For family, friends, & alumni of Cistercian Preparatory School

Spring 2018

INSIDE The Class of 2018 leaves its mark

Members of the bird-watching elective on the banks of the hidden pond north of the gym

Our For some students and teachers, paying attention to Cistercian’s 82 acres is just as important as paying attention in class Oasis SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 1 REMEMBERING CISTERCIAN WITH A PLANNED GIFT

Sheila Gregg with Jeremy Gregg ’97 (left) and Fr. Stephen Gregg ’01 during their days as Cistercian students A final gift Sheila Gregg walked onto Cistercian’s campus for the first time in 1989. For the next 28 years, she gave the school all that she had: her two sons, Jeremy ’97 and Fr. Stephen (Andrew) ’01; her time and talent as a cheerleading coach and drama volunteer; and her treasure as a loyal donor to both the school and the Abbey. And when Sheila passed away in late 2017, she gave her final gift to the school: a scholarship endowment in honor of Fr. Abbot Peter Verhalen ’73, whom she considered one of her dearest friends and spiritual guides.

“Our family fell on financial hardships when I was in high school, and scholarship funds allowed me and my brother to remain a part of the school. Knowing that she could provide that same gift to others was among my mother’s greatest joys,” said Jeremy. “From my mother’s perspective, these funds were always God’s. They are just returning to Him through Cistercian.”

For more information or to make a gift, contact Erin Hart. 469-499-5406 | [email protected] 2 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 Our oasis invites us to join in hymn of praise ast into the fire for refusing “Let the earth bless the God’s creation. For some this expe- idol worship, three young Lord, praise and exalt rience has been life altering. Note C him above all forever… Hebrew boys remain miraculously All you birds of the air, also how the School is continuing untouched by the heat and, in bless the Lord; praise to build on this tradition with the gratitude, invoke all creation to and exalt him above all recent introduction of solar re- forever. All you beasts, join their wild and tame, bless the sources and a rain water collection CISTERCIAN joyful hymn of Lord; praise and exalt cistern. PREPARATORY praise. him above all forever.” Our second feature introduces (Dan 3: 74, 80-81) SCHOOL This spring our graduating class, the first to be Rev. Paul McCormick edition’s lead feature re- shepherded by an alumnus priest form master Headmaster minds me of this beautiful since the days of Fr. Abbot Peter Verhalen ’73. Head of Middle School prayer sung frequently at the Fr. Augustine Hoelke ’00 recalls his start with the Greg Novinski ’82 Abbey. For despite the “fire” form and highlights some of the individuals and Assistant Headmaster Head of Upper School of a rigorous academic pro- experiences that have made the Class of 2018’s gram and the literal “heat” journey unique and their legacy so special. Letter from Jim Taylor the headmaster of North Texas, our students Don’t miss class updates or the wit and wis- Director of Admissions Fr. Paul McCormick are still able to look up from dom of Smokey Briggs ’84, who recalls his own Chris Blackwell their books to venture out graduation and the “fog” that then confronted Director of College Counseling into the blessed oasis of nature that encompasses him. You also will no doubt appreciate the sage Erin Hart our 82-acre campus. advice of Fr. Roch, who reminds us that even Director of Development Mentored in their appreciation by a faculty short periods of prayer in one’s day can open us and Alumni Relations and staff that over several decades have con- up to real discovery and celebration of the bless- André Bruce sciously striven to preserve and protect the nat- ings that surround us. Director of Athletics & Physical Education ural wildlife, our students come to experience God bless you all and all my best wishes for Tony Johnston ’05 for themselves both the shared blessing and the an authentically restful, and hopefully not too President, Cistercian Alumni Association shared responsibility of being good stewards of hot, summer. Volume 45, number 1 In this issue School Board Rt. Rev. Peter Verhalen ’73 Rev. Thomas Esposito Leaving Rev. Roch Kereszty their markr 8es8 Rev. Robert Maguire Members of the Class of 2018 Rev. Bernard Marton Rev. Paul McCormick will be remembered for their Kent Clay record of service, commitment, Mike Donahoe ’80 Charles Lipscomb ’84 and teamwork (oh, and robotics). Kathleen A. Muldoon Peter P. Smith ’74 By Tom Pruit Jere W. Thompson, Jr. ’74 Our Oasis 14 Departments continuum For some, paying News & Notes...... 4-7 David E. Stewart [email protected] attention to Cistercian’s Sports...... 19 Erin Hart 82 acres is just as Class Notes...... 20-22 Alumni Relations important as paying On Prayer by Fr. Roch Kereszty 24 Jim Reisch ...... Photography Editor attention in class continuum is published Cover photography by twice a year (spring & fall) By David E. Stewart Jim Reisch by Cistercian Preparatory School.

3660 Cistercian Road Cistercian Preparatory School was founded with the aim of preparing talented boys for the colleges of their choice Irving, TX 75039 by challenging their minds with excellent academic programs, molding their character through the values of Cath- 469-499-5400 olic education, and offering them guidance with both understanding and discipline. Cistercian Preparatory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national, or ethnic origin in the administration of its admis- www.cistercian.org sion and education policies, financial aid programs, athletic programs, and other activities.

SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 3 News & notes

NEW TEACHER DIGITAL MARKETING ENDOWMENT EFFORTS PAYING OFF ESTABLISHED Cistercian parent Chris Current parents Vaughan (Bennett Paul and Melissa ’19, Maxwell ’21) GriffithTruman ( ’23, offered a “digital Coleman ’25) have marketing and helped Cistercian website design” establish a new elective in the spring “Teach for Excellence semester and also Endowment” to help helped spearhead ensure that Cistercian efforts this year always attracts and to modernize the retains high quality website and to teachers. The Griffiths orchestrate the are representatives of school’s whole digital the Strake Foundation outreach. Fr. Anthony in Houston. Members of Fusion Corps, Cistercian’s robotics team, at the FIRST Robotics Championship in Houston Bigney and Jim Taylor, in April. The team’s faculty sponsor, Fr. Mark Ripperger, is on the front row at far left. director of admissions, SENIOR SEMINAR teamed with Kara EVENING IMPRESSES ROBOTICS Dahl (webmaster) The second annual Cistercian team competes at worldwide competition to create content for Senior Seminar the site, Facebook, Evening showcased As faculty and students back in Irving and program a robot to perform prescribed Instagram, LinkedIn, presentations on followed the progress of Fusion Corps tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as and other outlets. topics from Magical online at April’s FIRST Robotics Compe- close to “real world” engineering as a student Feedback has been Realism in Spanish tition in Houston, some must have stopped can get. Professional mentors volunteer their positive, especially literature to the and wondered at the quick ascent of the time and talents to guide each team. for the videos that contrasting theories Cistercian robotics program. The FIRST mission is supported by a have captured some of Milton Friedman, It was just last fall that team founder list of sponsors that includes a who’s who in priceless moments . Hayek, and Keynes. Charlie Lipscomb ’18 technology. A number of local NOTES university professors was motivated to bring Fusion Corps also found like-minded students from many willing sponsors To honor the spirit of and other academic Dr. Martin Luther King professionals various forms together into (with help from Marshall an activity that felt natural. Comeaux ’18). Jr., students in the Up- attended. A few made per School spent MLK “So many people here This year’s team took their presentations Day doing community exclusively in French love STEM, robotics, and full advantage of the service throughout the or in Spanish. building,” he told the Texas working space provided Metroplex. Some built Catholic, “it only makes by the new flex lab in the ramps and restocked BRAVEART sense for us to have a science building. shelves while others STUDENTS CREATE robotics team.” And, with a year under sorted food at the Food FLYING HAWK The FIRST robotics its belt, Fusion Corps Bank or built furniture. This year at the annual competitions provided the Fusion Corps robot, #6672, found it easier to form Fr. Justin McNamara BraveArt workshops, structure to fit robotics into at the FIRST competition in alliances with other teams and Tara Kennedy alum dad Mike Uhrick the tight Cistercian schedule Houston in late April. from other schools, a key served as faculty spon- helped students (in the second semester). factor in succeeding in the sors for the event ... create an impressive Tyler Bethea ’03 and A non-profit advancing K-12 STEM competition. metal welded Shae Armstrong ’98 sculpture of a “Flying education for nearly 30 years, FIRST Both played roles in the team’s ability taught a combined law Hawk.” The iconic combines the excitement of sport with the to move on from the state competition in and finance elective work will be placed rigors of science and technology. Teams of 10 Lubbock to the world stage in Houston. with multiple alumni at the entrance to the students or more are challenged to design a After only its second year, robotics coming in to meet with science building. team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build appears to fit Cistercian like a glove. students.

The number of times a showcase has been offered to The approximate height (8’ 2” precisely) of the seniors presenting the work completed for their senior metal welded Hawk created by students under 2 seminar. Note: senior seminars were instituted in 2016. 8 the direction of Mike Uhrick during BraveArt.

4 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 News & notes

THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION COMMENCEMENT De la Cruz ’19 accepts SPEAKER MORONEY CITES COMMUNITY award, speaks at dinner The commencement At February’s exercises of the Class Catholic Foundation of 2018 included Award Dinner, remarks by salutato- Jonny De la Cruz rian Ben FitzGerald ’19 accepted the ’18 and valedictorian Marshall Comeaux organization’s ’18. This year’s Scholar Award commencement before a large speaker, Jim Moroney crowd at the Hilton UPPER SCHOOL DRAMA ’74, focused on the Anatole. Audrey La ‘19 (Ursuline), Sebastian Currlin ‘19, and Saish Satyal ‘21 perform meaning of Cistercian De la Cruz’s in the sci-fi mystery Mary Rose in late March. from his perspective, remarks recalled having graduated 44 losing his dad at years ago. He noted age 13 after a long Mary Rose entertains and innovates that form masters Jonny De la Cruz ’19 may well marry you, speaks at the Catholic battle with kidney J.M. Barrie’s sci-fi mystery, Mary Rose, pulled much from the 17 disease and his long students involved, including reliable lead Sebastian Currlin ’19. Evan baptize your children, Foundation Dinner and bury your parents. daily commutes on Bird ’18 gave a memorable final performance, said director Seth Mc- DART to Cistercian that started with a 5 am Gill, and Horton Richard ’21 and Peter Novinski ’21 showed great alarm. promise. Cellist Alex Banul ’20 led the musicians. Ayden Kowalski “These guys,” he reflected on his ’21 composed and recorded an original piece for the show. classmates, “have undergone the rigors of Cistercian with me. We have comforted each other in our darkest hours and TOM HILLARY AWARD celebrated one another’s many joys. For Garnett wins honor for inspiring others that, I’m honored to call you my brothers.” The 2018 Tom Hillary Award was presented to Mike Garnett ’18 De la Cruz was selected from students at at the Athletic Banquet on May 5. the eight diocesan Catholic high schools. “Coaches speak of his abilities as a leader,” said Andre Bruce, athletic director. QUIZ BOWL “They say he is the ultimate teammate who leads by example, A and B teams move on possessing not only physical ability, but a positive attitude and energy Safe Environment to nationals in Atlanta Coordinator Gerald Cistercian sent three teams down to that impacts all those around him. Edwards at new gate Houston to compete in the State Champion- “As much as I enjoyed coaching ship in Academic Quiz Bowl. him,” added one coach, “I also SECURITY GATE Texas ranks second among the nation’s would have loved to play alongside ADDED NEAR GYM most competitive states in quiz bowl. It is an Mike. Because I know he would A gap in the school’s unforgiving environment. have pushed me to be my best.” security was plugged Against the state’s top 16 teams, Cister- “That is the ultimate compli- with a decorative gate cian finished by moving up to sixth place. ment any coach can give,” Bruce early in 2018. The gate The varsity A team included Marshall USNA-bound Mike Garnett ’18 emphasized. between the gym and Comeaux ’18, Kevin Paul ’19, John LeSage with the Tom Hillary Award The Hillary Award goes Upper School opens ’20, Frank Saldaña ’18, and Jake FitzGerald to student-athletes who have only from the inside, ’18. The varsity B team featured Ben Fitz- participated in multiple varsity sports at a high level, demonstrated forcing students to Gerald ’18, Joe Cox ’18, Xavier Polisetty class, sportsmanship, leadership and character in victory as well as enter by way of the ’18, and Nico Walz ’20. defeat, and have maintained a high level of academic achievement. reception desk.

The number of Cistercian juniors selected to receive the The number of alumni selected to serve as the school’s prestigious Catholic Foundation Scholar award since commencement speaker: Donovan Campbell ‘97 in 7 the prize was established 20 years ago in 1998. 2 2017 and Jim Moroney ’74 in 2018.

Photo of De La Cruz courtesy of Catholic Foundation; all other photos by Jim Reisch SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 5 News & notes

CISTERCIAN GROUP AWARD DINNER ATTENDS PRO-LIFE Tom Pruit ’18 receives MARCH IN D.C. In January, Fr. Ambrose honorary diploma Strong accompanied from Peter Saliga a contingent of Cis- tercian students and A sense of anticipation filled the parents to the annual record crowd gathered on January 20 March for Life in Wash- at the Tower Club in Thanksgiving inghton, D.C. They met Tower for the 2018 Jim and Lynn up with Fr. Joseph Van Moroney Award Dinner. House, who is pursuing Introducer Peter Saliga and graduate studies there. honoree Tom Pruit attracted a large Participants gathered on the National Mall number of younger alumni, many of for an hour-long rally whom were served by the speakers as before marching to the form master. U.S. Supreme Court. All were eager to see the masterful teachers unplugged on a primetime platform. They did not disappoint (see the unabridged speeches on the Cistercian Dallas YouTube channel). Saliga, a 22-year Cistercian Honorary alumni Bob Haaser ’12 (left) and Rodney Walter ’09 (right) presented Tom veteran whose history classes Pruit ’18 with a cane and a poem to welcome him to the exclusive Cistercian club. are both feared and loved, began with Pruit’s “huge forearms” and lay teacher, the kind of man we want character, Coach Tom Hillary. “bone-crushing hands” before our boys to grow up to become.” Then came the spring of 2007 describing his secret reason for In accepting his honorary when, after having served as a FR. THOMAS’ driving a school bus for 21 years. Cistercian diploma, Pruit teacher and parent of three Cistercian NEW BOOK “Dr. Pruit was known to have acknowledged his colleagues, giving boys, he was named form master of AVAILABLE ONLINE his notebook ever at his side,” special recognition to Rodney Walter the Class of 2015. Could Alexander Saliga explained, “like a geeky, and Bob Haaser, who were awarded At a spring baseball game, he Graham Bell possibly short-sleeved, button-down collar honorary degrees in 2009 and 2012, encountered parents whose sons have foreseen the and wacky tie version of a seasoned respectively. would be under his care. enslaving power of the telephone over human gunslinger from old Abilene. Though Pruit shared how his goal of “I could feel the weight of the beings today? In we now have laws against texting becoming a college professor burden beginning to descend,” he The Roots that on the road, there were none back faded in the fall of his third year at recalled. “In the tone of their voices Clutch, Fr. Thomas then against composing poetry while Cistercian. and the looks in their eyes, there was Esposito poses such driving ... a school bus ... filled with “‘This is it; this is what I want an anticipation and expectation that I questions directly to a children!” to do for the rest of my life,’” he was not quite ready for, but ready or host of deceased his- Episodes of Pruit’s own recalled. “There was something not, it was ready for me.” torical figures and mischievous pranks (e.g., having about having a hand in the formation His remarks were sprinkled with literary characters First Formers exit a classroom to of character, the task of helping to a sense of the campus, the place, that through letters to leave a sleeping student all alone) shape the lives of these boisterous, he had surrendered to and become each. By examining were weaved with examples of rambunctious boys-becoming-young- possessed by. these particular roots of the human condi- his professionalism, caring, and men that struck a deep chord in me.” “I have grown up, and dare I say tion, Fr. Thomas culti- nurturing. He spoke of his favorite literary it, am growing old here, knowing that vates fruitful medita- He concluded with the assertion characters, from Reepicheep and this place has shaped and formed me tions. The book is now by Abbot Peter Verhalen ’73 that “Dr. Boo Radley to Gandalf and Gatsby far more than I have shaped it.” on sale in bookstores Pruit represents the model Cistercian as well as Cistercian’s legendary That is hard to imagine. and on line.

The number of Cistercian faculty members who have The number of books Fr. Thomas Esposito has written: been named an honorary alumnus: Rodney Walter Jesus’ Meals with Pharisees and their Liturgical Roots (2015), 3 (2009), Bob Haaser (2012), and Tom Pruit (2018). 3 Letters of Fire (2015), and The Roots that Clutch (2018).

6 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 Photo by Jim Reisch News & notes

HUNGARIAN CISTERCIAN BEATIFIED Fr. János Brenner paid a high price for defying Soviet oppression in the 1950s Over 20,000 gathered on May 1, in Szombathely, Abbot General Mauro Giuseppe Lepori and Abbot Peter Verhalen ’73 (center) Hungary to celebrate the with the monks of the Cistercian monastery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. beatification of Fr. János Brenner. CISTERCIAN ORDER The ceremony re- called a different era, one Abbot Peter visits Ethiopian Cistercians of brutal Soviet oppres- Abbot Peter Verhalen ’73 schools they run, the way they sion of religious orders. joined the abbot general, the celebrate their liturgy, the beau- After banning reli- head of the Cistercian Order ty of his country, and the rich, gious activity in the late worldwide, on a weeklong visit millennia-old history of Christi- 1940s, the Soviets closed in February to the Cistercian anity in Ethiopia.” most religious houses, monasteries in Ethiopia. The Cistercian community including the Abbey of Members of the Cistercian Order from around “I was invited since the Ethi- of more than 30 monks includes Zirc, in 1950. the world gathered in Hungary to celebrate opians learn English in school a postulant, a novice, several While a group from the beatification of Fr. János Brenner. and I am the only Cistercian young monks in formation, in the abbey attempted abbot whose native language is addition to the ordained priests, to escape to Rome (13 of 21 Today a chapel marks the English,” the abbot explained. the oldest monk of whom is in succeeded), Br. János remained spot where he was murdered “The Ethiopian Cistercians also his early 70s. in Hungary and finished his and pilgrims come there in run schools as we do.” While there, the abbots formation through the diocesan procession from many parts of The trip was an effort by toured the four monasteries seminary. Hungary. Abbot General Mauro Giuseppe and three schools, offering an “Even if the road is rough,” Abbot Peter, Fr. Julius Lepori to build community opportunity to observe the state Fr. János wrote in his journal, Leloczky and Fr. Bernard among the abbots and to help of the country’s transportation “I look at your pain-ridden face Marton attended the beatifi- them support one another. network (rough two-lane roads, and follow you. I ask you only cation, along with many other “Our presence affirmed Fr. many people on foot with ani- one thing: May I always fulfill Cistercian monks and nuns Bazezew, the superior of all the mals) and agriculture (short on most precisely what you give to from around the world. Ethiopian Cistercians,” Abbot machinery). me as my vocation.” “The most moving parts Peter said, “and afforded him “Westerners,” an outspoken After his ordination in 1955, of the ceremony for me,” said the opportunity to show off Ethiopian about 60 years of age he became known as an enthusi- Abbot Peter, “were when Fr. his growing community, the warned Abbot Peter, “cannot astic priest with a special gift for Joseph Brenner placed his hope to understand serving the young. brother’s relics in a beautiful Ethiopia in a short His gifts and success attracted reliquary next to the altar and visit.” attention from Soviet authorities, then when he named his broth- Abbot Peter brought and he was warned to curtail his er among the saints when he gifts for each of the activities. Even his bishop sug- read his part of the Eucharistic Ethiopian monks: small gested he transfer for his safety. prayer. He became emotional, red editions of the Rule But Fr. János refused. his voice quivering.” of St. Benedict. They On the night of December Fr. János’ story highlights the were received warmly. 14, 1957, he was called to ad- bravery of the many religious minister the last rites to a man, in Hungary who found ways to Abbot Peter Verhalen purported to be dying. fulfill their vocations despite ’73 with students at On his way, he was am- Soviet oppression, including the a Cistercian school in bushed in the darkness of a for- Cistercians who escaped and Ethiopia. est trail and stabbed 32 times. settled in Dallas.

The number of monks from Dallas who attended the beat- The number of Cistercian monks in ification of Fr. János Brenner on May 1: Fr. Bernard Marton, Ethiopia, including postulants, novices, 3 Fr. Julius Leloczky, and Abbot Peter Verhalen ’73. 30+ monks in formation, and monks.

Photos courtesy of the Cistercian Abbey Our Lady of Dallas SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 7 Quiz Bowlers (l-r):Ben FitzGerald ’18, Joe Cox ’18, Xavier Polisetty ’18, Jake FitzGerald ’18, Marshall Comeaux ’18, and Frank Saldaña ’18 surround Fr. Augustine Hoelke ’00.

8 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 Photo by Darrell Williamson LEAVING THEIR MARK Members of the Class of 2018 will be remembered for their service, commitment, and teamwork (oh, and robotics). By Tom Pruit the death of five of the older Hungarians in a period of a year and AGER, HYPER, CLUELESS, and just a half, the arrival and departure of a whole string of postulants ready to spread my wings,” remembers Fr. Au- and novices, and then this sudden departure of another member gustine Hoelke ’00 of walking across the stage of the community in the summer of 2003 — and I was suddenly to receive his Cistercian diploma eighteen made aware of how much the monks, especially Abbot Denis years ago. “In a way I was like John Belushi [Farkasfalvy], Fr. Peter [Verhalen] ’73 and Fr. Roch [Kereszty], in“E Animal House wearing his generic ‘College’ sweatshirt — no were carrying on their shoulders, and at the same time just how major in mind, no formal plans, just graduate and get out. At that much I loved the place.” moment I had absolutely no idea that I would be back here!” But the tide was indeed turning. Within a few days of the As he readily admits, Hoelke was not a particularly good painful departure three young postulants arrived, one of whom student while at Cistercian, but grew up rather quickly once he became Fr. Joseph Van House, Augustine’s chief mentor and close entered college. The love of learning, of many of his teachers, and friend. Over the next five years, the abbey experienced a seeming- in particular, the love of his classmates (which he had fostered ly miraculous boom in vocations; 11 young priests, all part of that here), needed a focus and a purpose. By the spring of 2003, his boom, now grace the halls of the monastery and school, and more junior year at UD, that purpose had transformed his life; he had are in formation. decided to act on a serious call to the priesthood, and in particular, Perhaps it was the fact that he solidified his commitment as to a priestly life as a Cistercian monk. the response to the abbey’s troubles that gave him such a strong That year, 2003, was a very eventful time in the life of the sense of institutional loyalty and such a strong desire to protect its abbey as well. July and August were particularly momentous, both future. After graduation, he thought about how oblivious he had in his own life and in the life of the monastery. Within a two-week been in high school (1996-2000) to the serious challenges which period, he had broken up with his girlfriend and called Fr. Peter the abbey was facing and how he had taken for granted the sta- Verhalen ’73 to inform him of his decision to pursue his call to bility, steadfastness, and cheerfulness of the monks, even in such the priesthood. Just before he “made the call,” a young monk trying circumstances. The school had taken a chance on him; now scheduled to be ordained within a few weeks (as well as serve as it was his turn to give back his life for the abbey and school. form master of the incoming Class of 2011), suddenly departed. The shock reverberated throughout the abbey and school, and ERVICE TO A HIGHER CALLING is perhaps one Fr. Augustine remembers that announcement as one of the final legacy Fr. Augustine has left his class. “The Class of 2018 factors in his decision to pursue entrance into the monastery. had, as a group, the same problems most other incoming “Following Fr. Paul’s ordination in 1997, life in the abbey had senior classes have with being somewhat disorganized, gone through a very tough period — a monk leaving the abbey, Swith procrastination, with reluctance to rewrite essays — Photo by Jim Reisch SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 9 SERVICE MINDED (l-r): Mike Garnett ’18 (USNA), Conner Blend ’18 (ROTC at Penn), and Conner McConnell ’18 (ROTC at Vanderbilt).

all the time management skills which I hoped to teach them over First, winning recognition as a National Athlete of the Month the course of the year,” said Chris Blackwell, Cistercian’s college in the fall of junior year meant a lot. Sponsored by the Marines, counselor. “But that was not true of the guys interested in military in presenting the award, they also did a little recruiting, and he service. From the beginning, they were all on top of their game.” thought he should look more seriously into applying to the service Fr. Augustine noted that even in Middle School “they all were academies. Second, his experience at the Navy’s summer camp marked as budding student-athletes, just the sort of young men was the final and most powerful experience that inspired his desire the academies look for,” and the transition into high school did not to serve. “It was the best week of my life, and after that, I knew shake them in their determination to embrace the greater demands military service would be in my future.” of the application process. They were focused. Conner McConnell ’18 grew up hearing stories of WWII from “When Fr. Augustine brought his old Cistercian classmate, now his grandfather, a participant in the D-Day invasion on the beaches Air Force Captain Luc Chandou ’00, into a Form Master’s period of Normandy. Military service, fulfilling one’s patriotic duty, and in Second Form, I was in awe,” commented Mike Garnett ’18, yes, the look of being a man in uniform all fired his imagination who accepted his appointment to the Naval Academy this spring. from an early age, but also spurred him into action, walking the “Captain Chandou spoke about honor and service to country and Omaha and Utah beaches in France and roaming through the connection to his buddies, and that really hit me hard. I wanted national cemeteries at Normandy abroad and Arlington at home. to be part of that.” But by his senior year, Garnett was also being “There is something so humbling about seeing where all these invited to play football at the University of Chicago, where he men gave their lives; there is so much there to live up to.” Conner could join a string of other recent Cistercian graduates who suit up will be enrolled in Naval ROTC while attending Vanderbilt Uni- for the UC Maroons. versity in the fall. In the end, Mike’s love of football gave way to his desire to serve. He’s even looking forward to the grueling initiation of Plebe Summer. “All you have is the people in front of you, the people AS A NEW FORM MASTER IN 2010, one of Fr. Augus- going through it with you, and the chance to make lifelong bonds. tine’s first goals was to share with his young students his insti- It’s kind of like the eight years at Cistercian, just compressed into tutional memory and to foster in them a love for the community one summer.” which sustains the life of the place. Such love comes about as the Connor Blend ’18, after much soul-searching, turned down result of commitment, a hallmark of Fr. Augustine’s style. an appointment to the USNA to attend the Wharton School of His investment in each boy resulted this year in their flocking Business at the University of Pennsylvania this fall but will also to his office at lunch, 10-minute breaks, before and after school; be enrolled in Naval ROTC with the intention of serving after walking down the senior hallway always brings you by the laugh- college. Though Connor had a cousin who played football for a ter and loud chatter emanating from his office. Partly it was the time at the USNA and later became a Navy Seal, it was a couple of result of his installation of a large couch in the space — a move other things which moved him more. designed to facilitate the more serious one-on-one conversations

10 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 Photo by Jim Reisch he had with each boy over the summer — but which also created to achieve what we wanted to.” the feel of a senior lounge where at any given break, four or five Certain guys then focused their efforts on science or history guys might be seen on or around the couch while others stood in or literature or culture, and there were also a couple of generalists what little space was left. Meanwhile Fr. Augustine sat twirling thrown into the mix. With their ultimate goal being two years in back and forth in his office chair joining in the banter with a big the future, these sophomores endured not only setbacks but doubts grin on his face. about whether it was worth all that effort. The delight he has taken from day one in simply being with his Their core group, however, was unusually dedicated and so as boys, in interacting with them and connecting with them in their junior year began they decided to step up their practices to another games and playful pursuits as well as in more pressing matters, level. In addition to the two activities periods and occasional lunch was a delight always anchored in a more serious purpose. As period, they added the Tuesday night sessions, a move which, his mentor and confrere, Fr. Joseph observes about him, “He’s a given their already demanding schedules, should have been a special combination of doggedness, conviviality, and faith who is well-intentioned but short-lived effort. It became, instead the driven by an amazing sense of calling. He will put himself through central factor of their success. The glue which held them together, all sorts of trials to procure what he thinks is best for his students which allowed them to persevere in their discipline and dedication and his Form.” of time and effort was their growing friendship. “If you want to really achieve success,” related Xavier Polisetty ’18, reflecting on the sacrifice inherent in those weeknight sessions, “it FTER THE TEXAS HISTORY TRIP, which he is much more fun working with people you know well and respect planned and directed, Quiz Bowl was the next activity than with enemies or people you barely know. If you are with your in which he saw a significant opportunity to offer a friends, you are much more willing to take on discipline and to put guiding hand for at least a portion of the class, and by aside your own goals for the sake of those of the whole group.” senior year its influence could Nico Walz ’20, who is currently on one Abe seen throughout the entire Form. of this year’s teams going to Nationals, Another Tuesday night at the home of The seniors set recalls that as a freshman he was in Marshall Comeaux ’18 ended with the awe at how much these guys knew and all-important “after session” which in- the tone for the thought he could never get to that level. terspersed any need-to-know gossip with What surprised him most, however, was debate about politics or movies or any disciplined, ‘all-in’ how much they cared about the program. number of topics which came up in their “Because they wanted to keep the pro- weekly two-hour session. Six seniors attitude which they gram strong, they cared about us, even us getting together faithfully every Tuesday freshmen, and were always challenging throughout junior and senior year for an themselves so us with yet another packet to study and extracurricular activity that involved hard with more advice on how we could get study is unusual, to say the least. clearly modeled.” better. They wanted us to get to the next “Quiz Bowl is not Trivial Pursuit!” level, to take pride in seeing how far we Fr. Gregory would shout at any who — Fr. Gregory Schweers could go.” The fact that there were six scoffed at their efforts. Yet there they solid seniors, all friends, who were con- were, studying the latest packets of stantly razzing each other when questions wide-ranging questions over 20th-century European politics, were missed made it that much more fun. African geography, Greek plays, the structure of halogens, current Fr. Gregory, who brought Quiz Bowl to Cistercian in 1989 and events, mathematical probability and any number of other equally has overseen its ups and downs over the years, was enthusiastic in challenging topics generated both by academically curious high his praise. school students and their teachers. What these devotees are learn- “The current program — now well into its third decade here at ing is not to memorize a large number of random facts but to delve the school — is much better today because these seniors paved the into what Fr. Augustine likes to call “the canon of knowledge. It’s way; they set the tone for the disciplined and ‘all-in’ attitude which the kind of knowledge any well-balanced, intellectually curious they themselves so clearly modeled. They can truly be proud of high school student should be made aware of.” the legacy they leave behind.” The Class of 2018 was the first class to engage in serious Quiz Bowl activity as eighth graders, and by the time they entered high school the next year, they were already seasoned and ready for the “AS A YOUNG FORM MASTER,” said Fr. Augustine, next level. Then as sophomores, they participated with a varsity “I had a lot to learn, both about the nuts and bolts of the job and squad which sent three teams to Nationals. about learning to master my own faults — pride and impatience “Vimal Konduri ’13 was the captain when we were Fourth mainly. I got a lot of on the job training, and in one sense, my best Formers and became our role model,” said Comeaux, one of the teachers have been the boys themselves, and their parents. captains of this year’s team. “We set our sights on becoming that “Their love and support have opened me up as well to their good. The problem was, none of us were that brilliant — and we wisdom, and as I hope they have learned from my instruction, knew it — so we had to make up for it by each of us becoming I have learned from their example.” He learned early to turn to a mini-Vimal in a certain area, by working hard to learn what he others, especially his confrères in the abbey and the other, more knew, then learning to work collectively to put it all together. The veteran form masters. It was in them that his own institutional goal was to do it by senior year; we figured it would take that long memory could be further buttressed or expanded.

SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 11 “Since joining the ranks of form masters and teachers, I have Cistercian (going by the quickly devised name Fusion Corps) followed various ship captains, all of whom have at one time or found themselves overwhelmed by the whole process and didn’t another navigated through various rough waters with me. It is really know where to start. truly a brotherhood.” In the week following Reveal Day, they haphazardly began Institutional memory, a willingness to be apprenticed, a defi- work but felt they could never be ready in time. About midweek nition of success that begins in a sort of practical humility in the Matthew Dorn ’18 left practice, went home, and couldn’t sleep. “I face of high expectations, a willingness to subordinate yourself to had a panic attack, thinking about all that we had to do if we were those who know more than you do and then to learn from them, going to be successful. So I wrote out a plan for what I thought we and from that combination of virtues to make things work better should do.” — that brings us to still another shining moment of success for the The plan, a six-page email which he circulated among the Class of 2018, the introduction of robotics into the extracurricular members, turned out to be the first significant turning point. Now life at Cistercian. they had a workable plan and a leader who could show them how Another element, one already touched on but critical to the to execute it. personality of the class, is the dynamic of friendship — that you “At first, all I wanted to accomplish was to build a robot that achieve so much more together — and not in the sense of simply could actually move, but we pretty quickly got way beyond that.” more horsepower, but through affirmation, competition, coopera- Their mantra that first year was a modest one: keep it simple and tion, the pleasure of working long hours with friends. execute well. So high expectations and friendship — two of the pillars of With focus came confidence and greater working efficiency. the class’s success. A third might be the sense that you have to be But there was still the problem of money. The FIRST grant was practical, you have to make the necessary steps, which include a only a partial answer. level of skill and discipline, to get from point A to point B. Enter a third key player, Marshall Comeaux, who joined the club only as Dorn’s email was circulating. He liked the scope of the project and its purpose but also knew his own limitations. He HARLIE LIPSCOMB ’18 IS, in the words of his quickly found his niche “not in the techie side of things, but in the form master, “a low-key kind of guy,” and by his own admission, part of what he wanted to accomplish in forming a robotics club was merely the modest desire to become better acquainted with students from other forms.C He had no idea that it would have the impact it has. Other students before Charlie were also quite enthusiastic about bringing robotics to Cistercian but were unable to overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that lay in the way. “Charlie showed an absolute doggedness,” Greg Novinski ’82, head of the Upper School, remarked. “He just wouldn’t give up.” After attending a robotics camp at SMU in the summer of 2017, Charlie approached Novinski about the possibility of forming a club, and got the same response all previous inquiries had received — it’s too expensive, too time-consuming, and impossible to fit into our very limited schedule. Over the course of the fall semester, however, Charlie kept showing up at Novinski’s office with possible solutions to his various objections. Finding the right robotics program, one that fit both the de- mands of our schedule and our ethos, was a major breakthrough. FIRST Robotics even offered a grant for programs in their rookie year, which helped solve the next major issue of finances. The final issue was finding a sponsor willing to add the very labor-intensive activity surrounding robotics to an already busy schedule. In stepped Fr. Mark Ripperger, whose tireless and skilled commitment was an indispensable part of their success. Lipscomb’s thoughts were shared by the whole team: “If Fr. Mark hadn’t said yes to being the sponsor, all the other plans wouldn’t have mattered. He made the whole thing possible.” So by late November, the club had the green light. Fliers went up, students showed interest, and over Christmas break, they began to meet in preparation for their first “season” which began January 7. There was lots of interest, lots of enthusiasm, but they had little idea of what they were getting themselves into. “Reveal Day,” the term given to the day the design and rules of this year’s competition were made public, happened on January 7, and Team

12 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 business side. They were going to need a our ethic, challenging the whole person, lot of money — I couldn’t at first believe emphasizing teamwork and cooperation, how much — but I thought I could maybe I don’t think and presenting a complex operation help with that.” which required a balanced, coordinated What followed, as others found their we should imagine approach — building and manipulating own ways to contribute, adding their the robot had to be supplemented by individual talents to what had become a Cistercian among thoughtful strategizing about possible major collective effort, was a level of suc- moves and alliances.” And that was only cess which no one had thought possible its peer institutions on the “techie side.” just a few months earlier — earning top There was also a significant safety seed going into the final round of their without a component built into the rules, a sophis- first tournament. ticated level of communication required They were deep in individual talent robotics team. with team members, the school, and yet they worked well as a team, mature sponsors via email and various other so- enough to accept each other’s quirkiness — Greg Novinski ’82 cial media platforms, and a serious com- while pushing each other to reach a high mitment to fundraising; this year’s teams, standard. They exhibited a healthy mix- for example, raised and spent $30,000. ture of acceptance and expectation. “It makes sense to me that robotics is actually a UIL-sanc- “It is funny that the name they picked on kind of a whim,” tioned sport,” Novinski concludes. “Just to understand the com- reflected Fr. Mark, “turned out to describe one of their chief char- plexity of the game — and it is different every year — involves a acteristics — blending together as a team.” high level of creativity, technical skill, ‘smarts’, strategizing, and The FIRST Robotics program offered Cistercian something teamwork which all have great appeal to Cistercian students. that fit the school’s schedule — a competition which could be “Let me be bold here,” Novinski added, “and say that just as we completed in one semester. It also, in Greg Novinski’s words, “fit can’t imagine a school like Cistercian existing in Texas without a football team, I don’t think we should imagine Cistercian among its peer institutions without a robotics team. This is as big an addition to our program as anything else we’ve done in recent memory.” David Novinski ’90, one of the parent volunteers for the group (and father of Will Novinski ’18), worked closely with them both this year and last, and sees in their modus operandi something very “Cistercian.” “Their Cistercian education has served them well. They have learned confidence that even though they haven’t seen the material before, they will still master it in time for the test. Cistercian holds to a sort of secret motto: anything we do, we do to a high level. “Why should robotics be any different?”

IN THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL, Fr. Augustine wore two very different hats. On Saturday night he was the senior form master enjoying the final grand social event of their Cistercian careers, and bleary-eyed the next afternoon he met with the very bright-eyed and expectant parents of his new Form, the Class of 2026. “It was a weird feeling. I felt like I was making plans for a second child just prior to the birth of the first.” Yet, immediately taking a new Form was a choice he made voluntarily and happily. He wrestled with this decision for quite a while, especially as the demands of the final semester of senior year piled up, but in the end, he knew he made the right decision. “Why do it all over again?” asked Fr. Augustine. “In the end, because I feel that is what I am called to do in this community. With Bot 6672 (l-r): Going right back through without a year off — that was the way Matthew Dorn ’18, all the Hungarians did it multiple times — but we have the luxury Fr. Mark Ripperger, now to spread things out a bit more. Yes, I kept seeing “Ora et Charlie Lipscomb ’18, Labora” in my head, and this shepherding is the most important “labora” that we do. Also, I wanted to take advantage of my and Xavier Anderhub ’18 youth, and who knows, perhaps my decision saves some other in the science building’s candidate who might not be quite ready. And, God be praised, it new flex space. keeps me from having to pursue a Ph.D!”

SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 13 Photo by Jim Reisch ORTH OF THE OLD GYM on a clear March day, twelve Cistercian students meandered for 35 minutes through the woods by the hidden pond, Our then into the clearing near the Trinity — all in search of the White-eyed Vireo. Before setting out, Tim Parker ’90 had briefed members of his bird-watching elective about today’s subject, “You’ll hear the White-eyed Vireo before you see it.” NNNot long after reaching the clearing, the bird called, and twelve binoculars sprang into action. OasisFor some students and teachers, “There it is,” said Sam Clay ’19, pointing to a limb three-quarters up a tree. paying attention to Cistercian’s “You can see its white eyes moving around,” concurred Parker, who has been teaching the bird-watching elective since 82 acres is just as important 2011. “Now, you can see his yellow flanks.” For close to half a minute amidst the bluebonnets, everyone as paying attention in class focused without a sound, absorbed with the bird in their By David Exall Stewart binoculars. Then the White-eyed Vireo flew. Quiet conversa-

14 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 tion resumed. birds. Some people come from hundreds of miles to see birds “Ok guys,” said Parker after checking his watch, “we have that are regularly on our campus.” to get back now. I lost track of time.” “Moments like those,” said Jake FitzGerald ’18, who took the elective two years ago, “are exhilarating. I remember HIDDEN FROM VIEW ATOP THE SCIENCE building returning to my math class after bird watching and telling my and new gym, solar panels installed in early May are expected friends about the birds we’d seen. to begin generating electricity by June. “There is all this land that you don’t even realize the school “You don’t think of Cistercian as being on the bleeding owns,” he added. “The open area near the river is secluded, edge of technology,” laughed Tim Parker, who as director and only a few students know about it. I also really like the of facilities (in addition to his duties as biology teacher, JV area beyond the Stations of the Cross trail. basketball coach, and lead bird watcher) oversaw the planning “Bird watching can be spiritual, relaxing, and calming. You and installation process. “But solar panels have been on our leave your thoughts behind and follow the birds.” radar for some time, and we’re one of the first private schools in “This is one class at Cistercian,” said Joseph Dancy ’12, a DFW to install them. University of Arkansas graduate who moved to Houston for an “Lower prices and the growing efficiency of solar panels — engineering job, “that gives you a chance to reflect, be quiet, along with the generosity of our donors (including the Edward and be receptive of nature. E. Ford Foundation) — made the timing seem right.” “Few other schools in DFW have such a natural setting The panels are projected to save the school around $20,000 where students have the opportunity to see these beautiful a year and shrink the school’s carbon footprint.

Illustration by Billy Hassell ’74 (an embellishment of his 1974 illustration for the cover of the 1974 Exodus) SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 15 A history of stewardship Solar array on the east gym • Waterless urinals – 2008 • Water-friendly landscape – 2008 • LED lighting – starting in 2010 • Solar panels – 2018 (below) • Rainwater recapture – 2018 • Wind turbines – coming soon

Solar array on the science building as seen from the east (or new) gym.

The benefits don’t stop there. UST BEFORE DAWN on a late spring morning, a “The solar panels model good stewardship of the environment mother coyote relaxed on her haunches as she watched for the boys,” Parker explained, “just as we have in other parts of her four pups play nearby. While the howls of coyotes campus (see sidebar above). frequently haunt first-year novices in the monastery at “And it also models how science, ingenuity, and technology can night, catching them at play during daylight is rare. be used to help us accomplish our goals.” But heavy rains overnight had prompted Rodney The solar project already inspired a couple of seniors in the Walter, then director of facilities, to come out early this technology seminar to build a solar charger for cell phones. Jparticular Saturday in the early nineties to check for leaks at the Officials at Sunfinity (Cistercian’s solar vendor) also are school. working with Cistercian’s facilities team on an interactive display IThe sun had yet to peek over the hill back toward Dallas when that will graphically depict the power generated by the panels and Walter walked past the science building and spotted the coyote the energy stored by the system’s batteries, among other informa- family on the upper field (long before the new, east gym). tion. That part of the project is expected to be completed by the He stilled himself as the pups wrestled and rolled around with start of school in the fall. each other. “I’m very excited about the solar panels,” said FitzGerald, who “I wished I had someone to share the moment with,” Walter plans to major in environmental studies when he attends USC in recalled. Then a car door slammed. the fall. “They raise awareness and open the door for a greater love Walter backed slowly away from the upper field to gaze down of nature and our campus.” between the gym and the Upper School toward the lower parking The renovated science building also includes a rain water lot. He saw Tom Hillary’s tall figure walking up the stairs; Walter recapture cistern that will irrigate part of the campus landscaping. motioned to the coach. As Pope Francis tweeted about his 2015 encyclical Laudato si' “Tom came up and watched with me,” Walter said, “both of us (Praise be to You), “We must never forget that the natural environ- captivated. ment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the “As the sun crept its way above the trees, the momma rose up responsibility of everyone.” and began to lead her pups toward cover in the trees by the river.” “It’s not what you say,” commented Tom Molanphy ’89, who as The pups followed dutifully, at first, in single file. Then the last a Third Former raced with his classmates to the Trinity and back at two started fooling around. the 10-minute break, “it’s what you do. “She stopped and looked back at them, hard,” Walter said. “They “It makes me very happy that Cistercian is spending the time stopped. But it wasn’t long before they started tussling again. and money to make the campus sustainable.” “So she went back and nipped at their heels, and finally — as

16 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 Photos above by Jim Reisch; 1956 era photo on p. 17 courtesy of Cistercian Archives the sun cleared the horizon — she chased them into the woods. create a more sustainable landscape, one more in tune with nature. “Tom and I were thinking the same thing. She was disciplining “By using native plants, we’ve reduced the weekly maintenance her pups much like we, as teachers and coaches, do with the boys (water and mowing) to seasonal maintenance (pruning and on a regular basis. planting),” Hocker said. “It was so much fun.” Native plants also have been incorporated into the spaces and courtyards between the buildings, bringing nature closer to the built environment and softening the distinction between the two. “TELL THE FATHERS THAT THIS IS THE PLACE where we should settle,” Fr. George Ferenczy instructed the four Hungari- an Cistercians (including Fr. Benedict Monostori and Br. Melchior ISTERCIAN ALWAYS FELT Chladek) who passed through North Texas in August 1953. “[The like more than just a school,” said Sisters of St. Mary of Namur] need educators and priests here, and Billy Hassell ’74. “I saw it as a nature they would love to have us.” preserve.” Less than a year later, the Cistercians — who had been search- Like many students through the ing for a home in America for three years — began migrating from years, he explored it often with fellow their temporary quarters in Wisconsin to Texas. By 1956, Abbot students, with faculty members, and Anselm Nagy had coaxed officials at the University of Dallas to on his own. donate 34 acres to the Cistercians. (The university’s 1,000 acres “I especially remember walking along the Trinity with Fr. had been gifted in part by Ben Carpenter from his ranch, now “C“CMelchior. We’d watch for turtles. We both had a thing for turtles.” known as Las Colinas.) In fact, the young biology teacher Half of the site lay in a floodplain and resembled a jungle, and Hassell shared a love for all kinds of according to Fr. Benedict. animals, from snakes and birds to turtles The monks weren’t discouraged. and fish to raccoons and bullfrogs. Over the Cistercians’ 920-year history, the Order has proven “He hoped my interest in animals adept at making the most out of donated wasteland. would lead me towards biology,” Hassell “The monks of the first monastery in Cîteaux,” explained Fr. laughed, “but I wanted to study animals Stephen Gregg ’01, who teaches Cistercian history to the novices, without killing them.” “shifted the course of a river to bring it to a better location.” “Fr. Melchior was one of the people The land holdings of monasteries also grew — over decades who — in my memory — helped me feel and centuries — into large tracts through small, connected land connected at Cistercian.” donations. Hassell’s drawings of animals and The original 34 acres in Irving grew through purchases in 1995 landscapes showed up frequently in and 2005 to 82 acres, buffering the campus from the possibility of The Informer (often accompanied by future development. his poetry) between 1971 and 1974 and For its first 40 years or so, the school’s elegant architecture sat in an early literary magazine. Then for on islands of mowed hills and lawns of St. Augustine grass that the cover of the 1974 Exodus, he drew chiseled a sharp edge between the civilized and natural worlds. a vision of the campus that captured That began to change in the summer of 2008, at the direction of nature’s super-sized impact on his Cister- Top: Billy Hassell ’74 drew then-headmaster (and enthusiastic birder) Fr. Peter Verhalen ’73. cian experience (see pp. 14-15). this owl for the March ’73 Struck by a trip where he observed golf courses in the midst of Today, Hassell’s art — which contin- edition of The Informer. Arizona’s desert, he insisted that renovations of the Middle and ues to blend realism and fantasy as he Bottom: Belted Kingfisher Upper School include resource-saving initiatives — like waterless highlights his fascination with flora and by Sam Clay ’19. urinals and LED lighting. fauna— can be seen at museums, galler- And he asked David Hocker ’96 to propose changes outdoors to ies, people’s homes, and the Bush Presidential Library in Dallas. His concern for the environment has led him to partner with organizations like The Nature Conservancy of Inspecting their new grounds circa 1956 (l-r): Texas, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and the Big Bend Fr. Aloysius Kimecz, Fr. Benedict Monostori, Conservancy. Fr. Henry Marton, and Fr. Melchior Chladek. The school’s collection of Hassell lithographs is now gathered in the renovated science building, with five displayed above the south stairwell and one, Trinity (which depicts wildlife around the river), above the north stairwell. (Orpheus, a 5’ x 5’ oil painting commissioned by the school in 2005, hangs in the library.) Hassell’s works at Cistercian began to impress Sam Clay ’19 in his sophomore year, after a trip to Boston. There he viewed an exhibition at Harvard of John James Audubon’s paintings of North American birds, curated by his brother Jess Clay ’13 (another alumnus

Photos by Jim Reisch SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 17 Female (left) and male Wood Ducks. Below: Roadrunner. The portraits by Sam Clay ’19 will be part of his study of Cistercian’s wildlife. of Parker’s bird-watching elective). “We have the opportunity to open our students’ eyes to the “I began to think of the diversity of birds on this campus alone,” birds on the campus’ 82 acres,” he emphasized, “and the world explained the wildlife enthusiast who was seeking an outlet for his around them. We have a campus that can help us teach science and artistic talents. appreciate the beauty of nature.” He proposed a project to Fr. Paul, Fr. Ambrose, and Tim Students like Jake FitzGerald, Joseph Dancy, and Sam Clay Parker: to identify the birds of Cistercian visually, along with their share in Parker’s fulfillment and enjoyment. calls and migratory patterns. Once approved in October, Clay’s “Seeing a Painted Bunting arrive in May after a long migration fascination with the subject from South America,” said led him to begin his study Dancy, who quit his engineer- immediately (rather than wait ing job in Houston to enroll for the beginning of the spring in St. Mary’s Seminary, “is a semester). chance to see God’s work that After receiving the paints we don’t usually pay attention and markers he’d asked for at to; but it is stunning. Christmas, he started work on “Mr. Parker’s joy in bird portraits of the birds. watching is clear,” he said, “Since December 26,” Clay “and he shared that joy with us. said, “I’ve tried to complete a I still have a great relationship drawing a day — pretty much with him.” nonstop. There are a lot of “The bird watching elective birds to document.” was my most enjoyable “Sam’s a natural birder,” said Tim Parker. “He’s worked hard, learning experience at Cistercian,” FitzGerald insisted. “Mr. Parker too. He’s one of the best birders I’ve ever had in my class – and I creates so much enthusiasm; that’s why we’re willing to memorize have certainly had some good ones.” those gigantic lists of birds!” “I’d like to be an ornithologist,” said Clay, who dreams of presenting bird studies for the BBC or National Geographic. “THE YELLOW RUMPED WARBLER, the Ruby-crowned “Mr. Parker was always there to help me in Form V biology,” Kinglet, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, the Painted Bunting, Clay said. “Then in JV basketball, I admired his leadership. Now, the Belted Kingfisher,” listed Tim Parker. “They are a few of the 80 he and I share a love for birds. bird species we’ve identified on campus. These particular species “He’s someone I want to imitate,” he added, “not just for his attract birders from all over. love of wildlife, but in how to live my life.”

18 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018 Illustrations by Sam Clay ’19 Sports

SOCCER Hawks come ever so close in an epic SPC battle against Houston Episcopal After a victory over Walsh said of his team St. Stephen’s in the that battled the champions first round, the Hawks (Episcopal went on to win had to face Houston a third straight title) to the Episcopal, the two-time bitter end. defending champions. In the third round The Knights were up game, the Hawks 1-0 in the final minutes, prevailed over St. John’s when the Hawks earned in penalty kicks to earn a corner kick. fifth place. Everyone moved up, Treadway made two including goalkeeper, great saves, and shots Caleb Treadway ’18. were scored by Reefe After a deflection, the Harrison ’20, Matthew ball fell to Treadway Wynne ’19, Evan and he kicked it into the Anderson ’20, and Oscar net for what appeared to Connor Blend ’18 (center) and the Hawks clear a corner kick in a 5-0 victory over ESD. Anderhub ’20. be the equalizer. All-Zone honors went “We were all going crazy,” said Coach a foul — hand ball on Cistercian. Minutes to Christian Schommer ’18 and Aidan Click J.P. Walsh, “but then we heard a whistle.” later, the match ended. ’19, while All-SPC honors were earned by Amidst the celebration, the ref had called “I’ve never been more proud of a loss,” Xavi Anderhub ’18 and Jimmy Garda ’19.

BASKETBALL SWIMMING Win over Casady propelled Without superstars, Hawks into SPC tourney AquaHawks begin to With a spot in the 2018 SPC tournament on the line, the Hawks traveled to Oklahoma rebuild for next year to take on Casady in the regular season’s Call 2018 a rebuilding year for Cister- final game. cian’s AquaHawks. After a sluggish first quarter, both teams Without the aid of the superstars whose heated up in the second, with the Hawks talents graced the team in past years, Cister- taking a 29-25 lead into halftime. cian’s long run of years as one of SPC’s top Harry Crutcher ’19 led the way with 18 swim teams came to an end this season. points (10 being free throws), 9 rebounds, and Five top swimmers from last season 5 assists as Cistercian went on a 16-5 third graduated. quarter run, opening up a 15-point lead. Only two club swimmers swam for this He had lots of help in the 68-57 win that All-SPC swing player Harry Crutcher ’19 year’s team along with a healthy contingent clinched an SPC berth. of 21 seasonal swimmers. Jack O’Neil ’19 rang up 16 points, Robert really stepped up this year,” said Coach Craig Sam Gambow ’20 placed 7th in the 200- Lahrman ’19 added 13, and Mike Garnett Sklar. “We have a lot of talent coming back yard Individual Medley (IM) and eighth in ’18 chipped in 12. Sam Clay ‘19 contributed next year that should make it exciting.” the 500-yard freestyle. 8 assists. Jack Dorn ’05 added much in his first year The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Crutcher earned All-SPC honors and Clay as a Cistercian coach while Bobby Crews ’06, Evan Ringdahl ’21, Gambow, Jacob Bartz won All-North Zone recognition. who has a new wife and a baby on the way, is ’18, and Mark Van Kirk ’21 placed eighth. “Guys like O’Neil (a 6' 3" guard/forward) retiring from full-time coaching duties. There’s always next year.

The fraction of an inch that spelled the difference The number of forms represented on this year’s on a hand ball called on Caleb Treadway ’18 as he varsity basketball team, including three seniors. .25 scored the tying goal against Houston Episcopal. 4 The team will return 11 players next year.

Soccer photo by Brett Anderhub; basketball photo by Jimmy Garda ’19 SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 19 For the seniors: The Big Four in my "Playbook of Life" y children tell me that it is a sign of my advancing age that I In short, the choices are not easy, and results are not certain. Mfreely dispense unsolicited advice. Here’s an interesting tidbit of personal life irony. On the wall I’m okay with that. to my right hang parchments conferring bachelor’s, master’s, and When I encounter kids about to graduate I am always stirred a law degree on this author — but my ability to maintain and by my own memories of those days. repair a 1969 Goss Community web printing press brings home Graduation was a great day for me, if for the family bacon to a greater degree than my wordsmithery or my no other reason than there were several times ability to charm a jury. when I (and I’m sure numerous others) doubt- The double irony (the Fate’s enjoy irony I think) is the degrees ed I would reach that finish line. were a big part of what landed me in the spot where running a But the memory that crowds out all the printing press would become an important and lucrative part of others was the one of stark terror as I faced my life. the future. You cannot plan that out in advance. I might as well have been staring into a The future really is a wall of fog for many of us (even now for Afterthoughts fog bank rolling off the Pecos River on an me), and usually you can only see a few stepping stones into the Smokey Briggs ’84 early spring morning. fog, if any, and have no idea what stones will be visible after you There was no path. Just fog. Oh, there take the next step. were a few stepping stones close by, advancing into the fog, but I Life requires a leap of faith. could not see a second stone in any direction. On the other hand, there are some things you can do that will It was petrifying. help ensure your path leads somewhere worthwhile. My classmates all seemed to be able to see a clear path. Here are the Big Four in Smokey’s Playbook of Life. I will not bore you with all the details, but Don’t partner up with a moron. Your part- looking back 34 years after graduation, my ner in life at any given moment (whether it life’s path most resembles a sot’s stumbling The future really is your best friend at 17, or your spouse later path to his home from the bar. on), is the single biggest factor (other than And, somehow, it worked. Despite is a wall of fog ... you) in how your life will turn out. relatively average intelligence, marginal If there is one surefire way to hating life, talent, and not-quite Hollywood looks, I have usually you can only it is hitching your wagon to a nag of a human achieved a wondrous degree of happiness and see a few stepping being. satisfaction in life. After 52 years of observing the world, it I have even made a little money, and stones into the fog. seems that most of the less-than-happy people discovered in the process that the money is I meet are dealing with problems that begin only worthwhile if it facilitates happiness and and end with their partner. And vice versa. satisfaction. When I hitched my wagon to my wife of 28 years (Laura), it I have now known no small number of people with was the best decision I ever made. In any endeavor, your partner more money in the bank than I will ever earn, who were can make you, or break you. Laura made me. completely miserable. You need enough, and only you and your Second, take the next step. Hop to the next stone. responsibilities can determine what enough is, but after that, the You may not be able to foretell where the path will lead, but overage is just useless junk you traded part of your life for. it leads to nowhere if your feet are not moving. Too many people But back to Smokey’s path to happiness and satisfaction — and allow the terror of the unknown to root their feet to ground in a a job (my in-laws were keen on that job thing early in mine and spot where they can never find fulfillment. Laura’s marriage). If you keep moving you will probably find the opportunity that The choices facing young people at 18 were not easy when I you could not even imagine existed when you were just staring was 18, and I think are tougher now. into that fog bank at age 17 trying to decide whether to be a diesel College? The trades? The military? A job and figure it out as mechanic, Harrier jet pilot (my original plan), rocket scientist, or you go? purveyor of recycled newsprint and ink. College was supposed to be the ticket in 1984. Just go to Third, debt is the millstone of life. college, study anything, and your life would work out just fine. Debt sinks marriages, crushes dreams, and prevents you from That was a lie. But, in the 80s you could work your way taking advantage of opportunity when you find it — and you will through college and emerge victorious with your degree in History find opportunity if your feet are moving. sans the equivalent of a small mortgage in exchange. Live cheap. Drive used cars. Pay cash. If you cannot afford to Not so much these days. College has become an economic pay cash, don’t buy it. Work an extra job when you are young and minefield for the unwary. save the money. A lack of debt and a nest egg are the keys that The trades are often looked down upon as the last resort of open a lot of life’s better doors. those with middling intellect and drive. For the record, my life out Last, spend less time worrying about “choice A” vs. “choice here in the oil patch of West Texas puts the lie to that tale. B,” make the choice, hop to the next stone, and (Number Four) go Going straight to work, or enlisting in the military, are certainly on about your life. not viewed as usual good first steps into that foggy future either. The great joy of life really is in the doing.

SPRING 2018 • CONTINUUM 23 Community calendar PREPARATORY SCHOOL 3660 CISTERCIAN ROAD JUNE IRVING, TEXAS 75039 11 Summer Programs run through July 6 23 Summer Literary Club

AUGUST 21 Opening Ceremonies

SEPTEMBER 20 North Texas Giving Day

OCTOBER 5 Homecoming

Enter the silence of God for a short time every day his time I will tell you the experience of one of my close beautiful!” he wanted to shout. Tfriends. For years he tried to keep his mind on the prayers he A few days later, he felt something more mysterious. He could was saying, but within a minute his imagination carried him away, not articulate to himself what it was, but it made him remember and it took him a while until he realized that. an image in The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis: as the bus arrived Then he would start over again, but again from Purgatory to the gate of heaven, the blades of grass became he would have the same frustrating exercise. thicker, their edges sharper, almost hurting. There was more light, My friend wanted to pray very resolutely, but more color around him, and the contours of things were sharper, even more resolutely, he wanted to keep up almost piercing his eyes. At the same time, he became aware that with the news. It wasn’t enough for him to behind and within all that he saw there was an infinitely stron- read The New York Times on-line; he had to ger, weightier reality, the “really Real” which embraced him and look at three or four more websites featur- all this colorful world around him. When he went to church and ing world news, religious news, updates on prayed, he was surprised that he became interested in the words of Trump and Pope Francis, Macron of France the Psalm he read. Their meaning became “meaningful,” and he On Prayer and Merkel of Germany, could even “taste” some of the lines. So ends Fr. Roch Kereszty the terrorists in Europe, the happy story of my friend. and missiles in North He made up his St. Bernard, addressing the university Korea. Fortunately, God saved him from porn students of Paris, says: Semel locutus est Deus, websites. He was always looking for something mind: For two semel quia semper. “God spoke only once new, exciting, even scandalous, although he because he always speaks […] We do not need would never admit the latter to himself. He weeks, he would to work hard to hear his voice; in fact, the hard simply insisted to himself that he had to remain work is trying to stop our ears lest we hear close to everything that happens in the world. It not read papers or him.” Lest we hear, in other words, we con- became a real addiction. He knew it and joked listen to the media. stantly increase the volume and the diversity about it, but he thought this was part of living of the distracting and titillating voices, and we today. In a few days, he itch to hear or see something that fills the inner Then one day he was praying before the void for a few minutes. Blessed Sacrament, and it finally dawned on began to notice ... Let us try at least for a short time, at least him: “You fill your mind daily with trash, half an hour a day, to stop the noise inside and and yet you still think there remains space outside. Let Jesus calm the stormy sea of our for God in you?” Right then and there he made up his mind: for soul. As Mark says: “And there was a great calm (4:39).” St. Igna- two weeks, he would not read papers or listen to the media; he tius of Antioch wrote to the Ephesians that the great mysteries of would clean up his imagination, and only answer personal and God, “the virginity of Mary, her giving birth and the death of the work emails. In a few days, he began to notice that the world had Lord,” all took place “in the silence of God, and were kept hidden changed. He was no longer floating in virtual reality, but his sens- from the ruler of this age.” Let us, then, ask the Lord to allow us to es saw and heard and smelled the reality that surrounded him: he enter his silence at least for a short time every day. The greater the discovered that it was spring time! He could smell the roses and silence within us, the more loudly the mysteries of God will speak the dogwood in the courtyard, look at the budding leaves, the to us. Their truth, their solidity and their majesty will fill us with greening grass with the early flowers waving with the wind and joy — not every time we pray, but frequently enough to keep us the monstrous clouds in the vast Texas sky. “This is all real and living and loving.

24 CONTINUUM • SPRING 2018