Spring 2017 by Rick Rivers

chronicle THE

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Spring 2017

chronicle THE

STRAKE

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Features Welcome to the Brotherhood p. 3 20 Years of the Strake Jesuit Art Museum p. 12 Departments President’s Message - 2 @8900 - 7-11 In the Classroom - 14 Ignatian Spirituality - 15 Athletics - 16-20 AlumNews - 21-23 By George - 24 Spring 2017 Vol. 49, No. 3 Editor/Layout Rick Rivers, Director of Communications Contributors Fr. Jeff Johnson, S.J. Fr. Tony Rauschuber, S.J. Michael Patrick Matt Kubus Roja Najafi, Ph. D. Andy Pruett ‘98 Dan Pepe, Photography The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (USPS 024165) Vol. 49, No. 3, Spring Edition, is published quarterly by Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036. Periodicals Postage Paid at Houston, TX. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chronicle of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, 8900 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036-4699.

President Fr. Jeff Johnson, S.J. Principal Ken Lojo ‘91 MISSION STATEMENT To assist young men in their formation as leaders and as Men for Others through a program of rigorous college preparation in the tradition of the Society of Jesus. The Strake Jesuit Art Museum, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, surrounds students with magnificent and diverse art works, such as this piece by Herbert Ferber entitled Lenox II. To learn more, see page 12.

ON THE COVER - The Strake Jesuit/St. Agnes Engineering Team recently earned another berth into the World Championships to be held in Houston in April.

chronicle THE

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ON THE COVER - The Strake Jesuit/St. Agnes Engineering Team recently earned another berth into the World Championships to be held in Houston in April.

From the President

The Future of Learning is Now It’s not easy to get a 120-pound robot to climb up four feet of narrow nylon strap. The sturdy little bot is squat to the ground, speedy on its four wheels, and turns on a dime. If you can imagine your dishwasher, unmoored from under the counter, scooting around the house, zipping around the furniture, and perhaps chasing your pets, then you will have some idea of the Strake Jesuit/St. Agnes robot. On the front cover of this issue you will see our climbing robot hanging securely a few feet off the ground. Our robotics team, called Spectrum 3847 and decked out in purple, brings together students from Strake Jesuit and St. Agnes as they build and assemble the robot in the engineering lab of Agee Hall. Each year in January our team designs and builds a robot to compete in a sophisticated game against teams from all over the country. Last year we competed at the World Championship along with nearly 600 teams and we have already qualified for the World event again this year. The competitions buzz with the energy of a NASCAR race combined with the enthusiasm of a rock concert as teams of three robots compete against one another. In between matches, the teams shuttle the robots back to the pit area where they modify and repair the robot in preparation for the next match. In the pit area of Spectrum 3847, the team carries enough tools on hand to rebuild a car. At the most recent competition which was hosted on our campus during spring break, just over 40 teams from the Southwest Region and Mexico furiously competed. Disaster struck in the semi-finals when the robot’s climbing mechanism failed to lift the machine even an inch off the floor. Carrying the robot off the competition field and placing it on a cart for transportation, troubleshooting

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began. Like doctors over a patient being wheeled into emergency surgery, a few students attempted to recreate the malfunction while others pushed the cart towards the pits. After only a few short minutes in the pit, they wheeled the bot back to the competition for the next qualifying round where it failed again to hoist itself up the strap. With no time for a trip to the pits, the team diagnosed the problem and took corrective action on the side of the competition field. The fix included 6 feet of industrial Velcro tape, a sewing machine, and some very quick thinking. It worked this time and we made it to the championship round. Rarely have I been as impressed with our students. They designed the robot, programmed the control software, built the robot to industrial standards, and then drove the robot in a very complicated game. But the team’s work doesn’t stop with the robot. Other team members present to judges in written and spoken communication while others scout out the competition. It is a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary activity involving writing, video production, computer programming, engineering design, leadership, networking, and group problem solving. In other words, this is an example of thoroughly engaged learning. When Men for Others learn these sorts of skills through experiential learning they will no doubt make the world a better place.

WELCOME to the

Brotherhood

by Michael Patrick

The transition from middle school to high school for any young man can be an

unsettling experience, to say the least - a new place with new faces and new teachers with a new schedule. For many it can be the biggest change they have faced to that point in their lives. Transitioning to an academically demanding private school like Strake Jesuit can be even more daunting.

Easing that transition is the mission of the Strake Jesuit Crusader Crew. Created in

2013, Crusader Crew is a student led organization with faculty moderators. As Patrick Rutledge, a member of the Crusader Crew’s Advisory Council puts it, “the mission of Crusader Crew is to help welcome newcomers into the Jesuit brotherhood. We all come from different schools and backgrounds, which make it a unique place and it can be difficult to get used to new surroundings.”

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“It was crazy; it was not what I was expecting at all. I thought we were just going to sit down and listen to people talk the whole time”. Johny Ly ‘20

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Freshmen counselors, called Crew Leaders, are chosen from

orientation during small group times. The small group times allow

among current Jesuit students the previous spring and spend the

freshmen an opportunity to learn about Jesuit firsthand from their

rest of the spring and summer months developing their leadership

Leaders. Topics covered during small group time include how

skills and preparing to welcome the newest Jesuit class. Crew

to talk to their teachers, tips on using their iPad responsibly, and

Leaders spend two days of their first week of summer vacation

how high school is different from middle school. Freshman Barclay

on campus for the annual Leadership Camp where they get to

Briggs says his Crew Leaders and small group times gave insight

know their fellow leaders, prepare for orientation, and learn how

on what is expected of a Strake Jesuit student and “it showed me

to lead small groups. These two days are meant to set the tone

that even though upperclassmen can be intimidating, they can

that being a part of Crusader Crew means having a “Freshmen

be helpful, too.” The goal is that after orientation, freshmen are

Focus.” Current senior and former Crusader Crew Leader,

more at ease with their transition into high school and are excited

Spencer O’Connor ‘17, explains the months preparing for

to walk onto the Strake Jesuit campus with their fellow freshmen

orientation and Leadership Camp are meant “to give the

classmates.

freshmen a better experience than you had as a freshman. Even

if you had a good freshman year, we want to constantly make it

it does not end after freshmen orientation. Throughout the year,

better.”

each house will host a house event for freshmen to reinforce

a sense of continuity between the freshmen and their Crew

It begins early with Freshman Orientation. Over the course

One of the most important aspects of Crusader Crew is that

of the two days, freshmen learn from Crusader Crew members

Leaders. In October, Xavier House hosts the annual Halloween

the school’s fight song and alma mater, where their classes are,

Costume Contest in which Freshmen Crews dress up according

and what it means to be the “Grad at Grad”. When a freshman walks into the competition gym on the first day of orientation, he may be expecting to pick up his class schedule, meet a few of his classmates, or most likely not know what to expect at all. What he

to a theme. This past November, Regis

Crusader Crew is meant “to give the freshmen a better experience than you had as a freshman. Even if you had a good freshman year, we want to constantly make it better.” Spencer O’Connor ‘17

will find are excited upper classmen

House hosted a joint ice cream social with St. Agnes and Jesuit students in the competition gym that featured a band whose members are Jesuit students. This year also saw the first freshmen basketball tailgate in which Crusader Crew members set

running around with their hair dyed

up tailgate games and served hot

and faces painted like they were an

dogs for freshmen cheering on their

extra from Braveheart. “It was crazy,” says freshman Johny Ly,

fellow classmates during the Strake Jesuit freshmen basketball

“it was not what I was expecting at all. I thought we were just

tournament. One of the school year’s most popular house events

going to sit down and listen to people talk the whole time”. The

is the Bellarmine Freshmen Study Night. Freshmen teachers from

boisterous orientation opening ceremony shows the freshmen

the science, math, theology, and English departments give

that their Leaders are excited to welcome them into the Strake

review sessions for freshmen finals. The past two years the study

Jesuit community. A House System is used in order to promote a

night has also featured a talk from academic coach, Mrs. Tina

sense of camaraderie and to get freshmen learning about the

Hart, on proper study techniques. Over 100 freshmen fill the

Jesuits right away. In that system, each freshman is placed into

lecture hall to plan how they are going to study for their first high

one of four houses named after the Jesuit saints - St. Regis, St.

school final exams.

Bellarmine, St. Gonzaga, and St. Xavier. Each house has a color

and corresponding chants about their house and saint. Houses

footing in the classroom and through extracurricular activities

compete with each other throughout orientation in spirit and

and athletics. However, the work of Crusader Crew is not done.

athletic activities while they are learning the ins and outs of Strake

Crews meet in February to discuss course selection so that crew

Jesuit.

leaders can offer advice on what to expect from different

classes and how to maintain a healthy work-life balance. In

Student leadership makes Crusader Crew as much of a

By the spring semester, many freshmen have found their

student run organization as possible. A nine member Advisory

April, Crusader Crew hosts an MLB Opening Day Event in which

Council with representatives from each house help plan the

freshmen are served hot dogs during lunch and, if available,

Leadership Camp and work to make sure Orientation and all

watch the Astros’ opening game in the Gray Lecture Hall before

other freshmen events run smoothly. Within each House a group

heading out to their classes. This year Crusader Crew added a

of eight freshmen, called a crew, are assigned to two Crew

NCAA Basketball Tournament March Madness event and started

Leaders who have the task of leading their crews throughout

a bracket challenge between the houses. Also in April there will

Spring 2017

be a food and toiletry essentials drive for Jesuit’s Labre Project,

and through his good conduct, such as limiting the amount of

the organization dedicated to serving Houston’s homeless every

Penance Halls he receives throughout the year. The totals are

week. These events allow freshmen the opportunity to continue

updated regularly on the new House System web page on the

to form bonds with their fellow classmates throughout the year

Strake Jesuit website.

while also providing a means for their Crew Leaders to check in

with them and offer advice from a Crusader who has been there

training with the Leaders in the spring and during Leadership

before.

Camp. Strake Jesuit is not only fortunate to have a growing

enrollment and growing number of students, but also fortunate

One of the fastest growing and evolving aspects of

One of the major goals is to implement more diversity

Crusader Crew is the House System, an effort to increase school

to have an increased diversity of students. At Leadership Camp

spirit and attendance at events. House Contest for points now

this May, Leaders will receive training on diversity and inclusive

extends beyond just orientation to the rest of the year, much in

language with the help of diversity resource centers from Houston

the same spirit house points were awarded in the Harry Potter

college campuses. With this increased emphasis on diversity

novels and films. Freshmen can earn points for their houses

training, the Crusader Crew program will ensure success in its

by attending athletic and extracurricular events like theatre

goal that, no matter a student’s background, middle school,

performances. Computer Science teacher Mr. Dominic Baula

religion, or nationality, he feels welcome and that he belongs at

developed an App that keeps track of house participation at

Strake Jesuit.

school events by scanning a student’s Strake Jesuit ID. A student can also gain points for his house by making the Honor Roll

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

The goal of the House System is to provide an opportunity for students and faculty to interact across grade levels. In doing so, the community benefits from increased school spirit, positive peer pressure, increased social connectedness, and healthy competition. The Strake Jesuit House System is introduced at Freshman Orientation. Students are divided into four houses, and remain in these houses until they graduate. Throughout the year, houses compete against each other to earn their various quarterly and yearly rewards. POINTS SYSTEM - Event Attendance: A student who attends an approved event (sporting event, drama production, concert, dance, etc.) will receive one point for his House. -Participation in Programs: Students who belong to a student organization (sports team, drama, band, chorus, etc.) will receive one point for his House. These points are awarded at the end of your season. - Conduct: On the first Friday of every month, Houses with the fewest Penance Halls in the previous month will be awarded 50 points. - Academics: Students may earn one point for his house for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters by making the Honor Roll. Points will be awarded during the months of October, January, and March. REWARDS - Quarterly: The House with the most points for each quarter receive a house-wide treat, which could include ice cream, breakfast, or another similar reward. - Annually: The House with the most points for the year will be named House Champions for that year and celebrate with a house wide party.

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@8900 Four Named National Merit Finalists, 20 Named Commended Students

National Merit Finalists are (left to right) Aaron Singh, William Ledig, William Smith, and Andrew Ledet.

Four members of the Strake Jesuit Class of 2017 have been named National Merit Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Andrew Ledet, William Ledig, Aaron Singh, and William Smith are among 15,000 Finalists. These four are among the academically talented high school seniors who now eligible to be selected for some 7,500 Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million. “This recognition for these four young men is a testament to the hard work they have done in their four years at Jesuit as well as the work of their teachers and support of their parents,” noted Assistant Principal for Academics Trip Norkus.

A total of 20 Strake Jesuit seniors have been named Commended Student in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. The students are Miguel Arana, Michael Boyd, Stephen Breuer, Cole Casper, Stephen Donnell, Timothy Dougherty, Bradley Faison, Seth Fritzhand, Evan Harris, Alexander He, John Killelea, Ryan Knowles, William McIntyre, Mark Mouhayar, Jonathan Nguyen, Nicholas Okerlund, Steven Polasek, Joseph Theriot, Chase West, amd Nicolas Wilson. Approximately 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Yearbook Earns National Recognition The 2016 edition of the Strake Jesuit yearbook, The Crusader, has received 1st place recognition in the parochial school division by the American Scholastic Press Association’s Annual Review and Contest Awards for scholastic yearbooks, magazines and other publications. Jesuit was the only private school in Texas to earn the recognition. Alec Asensio ‘16 served as Editor of the publication and Hugo Gonzalez ‘16 was Assistant Editor. In presenting the award, the ASPA stated that the publication “shows excellence in the fields of writing, photography and page design and contains elements/ sections of a memorable yearbook that will be treasured for years to come.”

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Annual BSU Assembly Features Alumni Panel Endowments Play Key Role in School’s Future

Jesuit alumni from the 60’s - 00’s made up the panel at the Annual BSU Assembly. The panelists were (left to right) James Plummer ’65, Alan Bergeron ’77, Patrick Trahan ’81, Marcus Ford ’95, and Joey Brooks ’09.

The annual Black Student Union (BSU) assembly in conjunction with Black History Month was held Wednesday morning, February 22 in the Parsley Center. The topic for this year’s assembly was “Learning from Our Past to Progress into Our Future.” This year’s gathering featured five alumni, one from each of the past decades, who agreed to serve as a panel for discussion and questions. Making up the panel were James Plummer ’65, Alan Bergeron ’77, Patrick Trahan ’81, Marcus Ford ’95, and Joey Brooks ’09. “This year’s officers took on the very difficult task of trying to find a way to get conversations started amongst their peers,’ said BSU moderator Ray Marshall. “They did solid leg work, formally meeting to discuss what topics they were concerned about and what they wanted covered with the student body.” In comparing the culture at Jesuit during their time as compared with today, Patrick Trahan, who also had two sons graduate from Jesuit, noted “there is a stronger understanding of the Jesuit mission and a true sense of

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community in everything around campus. Whereas we had shacks, you have these beautiful buildings and artwork that says this is a place I want to be. Every person, to a man, that I’ve spoken with in the last five years says they wouldn’t change their Jesuit experience for anything. There’s a much stronger sense of community and brotherhood.” “We didn’t have a Black History Month assembly,” said Alan Bergeron. “Our Black History program was held at lunchtime in a conference room in the library. It wasn’t something that everybody attended, obviously. It was something that if you had time to stop by there to see whoever the guest speaker was, it was a more informal thing. Believe it or not, we had Rev. Bill Lawson one year and another year Jesse Jackson was here in the library in a little room. When I look at this and compare it to back then, there is a big change, and what that means is that we are having discussions now, meaningful discussions, that weren’t taking place back then.”

@8900 Student Artists Earn Recognition SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING CONTEST

Seniors Vittorio Covarrubias and Connor Mizell

recently submitted entries into the Harris County Department of Educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scholastic Art & Writing Contest and each earned recognition in the Drawing & Illustration Category. They were two of 456 entries into the category where Covarrubias took one of the top Gold Key awards for his work, The Heart of Houston (right), and Mizell earned Honorable Mention for his body of work (Art Portfolio) entitled Forms of the Self: Hidden vs. Revealed.

As a Gold Key winner, Covarrubias will move on

to compete at the national level where past winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, and Joyce Carol Oates.

CrusaderARTS

The Strake Jesuit Art Museum conducted its

annual CrusaderARTS 2017 Exhibition and Award Ceremony in February. Each year, students, faculty, and staff are invited to submit original works in a series of categories including Digital Media, Drawing, Music, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Video.

This year over ninety entries were received with

at least one submission in each category. Entries were received from students in each class with sophomores and juniors accounting for the majority. Awards were given for Best in Show and for Best in Medium and Honorable Mention in each category. Many of the pieces were displayed in the Clay Atrium during lunch on Thursday, February 16.

Among entries earning Best in Medium recognition at the Annual CrusaderARTS were (top to bottom): Drawing - Vittorio Covarrubias - The Heart of Houston Photography - Henry Clark - Tranquility Painting - Grant Varner - Tear-Leaders

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Alumni, Dads, Others Enjoy Men’s Retreat

Over 30 men from various segments of the Strake Jesuit

perfect,” noted Arnie Azios ’76. “We are so very fortunate to

community gathered at the Retreat & Leadership Center for a

have such an amazing Retreat Center. I thoroughly enjoyed simply

weekend in January for the Annual Men’s Retreat. The group

walking around the grounds and several times just sitting quietly.

included a mix of current parents, past parents, and alumni. Led by

One of the many highlights for me was the fireside chat on such

school Chaplain Fr. Tony Rauschuber, S.J., the theme of the retreat

a wonderful cold night. I look forward to attending next year and

was “Knowing God in Knowing Self.”

thereafter for the foreseeable future.”

After an early breakfast on Saturday, the retreat began

“Combining the Dads’ Club with alumni was a great idea,”

with the first of three presentations by Fr. Rauschuber with each

noted current dad Paul Higgins. “It allowed us to have more

followed by a quiet reflection time. The group also found time for a

men in attendance and also provided a good diversity of ages and

little service project work of fence-building and tree planting after.

experiences.”

That evening, the group traveled the short distance to Leona,

One unexpected result of opening up the retreat to all men

Texas to enjoy a much-deserved steak (or chicken) dinner at the

was the chance for a father and alumni son to attend together,

Leona General Store. Dinner was followed by an evening of social

which actually happened. Christopher Parma ’16 and his father,

time and taking in the NFL playoff game in the Nevle Reading

George, both attended. “It made the retreat really special to be

Room. An early breakfast again on Sunday was followed by

there with my son who volunteered to go, not because he was

cabin clean-up and packing and then a Mass in the Chapel which

forced by it being a class requirement, but because he recognized

concluded the retreat.

how special it would be to do this together,” said the elder Parma.

“This was my second school retreat but I felt that including

the dads brought more camaraderie to the experience,” noted Bret Broussard ‘76. “It’s now an annual thing for me moving forward.”

“The setting was very special and the accommodations were

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@8900

Engineering Team Earns Another World Championship Berth

At the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition

of Science and Technology) FRC HUB City Regional Tournament in Lubbock in early March, Spectrum 3847, the Strake Jesuit/St. Agnes Engineering Team, won the Engineering Inspiration Award and came away with a berth in the 2017 FIRST World Championship which will be held in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center from April 19 22, 2017.

“We are honored to receive the Engineering

Inspiration Award in week one of the competition! This is one of the highest honors a team can receive at a regional event and awards Spectrum 3847 a spot at the 2017 FIRST World Championship. In addition, Spectrum 3847 receives a $5,000 grant from NASA to pay for their Championship registration fee. We look forward to joining the global competition at FIRST Championship,” said Engineering Coach Allen Gregory IV. In addition to the Engineering Inspiration Award, Spectrum was also Regional Finalist at the HUB City Regional in Lubbock.

Just two weeks later, Spectrum 3847 was the recipient of

the prestigious Quality Award at the FIRST FRC and a Regional Finalist at the Lone Star Central Regional Tournament held at Strake Jesuit.

“We are honored to have received the Quality Award

sponsored by Motorola Foundation. The award celebrates machine robustness in concept and fabrication. Our robot Gamma was built with a very detailed plan in mind to withstand the rigors of competition. FRC is often called the ‘the hardest fun you’ll ever have.’ ” said Gregory.

Spectrum 3847 was ranked #3 with a record of 12-5-0 and

advanced to the finals in an alliance with AwtyBots #5829 and Screaming Chickens #3997. They formed a strong alliance and worked their way to the finals. They lost the in finals to three award winning teams: Robonauts #118, Texas Torque #1477 and TCAT #5526. All six teams will join the global competition at the Championships in April.

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Y E A R S

O F

T H E

Strake Jesuit Art Museum 1 9 9 6

It was a friendship and a shared love for the arts between

2 0 1 6

By Roja Najafi, Ph. D.

present day. There are works by modern European masters such

former school President, the late Fr. Brian Zinnamon, S.J., and

Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró along with works by Ed Singer,

the late Frank Ribelin of Dallas that led to the foundation of the

Marc Chagall, Andrés Chávez, Frederick W. Spencer, Yves Tanguy,

Strake Jesuit Art Museum in 1996. Fr. Zinnamon’s aesthetic

Salvador Dali, Armond Lara, Chin V., and Barry Colffin. There is a

appreciation encouraged Mr. Riblin’s generous loan of his

rich collection of works on paper, including prints and photographs.

collection to the school. Mr. Ribelin’s collection was rich, diverse,

The strength of the collection is its postwar and contemporary

and based on his personal taste; a good number of works were

works mainly in the media of painting and sculpture, dating from

oversized outdoor sculptures, and the Strake Jesuit campus offered

1960 to 2007. These works come to the museum from numerous

an installation space that was hard to resist. Later, a good number

friends. In addition to the late Frank Ribelin, other alumni,

of objects on loan had turned into a permanent gift and finally

and parents of students, artists, art galleries, and other private

in 1996 the museum was officially formed with a permanent

collectors have shown a great deal of generosity to our collection

collection of more than 300 objects. The Strake Jesuit Art Museum

by donating art works and making available resources.

is a charitable and educational organization, dedicated specifically

to educate students, parents, faculty, staff, and the community of

one that grows and expands but also, sometimes, contracts. As an

Houston in the visual arts by gathering, preserving, and presenting

example, many Strake Jesuit alumni who attended the school prior

We are often reminded that a museum is a living entity,

a collection of artworks on the

to 2009 remember the statue of

Strake Jesuit campus.

Fiesta Dancers (1992-1993) by Luis

Jimenez. In 2009, after Mr. Ribelin

“Our students, faculty,

staff and visitors are fortunate

passed away and his estate was to

to interact daily with such great

be divided for inheritance purposes,

treasures,” noted Fr. Jeff Johnson,

the museum had to say farewell,

S.J., school President, “and the

with gratitude, to a number of the

next twenty years will be an

pieces which were on loan from the

exciting time for our art museum as

Ribelin Collection. The most notable

we look to grow our collection and

would have been the Jimenez’s

care for the art that has so richly

dancers.

adorned our campus for these past

twenty years. A vibrant and living

sculptures that were installed on

collection will help us to further

the campus as part of the Strake

engage and inspire our students to

Jesuit Art Museum’s permanent

think creatively and critically.”

collection were: Obelisk (1987), an

11.5-foot tall bronze sculpture by

Today there are some 700

objects in the collection, covering an array of cultures and expanding from the earliest civilizations to

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Among the first two

Fritz Scholder (American 1937 A sample of the many antiquities on display in the Parsley Center is this piece, a whistle in the form of a standing female with elaborate headdress from Mexico that dates to 400-600 A.D.

2005), which is located between the Hamilton Administration Building

and Strake Hall, and the 20-foot tall 19th century limestone Ionic Column from the old Santa Fe State Capitol, which is situated just north of the Hamilton Administration Building. In a permanent level and beyond their concrete three dimensional appearance, the two works are connected to the history of Strake Jesuit being the first works to be installed. The Obelisk has made an architectural link between the Strake Hall and the Hamilton Building, two of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest buildings.

The Strake Jesuit Art Museum provides a unique

opportunity for students, families, alumni and the public to see landmark artwork in an educational setting. Instead of viewing art within the confines of a pristine, white-walled enclosure, works by artists such as Rufino Tamayo, John Alexander, James Rosenquist, JesĂşs Moroles, and Pablo Picasso become part of the fabric of student life. It is an integral aspect of the student experience at Strake Jesuit to find art along the tree lined walkways, between buildings and within interior spaces. One can see sculpture by Fritz Scholder, Edward Hendricks, James Surls and Charmaine Locke from several vantage points on campus. Critical thinking is also inspired in the classrooms and public spaces of the school where works of Egyptian antiquity and Mayan culture stand side-by-side with renowned painters of the modern world. The breadth and quality of artwork is truly a remarkable gift.

Since its foundation the museum has benefited from art

donations and gifts by individual artists, galleries, and other collectors. All of these donors were acquainted with the museum either because they were graduates of Jesuit or someone with a strong link to the school informed them of the Strake Jesuit Art Museum and art collection. The hope is to build on these strong ties and make new ones by giving more exposure to the museum within Greater Houston.

The Strake Jesuit Art Museum hopes to inspire

appreciation in visual arts and critical thinking, enrich educational experiences, broaden horizons through exposure to diverse cultural and aesthetic expressions, and truly the art works around us stand as a reminder of the multilayered opportunities offered to Jesuit students and the school community. What better way to form a well-rounded education in which students are inspired to become Men for Others than when they see the sciences and the arts valued as significant components of a complete education.

This 20-foot tall 19th century limestone Ionic Column from the old Santa Fe State Capitol is situated just north of the Hamilton Administration Building. It was one of the first pieces as a part of the museum collection.

Spring 2017

in the classroom

Many Hats, One Heart

On a sunny morning late in the semester, while some students charge across Kennelly Green, students in Kelly Clemons’ Civil War and Reconstruction course are hard at work reenacting the battle of Gettysburg, “They will remember this a lot better than listening to another lecture and taking notes,” he explains. As a long-time member of the Strake Jesuit faculty, Kelly’s care for his students and the community is apparent to everyone. He came to Strake Jesuit 24 years ago after earning his degree and finishing his college baseball career at Houston Baptist University, not far from Strake Jesuit. “Originally I was going to be a part-time coach,” he recalls, “but Mr. Nevle (then the Principal at Jesuit) called me up in August and asked if I would be a full-time faculty member” and, as they say, the rest is history. Kelly has been a true servant to Strake Jesuit. He has worked in several different capacities on campus, coaching four different sports, teaching Social Studies, serving as Department Chair and Dean of Students, orchestrating the Coach’s Crawfish Boil, coordinating the Cura Personalis program, and most recently leading a group of students and parents from Normandy to Berlin as part of a World War 2 battlefield tour. With each new charge he has been given, Kelly has viewed them as opportunities to serve the community. “At the end of the day that’s what we are called to do,” he noted. “Serve the community at large and make this place as great a place it can be.” When asked about what he has learned in all of his positions he says “Be flexible and take advantage of the opportunities that God puts in front of you.”

The Chronicle

by Andy Pruett ‘98

Kelly has seen the blessings and the tragedies of the Strake Jesuit community over the past two decades. As Dean of Students and Cura Personalis coordinator he worked with at risk students. “It has been very rewarding to help students who struggle to overcome their problems. This has been very impactful,” he offers. Unfortunately, as he knows all too well, it doesn’t always work out. “They don’t all make it and that hurts, you wonder if there was something else that could have been done,” he says. For the last several years Kelly has had the unique opportunity to witness his son Brandon ‘17 and his Strake Jesuit experience from the view point of both father and faculty member. “Jesuit can be a pressure cooker and seeing Brandon’s experience and my faith have made me more understanding of students and their life circumstances,” he explains. He notes that, in the past, when he might have been quick to dismiss a late paper or assignment, now he meets with students to understand why. “You learn a lot from a quick conversation, why the paper was late, yes, but more importantly what’s going on in the kid’s life,” he observes. Last spring, Kelly’s care for his students and the community was recognized when he was presented the Fleming Award for Teaching Excellence. At the time he noted, “I am filled with gratitude and humbled to receive this award. It has been a blessing to have spent more than half of my life teaching and being a part of the Jesuit community. This place holds such a special place in my heart.”

gnatian S pirituality I Active Contemplation by Fr. Tony Rauschuber, S.J. The word contemplation has been used to mean different things over the centuries. The Society of Jesus focus on a meaning that refers to an active type of contemplation used by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Active contemplation involves using the imagination in a particular way. When we hear the word imagination, one might think this is merely fanticizing. However, with our cooperation, God may use the human faculty of imagination to communicate with us. Think of this type of prayer as using the “eyes of the imagination” or the “mind’s eye.” We use this faculty of the imagination frequently. For example, I could ask you to close your eyes and imagine you are at home in your bedroom, sitting on your favorite chair. Can you describe what you can “see” from your chair? Can you describe how to get to the bathroom from your chair? Can you describe how to find the toothpaste in the bathroom? Go ahead, close your eyes and try it. Most people can close their eyes and answer these questions easily. It’s this same faculty of imagination we use in Active Contemplation. The Gospels are full of events that lend themselves easily to this form of prayer. Recall when John the Baptist pointed out to two of his disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God... “The two disciples heard what he said

and followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying and stayed with him that day.” (Jn. 1:37-39) How does this work in prayer? You pick any event in the Gospel. For example, the scene above with John the Baptist, or the feeding of the crowd, or Jesus at the house of Martha and Mary, or the disciples with Jesus in the boat that was tossed by the storm. Then, you place yourself right there in the scene. You ask God to direct your imagination. You’re sitting on the grass, or in Martha’s living room, or in the bow of the boat. You make it concrete – engaging the sights, sounds, smells, the warmth, the cold, the tone of voice, and the facial expressions in the Gospel event. You watch the scene, not from the outside, but from inside. You’re all eyes and ears, interested to see and be part of what happens. You let it unfold without pre-planning it. As you watch and listen, you experience a range of reactions and emotions. And that’s it. One may spend as little as 10 minutes in Active Contemplation or up to an hour. You don’t have to come up with new resolutions or solutions. Just spend some time with the Lord, and you will be better for it.

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Spring 2017

athletics Hernany Martinez ‘17

Composed Intensity

by Matt Kubus

I met Hernany his time at Jesuit has the summer before been, noting the retreat he started at Jesuit. program, how it provides He was my student in a time for him to reflect an enrichment course on what his life has been designed to prepare and what he wants to students for Freshman make of it. English. I had the Born in Mexico students write a short City, Hernany came to personal narrative at Houston when has 5; the beginning of the he started playing tennis class to introduce two years later, never themselves. “I want to thinking he’d have the be a professional tennis success he’s had. He player,” Hernany’s paper worked his way up in the professed, a bold claim USTA rankings, at one from a young man point finding a spot in who seemed so quiet, the top 10 in Texas. The so unassuming. It was friendships he made on just a few months later the court, Hernany told that I, jaw-to-pavement, me, motivated him and saw him rally from the continue to motivate him baseline for the first at Jesuit. Hernany noted time. it’s never easy to play Though I’ve been against a friend when Hernany Martinez ‘17 teaching for ten years determining the ladder I can’t not be surprised at the beginning of the by my students. That’s a convoluted way of speaking to season, but because Coach Kenny always preaches team the humility of our multi-talented young men. Hernany, over the individual, he and his teammates maintain strong for instance, brings to his tennis game an intensity and friendships on the court, in the classroom, and off campus. firepower his composure and maturity in the classroom I think what surprises me most about Hernany is his may hide from his teachers. He quietly yet ardently gives his impossible gratitude after each and every practice or match. full self to each of his many pursuits. Win or lose the first words out of his mouth are words of This commitment to each aspect of his life was a thanks for being present and for watching. It’s this small theme throughout my most recent conversation with him. gesture that reminds me of that quiet rising freshman we’ve He praised Strake Jesuit for teaching him that life is never come to know so well. As Hernany decides whether or not just about athletics and never just about the classroom he wants to pursue tennis at the collegiate level, that sense and never just about a social life: “This school gives you a of gratitude will serve him well. While Hernany has not challenge to be prepared in academics and athletics while ruled out a potential run at the dream he articulated the at the same time fostering a strong brotherhood between summer before his first year at Jesuit, he remains open to classmates.” He went on to articulate just how surprising pursuing any one of the many paths in front of him.

The Chronicle

athletics

Mark Modeste to Join Faculty as Head Football Coach

After an extensive national search, Fr. Jeff Johnson, S.J., President

of Strake Jesuit, has announced that Mark Modeste will join the school’s faculty as Head Football Coach. The thorough search resulted in over 120 candidates from all across the state of Texas and the country.

Modeste is an experienced coach with a long history of success.

He comes to Jesuit from Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton, California where he has been Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. In his 10 years at Sacred Heart, the football team has realized great success—winning five Central Coast Section titles, two NorCal Championships, and earning two trips to the State Championship.

“Mark understands what makes Strake Jesuit a unique place,”

said Fr. Johnson. “Not only is he coming to us from a superb Catholic school, but also he has strong connections with the Jesuits.” Modeste played football while earning his BA in Political Science in 1991 from Santa Clara University, a Jesuit school in California where his father coached football for 31 years.

Along with an exceptional football pedigree, Modeste combines a

deep commitment to his family and his Catholic faith with a recognized ability to transform players into winners who have character.

“My philosophy is broad, covering many key areas of a young

man’s development,” said Modeste. “I would head that list with spiritual guidance. Football creates a unique opportunity to reach young men; it lowers barriers, builds trust and ultimately creates individual situations for learning and growth. As a devout Catholic, I use these opportunities to instill the values and teachings consistent with our faith.”

Steve Hogan ’03, a member of the school’s Athletic Hall of

Honor, and several Jesuit faculty and staff assisted the Principal, Ken Lojo, and Athletic Director, Mike Crowley, in the search. Mike Janda ’69, also a member of the Hall of Honor and currently Head Football Coach at Bellarmine Prep, a Jesuit school in San Jose, California, along with several others with great knowledge and experience both in football and Jesuit education provided consultation during the search process.

Modeste began working immediately with the football

coaching staff in preparation for next season, making trips to Houston before relocating with his family.

New Scoreboard Coming Each year, thousands of people visit Clay Stadium. From Jesuit athletic events, to hosting middle school events, to community service events, no other place on campus welcomes more people to the campus. “After many years of service and surviving lightning strikes, the stadium’s current scoreboard does not reflect the very best of us to the venue’s many visitors,” noted Fr. Jeff Johnson, S.J. “It should be a welcoming tool to all who visit and it should represent Strake Jesuit well.” This year, the Last Crusader Standing at the school auction was dedicated to raising funds for the purchase of a new stadium scoreboard. Current plans call for the new scoreboard to be in place by the start of school next year.

Spring 2017

athletics SEASON RECAPS BASKETBALL For the 11th straight year, the Crusaders Basketball team earned a UIL post-season berth. The team posted a 14-4 non-district record, including a sweep of all four games in the Hoop Elite Classic in Sarcramento to capture the championship. They opened district play by winning their first four games and six of their first seven. After a loss to Tompkins, they won their next four before finishing 1-2 over their last three games. The Crusaders defeated Fort Bend Austin 8461 at Coleman Coliseum to become Bi-District Champions in the first round of the playoffs before seeing their season come to an end with an Area round loss against Sam Houston. “I was pleased with the way our team came together throughout the season,” said Head Coach Dominic Amorosa. “We blended together a great mix of veteran senior players and four sophomores.” Five members of the Basketball team earned All-District post-season honors. Senior William Brueggeman was named District 19-6A Offensive Player of the Year and was named 1st Team All-District while seniors Mike Donlon and Jordan Pride earned 2nd Team All-District honors. Earning Honorable Mention recognition were junior James Drexler and sophomore Jordan Johnson. In addition, Brueggeman and Donlon earned Academic All-District recognition along with teammates Stephen Donnell, Colin Minx, Bryce Piper, Liam Dillon, and Thomas Gordon. Bruggemann, Donlon, Donnell, and Minx also earned THSCA Academic All-State honors.

SWIMMING & DIVING The Crusaders had another great season in the pool with the Swimming & Diving team. The team trained hard through a long season and it payed off. Varsity took home the 1st place plaque in the 28 school Alvin ISD Classic and for the 3rd year in a row won the 16-team Private School Invitational. The team finished 3rd in the district swim meet held

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Senior William Brueggeman (top) was named District 19-6A Offensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All-District and senior Mike Donlon (middle) and Jordan Pride (bottom) earned 2nd Team All-District honors

athletics SEASON RECAPS

The Crusaders’ 200 Freestyle Relay team of Will Kallmeyer, Jeremy Bates, Reed Casper, and Nic Roa took 1st place at the District Meet.

at Lamar High School on January 27 and 28. Jesuit had six swimmers, a record, move on to Regionals. They included Jeremy Bates - 1st in the 200 Intermediate Medley and 2nd in the 100 Breaststroke, Nic Roa - 2nd in the 200 freestyle and 3rd in the 100 backstroke, Andreas Mason - 2nd in the 100 freestyle, Will Kallmeyer - 3rd in the 50 freestyle, Reed Casper - 4th in the 50 freestyle and 6th in the 100 freestyle, and Chris Russell 6th in the 200 freestyle In the relay events, all three Jesuit teams earned a regional berth including the 200 Freestyle Relay team of Will Kallmeyer, Nic Roa, Jeremy Bates, and Reed Casper that took home the gold, the Medley Relay team of Nic Roa, Jeremy Bates, Cole Casper, and Will Kallmeyer that won the silver, and the 400 Freestyle Relay team of Cole Casper, Reed Casper, Nathaniel Allen, and Andreas Mason that finished 4th. “This year saw a record number of regional berths. Every one of the Crusaders earned a personal record in their events at some point in the season,” noted Head Coach Kevin Kehoe. “This was a younger varsity team this year and I look forward to what they will accomplish in the future.”

WRESTLING

Thomas Le won the District title in the 106-pound division and finished 4th at Regionals.

This season was another year of solid improvements for the Strake Jesuit Wrestling Team. It was a year that saw the varsity post an impressive record of 21 wins and 7 losses in dual meet competition while extending its unbeaten record at home for the 3rd straight year. At the district meet, of the 14 Jesuit wrestlers, ten finished sixth or better to earn a spot on the podium. Those, with their weight class and finish, included 106 Thomas Le 1st, 113 Ian Novak 4th, 120 Gabe Natoli 6th, 138 Jack Macon 4th, 152 Miles Barloon 6th, 170 Marshall Miller 4th, 182 Landen Glaser 2nd, 195 Nathan Nicknish 6th, 220 Alex Mascorro 6th, and HWT (heavyweight) Grant Bordelon 2nd. Le, Novak, Macon, Miller, Glaser, and Bordelon earned berths in the Regional Championships. At the Regional Championships, Le took 4th place and Bordelon took 6th.

Spring 2017

athletics Six Crusaders Commit to Colleges for Athletics

Standing, left to right: Tommy Upton - West Point , Daniel Cho - University of Chicago, and George Ikott - Georgetown. Seated, left to right: Jeffrey Price - West Point , Sean Kenneally - Tulsa, and Michael Purvey - Yale.

Six Crusader athletes, consisting of five football players and

noted Blank. “He was our vocal leader and captain on defense this past

one track & field / cross country runner, committed to continue their

season. Although an injury sidelined him for a game, he was still there

athletic careers at the college level. The five football players, four from

for his teammates and and their biggest fan.”

the Jesuit defense and one from the offense, who made commitments

are Daniel Cho - University of Chicago, George Ikott - Georgetown,

team and was an All-District selection. Three year letterman on the

Sean Kenneally - Tulsa, Michael Purvey - Yale, and Tommy Upton -

varsity, he led the team in rushing yards. “Michael was a very versatile

West Point. Jeffrey Price, a star on the Jesuit cross country and track &

player on offense. He was asked to carry the bulk of the carries on

field teams, committed to West Point.

offense and also be a return man in the kicking game,” said Blank. “Mike

was a true competitor and hard nose runner. He will be hard to replace

Daniel Cho (University of Chicago) was a three-year letterman on

Michael Purvey (Yale) was voted as a captain to the 2016 football

the varsity. He was named to the All-District team this year after leading

on offense.”

the team in interceptions with three, one returned for a touchdown

vs St. Thomas. “Daniel was the leader of our secondary,” noted Jesuit

and was named a captain to the 2016 football team. He was selected to

Defensive Coordinator Michael Blank. “He drew the best receiver every

the All- District team after leading the team in sacks and finished in the

night and never shied away from the challenge.”

top five in Texas and top 20 in the nation. He was named co-defensive

MVP as voted on by his teammates and coaches. “Unbelievable

George Ikott (Georgetown) was named 1st Team All-District as a

Tommy Upton (West Point) was a three-year letterman on varsity

linebacker after finishing second in total tackles with over 100. He was

competitor and leader. He will be missed tremendously,” noted Blank.

named co-defensive MVP as voted on by his teammates and coaches.

“We built our defense around George this past season,” said Blank. “and

800 and was also All-District, All-Area and All-Region in the 4 x 400

he answered the call. He has an unbelievable drive and work ethic.”

in 2016. “Jeff is an outstanding young man,” said Track & Field Coach

Chad Collier. “He is extremely talented, is an excellent leader, and most

Sean Kenneally (Tulsa) was a two-year letterman on the varsity

Jeff Price (West Point) is the defending Area champion in the

and earned honorable mention on the All-District team. Sean finished

importantly an outstanding teammate. He is a perfect example of what it

the season with 60 plus tackles and was named most improved of the

means to be Man for Others.”

team voted on by his teammates and coaches. “Sean will truly be missed,’

The Chronicle

alumnews Felton ‘03 Among Genetics Society of America Award Winners

Jesuit alumnus Terry Felton ‘03 has been named as

Anderson Cancer

one of the Genetics Society of America’s DeLill Nasser

Center in Houston he

Award for Professional Development winners for 2016.

returned to Xavier

The DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development

to do research. He

in Genetics was established in 2001 as an award for

continued his studies

graduate students and postdoctoral trainees to support

in Biochemistry

travel costs for young geneticists to attend national

and Biophysics at

and international meetings and enroll in laboratory

Columbia University

courses. The Award is named for long-time GSA member

in New York where

and National Science Foundation Program Director in

he later served as a

Eukaryotic Genetics, DeLill Nasser

Research Technician

before moving to

Felton is currently attending University College

London where he is working on his PhD in the Cell and Developmental Biology Department. After graduating

London. Terry Felton ’03

from Jesuit he earned a B.S. in Biology from Xavier University in New Orleans. After an internship at MD

Chukwujekwu ‘13 Earns Southland Conference Hoop Honors Reveal Chukwujekwu ‘13, a guard/forward on the Houston Baptist University basketball team, earned 2nd Team All-Southland Conference honors and was also named the Southland Conference Player of the Week for the final week of the regular season. The 6-3 senior tied for the league lead in double-doubles for the season with 11, including nine in conference play which was two more than any other Southland player. Against Southland competition, his 9.2 rebounds per outing ranked as the best in the league and his 8.4 rebounds per game on the season was second. He was also fifth in the conference in free throw percentage (.826) for the year and averaged 11.9 points per game.

Reveal Chukwujekwu ‘13

Spring 2017

alumnews 1967

Passings

Glen Boudreaux‘67 and his wife, Honi, are awaiting their 5th grandchild in March and their 6th in August.

Mr. Kirk White ‘84

James “Jimmy” Moriarty ‘07 James “Jimmy” Moriarty, a member of the Strake Jesuit Class of 2007, was tragically killed, along with two fellow servicemen, while serving his country in Jordan on Friday, November 4, 2016. All three held the rank of Staff Sgt. and were highly decorated members of the Green Berets, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. After graduating from Jesuit, Moriarty graduated from the University of Texas before enlisting in the U.S. Army. During his service he earned numerous awards including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 2), and Army Service Ribbon.

Mr. Jack Dulworth Father of Mark ‘73, John ‘83, and Paul ‘85

Mr. Dulworth was a member of the Strake Jesuit Board of Directors from 1972-1998, equalling the longest continous length of service on the Board in school history.

Mrs. Maria Arana Mother of Francisco ‘02, Miguel ‘17, and Rafael ‘18 Mrs. Hilda Bergeron Mother of Alan ‘77 and Grandmother of Melvin ‘15

Fr. David Borbridge, S.J. Fr. Borbridge taught Social Studies and Theology at Jesuit from 1971-1975.

Fr. Oren Key, S.J. Fr. Key taught Foreign Language at Jesuit from 1973-1975.

Mr. John R. Berggren Father of Mark ‘81 and Dan ‘84

Mr. Jorge de la Torre Father of Jorge ‘82 and Martin ‘84

Mrs. Judy Carroll Mother of Mike ‘93 and Tim ‘04

Mr. Hugo I. Vrsalovic Father of Jim ‘82 and Hugo ‘84

Mr. Michael Chang Father of Sunny ‘15

Saints of God, come to their aid! Hasten to meet them, angels of the Lord! May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Receive their soul and present them to God the Most High. In this section of the winter issue of The Chronicle, Mr. Thomas Figoski ‘72 was incorrectly listed as Mr. Tim Fogoski ‘72.

The Chronicle

Mike Guarino‘67 graduated from SMU in 1971 and South Texas College of Law in 1974. He served in the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office for 28 years, 20 of those years as the elected DA. Since retiring in 2003 he has practiced law in Galveston County. He also enjoys providing pro bono services for veterans in need of legal help. His wife, Jeannie, and he have been married 37 years and love spending time with their two grandsons, Pip and Gus, who live near them in League City. They also enjoy hunting, fishing and travel as much as their time and wallet will allow. Frank Gullo ‘67 has owned his own construction company for 35 years. He started out building new homes but currently just remodels homes. He has been married to his wife, Peggy, for 40 years and has two sons and two grandchildren. He currently is serving as president of the Northwest Houston Executive Roundtable, a small businessmen group, and is on the board of directors for Northwest Pachyderm club Wayne McDonald ‘67 and his wife, Julie Cecala SAA ‘67, have been married for 45 years. They have one daughter and three sons, all St. Agnes and Strake Jesuit grads, and nine grandchildren. He is Senior Vice-President at Fisk Electric in Houston.

alumnews Gray Miller ‘67 and his wife, Joanne, celebrated their 48th anniversary this year with a cruise. A United States District Judge in Houston, Gray is eligible to retire this year or take senior status, but plans to keep working. Joanne is “Nona” to three beautiful grand girls: Elizabeth (13) and Adair (8) in Ft. Worth and Emme (11) in Houston. Ed Murr ‘67 has owned an optometry shop in Arlington, Texas for 35 years where he still shows up four days a week. He is the vision doctor for the Texas Rangers. He and his wife, Cindy, have nine grandchildren, all of whom are six years or younger. Sam Polichino‘67 lives in Lewisville, Texas with wife, Rhonda, both of whom met and continue to work at Ben E. Keith in Dallas. They enjoy European river cruising and their dog, Fred. Rick Sindelar ‘67 is retired from the U.S. Foreign Service. He serves as an Assistant Professor of American Foreign Policy and International Security at

crusader kids

the University of St. Thomas’ Center for International Studies. He and his wife, Patti, are eagerly awaiting the debut of their filmmaker son R.J.’s documentary, “Voices of Fire” on PBS this summer.

1970s

Gregory Ward ‘73 and his wife, Cathy SAA ‘75, recently celebrated their 40th anniversary on a Rhine River cruise. Dion McInnis ‘74 recently published his 13th book, titled “LIFElines: Empowering All Aspects of Your Life.” Using unique tools to enable people to see their lives in new and different contexts, the revealed wisdom of one’s life then empowers creativity, strong relationships, leadership, sales and more. He has used these tools and exercises for groups ranging from high schoolers to seniors and for a variety of audiences.

1980s

Rev. Rick Magner ‘80 serves as a Jesuit priest among the Yupik Eskimo people of western Alaska in three rural villages on the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers and on the Bering Sea coast.

2000s

Cullen Brock ’00 and his wife, Carlisle, welcomed the birth of their daughter, Genevieve, on December 1, 2016.

Cullen ‘00 and Carlisle Brock daughter Genevieve on December 1, 2016

Gray Miller ‘67 and wife Joanna with grandaughters Adair, Elizabeth, and Emme

Ryan Fitzgerald ’03 earned his Masters in Theology from Franciscan University in Stuebenville, Ohio. He will be starting at The Catholic University of America in the fall, studying Canon Law. Ryan and his wife, Jenna, have a daughter, Sophia Fatima.

John Culbreth ‘10 on trumpet with this band, Naughty Professor.

2010s

John Culbreth ‘10 is the trumpeter with his band, Naughty Professor, They were recently featured as the cover story for Offbeat Magazine in New Orleans.

Benjamin Martins ‘12 graduated from Baylor University in August 2016 with a degree in Finance. He is working at the Bank of River Oaks.

Joel Hendricks ‘11 is attending Feik School of Pharmacy at the University of the Incarnate Word of Pharmacy in San Antonio.

Spring 2017

GRAY AREA Fr. Ed Coles S.J., the first Principal of this school, repeatedly At the risk of being labeled as ‘in denial,’ maybe getting Olde decried the notion of moral relativism declaring that in reality, is not my problem. It could be that there are just too darn many of there is only black and white and never a gray area in between. you young people hanging around these premises trying to make That was fifty-five years ago. It was, as they say, a very different us seniors feel old. I remember back in 2004 I was standing out time. Today, as I gaze in the mirror, I see lots of gray and in more behind the Field House with a group of young freshman proudly areas than I prefer to mention. Oh my! What ever became of that regaling them with stories of Jesuit days gone by. Construction carefree young freshman boy with the dark brown hair, the one crews were busily putting the finishing touches to the grand new that was bullet proof and thought he would live forever? football field and stadium. “Gentlemen, I can remember when that Yes, it was here that they tried to tell us. Dutifully, we read the field was little more than a rice paddy. At the end of the school dead poets never quite realizing how it day, Fr. Bahlinger and the other Jesuits was that they came to be dead. Growing occupied themselves taking turns at old was something that happened to the wheel of a borrowed bulldozer old people not to us. No, that could knocking down berms until, eventually, never happen to us. I remember reading the ground was flat enough to play on. Dylan Thomas in Mr. O’Shea’s English Tall, thick stands of Pampas grass lined Literature class. “Do not go gentle into the field and there was mud everywhere. that good night…Rage, rage against Why, we even had to cross a bayou the dying of the light.” The words of just to get to the field!” The boys all the iconic Welsh bard were hard for a seemed to be properly impressed and I seventeen year old to fully comprehend. was fittingly gratified. That is, until one Ironically, these days his words now irreverent young fellow who with tongue resonate. in cheek had the nerve to ask, “Golly The odd thing is that I don’t gee sir, when you were in school, were “Fr. Bahlinger and the other Jesuits occupied themselves taking really feel Olde and for heaven’s sake Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble turns at the wheel of a borrowed bulldozer knocking down I try my best not to act Olde. Around classmates of yours?” berms...” this Alma Mater, folks often refer I guess that’s why they call them to me as The Olde Crusader. But in freshmen. Such is the impertinence of truth, I have been told by more than one of my dear friends that youth. I should know. Impertinence and youth were two attributes sometimes, and without much effort, I can actually come off as that were abundant when guys like me were in school here. And being downright childish. It’s true. My beloved mother used to so I forgave the lad. However, I must confess that to this day I worry over my maturity (or rather the lack thereof). The mother can’t help but wonder (hope) if now, after so many years gone by, of three, she attributed it to the fact that I never had children. I can when that once young freshman now looks in a mirror, does he still hear her admonition, “If you had children, you would have see any gray? seen them grow up by now and then you would surely realize just To those of you who are already over the hill, and to even how old you have become.” She was right. These days, when my those of you who are almost over the hill (you know who you are) classmates gather, one or two of them will have a little rug rat in I pledge my shield and my sword. tow. “This is my grandchild,” they will say, “Let me introduce you.” Ouch. I am suddenly reminded of my mother’s words coupled George with the nagging realization of my own mortality.

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