Summer 2013 - Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School

the
Flame
SAINT THOMAS
AQUINAS
CATHOLIC HIGH
SCHOOL
A
P U B L I C A T I O N
S T A
SAVE THE
DATES!
FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL AUGUST 12,
2013
HOMECOMING
GAME NOVEMBER 1,
2013
LOBSTER
BASH NOVEMBER 16,
2013
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE:
Distinguished
Graduate
2
Class of 2013
4
ACT 30+
5
Alumni News
6
iPad 1:1
8
Double
Trouble
10
Athletic
Roundup
11
O F
T H E
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 3
Capital Campaign Moves Forward
As Saint
Thomas
Aquinas
Regional
Catholic
High
School
continues
to move forward with our
Ignite-Invest-Invoke Capital
Campaign, we are excited
to announce that over
$1,600,000 has been
pledged thus far. Of this
$1.6 million, approximately
$900,000 in assets has
been collected through
cash payments and gifts-inkind.
After meetings and discussions with the Diocese of
Baton Rouge and with
Gasaway-GasawayBankston Architects, STA
plans to move forward this
summer with design drawings and begin installation
of the road that will serve
initially for construction,
and eventually for ingress
and egress of the
campus.
Support for the
Campaign continues
to come into the
Advancement Office, and the STA
community is now
being challenged to
raise $500,000 in
assets this summer.
This figure will give
us the amount
needed in assets to
receive the “green light” to
begin construction. The
Diocese of Baton Rouge will
match this amount with a
low-interest loan to allow
construction to begin.
*Totals current as of June 2013
Bishop Muench presents a personal donation
to the Campaign during the public kickoff in
August to Principal Jose Becerra, Superintendent Melanie Verges.
Construction Timeline
As the time to begin construction gets closer, we have
now been able to produce an
approximate timeline over the
next 18 months:
Begin Clearing of Road Summer 2013*
$500,000 in assets raised
in order to begin
construction - completed
by September 2013*
Design Drawings completed by October 2013
Remove Portable Buildings - December 15, 2014
Plans out to Bid November 2013
Celebrate and Move In January 2015
Accept Bids December 1, 2013
Finish Paving of Road March 1, 2015
Begin Construction December 15, 2013
Complete Construction December 2014
*timing of steps 1 & 2 determine the
accuracy of the following steps
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2
Michelle Chauvin, STA
Advancement Office,
The Very Reverend
Robert W. Muench,
Bishop of the Diocese
Baton Rouge, Brooks
Moore, STA Distinguished Graduate, and
Dr. Melanie Verges,
Superintendent of the
Diocese of Baton Rouge
Brooks Moore ‘94 Chosen Distinguished Graduate
Brooks
Moore
has been
selected
as the
2013
Saint
Thomas
Aquinas
High
School
Distinguished Graduate.
After graduating from STA
in 1994, Brooks received a
Bachelor’s Degree from the
University of Southern Mississippi and went on to receive a Master’s Degree
from Florida State University. Brooks is currently the
Associate Dean of Students at Indiana State
University. Brooks has
worked in higher education administration for 14
years at Florida State
University, University of
Tennessee, University of
Illinois, University of
Southern Mississippi, and
Indiana State University.
Principal José Becerra
said, “Brooks was an excellent role model to his
classmates at St. Thomas
Aquinas. He emulated the
mission of STA in developing the whole student,
which was evident in his
involvement in many
school and community
activities. Brooks was a
true servant and used his
experiences as he advanced his education and
career.”
Brooks commented on
his experience at STA,
“Catholic education instills a values-based approach to living, learning,
and community building. It
focuses on human development with guidance and
direction from Christian
principles.”
Brooks is married to Lisa
Ruster Moore and they
have two children, Murphy (7) and Carter (5).
Alumni Return for Career Day
“It’s important for our
students to witness
successful professionals in
all career fields,”
commented Alumni Director
Errol Gauff. “But it is
tremendous for them to be
able to witness our own
alumni, people who were
sitting in their same seats a
few years ago, who are now
successful adult
professionals.”
Several alumni were among
the 30 speakers who came to
share their professional experiences for Career Day last
fall. Students attended three
sessions by various career
speakers who discussed
the education needed
for the profession, colleges that offer specific
programs, various
places of employment, daily job duties, and personal
journeys into the profession. Among the graduates
who visited were Jessica Downing Mathis ‘04, Veterinarian; Butch Roussel ‘04, Entrepreneur; and Catie
Chaucer ‘05, Pharmacist.
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1st Annual Mi5ke for STA
The first annual “Mi5ke Run/Walk” to
benefit the Mike Darouse STA Scholarship Fund, as well as the Esophageal
Cancer Action Network, was held on
May 11 in Cate Square. More than 70
runners braved the rain to participate
in the 5K race. Mike Darouse was a
coach and Theology teacher at STA for
several years until his untimely death in
2009. His family was proud to present
a check for $2500 to STA for the
Mike Darouse Scholarship Fund
to provide tuition assistance to students at
STA. “Everyone who knew Mike was
aware of the love he had for the students
of STA and the young people in the military,” said his mother, Mrs. Shirley
Darouse. “What a great legacy if he can
continue to help the students of STA
through the Mike Darouse Scholarship
Fund. God's blessings on all who helped
make this a success.”
Mother Seton Award Honoree
Mr. Johnny Milazzo
The Saint Thomas Aquinas
Home & School Association
has selected Mr. Johnny Milazzo as the 2013 recipient of
the Mother Seton Award.
The award was created to
honor those individuals whose
volunteer service and dedication to home, school, and
church has been exemplary.
Mother Seton recipients have
strong Catholic values and a
selfless dedication to Catholic
education. The Diocese of
Baton Rouge honored all
Mother Seton recipients at a
luncheon on April 11, 2013.
Johnny has been an
active parent at STA since
1999 and has continued to be
a supporter in many areas of
the school. He has served on
the Buildings and Grounds
committee, where he took a
leadership role in the building
of the Austin Brooks baseball
facility, along with underground
drainage and irrigation systems
of both the baseball and football fields. He was an active
member in the building of the
Father Mark Leuer O.P. Field
House and the improvements
to the grounds and walkways
linking the facilities. He also
created the athletic banner
sponsorship program that today includes participation for
all sports and consistently
raises needed funds for the
athletic program.
A supporter of many
campus functions including
Lobster Bash, fundraisers, barbeques, and even painting the
gym, Johnny has most recently
Sharron Buchart, president of the Diocesan Home
and School Association, Dr. Melanie Verges, Superintendent of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, and Bishop
Robert Muench present the Mother Seton Award to
Mr. Johnny Milazzo, who has generously shared the
gift of volunteerism through exemplary service at
Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School.
concentrated his efforts as a
member of the Capital Campaign committee. He continues
to share his excitement and
passion for STA and his desire
for its continued growth.
Johnny and his wife,
Angela, have been married for
30 years and have 4 children:
Amanda, a 2003 STA graduate;
John, a 2005 graduate of STA;
Joshua, a 2007 STA graduate;
and Alex who graduated from
STA in May 2013.
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4
94 Graduate in Class of 2013
The Class of 2013 has received
$3,713,286 in scholarship offerings.
73% of the Class of 2013 received a
TOPS scholarship.
The average ACT score of the Class
of 2013 Top Ten is 29.
2013 Valedictorian
Jacob Smith and
Salutatorian
Kaitlin Farkas
The class of 2013
completed 3,332
hours of service
at All Saints
Episcopal Church,
Belle Maison Nursing
Home, CASA,
Catholic Charities,
Crime Stoppers of
Tangipahoa, Diocese
of Baton Rouge,
Hammond Kiwanis,
Hammond Nursing Home,
Hammond Rotary,
Hammond Strawberry
Fields, Holy Ghost
Catholic School and
Church, Hospice House,
Humane Society, Lallie
Kemp Medical Center,
Mater Dolorosa Catholic
School and Church,
Ministries of Hope, New
Horizons, North Oaks
Medical Center, Options,
Relay for Life, Our Lady
of Pompeii Catholic
Church, St. John the
Baptist Parish
Recreational Department,
St. Joseph Catholic School
and Church, St. Vincent
DePaul, Special Olympics,
TARC, Tangi Food Pantry,
and Trafton Academy.
Four members of the Class of 2013
scored 30 or above on the composite of the ACT.
The Class of 2013 will be attending
the following colleges and universities: Clemson University, Delta State University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech
University, Loyola University, Martin Methodist
College, McNeese State University, Mississippi
State University, Nicholls State University,
Northshore Technical Community College,
Samford University, Sewanee: The University
of the South, South Central Louisiana Technical College, Southeastern Louisiana University,
Spring Hill College, Tulane University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of
Louisiana at Monroe, and University of
Mississippi.
‘13’s Top 15
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Homecoming: a Treasured Tradition at STA
2012-13 STA
Homecoming Queen
Miss Brooke Elizabeth
Barringer
“The Happiest Homecoming on
Earth” was the Disney-inspired
theme of the 2012 Homecoming
Week, which began with each class
decorating an area of the school
like a Disney theme park: Epcot,
Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom. And
then the fun began. Time-honored
traditions such as “Decade Day,”
Bloomer Bowl, and “Theme Day”
remain, while new traditions were
begun such as “Fashion Faux Pas
Day” and “Maroon, Grey, and
White Spirit Day.” The students
tried a new event of having the
parade and pep rally at night so
that the football players could participate, as well as allowing more
family, friends, and alumni to attend. The ever-popular Bloomer
Bowl rounded out the week of
fun at school. The Homecoming
game was held on October 5th,
where the Classes of 1993 and
2003 were the honored alumni
escorts for the Homecoming
maids. Brooke Elizabeth Barringer was crowned Queen,
and the Falcons defeated St.
Helena 52-6. At the Home-
coming dance, Justin Archote
was crowned Homecoming
King. As Coach Gauff reminded the students, Homecoming is about “coming
home,” and so we hope that
these great Homecoming Week
memories propel our graduates
to “come home” and stay part
of the Falcon Family!
ACT 30+ Club Grows
Five students were inducted into STA’s ACT
30+ Club for having a composite score of 30
or above on the ACT. They are (front)
Laura Crother and Brooke Barringer; (back)
Andrew Jordan, Sara Gambel, Spencer Wyld
Thirty-five STA students are on their way to 30+ by scoring a 30 or above
on one or more component of the ACT. They are (l-r, first row) Miranda
Howes, Abby von Almen, Kara Tucker, Rebecca Ishee, Summer Naquin,
Amanda Jordan, Keisha Davis, Bailey Penzato; (second row) Clayton D’antoni, Dani Schillace, Madison Chauvin, Spencer Wyld, Elena Wisecarver,
Lauren Taylor, Sydney Milazzo, Brooke Barringer; (third row) Juan
Valenzuela, Thomas Misuraca, Andrew Jordan, Christopher Hudspeth, Clay
Parker, Zachary Burke, Katherine Sharp, Tori Durand; (fourth row) Bret
Wagner, Butch Bartels, Sara Gambel, Logan Thompson, Sam Sciortino,
Jacob Smith, Ben Schnadelbach, Laura Crother, Christopher Gaudin. Not
pictured: Devin Baize and Kalie Beckers.
PAGE
6
If you have
News to share,
please email
Alumni
Director,
Coach Errol
Gauff at
egauff@
stafalcons.org
Alumni News
J.T. Spangler ‘98 recently celebrated the release of his album,
“What’s A Little Heartbreak” on AOL Music
CD Listening Party. This
is J.T.’s first full-length
release, and is also available for purchase on
iTunes, Amazon, and all
other major digital retailers.
Welcome home,
Amanda King Mars
‘02! She is back at STA
as the new Art teacher,
replacing Mrs. Sibley
who retired after 21
years.
STA graduate Scott
Gaudin '99 was named
to the Top 40 Under 40
by the Baton Rouge Business Report.
Kinsey Dinnel ‘04
graduated with a
Doctor of Medicine
degree from the LSU
School of Medicine in
Shreveport. He will
pursue an Obstetrics &
Gynecology residency
at the University of
Arkansas Medical Center.
Anne Valenti Lyon ‘00
received her second
Bachelor of Science degree (the first was in
Hospitality Management)
in Early Childhood Education. She and her
husband recently
moved to Loxley,
AL.
Congratulations to
John Daniel Guerin
‘02 on his recent marriage to Christy Wiedeman.
Blake Saunier ‘05
graduated in May 2012
cum laude from the
University of Louisiana
at Monroe with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
and has accepted a position as a pharmacist
with Walgreens in Monroe.
Brooke Saunier ‘08
graduated in May 2012
from the University of
Louisiana at Monroe
with a BS in Health
Studies: Health Care
Management & Marketing. She is attending
graduate school at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS.
Jenna Fugarino ‘08
graduated from SLU in
May with a Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration. She began
law school at Mississippi
College in June.
Alumni Association Pins Class of 2013
Falcon Alumni
Association Board
Member Ellen Valenti
Adams ‘96 awards Bryce
Cothern ‘13 an STA
Alumni Pin.
On May 7, the Class of
2013 completed exams,
received their alumni pins,
and said goodbye to their
high school days.
After their final
exam, the graduating class
convened in the gym for a
breakfast, provided by the
Falcon Alumni Association
and Lisa's Drive-In. They
laughed and cheered for
the slide show of photos
from their four years at
STA.
Alumni Director
Coach Gauff, and Technology Director Mr. Wittie,
Class of 2000, welcomed
them to life as alumni and
encouraged the seniors to
stay in-touch, and stay involved with STA. Finally, they
received their Alumni Pins
from Meagan Candiotto Possoit '05, Ashley Arnone Brady
'97, Ellen Valenti Adams '96,
and Lindsey Taylor Whittaker
'00. We will miss you, Class
of 2013.
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2nd Annual Alumni Crawfish Boil-Off
The Class of 2012 was represented by
Brennan Flores, Phillip DiBenedetto, Seth
Bleakley, and Garrett Taylor at their first
alumni event.
The second annual Alumni Crawfish BoilOff was held on Saturday, May 11th. STA
welcomed back about 100 alumni and their
families, who consumed 860 pounds of
crawfish! Nine teams competed in the BoilOff with Matt Lyons ‘92 once again winning
first place honors! The second place team
captain was Matt Ingraffia, and third place
team captain was Rodney Taylor. Funds
raised from the event will be used for the
Capital Campaign fund.
Looks like “Lyons” is the team to beat in
2014… or will it be a three-peat?
Seniors Give Day of Service
On Tuesday, March 19th, while
the other STA students were
participating in National Testing
Day, the Class of 2013 joined
together for a day of service.
They traveled to Laplace to
help in cleaning up several parks
that were damaged during Hurricane Isaac in August and were
still out of use. The STA seniors
volunteered at REGALA Park,
Greenwood Park, Hwy 51 Park,
and Stephanie Wilkins Park. At
each park the students picked
up trash, removed and replaced
old signage, pulled weeds and
dead grass, and spread mulch.
Coach Errol Gauff, one of the
chaperones, commented, “In a
short period of time, the STA
seniors were able to make a
very noticeable improvement.
The service day was a great day
for the STA Class of 2013. I
think they learned the value of
strength in numbers. Our 95
young men and women rejuvenated four parks for children
and families to use in time to
celebrate Easter.”
At one park,
noted Coach
Gauff, as they
were loading up
the bus, the students were able
to witness some
young children
approaching the
park, perhaps the first children
able to use it since August.
"That's powerful," he exclaimed.
vacaciones de primavera en España
For the second year, STA partnered with EF Tours Student
Travel Company - this time, for
a Spring Break Tour of Spain.
Nine students and two teachers
spent eleven jam-packed, but funfilled, days touring such cities as
Malaga, Granada, Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville. Highlights included the Gaudi Cathedral in
Barcelona, attending Easter Mass
at the Cathedral in Seville, visiting
the Alhambra in Granada, touring
the Prado Museum in Madrid, and
viewing Don Quixote’s windmills
in La Mancha. They also enjoyed
salsa dancing lessons and an olive
oil tasting.
Taylor
‘13. “I
wouldn’t
have
traded
this trip
for anything.”
“Spain was the most beautiful
place I’ve ever been,” said Lauren
A trip to Italy is planned
for Spring Break 2014.
Nine students and two
teachers spent Spring
Break in Spain.
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8
Falcons Soar to the Top
From left are Sean
Adams ‘14, Ms. Alicia
Oalmann, and Bret
Wagner ‘13 at the Beta
National Convention.
Congratulations to Bret
Wagner ‘13 for placing
4th in the nation in the
Oratory Competition at
the National Beta Convention in Mobile this
summer. Sean Adams
‘14 also competed nationally in On-Site Pencil
Drawing. These young
men qualified for Nationals through placement at
the District and State
levels.
Two STA students
achieved the rank of Eagle
Scout, the highest advancement rank in Boy
Scouting . Congratulations to
Juan
Valenzuela ‘13
and Christopher Hudspeth
‘14.
Congratulations to Laura
Huggett ‘15, Sadie
Daugereaux ‘15, and
Alexis Theriot ‘16 who
qualified by audition to
participate in the Louisiana Music Educators Association’s District IX
High School Honor
Choir.
STA Cheerleaders and
Starlettes rocked the
Hammond Knight's annual
“Twist N Shout Cheer &
Dance Competition.” The
Starlettes placed 1st in the
high school dance competition and the Cheerleaders placed 2nd in the high
school cheer competition.
iPad Program Continues to Excel
Falcon Alumni Association
board members Lindsey
Taylor Whittaker ‘00 and
Ellen Valenti Adams ‘96 present Alumni Director Errol
Gauff with a check for $3275
to pay for speakers in all
classrooms.
After finishing a successful first year of the iPad
“1-to-1” program, STA is
looking forward to even
more innovation using
the iPads. STA will be
implementing a new
workflow for assignment
distribution and turn-in
called E-Backpack. EBackpack will streamline
the process for teachers
to assign work, students
to complete and turn in
assignments, and teachers to grade. Teachers
will also have a new tool
to help students “focus”
in class, with the ability
to direct student iPads
to a particular app during
instruction time to en-
sure students are more
on task. “STA continues
to set the pace for other
schools in the Diocese
and the region with our
innovative iPad program,” said Technology
Director Joshua Wittie
‘00.
Falcons Excel at Literary Rally
Logan
Thompson
‘16, Spencer
Wyld ‘13,
and Butch
Bartels ‘16
all placed at
the State
Literary
Rally
Congratulations to our three Falcon scholars who placed in the
State Literary Rally at LSU. Freshman Logan Thompson placed
third in English I; Senior Spencer Wyld received second place in
World History; and Freshman Butch Bartels brought home third
place in Geometry!
STA also had excellent rankings at the 2013 District Literary Rally held at SLU, which includes private and public high schools
from St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Livingston, Washington, St.
Charles, West Feliciana, Iberville, and East Baton Rouge Parishes. A total of 75 schools competed in 28 events at this year’s
rally. Sixteen Saint Thomas Aquinas students placed at the District
Level.
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Sara Gambel Selected as Diocesan Student of the Year
Congratulations to senior Sara Gambel who was selected as
the 2012-2013 STA Student of the Year and advanced to be
named Student of the Year for the entire Diocese of Baton
Rouge.
Sara is a member of the Cross Country, Track,
and Soccer teams. She also is a member of Student Council
and Key Club and serves as secretary for both. Her other
school extracurricular activities include STA Ambassadors,
Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Drama Club. Sara’s
awards and recognitions include McDonalds A+ Athlete, All
-Academic State Composite Team, House of Blues Regional
Art Contest winner, ACT 30+ Club, and Principal’s List and
President’s Award all four years, just to name a few.
Outside of school, Sara co-founded “Tangi Cause
for Paws” with her sister. The organization
promotes pet adoptions and collects supplies for the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control Center. Sara has also participated in
the Nicaragua International Outreach Program were she assisted physicians in Nicaragua to set up medical clinics and examine
patients. Locally, Sara has volunteered for
the Relay for Life were she helped organize
a relay team of children called “Kids for
Sara Gambel ‘13
Cure.”
Sara is the daughter of Layne & Gary Gambel of
Hammond.
Coming Soon: Online Donations
Coming soon to the Advancement Page on the STA
website (www.stafalcons.org)
will be the ability to make
donations online. These taxfree contributions can be
made for many occasions,
including annual appeal, memorial and honor gifts, endowments, scholarship funds
and more.
All gifts to STA help maintain
the academic excellence that
is expected at St. Thomas
Aquinas Regional Catholic
High School and provide for
the long-term stability of
STA.
Starlettes Ranked 3rd Nationally
The Starlettes were once again triumphant in Orlando,
FL, where they competed in the Universal Dance Association’s
National Dance Team Competition. The Starlettes competed
against 120 Small Varsity dance teams from across the country.
They received an automatic bye to finals in their Hip Hop preliminary group and also advanced to Small Varsity Jazz finals for
the second consecutive year. The Starlettes ranked the highest
in school history in Small Varsity Jazz with an 8 th place finish.
The STA Starlettes also earned a spot in the Top 3 by receiving
bronze medals and a third place trophy in the Small Varsity Hip
Hop category. This marks the first time in STA history that the
Starlettes have been ranked in the Top Ten in two categories.
Starlettes coach Carley Cryer commented, “As a
coach, there is no better feeling than the pride of watching
your team transform throughout the year and truly reach every
goal they set. For months and months, we worked intensely to
prepare for
Nationals,
and it was
so rewarding to be
able to
show-off
The 2012-13 Starlettes are (front) senior captains Kodi
our hard
Labat, Taylor Drude, Brooke Downing, and Brooke Barwork on the ringer, and Karlie King; (back) Haileigh Bolton, Bailey
Barringer, Skylar Compton, Lauren Daniel, Coach Cryer,
Nationals
Dani Schillace, Isabella Perrilloux, and Chloe Chauvin.
stage. It
means so much to each and every one of us, and we are honored to rank so high amongst so many talented dance teams
across the country.”
Starlettes choreographers are Katie Fear and Evelyn
Wells. STA Spirit Director is Alicia Oalmann.
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10
Above are the
T-shirts worn by the
fans for the State
Championship game.
At right and below
are some of the fans
holding FatHeads.
Student Council
donated shakers and
FatHeads of the
seniors and coaches.
Double Trouble in Monroe
March wasn’t
just “mad” for
college basketball. After winning District
Championships,
both of STA’s
basketball teams
tore their way
through playoffs. The games
leading up to the state match all
set up a different challenge for our
teams to overcome, such as playing rivals and facing large visiting
fan sections. However it also
brought rewarding moments: like
when our Lady Falcons finished a
game with 103 points! Before we
knew it, we were sending both
teams to the 2A State Championships in Monroe. The week leading
up to what we like to call “STAte”
was excitingly frantic in preparation. A fan bus was
organized, fan equipment was gathered,
and Student Council
made FatHeads for the
senior players and
coaches. Once at the
University of Louisiana
at Monroe, we realized that
we had outdone ourselves.
Falcon fans far outnumbered
both opposing teams by almost double, and our spirit
was definitely overpowering.
The student section played a
huge part in the amazing first
game by the girls – and that
final buzzer sounded that STA
Lady Falcons were the State
Champions! Senior Amber
Donnes was named Division
MVP. The crowd took a minute to breathe because right
up behind them was the boys
game. The guys, as well as the
fans, poured their hearts into
the back and forth of the
game, but beamed with excitement as our boys took
home 2nd Place. Both teams
joined the fans for a postgame tailgate party, and then
the trip home where many
gathered in the gym for the
girls team to cut the nets,
and to receive a special
blessing from Father Mark
Beard. Nothing can compare
to the pride for STA that
was displayed through everyone’s journey to the championship.
--Submitted by Madison Chauvin ‘14
Double Trouble t-shirts are still available on a limited basis. If you are
interested, contact Michelle Chauvin
at mchauvin2@stafalcons.org.
Two Lady Falcons Sign with Universities
Carly Keller Womens Basketball,
Delta State University
Amber Donnes Womens Basketball,
McNeese State
University
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Falcon Athletics Soars to the Top
FOOTBALL:
Advanced to 2nd round playoffs
Academic All State: Rus Chiasson, Patrick Ingraffia, Austin
McShan, Zack Terrebonne
VOLLEYBALL:
Advanced to State Regionals
Academic All State: Alex von
Almen, Molly Willis, Katie Williams, Catherine Costa
CROSS COUNTRY:
Boys: 3rd at State
Girls: 4th at State
Academic All State: Laura
Crother, Sara Gambel, Rachel
Greer
GIRLS SOCCER:
Advanced to 2nd round playoffs
Academic All State: Sara Gambel, Laura Crother, Rachel
Greer, Sydney Milazzo, Katie
Williams, Molly Willis
BOYS SOCCER:
Advanced to state quarterfinals
Academic All State: Camp
Sledge, Spencer Wyld
GIRLS BASKETBALL:
2A State Champions
District Champions
2A State MVP: Amber Donnes
Academic All State Composite:
Allie Seale
Academic All State: Amber Donnes, Meg Gambel, Carly Keller
BOYS BASKETBALL:
2A State Runners Up
District Champions
Academic All State: Cody Addison, Kaylan Richardson
SOFTBALL:
Competed for District Honors
Academic All State: ?
BASEBALL:
Advanced to regionals in state
playoffs
Academic All State: Justin Archote, Jonathan Camelo
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POWERLIFTING:
State Champ in Super Heavy
Weight: Reid Travis; 5th in Super Heavy Weight: Gabe Stant
2nd in 132 lbs: Tyler Carollo
TRACK & FIELD:
Boys Indoor: State Runner-Up
Girls Indoor: State Runner-Up
Boys: Regional Runners-Up
Girls: District Champs
TENNIS:
Boys: Regional Champs
Xander duPlooy, Mason Trapen,
Hunter Gebbia, Cruise Dunn,
Samuel Abene, Jacob Orlando,
and Christian Boutwell advanced
to State Tournament
Academic All State: Sydney Milazzo, Darby Murphy, Lauren
Taylor
SWIMMING:
Girls: Lindsey Dettwiller placed
at State
Boys: Jacob Wright placed at
State
Girls & Boys Relay placed at
State
Flame
NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HAMMOND, LA
PERMIT NO. 15
the
14520 Voss Drive
Hammond, LA 70401
985-542-8941
Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional Catholic High School is a diocesan coeducational school shaped by Christ-centered values and the Dominican
tradition of Truth. Our mission is to teach Gospel values in an environment of academic excellence that fosters the development of the whole
person in a Catholic-Christian community.
www.stafalcons.org
STA Partners with LSU for Robotics
In an effort to promote an increased
number of graduates who choose
science and math majors as career paths
and improving student preparedness for
the rigor of undergraduate studies in
Computer Science and Engineering, STA
has partnered with Red Stick Robotics
and Louisiana State University to offer a
Robotics Stem Program. STEM stands
for Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics.
The program will entail a dual
enrollment with LSU, where the students
will earn 3 hours of credit in Computer
Science. The course content meets
LSU’s rigorous standards for course
credit. Additional hours may
become available later in the
program.
The introductory
course will be an Introduction to Programming (with
Robotics Lab). The course
will be facilitated at STA by
Mr. Flanagan. The students will build and
program robots in laboratory sessions.
Future courses may include Intermediate
and Advanced Robotics.
The program also provides a
mentorship network, as STEM-related
businesses are reaching out to schools
for these opportunities. All learning leads
to competition events.
“We are so fortunate to be the
only school in the area to be chosen by
LSU to offer this course,” said Principal
Jose Becerra. “We look forward to a
growing partnership with LSU in order
to better serve our students.”
The Robotics course at LSU now joins the other Dual Enrollment courses offered at STA through
Southeastern Louisiana University. They are English 101, English 102, Biology 151, and History 202.
These courses are an opportunity for our students to earn college credits during high school.