the Flame SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E S T A A D V A N C E M E N T O F F I C E S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 SAVE THE STA Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary DATES! August 19, 4-7pm: Pub- Several guests spoke of lic Kickoff of their pride in being a the Capital part of St. Thomas Campaign Aquinas from its very humble beginnings to October 5: its current successes. Homecom- A reception followed ing Game in the Commons November where guests were 10: Falcon entertained by a slide- Fling show depicting images (formerly of how the school has Several Dominican sisters returned from Springfield, Illinois, to help grown. Memorabilia known as the STA celebrate its 25th Anniversary. Pictured from left are Sister displayed around the Com- Lobster Bash) Patricia Burke, Sister Judith Anne Haase, Principal Jose Becerra, mons was a big hit and in- Sister Teresa Marron, and Sister Virginia. cluded old football jerseys, On February 4, 2012, the St. the original Dominican sis- cheerleader and Starlette INSIDE Thomas Aquinas Regional ters from Springfield, Illinois, uniforms, old yearbooks, THIS ISSUE: Catholic High School commu- who staffed the school from and photographs. Distinguished 2 nity gathered to celebrate 25 1986 until Graduate years of providing a strong 2005. Also Alumni News 4 Catholic education to high recognized school students in our region. were the Class of 2012 6 STA opened its doors on Sep- “second- tember 2, 1986 with 37 fresh- generation Fal- March for Life 9 men and today boasts nearly cons” whose 400 students. The 25th cele- parents gradu- iPad 1:1 10 bration began with a prayer ated from STA. service in the gym. Current The service Athletics 12 and past families, alumni, cur- was conducted rent and former faculty mem- by our co- Mock Crash 16 bers, founders of the school, Chaplains, Fa- and community leaders gath- thers Mark Freshman Ally Inman is joined by her parents. Ally ered in thanksgiving for our Beard and is a second-generation Falcon as her mother Kim- school. Special guests were Randy Cuevas. berly Crapanzano Inman graduated from STA in 1996. PAGE 2 Major Marc Johnson ‘95 is 2012 Distinguished Graduate NC. He was deployed again to Marc Johnson was selected as Freedom in 2006. He was Bagram AB, Afghanistan until the 2012 Saint Thomas Aqui- named the Distinguished March 2010 in support of Op- nas High School Distinguished Graduate of Air Combat eration Enduring Freedom. Graduate. After graduating Command’s Air and Space Marc currently resides from STA in 1995, Marc at- Operation’s Center Basic in Clayton, NC and is a United tended the United States Air qualification course in 2008. States Air Force Senior Pilot, Force Academy in Colorado In 2008, Marc was deployed multi-ship flight lead with more Springs and graduated with a for 12 months to SW Asia in than 2,300 flight hours. He has Bachelor’s of Science Degree support of Operations Iraqi flown more than 600 combat in Management with Military and Enduring Freedom at the hours and 120 combat sorties Honors. Marc then underwent USAF Central Combined Air in support of Operations Iraqi training as an undergraduate and Space Operations Cen- and Enduring Freedom. He has pilot and pilot instructor along ter (CAOC). He planned all flown the T-37B, T-38A, T-38C, with attending Fighter Funda- combat support missions for F-16D and F-15E aircrafts. Marc mentals training. From 2005 – both theaters of operation says his experience at STA 2008, Marc was assigned to and served as the Executive Principal Jose the 335th Fighter Squadron at Officer to the CAOC Direc- “instilled discipline, commit- Becerra congratu- Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. tor. Marc was then assigned ment and dedication to my be- lates Major Johnson He was deployed to SW Asia to the 336th Fighter Squadron liefs while solidifying the impor- tance of character, integrity and during Catholic in support of Operation Iraqi at Seymour Johnson AFB, faith in any situation.” School’s Week. Coach Gauff Chosen for All-American Championship Game In his 16 years as STA Head Basketball and 2008. In both 2009 head coach at Coach, Errol Gauff, was cho- and 2012, STA advanced to sen to be an Assistant Coach the state semi finals. Dur- STA, Coach Gauff for the 2012 All-American ing his tenure, STA has High School Championship won six district titles as has an overall Game. The game was held on well. Sunday, April 1st and was He has twice been record of 362-190, played at the UNO Lakefront named as 2A State Coach two state Arena in conjunction with the of the Year and has been “Final Four” games. A panel named District Coach of championships, of the nation’s most respected the Year five times. He has media covering high school been a member of the Lou- two trips to the basketball serves as the selec- isiana High School Basket- tion committee for the All- ball Coaches Association semifinals and six STA’s own Coach Gauff cho- American Championship. (LHSBCA) for 14 years, four sen for All-American High district titles. Errol Gauff has been of which he served in the the head coach at St. Thomas executive office as Secretary School Game during the Fi- Aquinas for a total of 16 years. and Vice President. He has nal Four in New Orleans. He has also been an assistant also served as Coordinator coach at St. Stanislaus, Hahn- for boy’s basketball on the ville, and St. Paul’s during his LHSAA’s executive council on 19 year coaching career. He three separate occasions. has compiled an overall re- Errol is married to cord at St. Thomas Aquinas of Medria Robinet and they 362-190, while winning the have one daughter, Hailey State Championships in 2007 Elizabeth. A PUB LIC ATION OF TH E STA AD VANC E MEN T O FF IC E PAGE 3 Grandparents’ Day sets attendance record Freshmen Grace year’s breakfast. and Bobbi Amar Grandparent’s visit with their enjoyed visiting grandmother, Mrs. with their grand- Margaret Ann children and Amar. friends and were entertained by the over the years as well STA Choir and as in popularity. Glee Club. Each Grandparents’ Day grandparent re- The always popular Grandparents’ had traditionally been ceived an STA Day breakfast was held this year held in the Commons but was coffee travel mug during Catholic School’s Week on moved to the gym in 2010 due and several prizes Senior Brandon Cancienne and his February 1. This event is one that to the growth in numbers. were raffled also. grandmother Lucille Traylor enjoy has continued growing in number More than 500 attended this breakfast. STA celebrates National Counseling Week National School Counseling Week was celebrated in February to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors and how they positively impact their students. The week highlights the tremen- dous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. At STA, Counseling Week was recognized in many ways, including a suicide prevention training program called “Teen Life Counts”, campus visits from colleges and universities, faculty and staff appre- ciation, and more. Additionally, the Counseling department has implemented parent and student meetings geared to each class and their specific challenges. Information regarding college preparation, career and college goals, and Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster proclaims answers to the high school journey are all addressed. National Counseling Week with STA counsel- ors Meagan Candiotto ‘05 and Ashley Arnone Brady ‘97. Mother Seton honoree is Veronica Bonfiglio Congratulations to Veronica Bon- husband, Mark, have three sons: Jonathan, figlio who has been selected as STA’s 2012 Class of 2004; Joshua, Class of 2008; and Mother Seton recipient. The Mother Seton Jordan, Class of 2012. Veronica has been a Award was created to honor those indi- dedicated volunteer for the Falcon Soccer viduals whose volunteer service and dedi- team and has served as the annual Lobster cation to home, school, and church have Bash’s decoration chairperson. been exemplary. Mother Seton recipients Veronica said, “Some of my and have strong Catholic values and a selfless my families happiest times in the past 12 dedication to Catholic schools. years have been at the STA Soccer Field. I Bishop Muench and Superintendent of Veronica has been an STA parent truly appreciate STA, Coach Cox, and all Schools Melanie Verges congratulate and member of the Home and School As- of the players and parents for being such a Mother Seton recipient Veronica Bon- sociation since 2000. Veronica and her blessing in my life.” figlio. PAGE 4 Inaugural Alumni Crawfish Boil-off The Falcon Alumni Association our campus and reconnect proudly hosted the inaugural with their school,” said Alumni Crawfish Boil-off during AlumniDirector Errol Easter weekend. More than a hun- Gauff. “I am looking for- dred alumni and their families ward to many more events Reese Whitaker, daughter of Lindsay Taylor Whitaker ‘00, and Zoe Jackson, gathered for the camaraderie. Six such as this for our alumni. daughter of Shelby Brignac ‘10 and teams competed in the crawfish As I told our graduating Zay Jackson ‘11 are future Falcons! boiling contest. Competition was seniors, this is your home. fierce and dirty, Louisiana style! Come home sometimes to First place honors went to the visit. Let us know how you team of Matt ‘92 and Jared Lyons are!” ‘96. Will Johnson ‘95 and his team In addition to the garnered second place honors, awards for the Boil-off, the Brandt Meyer ’01 su- and the third place paddle belongs afternoon ended with an pervises one of the to Trey Tantillo ‘02. Easter egg hunt on the crawfish pots for his team. “This was a great func- football field for our future Falcons. Will Johnson ‘95 and Jeff Cashe ‘91 tion to bring our alumni back to visit over corn and potatoes. If you have news to Keeping Up with Falcon Alumni share or simply want to share what’s go- ing on in your life for a future edition of Congratulations to Marquette Guerin Falcon Fest! Jonathan Bonfiglio ‘04 and Pegler ’98 and her husband Jeff on the Lindsay Day ‘04 graduated as Doctors of the Flame, please birth of their daughter, Layne Marquette. Physical Therapy. Bryce Fugarino ‘04 email it to the Ad- She was welcomed home by her big and Nicole Ersek Quinn ‘04 graduated vancement Office, brother, Luke. as Doctors of Medicine and will begin their kkarcher@stafalcons residencies. Donnie Chaucer ‘04 earned Congratulations to Christin Canal Mer- .org. his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. rifield ‘01 and her husband Chris on the birth of their son, Rowe. Kathryn Edwards ‘04 recently earned her juris doctorate from LSU Law School. Also, congratulations to Trey Tantillo ‘02 and his wife Selena on the birth of Dawnielle Rollette ‘04 graduated as a their son, Salvador Peter Tantillo IV, Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine AND got “Cort”. married the same month! Congratulations. Saint Thomas Best wishes to Morgan Scherer ‘04 and Jessica Downing Mathis ‘04 recently Aquinas Regional Grady Seale ‘04 on their recent mar- graduated with a doctorate in Veterinary Catholic High riage. Two Falcons are better than one! Medicine from LSU. School Catie Chaucer ‘05 recently graduated Brooke Gasaway ‘07 graduated summa Falcon Alumni summa cum laude with her Pharm D and cum laude from Virginia Tech University Association will be employed as a pharmacist at Don with a professional Bachelor of Architec- STA - Class of ‘92 Chaucer’s Pharmacy. ture. Reports from the LSU Health Sciences Center at New Orleans graduation cere- monies in May were that it looked like a A PUB LIC ATION OF TH E STA AD VANC E MEN T O FF IC E PAGE 5 STA celebrates at HGS 100 Year Parade STA was proud to help Holy Ghost Catholic School celebrate its 100th Anniversary by participating in its celebratory parade. The Parade was led by the STA Band, Starlettes and Cheerleaders, as well as the STA Falcon mascot. Following that were two floats filled with STA students who are also alumni of Holy Ghost. “Holy Ghost can always count on the students at STA to help. Our students were so excited that the ‘big kids’ came to cele- brate with them,” said HGS principal Tangee Daugereaux. “It is so wonderful for our students to see the camaraderie that we continue to experience, even after we move on from HGS.” STA seeks information on Elusive Falcons If you have contact information for CLASS OF 1991: CLASS OF 1992: any of the following graduates, please Karen Romero Frazier Nicole Genova contact the STA Advancement office Steven Diebold Juliet Gray at (985) 542-8941 or email Heather Booth Heith Huguet [email protected]. Margaret Burgess Jenise Jacques CLASS OF 1990: Joe Gallinaro Tanya King Allen Capdeboscq, Jr Julia Hagood Melissa Muscarella Cathryn Martin Michael Kidd Sidney Perez Elizabeth Hill Michelle Kimball Michele Rolling Erin Ryerson Lance Recile David Soileau Jude Smith Meredith Savoie Troy Tubre John Wiginton Jayme Weber Christen Whiddon PAGE 6 Class of 2012 Leaves Their Mark The Class of 2012 received over $3.3 Million in Scholarship Offerings 82% of the Class of 2012 received a TOPS scholarship Average ACT score of the Top 15 was 28 Average ACT score of the Class of 2012 was 2012 Valedictorian 23.5 Maria Alphonso and Salutatorian Phillip Six seniors have an ACT composite of 30 or DiBenedetto above The Class of 2012 will be attending the follow- 89 seniors completed ing Colleges and Universities: Birmingham 5887 hours of Southern, Clark Atlanta University, Delgado Com- munity College, Louisiana State University, Louisiana community service Tech University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, at: All Saints Episcopal McNeese State University, Millsaps College, Nicholls Church, Belle Maison State University, Northwestern State University, Nursing Home, CASA, Southeastern Louisiana University, Spring Hill Col- Catholic Charities, lege, Tulane University, University of Alabama, Uni- Crime Stoppers of versity of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Tangipahoa, Diocese of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Wyoming. Baton Rouge, Hammond Kiwanis, Hammond Nursing Home, Hammond Rotary, Hammond Strawberry Fields, Holy Ghost Seated: Tony Miller, Maria Catholic School & Church, Alphonso, Baleigh Hospice House, Humane Society, Olah, Jensine Jo- Lallie Kemp Medical Center, Mater seph, Garrett Woodall. Dolorosa Catholic School & Standing: Jourdan Church, Ministries of Hope, New Moschitta, BJ Horizons, North Oaks Medical Miles, Phillip Center, Options, Our Lady of DiBenedetto, Blake Elliott, Cor- Prompt Succor Catholic Church & bett Ourso, Scott School, Relay for Life, Our Lady of Wheat, Mark Holt, Pompeii Catholic Church, St. Ryan Magee. Joseph Catholic School & Church, Standing: Trey La- tino and Trey St. Vincent DePaul, Special Duhe Olympics, TARC, Tangi Food Pantry, and Trafton Academy. The 2012 Top Fifteen A PUB LIC ATION OF TH E STA AD VANC E MEN T O FF IC E PAGE 7 Brotherhood, Sisterhood and Student of the Year At left are Brotherhood and Sisterhood award recipients Hailey Boutwell and Mark Holt. Above is STA Student of the Year Jourdan Moschitta with her parents. Alumni Pinning is a new tradition The Class of 2012 began a new tradition following STA pin. The senior Student final exams. The departing seniors gathered in the Council members presented gym for a final meal together and watched the sen- the administration with a ior slide show. Alumni Director Coach Gauff ad- check for $1400 as their gift dressed the seniors, congratulating them on their to the school for the Falcon successes and reminding them that STA is their Photo Gallery, part of the home: a home we would like them to come back 25th Anniversary celebration. to visit. Kate Valenti Perrilloux ’92, president of The event was closed with the Falcon Alumni Association, welcomed the the unveiling of STA’s alma graduates to the Alumni Association and then was mater, a collaboration be- joined by Alumni faculty members and 2012 sib- tween Karyn Huggett Kin- lings in pinning the graduates with their coveted grey ‘04 and Jonah Zieske ‘12. STA student receives “Veritas Veritas” Tulane Legislative We hail to our Saint Thomas We give our hearts to thee All the time we spent with her, Scholarship Will never leave our memory. The flame of truth will always guide you. Representative Chris Broadwater Be a Falcon strong and true! awarded his Tulane Legislative Scholar- Our Alma Mater, ship to St. Thomas Aquinas Senior We’ll always remember you! Jensine Joseph. The Scholarship for the Pictured left to right are Principal Jose Be- Fall of 2012 and Spring of 2013 academic cerra, STA graduate Jensine Joseph and Lyrics by Karyn Huggett Kingrey ‘04 year is for one year and covers full tui- State Representative Chris Broadwater. Score by Jonah Zieske ‘12 tion for that period. PAGE 8 Sophs participate in “Sudden Impact” STA sopho- Common Driver Violations, The day ended with a guest mores were and more. victim speaker, as well as a invited to As part of the pro- short tour of the hospital’s attend The gram, students were exposed ICU and ER. This program is Sudden Im- to actual crash photos, videos, targeted at the sophomore pact Program and the Standardized Field level for students preparing at Lakeview Sobriety Tests using the Fatal to get their driver's license. Regional Vision (Drunk) goggles. After The Sudden Impact Program is Medical the law enforcement presen- truly unique and beneficial Center. The tation, the students were ad- due to the fact that it ex- students dressed by an ER physician poses youth to vitally impor- were pre- about the medical aspect of tant information in an envi- sented with the dangers of driving, and the ronment that is not their a Safe Driv- impact that is felt long after usual classrooms or school ing Presenta- the initial crash. Also, a repre- gym setting. Sudden Impact is Louisiana State tion including Traffic Laws, Seat- sentative from LOPA a collaboration between Trooper Nick belt Safety, DWI, Underage DWI, (Louisiana Organ Procure- Lakeview and the Louisiana Manale (right) Vehicular Homicide, Driver Dis- ment Association) spoke with State Police. traction, Texting while Driving, them about organ donation. instructs sopho- mores Jordan Jarreau and Finance Fest for the Falcons Bryon Garrety in the use of simu- lated Fatal Vision goggles. Sandi Lambert and Kim Bourgeois from the Louisiana Fed- eral Credit Union recently hosted a “Finance Fest” with the Discrete Mathematics class at Saint Thomas Aquinas. Stu- dents were quizzed as though they were on a TV game show on finance topics such as the stock market, sav- ings, loans, etc. Sandi Lambert of LACAP with STA students Andrew LACAP’s Kim Bourgeois Peralta and with STA students Corey Thomas Broth- Drell and Devin Sondes by ers the finance “Plinko Board” STA Students Selected for Honor Choir Three freshmen students from STA were selected by audition for the Dis- trict Nine Honor Choir to sing with other young musicians from St. Tam- many, Washington, and Tangipahoa Parishes. The ensembles rehearsed weekly during January and presented a concert at Ponchatoula High School on Saturday, January 21, 2012. Clinicians traveled from across the state to lead the three honor groups: elementary, junior, and senior high. Pictured from left are Sadie Daugereaux, senior high division; Emma Schillage, junior high division; Laura Huggett, senior high division. A PUB LIC ATION OF TH E STA AD VANC E MEN T O FF IC E PAGE 9 STA Marches for Life in Washington D.C. Ten STA students traveled across the nation to par- to Washington, D.C. to ticipate in the March. In participate in the March its thirty-ninth year, over for Life in January. The first 200,000 marched for the March for Life was held on cause this year! In addition January 22, 1974: the first to marching with thou- anniversary of the contro- sands of pro-life support- versial United States Su- ers, some of the trips ac- preme Court case Roe v. tivities included touring Wade on the West Steps the Basilica of the Na- of the Capitol. The Roe v. tional Shrine of the Im- Wade case resulted in a maculate Conception, ruling making abortion Museum of Natural His- legal. Every year since the tory, and the Holocaust ruling, people gather from Museum. Pictured are (front row, l-r) STA Campus Minister Sandi Johnson, Victoria Burke, Lauren Taylor, Kristina Givens and Raegan Hebert; (back row, l-r) Zane Buckner, Mark Holt, Trey Latino, Chaperone Stephen Johnson, Zachary Burke, Shelbi Neal, and Patrick Laborde. The STA Beta Club attended and competed for the first time Beta Rocks State at the State Convention held at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Cajundome. Beta Club members excelled in many categories, including: Sean Adams, 1st place, On-Site Pencil Drawing Kalie Beckers, 2nd place, Photography Trey Latino, 3rd place, Computer Technology Catherine Faust, Lawrence Ingraffia, Emily Kopfler, Rudi Darouse, and Sarah Whittle, 4th place, Banner First Row: Baleigh Olah, Morgan Trapen, Emily Kopfler, Anna Miller, Erica Tricou, Jensine Joseph, and Emily Egan. Sec- ond Row: Juan Valenzuela, Katie Williams, Kohl Kent, Kaitlin Didier, Mara Milazzo, Catherine Faust, Kristina Givens, and Tristan Bland. Standing: Scott Wheat, Corbett Ourso, Sean Adams, Bryce Cothern, Logan Perrilloux, Spencer Wyld, Austen Powell, Seth Bleakley, Lawrence Ingraffia, BJ Miles, Clay Parker Phillip DiBenedetto, Trey Latino, Blake Elliot, Jonah Zieske, Garrett Woodall, Trey Duhe, Ryan Magee, and Christopher Gaudin. Not Pictured – Kalie Beckers and Rudi Darouse. PAGE 10 Excitement Builds for iPad 1:1 Infrastructure prep work thank you to Joseph Wong, content area. In late July and intense training ses- Michael Thornhill of and early August, all stu- sions are the next steps in Nortech Downtown, Brian dents will be required to preparing for the iPad 1:1 Acosta, and STA Tech attend a 3-hour iPad orien- program beginning in Au- Squad for all the work in tation session. This session gust. Rewiring of the cam- wiring and wireless setup. will cover the Acceptable pus was completed in early In early June, Apple will Use Policy for technology May. On Sunday, May 20th, install a new server which at the school and training the new wireless infrastruc- will be used to manage the on the iPad. Students will ture was put in place. iPads. In late June and early leave the session with their Wireless access on campus July teachers will attend a iPads with textbooks and Wade Smith ‘12 and was expanded from 6 wire- two-day training sessions in apps loaded and ready to Joseph Wong ‘08 less access points to 31 which they will receive go for school on August help with rewiring access points. A special training on the iPad in their 8th. the campus. STA Utilizes ACT Online Prep Course ACT predicts that, STA is offering students a Comprehensive con- predicts improved test scores used properly and critical new tool for success tent review for each of in students who use it properly with the ACT. ACT Online the ACT's four re- and faithfully. faithfully, scores quired tests—English, Prep is available to all stu- “Improving test scores Math, Reading, and should increase by dents and offers the follow- Science is always a priority,” said coun- ing: selor Meagan Candiotto ‘05. three points with Diagnostic test and Practice tests with real personalized Study “We are happy to provide the the ACT Online ACT test questions Path students with this opportunity.” Anywhere, anytime The ACT Prep Online Program Practice essays for the Prep program. new optional ACT access via the Internet was funded by the STA Home & Writing Test, with real This program is offered in School Association. -time scoring partnership with ACT and Left: STA Students Honored Madison Chauvin and be- The Louisiana Center for state, based on their leader- ence on Special Education low: Kalie Women & Government at ship potential, to attend this sponsored by the Louisiana Beckers Nicholls State University coveted adventure in net- Council for Exceptional Chil- recently selected STA sopho- working with and learning dren (LACEC). Kalie also is more Madison Chauvin as from celebrated professional currently ranked 3rd in the one of 50 girls (grades 9-11) and political leaders. nation by the US Equestrian chosen from statewide nomi- Federation’s Junior Riders Additionally, STA nees, to attend the Louisiana and is excelling in the Pre- junior Kalie Becker’s Girls Leadership Academy. mier Poultry Exhibitor Divi- drawing will appear on the The LGLA chooses young sion for 4-H. cover of the program of the women from across the 31st Annual Super Confer-