Our New HOME!
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The Winter 2015 Welcome to Our New HOME! n September 8, St. Monica Academy opened the doors to its new home. After renting space from a Unitarian Ochurch in Pasadena for 14 years, SMA now has a home of its own in the school building behind Holy Redeemer Parish in Montrose. As the welcoming pastor Fr. Ed Dover said, St. Monica Academy is now on holy ground. With larger classrooms, a science lab, a spa- cious office, a faculty lounge, mounted projec- tors in every room, picnic tables, basketball courts, an athletic field, and a playground, St. Monica Academy is continuing its mission of providing an excellent classical education in the Catholic tradition. Improvements to the new campus will continue over the coming months with the addition of mobile classroom units and land- On page 4: Photos of the new campus scaping. On page 6: SMA’s First CIF Section Championship! Striving For Excellence Meet Hugh O’Donnell Board of SMA’s high school teacher never rests in his pursuit of truth DIRECTORS Martin Boles, Esq. President R. Scott Turicchi Vice President Khushro Ghandhi, C.P.A. Treasurer Kathryn Carey, Esq. Secretary Marguerite Grimm Headmaster Daniel Collins, Esq. Peter Goodwin (’12), a Senior at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, was recently selected Len Golbranson to be a Navy Pilot. He is also one of 30 company commanders at the Academy and is in charge of 150 midshipmen. Peter is on the Superintendent’s list and will graduate in May Andrew Zepeda, Esq. with a major in History and a minor in Russian. Over the summer, he spent a month with helicopter training squadron HSC-2 in Norfolk, VA, and after graduation he will report to Flight School in Pensacola, Florida. Board of ADVISORS Camille McCarty (’13), a Junior at Southern Methodist Mrs. Laura Berquist University, recently received a scholarship from the Adelante hen Hugh arrived at SMA in 2005, able to read something in the original lan- best History teacher in the world,” says SMA Fund for her success as a Mechanical Engineering student. he had a B.A. in English. Since guage,” says Hugh. “Many things are lost in Board President Martin Boles, who has had Dr. Don J. Briel Camille has been named to SMU’s Honor Roll with High then, he has earned Masters De- translation, and so by knowing Latin, there is 8 children study under Hugh. “Students of Dr. John C. Eastman Distinction and has received a scholarship through the Lyle Wgrees from Christendom College and Notre a whole world of ecclesial history and Patristic all levels relish telling me, years later, about School of Engineering. She serves as the Liturgy Chair of Dr. Robert P. George Dame University while maintaining a full studies that opens up to you. I plan on grow- key events and people that they learned about SMU’s Catholic Campus Ministry and the president of SMA course load and starting a family with his ing in knowledge of Theology and languages in his classes.” Prof. Mary Ann Glendon SMU’s pro-life club. She is a recipient of the Dr. Joseph wife Katherine. He is one of the school’s most until I die.” Hugh says he enjoys the “spirit in the class- Mr. Nicholas J. Healy, Jr. Graham Fellowship for College Pro-Life Leaders. popular teachers, renowned for humorous Hugh inspires his colleagues by his diligence room that is palpable: the spirit of excitement mnemonic devices and teaching techniques and sacrifice in combining graduate Dr. Alice von Hildebrand Camille excels in her studies and her pro-life work, but her passion is dance. Camille dances professionally at Contem- that make learning fun and impart lifelong study, independent scholarship, excel- Dr. Charles R. Kesler porary Ballet Dallas and participated in the 2015 Collegiate mastery. lence in classroom teaching, raising a “I plan on growing in During his summer Masters-Degree stud- family, and living a daily plan of spiri- Rev. Paul Mankowski, S.J. Summer Intensive at American Ballet Theatre in New York. Last year, Camille auditioned and was accepted at Joffrey Ballet as a trainee, but decided to finish her studies at SMU. ies in Systematic Theology at Christendom, tual life. “He takes all of his duties knowledge of Theology Msgr. M. Francis Mannion Hugh received a strong foundation in the and pursuits so seriously,” says SMA and languages until I die.” Dr. Ralph McInerny † philosophical underpinnings of Christian doc- colleague Daniel Selmeczy. “He’s trine. A few years later, he decided to go back more disciplined than anyone I know.” Dr. Timothy O’Donnell Christa Nuno (’14), a sophomore at Catholic University in to school by spending two summers at Notre Hugh is currently teaching himself Mr. Peter M. Robinson D.C., was one of 30 students chosen to sing in a Chamber Dame studying Sacred History. “I wanted to French and Greek and working on a new edi- and joy for learning. I love looking out into a Choir at the Canonization Mass for St. Junipero Serra. “Be- have a better understanding of the historical tion of the authoritative 1600-year-old “Vul- sea of faces hanging on the next word of the Mr. Roy S. Rohter, S.F.O. ing able to welcome the Holy Father to the United States and development of doctrine, and I’ve always had gate” Latin bible for use in high school and story in History class or thinking hard about Dr. Kevin Ryan witness the canonization was something I will never forget.” the desire to go to ND.” college. He also continues to write, having a dilemma in Theology.” Fr. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R. A scholarship winner and member of national honor society As if two graduate degrees were not enough, published articles on Theology and History in Hugh has himself been inspired by St. Phi Eta Sigma, Christa is a nursing major with a minor in Hugh has become an expert in Latin. He Inside the Vatican, St. Austin Review, The Quar- Monica’s. “The synthesis of faith and reason Mr. William E. Simon, Jr. Vocal Performance. She cantors for the University Masses initially took it up out of necessity for grad terly Magazine, and The Fellowship of Catholic pervades the whole curriculum here, and the Mr. James Stenson and performs in CUA operas and choral productions. In school, but it became a passion. For two years, Scholars Quarterly. faculty is amazing,” says Hugh. “Everyone the spring, she sang in the chorus at CUA’s production of he awoke daily before 5 a.m. to study Latin “Hugh is a true professional who inspires here is intellectually on fire. We have great Dr. Michael Waldstein “Carmina Burana” at the Kennedy Center. She has had solo before Mass and work. me and provides a model for all of us to be- discussions. There is a real love for good- parts in two operas and is lined up for another in the spring. This Christmas, EWTN is Hugh’s passion for Latin is fueled by his love come better,” says Dan. “Every time I walk ness, truth, and beauty. And the students are broadcasting a CUA concert where Christa sang a recitative and aria from Handel’s Messiah. for Theology. “I enjoy the depth of meaning by his classes, there’s an electricity in the room. just… They are better than I am, and that’s and understanding you have when you are Everyone’s really engaged.” “He may be the inspiring.” 2 The Seraph Winter 2015 Winter 2015 The Seraph 3 See the full gallery online at www.stmonicaacademy.com A Home Of Our Own 4 The Seraph Winter 2015 Winter 2015 The Seraph 5 Girls’ Varsity Volleyball Team: SMA’s First Section Champions! n a colossal comeback, the girls’ volleyball team gave St. Monica Academy its first- ever CIF Southern Section championship Iby defeating top-seeded Irvine Tarbut V’Torah, 16-25, 21-25, 25-13, 25-17, 15-11 in the Divi- sion 5A title match on Saturday, November 18. St. Monica’s was the 3rd seed and garnered its first title the hard way. Four of its five sec- tional matches were on the road. The playoff journey began in the Inland Empire and con- tinued out to the Mojave Desert where they knocked off the number five seed University Prep. The Crusaders then traveled 26 miles across the sea to Catalina Island where they ousted the number two seed Avalon in straight sets in the semi-final. This was a redemptive year for the Crusaders as it was their second trip to the final in four years. Three seniors on this year’s team were freshmen when they lost a five set match to Orangewood Academy in 2012. Senior setter and outside hitter Therese Boles summed up the achievement, “It feels incredible to have worked so hard and have it pay off with this.” But the journey did not end with the title. Three days later in the first round of the state tournament, the Crusaders faced off against the LA City Section Champions, Verdugo Hills. Despite having only 85 students com- pared to Verdugo Hills’ 1500, the Crusaders CIF Division Player of the Year Therese Boles delivers a kill. All CIF players Molly Hagan and Rose Goodwin and right side hitter Michelle Hall prepare to cover the hit. prevailed in another five set drama. However, (Above) The celebration immediately after Sophia Vega’s kill to win the Southern Section championship. the incredible run of six consecutive playoff (Below) Coach of the Year Coach Bradley and his 2015 Southern Section Division 5A Champions.