Aggie Archives. THE Keeping alumni, families and friends connected to Saint Agnes School. Coaches, Teachers, Mentors. Lessons for life.

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1 Aggie Archives SPRING 2017 THE Keeping alumni, families and friends connected to Saint Agnes School Coaches, Teachers, Mentors Lessons for life Class of 2029

2 THE Aggie Archives Keeping alumni, families and friends connected to Saint Agnes School School Information PHONE NUMBERS School Office Advancement Office Admissions Office Alumni Office Fax MAILING ADDRESS 530 Lafond Avenue St. Paul, MN WEBSITE SUPERINTENDENT Rev. Mark Moriarty HEADMASTER Kevin Ferdinandt ASSISTANT HEADMASTER Karl Hendrickson ACADEMIC DEAN Michael Adkins DEAN OF STUDENTS Tom Flood ACTIVITIES/ATHLETICS Mike Streitz ADMISSIONS Joseph Olson ALUMNI RELATIONS Kate Boyle BUSINESS AFFAIRS Patrick Menke COMMUNICATIONS Jill Gubash DONOR RELATIONS Jean Houghton SPRING MUSICAL Showtimes Friday, April 28/May 5 7:30pm Saturday, April 29/May 6 7:30pm Sunday, April 30/May 7 2:00pm Tickets Adults: $15 Students: $10 (Ages 2-18) Doors open 30 minutes before show Box Office Tickets on sale now at spring-musical Reserved seating and online ticketing only. No refunds or exchanges. Questions? Please call , Mon-Fri from 9am - 2pm. 2 The Aggie Archives is published by the Saint Agnes Advancement and Alumni Office. Please direct correspondence and inquiries to: Advancement/Alumni Office 530 Lafond Avenue St. Paul, MN alumnioffice@saintagnesschool.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE 4 Kindergarten Up Close 6 Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Fred Blonigen, Mrs. Donna May 10 Basketball Update 12 From Player to Coach: Aggie Alumni Coaching Staff 17 Donor Profile: Jim and Lois Berens 18 Alumni News 20 Red & White Benefit

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4 Kindergarten Classrooms up close First Day of School Today was my first day of kindergarten. As you can see, I was a little nervous at first, but it didn t last long! We started the day at morning meeting, where we said hello to each other and then learned a new song. I ve already made five new friends. I think I m going to like kindergarten! Morning meeting is part of the responsive classroom approach taken at Saint Agnes. K-6 classes all begin their day in this manner, which provides a place for every child to be heard and promotes a stronger sense of community. So what does it look like? Every morning meeting contains four parts: 1) greeting where students and teachers call one another by name and practice hospitality, 2) sharing where everyone shares and others listen/ask questions with empathy, 3) group activity singing, reciting a poem or playing a game to reinforce social or academic skills, and 4) some form of teacher s business that helps students to focus on their day, such as calendar, morning message, etc. Time for Centers Today we got time at centers. That means we get to pick out what we want to play with. I chose Play-Doh. I almost chose Legos. I wanted to draw with markers, too maybe tomorrow. How do We Measure Up? We used our rulers in math today. I drew a straight line with mine and then measured how long my line was. I also like counting the I am Learning My Letters and Sounds! I love our Superkids books. We are learning about Doc. She fixes broken toys! We traced her name and the big D and little d in our workbook. Soon I ll be reading and writing! English Language Arts instruction utilizes the Shurley Grammar program to help build a logical and grammatical foundation in reading, writing and speaking. Reading instruction is based in the Superkids Reading program, a curriculum focused on phonics, fluency and comprehension, along with literature supplemented by the grade school lwibrary. 4

5 Play Time! I really like recess time. I get to play with my friends outside every day and we make up games. We play on the slide and climb across the monkey bars, too. Did you know I m the best at monkey bars? I m really fast! different colored teddy bears and writing numbers on my small white board. It s fun! Math instruction is taught using the Saxon Mathematics Program along with Singapore Math methods and pedagogical strategies. On standardized testing (SAT10), Aggies test in the top 20-25% in mathematical skills among all students across the country by 7th and 8th grade. The World is so Much Bigger Than I Thought! I learned about a place called South America. It is far away and has rainforests. It rains A LOT there and I learned how the rain makes the plants grow. They have lots of snakes, too. Snakes are reptiles and not slimy at all! The culture, literature, animal/plant life, geography and weather of each continent are examined through an integrated study of history, science and geography. The program uses a variety of curricular sources, both fiction and nonfiction, to supplement the curriculum. Experiential learning takes place outside of the classroom on field trips to the hobby farm, Sea Life and Como Zoo. Music Makes Me Happy! In music class today we learned a new song for our concert. Before we started singing, we clapped along with the steady beat and used rhythm sticks to repeat the patterns. Tomorrow we have Art class. I hope we get to paint! Classroom Music and Physical Education are offered two times weekly. Studio Art and Library meet once per week. These classes are all taught by specialists in their field. God is Everywhere! God can see me even when I am hiding. I can pray the Hail Mary in Latin, too! I love to learn about Jesus and Mary and all the saints. I am going to be kind to my little sister so I can be a saint, too. Sometimes we make a special visit to the chapel just to say hi to Jesus. He likes to hear from me. Students attend Mass twice per week and meet four times weekly with the Religion teacher. Faith & Life and The Image of God series are combined with excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to serve as the cornerstone of what is taught. Students also have access to the convent chapel, which is right next to the K-6 Religion classroom. There they have various lessons about the Sacraments in preparation for their first Confession and their First Holy Communion. Kindergarten enrollment now open for ! Call Admissions at

6 of What he thought was going to be a short term stay turned in to 32 years. In the classroom, Fred has passed on the Catholic faith to over three decades of students, students who were encouraged to ask tough questions, without fear of ridicule or embarrassment. His insightful and honest answers inspired students to delve deeper into their beliefs and they learned how to defend that faith. A MAN OF FAITH: Mr. Fred Blonigen Great coaches and great teachers share similar traits. Both are effective communicators, offer meaningful instruction, push their students to their full potential and strive to teach life lessons like determination, work ethic, honor and resiliency. As with coaching, students work harder when they witness their teacher s passion for their subject matter and dedication to their work. Two such teachers who have demonstrated this passion and dedication for many years are Mr. Fred Blonigen and Mrs. Donna May. Both have been inspiring students since the 1980s and both have announced their retirement at the end of the year. You need to teach the faith. Fr. John Hardon, SJ Fred Blonigen heard these words over 32 years ago. Fred was finishing his doctorate in English at the University of Minnesota and had just passed his orals before going on his annual retreat at the Robert Bellarmine Retreat House in Barrington, IL. There, Fr. Hardon told Fred in a private conference that he would not pursue English, but instead teach the faith to young people. He even predicted that it would happen within a year. Saint Agnes wasn t on Fred s radar. He was acquainted with Margaret (Steichen) O Reilly, who was teaching at Saint Agnes for the year her husband was away at grad school. Margaret s mother called Fred and suggested that he take her place when she left. That was the fall Mr. B. was tirelessly devoted to teaching us the truth about Catholic theology and philosophy, and therefore the truth about life. He had the rare ability to present difficult concepts in practical ways that were understandable. He never shied away from discussing controversial topics. I was always impressed by his fearlessness as a teacher; he would open up the floor to every student and invite them to ask any question. Then he would provide the Catholic Church s teaching on the subject in his answer. Many of us got to know Mr. B. very well outside of religion class, as his classroom was right next to Mr. Peper s office where detention was held. I think back to the relevant, real life topics we covered in Mr. B. s religion class and I am grateful that he found his way to Saint Agnes when he did. One thing I could always count on was that Mr. Blonigen would give you the absolute truth when it came to the Catholic faith, morals and values. He had the correct answer for everything and always had a calm and kind demeanor. I don t recall ever hearing him raise his voice and he was never judgmental, but always loving. He taught our faith with such clarity and generosity that every year he drew more and more students closer to the Church and to the heart of Jesus. To complement his wealth of knowledge, Mr. Blonigen has had a tremendous effect on his students through his example of living the faith in every moment. He prays a rosary 6

7 Quotes from Dr. Bob Tibesar, 92, Brian St. Martin, 87, Denise (Adrian) Koontz, 92, Sr. Regina Marie (Mary Therese) Foley, 04, Dan Berthiaume, 00 every day with the classes he teachers, one decade per class. It is important to say that each of my students prays a part of the rosary every day. It is up to them to continue that tradition, and I hope that they do. He instituted the Pro-Life Club in 1986 and it is the longest active pro-life club in the diocese. Mr. Blonigen was respected by everyone because of the example he gave in living his day to day life. I remember often how I would see him going to the chapel, praying the rosary and fasting on Fridays. Perhaps equally important, all of us students knew that Mr. B. practiced what he preached. In him we observed a quiet, gentle, convicted man of faith and a fine example of rigorous Catholic intellectual life. The Church itself has directly benefited from Fred s tutelage. Eleven of his former students have gone on to the priesthood or religious life, many times going to Mr. Blonigen for help with their discernment or to ask him for advice about choosing a particular order. One example is Allie Pence from the class of She often received detention for being late to school. Mr. Blonigen was monitoring the room when she asked, Do you think I can be a nun? He replied, Sure you can. What kind of nun do you think I should be? Well, you re not really all that contemplative, so I think you d want an active apostolate. You ll probably join a teaching order one day I think you will be a Nashville Dominican. Years later, Allie s father told Fred that what he said must have stuck with her for she is now Sr. Josemaria of the Nashville Dominicans. Fred has been not only an instructor, but a life-long mentor to so many more. Lessons learned from him have remained a foundation and a resource for his former students and helped them in their professional lives, family lives and life of faith. The knowledge I have gained from him is priceless and it has helped me in my faith these past 25 years. There are so many things he taught that still stay with me. Mr. Blonigen is the kind of man that I could talk to for hours and hours at a time. It is impossible to have a conversation with him and walk away without learning something. He has a way of making you want to strive to be a better person. I began teaching 10th, 11th and 12th grade religion at Cathedral High School. Close at hand in my desk drawer are two ragged notebooks that contain my religion notes from Mr. Blonigen s 10th and 12th grade classes that I took 13 years ago I use them often as a reference in my lesson planning. To this day I am very grateful for the intellectual and moral formation I received from Mr. B. To me, he presented the truth in a compelling manner and it has remained with me ever since. Mr. B. has served as a lifelong mentor and was a very positive guiding influence during my formative years. Not only has he done the same for countless other students, but he s done so for my own children who have been fortunate enough to have him as their teacher. Mr. Blonigen has been a true treasure and a blessing to the Saint Agnes family. I believe that he has single handedly saved the souls of many, leading by example and teaching the truth. I am forever grateful to him and I treasure the friendship we have. A wealth of knowledge, an unwavering witness to the faith, a living example of Christ s love and a man of quiet conviction, Fred has shared his wisdom and understanding with hundreds of students through the years. Ever the educator, he will no doubt continue to teach the faith at some level, albeit a bit closer to his home in St. Cloud. Mr. Blonigen leaves behind a true legacy at Saint Agnes School and his influence will be evident for years to come. Please see page 9 for information on Mr. Blonigen s retirement party. 7 7

8 The below was written by a young man in high school. He was enrolled at Saint Agnes for one year before his family moved out of state. TO: Donna May FROM: A Former Student SUBJECT: Missing Singing in the Choir Hi Mrs. May! Donna May s Music of Life I ve been meaning to write for a little while now but I just wanted to tell you how nice being in the choir was. I really miss singing. Truly. My favorite part of being at Saint Agnes, other than track, was being in choir. I wish I would have appreciated it more when I was a student there. Because now that I m gone, I can see how much I actually enjoyed it. You are a wonderful choir director and teacher, and I feel like I wouldn t have the voice I have today if it weren t for you. You really look out for your students and try to give them the best opportunities. What you do and have done is great. I will always have the memories from our different events and performances: choir tour to Chicago, the St. Olaf College festival, singing for the residents at the Little Sisters of the Poor, caroling at the St. Paul Hotel, the Sing-a-thon, and more. They were wonderful experiences and I am so glad I was able to be a part of it all. I really just wanted to let you know how much I miss singing in your choir. Thank you Mrs. May for all you do for the choir and for Saint Agnes. I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning. Plato If music and the arts are the key to learning, then Donna May has unlocked the potential of countless students in her more than 25 years at Saint Agnes. Throughout the course of her career, she has taught music at every level, from kindergarten through grade 12. Music has always been a central part of Donna s life. An accomplished soloist, she was highly sought after and performed regularly. But music education wasn t on her mind until the summer that her parish priest asked her to teach music for Vacation Bible School. She was home from pharmacy school at Ohio State at the time, and had always loved working with kids, so she accepted. That experience changed the course of her life and she transferred to Kent State to begin her studies in music education, elementary education and music performance three for one, as she likes to say! So why music education? According to Mrs. May, nothing can lift the soul like conducting a choir. To her, the beauty of voices coming together to raise hearts and minds is entirely distinct from the sound a soloist can achieve. It s the feeling that you are part of a greater whole. That, combined with her love of choral literature, feeds her spirit. The value of quality repertoire is integral to the vocal music program at Saint Agnes. God bless, A former student Mrs. May has a deep love of Renaissance music, not only for its beauty, but because of the skills young singers can develop while studying it. Literature from this genre teaches independence of line, where students not only learn their voice line, but can identity how it relates to the parts around them. This also builds ear training and tuning abilities. Donna even finds herself gravitating to Renaissance-like repertoire when selecting contemporary compositions. The importance of chant has long been esteemed in her department, even in the younger grades. Whether it is grade school children first learning to chant the Pater Noster, or 8

9 high school singers discovering elements of ancient chant in newer pieces, its value lies in the certainty that it will be renewed in generations to come. Donna May has had some extraordinary talent walk through her choir room door. In her tenure, she has seen 24 students accepted into All State Choir. But choral singing isn t just for future stars of the stage, budding opera singers or next year s contestants on The Voice. In fact, it s often the least expected who benefit most from the ensemble experience. Mrs. May recalls the day when a sophomore football player caught up to her after school. He said, I need one credit in Fine Arts. I hate music less than I hate art. So you re it. She asked him if he could sing, to which he replied, I don t think so. She responded by telling him that if he promised to give it his all for one semester, with the same amount of effort and energy he brought to the field, she could teach him to sing. She had him choose one song that they could work on. He chose Let It Be by the Beatles and they ran it over and over, and eventually it all clicked. That young man didn t just earn his one credit he stayed in choir, passed the audition for Madrigal Singers and got the lead role in the musical his senior year. My greatest satisfaction over the years is that I am able to teach the faith through music. That is what is so unique about Saint Agnes. As a music educator in a Catholic school, Donna May s aim is to plant a seed in the formative years so that students will be inspired by the arts throughout life. And it is working with the students that she will miss the most when she retires at the end of the year. Mrs. May, we offer you the same farewell with which you ve closed so many Saint Agnes concerts: The Lord bless you and keep you and be gracious unto you. Spring Concerts g Concert 5/10 at 2:00pm K-1 Sprin Concert 5/11 at 7:00pm 7-12 Band g Concert 5/15 at 7:00pm 2-4 Sprin /Choir Concert 5/17 at 7:00pm 5-6 Band Concert 5/21 at 4:30pm 7-12 Choir lene Houle Auditorium Concerts take place in the He at Saint Agnes School AGGIE ATHLE TICS Support A ggie Baseball, softba athletics t his spring ll and tra! ck sch edules ca found on n be the websi te. Get all ev ents/sched ules at intagnes s chool.or g/calend ar BLONIGEN MAY Retirement Party Join us as we celebrate the retirement of Mr. Fred Blonigen and Mrs. Donna May Tuesday, June 6, :30-7:30 PM Happy Hour Ubel Activity Center Saint Agnes School Appetizers and beverages provided. We are gathering special memories and tributes for both Mr. Blonigen and Mrs. May. Please visit saintagnesschool.org/tribute to submit your thoughts and well wishes. Deadline for submission is May 20. 9

10 SPOTLIGHT on Coach Karel Dynamic Duo Leads Lady Aggies 1000 point scorers don t come along very often. This year the Aggie girls basketball team was fortunate enough to have two, juniors K Lynn Lewis and Adaya Sandifer. Sandifer ended the season with 1069 career points and Lewis with 1018, putting them in the top five leading scorers in Saint Agnes history. And they still have one year to go. Lewis and Sandifer have known each other for as long as they can remember, as their mothers were friends from church. In 4 th grade Adaya encouraged K Lynn, a dancer at the time, to try basketball. There was no looking back at the dance shoes. It would be high tops and hardwood to follow. Ever since then they have been inseparable on and off the court. K Lynn became an Aggie in 6 th grade and Adaya will be a 13-year Aggie, and the bond that they share is evident in watching them play. Lewis once said, We know each other s game so well that we can anticipate what the other person is about to do, and that creates a strong playing connection. This has become apparent even to college recruiters who have referred to them as a duo. Like peanut butter and jelly or cookies and milk, they re good on their own but even better together! Both young women have been key players in the recent success of the girls basketball program. This season marked the third consecutive year where the Aggies have reached the section 4AA semifinals. The turnaround of the girls basketball program has been amazing, commented head coach Steve Karel. This is a fun and committed group to be part of. Oftentimes we tend to evaluate seasons based on wins and losses, but record comparisons between the years don t always tell the whole story. We had a much tougher schedule and yet we played more competitively and consistently. Lewis added, There are so many girls playing now and each year it seems to get more intense as we push each other to keep getting better. No one knows when we will see our next 1000 point scorer, but we do know the future is bright for the Aggie girls basketball program. Coach Steve Karel spends his days assuming the role as President/COO of Immuno Research Inc., a leading immunotherapy cancer research company in Eagan. A product of Catholic education himself, Steve decided long ago that volunteer work would always be part of his life. Currently involved with a local Catholic school board, Steve also finds the time to coach young people in basketball, something he is passionate about. When asked what he most enjoys about coaching, he responds, Girls basketball requires a significant amount of teamwork along with sound fundamentals. It s rewarding to see a player progress as a result of the hard work she puts in. Karel took over the girls program last year, after Coach Mark Kenney stepped away to spend more time with family. In the 1990s, Karel and Kenney coached basketball together at a local high school and helped turn that program around. The demands of raising their respective families forced them to step back from coaching for a time. When the opportunity presented itself again, two decades later, Kenney invited Karel to be part of a change at Saint Agnes. From previous experience, both coaches knew how difficult it was to build a program, and Saint Agnes was clearly struggling with numbers and success. Only 12 girls went out for the high school team in 2014 and the program had several unsuccessful seasons. So, staying true to their previous approach, Karel and Kenney focused on fundamentals, consistency and increasing competitiveness. It wouldn t be long before their strategy began to get results. When Kenney stepped down, Karel stepped up to carry on that same vision and level of commitment. This year, the Lady Aggies are headed in the right direction with 25 girls out for the high school team, and a winning record for the third year in a row. Looking to the future Coach Karel said, We have turned the corner on numbers as far as what s needed to build a competitive program. Next year s team will have upper classmen leaders and strong players coming up through the system. With the new strength and conditioning room, it will increase their competitive ability even more. Being the smallest school in our conference, our athletes need to All-Time Leading Scorers play multiple sports in order for us to compete. Maria Tibesar ( 15) 1159 I am glad that our students have this opportunity, and it s one I fully support. Players learn Mary Butler ( 10) 1050 Adaya Sandifer ( 18)1069 excellent life lessons. Maybe they are the leader K Lynn Lewis ( 18) 1018 on my team but on another they are in a supporting role developing those roles, accepting Sara Tibesar ( 95) 1003 them and doing them well is a tremendous life skill. 10

11 SPOTLIGHT on Coach Hopkins With one season under his belt, varsity boys basketball coach Chris Hopkins has high hopes for the basketball program. Hopkins grew up in upstate New York and attended Notre Dame High School. The son of a multi-sport coach, Chris was exposed to watching game films, implementing systems and running practices at an early age. Coaching would become a natural step for him and a torn ACL in 8th grade proved to him that basketball was his passion. The neighborhood court was his favorite hang out and having to sit out while his knee healed was torture. Hopkins played basketball at Brockport State University, NY where he earned a B.A. in physical education. He began his coaching career at Potsdam State while earning his Masters in Education. He was on staff at West Virginia before being invited to coach at Hamline by his former Brockport coach, Nelson Whitmore. Jamison Rusthoven, a 1989 Aggie graduate, was also coaching there and encouraged Hopkins to look into the opening at Saint Agnes. Chris is now teaching 7-12 phy-ed and heads the boys basketball program. The season had a bit of a challenging start as players (and parents) learned the new coach s expectations. Many push-ups were performed for not sprinting on defense, taking bad shots or not wearing the prescribed practice uniform. Hours were spent teaching offensive and defensive systems. Hopkins set clear cut objectives and high standards, and eye rolls and sideways glances were not uncommon. Yet it all came together during the section playoffs. The Aggies defeated #3 seeded New Life Academy to advance to the semi-finals. It was this game that sparked the team into gaining new confidence. With a core group returning next year, Coach Hopkins is looking forward to spending less time on instruction and more time on refining these players. Much like a small town basketball program, Hopkins plans to grow the program from the youth on up, teaching grade school coaches the same terminology, plays and skills. I have the added advantage of seeing these kids in phy-ed class, so I could easily create a two-month unit on basketball, he added with a grin. His ultimate goal is to get kids excited about basketball and to a point where they want to be in the gym. Coach Hopkins wants his players to learn that they each represent something bigger than themselves, and if they believe and invest in themselves, their hard work will pay off on the court, on the job and in life. Chris and his wife Sarah, head cross-country coach and assistant track coach at the University of MN, reside in St. Paul with their son Jack. Boys Basketball Falls Short in Section Semifinals New coaches, a different style of play and different expectations turned out to be just what the boys needed to gain the section 4AA semifinal game for the first time since New head coach Chris Hopkins along with Joe Koenig ( 05) and Max Bohrer all brought new ideas to the program in hopes of developing young men of character and talented basketball players. Excitement came early when the varsity team won the TriHawk Invitational at Trinity School over Christmas break. Winning the TriHawk Invitational was a big boost for our program. The kids really competed. We made it really hard for opponents to score, Coach Hopkins said after the tournament. After the New Year, the Aggies struggled a bit against the tough Tri-Metro Conference. We had a few close games against some of the best in the Tri-Metro and we just couldn t close them. But knowing that we can compete with some of the best teams in our conference gave us a lot of confidence going into section play. Earning the sixth seed for section play, the Aggies advanced through the first round, to face the three seed, New Life Academy. After an 18-point loss at the hands of the Eagles a few weeks earlier, the boys executed the game play and knocked off the three seed to advance to the semifinals. A slow start in the final game was too much to overcome, however, and the season came to an end. I thought we made some great gains throughout the year. Competing every night has to be a staple of our program. We did that against some of the state s best teams. Some of our biggest competitors were our seniors Justin Bennett, Greg Dobihal, Darius Lopez and Brandon Plasch. We will certainly miss those guys. My hope is that our two section wins will give us some momentum with our younger players. We have a strong core of guys returning next season. I m especially excited to see the program make a lot of gains in our new weight room. Working out there and on the court in the offseason will be imperative to taking our program to where it is capable. 11

12 FROM PLAYER TO COACH Aggies trade the court for the clipboard Coaches are an essential part of any athletics program s success. They take to heart the responsibility of implementing the athletic director s vision and the administration s policies. Their goal? To make a positive impact on young athletes. Becoming a coach at any level requires considerable time and dedication. So it says a lot when a graduate returns to Saint Agnes as a coach, especially the young alumni. Why do they do it? They have a love of our school and a passion for the game, and they choose to share it. Brothers Judd and Dan Berthiaume team up to coach softball Alumni Coaching Staff Liam Skulley, 16 Grade 5 Boys Basketball Coach Peter Vaske, 16 Grade 8 Assistant Boys Basketball, Grade 5 Baseball Coach Michelle Gutzmann, 15 Assistant Girls Basketball Coach Maria Tibesar, 15 Assistant Girls Basketball Coach Rebecca Hilpisch, 10 Grade 8 Volleyball, Grade 7 Softball Coach Christyna (Jamma) Sherrod, 08 Grade 7 Volleyball, Grade 7 Softball Coach Alan Halverson, 05 Assistant Football, Assistant Baseball Coach Joe Koenig, 05 Assistant Boys Basketball Coach Theresa Poechmann, 05 Assistant Volleyball Coach Dave Berthiaume, 03 Assistant Softball Coach Joseph Olson, 03 Assistant Girls Soccer Coach, Head Girls Golf Coach Dan Berthiaume, 00 Head Girls Hockey Coach, Head Softball Coach Judd Berthiaume, 98 Assistant Softball Coach Nick Leach, 98 Assistant Football Coach Connie Kiedrowski, 84 Head Volleyball Coach Mary (Hilpisch) Appel, 83 Grade 8 Volleyball Coach This school year, 16 former Aggie athletes were part of the Saint Agnes coaching staff. And while what they do may be called coaching, who they are is so much more. As coaches, they also take on the role of advisor, counselor, facilitator, instructor, motivator, organizer, communicator, supporter, role model, disciplinarian, mentor and friend. Each coach brings their experience and skill set to the field of play, some fresh out of high school and others more seasoned. Falling back on memories of their own playing days, many alumni credit their former Aggie coaches to fostering the passion that brought them back as alumni. All agree that it is more difficult to coach than to play. They plan practices, run plays and identify strengths and weaknesses in each team member. Sometimes they find themselves wishing that they could help by jumping in on the court themselves. Whatever the case, coaching takes patience, enthusiasm and no small amount of humor. We asked our alumni to share their thoughts and experiences on being both a player and coach at Saint Agnes. 12

13 WHAT COACH MADE AN IMPACT ON YOU WHEN YOU PLAYED AT SAINT AGNES? I was extremely blessed to have had many fantastic coaches throughout high school, but Coach Webster has to be my favorite. What I loved most about him were the standards he held me to as a leader and as a player. I felt comfortable talking to him about anything, and I owe the majority of my success to him. - LIAM SKULLEY My favorite volleyball and softball coaches were Nick Leach, Mary Bohland, Coach Odie and my dad, Matt Jamma. I loved all of them because they each knew the mechanics behind the sport. They also shared the same passion that I did and saw potential in everyone. - CHRISTYNA SHERROD Winning the section and state baseball tournament in 2000 was the pinnacle of my high school career. My coaches, Ryan Collins and Greg Hoemke, understood what strategies were most effective. They were very aggressive offensively, and utilized our speed for lots of stealing. They also knew the importance of working hard while still having fun. - DAVE BERTHIAUME WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN AS A PLAYER THAT HAVE REALLY STAYED WITH YOU? Integrity is the most important character trait that is taught through team sports. Sports teach accountability and responsibility, and force players to see the big picture. Athletes develop a kind of toughness that allows them to put themselves out there in that first job search, or in going after a promotion or opening their own business. They learn values that will come into play when they start a family or when adversity strikes. ALAN HALVERSON Grow from your mistakes and failures. After a booting a ball, making an errant throw or making a mistake in life do you hang your head or get discouraged? That will bring your whole team down. Instead pick yourself up off the ground, admit your mistake and look forward to the chance to do it better. - MARY APPEL WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO TEACH? You are accountable to your team and have a responsibility to them, so you have to manage your time well, work hard and be dependable. - MARIA TIBESAR There are four core values I try to teach my guys: respect, responsibility, readiness and relationships. Respect your teammates, opponents, coaches, referees and fans. Be responsible, take care of your homework and make good decisions. Always come prepared and be ready for practice, games and school. And finally, what relationships are you forming with your peers, teachers and coaches? These relationships will one day become your references on college and job applications. - JOE KOENIG It s always a loss when you don t try your best and leading by example is one of the best ways to be a leader. - MICHELLE GUTZMANN Working hard and dedicating yourself to a sport will make you more successful. It doesn t matter if it s practice or game time; always look to improve 13

14 your skills and be a positive asset to your team, program and school. Strive to be a leader and perform to the very best of your ability! - THERESA POECHMANN In my players, I hope to instill discipline and the desire to be a good person. Treat everyone with respect and give back to your community. The results will transfer both to the court and to life. - CONNIE KIEDROWSKI You win and lose as a team. Mistakes will be made, but one play or player can t make you lose the game. Do better by practicing. Practice is the effort that makes winning possible. - CHRISTYNA SHERROD Always appreciate the time and dedication your parents put into your after school activities. It is not easy to juggle practice and game schedules and get you where you need to be. Be grateful for their unconditional love and support. - BECKY HILPISCH WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR MOST POSITIVE COACHING MOMENTS? Watching a player go out of their comfort zone and risk failure to achieve something special is a great moment. If a player is willing to take that risk, it is a sign that their teammates and coaches have created the right environment for success. - JUDD BERTHIAUME I was so proud. I have been coaching the varsity girls soccer for five years now. We have come a long way and improved every year. Coach Erik and I try to instill a sense of leadership in the girls, and to keep their minds on our team goals. After a particularly tough first half, Coach Erik and I were ready to lay into the girls about their mistakes. But when we got to the huddle, the juniors and seniors were running a great session on teamwork. They talked about what they could do differently, how they could lift each other up, and what they could change in the second half. It was amazing. They said everything we hadn t planned to say, but should have! At that moment we realized what a great turn the program had made, and how totally focused the team was on its goals. JOSEPH OLSON ANY FINAL WORDS ABOUT BEING BACK AT YOUR ALMA MATER? I am extremely excited to be back at Saint Agnes and am very thankful to Mr. Thompson and Mr. Streitz for the opportunity. LIAM SKULLEY Having the opportunity to come back and coach at my high school is a dream come true. As a coach, I always hoped I would have this opportunity. When the chance opened up, I had to take it and I am so glad I did. COACH CONNIE I enjoy teaching young athletes about the game and about life. I try to leave a mark on them the same way my coaches did for me while I was playing for the Aggies! - NICK LEACH Coaching at Saint Agnes is special. We are blessed to have school families that focus on their faith before anything else it keeps it all in perspective. - DAVE BERTHIAUME I love seeing our softball players doing other sports and activities. The off-season coaches and the staff are very supportive of the other sports and activities and that makes Saint Agnes a great place to be. Oh, and Mike Streitz is truly the greatest Athletic Director you can find. JUDD BERTHI- AUME It is indeed a special privilege to see our own graduates take on the role of coach. Being that they were once a member of an Aggie team, there is already a connection with the athletes and a level of trust on which to build a relationship. These alumni are committed to the sport and its success and are looking to pass on their passion for the game to a new generation of Aggies. The skills they are teaching these young student athletes are skills used throughout life. One final word of advice from Coach Dave Berthiaume, Be aggressive. Swing hard, throw hard and go after the ball hard. If you make a mistake, shake it off. At least you know you worked hard! 14

15 A Fine Year for the Arts Concert Band Earns Superior Rating at Contest The Saint Agnes School concert band is made up of more than 40 high school students under the direction of Mr. Rick Peters. On Thursday, February 23, the band earned a superior rating at the MSHSL Region 4A Large Group Music Contest. This is the highest rating an ensemble can receive at contest. Bands must prepare two selections from a list of approved music, and then perform it for a panel of professional musicians and music educators. The rating scale is I (superior), II (excellent), III (good) and IV (fair). The last time a Saint Agnes band received a superior or I rating at contest was in 1981 and guess who the band director was at that time? Under the baton of Mr. Rick Peters, the Aggies earned a superior rating back in 1981 and then again 36 years later. Senior Portfolio On Exhibit Art student Jack Steiner earned a place in the 60th annual Les Farrington Best 100 Art Exhibition this winter. Jack was one of only five students to have his senior portfolio accepted in its entirety and his work was displayed at the AZ Gallery in Lowertown St. Paul for the month of March. The JCI St. Paul, formerly the St. Paul Jaycees, is a local civic volunteer organization that has been running the exhibition since Art pieces are judged by a panel of three jurors from the local art community. Students were honored for their artwork by receiving award certificates and various cash scholarships (totaling more than $4,000). This juried exhibition is one of the only non-school sponsored opportunities for students interested in art to compete against their peers. Aggie honor band participants at UST Aggies Represent at 2017 Tri-Metro Arts Festival A number of talented students participated in the Tri-Metro Fine Arts Festival on Thursday, January 26, at Fridley High School. The event featured band, choir, orchestra and visual arts material from 10 area high schools. Saint Agnes had students and faculty representing each area of the arts. During the course of the festival, Aggie students worked with six skilled clinicians from the Art Academy, Concordia University, MacPhail Center for the Arts, Trinity School at River Ridge and the University of St. Thomas. This strong turnout for Tri-Metro comes on the heels of five band students being selected for the University of St. Thomas High School Honor Band Festival earlier in the school year. There they were privileged to perform four compositions as world premieres, meaning that their concert was the first time these works have been heard in public. Anonymous Benefactor Makes Instrument Donation Upon hearing that the concert band had earned a superior rating at contest, a friend of Saint Agnes contacted the department offering to purchase any new instrument that the department had a need for. Mr. Peters put in the request for a bass clarinet, as he already had a student lined up to play. Within days, a new bass clarinet was delivered to Saint Agnes. Mr. Peters and Quynh Pham are both looking forward to the addition of the new sound to the ensemble. 15

16 From the Headmaster Annual Giving Update This past fall, we embarked on a stewardship message for our families by explaining the nature of Saint Agnes School s budgetary status. In a two-part series to our families (and in our fall Aggie Archives edition), I explained that roughly $3 million of our $4.6 million budget came from tuition. I also stated that, this year, the additional $1.6 million had to be raised to make our overall budget work. Thank you so much for Saint Agnes School. My children are doing so well and they have blossomed here. It is a safe place, and they are learning things I never had the chance to learn. Please thank the donors on my behalf. My kids couldn t be here without them! To date, we still need to raise $150,000 to meet our budget. We are hopeful that giving to our Annual Fund will fill this gap. However, unless we receive additional funding between now and June 30, we will fall short of our $1.6 million fundraising needs to have a balanced budget. We do our best to offer significant financial aid to make a Saint Agnes education affordable to as many students and families as we can who are committed to our Catholic mission. The students who receive that aid would otherwise be unable to have access to a Saint Agnes education. Just the other day, I had a mother of two current Aggies say, Thank you so much for Saint Agnes School. My children are doing so well and they have blossomed here. It is a safe place, and they are learning things I never had the chance to learn. Please thank the donors on my behalf. My kids couldn t be here without them! So, thank you on her behalf! We need your help to meet our Annual Fund goal. Please prayerfully consider a gift to Saint Agnes sometime in the next couple of months. This will help us further our Catholic educational mission, one that is well-rounded with a strong faith formation, academic excellence and high achieving extra-curricular offerings. We cannot do it without you. The envelope in the middle of this magazine is available for you to send in your tax deductible donation or you may donate online at support-us. In the meantime, we will continue to pray for you and for your family as we do our best to serve this group of students whom God has called here to this place in this archdiocese. May God bless you in your generosity. Kevin Ferdinandt Headmaster 16

17 Donor Profile The Berens sponsor an annual outing for the baseball team in the Mauer suite at Target Field. In appreciation, the team presented them with an autographed print. Jim and Lois Berens: Finding the Joy in Giving Jim and Lois Berens, dear friends of the Saint Agnes community, have modeled an invaluable spirit of generosity since relocating from Des Moines in Early on in life, Lois s father taught her the beautiful lesson of helping others, be it shoveling the neighbor s walk, mowing their lawn, or giving back the $5 she would receive for playing the organ at church on Sundays. In a similar manner, many years ago, Jim s father encouraged him and Lois to financially assist a young person who wanted to attend a Catholic high school. Jim s father had the means to do so himself, but he wanted Jim and Lois to experience the joy of giving. Jim and Lois saw the impact that their gift had on this young man, which had a significant effect on the rest of their lives. With a background in nursing, Lois volunteered with Birthright and Hospice for many years. After retiring as President of Norwest Bank, Jim began assisting a small inner city Catholic school in Des Moines that primarily serves immigrants. As a direct result of his involvement, the school has just completed an expansion, and now benefits from an endowment that exceeds $9 million. In recognition of their commitment to Catholic institutions and schools, they were recently awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, the highest honor awarded to a lay person by the Pope. Their generosity of time, talent and treasure to several Catholic schools and organizations has impacted the lives of countless young people. As Lois exclaimed, Once you ve spent time in a school, those kids are in your heart and you want what s best for them. In the 1990 s, Jim and Lois would often enjoy the choral music at Saint Agnes when visiting on the weekends. After relocating to St. Paul, Lois was delighted to join the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale, and today serves as the President-Elect for their Board. Having witnessed a Catholic school with a clear identity, Jim and Lois quickly started to invest themselves in Saint Agnes. Jim serves on the Parish Finance Council and the Saint Agnes Foundation Board; he is a mentor to many within the administration. Besides her significant involvement with the Chorale, Lois also assists in the school kitchen, regularly prepares meals for the priests and volunteers wherever needed. Jim and Lois recently served as co-chairs for the Growing in Faith, Preserving our Future campaign that raised nearly $6 million for the church and school. In 2012, Jim and Lois quietly initiated Project Joy at Saint Agnes School. Each of the 53 seniors were given $1,000 to personally donate to a charity of their choice. Though the monetary gift would benefit the organizations, what they wanted most was for each of these young people to experience the joy of giving. This year, Saint Agnes School will benefit from this generous couple s most recent gift, the Berens Strength and Conditioning Room, scheduled to open in April. This repurposed space will provide young people the practical means to glorify God as they strive to achieve their goals and grow in stature. The Berens have given practical help in countless ways to the Saint Agnes community and to many others. But perhaps their greatest contribution is that contagious witness of quiet generosity and the immense joy derived from such a life. As Lois explained, How clever of God to make what He wants us to do, being charitable and giving to others, feel so good! 17

18 Alumni News REUNIONS Class of 1947 Let s celebrate 70 years on June 8, 2017, the anniversary of the exact date of our high school graduation June 8, 1947! We will again meet at Mancini s Char House for a 4:00 PM social hour and 5:00 PM dinner. Invites are forthcoming. Questions? Call Mary Anne at Your committee chairs, Mary Anne and Eileen Class of 1957 We will be celebrating our 60-year class reunion this fall! Details to come. Questions? Contact Dianne Rumley: dmrumley@comcast.net or Class of Year Reunion! We have set a date and hope you can attend! Date: Saturday, September 9, 2017 Place: Joseph s Grill, 140 Wabasha St. So., Saint Paul, MN Time: 6:00pm Cocktails (cash bar) 7:00pm Hot & Cold Apps (price TBD once RSVPs are received) Questions? Please contact Pat (Kubitschek) Fox at mpf330@comcast.net. Class of 1977 Our 40-year reunion is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, 2017, in the Skybox Room at Grumpy s Bar & Grill in Roseville. Invitations are forthcoming. Questions? Join the St. Agnes 40th Reunion Class of 1977 Facebook group or Jackie Klein at jmklein@ gmail.com. Class of 1997 We will be celebrating our 20-year reunion this June! Questions? Contact Dana Zwetow at danazwetow@yahoo.com. Class of 2007 Joe Foley has been getting organized for a 10-year reunion this fall. If you are interested in assisting, please contact him at jfoleymn@ gmail.com. ALUMNI NEWS Class of 1943 Sr. Luke Hoschette notes, I have retired to our retirement center. At 91, I don t have the energy I had when I was younger. My high school classmate Sr. Sandra Fleischhacker is my next room neighbor. I pray daily for Saint Agnes, it s doing so well! Lillian (Kuebelbeck) Hendel writes from Arizona to say she is happy to admit that she is an alumna of Saint Agnes High School since she managed to make it to age 92 and is still going strong! Class of 1956 Judith (Moll) Butler-Davis sends an update. After being widowed for five years, I married an old friend, Jim Davis. Together we have four children and eight grandchildren. We are blessed. I retired after 55 years as a Registered Nurse three years ago. Traveling to Minnesota is in our 2017 plans. Class of 1958 Nancy (St. Martin) Hansen says, Even though my husband Tom Hansen, 57, passed away on , not a day goes by that he is not missed by our five children, their spouses, and thirteen grandkids. He was special to all who knew him. Class of 1972 Marie (Koegel) Mortek sends an update. My husband Daryl and I enjoy our family of five adult children and eleven grandchildren. I ve worked with people suffering from chronic mental illness for over 40 years and served as a staff manager for 10 years. Class of 1974 Bob Steigauf exclaims, Please join us in celebrating the birth of William James Steigauf, born He is our first grandchild! Class of 1975 Robert Simons notes, Just a shout out to my friends and fellow alumni, especially the 13-year Aggies as we stuck together all those years. I am a 1975 grad, my daughter graduated in 2000 from Spring Lake Park, and my grandson is class of You do the math! I also have a son, 31, son-in-law, 33 and granddaughter, 7. Class of 2001 On March 21, 2017, the Bush Foundation announced that Aggie graduate Neil Linscheid was one of 24 exceptional leaders selected for a Bush Fellowship. Recipients were chosen for their records of achievement and their extraordinary potential to make significant contributions to their communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations in the region. Class of 2006 Amber (Humphrey) Steiner writes, Jake and I celebrated our third anniversary on A few days later we celebrated the first birthday of our son, Xavier Joseph. Xavier was the answer to many, many prayers and 18

19 In Memoriam Bernice (Belland) Leahy, 1946 Mary Lou (O Donnell) Patricia (Bies) Bremner, 1949 Ramackel, 1945 Lynne (Bovee) Olson, 1981 Donald Peplinski, 1945 GS Stephanie Carlson, Student Robert Rau, Nancy (Shier) Appleton, 1970 Therese Dufner, Past Parent Eleanor (Spies) Lang, 1941 GS Lenore Eilers, 1948 Jane Squillace, Past Parent John Fastner, 1966 Sr. Mary Catherine Izral, Rosanne Fastner, 1931 GS Past Faculty Patricia (Fischbeck) Lyons, Sr. Paula Young, Past Faculty 1947 GS Joan (St. Germain) Gloria Fuchs, Parishioner Walseth, 1946 Josephine (Gockowski) Lois (Sudeith) Blackwood, 1949 Rayway, 1957 Gary Thyen, 1973 James Gahlon, 1963 Mary Lou (Tollas) Schmid, 1948 Dorothy Gruidl, Parishioner Joseph Tomas, 1958 Lavona (Gulden) Meyer, 1942 Mary (Tschida) Pitzl, 1934 GS James Hafner, 1941 GS Patricia Turi, Past Parent Shirley (Hugo) Lawrence, Willard Voight, 1938 GS 1939 GS Diane Welvang, Parishioner Mary (Janssen) Blees, 1937 CC John Widmer-Contreras, 1966 Marlene (Kapp) Freyberger, 1950 Terese (Wolkerstorfer) Leon Kelzenberg, 1946 Byrne, 1942 GS Marian Koubik, 1949 George Wurst, 1948 GS Eugene Kraus, 1943 Kathleen (Yanish) Geraldine Landgraf, Parishioner Bidwell, 1954 David Loch, Parishioner Deacon John Mangan, 1959 CC = Commercial Class George and Kathy Meyer, GS = Grade School Past Parents Jo An Mullins, 1947 Mary (Niemczyk) Mueller, 1940 GS Alumni News has been the true joy in our lives. I recently became a Real Estate Agent with High Pointe Realty after working in marketing in the medical device and aviation fields. I was not cut out for an 8-5 job. I find it very rewarding to help people find the home of their dreams where so many memories are made. Class of 2010 Angela (Kelly) Weightman and her husband Matt welcomed Autumn Rose on February 26. Congratulations, Angela! Past Faculty Sr. Marie Shaun Walter exclaims, Congratulations and great gratitude to all who have worked so generously to the continuation and success of Saint Agnes! Grandparent Dale Wegner, proud grandparent of Thomas, Emily and Mary Freas, writes, I am a U.S. Navy veteran. I was home on leave in June, 1956, and went to Saturday-Nighters, a Catholic group. I met a girl named Delores Vavreck with a dimple and a smile that would melt your heart. At the end of the evening, I told her I was in the Navy. She asked, Would you like me to write to you? Be careful what you answer. I said Yes. We have been married for 57 years, have six children, 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Nominate an Aggie for the Athletic Hall of Fame! The Saint Agnes Athletic Hall of Fame highlights the accomplishments of alumni, coaches and friends of the department. The rich tradition of Aggie athletics gives us a deep sense of pride, and the Hall of Fame is a chance to build on that pride. Nominations for this year s Hall of Fame will be accepted until May 1. Nomination forms and criteria may be found at or by calling Mike Streitz at

20 Inside the new Helene Houle Auditorium The 2017 Red & White Benefit was particularly exciting and rewarding. Not only were we able to once again host the gala to a sell-out crowd in our beautiful Ubel Activity Center, but we were able to unveil the brand new Helene Houle Auditorium. The initial unveiling took place with a VIP reception on the stage. What a delight to follow the red carpet into the state-of-the art 482-seat auditorium. The smell of fresh paint mixed with the warmth of the colors and wood tones were a welcome backdrop for such a joyous occasion. Archbishop Bernard Hebda offered a toast to Helene Houle and John Nasseff, who provided major funding for the new space. Saint Agnes is so grateful for their generosity, as well as that of so many alumni and friends who contributed to the project through their donations for seating, lighting, curtains and more. The students have already begun using the space for convocation, guest speakers and assemblies and spring musical rehearsals are underway! Helene Houle and Jean Houghton celebrate the unveiling David Johnson admires the new space with Helene Houle and John Nasseff The Johnson family takes the stage for the first time. Molly and Gus Lentsch, 07, Andrew, 97 and Karen Johnson, Becky and Dan Berthiaume, 00, David, 57 andnancy, Katie and Dave Shrake, 04, Michaela, 09 and fiancé Garrett Backes. Not pictured: Jeremiah. 03 and Cassia Johnson 20

21 David Shrake, 04, Jillian Gubash, 98, A.J. Kueppers, 10, Maddie Graner, 16, John Eilen, 12, Charlie Lehnen, 08, Kelly (Pavlak) DiPietro, 95, Bridget (Higgins) Her, 98, and Nathan Shrake, 06, dance and sing It s a Musical in tribute to David and Nancy Johnson. Not pictured: special cameo performances by Fr. Joseph Zabinski, 04, Fr. Mark Pavlak, 05, Fr. Dan Haugan, 95 and Fr. Bryan Pedersen, 95 See the alumni tribute video at saintagnesschool.org/ support-us/red-white-benefit-dinner. Mr. and Mrs. David and Nancy Johnson were honored as the 2017 Red & White honorees in recognition of their years of service and dedication to Saint Agnes School. Together, they have shared their time and abundant talents for more than 50 years. David, a 1957 graduate, has been teaching second grade at Saint Agnes for over 40 years, and Nancy has been in the classroom for ten, the last seven in the kindergarten room. Together they have guided many young Aggies through the early school years. A grandson of a German immigrants and founding members of the parish, the Johnsons are a five-generation legacy family. They have raised not only six of their own, but have fostered or adopted 12 more over the years, and now have the privilege of teaching their grandchildren. Their tremendous witness to life and family is a testament to their deep-rooted faith and generous spirit. kicked off the excitement. They were soon joined by a chorus of alumni from the classes of Complete with song and dance, the performance was fast and fun and proved to be a highlight of the evening. Honoring the Johnsons would be incomplete if they were not recognized for the numerous plays and musical productions they have directed over the years. They were presented with a personalized director s chair, to which David replied, You may call me director, but really, I am just the facilitator. Our heavenly Father is the director. Each year He performs the miracles that pull it all together. Yet another example of the humility and grace of the Johnsons. A surprise musical tribute was prepared by Jillian Gubash, 98, where brothers David and Nathan Shrake, 04 and 05, When David Johnson was a student at Saint Agnes, he had a dream. Words taken from his senior yearbook include: [If I had a million dollars] I would build the most modern and up-to-date auditorium for Saint Agnes School. The opening of the Helene Houle Auditorium is proof that dreams can come true. Students in grades 1-6, along with high school Madrigal Singers, joined alumni Bridget (Higgins) Her and Nathan Shrake for Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 21

22 As a result of the generosity of so many guests and benefactors, we are extremely pleased to present a profit of over $275,000 for this year s Red & White Benefit! This will be a tremendous help in finishing the auditorium and offering tuition assistance for many families in need this coming school year. Thank you to our sponsors! EXCLUSIVE LEVEL Student volunteers take a quick break from their duties for a snapshot. PLATINUM LEVEL Mr. Larry McGough John Nasseff and Helene Houle GOLD LEVEL McGough Construction Tom Wallrich, class of 82, with wife Nancy Archbishop Bernard Hebda was on hand to offer a blessing before the meal. SILVER LEVEL Daniel and Christine Buss Mark and Julie Gubash BRONZE LEVEL Cathedral of Saint Paul Charlie and Catherine Dobihal Healtheast Foundation Nasseff Mechanical A.J. Nasseff Family NEI Electric Warners Stellian United Hospital Foundation 22 Along with many other parents, Jane Jersild, Tera Brezny and Nancy Mir volunteer their time and talents. Raffle Winner! Students and faculty sold over 4000 raffle tickets this year. The drawing for a new vehicle was held at the end of the Red & White Benefit. Guest Jan Junkman was the lucky winner of a 2017 Ford Escape!

23 Out of the Mouths of Babes Real Life Quotes from Our Youngest Aggies Field Trip Fun Overheard on a field trip to Como Park: Student: Can we please go to purgatory? Teacher: Do you mean the CONSERVATORY? A parent was serving as chaperone on a second grade field trip. As part of his pre-departure pep talk to the group, he said, I can t lose my own daughter, my wife will kill me. So if I had to lose one of you, who should it be? Not missing a beat, a second grader replied: Well, you can t lose me. My dad is a lawyer. #DateNight Miss B., maybe some time I can take you out to a pizza dinner. I have coupons I can use, even if they did rip. But since I can t drive, I ll just have my mom pick you up. Do you like Pizza Hut? Kindergarten Boy Fine Arts vs. Fame Young student to the art teacher: Most artists aren t famous until they re dead. But I hope that doesn t happen to you! Overheard in first grade while preparing for the spring program: I am just so excited for tonight It s like I m going to be on American Idol! Things Catholic Kids Say In preparation for Ash Wednesday Mass: Teacher: Where do the ashes come from? Kindergartener: Father Moriarty s fire pit. Following a field trip to the Cathedral of St. Paul: I sprained my finger at the Rosary Pilgrimage today. You really gotta watch out for those beads. Can I just say that we should pray for Prince so that he is having a good time in Heaven. He died. Overheard after a K-12 Latin Mass with incense: That Frankenstein really makes my nose itch! That Mass was nice, but I couldn t understand any of the Spanish Father was saying. The Importance of Snack Time Fashion Sense I only go to school because we have snack and go to gym. Kindergarteners were learning the difference between wants and needs. One girl raised her hand to give an example: I want Jesus to come back to earth and I NEED a new pair of heeled boots. One kindergartener to another during snack: Jesus doesn t need to eat food in heaven. Yeah, but I bet he wants to come back to earth just for some of these cheese balls. Observations on the Pope After learning that he lives in Vatican City: Kindergartener: Is that on this planet? After seeing him on TV: Student 1: I d really like to meet this guy. What s his name again? Student 2: Hope Francis. After viewing photos of him in St. Peter s Square: Student: He looks so happy! Teacher: Why do you think that is? Various students: He gets to ride in parades. He must like crowds. He gets to kiss babies. He loves God and people. 23

24 Saint Agnes School 530 Lafond Avenue St. Paul, MN Change Service Requested Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit #490 Multiple copies? If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer lives at home, please contact the alumni office with a correct address. CALL kboyle@saintagnesschool.org UPDATE ONLINE at AGGIE OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT Monday, July 17 Como Golf Course Shotgun start 12:00 PM Dinner and prizes to follow SPONSOR OR DONATE TO THE AGGIE OPEN! Proceeds benefit the Aggie Athletic Program HOLE SPONSOR $200 signage at hole BRONZE SPONSOR $750 twosome for golf and dinner, signage at hole, program listing SILVER SPONSOR $1500 foursome for golf and dinner, event signage, program listing GOLD SPONSOR $2500 foursome for golf and dinner, event signage, program, Aggie Archives and website listings $125 per player $85 for young alumni ( 07-17) $40 dinner only option Registration includes 18 holes of golf, motorized golf cart, boxed lunch at the course, buffet dinner and prizes. Event held rain or shine. Sponsored by the Saint Agnes Foundation Don t delay, register today! Visit SaintAgnesSchool.org/ aggie-open-golf-tournament or contact Mike Streitz at mstreitz@saintagnesschool.org or PLATINUM SPONSOR $5000 (2) foursomes for golf and dinner, headline recognition and prominent advertising on event publications, Aggie Archives, annual report and website listings HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORSHIP underwrite the cost of hole-in-one insurance and receive prominent advertising on appropriate hole GOODIE BAGS donate items for the goodie bag to advertise your company (144 pieces) RAFFLE donate items for the raffle