BRUIN NOTES FALL 2019

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

ST. JOE GOES TO MARDI GRAS

CAMPUS & ALUMNI NEWS

Bruin Notes ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MAGAZINE

BRUIN FAMILY: REACHING OUT, HELPING OTHERS

Jennifer Nguyen and Celeste Hall celebrate in the lobby of Thalia Mara Hall after graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Photo copyright 2019 by Vowell Photography

PAGE 14 GRADUATION 2019

COVER PHOTO

BY VICKI RUNNELS St. Joe seniors collected food in May 2019 for children who may not have had access to meals during summer 2019.

Pictured from left are Claire Conn, Cielo Hernandez, Marshall Runnels, Celeste Hall and Brennan Teeter.

THIS ISSUE’S STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS CLAY BLANCHARD, a junior, serves as assistant editor of The Shield. She also takes photos for The Shield, The Bear Facts online newspaper and the school website.

BAILEY MILLER, a senior, is photo editor for the school’s online newspaper and yearbook. Her work has won awards from the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association.

ANNA CHRIS NICHOLAS, a senior, is editor of the 2019-2020 edition of The Shield, St. Joseph Catholic School’s yearbook.

Bruin Notes Fall 2019

Contents

COVER STORY

6 / REACHING OUT, HELPING OTHERS St. Joseph Catholic School has built a legacy of helping people in the community in times of need. The school has sponsored food, clothing and blood drives as well as provided food to families during major holidays. In addition, Brother John Brennan has helped organize other community outreach programs.

NEWS&FEATURES

31 / ARCHERY St. Joe enters the second year of archery with a new coach: Brother Robert Droel.

12 / ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

32 / ITALY TRIP

St. Joe alumna Monica Cox juggles life, family and athletics. Alumna Arista Evans chairs St. Joe Advisory Council. Ryan Starrett publishes books.

St. Joe students join St. Richard youth on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Italy, Rome and Vatican City.

14 / GRADUATION 2019

The Class of 2019 participates in commencement exercises at Thalia Mara Hall.

16 / ACADEMIC ACHIEVERS

JOSEPH PEARSON, a senior, is sports editor of The Bear Facts. He won the Orley Hood Award for High School Sports Journalism in 2019 and 2017; he was a finalist in 2018.

ANDREW SANLI, a senior, is an anchor and reporter for the weekly, studentproduced Bruin News Now newscast available on YouTube.

SYDNEY SHOEMAKER, a senior, is photo editor for the school’s online newspaper and yearbook.

Her work has won awards from the MSPA.

Eighteen St. Joe students scored at least a 30 on the ACT. And senior Alaina Liess is this year’s STAR student.

18 / STUDENT MEDIA

From its award-winning high school newscast to live coverage of sporting events, St. Joe’s journalism program is second to none.

24 / FINE ARTS

The marching band, cheerleaders, dance team and color guard plan travel to New Orleans to march in a Carnival parade.

St. Joe prepares to celebrate 150 years of academic excellence and spiritual growth in metropolitan Jackson.

38 / BRUIN NEWS

News from the St. Joe campus, including a look at new faculty for the 2019-2020 school year.

42 / ALUMNI NEWS

St. Joseph Catholic School alumni news and upcoming campus events.

IN EVERY ISSUE

26 / RELIGION

The St. Joe Retreat Team helps foster Catholic faith among the students.

28 / BRUIN SWIM

The boys team won the 2018 state championship, and the girls finished second.

30 / BRUIN FOOTBALL

36 / SESQUICENTENNIAL

Former Mississippi State star quarterback John Bond talks about his second year at St. Joe.

4 / FROM THE EDITORS

Terry R. Cassreino and Vicki Runnels, co-editors, share their thoughts about St. Joe and the current issue of Bruin Notes.

5 / PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

Dena Kinsey writes about St. Joe’s sesquicentennial and outlines a quick overview of upcoming events.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 3

FROM THE EDITORS

An amazing Catholic school

W

E ARE BACK with the second edition of Bruin Notes, St. Joseph Catholic School’s alumni magazine.

As you probably noticed, TERRY we shifted our publishing CASSREINO from the summer to the fall co-editor – giving us more time to pull together all of the elements that make up this publication.

This year’s edition has more than doubled in size, jumping from 22 pages last year to more than 50 this year. St. Joseph Catholic School is an amazing institution; this year’s magazine reflects that.

From a dedicated, highly-qualified, hard-working team of educators to a diverse group of students talented in the classroom and on the sports field, our school is like no other school in Central Mississippi.

COMPELLING STORY On these pages, you will find compelling stories that paint a detailed picture, past and present, of St. Joseph Catholic School.

Through the words and camera lens of our contributors – whose numbers include St. Joe students and teachers – you will learn about how our students, faculty, staff and families participate year-round in the school’s community outreach efforts.

You also will learn about the incredibly talented Class of 2019, whose members have gone on this fall to attend such institutions as Florida State University, Troy State University, Tulane University and, of course,

“FINNFEST BROUGHT

OUT THE BEST

OF OUR SCHOOL. IT DEMONSTRATED ONE IMPORTANT THING:

WE ARE ST. JOE.”

4 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

the University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State University You will read about our boys swim team that captured the state title in fall 2018 and VICKI the girls team that came in RUNNELS second. co-editor You also will learn about the Bruin football team, which snagged a first-round playoff win under first-year Coach John Bond, the former MSU star quarterback.

And we will brag about our school’s student media program – which is without a doubt the best of its kind in Mississippi.

Students learn the values of responsible, truthful journalism while having the opportunity to practice that with an online newspaper, annual yearbook, weekly video newscast, live coverage of Bruin sporting events, and a weekly radio show.

St. Joe journalism students have received numerous high-profile state and national honors for their work. Several graduates, including 2017 graduate Matthew Hendley, have gone on to successfully study journalism in college.

HUGE SUCCESS Our second issue of Bruin Notes looks at the best of the best – a school that teaches and practices Catholic values while providing students with a strong academic foundation.

Perhaps nothing says this better than what happened Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. On that day, after the final bell rang, students, parents and staff headed for the football field for FinnFest.

The event featured food, games and live entertainment, raising money for medical expenses of St. Richard student Finn Blaylock, the brother of two St. Joe students.

This event was a statement. The St. Joe community showed we care about each other – and that the ties that bind us are stronger than you could ever imagine.

In short, FinnFest brought out the best of our school and community. It demonstrated one important thing: We are St. Joe.

Bruin Notes ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL MADISON, MS www.stjoebruins.com SCHOOL OFFICE (601) 898-4800 FAX NUMBER (601) 898-4689 PRINCIPAL Dena Kinsey dkinsey@stjoebruins.com ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR Tricia Harris tharris@stjoebruins.com ALUMNI COORDINATOR Vicki Runnels vrunnels@stjoebruins.com COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Terry R. Cassreino tcassreino@stjoebruins.com This magazine was produced by the St. Joseph Catholic School Advancement Office. High school students also contributed photos and stories throughout this publication.

STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS Clay Blanchard, Bianca McCarty, Bailey Miller, Anna Chris Nicholas, Joe Pearson, Andrew Sanli, Sydney Shoemaker Bruin Notes magazine (Number 2, Fall 2019) is published once a year in the fall.

Besides being available as a hard copy, you also can view this magazine online at www.issuu.com. Please send all address corrections to Vicki Runnels at vrunnels@ stjoebruins.com or call (601) 898-4800.

Unless otherwise noted, Bruin Notes, the alumni publication of St. Joseph Catholic School, is copyright 2018 and 2019 by St. Joseph Catholic School, 308 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, Mississippi, 39110. All opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent the opinions and official position of St. Joseph Catholic School or the Catholic Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi.

THE PRINCIPAL’S CORNER Happy anniversary, St. Joe

F

IVE NUNS crowded 56 students into two classrooms one day in the fall of 1870, opening an important Jackson institution that is a testament DENA to the women who made KINSEY education their mission. principal Years later, St. Joseph Academy became St. Joseph Catholic School. It shifted hands in 1932 from the Sisters of Mercy, who founded the school, to the Catholic Diocese of Natchez.

The school moved several times – from downtown Jackson, to West Jackson and to North Jackson before settling in its current location on a beautifully landscaped 65-acres in the suburban Jackson city of Madison.

Despite these changes, one thing has remained constant: A dedicated, hardworking faculty and staff, aided by parents, students and alumni, have made St. Joseph Catholic School the valued educational institution it is.

St. Joe has remained faithful and indebted to the Sisters of Mercy and a shining testament to the religious order’s founder, Mother Catherine McCauley.

150th ANNIVERSARY Now, we face a milestone in our school’s rich history. In 2020, we will mark St. Joe’s sesquicentennial. Students, faculty, staff, families and our alumni, many of whom are scattered all over the state and this nation, will honor our unique institution on its 150th birthday.

A special committee – co-chaired by Bruin parent Angela Ladner and Advancement Director Tricia Harris – will work through the fall planning the celebration. Here is an outline of what you can expect: n School year: The 2019-2020 edition of the school yearbook, The Shield, will be themed to the 150th anniversary. Besides documenting the school year, The Shield will include photos and stories about our past. n School events: Regularly scheduled events such as the 2020 Jeans, Jazz and Bruin Blues Draw Down and the 2020 Homecoming will be themed to the school’s sesquicentennial. n Anniversary gala: This event is being eyed for off-campus next summer. Current and

“ST. JOE HAS REMAINED

FAITHFUL AND

INDEBTED TO THE SISTERS OF MERCY

AND A SHINING TESTAMENT TO THE RELIGIOUS ORDER’S

FOUNDER.”

past supporters, alumni and other stakeholders are expected to be a part of this event.

SPONSOR CELEBRATION Anyone can help sponsor 150th anniversary events. Simply contact co-chairs Ladner or Harris, at 150anniversary@stjoebruins.com.

Nothing can compare to a strong Catholic education and to St. Joseph Catholic School.

Where else can middle and high school students go to receive a top-notch education that prepares them for life in college and as an adult – and do it all based on the teachings of the Catholic Church?

In the metropolitan area, the answer is nowhere other than St. Joseph Catholic School.

The Sisters of Mercy and Mother McCauley left us with an excellent blueprint for success. We took it, we embraced it and through the years we improved it – all while staying true to our humble beginnings.

Every week at St. Joe we come together as a school community to celebrate Mass.

And after every Mass, we pay tribute to the Sisters of Mercy by singing the “Suscipe of Catherine McCauley.”

The words of the “Suscipe” remind us we are human and need God’s guidance and help.

It also reminds us that the Sisters of Mercy pointed us in the right direction spiritually and, in our school’s case, educationally.

The Suscipe of Catherine McCauley Students end every weekly Mass at St. Joe by singing the “Suscipe of Catherine McCauley” accompanied by a student on the piano. The Suscipe remind us of our school’s connection to the Sisters of Mercy.

My God, I am yours for time and eternity, Lord, I am yours forever.

It’s you that must teach me to trust in your Providence, Loving Lord.

You are a God of love and tenderness.

I put my faith in you.

And I ask that you grant me acceptance of your plan, Loving Lord.

Take from my heart all painful anxiety. Let nothing sadden me but sin.

And let my delight be hoping to see your face, God, my all.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 5

“IT’S A WAY FOR STUDENTS TO PUT

THEIR FAITH IN ACTION BY

WORKING HARD TO

HELP OTHERS.”

– KATHRYN SCKIETS CAMPUS MINISTER

COVER STORY

Reaching out, helping others “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

– 1 Peter 4:10 We are called to use all of our gifts to serve God and one another – and at St. Joseph Catholic School that is exactly what we do.

In the 2018-2019 school year, students logged a total of 16,413 hours of service to local churches, programs and ministries here as well as abroad.

Students, staff and faculty practice service from the heart, sharing our time and unique talents with others.

6 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Through each new experience, we grow in knowledge and faith creating bonds that are lifechanging for us and for those we serve. When we unite, we make real change.

Service is the heart of St. Joseph. And you can help, too, by continuing to offer your support and prayers on behalf of our many programs and student efforts to serve others.

“I LOVED BEING A PART OF

THE SENIOR

FOOD DRIVE AND HAVING A ROLE IN

GIVING BACK

TO MY COMMUNITY.”

–CELESTE HALL, WHO HELPED COORDINATE THE SENIOR FOOD DRIVE Above: Ainsley D’Alfonso, Maddie Claire Spence, Abbi Elizabeth White, Laney Lipovetsky and Mabry Hirn at Trunk-or-Treat.

Top right: Seniors dress as Ghostbusters and ghosts for the annual Scary for Carrie fundraiser benefiting alumna Carrie Maniscalco.

Facing page, top left: Seventh graders participate in activities at the 2019 BruinTHON fundraiser for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

Facing page, top right: Claire Conn, left, and Cielo Hernandez sort donated items for the senior class food drive.

Facing page, bottom left: Alin Garcia collects donated food items.

Facing page, bottom right: Ried Smith, left, Alice McPhail and Hannah Dear entertain at FinnFest.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 7

Raising funds, having fun – all for the kids

8 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

BruinTHON raises thousands through the years for Batson Children’s Hospital

M

USIC STOPPED, DANCING, ended, games finished and students gathered around a stage where a single line of event organizers stood – each one revealing a number.

The student on the far right revealed the number 5. The next one had a 2. That was followed by a zero, then by a 3 and, finally, by a 1.

BruinTHON 2019, an eight-hour event on Friday, April 26, in which students danced, ate food and played games without sitting down, raised a total of $13,025 – all for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.

“It was very fulfilling to know that we as a school participated in an event that benefits so many people,” said Bianca McCarty, who attended the 2019 event as a sophomore.

The eighth annual event originally began

in 2012 to honor then-student Christina Lawrence’s brother who had passed away and had been treated since birth at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

Since then, St. Joe students have raised $95,934 for Batson Children’s Hospital, money used to help families cover expenses while their child is being treated or has an extended hospital stay.

BruinTHON is just one of the many ways St. Joe students, faculty, staff. parents, alumni and others reach out each school year to help those in need in the Greater Jackson area.

“It really is amazing what these students do to help others,” said Principal Dena Kinsey.

“It’s part of who they are and who we are. Community service is part of what St. Joseph Catholic School is all about. Our

school makes community service a vital part of our rigorous college prep curriculum because we educate the whole student.”

OTHER SERVICE PROJECTS Other St Joe service projects each year include everything from food drives to blood drives. Some of the more high-profile community outreach events for the 20182019 school year included the following: n Blood drive: St. Joe sponsored a blood drive in August 2018 to help a St. Richard student who was battling cancer. That event drew so many people that donors were still in line after 7 p.m. that night. n FinnFest: One mid-week afternoon in October 2018, students, faculty, parents and others swarmed the area by the football field

continued on page 10 continued on page 10

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 9

Above: Seniors Leila de Gruy and Sarah Johnson donate blood during one of St. Joe’s blood drives in fall 2018.

Bottom photos: Coach John Bond, left, Coach Joe Bob Harris and Coach Melissa Hall take their turn in the dunking booth, part of FinnFest.

continued from page 9

“IT WAS VERY FULFILLING TO KNOW

THAT WE

AS A SCHOOL PARTICIPATED IN AN

EVENT THAT BENEFITS SO MANY PEOPLE.” – BIANCA MCCARTY ST. JOE SOPHOMORE

10 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

and concession stand for a festival dedicated to raising money for Finn Blaylock, the brother of St. Joe students, who was battling cancer. n Scary for Carrie: Every Halloween, St. Joe students pay money to wear a costume to school. All money raised helps offset medical expenses for Bruin alumna Carrie Maniscalco, who has been fighting an unknown medical condition for years. n Angel Tree: Every Christmas, students pick a name of a child from the Angel Tree and then purchase a Christmas present for him or her. The project ensures children who might otherwise not receive anything for Christmas have at least one present to open. n Summer Food Drive: This year marked the first senior class-sponsored Summer Food Drive project designed to help feed children who may not otherwise have access to three full meals while on summer break.

YEAR-LONG EFFORT While most of those outreach events last one or two days, BruinTHON is one that begins in the fall semester and continues through the spring semester. Besides staging the main event one Friday night in late April or early May, student organizers also

spend time planning and sponsoring smaller fundraisers throughout the year.

One month-long event is “No Shave November” in which boys at St. Joe can go without shaving for the month of November for a donation of $15 each. Another monthlong event is “Boots for Batson” in which girls can wear boots to school if they pay $2 a day.

On “Pajama Day,” students can wear pajamas to school for the day for $3. The BruinTHON committee scheduled two Pajama Days during the 2018-2019 school year.

Another popular event last year was “Movie Night” in which children pay $2 each to watch a family film on the big screen in the school’s Fine Arts theater.

“I love doing BruinTHON because it gets me involved in school events,” said Michael Seale, who attended the 2019 event as a junior. “Plus, it helps the children of Blair E. Batson.”

Kathryn Sckiets, the campus minister who oversees BruinTHON, said the event is “part of St. Joe’s legacy.”

“It’s a way for students to put their faith in action by working hard to help others in our Jackson community,” she said. “It has made excellent leaders out of great students, and it brings our school together every year.”

Taking Jesus’ Gospel teachings to heart “You shall love the Lord, Your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-40

T

HIS GOSPEL PASSAGE WAS THE CORNER stone upon which St. Joseph Catholic School was built: Love of God and service to the poor and marginalized. In keeping with tradition, we, the St. Joe faculty, staff and students, strive to love God and our neighbor.

We take it upon ourselves to become involved in six BROTHER special projects that the school undertakes and I help JOHN oversee to aid those who are in need.

BRENNAN The first project is to make sure that inner city St. Joe children will have new school uniforms and footwear faculty to begin school in August.

The second takes place in October when the Mississippi State Fair opens in Jackson. The school sponsors young children (31 in 2019) so that they can attend the state fair. Many of these children would not be able to attend the fair if it wasn’t for our assistance.

THANKSGIVING DRIVE The third is the faculty and staff Thanksgiving Day Food Drive in November. Many grades, clubs, activities, sports teams and friends of St. Joe get involved in this worthy endeavor. Last year, we fed 33 families. Some received a turkey or a ham plus a few food items.

Others received a complete meal.

Not long after, we began our annual Christmas project that included the St. Joe Christmas Clothing Drive and the St. Joe Service Club Angel Tree. Those drives provided clothing, along with Christmas presents of toys, games, dolls and more for children who otherwise might not receive anything.

Last year, our Angel Tree provided gifts for 55 children. The generosity of students, their families and the school staff was overwhelming. All

“THE STUDENTS, FACULTY,

AND ADMINISTRATION

OF ST. JOE HAVE TAKEN IT

UPON OURSELVES . . .

TO CARRY OUT JESUS’ DIRECTIVE

TO LOVE GOD AND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR.”

The Angel Tree is an annual Christmas project for St. Joseph Catholic School students, staff and faculty, who purchase gifts for children who may not otherwise receive any presents.

names were gone from the Angel Tree within five days.

After a short respite of about three months, we were back at it again. The fifth project was the annual Easter basket, Easter clothing and food drive. This, too, was a big success.

EASTER PROJECT St. Joe provided many people with Easter outfits to attend church and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. We nevertheless were able to help more than 30 families this year.

Our sixth and final project provided students with books they were assigned for summer reading. Eight years ago some faculty and staff decided that one way to help these students improve themselves during June and July was to purchase “bridge-books” for them.

It would be hard to find a young grammar school child who wouldn’t like these books that span the school work they just finished in May with what they will be learning in August. This would apply to a child who has just finished third grade and will enter fourth grade in the fall: Therefore the term, “bridge-book.”

Not only did we purchase 15 of these books and supplies for the children who need them, we also had money left over from what we raised to send five children to a Jackson summer camp at Mercy Jones Park.

The students, faculty, staff and administration of St. Joe have taken it upon ourselves, along with the generous support of our entire school community, to carry out Jesus’ directive to love God and to love our neighbor.

Brother John Brennan is a member of the Christian Brothers. He teaches government at St. Joseph Catholic School. The Christian Brothers’ mission is to educate the youth and serve the poor.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 11

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Monica Cox juggles life, family and athletics

M

ONICA GASTON COX is a wife, mother and fulltime IT business relationship management senior manager at PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay’s Plano, Texas, headquarters.

But that’s not all. Cox also is a competitive runner, triathlete and captain of Frito-Lay’s “Cheesy Riders” cycling team.

Cox, a 1997 graduate of St. Joe, juggles a hectic lifestyle. When she isn’t taking care of family or at Frito-Lay’s headquarters, she is racing as an elite athlete who trains nonstop and places among the top finishers in some of the world’s most challenging competitions.

She has led the Cheesy Riders through the Bike MS event, a 163-mile journey to benefit multiple sclerosis research. She also is a regular fixture on Frito-Lay’s 5K running team in the local corporate challenge event.

But those contests pale in comparison to the most grueling test of all – the worldfamous Ironman Triathlon series.

12 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

“I started racing in triathlons in 2014 and loved the challenge of all three sports – swim, bike and run – all in one race,” Cox said. “I knew I’d found a sport that would allow me to fulfill my competitiveness.”

After a strong showing in a 2016 Half Ironman event in Austin, Cox traveled to Boulder, Colo., in 2017 where she completed a full Ironman – swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and then running a complete marathon of 26.2 miles.

She placed seventh in her age group.

In 2018, Cox returned to the Half Ironman and placed third in her age group. That finish qualified her to compete in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.

“I am still in shock that I’m going to an Ironman World Championship event,” she said. “I am most excited about meeting and racing with people from all over the world.”

On Sept 7, in Nice, France, Cox raced through the beautiful seaside hills of the French Riviera.

Main photo: Monica Gaston Cox races Sept. 7 through the seaside hills of the French Riviera in Nice, France, as part of the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Above left: Cox and her family.

Above right: Cox celebrates following the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Cox isn’t likely to rest for long after the race in France. She is a mother of three young children ages 12, 10 and 6 and works with Women for Tri – mentoring and inspiring young women to challenge themselves While at St. Joseph, Cox was on the varsity cheer squad, soccer team and academic honor societies. She also was class salutatorian in 1997.

When asked about her time at St. Joe, she said she appreciated the great education and opportunities that St. Joe offered.

Cox attended Southern Methodist University where she double majored in mathematics and industrial engineering and minored in economics.

Bruin alumnus, teacher publishes history books

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Arista Evans works to ensure St. Joe continues to prosper Arista Evans wears many hats: wife, mother, public school counselor and president of the St. Joseph Catholic School Advisory Council.

The 1988 St. Joe alumna and her husband, Maurice, have two children: DaJour, a 2015 Bruin graduate and, now a senior at Mississippi State, and DeAsia, a junior at St. Joe. Evans also is youth minister at Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church in Canton, where she and her family reside – a place Evans has always called home.

Evans played volleyball at St. Joe and was a library assistant, an honor student, and National Honor Society member. She graduated in 1988 with honors and went on to earn a degree at Mississippi College in Clinton.

“St. Joe shaped me into the Christian woman that I am today.” Evans said, adding that her favorite Bible verse is the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 because it reminds her of her experience at St. Joe as a student.

“I faced challenges like others as a minority student, but the St. Joe faculty

and staff embraced everyone with love and respect despite who we were or where we came from,” she said. “I was blessed, challenged, and prepared for this diverse world.”

Arista is an active alumna and St. Joseph parent. Over the years she has been a member of the Bruin Boosters, of the Fine Arts Support Team, Parent Association, and the Jeans, Jazz, and Bruin Blues Committee.

She said she chose to serve on the Advisory Council because she wanted the same opportunities and values offered to her son and daughter that her parents had sacrificed to give her.

“We want them to have a foundation in Christ that will remain in their lives and for them to be followers of Him forever,” Evans said. “St. Joseph builds that foundation.”

Arista’s final thoughts were of her continued support of St. Joseph School.

“I believe that my responsibility to our school not only as a parent but also as an alum,” she said, “is to do everything we can to insure that our school continues to prosper and grow.”

Ryan Starrett returned to his alma mater St. Joseph Catholic School in 2016 to teach high school theology.

Starrett, a member of the St. Joseph Class of 2000, is also a published author whose books demonstrate a fascination with history.

Starrett wrote “Mississippi Bishop William Henry Elder and the Civil War.” He co-authored with longtime friend, Josh Foreman “Hidden History of the Mississippi Sound” and “Hidden History of Jackson.”

Another book, “The Hidden History of New Orleans,” is expected to be available in February 2020.

Starrett enjoys discovering and sharing “stories of little known and forgotten persons.”

He said he is working on a book about the hidden history of Dallas. Having attended the University of Dallas, he is curious about the city. He also is working on exploring “classic Jackson restaurants.”

Starrett and his wife, Jackie, have two children, Joseph Padraic, 6, and Penelope Rose O., 4. When Ryan is not with his family or teaching, he is reading history and literature books. In the early hours before dawn, he is often found tirelessly working on one of his books.

St. Joe alumnus, teacher and published author Ryan Starrett.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 13

OFF AND RUNNING

Dreams take flight for the class of 2019 graduates

S

T JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL GAINED 66 NEW alumni when the Class of 2019 graduated during formal commencement ceremonies in May. This year’s event on Wednesday, May 22, took place in a packed Thalia Mara Hall.

“This was one of the best graduation programs we have had in recent years,” Principal Dena Kinsey said. “The speeches were great.

The event was wonderful.”

For most seniors, the next step was a four-year college this fall.

Some went out of state to schools that included Rhodes College, Auburn University and Florida State University. Others stayed in

Mississippi to attend Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and other schools..

Some graduates stayed close to home and attended Holmes Community College or Hinds Community College with plans to continue at a four-year college to earn their bachelor’s degree.

Several Bruin graduates had attended school at St. Joe since the seventh grade. Some who attended elementary school at St. Richard Catholic School were taught by Kinsey, who was a teacher there before moving to St. Joe. “I am so proud of these students,” Kinsey said. “Some of them I taught at St. Richard and to see them graduate from St. Joe was simply amazing.”

“AS WE ALL GO OUR

SEPARATE WAYS,

REMEMBER ST. JOE FONDLY AND

EVERYTHING WE

EXPERIENCED HERE.”

Above: Olivia Osborne, left, and Jennifer Nguyen Right photo: Gage Douglas and Kaycee Jackson 14 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

– CLARE HARKINS, CLASS OF 2019 VALEDICTORIAN

Saluting the Class of 2019

VALEDICTORIAN

SALUTATORIAN

Harkins: Consider Liess: Welcome new what brings you joy chapter with open arms

G

OOD EVENING EVERYBODY. Thank you all for coming out tonight.

A big thank you to all of our parents and teachers. Without you, we never would have made it.

To Mrs. Kinsey, last night you said we would be happy to leave you. You’ve been my teacher since CLARE fifth grade and have watched us grow up. You have HARKINS kept us in line so that we could get here today. So, no, we don’t want to leave you. We love you.

To the Class of 2019, we made it. That doesn’t even seem real to say. When we walked into this school six years ago or four years ago, we were little.

I remember on the first day of school in seventh grade getting lost and so turned around. And I never thought I’d survive at St Joe. I remember being about half the size of all the upperclassmen and thinking I’d never get that old. But I did. And that’s us now. We’re at the top of the food chain – until next year.

We’ve physically grown a few inches since our first day in seventh grade, but in other ways we’ve grown so much more. Our knowledge has grown. Our faith has grown. And we’ve constantly been pushed outside of our comfort zone. Although it sounds cheesy, while I’m physically done growing, I still have a lot of growing to do in other areas.

As we all move forward, I encourage you guys to consider what brings you joy and pursue that. Don’t count your wealth in material things, but, rather, count your wealth in memories, smiles and laughs so hard that you cry.

Although high school was nothing like “High School Musical,” I really can’t complain because you know me, you know I’ve never been coordinated enough for synchronized dancing anyway.

As we all go our separate ways, remember St. Joe fondly and everything we experienced here. There are little things we’ve all shared, like the fear of getting attacked by a goose while trying to get across campus.

Or maybe it’s the great lice outbreak of 10th grade. Maybe it’s the “Suscipe” lyrics you have memorized, whether you realize it or not.

Or how Mrs. Runnels and Mrs. Odom were like second moms to all of us this year.

Either way, it’s these little things that we’ll all laugh and reminisce about at our 10-year reunion when we all come back together.

In “The Office,” Andy says “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” For us, these are the good old days. And they’re not over yet, so make every moment matter.

We might be going our separate ways now – some to say “Hotty Toddy,” “Go Dawgs,” “Go Eagles,” “Go Tigers,” “Go Majors,” “Go Gators” or “Go Noles.”

But at the end of the day, we know we’ll always be able to come home and say: “Go Bruins.”

H

ELLO. MY NAME IS ALAINA LIESS, and I am honored to be up here speaking on behalf of my friends and the graduating Class of 2019.

Over my three years of Latin at St. Joe, Mr. Hosler taught me many things. One of those things that really stuck with me was the origin of the words ALAINA “salutatorian” and “valedictorian.” Salutatorian LIESS comes from the Latin word “salve,” meaning hello or welcome – which is why I am up here today to welcome all of you to the graduation of the Class of 2019.

Hello and welcome to the wonderful supporting parents and families of our graduates; to our teachers that none of us would be here without; to our clergy that have worked diligently to keep us grounded in our faith; and, of course, to my classmates and best friends that I’ve grown and thrived with over the past six years.

This chapter we are all about to begin in our lives is one we should welcome with open arms. And I can honestly say that I am so proud of the “hellos” and “welcomes” this class is about to make. We welcome four Division I athletes, two Division II athletes, two junior college athletes, a Croft Institute scholar, a Trent Lott student, 12 different out-of-state colleges, and so many more astounding experiences coming our way.

Each and every one of us is going into the world to welcome something new and exciting. Whether you are saying hello to a whole new community, staying close to home, becoming a nurse, majoring in international studies, studying to be a biomedical engineer or joining the Navy, a new life is sprouting. One of my favorite quotes that I have heard is: “If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been bitten by a mosquito.” Being in Mississippi, I think we have all been affected by mosquitoes.

To all of the graduates here today, never forget the impact you have had on me and your classmates sitting next to you. Keep making those impacts after high school and throughout the life we are saying hello to.

I would also like to take this opportunity to not only welcome our futures but to thank our pasts. Thank you to our St. Joe family that carried mine through our battle with my dad’s cancer, the family that continues to carry the Blaylocks, the family that supports and raises up its members.

Thank you to our teachers that struggled so hard to keep us in class this year that they even made a list of seniors who weren’t allowed to go to the bathroom. Thank you to Mrs. Dickson for hugging me every time she saw me in the hall, and to Mrs. Kinsey for protecting us and making sure the cops did not let us do our senior prank.

Thank you to our parents for nurturing and protecting these amazing seniors and thank you all for coming today.

This year has been full of “finals.” First, our final first day of high school, then the final football game, the final swim meet, the final tennis match, the final pep rally, and eventually our final day of high school.

Next year we welcome many “firsts”: Our first day of college, our first professors, our first college classes and first college parties. But today we welcome all of you to our first day as high school graduates.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 15

Liess named St. Joe’s STAR student, and Odom named STAR teacher St. Joseph Catholic School 2019 graduate Alaina Liess was named a STAR student and English teacher Susie Odom was named a STAR teacher for the 2018-2019 school year.

St. Joe named Liess this year’s recipient of the award on the basis of her ACT score and scholastic average. Liess in turn named Odom as her STAR teacher, the educator ALAINA who has made the greatest LIESS contribution to her academic success.

“This is a great honor for Alaina Liess,” said Principal Dena Kinsey. “Alaina has had a great career here at St. Joe. She is a hard-working student who gives her all in SUSIE everything she does. She is a ODOM great leader and a great role model for younger students.”

The award is sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council, the voice of Mississippi

“I’M REALLY EXCITED TO BE A

STAR STUDENT. THE ACT (TEST) IS ONE

THING THAT’S

REALLY IMPORTANT FOR COLLEGES.” – ALAINA LIESS CLASS OF 2019

business since 1949. The MEC, whose roots go back to December 1948, has more than 11,000 members from 1,100 member firms

throughout the state.

Liess and Odom, along with other STAR students and teachers, were recognized at the MEC’s annual Education Celebration on Thursday, April 11, 2019. STAR is an acronym for the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition program.

The top 20 STAR students received scholarships, and their STAR teachers received awards. The highlight of the event was the naming of the Mississippi All-Star scholar for 2018-2019, who received the $24,000 Cook Foundation Scholarship.

Liess, 17, is attending Rhodes College in Memphis this fall and eventually plans to enter the medical profession. She is the second one in her family to be named a STAR student; her brother and Bruin alumnus Andrew Liess was a STAR student in 2017.

“I’m really excited to be a STAR student,” Liess said. “The ACT is one thing that’s really important for colleges. It helps with preparations for colleges.

My brother was a STAR student, so it was something I really wanted to do.”

OFF TO COLLEGE St. Joe’s 2019 graduates will attend colleges and universities across the United States. n Auburn University n East Central Community College n Florida State University n Greystone Military Academy n Hinds Community College n Holmes Community College n Jackson State University n Jones Community College

n Louisiana State University n Millsaps College n Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College n Mississippi State University n Rhodes College n Samford University n Southwest Community College

n Tennessee State University n Troy State University n Tulane University n University of Florida n University of Louisiana Lafayette n University of Mississippi n University of Southern Mississippi n University of the South (Sewanee)

College Day 2019: Seniors show their NEW school spirit when they wear shirts representing the colleges and universities they will attend in fall 2019.

16 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Introducing . . .

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

The St. Joseph Catholic School “30+ Club”

BY THE NUMBERS

These St. Joseph Catholic School students from the 2018-2019 school year scored at least a 30 on the ACT, one of two national, standardized tests colleges and universities often use as an entrance exam.

SENIORS

65

MEMBERS of the Class of 2019 who graduated in May

2,353,148 DOLLAR AMOUNT in scholarships the Class of 2019 received to attend college

ALICE MCPHAIL

LEILA DE GRUY

NUMBER of Bruin students who signed to play sports in college

CLARE HARKINS

LIAM MOOREHEAD

JACOB HARKINS

OLIVIA OSBORNE

ALAINA LIESS

RIED SMITH

13,025

DOLLARS students attending the 2019 BruinTHON raised for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson

HANNAH DEAR

MICHAEL DOHERTY

COLE RUEFF

2013

YEAR when the Bruin boys swim team last won a state championship before the 2018 season

JUNIORS

AISLINN BOGGAN

NUMBER of students who scored a 30 or higher on the ACT this year

10

CATHERINE COOK

16,413 TOTAL SERVICE hours St. Joe completed in the 2018-2019 school year

ALEX SHELTON

MARY GRACE STEWART

99

MARY GREENE

DANIEL CLARKE

18

GABE BLAYLOCK

PERCENT of 2019 grads attending college

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 17

ST. JOE STUDENT MEDIA

HEADLINES & DEADLINES

Photo by Bailey Miller

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18 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Above Photo: John Baladi, left, and Joe Pearson preview a Bruin basketball game in the gym for a live webcast and live radio broadcast of the game.

Top Photo: St. Joseph Catholic School journalism students after a successful showing in the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association awards program Monday, April 1, 2019, in the Gertrude Ford Performing Arts Center on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford.

Left: Front pages of The Bear Facts from the August 2018 Back to School edition and the November 2018 special edition commemorating the boys swim team winning the state meet. The Bear Facts shifted to a digital, online format in spring 2018 and ceased publication of a print edition. You can read the latest Bruin news at www.thebearfacts.net.

On the record and seeking the truth St. Joe’s high school student media program is tops in state

O

XFORD – ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL journalism students took 32 awards in state competition this year, including two high-profile, statewide honors and landing two members on the first All-Mississippi Journalism team.

Senior Garret Grove was named Mississippi High School Journalist of the Year, and junior Joe Pearson took the prestigious Orley Hood Award for Excellence in High School Journalism.

The student-produced weekly newscast Bruin News Now took first place for news coverage, feature coverage, sports coverage and weather cast.

“I am so proud of our high school journalists,” said Principal Dena Kinsey. “They work hard every week to provide students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni with a first-rate, professionalquality newscast that is second to none in our state. These honors speak to their dedication, hard work and professionalism.”

Journalism students received the awards Monday, April 1, 2019, at the end of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Convention on the campus of the University of Mississippi. More than 500 high school students from across the state attended the event.

St. Joe offers print journalism and broadcast journalism classes, two of many electives students can take every year. Journalism students produce an online newspaper, The Bear Facts; a weekly video newscast, Bruin News Now; and an annual yearbook, The Shield.

Journalism students webcast varsity football and basketball live on the Bruin News Now YouTube channel as well as broadcast an audio feed of the games over WJXC Jackson, Mississippi Catholic Radio, 107.9. They also produce a weekly, 30-minute radio show for WJXC called The Bruin Buzz Live.

A 24-member delegation of St. Joe journalism students traveled to the 2019 MSPA convention. There, they attended several breakout sessions covering video filming, video editing, news photography, news writing and more.

The event ended with a talk by Ronnie Agnew, executive director of Mississippi Public Broadcasting, followed by the annual awards program.

Grove became the second St. Joe student to be named Mississippi High School Journalist of the Year; Bruin alumnus Jack Hall received the award in 2016. Grove will advance to the national competition sponsored by the Journalism Education Association.

Pearson’s win marked the fifth time in the Orley Hood Award’s sixyear existence that a St. Joe student received the honor. Pearson also won the award in 2017 and was a finalist in 2018. The award is named in memory of the late Orley Hood – a popular newspaper columnist.

The Bear Facts, the school’s student newspaper, took first place for sports coverage based on the fall special edition honoring the state championship swim team. Bruin News Now took first place in news coverage and feature coverage among high school newscasts.

Grove took first place for a BNN news story on three St. Joe students who earned the rank of Eagle Scout; he also won first place for his BNN weekly weathercast. Junior Hannah Dear took first for a BNN feature on a memorial that honored the late Blair E. Batson.

Senior Garret Grove, left, was named Mississippi High School Journalist of the Year while junior Joe Pearson received the Orley Hood Award for Excellence in High School Sports Journalism. Pearson won the award in 2017 and was a finalist in 2018.

“I AM SO PROUD OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL

JOURNALISTS.

THESE HONORS SPEAK TO THEIR DEDICATION,

HARD WORK

AND PROFESSIONALISM.”

– DENA KINSEY, PRINCIPAL SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 19

EXTRA: AWARD-WINNING COLUMN Frierson shaped by life-changing challenges EDITOR’S NOTE: This column received first place in sports commentary from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York City. It first appeared in the February 2018 edition of The Bear Facts.

T

By JOE PEARSON

HINGS LOOKED BLEAK FOR THE ST. JOE Bruin baseball team.

The Bruins, facing a hostile crowd at Loyd Star Attendance Center, were down 8-6 with two outs at the top of the final inning of the final game of the South State championship.

Junior Trey Frierson was at bat, facing a three-ball, two-strike count and one more pitch that could throw the game to Loyd Star.

Hundreds of St. Joe fans traveled to Brookhaven that Saturday, May 13, 2017, for the winner-take-all match-up against Loyd Star. The Bruins lost Game 1 on the road days earlier, but won Game 2 at home – setting up this pivotal contest.

I leaned on the rail of the shabby dugout, the warm latespring wind whipping across my face while the sun beat down on the field. I chewed nervously on a dwindling supply of sunflower seeds.

Mud and grass stained Trey’s blue-and-white, pin-striped baseball jersey as he calmly eyed the pitcher and waited for the most important throw of the game and the 2017 baseball season. n

n

n

Jimmy Frierson III, or “Trey” as everyone calls him, was born in Canton on June 7, 1999. Trey had always been an exceptional athlete, dominating Canton youth sports in football, basketball and baseball But seven years ago, Trey faced something much bigger than the pressures of any athletic event. Trey lost his mother, Monique, who passed away in November 2010 after years of fighting breast cancer. Trey was in the sixth grade.

“That’s my drive, you know, to make my mom happy, my grandma and my dad happy,” he said recently.

Of the many special memories he has, Christmas 2009 stands out the most – the last one he spent with his mom. Trey will never forget sharing the day with his parents and siblings.

“The passing of my mom is (one of) the most important things of my life,” Trey said, fidgeting with a pink bracelet on his wrist. His mother once wore the bracelet; now he wears it as a reminder of her love.

“It (his mom’s death) changed me . . . but it definitely made me stronger as a person,” Trey said. “It made me and my friends closer.

GREAT FRIENDS One such friend is fellow senior Grant Murphy. The two are so close, in fact, that Trey even sent Grant’s mom, Danielle, a

continued on page 21 20 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker

Pearson, Sanli snag national awards for their writing St. Joe’s success in journalism didn’t end with state honors at the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association.

Two Bruin juniors, Joe Pearson and Andrew Sanli, took national writing honors from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York.

The CSPA Gold Circle Awards cited Pearson for first place in Best Sports Commentary for a column that appeared in the February 2018 edition of the St. Joe student newspaper The Bear Facts. The column is reprinted on the facing page.

The CSPA gave Sanli an Honorable Mention for a sports story that appeared in the May 2018 edition of The Bear Facts detailing the St. Joe Bruins’ state championship in baseball. That story is reprinted on page 22 of this edition of Bruin Notes.

“These talented student journalists put in a lot of time and effort writing stories that major newspapers would have loved to publish,” Principal Dena Kinsey said.

“We are so proud that their work has been recognized on a national level.”

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association announced the 35th Gold Circle

Awards for high school newspapers and magazines in fall 2018. Eligible entries were published from June 13, 2017 to June 11, 2018.

The honorees were chosen from among 6,514 print news and magazine contest entries from U.S. high schools and international high schools that teach an American curriculum.

Of those, 720 entries, or about 11 percent, were cited for awards in 51 newspaper and 35 magazine categories that included news, sports, feature and opinion writing.

Pearson served last year as editor of The Bear Facts. He has won several high-profile awards for his writing. Sanli is a sports writer for The Bear Facts; he also serves as a reporter and one of the main anchors on Bruin News Now, the school’s awardwinning, student-produced, weekly video newscast.

Pearson and Sanli play varsity football and baseball at St. Joe. “These are two of the many hard-working, dedicated high school journalists that make our journalism program the best in the state,” Kinsey said.

“Joe’s and Andrew’s national recognition for their sports writing says a lot about

continued from page 20 Mother’s Day card one year.

“He has overcome some tremendous obstacles in his life, and those have helped him make it to where he is today, “ Grant said.

“Trey is one of the few athletes you find that will stop at nothing to excel, no matter what happens.”

Trey has undoubtedly made his mom – and his dad and grandmother – happy.

He led the Bruin baseball team in hits last year while playing shortstop. As the Bruin’s star wide receiver last fall, Trey had 44 receptions for almost 900 yards and 10 touchdowns.

This year, for the first time since middle school, Trey decided to play basketball. He simply wanted to make his senior year as memorable as possible.

But if you ask Trey anything about his high school career at St. Joe, his answer is always the same: ”My biggest accomplishment is being an ‘A’ student.”

INTANGIBLE QUALITIES Trey has the “it” factor – that intangible, indescribable quality that makes him stand out from the rest. Maybe it’s because of what he has gone through personally. Or maybe it’s because he’s from Canton.

The small Madison County city serves as the county seat and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The colorful Georgia courthouse dominates the center of the town and the city’s historic shopping district.

“In Canton, they said if you play sports, (then you play) for your city and your family, and never forget where you came from,” Trey

Joe Pearson, left, and Andrew Sanli

them as students and student athletes. It also highlights the strong, rigorous, college-prep curriculum we offer at St. Joe.”

said.

Growing up in Canton and playing sports as a youth helped Trey develop a strong work ethic that has ultimately led to success in St. Joe’s academic classes and varsity sports.

“Trey’s really a smart kid, so he picks up on things fast,” said Michael Howell, the Bruins’ head basketball coach.

“He hasn’t played basketball since he was in eighth grade,” Coach Howell said. “So for him to pick up on things so fast is a testament to what type of kid he is and what type of work ethic he has.”

While Trey has done well in basketball, his football and baseball action has attracted interest from community colleges. In fact, Trey plans to play baseball next year at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Meanwhile, as the Bruin 2018 baseball season quickly approaches, Trey, his teammates and his coaches have high hopes for him as well as the Bruin team. They hope to build on the success from the 2017 season. n

n

n

Bruin fans and players watched as Trey stepped up to the plate at Loyd Star late that Saturday afternoon in May 2017. The Bruins fought too hard to lose in the top of the seventh inning. They had to keep their dream alive.

Trey swung. In a sudden quick blur, he slammed the ball to the left field fence, advanced to third base, drove-in three runs and put the Bruins in front.

While the Bruins ultimately lost the game in the bottom of the seventh, Trey and his teammates gave it their all. I know. I was there.

As Trey reached third base after hitting the triple, he stood quietly in place. He remained calm, hands on his hips, a smile on his face – and his mom’s bracelet on his wrist.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 21

EXTRA: AWARD-WINNING STORY

Bruins win first state championship in 41 years

The Bruin team prays before they play in the state baseball championship series at Trustmark Park in May 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story received honorable mention in sports commentary from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association at Columbia University in New York City. It first appeared in the May 2018, edition of The Bear Facts.

P

By ANDREW SANLI

EARL – THE ST. JOE BRUINS WON THEIR FIRST BASEBALL STATE championship in 41 years at Trustmark Park on May 19, 2018, behind the incredible pitching performance of senior Grayson Guillory.

Guillory tossed a complete game against the East Union Urchins, giving up one run in the 5-1 victory. Guillory went two-for-two at the plate and drove in a run.

“I had faith in my whole team, and they backed me up on defense,” Guillory said. “All I did was pound the zone . . . and we got it done.”

In just four years, Coach Gerard McCall has completely turned around the culture of St. Joe baseball. McCall elevated an initially mediocre program to three South State Championship appearances and now one state championship.

“When I got here, no one thought I could do it,” McCall said. “It means a lot that those guys believed in us, believed in our coaching staff.”

Game 3 began shaky for the Bruins.

In the top of the first inning, East Union had its best player, Joel Wilkinson, on second base. Wilkinson attempted to score on a hit from Josh Basil.

As Wilkinson reached home plate, he made contact with the Bruin catcher – knocking off his mask and glove. The umpire counted the run, but ejected Wilkinson from the game for malicious contact with the catcher.

“I think the ruling was correct,” McCall said after the game. “I hate it for the kid. It’s just one of those unfortunate plays.”

Guillory managed to strand the remaining runner on base to end the inning with East 22 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Union on top 1-0. And then the Bruins started to build momentum.

By the bottom of the third inning, the Bruins still trailed East Union 1-0. Third baseman Joe Pearson led off the inning and reached first base on an error by Urchins’ shortstop Ethan Hitt.

Guillory and Trey Frierson bunted for hits to load the bases. When Josh Bailey had a ground ball out, Pearson scored and tied the game.

Next, Guillory scored on a fielder’s choice, hit

by Wyatt Buck. Lastly, Andrew Sanli delivered a clutch two-out hit to score Frierson from third. That put the Bruins ahead 3-1.

The Urchins came back with a punch of their own. East Union had the bases loaded with one out. Guillory managed to get one batter to roll over a ground ball, and the Bruins got the force play at home. The next batter popped up in foul territory and third baseman Pearson caught it for the final out of the inning. Miraculously, Guillory managed to escape and not give up a run.

Guillory continued to dominate the East Union lineup in the top halves of the innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Bruins added two more runs, stretching their lead to 5-1.

The last major obstacle for the Bruins came in the top of the sixth inning. East Union had men on first and second with one out. Guillory got East Union’s Jake Wood to hit a ground ball to third base; Pearson stepped on third and threw across the diamond for a double play to end the inning.

The Bruins entered the top of the seventh just a half inning away from a state championship.

Guillory got Thomas Gentry, the first batter of the inning, out on a ground ball to Brady Johnson at shortstop. Guillory walked the next batter, but got the second out on a force play at second on a ground ball from Ethan Hitt.

One more out remained for the Bruins to be state champions. Pinch hitter Kye Roberts came to the plate – East Union’s last chance.

With an 0-2 count, Roberts popped up to the right fielder, where Collin Ledbetter caught the final out.

“I knew that ball was coming to me before Grayson (Guillory) threw the pitch,” he said.

“When I saw that it was right to me, I was already freaking out before it was even in my glove.”

GET CONNECTED, STAY CONNECTED THE BEAR FACTS ONLINE

The Bear Facts has gone digital and stopped printing physical copies, as seen in this screen shot of the website.

The site is updated weekly, more often if necessary. Go to: www.thebearfacts.net.

THE BRUIN BUZZ LIVE! RADIO SHOW/PODCAST

BRUIN NEWS NOW

BRUIN SPORTS BROADCASTING

Bruin News Now is St. Joe’s awardwinning weekly video newscast.

Subscribe to the BNN channel on YouTube. New episodes are available every Friday on the BNN channel.

Bruin Sports Radio covers Bruin football and basketball with live streaming video webcasts and live radio broadcasts on WJXC-LP Jackson, Mississippi Catholic Radio, 107.9.

THE BRUIN BUZZ

THE SHIELD YEARBOOK ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL THE SHIELD 2019

The Bruin Buzz LIVE! is a weekly radio interview show on WJXC at 5 p.m.

Friday and 7:30 am Monday. You also can listen to it as a podcast on most podcast platforms.

The Bruin Buzz is St. Joe’s official VOL weekly newsletter sent by email every Friday or Saturday to parents and school staff. The school website also has a link to the newsletter.

66

MARK

leave your T H E

S H I E L D

2 0 1 9

The Shield yearbook documents the full academic year at St. Joe from fall through spring. The yearbook is distributed to students and recent alumni every fall.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 23

St. Joe goes to Mardi Gras

Courtesy of the Krewe of Thoth

Bruins to march in first parade in more than 30 years

S

T. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S marching band plans to head to New Orleans in February 2020 to march in one of the city’s premier Carnival parades the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.

The Bruin cheerleaders, the Spirit Steppers dance team and the Color Guard are expected to join the St. Joe band for an appearance in the Krewe of Thoth’s 73rd annual parade through the streets of the Crescent City on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020.

“This is a giant leap for us as far as exposure, and hopefully we will create a new tradition,” said Ronnie Russell, the Bruin band director and Fine Arts Department chairman.

“Our students will have a chance to show their talent on a huge stage – and have fun doing it,” he said.

The Krewe of Thoth (pronounced “toath”) is one of New Orleans’ oldest parading organizations. The krewe is one of three daytime parades on the Sunday before Mardi Gras.

24 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

The St. Joseph Catholic School band hasn’t marched in a Carnival parade in more than 30 years when it was a tradition under former band director the Rev. John Brock.

Brock was band director from 1965-1988.

St. Joe annually marched in such parades as Proteus and Comus.

Manuela Picarella, mother of three St. Joe students and coordinator of the Spirit Steppers, recalled marching in Mardi Gras parades as a high school student from the New Orleans area.

Picarella said she looks forward to taking the Bruin dance team to New Orleans and letting them perform before thousands of people along the city’s parade route.

“Marching in a premier New Orleans Mardi Gras parade is an experience that only stellar programs may boast about,” said Picarella, a New Orleans-area native.

“I look forward to seeing my teams’ excitement as they perform just inches away from their audience on the same streets I marched on 24 years ago.”

ALL ABOUT THE KREWE OF THOTH The Krewe of Thoth – named after the Egyptian god of writing, magic, wisdom and the moon – began in 1947 with 50 members.

Today, the all-male club has more than 1,700 members and stages a huge parade, one of four the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.

Thoth begins at noon. Thoth is the only parade that passes in front of 14 institutions that care for patients with disabilities and illnesses and who otherwise would be unable to attend.

Band, choir, art, dance, ceramics, drawing and live theater: Welcome to the Fine Arts St. Joseph Catholic School’s Fine Arts program is second to none in the metropolitan Jackson area.

From elaborate stage productions and high school and middle school choirs to the school’s band program and its burgeoning young artists, St. Joe students receive a well-rounded exposure to the Fine Arts.

Photos on this pages give you a quick overview of student talent.

Top photo: The Spirit Steppers dance team performs at halftime of a fall 2018 football game.

Second row left: Catherine Cook displays her pottery project.

Second row right: Elliott Stephen, Gabe Blaylock and Tristan Ballard, perform in the lobby during intermission of “Gifts of the Season” holiday concert in December 2018.

Bottom left: Student artwork on display in the halls of the Fine Arts Building.

Bottom right: Mary Grace Stewart and Lake Dodson in a scene from the fall 2018 stage production “The Curious Savage.”

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 25

BUILDING OUR FAITH

Class retreats bring students closer to each other and God

B

Y THE END OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR, ST. JOE students will have participated in their own class retreat, a full day off-campus designed to unite each class and bring them closer to God. The retreats are led by the St. Joe Retreat Team, a group of students who organize each day’s agenda.

One St. Joe class usually attends an off-campus retreat staged by NET Ministries – a group of young Catholics aged 18-28 who leave behind their jobs, school, family and friends to devote nine months to work with high school students.

Students in Grades 10-12 interested in serving on the St. Joe Retreat Team must complete an application. Katherine Sckiets, a 2013 alumna, serves as the campus minister and oversees the retreat team and class retreats.

The St. Joe Retreat Team has a strong mix of students: boys and girls; Catholics and non-Catholics; introverts and extroverts; and more. The mix allows the team to appeal to everyone.

Retreat Team members spend time throughout the year developing ideas for class retreats. Not only are the students encouraged to spend time with each other and make new friends, but they also learn about God along the way.

26 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Above: Galen Goodloe gives a presentation at the 10th grade retreat during the 2018-2019 school year.

Top photo: Senior Members of the St. Joe Retreat Team for the 20182019 school year. Back row from left: Mary Greene, Shelby Couch, Laura Catherine Inman, Catherine Cook, Eli Carter, Gabe Blaylock. Middle row: Clare Harkins, Sydni Vandevender, Emma Kaye Beebe, Luckett Nixon, Hailey Greer, Galen Goodloe. Front row: Marshall Runnels, Leila de Gruy, Alaina Liess, Olivia Osborne. In front is Jacob Harkins.

Celebrating Mass The St. Joseph Catholic School community gathers together every week to celebrate Mass in the Fine Arts theater. Some weeks, Mass coincides with special events such as our annual Grandparents Mass during Catholic Schools Week in the second semester.

Above photo: Rev. Lincoln Dall gives the Eucharist to a student during Mass of the Holy Spirit to start the 2019-2020 school year.

Right photo: Bishop Joseph Kopacz celebrates Grandparents Mass on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019.

Below: Rev. Jason Johnston, St. Joe’s school chplain, says goodbye to Bruins and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison. Father Jason moved to Starkville in January to become pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 27

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Bruin boys swim team wins state title for first time since 2013

T

HE BRUIN BOYS SWIM TEAM captured their first state championship at the Tupelo Aquatic Center in November 2018 – St. Joseph Catholic School’s first such title in five years.

The Bruins fought off rival St. Andrew’s for the top spot in the 1-4A classification.

While the boys took first, the Bruin girls team ended a three-year state championship win streak. Instead, the girls tied with Our Lady Academy for an impressive second place finish.

“It was electric,” longtime Bruin swim coach Lauri Collins said about the state meet and atmosphere surrounding the Bruin team.

The boys asserted dominance with the largest team present and many swimmers who were champions of their individual races. Every swimmer set new personal bests, and there were even some record-breaking swims for this strong group of athletes.

The previous record for the 400 free relay was held by St. Andrew’s with a time of 3:25:81.

The new record, held by J.C. Dorroh, David Warnock, Jack Clements and Kenny Thomas, is 3:22:65. Warnock, Clements and Thomas plan to improve in the off-season and break their own record this year.

Clements, Warnock, Covey Lockhart and Jacob Harkins won the 200-yard free relay with a time of 1:35:28 – breaking the previous record of 1:36:17 set by St. Andrew’s.

For Harkins, it was his last race as a Bruin.

Harkins is a lifelong swimmer, and to end his Bruin swimming career with a gold medal and a state record was something special.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it,” Harkins told his teammates and family after receiving his medal. “I’m a senior and broke a record my last race as a Bruin.”

For the Bruin girls, this was a rebuilding

28 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

year.

The Lady Bruin swimmers showed they should never be counted out. From the start of the meet to around the 200-yard freestyle relay, the girls were in first place.

They then began to slip back, but only by a handful of points. Tying OLA for runnerup behind arch rival St. Andrew’s was an excellent way to end the season for the team.

Of the 11 events in a swim meet, the boys team had representation on the podium for nine of the races.

For the vast majority of the races, St. Joe had at least one boy in the top three and most in the top five for their races.

The boys not only swept all three relays – they also set best times in each.

From the last two weeks in July 2018 all the way up the state finals in November, this team of Bruins worked extremely hard.

For the boys, the taste of victory left them hungry for more. And the girls are now out for blood to reclaim their spot as top dog.

“I’M A SENIOR AND BROKE

A RECORD MY LAST RACE

AS A BRUIN.” – JACOB HARKINS, SENIOR

Photo by Anna Chris Nicholas SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 29

Bond enters second year at St. Joe

Photo by Sydney Shoemaker

Former MSU star quarterback at helm of Bruin football

John Bond, St. Joe’s head football coach and former star Southeastern Conference quarterback, recently shared his thoughts on the 2019 football season in an interview with Bruin Notes. Bond is in his second year coaching football at St. Joe.

BRUIN NOTES: You are entering your second year at St. Joe as head football coach. How is this year different from your first year?

JOHN BOND: On the personal side I think it will be a lot less hectic, I hope.

Maybe we have some of the daily things that need to be done figured out and that will help it go a little smoother.

Last year was a surprise, but a welcome one. The seniors really stepped up. The guys that had not played in a while decided they wanted to play again, and those guys really helped. Once we decided to stay healthy, I knew that we would be able to compete. The seniors really played a key role in the wins 30 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

Q&A

BRUIN NOTES

that we had to get.

BRUIN NOTES: You were a star Southeastern Conference quarterback at Mississippi State. How has that experience, as well as your professional JOHN experience, shaped you as BOND a football coach?

BOND: You have to be tough – both physically as well as mentally tough – to play in the SEC. I have been around a lot of coaches and players – and all the really good ones had this.

Another thing that the good ones all had was a positive attitude, loyalty and pride in

what they do. Being positive and being loyal to your teammates and fellow coaches is the most important quality that a player or coach can have. If you are disloyal and negative, it will rub off on everything you touch.

BRUIN NOTES: What can we expect this year from the Bruin football team?

BOND: I expect our guys to play with zero quit and all giddy-up. We will look a lot different from the sidelines to the goal lines.

(Players will be) positive and encouraging, eager to play and work hard (and) unrelenting in their efforts. Just like last year, you will see a strong core of seniors and a supporting cast that will complement their abilities. You will not see us trying to make kids do something that they are not capable of doing.

BRUIN NOTES: What is your secret to success on and off the field?

BOND: The two qualities that are very important to success is being positive and loyal. Unfortunately, in today’s society, those can be very hard to find because both are very unselfish qualities. When you find those in a teammate or coach, you’ve found a good one.

Droel: Bruin archery on target for new season and great year

Q&A

Brother Robert Droel, in his fourth year atBRUIN St. Joe, will NOTES coach the BruinQ&A archery team and bowling teams this year.

BRUIN NOTES: What do you hope you and your teams will experience.

BROTHER DROEL: I’m really excited to start off my coaching career this year with two sports. I hope the players on both will grow in their appreciation of the sports and continue to master their skills and learn from one another as well as from their coach.

BRUIN NOTES: Archery is in its second year at St. Joe. What do you want to accomplish?

DROEL: It’s my hope we can build an interest in and general knowledge of the sport while growing the team. Everyone comes in with different levels of experience, and that’s great. We’ll cover the fundamentals and go from there. I hope that in addition to having the returning archers, we might attract new talent and people who want to give it a shot. Archery has not only a physical component, but a mental and even spiritual core which teaches patience,

BRUIN NOTES

attention, persistence, and selfdiscipline.

BRUIN NOTES: Tell us about bowling.

DROEL: I’ll be helping Mr. Dillon with the bowling team this year. As someone who BROTHER excelled academically in school ROBERT but neglected the athletic DROEL opportunities, I now have a greater appreciation for the value competitive athletics have for students.

It’s about much more than playing a game and winning or losing.

It’s about being on and contributing to a team as well as challenging yourself to grow and be the best you can be. Sports add to a holistic high school experience and at St. Joe, there is a sport for pretty much everybody.

BRUIN FOOTBALL All home varsity and middle school games are played at Bill Raphael Field. Kick-off for varsity is 7 p.m., while kickoff for middle school is 6 p.m. Admission is $7 a person.

VARSITY FOOTBALL Aug 23: at St. Stanislaus Aug. 30: Cathedral Sept. 6: Richland Sept. 13: at St. Andrew’s Sept. 20: West Lincoln (HC) Sept. 27: at Velma Jackson Oct. 4: at South Delta *

Oct. 11: Pisgah * Oct. 18: Open Oct. 24: at Pelahatchie * Nov. 1: Riverside * Senior Night * District games

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL Sept. 3: Christ Covenant Sept. 9: at Puckett Sept. 17: at St. Andrew’s Sept. 23: at Shirley Simmons

Sept. 30: at Pisgah Oct. 7: Pelahatchie Oct. 15: Hartfield Academy

CROSS COUNTRY Aug 24: at Madison Central Aug. 31: at Choctaw Trails Sept. 7: at Madison Central Sept. 28: at Clinton High Oct. 5: at Ford Watson Choctaw Trails

Oct. 12: at Madison Central Oct. 23-24: Regionals at Choctaw Trails Nov. 2: State at Choctaw Trails

Ready, aim, fire: Clay shooting eyes new year The clay shooting team, which is in its second year of competition at St. Joe, recently this fall named the new team of students and started practice early this month.

The team is coached by Stephanie Williams and Zach Jordan. For the team roster, visit the school website: www.stjoebruins.com.

VOLLEYBALL All home volleyball games are played in the St. Joe gym. MS is middle school, V is varsity and JV is junior varsity. Middle school games start at 4:30, JV at 5:30 and varsity at 6:30 p.m.

Aug 3/4: Tournament, Millsaps (MS) Aug. 7: at JA (MS, JV, V) Aug. 9: at Jackson Prep (MS, V, JV) Aug. 11/12: Tournament (V) Aug. 14: at NWR (MS, JV, V) Aug. 16: at Velma Jackson (V) Aug. 21: Pisgah* (MS, JV, V) Aug. 23: Yazoo* (V) Aug. 25: Tournament, Hartfield (V) Aug. 28: at St. Andrew’s* (MS, JV, V) Aug. 30: at Pisgah* (MS, JV, V) Sept. 5: MRA (JV, V)

Sept. 6: Jackson Prep (MS, JV, V) Sept. 8: Infinity JV Tournament (JV) Sept 11: at Yazoo* (V) Sept. 13: Velma Jackson* (MS, JV, V) Sept. 15: Volleyfest, Tupelo (V) Sept. 18: St. Andrew’s* (MS, JV, V) Sept. 22: Saints Showdown (V) Sept. 25: TBA (JV, V) Sept. 27: TBA (JV, V) Oct. 2: Clinton (JV, V) Oct. 4: NWR (MS, JV, V) Oct. 9: Ridgeland **

SWIM Aug 19: Starkville High at JYC, 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 26: Clinton High at JYC, 4:45 p.m.

Sept. 7: St. Joe Bruin Invitational, at UMMC, 11 a.m.

Oct. 7: NWR and Brandon at Flowood YMCA, 4 p.m.

Oct. 19: North State at Cleveland, 10 a.m.

Oct. 26: State Championship at Tupelo, 8 a.m.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 31

St. Joe students joined St. Richard Catholic Church in June for a trip to Italy – what some people called . . .

A TRIP OF A LIFETIME

F

By JOE PEARSON

ROM THE BEGINNING, I KNEW MY PILGRIMAGE to Rome with other teenagers from St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson this summer would be unlike anything I initially expected.

Other members from my Catholic parish and fellow classmates from St. Joseph Catholic School, where I am a senior – accompanied me.

We were all beyond excited to see what lay on the other side of the Atlantic.

This was a dream trip, a once-in-a-lifetime excursion to Italy where our week-long itinerary would take us to the Vatican City, Rome, Assisi and Venice as we took in the wonders and history of Italy.

Our visit to Vatican City that left me spellbound.

The entire trip started on a Saturday in June when our flight from Jackson to Atlanta was delayed six hours. Consequently, we missed our connecting flight in Atlanta by three minutes and an entire day of touring in Rome.

The floor of Terminal F in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was harder and more uncomfortable than any floor I’ve ever slept on.

When we finally arrived in Italy, our first stop was the Vatican.

“Having the opportunity to go to the Vatican was special. It was an eyeopening experience,” said fellow St. Joe senior Andrew Sanli, who was on the trip to Italy. “It is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world.”

We walked more than a mile. We walked up and down the stairs of the Vatican. We even visited the Sistine Chapel. We were exhausted.

So there I stood, directly under Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam.” It was so beautiful it merits the constant accompaniment of an angelic choir.

There, I stared at the ceiling in complete amazement while crammed shoulder-to-shoulder in a chapel of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, with complete strangers from all over the world.

Not soon after, I saw the back wall of the chapel where Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” adorned the wall.

In the center was “Christ, King of the Universe, the Righteous Judge.” He was accompanied by the Blessed Mother, watching over souls as they made their journey to Paradise.

My mind drifted back to the year previous, while sitting

“HAVING THE

OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE

VATICAN

WAS SPECIAL.”

– ANDREW SANLI, SENIOR

continued on page 35 Left: The city of Assisi, Italy, taken during the summer trip to Italy sponsored by St. Richard Catholic Church. Photo by Tessy Sanli.

32 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 33

Above: Pope Francis passes throngs of Catholics in Vatican City in June 2019.

Bottom: Jacob Harkins, left, Clare Harkins, Elyssa Lambert and Ried Smith take a break from touring Italy.

Facing page: The Roman Coliseum.

All photos courtesy of Tessy Sanli.

34 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

continued from page 32 in Mrs. Sue Dickson’s world history class at St. Joe as she lectured about the Renaissance. It was as if I had physically stepped into a lecture, and I was totally amazed.

Two days later, we were back in the Vatican, this time to see Pope Francis. Thousands of people filled St. Peter’s Square as far as you could see. We waited in anxious anticipation.

From the back came a cheer. Then a chant of “Viva Papa!” In a minute, our tour group stood 10 feet from the Holy Father. We watched as a mother handed Pope Francis her baby. He took it gently, kissed it on its forehead, and the crowd erupted in cheers.

“Being in the square, with that huge crowd of people, put into perspective why the Catholic Church has (its) name – because it is universal,” said Elyssa Lambert, a former teacher at St. Joe who chaperoned the trip. “It’s incredible to have that many people from such (diversity) be so united.”

I had very little in common with the people who stood in the Sistine Chapel and in Saint Peter’s Square with me that day. But I felt a distinct kinship with them. After all, we journeyed to Rome to experience God in this profound way through artwork.

I also felt connected to the millions of faithful who had traveled to that same place and gazed at the same things.

That moment – along with my journey to Rome as a whole – gave me incredible insight to the universal nature of the Catholic Church. It also made me appreciate even more God’s benevolence as He watches over the whole of creation, guiding the faithful home.

My father always said to invest in education and experiences. I got both in Rome. To know about something pales in comparison to experiencing it.

“BEING IN THE SQUARE . . . PUT INTO

PERSPECTIVE WHY THE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

HAS (ITS) NAME – BECAUSE IT IS

UNIVERSAL.” – ELYSSA LAMBERT, FORMER ST. JOE TEACHER SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 35

150 Year Supporter - $150 • two Commemorative Teacups • EVENT Banner Listing • Logo on the 150th webpage • Social media blasts through December 2020 • ONLY 150 spots available!

150 year Banner sponsor - $250 • Avenue banner with your company or name • two commemorative teacups • event Banner listing • logo on the 150th webpage • Social media blasts through December 2020 • Only 30 banners available 150 year calendar sponsor - $750 • Calendar – your company or name will sponsor a month. Sponsor determines images and content used. (website & printed) • two 150th year t-shirts • two commemorative teacups • banner listing • logo on the 150th webpage • social media blasts through December 2020 • only 12 spots available

St. Joe’s Who’s who - $3,500 • Chance to reclaim your title or re-write history! (choose one) Valedictorian Most likely to succeed Most athletic Most school spirit • Two tickets to the 150th class reunion gala on July 17, 2020 o reserved seating o Parking passes o two etched champagne glasses th • 150 calendar • two 150th year t-shirts • two commemorative teacups • event banner listing • logo on the 150th webpage • social media blasts through December 2020 • only one of each title

available MR. & MS. St. Joe - $5,000 • Chance to reclaim your title or re-write history!

• 150th gala host couple • Two tickets to the 150th class reunion gala on July 17, 2020 o reserved seating o parking passes o two etched champagne glasses th • 150 calendar • two 150th year t-shirts • two commemorative teacups • event banner listing • logo on the 150th webpage • social media blasts through December 2020 • only one spot available

For more information, please contact Tricia Harris at tharris@stjoebruins.com or 601.898.4803 36 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

A LEGACY OF FAITH AND EDUCATION

The state’s premier Catholic school marks 150 years

F

ROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS in 1870 to its present role as an outstanding educational institution offering middle and high school curriculum, St. Joseph Catholic School has played an integral part in the lives of many people in Central Mississippi and across the state.

And beginning next year, our community will come together to celebrate St. Joe’s landmark 150th anniversary. Alumni, students, faculty, administrators and supporters will celebrate all that is St. Joe. “This is a huge accomplishment that we will mark with pride, thanksgiving and a lot of fun,” said Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joe. “If you sit back and look at how this school and the school community has helped shape the greater Jackson area and even the state, it truly is amazing.”

Banners hang on light poles on campus.

And plans are being made for events throughout the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021

school years marking the historic event.

Among the planned events is a 150th Gala tentatively set for July 17 at the Station in Gluckstadt. Details are pending, but the school expects to invite alumni, parents, stakeholders and others who want to celebrate this milestone.

The Jeans, Jazz & Bruin Blues Draw Down, set for Saturday Jan. 25, 2020, at the Country Club of Jackson, also will be themed to the 150th anniversary. The Draw Down is the school’s largest fundraiser.

Even student publications will get in on the act. Students already are planning and building a special edition of The Shield yearbook that will document the 2019-2020 school year and also revisit 150 years of St. Joe history.

“One hundred-and-fifty years is nothing to scoff at,” Kinsey said. “We have been here that long for a very good reason: We are fulfilling a mission to educate the whole student academically and spiritually.”

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 37

BRUIN NEWS Bruin Shop Chalk it up to change: sells school Library gets makeover apparel and spirit wear

Another new addition to the St. Joe campus is The Bruin Shop, located in the WHERE: Next to the same building football ticket booth. as the ticket office outside HOURS: Fridays 7-8 Bill Raphael a.m. and every Friday Field. night home football The store game stocks St. Joe ONLINE: Shop online clothing and www.thebruinshop.com other schoolbranded merchandise.

The store is modeled after similar stores on private school campuses in metro Jackson.

Previously, volunteers led by St. Joe parent Danielle Murphy, would pop up a tent and set up shop near Bill Raphael Field.

Murphy created a one-stop Bruin store with everything anyone could want.

THE BRUIN SHOP

Senior Sydney Shoemaker writes her name on the senior wall, a portion of the library that once housed Mac desktop computers and later became one long empty desk. This year, the wall received a new coat of paint that turned it into a giant chalk board.

Coming soon: A full-service coffee station

St. Joe parent Danielle Murphy in The Bruin Shop.

38 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

When St. Joseph Catholic School students returned to campus to start the 2019-2020 school year, they were met by major changes to the school library.

For starters, the library checkout desk was moved to the center of the room. Desks built-in along the wall were removed and the wall itself turned into a massive chalk board.

New furniture also was added. Still to come later this fall: A coffee bar where students, faculty and staff will be able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the library while they are hard at work.

School officials say the changes will make the library more inviting. Others called the makeover a touch of “Barnes & Noble.�

BRUIN NEWS

St. Joseph Catholic School Legacy Photo

The St. Joseph Catholic School Legacy Photo includes current students whose families have attended St. Joe for generations. This photo is from the spring 2019 semester. Front row from left: Luke Rooks, Max Rooks, Matthew Hornaday, Cooper Chaplain, Wyatt Buck, Gabe Blaylock, Declan Blaylock, Garret Grove, Clifton Goodloe, Grace Goodloe, Hailey Greer, Galen Goodloe, Camilla Goodloe, D’Asia Evans, Ralph Arrington, Anderson Nixon, Luckett Nixon, Amber Paige, Kellyn Paige, Mary Greene, David Greene, Madalyn Weisenberger, Grace Anne Weisenberger, Elizabeth Weisenberger. Middle row: Addie Matthews, Alex Lyle, Leah Munoz, Nicholas Munoz, Jordan Muse, Mary Hazel Bellan, Mina Leffler, Cole Rueff, Jack Clements, Clare Harkins, Jacob Harkins, Noah Harkins, Elliott Stephen, Ava Kathryn Stephen, Cy Stephen, Harrison Mohead, Chase Taylor, Ilianna Ramos, Aedan Ramos, Ryan Chance, John Lunardini, Amanda Hair, Anna Williams, Loria Williams Back row: Benjamin Crout, Anna Crout, Bryn Lieb, Rachel Donaldson, Mary Lee Topik, Harlan Barbour, Fritz Barbour, Nicholas Burger, Layla Lewis, Kristin Miller, Alice McPhail, Farrell Moorehead, Sully Moorehead, Liam Moorehead, Vivian Young, Maddie-Claire Spence, Mabry Hirn, Augusta Hirn, Michael Seale, Brennyn Bolden, Bryce Bolden, Shelby Couch, Zoie Jewusiak, Charlotte Park, Anna Grace Starnes, Abby Starnes, Melisa Preuss-Munoz.

Bruin seniors head to APEX Leadership Bruins attend HOBY Summit at Ole Miss in summer 2019 program at Millsaps

WYATT DAVIS

ALEXANDRA LADNER

LEAH MURPHY

Five St. Joseph Catholic School seniors attended the 11th Annual APEX Leadership Summit at the University of Mississippi during the summer of 2019.

Wyatt Davis, Alexandra Ladner, Leah Murphy, Annalise Rome and Alex Shelton participated in one of three, four-day programs in June and July.

Ole Miss hosts the program every summer

ANNALISE ROME

ALEX SHELTON

for rising high school seniors from across the nation.

The program is packed with leadership development, team building and sessions covering ethics, personal responsibility, problemsolving, developing a leadership resume and community outreach.

St. Joseph students Jack Clements and Jessica Smith participated in the 2019 Hugh O’Brian JESSICA Youth Leadership JACK SMITH Program this sumer CLEMENTS at Millsaps College.

For more than five decades, HOBY has inspired young people to make a difference and become catalysts for positive change in their home, school, workplace and community.

As America’s foremost youth leadership organization, HOBY has a long history of successfully motivating young people to develop into outstanding leaders.

Much of the work at HOBY involves young people exploring and identifying their unique leadership skills. HOBY stresses selfknowledge, uniqueness, and authenticity.

SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL | MADISON | 39

BRUIN NEWS

School finds iPads a good fit for students

Eighth grade social studies students use their iPad for class work.

Students turned in their MacBook Air laptops at the end of the 2018-2019 school year – and when they returned in the fall picked up a new, state-of-the-art iPad. St. Joe originally went high tech in January 2016 when students were assigned MacBook Airs to use in the classroom and at home. Middle school students switched to iPads two years ago.

Sharon Igwebuike, the school’s technology director, said high school students switched to iPads because they are easier to manage and support.

The iPads also are more portable and cost efficient.

IPads are touch screen with a portable, detachable keyboard. They are equipped with Microsoft Office, which includes Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook for email.

“These iPads and their cases are very durable, which makes them more student-friendly than the MacBook Airs were,” said Melissa Hall, the school’s IT specialist.

St. Joe students participate in School bus service links St. 2019 Boys State and Girls State Joe and St. Richard schools

St. Joe was represented this year at the American Legion Boys State held at Ole Miss and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State held at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Attending Boys State May 26-June 1 this year were: Wyatt Davis, Lake Dodson, Michael Doherty, Alex Shelton and Kenny Thomas. Attending Girls State June 2-7 were Hannah Dear, Ellie Heilman and Farrell Moorehead.

Both programs allow students to participate in a mock government MICHAEL in which delegates DOHERTY serve as a governor, lieutenant governor and other statewide and local elected officials.

There, they write, propose and debate legislation often centered around important issues of the day. Both programs HANNAH give students a taste of DEAR what it is like to hold public office.

40 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

WYATT DAVIS

LAKE DODSON

ALEX SHELTON

KENNY THOMAS

ELLIE HEILMAN

FARRELL MOOREHEAD

School bus service is now available between St. Joseph and St. Richard Catholic schools, making it easier for parents to send their children to either school.

Parents can drop St. Joe students off at St. Richard every morning; the students then board a school bus bound for St. Joe. At the end of the school day, students board a school bus bound for St. Richard where parents will pick them up.

In the same manner, parents

drop St. Richard students off at St. Joe every morning; those students board a school bus bound for St. Richard. After school ends at St. Richard, students travel by bus to St. Joe for parent pickup.

Stations of the Cross restored Volunteer Douglas Harris spent the summer 2019 restoring the wooden Stations of the Cross located around the St. Joe campus.

The wood was showing rot and age. Once completed, Harris returned the Stations to their locations on campus.

BRUIN NEWS

Bruins welcome new teachers for 2019

St. Joseph Catholic School’s new teachers for the 2019-2020 school year: Sarah Brock, 10th Grade English teacher; Julie Muse, calculus and algebra teacher; Jason Moore, 10th and 11th grade history teacher; Danielle Powe, Human A&P and Environmental Science teacher; Kenya Ashby, Biology teacher; and Pam Cassreino, SALT teacher. Not pictured are Madison Upendo, theater teacher, and Hannah Carpenter, seventh grade math teacher.

St. Joseph Catholic School welcomes eight new faculty members for the 2019-2020 school year.

Kenya Ashby is in her first-year of teaching at St. Joe. Ashby is teaching Biology I and Biology I Honors to ninth graders. Ashby earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Mississippi. She also has a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Mississippi College.

Before teaching, Ashby served as a mentor for STEM majors and for Mississippi Outreach Scholastic Talent.

Sarah Olivia Brock returns to St. Joe to teach 10th Grade English after spending the past three years teaching at Northwest Rankin High School. Brock also oversees the St. Joe website.

Brock began her teaching career in 2008 after earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish at Mississippi College and a master’s degree in teaching from Belhaven University.

Hannah Heilman Carpenter (’14) of Jackson is teaching seventh grade math and serves as an assistant volleyball coach. Carpenter taught second grade last year.

Carpenter is the only new teacher who is a St. Joe alumna, Class of 2014. She, earned a bachelor of science in elementary education from Mississippi State University.

Pam Vance Cassreino comes to St. Joe with 28 years of teaching experience, most recently teaching special education students in Canton public schools. Cassreino will be teaching students in the SALT, Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques, program.

Cassreino earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mississippi College and a master’s in special education from Jackson State University. She will join her husband at St. Joe,

Terry Cassreino, who is the school’s communications director and journalism teacher.

Jason Moore of Brandon, is teaching 10th and 11th grade history.

He also serves as defensive coordinator for the St. Joe varsity football team and coaches boys powerlifting.

Moore comes to St. Joe with 25 years of teaching and coaching in Mississippi. He began teaching at Forest High School in 1994. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Alabama, earning a bachelor’s degree in coaching education.

Julie Muse of Jackson is teaching AP Calculus, Calculus and Algebra III at St. Joe. She has 25 years of teaching experience at the high school and community college level.

Muse, who has a daughter at St. Joe, junior Jordan Muse, earned a master’s degree of education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Danielle Powe of Pearl teaches Human A&P and Botany/ Environmental Science. Powe also serves as head softball coach, assistant girls soccer coach and the color guard instructor.

Powe enters her first-year of teaching after working for two years as a first-grade teacher assistant. Powe has an associate degree from Hinds Community College, a bachelor’s degree in educational science and a master’s degree in education/teaching arts from Mississippi College.

Madison Nathaniel LeKeiford Upendo of Jackson is in his first year of teaching after earning a bachelor’s degree in theater from Belhaven University in Jackson.

Upendo is teaching middle and high school theater at St. Joe. Upendo will also be directing all theater productions this year, including “Junie B. Jones is NOT a Crook” – the school’s fall theatrical production.

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BRUIN ALUMNI

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BRUIN ALUMNI St. Joe: The bond that links us all Alumni reunite on campus to celebrate Homecoming 2018

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VERY YEAR, ALUMNI FROM ACROSS THE United States return to St. Joseph Catholic School to celebrate Homecoming and stage a class reunion.

Last year. St. Joe welcomed alumni on Friday, Sept.

28, 2018, at a reception in the school cafeteria before the St. JoePelahatchie football game.

Among those who attended and staged reunions were graduates from 1953, 1958, 1963, 1973, 1978, 1983 and 1988. Guests at the

reception mingled with St. Joe teachers and staff while dining on gumbo and hors d’ouvres.

Some alumni joined the crowd in the stands at Bill Raphael Field to watch the Bruins take on the Pelahatchie Chiefs. Others grabbed a chair on the cafeteria deck and watched the game from the south end zone.

This year, alumni from years ending in 4 and 9 are expected to meet on campus for the 2019 Homecoming festivities on Friday, Sept. 20. St. Joe will take on West Lincoln in this year’s Homecoming football game.

During last year’s alumni Mass on Saturday, Sept. 29, the stained glass window in the school chapel depicting the Holy Family was dedicated to the class of 1958 by Arthur (1958) and Brenda Schmidt.

This year’s alumni Mass is 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 in the school chapel.

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BRUIN ALUMNI

1950s

2000s

ARTHUR SCHMIDT (’58) and his wife, Brenda, dedicated the Holy Family stained glass window in the school chapel to the Class of 1958.

BRETT SUMMERS (’09) graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2015. Summers was expected to graduate with a doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic, Port Orange, Fla., on Sept. 21, 2019.

1960s

WINFORD ROSS (’17) signed to play basketball at Mississippi College.

MICHAEL BUCK (’17) signed to play baseball at Delta State University.

JACOB GARRARD (’17) was named to the Dean’s List at Hinds Community College in fall 2018 and spring 2019.

RAYMOND BROCATO (’64) was the photographer for The Rebel Yell, the name of the St. Joe school newspaper before it became The Bear Facts.

Brocato congratulated Bruin Notes on its first edition last year.

“Outstanding publication,” he wrote, “articles, photography, features and format. A long way from The Rebel Yell days.”

2010s

CHARLES ROOKS (’17) graduated from Hinds Community College in spring 2019.

ARIANNA CARGIN (’12) graduated from Jackson State University, fall 2018 with a degree in public health science and a master’s in public health.

JOHN TURNER III (’17) graduated from Hinds Community College in spring 2019.

DEBBIE TREBOTICH (’68) has been inducted into the Hinds Community College Sports Hall of Fame. Trebotich played basketball and volleyball for HCC. She is still competing in the Senior Olympics.

LINDSEY FUNDERBURG (’15) participated in an eight-week internship in summer 2018 with U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Washington.

1990s J.J. PLUMMER (’91) head coach at Richland High School with his dad, Coach Johnny Plummer. Coach Johnny coached at St. Joe in the 1990s with Coach Bill Rayfield.

COURTNEY HELOM (’14) was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama in fall 2018.

COLE GREEN (’16) has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.

CATHERINE URSIN (’16) was named a President’s Scholar in fall 2018 at Hinds Community College.

BRYANT GROVE (’16) was named to the Dean’s List at Mississippi College in fall 2018.

NOAH GREENE (’16) was named to the Dean’s List at the University of Alabama in fall 2018 and spring 2019.

ALLISON MILNER (’18) was named to the Dean’s List at Mississippi College in fall 2018.

PATTON BEARD (’19) proud uncle, introduces the newest Bruin, Pryor, to campus. Pryor Jane Ramsey, born in August 2018, is the daughter of Thierry Beard Ramsey (2010) and Chaz Ramsey.

Share the latest news about yourself and your family with other St. Joe Bruin alumni and friends. Send information about yourself, your job, any honors, and any accomplishments to vrunnels@stjoebruins.com Any photos should be high resolution jpegs.

Payne spends memorable, but busy, summer 2019 BENJAMIN PAYNE (’16), a senior at Ole Miss, had a busy summer.

Payne interned for U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker from May 20-June 28. He studied in Prague during June with the Trent Lott Leadership Institute.

He participated in a brief internship in midAugust with Huntington Ingall’s Shipyards in Pascagoula. He also is training as a volunteer with the Lafayette County Fire Department.

Payne said he “will be attending the State Fire Academy certification course in September. This is one of the ways I have enjoyed serving the Oxford community during my time as an undergraduate at Ole Miss.”

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BRUIN ALUMNI

Hendley interns this fall at “60 Minutes”

The Class of 1966 Lunch Club

MATTHEW HENDLEY (’17), a junior at the Ole Miss School of Journalism and New Media, is spending the fall semester at King’s College in New York and interning at CBS News’ “60 Minutes.”

Hendley also interned during summer 2019 at WKRN-TV in Nashville. Hendley, who anchored Bruin News Now while attending St. Joe, is majoring in broadcast journalism.

St. Joe alumnae Chris Arrington Nesbit, Caroline Schmidt Frazier, Judy Bittner Frascogna, Cindy Clark Curley, Lou Ware Weatherly, Mary Boland Zimmerman, Mary Louise Joseph Jones – all members of the Class of 1966 – meet monthly for lunch. In this photo, the group met for lunch in September 2019 at Railroad Pizza in Flora.

Class of 1969 Reunion

Members of the St. Joseph Catholic School Class of 1969 had their 50th class reunion in Spring 2019. Other classes ending in the numbers 9 and 4 were expected to have their reunions on campus during Homecoming 2019 on Friday, Sept. 20. St. Joe planned to host a reception for alumni that night before the St. Joe-West Lincoln football game at 7 p.m.

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BRUIN ALUMNI Williams named director of seminarians

Two other Bruin alumni serve as pastors in Cleveland, Miss., and Natchez REV. AARON WILLIAMS (’10), parochial vicar at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greenville, was appointed this summer as director of seminarians for the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.

Williams will work closely with Rev. Nick Adam, the parochial vicar at St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson who was appointed director of vocations.

The two priests have developed a plan and structure for their team effort at increasing vocations to both the priesthood for men and consecrated religious life for men and women.

Adam will take the lead on recruitment and early discernment.

Williams will work with seminarians once they enroll to keep an eye on their formation and provide support when needed.

He will act as an intermediary between all the people involved in formation including Bishop Kopacz, seminary faculty and pastors overseeing summer assignments.

Two other Bruin alumni also serve as pastors of Catholic churches in the Diocese of Jackson.

REV. KENT BOWLDS (’74) serves as pastor of Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church in Cleveland in the Mississippi Delta. With Cleveland home to Delta State University, Bowlds’ ministry also includes a sizable university population.

REV. SCOTT THOMAS (’02) serves as pastor of St. Mary Basilica in Natchez. St. Mary once served as the cathedral for the Catholic Diocese of Natchez-Jackson.

Rev. Aaron Williams

Christmas Party 2018

St. Joseph Catholic School Class of 1970 and Class of 1971 hosted the third annual Christmas party on Dec. 1, 2018, at C.S.’s for the Classes of 1964-1976.

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BRUIN ALUMNI Cobb, Rucker

Geimer, Threadgill Wilson, Hanna

ABBEY COBB (’12) and JEFFREY RUCKER (’12) married on June 15, 2018, in Madison.

They currently reside in New Orleans.

ELISABETH GEIMER (’06) and Thomas Threadgill were married Nov.10, 2018, at St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson. They live in Dallas. Elisabeth is an occupational therapist at Children’s Medical Center and Thomas is a senior associate at Invesco Real Estate.

CHRISTOPHER HANNA (’01), and Sarah Wilson were married June 29, 2019, on the St. Joseph campus where they met in 2001. They honeymooned at Sandals Resort, Grenada. They both work for Rankin County, where she teaches and he is a police officer.

Prager, Kamisar

Summers, Meyer

Vandevender, Butts

KATELYN JEAN PRAGER (’12) married Jason Hora Kamisar on June 9, 2018, in Madison at Robert’s Barn with family and friends in attendance. They currently reside in Omaha.

LINDSAY SUMMERS (’07) class of 2007, married Mathew Meyer on June 1, 2018, in Charleston, S.C. They currently live in Nashville.

MEGAN VANDEVENDER (’12) and JACK BUTTS (’13) were married June 2, 2018, at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in Madison. Jack is a senior associate at Horne, LLP. Megan is an industrial engineer at Ergon Inc.

A Family Affair: The Vandevender-Butts wedding

Back row from left: Rooks Patterson, Frances Rooks Patterson (’85), Joe Rooks (’80), Lisa Rooks, Avery Jane Rooks, Russell Rooks, Lele Rooks, Olivia Patterson (’18), Dunaway Rooks, Elizabeth Rooks Barber (’82), Rosemary Rooks, Jay Rooks and Tim Rooks. Middle row: Haley Rooks, Kim Rooks, Zoe Rooks, Paxton Rooks, Destiny Rooks, Teresa Rooks, Lillian Rooks, Charlie Rooks (’17), Sam Rooks (’17), Max Rooks (’19). Front row: Luke Rooks (’21), Phoebe Rooks, Helen Rooks Butts (’83), Bettie Rooks, Jack Butts (’13), Megan Vandevender (’12), Larry Butts, Will Butts (’16), Russell Patterson (’16), Revell Patterson. In front: Oliver Jones and James Rooks.

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BRUIN ALUMNI CAMPUS EVENTS Mark your calendar for these upcoming events on the St. Joseph Catholic School campus.

Fine Arts theater. This concert usually attracts a large crowd so purchase your tickets early.

Curtain is 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

NOVEMBER n SUNDAY, NOV. 3, 2019: St. Joseph Catholic School annual Open House, 2 p.m., Fine Arts Theater. Invite your family and friends to tour St. Joe and see what the school offers. n THURSDAY, NOV. 14 - SATURDAY, NOV. 16, 2019: Fall production of “Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook.” Fine Arts theater, curtain time each night is 7.

JANUARY n SATURDAY, JAN. 25, 2020: Jeans, Jazz & Bruin Blues Draw Down, 6-9 p.m., The Country Club of Jackson. n MONDAY, JAN. 27, 2020: Grandparents Mass will be during the week of Catholic Schools Week that begins Monday Jan. 27. Look for an announcement before the end of the year.

DECEMBER n FRIDAY, DEC. 6 and SUNDAY, DEC. 8, 2019: St. Joseph musicians, dancers and singers will perform the school’s annual holiday concert “Gifts of the Season” in the

FEBRUARY n SUNDAY, FEB. 23, 2020: St. Joe will march in the 2020 Krewe of Thoth Carnival parade in New Orleans at noon.

The Bear Facts

. . .has gone DIGITAL. Now you can catch up on all the latest news from St. Joe instantly on our student newspaper’s new website.

MARCH n THURSDAY, MARCH 26 SATURDAY MARCH 28, 2020: The St. Joe spring musical, 7 p.m. each night along with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinée.

MAY n SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2020: Celebration of the Arts and Senior Art Show, Fine Arts building, 2 p.m. n FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020: Awards Day at St. Joe. Middle school awards begin at 9 a.m.; high school awards are at 1:30 p.m. n TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2020: Baccalaureate Mass and Senior Awards at St. Richard Catholic Church in Jackson. n WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2020: Graduation ceremonies, Class of 2020, 7 p.m. in Thalia Mara Hall, downtown Jackson.

Mississippi’s No. 1 High School Newscast

Go to: www.TheBearFacts.net

The latest news and sports from St. Joseph Catholic School New episodes available every Friday throughout the school year on the Bruin News Now YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/c/BRUINNEWSNOW 48 | BRUIN NOTES | FALL 2019

BRUIN ALUMNI THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS Thank you to our many donors from across the metropolitan Jackson area, the state of Mississippi and the nation.

Your generosity allows us to offer students a firstrate, highly respected college prep curriculum that is second-to-none.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution this year to St. Joseph Catholic School, contact Tricia Harris, advancement director.

You can reach Harris by calling the school office at (601) 898-4800, ext. 4803. You also can email her at tharris@stjoebruins.com.

Join the St. Joe Booster Club – and –

Support Bruin Athletics Contact Mike Heilman, president bruinboosters@stjoebruins.com LIVE ON STAGE: ST. JOE FINE ARTS THEATER THURSDAY-SATURDAY, NOV. 14-16. CURTAIN TIME: 7 p.m.

Last year, St. Joe’s supporters donated generously to the following programs: n Bruin athletics n Jeans, Jazz & Bruin Blues Draw Down n I Give Catholic n St. Joe Trust & Foundations n St. Joe Annual Fund n Bruin Student Media n St. Joe library renovations n To God Through Knowledge annual banquet

Support the Fine Arts at St. Joseph Catholic School.

JOIN F.A.S.T.

The Fine Arts Support Team Email: fast@stjoebruins.com

ADVISORY COUNCIL The St. Joseph Catholic School Advisory Council advises the principal on school matters. Members include alumni and parents whose children attend St. Joe.

OFFICERS

Arista Evans, president Anna Boggan, past president Robert Walker, vice president Jackie O’Quinn, secretary The Rev. John Bohn, canonical administrator Dena Kinsey, principal

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Angelia Brown Chris Halliwell Michael Hebert Emile Picarella

Joey Katool T.G. Bolen Bill Dellavalle Tessy Sanli

NOTE: The Rev. John Bohn and Dena Kinsey are non-voting members.

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BRUIN CAMPUS PHOTOS St. Joe photo gallery

First row, left: Kenny Thomas talks with college recruiters at St. Joe’s College Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019.

First row, right top: Terri Cooper, right, gives a blessing to Chloe Taylor during weekly Mass.

First row, right bottom: St. Joe seniors at a fall 2019 pep rally.

Second row, left: Rev. Nick Adam before Mass in the St. Joe chapel.

Second row, middle: Clockwise from bottom left, seniors Wyatt Davis, Alex Shelton, Joe Pearson and Reed Fry work on an assignment in Theology IV class.

Second row, right: Ronnie Russell, Fine Arts chairman and Bruin band director.

Third row, left: Paige Loyacono, left, and Stella McCarty at the Rock near Bill Raphael Field.

Third row, immediate left: Aedan Ramos, left, Cooper Klein, Melanie Moody, Andrew Bain and Jameson Clancy march with the Bruin band to the football field.

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Food, Fun and Friendship

SAVE THE DATE JANUARY 25, 2020 SAINT JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL DRAW DOWN

New лаlace:

The Country Club of Jackson New Time:

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. $10,000 DRAW DOWN LIVE AUCTION - SILENT AUCTION BRUIN BUCKS - WALL OF WINE

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL 308 NEW MANNSDALE ROAD MADISON, MS 39110

A statue of St. Joseph and Baby Jesus stands outside the St. Joe Fine Arts building.

The 55-inch Massarelli statue was a gift of the Class of 2015.