Javier Mina ‘22, Elena Franke ‘20, Gia Mongell

Published by the North Fulton Neighbor December 16, 2019

It was a historic day for the Blessed Trinity football team as the program won its third-consecutive Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class 4A state championship with a 17-14 victory over Oconee County at Georgia State Stadium in Atlanta Dec. 14.

It’s the Titans third overall title and the 12th time in GHSA history that a school has won three-consecutive state championships.

“It was a year that all of us learned a lot from the players,” Blessed Trinity head coach Tim McFarlin said. “There were no indications earlier in the year that we would play for a title but the growth and handling of close games this year was on the players. The senior class was amazing all year.”

McFarlin also became the 14th head coach in GHSA history with four state titles, earning three with the Titans from 2017-19 and one with Roswell in 2006.

“The state title was good for the school,” he said. “I don’t think about state titles as a group because each one stands out. Anytime you’re fortunate to play in the title game, you have to have good people around you committed to working with each other as a collective.”

Blessed Trinity (14-1) was powered by a game-high 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Elijah Green. The Titans outgained the Warriors 342-168 in total yardage in the victory.

The Titans were the top seed from Region 7AAAA and earned postseason victories against Troup, Baldwin, West Laurens and Woodward Academy to reach the state championship game.

Ben Hamrick Class of 2020

Ben served as an altar server for Blessed Trinity’s all-school Masses. He is attending the University of Georgia and is majoring in business.

Why did you select Blessed Trinity Catholic High School? I selected Blessed Trinity Catholic High School because it was important for me to continue my education in a Catholic school. Blessed Trinity’s student body was a group of well-rounded young adults, and I noticed that students excelled in both academics and athletics. In addition, Blessed Trinity offered block scheduling, rigorous courses, and a program that prepares its students for college. Blessed Trinity provided many opportunities for everyone in the community and has faculty and staff that truly care for students.

What role did being in a Catholic school play in your life? By being in a Catholic school, I had the privilege of being able to live my faith while receiving a quality education. Blessed Trinity helped shape me into who I am today and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to attend BT for the past four years.

How did Blessed Trinity Catholic High School help you develop and fortify your faith?

Blessed Trinity’s religion classes and school masses helped me develop my faith. Having a religion course every semester enables students to deepen their understanding and belief in Christ. In addition, daily prayer, adoration, and confession helps students grow closer to Christ. Being in a Catholic environment makes it easy for students to learn more about their faith and show their faith throughout their time at school. Blessed Trinity instills many values within its students and shows them what it means to be a true Catholic.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give to incoming students and freshmen?

The biggest piece of advice I would give to incoming students and freshmen would be to get involved as soon as possible and focus on your work in your early years of high school. Your grades from freshman and sophomore year can really make or break your GPA when it is time to begin applying to colleges.

What is your favorite Bible verse? My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Ryan O’Donnell Class of 2020

Ryan is the Vice President of the Class of 2020 and is a founder of the annual 9/11 Flag Memorial at Blessed Trinity. Ryan is attending the University of Georgia and is majoring in Biology.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Blessed Trinity? Blessed Trinity has not only offered me knowledge to take with me to college, but it has truly increased my sense of spirit. The home football games each Friday night were highlights of my week; the energy our crowd brings to the field is unmatched, and we are so thrilled to cheer on our Titans. From these Friday nights to the early Monday mornings going in for math help and a few laughs to brighten my day really rounded out some of my favorite moments as I walked the Blessed Trinity halls. The teachers do not realize how much they really change our lives, and for this I am so grateful.

What was your favorite Theology class and why? My favorite Theology class was Apologetics. My knowledge of the Faith increased greatly during this course. I feel more prepared to face a non-Catholic school, as now I am able to back up my beliefs instead of simply stating them. Apologetics helps each student understand aspects of their faith in the “why” instead of the “what” which creates a clearer path to deeper faith.

Tell us a little bit about your involvement in “spiritual life” on campus. I was deeply involved in many aspects of spiritual life at Blessed Trinity. I was a member and a leader for the Ignite Bible Study club and made a trip with this club to the Monastery sophomore year. I have been a Eucharistic Minister for my church and for the Blessed Trinity Masses each month which was a great blessing. I would frequently attend Wednesday morning masses which were in Latin, thus broadening my perception of the beauty of the Mass. I led a prayer group after school on Tuesdays in the chapel with a friend, as we led a few students in prayer and reflection.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give to incoming students and freshmen?

My biggest takeaway from being a student at Blessed Trinity is that failing is part of the experience, and one must simply pick themselves up and try again. When things feel overwhelming, a test seems too hard, a friend is giving you troubles, the most important thing is that you are true to yourself even through trials. Being resilient and strong will help you go further than anything else because you are able to stand up and try again instead of giving up.

Patrick Lamar Class of 2014

Patrick graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with degrees in Business Administration and Finance. He is currently living in Atlantic Beach, Florida working as a Middle School Religion teacher at San Jose Catholic School in Jacksonville, Florida.

Why did you choose Blessed Trinity Catholic High School? I chose Blessed Trinity because of the school’s Catholic environment and because of their basketball program.

What is your fondest memory from Blessed Trinity? One of my favorite memories includes singing “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” at the end of our school Masses (even though I am awful at singing!). Of course, I enjoyed all of my basketball games as well!

What was your favorite memory from your Theology classes? Ravi Zacharias, a mainstream Protestant apologist, said in reference to the different religions of the world, “There are fundamental differences and, at best, there are superficial similarities.” I came to understand those differences and similarities better in our World Religions class taught by Mr. Morzen. Because of his class, I could converse better with people from different beliefs and come to understand why they act or think in a particular way. The way we act is, or at least should be, informed by what we believe. If we don’t act the way we believe, we don’t truly believe what we say we believe. More often than not, we have opinions and espouse indifferentism, which claims that there is no superior religion or philosophy. In this case, we really don’t have the supernatural virtue of faith.

If you had to go back and do your high school experience all over again, what would you change

and why? If I could go back, I may have tried more things in the Fine Arts department like joining the choir or drama clubs. I would have asked more girls on dates because, at the time, I think I was a bit too focused on sports and schoolwork. I would have also served at our school Masses.

What are you doing to challenge yourself now that you are out of school? I am constantly challenging myself to avoid despairing about the current state of affairs in the world and in the Church; to love those in my life who bother me; to be courageous in doing His will; to know what action to take next; and to spread the faith.

What book are you currently reading? Why did you choose this book? I am currently reading History of the Catholic Church by James Hitchcock and Baltimore Catechism in order to prepare to teach my students this upcoming school year.

Chris Rogge Class of 2009

Chris graduated from Georgia College and State University in 2013 with a Nursing BSN. He later attended Duke University where he earned a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice in August 2020. Chris currently lives in Durham, NC and works at Duke Regional Hospital.

How did Blessed Trinity prepare you for college and your career now? Blessed Trinity provides a great environment for all students. It was wonderful to be able to take various AP classes which gave me a great head start going into college. I was able to take many college level courses at BT, ranging from Chemistry to Music Theory.

What is your fondest memory from Blessed Trinity? Performing as Sweeney Todd in the Spring Musical my senior year in 2009.

What was the highlight of your academic career at Blessed Trinity? I have always had an interest in science, but I found a true passion for it in Mrs. Ward’s AP Chemistry class my senior year. It was definitely a challenge, but her class prepared me for many of my college science classes. In fact, many of the principles she taught in her class apply to the anesthesia field as well! I remembered many of the concepts because we were taught so well. I’m thankful for the excellent academic opportunities Blessed Trinity gave me. The lessons I learned at BT laid a solid foundation for me to pursue a career in nurse anesthesia.

What is one thing you learned during your high school experience that still resonates with you

today? I learned that being yourself is SO important. I really found a passion for the fine arts while in high school, and I’m glad that I stuck with it throughout my high school career. I have carried lessons from theater to many aspects of my life today. I am so thankful that Blessed Trinity gave me that great opportunity.

What is the next item on your bucket list? What’s one thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

I have never traveled out of the country, and now that I have finished grad school I am ready to take a trip to Europe! (Once things settle down, of course).

What book are you currently reading? Why did you choose this book? I didn’t get to read for fun much throughout my nurse anesthesia training, so it’s nice to be able to read for pleasure again! I’m currently reading Hamilton by Ron Chernow. I chose this book because of the musical, and I wanted to read the book that inspired one of my favorite Broadway shows.

Garrett Pacholl Class of 2020

Garrett is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2020. He is attending the University of Notre Dame as a student in the Glynn Family Honors Program, majoring in Physics.

What clubs/teams/extra-curricular activities were you involved with while at BT? Some of the clubs and extracurricular activities I was involved in our Blessed Trinity’s chapters of the Latin Club and Habitat for Humanity. I also participated in Model United Nations and our school’s Chess Club. In addition, I was the science leader for Blessed Trinity’s tutoring organization, STARS Tutoring, during my junior and senior year. I was also president of our school’s chapter of the National English Honor Society, vice president of Mu Alpha Theta (our school’s chapter of the math honor society), and a member of National Honor Society.

How has Blessed Trinity prepared you and challenged you academically? I think the most important way that Blessed Trinity challenged me was through the rigor of my classwork and homework. Not only did that help me learn much about a wide array of subjects, but it also helped me to become a more organized person, which will help significantly in college. I also learned how to balance my after-school life to make sure I had enough time to finish my homework, participate in my extra-curricular activities, and of course, get enough sleep. Learning how to manage my time effectively will come in handy in college and beyond.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Blessed Trinity? What made my time at BT so special were the small things. My fondest memories of Blessed Trinity aren’t of big events or anything like that; rather, some of my favorite experiences were moments like doing a fun lab in AP Chemistry, debating seemingly trivial minutiae with my classmates in my calculus class, and animated discussions around the lunch table.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give to incoming students and freshmen?

One of the things I believe that many students take for granted, myself included at times, is getting enough sleep. I’ve realized that getting that extra bit of sleep instead of studying at a late hour is very helpful for remembering what you might need to know for a test or quiz. So, my biggest piece of advice for incoming students is to make sure that you get enough sleep.

Of which accomplishment are you most proud? Being named the valedictorian of my class is definitely the achievement that I am the most proud of. What inspired me to achieve academically, though, was being the recipient of the Outstanding English 1 Student award my freshman year. Receiving this award motivated me to try my best regardless of how difficult the subject.

Jamie DeWalt Class of 2020

Jamie is the Salutatorian of the Blessed Trinity Class of 2020. She is attending the University of Notre Dame and is majoring in Pre-med and Psychology.

Why did you select Blessed Trinity Catholic High School? I decided to attend Blessed Trinity because I was intrigued by the school’s commitment to the areas of faith, academics, athletics, and the arts. I felt that BT was a place where everyone could find their niche, and the faculty and staff truly work to encourage every student to become involved in the school community in some way. I was really drawn to the particular sense of community that I had witnessed in tours and had heard about from current students and alumni.

How do you think Blessed Trinity Catholic High School prepared you for the next phase of your

academic journey (college and beyond)? Blessed Trinity has definitely prepared me for what I may encounter as I move onto college. The block schedule not only mirrors the course setup at most colleges, but the academic rigor that I chose to undertake has, I think, given me some practice for college-level courses. I have grown in my self-discipline, and I have also learned that I can challenge myself in my academics with the help and support of my teachers and the wonderful Guidance Department. The accessibility of the teachers and faculty to each and every student also encourages BT students to reach out when they need extra help, advice, or answers to questions they may have. This communication skill will be incredibly useful in college and beyond when interacting with professors, advisors, interviewers, and future bosses or coworkers.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give to incoming students and freshmen?

I would absolutely encourage incoming freshmen to get involved wherever they feel called. Freshman year is a great time to try out many new things, and who knows, you may find something unexpected that you excel at! From various sports teams, to the plethora of clubs, to the arts, to involvement in campus ministry, there are hundreds of ways to get involved in the BT community, and doing so will help you meet new people.

Of which accomplishment are you most proud? I am most proud of receiving the distinction of Summa Cum Laude every semester of my high school career. As a student athlete and a member of other organizations outside of Blessed Trinity, my self-discipline skills were put to the test as I balanced all these areas of my life. Receiving this award at the end of each semester proved to me that the time management and organizational skills that I was learning from my high school experience were truly paying off in a positive way.

Javier Mina Class of 2022

Javier is a Junior at Blessed Trinity. He is heavily involved in the Fine Arts Department. He has performed in Puffs the Play and Thoroughly Modern Millie and is an active member of the Blessed Trinitones.

Why did you select Blessed Trinity Catholic High School? I chose Blessed Trinity Catholic High School because of the variety of extra and co-curricular activities that it boasted. I felt a very welcoming and united community, and I couldn’t think of a better place to spend my high school years.

What clubs/teams/extra-curricular activities have you been involved with while at BT? I have been a part of the Symphonic Band, Concert Choir, Trinitones, and the Tri-M National Honor Society, where I served as the Secretary in the 2019-2020 school year. I am a regular soloist in the Mass Choir, and I have been heavily involved in the Musical Theater troupe, as well. Outside of Fine Arts, I have been a member of the FBLA Chapter at Blessed Trinity, competing in Public Speaking. I serve as the Vice President of Competition this school year. Outside of Blessed Trinity, I have continued to train and grow as a performer even acquiring some professional gigs. I have also continued my martial arts training, and I am currently a certified black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

What are your favorite classes in the Fine Arts Department? It is hard to name just one favorite, but Musical Theater Conservatory brilliantly encompasses the main three pillars of performance; acting, dancing, and singing. One of the best aspects of this course is the creative collaboration between Mrs. B, Mrs. Clift, and Mr. Godbee, three of my favorite teachers! Each of them are so vastly experienced and talented, and they have so much passion for their art form and students.

What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give to incoming students and freshmen?

Whether your calling is performing, like mine, or sports or anything else, I implore you to get involved and find your group of mutuals because those experiences and people are what you are going to cherish most about your time in high school. It is not always going to be easy or predictable, and you aren’t always going to get the lead role or make the team. A lot of the time you might not get the grade you expected on a quiz or a test, but you are going to learn and grow so much in such a short time; so, make sure you make the best of it by keeping your head up and staying positive. Also, find good friends to hold you up when things are hard and celebrate your achievements when they come, because I promise they will!

Elena Franke Class of 2020

Elena was an active member of the Blessed Trinity Dance program and served as a school ambassador. She is attending the University of Georgia and is majoring in business and psychology.

What areas in the Fine Arts Department were you involved with as a student at BT?

All things dance! Dance Company, Dance Team, National Honors Society for Dance Arts.

How did your involvement in these areas enhance your overall high school experience?

The dance department and dance team have brought some of the greatest people and friends into my life. Some of my most beloved memories from high school took place performing on the stage or basketball court, as well as rehearsing in the dance room. I honestly could not imagine what my high school experience would have looked like without dance somewhere in the picture.

How did BT help you grow creatively and expand your talents? During my junior and senior year, Mrs. Clift and Mrs. Amanda gave me the opportunity to choreograph a few numbers for the dance company as well as the dance team. This was a really exciting experience because I was able to experience dance in another way than I had been for the past years. It was incredible to watch a vision in my head be brought to life by people on stage.

What are some of your favorite memories from your time at Blessed Trinity? My favorite Blessed Trinity memories include Friday night football games, my junior year mission trip to Jamaica, and anytime I got to perform on the Blessed Trinity stage.

What clubs/teams/extra-curricular activities were you involved with while at BT?

Blessed Trinity Dance Company, Blessed Trinity Dance Team (Captain-Senior Year), Orientation Leader, Student Ambassador, National Honors Society (Treasurer-Senior year), National English Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honors Society of Dance Arts.

How do you think Blessed Trinity Catholic High School has prepared you for the next phase of

your academic journey (college and beyond)? The teachers at Blessed Trinity truly care about each of their students both inside and outside of the classroom. BT has laid a firm and sturdy foundation, rooted in faith, for each of us to continue to build our lives on. I also know I can always reach out to my Blessed Trinity teachers in the future.

Gia Mongell Class of 2010

Gia graduated from The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance. She currently lives on the Upper Westside of Manhattan and works as a performing arts teacher and Director of The Commercial Dance Intensive (CDI) on location.

How did you grow creatively during your time with the Fine Arts Program at Blessed Trinity?

Mrs. Clift really helped me find my own voice. I came from a classical ballet studio which gave me a strong technical foundation, but it was getting to dance and perform with other dancers from different studios—especially competition studios—that opened my eyes to a completely new realm. I truly feel that Blessed Trinity gave me the versatility that I needed to succeed in a professional environment. I learned to embrace the feeling that I wasn’t doing something totally right, and instead embrace the awkward/scary feeling of trying something new. Learning to master this is key to finding your own creativity—and through a larger lens, the key to living a great life! I was also given the opportunity to choreograph for the first time in a safe space, which then led me to feel empowered to choreograph in college, and now I choreograph as a professional. I am so grateful to the Blessed Trinity dance department for being such a loving, nurturing, and safe space for young dancers to push past their perceived limits. I came in as a ballerina bun head, and I left with a diversified portfolio, for which I am very grateful!

If you could create your own course in high school, what would it be and why is it of interest to

you? If I could create my own course in high school, it would be “The Creation Process of a Broadway Musical”. We would learn about auditioning (union vs. nonunion), producing, directing, choreography, lighting, set design, and all the in-between. Ideally, the course would also involve the band and chorus, and our final culmination would be the school musical at the end of the year! I say all of this because I think I am the only person I know of whose first time being in a musical was their Broadway Debut. I was too busy training after school to commit to an extracurricular of that magnitude.

What are you doing to challenge yourself now that you are out of school? I am always trying to keep up on my craft. I am actually going back to school to get my MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) in dance performance, choreography, and teaching.

What is the next item on your bucket list? What’s one thing you’ve checked off your bucket list?

I have been lucky enough to check off quite a few bucket list items. I danced on Broadway with the show An American in Paris, performed in the 69th Tony Awards, and I was a vacation swing for the National Tour. I have also danced for the Metropolitan Opera and performed in Paris! There are still many more items I want to check!