnership to assist us with career education and/or offering work internships. Benjamin Franklin said it best, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”

It is a privilege to serve St. Thomas Aquinas surrounded by dedicated faculty, staff and families who have a common belief in providing the best for our students.

Highlights from Jim Daley’s Career in Education • Earned a BS in Physical Education from the University of New Hampshire. Received the M.Ed in Curriculum Development and Instruction from Notre Dame College • Began his teaching career in the late 70s in Physical Education • Taught at several high schools including Merrimack High School, Bishop Guertin High School and Kennebunk High School • Was Assistant Principal at both Oyster River High School and Exeter High School • Spent eight years as Principal of Kearsage High School • Joined the STA Community for the 2014-15 school year. continued on bottom of page 10

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in the news

IN THE NEWS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM

We had a great first semester with our UTP international students.

Eight students arrived in January from both China and Vietnam, getting a taste of this New England weather right from the start!

Students have been settling in nicely despite all of our schedule changes.

Whether it has been with their host families or the UTP program, students have already visited Boston and Portsmouth, checked out our local UNH Hockey games, gone skiing, cooked authentic cuisine for their hosts, and learned new and exciting games. In fact, all of our UTP students took part in a ski trip to Mount Snow in Vermont, where they met UTP international students from other schools on Long Island, New York who were from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Russia, Finland, and Germany! The UTP international students are looking forward to future events happening all over the New England area with our Global Ambassadors Club, so keep your eyes and ears open if you are interested in getting involved!

POETRY OUT LOUD

Becca is shown here with her mother Sandy (left) and English teacher Ms. Mary Pate.

Congratulations to senior Rebecca O’Brien for competing strongly in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals this past March. Of the 10,000 total students that competed in New Hampshire’s Poetry Out Loud

competition this year, Rebecca was among the top ten.

THE STA ROBOTICS TEAM BUILDS TOWARD THE FUTURE

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School FIRST Robotics team, the RoboSaints, should be proud of their performance this season! The RoboSaints ranked 81st out of the 175 teams in New England. This is the first time that the team has ever made the quarter-finals in both of

their district events. It’s also the first time that they have ever placed first in a district event and the highest that the team has been ranked at the end of the “regular-season”! All of the long hours and hard work that this year’s RoboSaints have invested has resulted in the team’s best season ever and put STA in a position to do even better next year!

MODEL UN: TENTH YEAR AT STA

During 2014-15, Model UN added more simulation opportunities, as well as the opportunity to earn academic credit. Here are some of the highlights: • Over half of this year’s delegates had participated in Model UN last year; several were in their third or fourth year. Six freshmen, three

juniors and a senior joined for the first time.

• Six delegates participated in an October training conference.

• After researching their countries and issues, 23 STA delegates traveled to snowy Boston in February for BosMUN XIV. – Highlights of the weekend: honing debate and negotiation skills, meeting students from all over the world, getting to know fellow STA classmates better, and visiting the Harvard Art Museum.

– Five STA delegates were cited for outstanding work at BosMUN: >O utstanding Position Paper Thomas King ‘15 Hannah Somogie ‘16 >H onorable Mention Melissa Hiatt ‘15 > Verbal Commendations Caroline Colella ‘15 Colleen Spear ‘18 • In March, four STA seniors attended Boston College’s EagleMUNC; Caroline Colella and Melissa Hiatt received Honorable Mention awards.

• For the first time, Model UN became an Independent Study option. Upon completing their summative reflections, 18 delegates will earn academic credit for their Model UN work.

continued from page 9

NEW ROLE FOR MR. QUIMBY Mr. Gordon Quimby was appointed to the role of Director of Teacher Development, working three days a week – a happy partial retirement.

On a daily basis, he gets to observe, write about and discuss the teaching and learning environment in St. Thomas Aquinas classrooms.

The objective is to help teachers provide the most engaging and effective instruction possible. Mr. Quimby has forty-five years of experience in education (18 here at STA), which provides a basis for a professional, yet collegial, conversation with teachers. In this role, it is Mr. Quimby’s responsibility to know best practices...what works best for the students...and to provide resources to teachers who may need to hone old skills or develop a new repertoire.

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S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

He tries to provide a fresh look, an objective description, or even a confirmation of what is happening in the classroom. Sometimes he will just drop in, but, most frequently, he will talk with the teacher beforehand to discuss the “I am energized by my planned lesson and to agree upon the instructional practices for which he new job and love being will watch and upon which he will part of a process to report. After he observes the class, he will meet again with the teacher to validate and improve discuss unique perspectives on the class, the instruction in our and then he writes a report of the experience. Teachers are encouraged to St. Thomas Aquinas invite Mr. Quimby in to visit, and he expects to visit every classroom three or classrooms.” four times during the year.

– Mr. Quimby

REFLECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2015

s p o rt s

sports Honors &Accomplishments Living the Dream

Team Accolades

Athletes Making News

Senior Ryan McKenna was named best high school draft prospect in New England by New England Baseball Journal. According to the journal, he is projected to be drafted somewhere between the first and 10th rounds.

Last year, Ryan batted .551 for the Saints with eight homeruns and posting 31 RBI. This past summer he attended the Area Code Games in Long Beach, CA and was recognized as one of the top position players from New England. There was significant interest from professional teams after the Games, with representatives either visiting the Seacoast or wanting more information about the Seacoast standout. Ryan has accepted a scholarship to play Division I baseball at Liberty University. While other schools have come knocking, Ryan and his family feel this is a good fit both spiritually and academically. He notes that should he be drafted, he will be faced with a difficult decision.

• Girls Swimming Division II Runner Up

•K yra Sarazen ‘15 earned the title of State Champion in the 100 yard backstroke and the 200 yard freestyle

Coaching News Taking on the role of Boys Basketball Varsity Head Coach is Sean Murphy.

Murphy has coached the Saints for 10 straight seasons as the assistant coach, under the tutelage of Coach Dave Sokolnicki, and brings with him a wealth of experience, knowledge and skill. Thank you Coach Dave for your service to our school. Congratulations, Coach Murphy!

Congratulations to Kim (Vickers) Grenon ’91 who has been named the Varsity Softball Coach for the Saints!

• Boys Skiing 3rd in Division III

Named to NH All-State Ashley Coneys – Honorable Mention in Division II in Girls Basketball Schuyler Hedberg – Honorable Mention in Division II in Boys Basketball

Congratulations to the following NHIAA Scholar Athletics

•M att Elliot ‘16, Amelia Griffiths ‘16 and Brooke Vienneau ‘17 all qualified for the Skiing Meet of Champions • Freshman Zac Smith placed 7th in his age group in the USASA National Skier Cross Championships at Copper Mountain, Colorado in April.

Colleen Coffey Volleyball, Basketball Michael Strabone Ice Hockey, Baseball Christopher Brunet Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Molly Smith Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Rachael Nazzaro Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Zane Angelopoulos Ice Hockey, Tennis Kelliann Banaian Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Softball Kelly Lincoln Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Elizabeth Callaghan Volleyball, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Shannon Bryant Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Melissa Hiatt Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track Charles Pollock Football, Indoor Track, Lacrosse Cassidy Rooney Soccer, Lacrosse

Other Athletic News On Thursday, March 12th, 27 St. Thomas Aquinas student-athletes boarded buses and spent a few hours of their day at local elementary schools in honor of Read Across America Day. Students at Sacred Heart School, St Elizabeth Seton School, St. Mary Academy, St Patrick School and Woodman Park School were all very excited to have a break from their daily activities to hear a story or two from the “big kids.” In addition to sparking enthusiasm for reading, STA students also answered many questions about high school life, the respective sports they played, and participated in math games, parachute time and more!

Maggie Stark Volleyball, Softball Michael Murray Football, Baseball Peter Hedberg Football, Basketball Mariah Desmarais Soccer, Basketball Francis Quinn Soccer, Lacrosse Cam Breton Soccer, Lacrosse Erin Glynn Field Hockey, Lacrosse

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giving

SCHOLARSHIP GIVING

the general scholarship fund or you may select an existing named scholarship.

St. Thomas Aquinas High School recognizes the financial challenge for parents in providing a quality education for their children. We understand the difficulty and sacrifice necessary to meet the financial weight of tuition. It is our goal to keep tuition as low as possible while operating the school in a fiscally responsible fashion. For close to one in four students at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, the importance of scholarships and tuition assistance cannot be overstated. St. Thomas Aquinas awards more than $650,000.00 each year. Endowment gifts are those that are made in support of a named scholarship or other area of endowment. These gifts become a permanent part of the school’s endowment and provide financial assistance to students in need of tuition aid. These gifts also help fund other specified areas of interest. Endowment gifts are meaningful tributes to those they honor and treasured resources to those they benefit.

For the 2015-16 school year, tuition will cover 90% of St. Thomas Aquinas’ operating budget. Additional sources of income will include funds raised by our Advancement Office.

If you are interested in funding a scholarship, but are not ready to establish a named scholarship, contributing to an existing fund is an opportunity that may fulfill your intention. Your contribution may be earmarked for

About the Pauline Mercier Merrill ‘70 Endowment

Providing Opportunities, Transforming Lives

Pauline was member of the Class of 1970 and would be celebrating her 45th Reunion with her class this year.

The Pauline Mercier Merrill ‘70 Endowment was established in 1998

by Carl Merrill, Pauline’s spouse, as a way to keep her memory visible to the community of people she loved and supported.

Pauline’s faithful support of St. Thomas Aquinas, and her giving spirit, encouraged her husband to establish an endowment in Pauline’s name. Pauline and Carl were married on October 23, 1973. They built a home together in northern Maine. In December of 1997, Pauline found out she had cancer. After many radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and despite her nevergive-up attitude, she lost her battle on May 26, 1998.

This scholarship is available to students/families with demonstrated financial need.

Reunion plans for the Class of 1970 are being worked on – watch your mail for updates!

For more information or to give online:

www.stalux.org/scholarship

demonstrate your commitment to the future of st. thomas aquinas. make a gift today.

Name _________________________________________________________________ Class __________________ n Alumnus/Alumna n Parent n Past Parent n Grandparent/Past Grandparent n Friend Street _________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State ________________ Zip ______________ Telephone _____________________________________________ Email address___________________________________________________________________________________ n ONE TIME GIFT I enclose $___________

Deadline June 30, 2015 Online www.stalux.org/giving Mail to St. Thomas Aquinas 197 Dover Point Road Dover, NH 03820

n MONTHLY RECURRING GIFT ___ $100 / ___ $25 / ___ $5

First monthly payment to start: ___________ n 1st of every month

n 15th of every month

Payment: n Check Enclosed (1 time gifts) n MC/Visa Name on Card ________________________________ Card Number _________________________________________ 3 digit CVV# _______ Exp. Date ____________ Please designate my gift to: n Scholarship/Financial Aid

n Academic Support

n Student Life

n Area of Greatest Need

Will your employer match your gift? n Your gift could be doubled or even tripled if you and/or your spouse work for a company that offers a Matching Gift Program. Please check with your company’s human resource department to obtain the necessary forms. All gifts are tax deductible Alumni Class Notes (or email alumni@stalux.org)_____________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

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S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

REFLECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2015

a lsports umni

reunions Congratulations 1965 I 1970

I

1975

/

reunion

Celebrating ’5s and ’0s this year!

I 1980 I 1985 I 1990 I 1995 I 2000 I 2005 I 2010

SAVE THE DATE – August 8, 2015 All-Class Reunion BBQ at STA from noon to 3:00pm.

Come enjoy a BBQ at the school and visit with friends and faculty. Entertainment will be provided by alumni group Black Agnes. You can get more information and register on-line at www.stalux.org/reunion. All STA Alumni are invited!

Other Reunion Celebrations: 1965 • Saturday, August 8, 2015 at the Portsmouth Country Club Contact: Vivianne (Turgeon) Derosier (603) 692-3660 | vivnmike@aol.com • Invitations will be mailed soon or register online at www.stalux.org/reunion

1975 • August 7 - 8, 2015 • Visit the Reunion webpage for a complete list of events: www.stalux.org/reunion or contact Melanie Demarais at demarais@assumption.edu • Registration information and invitations will be mailed soon!

• The committee will be in touch with more information in the coming months on weekend activities and plans to develop a scholarship in memory of Steve Freeman ‘75.

More class reunions are in the works! Visit the Reunion Webpage often for updates! www.stalux.org/reunion

Story Ideas?

We’re always looking for ideas for future stories for Reflections. Did you serve in the military? Do you have a long career in volunteering or serving a non-profit that is near and dear to you? Have you been on a life-changing adventure? Did you go back to school later in your life? Do you dance or teach dance? Reach out to us today! Update your record with this information or drop us a quick note at alumni@stalux.org.

Where in the World is STA? Are you traveling some place special? Take a piece of STA along with you! In an effort to see how far our St. Thomas Aquinas community can reach, the marketing office has ready-made STA seals (light and easy to pack) and would like to tuck one in your suitcase. Snap a photo on your travels with logo in hand and let’s see if we can’t light up the world with some Lux in Tenebris.

Please contact Molly Wade for a St. Thomas Aquinas High School seal, mwade@stalux.org.

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SAVE THE DATE HOMECOMING! October 10th

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AquiNews

Spring 2015

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE STA WEBSITE!

Reunion Year

1964 CLASS AGENTS – JOHN MCMILLIN AND MARSHA PERKINS KENNEDY Many thanks to classmates who sent in notes for the Class of 1964.

David Renaud sent the following to bring us up-to-date on what he has been doing for the past 51 years.

“I graduated from UNH in ‘68 with a BS in Civil Engineering then moved to Albany working for the NYS Department of Transportation for 39 years, retiring in 2007. My wife, Patricia (Pat), and I will be celebrating our 42nd anniversary in April and we have three sons, all in their 30’s this year. Our oldest son married last June and they are expecting a child this June. Finally, we get to be grandparents! This year will be a busy one for us because in addition to the expected baby, our youngest son is getting married in Napa, CA in May and our second son is getting married in Boston in July.

Since retirement, ( I can’t believe it will be eight years this April) Pat and I have been busy with community volunteer work and our real passions, road tripping and hiking. Pat volunteers at an inner city thrift shop operated by the Sisters of Mercy and I have volunteered at the local Babe Ruth (ages 13 to 18) baseball league for over 20 years. I got involved when our sons were playing ... they moved on but I never did. As for our passions, we have averaged over 20,000 miles per year road tripping the USA and Canada doing day hikes all along the way. Last year we completed a goal of hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail in all 14 states. We are planning our 3rd cross country trip this May for the wedding in Napa. There is so much to see and so many trails we expect to continue the ‘road tripping’ and hiking, perhaps eventually with grandchildren in tow.”

Marty and Barbara (McEneaney) Mahoney sent the following update early March:

the winter. Won’t be back home until mid-May or until the grass is green, our golf course is open, or the 10’ drift of snow in the driveway is gone, and our golf swings are honed and ready for the season.”

Paul Baillargeon wrote us: “I married my wife, Joyce, in 1972 and we have three children and nine grandchildren. After living in Kittery, ME for a while we moved to North Berwick, ME. My wife was Activity Director at Varney Crossing Nursing Home and I worked for the phone company for 31 years, retiring in 1998, and moved to Franklin, NC. We are situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the western end of the state. We both just finished our 16th year at Highlands Country Club in Highlands, NC. Joyce is the Director of Recreation which includes all non-golf activities and running the fitness center. I’m on the golf staff. Our club was started in 1928 by the great golfer Bobby Jones. One of the annual tournaments we host is the Bob Jones Invitational with many Walker Cup players participating.

Our children are spread out pretty good, one lives and works in Ireland with her husband and family (we visit about once a year), one lives in Westbrook, ME with her husband and family and one lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife & family.

We enjoy going on cruises with friends, family or by ourselves. The picture is of Joyce and me on a family cruise this past November somewhere in the Caribbean.”

February 25, 2015, found nineteen of your classmates enjoying lunch at the Old Salt in Hampton, NH. The group decided that it is best to schedule luncheons instead of dinners. The next social gathering will be held in early June. More information to follow the end of April.

“In PA at our son’s on the first leg of our trek south for the remainder of

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S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

Please contact marshakennedy19@ yahoo.com to be on our mailing list.

1965 CLASS AGENTS – JIM AND JANE GREGOIRE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS! AUGUST 8 Vivianne (Turgeon) Derosier has been married for 46 years to Mike. They have two wonderful children who married equally wonderful spouses. They have a 4-year old granddaughter who keeps them in stitches. Vivianne says that she would love to “bottle” Mackenzie’s energy. She is currently working in a busy medical practice in Dover. “The thought of retiring is bittersweet - I enjoy the people whom I work with and I enjoy what I do, so consequently I’m not quite ready to retire.” She continues to be involved in many capacities at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, aka St. Martin’s Church in Somersworth. She says that giving back to her community gives her a good feeling. She and the reunion committee are hoping to see many classmates from the “dynamic class of ‘65” at the 50th year class reunion.

They have received several enthusiastic comments about the upcoming event and are anticipating a huge turnout.

Jane & Jim Gregoire - since this is our 50th reunion year (how did that happen?), we really hoped to get as many classmate updates as possible and we are thrilled at the response. The resounding theme in emails we received (as well as on Facebook) is how much everyone is looking forward to our reunion on August 8 at the Portsmouth Country Club. We have set up a group Facebook page – STA Class of 65 – and our classmates are responding very favorably. If you haven’t joined this group, please do – there are some great pictures out there, as well as fascinating comments. And if you have other classmate FB friends, please invite them to join this Facebook group.

Jim recently completed the third segment of his hike up the East Coast of the country. He has now walked nearly 900 miles from Key West FL to Myrtle

REFLECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2015

Share your story alumni@stalux.org

Beach SC. He is enjoying the scenic beauty and wildlife of the Southeast and the many people that have graciously offered to host him overnight along his journey. Jane accompanied him on the most recent hike in March, dropping him off to begin the day’s mileage in the morning and picking him up in the late afternoon. Jim and Jane would enjoy connecting with their classmates and other STA alumni located along the remaining 2,000 miles between Myrtle Beach and Eastport ME. Anyone interested in sharing the daily adventures of this “uber-hike” can visit their blog at www.jim-spring2015. blogspot.com On a family note, J & J have three great kids – Marcia (& Rich) in Middletown, CT, Nicole (& David) in Brookline, MA and Jim (& Jen) in Culver City, CA. And Jane says that the best is their four grandchildren – Mason (CT), a junior at Georgetown, Cosette, age 3½ and Eloise, age 1½ (Brookline) and their newest joy, Addison (Addie), born on February 10 in CA. J & J spent 4 days with Addie in March and hope that they’ll go back again before our reunion.

Sue (Hinchey) Duffy has a Masters in Social Work and is a LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) with many years’ experience in geriatrics. She currently works as a Nationally Certified Professional Guardian and maintains a caseload of approximately 30 clients.

She is appointed by the Probate Court.

Most of her clients are nursing home seniors who have been declared by the Probate Court to lack capacity, and who either have no family or have family that cannot take responsibility. She makes all decisions regarding both person and estate with their wishes and welfare at the forefront. Sue’s daughter Kristen is a project manager for NCCI in FL, she has twin boys age six. Son Michael is an attorney in Boston. Son Sean is an Army doctor, but left the Army on April 1 for private practice. His wife has a 16 year

old son and together they have a 15 month old boy.

Leslie (Sargent) McCullough retired from teaching in the East Hartford, CT public schools in 2006, and her husband Bill, from the Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, in 2008. They have a home in Ft. Myers, FL where they spend about six months each year. Their three children have kept them busy and they welcomed their first grandchild in November 2014.

In FL, she belongs to two book clubs and has recently taken up golf and mahjong.

She volunteers at a pre-school there and enjoys it immensely! They sold their CT home and are building a smaller one in Ellington, CT. Leslie says she will always be a New Englander and wants to keep a place there.

She and Bill have traveled all over the world and are currently planning a trip to Norway and Lapland in August. “How lucky we have been! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion or on Facebook.”

Ron Veno As mentioned in the last “Reflections”, he started Ron’s Deep Fried Sweets – selling deep fried candy bars, Oreos, Twinkies, cheesecake and many other deep fried goodies at state and county fairs. It involves working at the fairs five to six weeks near the end of the summer and early fall. So far he says it has been an incredible amount of fun. Last June 21st, he got married for the second time. Ron and Susie live in Skowhegan, ME, and in the winter live in Punta Gorda, FL. This summer, he will be performing in his 70th show, this one at Lakewood Theater. He started acting in 1997 and got the bug. He has two daughters and two grandchildren, one stepdaughter and one stepson, and five stepgrandchildren. “Life is good!!”

Suzan Burke has been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 22 years. She is now looking for another career move, that won’t interfere with her motorcycle riding trips. If everything works out she will retire again the end of May – she retired once and that lasted two months and she went back. But she says that medicine has changed and she is now

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ready to give it up. She hopes to ride her motorcycle to the reunion from her home in South Carolina.

Peggy (Shorey) Thomas is in the relationship of her life with Steve, a widower whom she met two years ago.

They are having the time of their lives traveling and will have been on an Alaska cruise, visited New York and Boston as well as Las Vegas by the time the reunion gets here. She lives in Irvine, CA. She is self-employed in the health insurance business with a focus on the Medicare population and she is the broker/partner with St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton, CA, where she conducts Medicare seminars and then guides people as to which plan best suits them.

She says that she loves what she does!

She will also have been with her family (three children and five grandchildren) for a family vacation in Willamsburg, VA. Every year they share a vacation together with her Marriott timeshare.

Bob Camire is retired after a 35 year career in the insurance industry and living in Richmond, VA with his wife Martha. They have a daughter, Leah, and two grandchildren, a junior in college and a senior in high school.

They vacation in Maine every summer and last fall they traveled to London and Paris. Bob is looking forward to our 50th anniversary reunion and seeing his former classmates.

Cecile (Filion) Law and her husband, Bill celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary this year Cecile says “he still makes me laugh and is my best friend”. They have lived in the same town (Winchester, MA) for 41 years and have made great friends there.

Their two kids (ages 43 and 39) seem to like being with them, are married to wonderful spouses, have given them the four best grandkids in the world (ages 9, 6, 2 and 1 ) and they all live in their town too. “We’ve gotten jiggly under the arms and pretty much everywhere else, but who cares.” Cecile says that the adorables seem to like them just the way they are, and that’s all that counts.

They are in NH for the summer, which should make the reunion in Portsmouth

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AquiNews

Spring 2015

an easier destination - Cecile is hoping to be there! She says that she thinks about her classmates and teachers at STA with so much affection. Those were four great years! She sends warm wishes to everyone!

Diane (Tetreau) Roger and her husband Bob retired and bought a home in Tucson, AZ three years ago and are loving it! They are fortunate enough to be able to spend the summers in NH at the family cottage in Wakefield and spend time with their youngest son and his family who are still in Barrington.

She says that she is looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Candace (Mahoney) Joy has been married to Richard Joy (STA Class 1964) since December 18, 1965. They have two daughters, Kim and Meghan and three grandchildren (Jameson 13, Molly 4 and Charlie 2 1/2) They both retired in 2002 and live in Estero, FL from October-April and Wells, ME from May-September.

Marilyn Johnson finally retired after 25 years in real estate. She spends her time volunteering, hiking/snowshoeing, traveling and planning her next vacation.

Now on her calendar is a hiking trip to Acadia National Park, a leisurely trip to Palm Springs, CA, and a photo safari to South Africa.

Lorette (Lavoie) Tobin and her husband Paul are both retired. She says they are doing their bit keeping Social Security afloat with five children, 12 grands, and five great-grands, who bring them lots of joy.

They are living in the sunny southern Black Hills of SD – home to Mt. Rushmore – “where the buffalo roam, and the deer and the antelope do play.” They enjoy great motorcycling and have lots of involvements, mostly parish-related. “The one drawback about retirement is never getting a day off, right?”

Claudia (DeSalvo) Hill is retired and lives in Hampton, NH with her husband of 25 years, Steven, who continues to work. They enjoy traveling to Florida and Georgia as well as taking an occasional cruise! Both of her children are married

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and live in Georgia. She has three grandchildren – two are married but, alas, no great-grandchildren yet.

Claudette (Gilbert) Bayko retired after 40 years in the field of Emergency and School nursing. Then she spent five years at her self-described dream second career being a “gift shop lady” at a unique local shop, The Cozy Nest!

Currently, she enjoys an adventurous life as a wife, a friend, a mother, a mother in law, as well as being Mimi to two delightful grandsons. Life is good and she cannot wait to rekindle the spirit of the “dynamic” class of ’65 with all her classmates on Saturday, August 8, 2015!

Sandra (Gilmore) Bingaman sends her best wishes from the beautiful state of Oklahoma. She is so looking forward to the reunion and can’t believe it’s been 50 years since we walked the halls of St. Thomas Aquinas. She retired this past year and she has really enjoyed traveling and spending time with her six daughters, fourteen grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Sandy and her husband, Steve, have a joint family; his three daughters and hers and when they all come home they’re so grateful they have 80 acres for them to roam! Sandy says it has been fun reconnecting with some of her classmates on the STA Class of 1965 Facebook page. She is anxious to return to the seacoast, see old acquaintances, make new friends, see her family and enjoy some great seafood! So, until August 8, “bless your hearts and see y’all soon.” Yes, that really is the way they talk here in Oklahoma!!

Jack Donnelly reports that he and Laurette will hit 47 years married just before the reunion. Laurette retired from nursing at 58 – Jack made the leap at 60. Three years ago they sold their house in NH and finally got down to one house in Vermont. Jack is still active in the National Ski Patrol and is just finishing up his 46th season on the mountain. They are still very active and love taking long trips on the motorcycle.

Jack says he is really looking forward to the reunion and they already have a room booked at Chez Silver (Paul and Donna) for the weekend.

S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

Reunion Year

Paul Sullivan and his wife Mary Ellen met while students at Georgetown. They will be celebrating their 44th anniversary in August. They have two adult children.

Erin is a senior marketing director for Mattel, the toymaker, and lives in Los Angeles. She and her husband are expecting their first child (and Paul’s first grandchild) in June. Their son, Colin, lives in Grand Rapids and teaches high school (US History and Government) in Hudsonville, MI. Paul is a judge on the Kent County Circuit Court in Grand Rapids, and is in his 27th year on the bench. He is very much looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Lorraine Plante reports that in October 2014, she had the good fortune of realizing the ultimate wish on her bucket list--17 days in South Africa! This adventure afforded the opportunity to view the “Big Five” up-close and personal in Chobe and Kruger National Parks, as well as be awed by the thunderous sound and the beauty of rainbows over Victoria Falls. As they traveled from east to west, from Johannesburg to Cape Town, they discovered ever-increasingly beautiful landscapes--all the way to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point to witness the meeting of two oceans.

Above all else, was the warm hospitality experienced in each place--including a home-hosted dinner in a village and a meeting with a chief and his family.

The opportunity to experience such varied dimensions of the land and the culture will, without a doubt, remain her “Experience of a Lifetime!”

Valerie (Renaud) Morgan says that after serving 26 years of active duty service with the US Air Force and the NH Air National Guard, she retired in the fall of 2005. After her retirement, she worked for seven years as a civil service employee and later federal contractor.

Her husband, Steve, also retired from the military after 37 years of service. So, between the two of them, they served a total of 63 years! Valerie says that she is active in her church and spends her days volunteering in the community as well as spending time with her grandchildren.

They have five grandkids ranging in age

REFLECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2015

Share your story alumni@stalux.org UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE STA WEBSITE!

from 10 to 19. She loves attending their sporting events and school activities.

“Life is good!”

1972 CLASS AGENT – PAM (FOREST) ROSANIA

CLASS AGENT – BETH (AIKEN) HANSEN

1966

1973

1983

CLASS AGENT – MARCIA ANDERSON

CLASS AGENT – MARY JANE “MJ” (SHANLEY) KEANE

1967

CLASS AGENTS – DICK LUCIER AND PATRICK McCOOEY

1968

CLASS AGENT – CONNIE (LALIBERTE) CANTIN

1969

CLASS AGENT – CHARLENE (MURPHY) WADE

1970 CLASS AGENT – PATRICK KEEFE CELEBRATING 45 YEARS! Rosann Flanagan Boston and her husband Arnie retired from US Navyrelated stuff in Portsmouth and moved to North Port, FL in 2001. But grandparental love outweighed glorious Southern climes when daughter Melisa (Class of 1995), Farmington, brought Jazlyn, 6, and Tiernan, 10, into the world. The former Doverites ended up in Rochester in 2012, where, especially from November 14, 2014 to now, they’ve been buried in the New England winter joy they fled more than a decade ago.

Rosann, y’all might remember, was one of….hardly any of our class to graduate with a perfect attendance record. Like mother, like daughter: Melisa made the same bones in 1995. Saints alumni before and after might remember Rosann’s brother Brian, 1968, in their nightly prayers. He suffers from serious health issues.

1971 CLASS AGENT – MARIANNE JONES

1982

CLASS AGENTS – CARRIE GARD AND JULIE (FORD) BAILEY Patty’s (Abbott) daughter, Amy, was married on July 5, 2014. Amy received her BSN in nursing from St. Joseph’s College in Maine and works at Maine Medical Center in Portland, ME.

1974

CLASS AGENT – JEFF WADE

1975 CLASS AGENT – MELANIE DEMARAIS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS! AUGUST 7-8

1976 CLASS AGENT – JOHANE (ROY) TELGENER

1984 CLASS AGENT – JAY AND JULIE (LEGAULT) LAMOUREUX

1977 CLASS AGENT – VOLUNTEER WANTED!

1978

1985

CLASS AGENT – SCOTT BARTON

CLASS AGENT – JANET MANNING SMITH

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS!

1979

1986

1980

1987

CLASS AGENT – VOLUNTEER WANTED!

CLASS AGENT – BRIAN HARRISON CELEBRATING 35 YEARS!

1981

CLASS AGENT – CYNTHIA RAICHE MAZZONE The marriage of Jason and Katherine Endsley in Rangeley, ME on September 20, 2014 was the backdrop for this photo of four friends who met as STA freshmen and graduated as proud members of the class of 1981! From left to right, Cindy (Raiche) Mazzone, Kelly Danico, Liz Cloutier and Patty (Gagnon) Endsley.

Patty is the beautiful mother of the groom!

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CLASS AGENT – TOM KELLEHER

CLASS AGENT – VOLUNTEER WANTED!

1988

CLASS AGENTS – PATRICK AND BRENDA (GLIDDEN) CAMPBELL

1989

CLASS AGENT – BRIAN FOGARTY

1990

CLASS AGENTS – ALEX ABBOTT CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! Tim and Alisa (White ’91) Karwowski have had the amazing opportunity to adopt again. On February 24, our sweet little Mary Katherine Svetlana was born. We are calling the baby, “Maisy” because the boys think Mary Katherine is “too old!” (see page 20)

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AquiNews

Spring 2015

1991

CLASS AGENT – JAMIE BURNETT

1992

CLASS AGENTS – CHANDRA JOOS

1993

CLASS AGENT – KRISTINA (KOLESZAR) HATHAWAY

1994

2004

CLASS AGENT – CHRISTINE WALSH DEANGELIS Congratulations to Hannah Zagar Bibler and her husband Nigel on the birth of their son Ezra Barrett Bibler!

Congratulations to Lauren (Crepeau) Maxwell who was married to Tony Maxwell in February!

Congratulations Kathy Schneider on her recent engagement to Adam Stepanovic!

CLASS AGENT – DANIELLE RONDEAU GRONDIN

Congratulations to Alison (Mooers) Bell on the birth of her daughter Aria Grace!

1995

CLASS AGENT – MARISSA CAUDILL CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!

Congratulations to Matt Drohan who was married on New Year’s Eve to wife Mallory!

1996

CLASS AGENT – JAIME (SMITH) STICKLER

Congratulations to Cara Strachan who was married to Nick Mann this past December.

1997

CLASS AGENT – KRISTINA (MCCANN) PEDERSON

Congratulations to Jamie Coughenhour and his wife Kristina on the recent birth of their son James Louis.

1998

CLASS AGENT – EMILY (CHAMBERLAIN) GOODMAN

1999

CLASS AGENTS – MEGAN CUSHMAN AND MEREDITH MCINTIRE

2005

CLASS AGENT – CAITLIN CLAIRMONT CELEBRATING 10 YEARS!

2000

2006

CLASS AGENT – MEAGHAN HASSEL-SHEARER

CLASS AGENT – MARY MCNAMARA

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS!

CLASS AGENT – TIM BOYLE

Liz Turner Is currently living and performing her own original music in NYC, and was just recently accepted early decision to Berklee College of Music’s prestigious Graduate school in Valencia, Spain, where she will be pursuing a Masters in Music in the Fall, with a concentrate on on Vocal Performance/Music Production!

2003

2007

2001

CLASS AGENT – VOLUNTEER WANTED!

2002 CLASS AGENT – JESSICA MAYER

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Congratulations to Christine Carter who was married to Julien Courbon!

CLASS AGENT – VOLUNTEER WANTED!

S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

Reunion Year

2008

CLASS AGENT – PAT BRESLIN

2009

CLASS AGENT – KATHRYN BRIGHTNEY, AMANDA FINNELL AND KIM MONACO Lauren Bailey is currently teaching 9th and 10th grade English and Coaching JV Girls’ Lacrosse at Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth, MA. She is also working towards her Graduate Degree in English from Simmons College.

Congratulations to Kathryn Brightney who was offered a job as Editorial Assisant at Pearson Education.

Kaitlyn D’Orazio is running strong. On April 11, Kaitlyn, a Dartmouth College graduate, won the women’s division in the Saint Mary Academy 5K road race and showed the community the beauty in finishing strong.

2010

CLASS AGENT – CHRISTOPHER M KNIEZEWSKI CELEBRATING 5 YEARS! Mary Foster was recently awarded a fulltuition fellowship to attend Merrimack College. While working on her masters in Higher Education, Mary will be working as a Graduate Fellow in the Office of Residence Life. Mary graduated summa cum laude from UNH in 2014 with degrees in Spanish and Linguistics. She was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa while at UNH. Paul Goodspeed recently was part of a group of Saint Anselm College students that visited Cuba with their professors to learn about an important period of United States history that ended around the time they were born: the Cold War. For more information on Paul’s trip www.anselm.edu/News/History-ClassVisits-Cuba-to-Study-Cold-War.htm

2011

CLASS AGENT– WILL NIELSEN Mike Dunbar of Hampton, NH has received his second consecutive Mellon grant from the College of the Holy Cross Summer

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Research Program in the Humanities to compose original music. Immediately following commencement at the College of the Holy Cross, Dunbar and fellow musician, Collin Garcia ‘11 of Strafford, NH, are setting out on a musical road trip to four of the country’s major music meccas.

Dunbar’s previous grant funded an EP album of his original songs based on T.S. Eliot’s “Four Quartets” that Dunbar recorded with his band, Black Agnes.

This year’s grant will send Dunbar in the footsteps of generations of footloose American musicians who wrote their songs while rambling about the country.

Starting in late May, and lasting for six weeks, Dunbar and Garcia will set out on a loop that will take them to Memphis, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Chicago. In each city, they will visit venues where they will rub elbows with local musicians to develop an understanding of their sound. The pair will also introduce Dunbar’s original music to those cities

Alumni@stalux.org or visit the website www.stalux.org > My STA

by playing at open mics and street performances. Also in the tradition of the rambling composer, Dunbar and Garcia will avoid motels, opting for campgrounds where they can pass their evenings playing music for others who are on the road.

2012

En route, Dunbar will begin to write a collection of songs that he will complete and refine back in New Hampshire.

He will record his progress through regular video and blog postings on SuitcaseAndGuitar.com. At the end of summer, he will return to Holy Cross to give a live performance of his compositions. Dunbar will then add his songs to the already large body of original works he performs locally with his band, Black Agnes.

CLASS AGENTS – MEREDITH EIB, BRIAN FINNELL, AND ANNIE WADE

A double major in Music and English, Dunbar is an experienced writer and plans to prepare regular dispatches from the road.

CLASS AGENTS – MOLLY DWYER, ALLIE SCHEU, LUKE GABRIEL AND DAVID ROGERS

2013

Meredith Eib had a solo part in the West Side Story Medley as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Benjamin T Rome School of Music Gala that took place at the Kennedy Center on April 12th. Meredith, a sophomore musical theater major at Catholic University, also co-directed You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at a District Catholic School this spring and will intern at the Derryfield Academy Theater Camp for the upcoming summer of 2015.

2014

CLASS AGENT – VOLUNTEER WANTED!

faculty NEWS Mrs. Kristen Arnold (P’15 18), Administrative Assistant to the Associate Principal, and her family recently traveled over 5,000 miles to Hawaii to visit a special St. Thomas Aquinas family. The Arnold family arrived on the island of Oahu to reconnect with the Kalowsky family, which relocated to the island when Jaime Kalowsky took command of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The two STA families were happy to be reunited – once an STA family, always an STA family.

Kristen Arnold and Kristina Kalowsky

L to R: Colleen and Camden Arnold, William, James, Mary, Teresa and Grace Kalowsky

Empowering his students in all ways is the essence behind Mr. Ron Holtz’s (PP’05 07) method of teaching. St. Thomas Aquinas High School sophomore Mary Ellen MacMillan recently described just this method when she nominated Mr. Holtz for the Barnes and Noble’s “My Favorite Teacher” essay contest. It isn’t surprising that her well-written descriptive essay – one that details her biology teacher’s sense of humor, energy, passion and dedication- won the contest. Mr. Holtz was honored in April for this award.

Congratulations to both Ron and Mary Ellen!

We wish math teacher Mrs. Esther Turner all the best as she stepped into retirement this past January. Thank you, Esther, for your 13 years of service to our community.

Esther is shown here on her last day with her Winter Term students. We wish you the best, Esther!

Guidance Counselor Mr. David Lloyd married Merrily in October 2014 in Michigan.

Congratulations!

Mrs. Molly Wade (P’18), Marketing & Public Relations Strategist, completed the Boston Marathon with a time of 3:44.

Congratulations!

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Athletic Director Mr. Ryan Brown, his wife Christina and big sister Arianna welcomed baby boy Garrett Edmond Brown into their family on Sunday, April 19th. Congratulations to the Brown family!

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Sugar & Spice

AND ALL THINGS NICE

SHORTLY BEFORE THE adoptions of her two older sons, Mrs. Alisa (White) Karwowski ‘91, St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s Guidance Director, recalls seeing a shooting star in the sky and, both times, felt it was a sign of beautiful things to come. “Each time we saw these stars, we had been journeying through a stressful pre-adoption moment. Somehow, to me, the shooting stars represented that the dream was meant to be and they provided me with conviction and comfort.” As is nearly always the case, the third time proved also to be the charm.

Adoptions can take many forms and, of course, not all go smoothly. This union, however, was clearly meant to be. From the biological parents’ courage and willingness to include the Karwowskis in every stage of the birthing process to the honesty and openness of all participants’ feelings, the adoption could not have gone more fluidly.

Alisa was able to be present for the birth, a deeply emotional experience that she cherishes. “I was fortunate to be there with her in the operating room for Mary Katherine’s first breath thanks to the most selfless, loving birth parents,” said Alisa.

Ten years after the adoption of her second son, Alisa was suddenly faced with an opportunity to adopt a third time and this time to become the mother of a baby girl. Still, processing the decision to welcome another child was a big one and came with some doubt, this time on the part of Tim ’90, Alisa’s husband. And yet, in their moment of wonderment and weariness, a shooting star crossed the sky as brightly as only God could create. Running inside to share the sight with her husband, she was met with his immediate assent: “Ok.” And with that, the process to welcome little Mary Katherine Svetlana (nicknamed Maisy) into this very special family was underway.

Born at 6lbs., 2oz. and 20 inches long, baby Maisy (as she is affectionately known around St. Thomas Aquinas) has settled seamlessly into her new life as the third child. A good sleeper and beautiful in every way, she has endeared herself to the hearts of all STA’s staff and faculty. It seems as if the only thing our school was ever missing was a pink baby carriage. Alas, we are now complete.

May the blessings of new life shine upon Alisa, Tim and their sons, Jack and Charlie, as they embrace Heaven’s latest shooting star, Maisy.

IN MEMORIAM St. Thomas Aquinas High School is saddened by the recent loss of members of our community, and remember them in our prayers.

ALUMNI Claire Jeannette Flannelly Stephen Assad Katlyn Alix Cameron Abatiell Riley Leavitt

1968 1975 2008 2011 2012

A LU M N I / PA S T PA R E N T Patty (Lynch) Flynn 1980 PA S T PA R E N T / PA S T G R A N D PA R E N T Earle Goodwin Ellen Manning Marie Catherine Runnals

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G R A N D PA R E N T Charles Banaian Claire Bouffard Richard Bryan Thomas Alexander DiSilva John Downs Donald Jones Eleanor Louise Pate Ernest Cormier Joan Coyne Aurora Cusolito Leonard Turcotte Donald R. Cronin G R E AT- G R A N D P A R E N T Orville Schroeder Anna Makowski Violette Ferron

S T. T H O M A S A Q U I N A S

PA S T G R A N D PA R E N T Douglas Augelli, Jr. Helen Vetter SIBLING OF CURRENT STUDENT Michael Settemio R E L AT I V E O F CURRENT STUDENT James Fjeld SIBLING OF ALUMNI Sara Anne Edgerly FAMILY MEMBER OF FACULTY John Finan Claire Bouffard

REFLECTIONS SPRING/SUMMER 2015

2015

SUMMER

PROGRAMS Remember summer? That beautiful season without snow? St. Thomas Aquinas High School invites young people to come be a Saint this summer and participate in any of its many fun and interactive camps. Explore something new, foster new friendships, deepen your faith or simply enjoy each moment of the summer season with us. Camp offerings are for youth entering grades 5-9.

CAMPS:

Football Camp

Theater

June 29-July 2

July 13-16 Session 1: Grades 1-6, Session 2 : Grades 5-8

Photoshop &

All Sports Camp

3D Animation July 7-10 2 sessions

July 20-23

REACH

Leadership & Service August 3-5 Grades 7-9 (overnight)

Environmental

Science July 27-30

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Math Review Courses • Pre-Calculus Review – August 10-13, 10-11:30am • Pre-AIM – August 10-13; 8-9:30am • Pre-Algebra – August 10-13; 8-9:30am Visit our website for more information about our summer program opportunities.

We look forward to sharing your summer with you!

www.stalux.org/summerprograms 603.742.3206

ST. T H O M A S AQUINAS HI GH S CHOOL 197 Dover Point Road, Dover, NH 03820-4612

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This publication is printed using vegetable-based inks on FSC Certified paper, promoting responsible use of the world’s forests.

WINTER TERM JANUARY 2015 meaningful, concentrated, educational experiences that maximize the learning experience.

E. HAMPSTEAD, NH PERMIT NO. 65