A NEWSLETTER OF SAINT THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Summer 2013 THE UTOPIAN 8 VOL STM’S SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM TM School participated in three walk/bike to school days in conjunction with the Decatur Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. Since we knew that it would not be feasible for everyone to walk from their homes, especially for those who live outside Decatur, we provided “Walking School Buses” from various locations around Decatur in order for children and parent volunteers to participate in these events. We also challenged parents to commit to making “One Change a Week” to reduce the stress and chaos of daily carpool. Suggestions were to find someone in their neighborhood or along their driving route to school to carpool with or to park in Decatur and walk a few blocks to or from the school with their children. The goal was for parents to spend a few minutes with their children focusing on and talking about their day rather than navigating the carpool line. We wanted our families to make memories, laugh, breathe fresh air, and stop and smell the flowers! S THE STM SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE: H Erin Brewster H Rebecca Harrell H Trish Hoff H Amy Lusk The First Grade lead the school in a Patriotic Rosary in May. They highlighted American saints, one of whom was St. Kateri. She was a Native American and the children learned about how she made little crosses from sticks that she found in the woods. She left these little prayer reminders all around the forest. The first graders did the same thing at STM. They each made stick crosses and placed them around campus. STM students were instructed that when they saw one of the stick crosses not to disturb it, but instead offer up a prayer to Jesus. Are you an alumni or parent of an alum with news? Please email amurphey@ stmga.org so that we can share it in our next newsletter! FIRST GRADE LEADS SCHOOL IN PATRIOTIC ROSARY
Transcript
A NEWSLETTER OF
SAINT THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Summer 2013
THE UTOPIAN8VOL
STM’S SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
TM School participated in three walk/bike to school days in conjunction with the Decatur Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program. Since
we knew that it would not be feasible for everyone to walk from their homes, especially for those who live outside Decatur, we provided “Walking School Buses” from various locations around Decatur in order for children and parent volunteers to participate in these events. We also challenged parents to commit to making “One Change a Week” to reduce the stress and chaos of daily carpool. Suggestions were to find someone in their neighborhood or along their driving route to school to carpool with or to park in Decatur and walk a few blocks to or from the school with their children. The goal was for parents to spend a few minutes with their children focusing on and talking about their day rather than navigating the carpool line. We wanted our families to make memories, laugh, breathe fresh air, and stop and smell the flowers!
S
THE STM SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL COMMITTEE:H Erin Brewster H Rebecca Harrell H Trish Hoff H Amy Lusk
The First Grade lead the school in a Patriotic Rosary in May. They highlighted American saints, one of whom was St. Kateri. She was a Native American and the children learned about how she made little crosses from sticks that she found in the woods. She left these little prayer reminders all around the forest. The first graders did the same thing at STM. They each made stick crosses and placed them around campus. STM students were instructed that when they saw one of the stick crosses not to disturb it, but instead offer up a prayer to Jesus.Are you an
alumni or parent of an alum with news? Please email [email protected] so that we can share it in our next newsletter!
FIRST GRADE LEADS SCHOOL IN PATRIOTIC ROSARY
WE
LOVEOURVOLUNTEERS
! Parents,
grandparents,
and friends of
STM volunteered
9,656hours this
school year.
We appreciate
all of the time
you spent making
STM the very
special place
that is—we could
not have done
it without you.
THANK YOU!
STM WELCOMES BACK GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
On May 22, STM welcomed the high school Class of 2013 for an Alumni Brunch. Students from the STM Class of 2009 enjoyed visiting with one another as well as with their former STM teachers and staff. We are so proud of you! We will keep you in our prayers and wish you the best of luck in the next chapter of your lives.
STM NO PLACE FOR HATE COMMITTEE CELEBRATES EARTH DAY 2013
The No Place for Hate Committee continued the theme of being grateful for God’s Beautiful Earth on Earth Day by spearheading a Reduce, Reuse and Recycle lunch theme. Activities included separating the trash into recyclables, compost material and trash. Students graded STM on how well we were doing in caring for the Earth. Students were also treated to a reading of an ecology poem and were serenaded by 5th graders Corrina Joyner and VyAnh Nguyen. Students joined in singing and clapping in celebration of taking care of one of God’s greatest gifts.
SHOW YOUR STRIPES
Here is your chance to show your STM School Spirit!! Not only do the students enjoy the opportunity to wear many items available from our Spirit Wear shop, but parents, extended family, and alumni can also order items for themselves to show off their STM pride. If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please contact Julie Walker at [email protected].
IN HONOR OF MR. C.W.The eighth grade gift to the school this year was
a bench dedicated to the memory of Mr. C. W.
Whiters. The bench, complete with a plaque, has
been placed in the courtyard area as a loving
reminder of our friend, Mr. C. W. Members of
Mr. C. W.’s family joined the students, faculty,
and staff on May 14th to witness the dedication.
Amanda Kloer, STM 1997, is the Director of Campaigns for Change.org. She was invited to participate in the prestigious South by Southwest conference as a presenter discussing “How to make the Internet Care.” Her stated goal was to revolutionize the industry of social good by harnessing the power of technology to empower citizens around the world.
Ashley Parker Gleissner, STM 2001, got married on June 23, 2012 at St. Thomas More Church to her college sweetheart, James Gleissner. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BS in Exercise Science and now works at Resurgens Rehabilitation as a Rehabilitation Tech here in Atlanta.
You can catch Me and Meg, aka Mike Fiorello and Meg Brooks, STM 2003, performing original songs at Java Monkey, Kavarna Coffee House, and Smith’s Old Bar.
Alondra Rohr, STM 2005, graduated from Arizona State University in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese and a certificate in International Business, Summa Cum Laude. Alondra has been accepted into the MBA program at the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University and will begin in the fall of 2013.
Avery Daniel, STM 2007, a second-year college semi-narian for the Archdiocese of Atlanta at the Pontifical College Josephinum Seminary, has made the Dean’s List after maintaining a 4.0 GPA. This summer, he will serve as the seminarian representative at weekly Catechetical Camps for 1st through 12th graders at various parishes in the Archdiocese.
Carson Evans, STM 2005, graduated with distinction from Yale University with a degree in Humanities.During her senior year, Carson was a Bartels Fellow at Yale Center for British Art where her work involved curatorial research for a collection of Tudor and Jacobean panel portraits. She was treasurer and graphic designer for Yale Swing and Blues. She is a member of the Yale New Haven Regular Singers, an acapella community which uses the Sacred Harp hymnal. Summers were spent interning as a wardrobe mistress at Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires near Tanglewood. And at Plimoth Plantation, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, she sewed period dress for historical re-enactors. Recently, she was the model for the cover of A Tale of Two Maidens, a novel about a young girl who befriends Joan of Arc.
Candler Harrington, STM 2009, was awarded the Philip Hicks Memorial Sportsmanship award which is awarded to one senior on each Druid Hills High School varsity team. Candler received this award for lacrosse AND swim team. Candler is also an Eagle Scout member of Troop 175.
FROM THE STM CLASS OF 2010— John Kissell, Thomas Glenn, Patrick Girard, Will Horton, and Danial Crochet — before the St. Pius X High School Prom
Rachel Harrington, STM 2009, will attend the University of Chicago this fall.
Charlie Hickey, STM 2009, was pit captain for the Marist Marching Band in fall of 2012. He performed with both the Marist Quartet and Marist Singers in 2012-13. Charlie also performed in the ensemble cast of the 2013 Marist spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone”. Recently he completed his second large-scale origami commission. In the fall, Charlie will attend Winthrop University as a studio art major with a concentration in sculpture. He credits his beginnings in 3D art to his origami mentor, Ms. Kettler.
Sena Marie Moore, STM 2009, will be attending the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in the fall. After being accepted to seven universities, Sena chose Ole Miss where she has received a scholarship for Academic Excellence. Sena will be studying Forensic Chemistry and then plans to attend graduate school to attain a masters degree in Anesthesia Medicine. Sena graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School in May.
Julia Correia, STM 2010, Jason Phillips, STM 2010, and Jamie Smith, STM 2010, were inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society at Marist High School in October 2012.
Margaret Crawford, STM 2010, is a rising senior at St. Pius X High School. She was chosen by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) as one of its outstanding writers in the 2013 NCTE Achievement Awards in WritingProgram. Margaret was one of three students from the state of Georgia recognized for the honor and the 38th St. Pius X student since 1969 to earn the honor.
Gemma DiCristina, STM 2010, was awarded both First Place and Honorary Mention in the photography category at St. Pius X High School’s Ninth Annual Juried Visual Arts Exhibition.
Hannah Harvey, STM 2011, was awarded the “Muriel Hannah Humane Hero Award” by the Atlanta Humane Society in May 2013. The award (and $250 prize money) is given to a teenager who demonstrates extraordinary care for animals. In December 2012, Hannah decided that she wanted to “give back” to the Atlanta Humane Society where she had gotten her dog, Ruby. Hannah found the “wish list” of supplies they needed at the shelter. She sent out notices to all of her babysitting and pet sitting clients letting them know that she would give them a $10 discount if they would donate items to her drive. She ended up collecting a van full of items that she delivered to the shelter shortly before Christmas.
Liam and Fred Torpy, STM 2011, competed for Marist High School in the GFCA Debate State Championship. Liam and his partner won the championship in the Sophomore category, Fred was quarterfinalist in Novice category, and both Liam and Fred won Best Speaker in their respective divisions.
ALUMNI NEWS
Hannah Harvey, STM 2011, and her rescue dog, Ruby, giving back to the Atlanta Humane Society.
Carson Evans, STM 2005, honoring the Yale tradition of graduates wearing outlandish hats on Class Day.
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SAINT THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOLEstablished in 1950
