BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007 BLUE GOLD Newsletter for Alumni, Parents and Friends &of St. Anthony School in Washington D.C. Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007 From the Pastor Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,

There is a tradition in Rome that Our Holy Father signs his doc- Alumni Directory. The uments, “in the year of Our Lord (2007) and of (this pontificate) school and parish are the ___.” When in “Little Rome” a certain play on that tradition building websites, which seems apt, and so I begin, “In the year of our Lord 2007, and of will help, and we are St. Anthony’s Grade School, the 85th, and of St. Anthony’s par- advertising in parish bul- ish, the 115th.” letins and the Catholic Standard. Mr. Michael As St. Anthony School celebrates its 85th year, I will reach the 18 Thomasian, Associate month mark of my tenure here in Brookland. For the Holy Father, Principal, and I traveled and for your humble servant, situating one’s reflections within the to the National Educa- much broader scope of the history of the school to date is a sober- tion Association Con- ing and humbling thing. What can one so new add to a tradition vention in Baltimore to already so rich? And yet, by the grace of God, as St. Paul said, we learn from other schools’ are who we are, and equipped to do our part. Placing the reflections success stories. Other ini- in the even broader scope of the history of the parish, and indeed of tiatives have come from salvation history, the importance of this moment is in handing on the grass-roots. the tradition to the next generation, indeed, to those not yet born. One such initiative is the In hopes of securing for those coming after us the benefits of a Rose Window Legacy. Catholic education, Bill Eager, the Principal of the school, and I The Rose Window at St. decided to relaunch the Blue and Gold newsletter for the alumni, Anthony’s was donated parents and friends of St. Anthony’s Grade School and High School, in the late 1930’s by the including alumni of All Saints High School. Cogan family in honor of Katherine (Kate) Cogan, who as a young widow struggled to Truth be told, not too long after my arrival, various alumni began educate her children. It is perhaps the most beautiful of all the win- to ask about the absence of the newsletter, which this “Nativity” boy dows designed and executed by Joseph Tierney, who also designed knew nothing about. And another thing, hardly a month went by the rest of the stained glass windows at St. Anthony’s. without a Blue and Gold envelope coming in with a donation to the school. This was long after we stopped sending them out. Clearly, Kate’s son Ed made many donations to the school over the years in St. Anthony’s is such a very special place in the hearts of so many memory of his mother, so that present and future generations of people, and the alumni are so loyal, that you can truly say that Blue children would benefit from a Catholic education as he did. His descen- and Gold is back by popular demand! dants have continued this tradition, calling it the Rose Window Legacy. As a result, a scholarship account has been established here at the parish. When he was in Toronto, Canada, for World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II asked, “On what foundation must we build the new histori- The scholarship fund will hopefully receive a big boost in Septem- cal era that is emerging from the 20th century?” And he proceeded ber, because St. Anthony School has been selected as one of three to describe the civilization of love, built on the recognition of the recipients to share in the proceeds of the 9th Annual American dignity and high calling of mankind. It is no secret that Catholic League of Lobbyists “Hoops for Hope” All Star Classic at George Schools are in a new historical era, with parochial schools joined Washington University on Monday, Sept. 10. This well known and by public, private and charter schools, not to mention the home successful fundraising event will give us an opportunity to make schooling movement. many new friends. We are looking forward to it.

Now that it is our turn we might ask, on what foundation must In closing, as St. Anthony’s begins another year, we can say, we build the new era for Catholic schools in the 21st century? Our with faith and hope in God, that the past is just the prologue answer must be the same. It is Love of God and Love of Neighbor. for this school. The 3 R’s, yes, but with that integrating, overarching encounter with Jesus in the Gospel that puts everything else into proper order. So many alums have told me that we simply must find a way to Peace, maintain St. Anthony’s School for the next generations.

As we begin again with Blue and Gold, we have also asked Harris Connect, the successor to Harris & Co., to help us update our 1999 Fr. Fred Close

1 BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007 From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Friends,

Frequently I meet people who went to St. Anthony’s, were married here, or lived in Brookland. They always want to know how the school is doing. I enjoy sharing with them how well we are doing. I love St. Anthony’s and they do too.

St. Anthony Catholic School has always prided itself on a fine aca- demic program and a welcoming spirit. These are the pillars of the school. Our standardized test scores are consistently high, especially in Math and Reading. This year’s graduates will be attending the area’s finest high schools. These schools include DeMatha, St. John’s, Carroll, Georgetown Visitation and Gonzaga. It was special to have members of the class of 1957 attend this year’s graduation.

Our instructional team is outstanding. The faculty is dedicated to teaching our over two hundred students on grade level in a strong standard based curriculum. We are all very proud and thankful for Mr. John Devereaux’s forty years of service and outstanding teaching Parents continue to seek a quality education for their children at St. career with us. Many of our Blue and Gold readers have benefited Anthony’s, and we are encouraged by the number of applicants we from his dedication. are receiving for enrollment. Please know that all we do depends on the help of others. We appreciate your partnering with us in order We continue to celebrate our Catholic identity, founded in the to continue the good work. Thank you for all you have done. The Benedictine tradition. The most recent faculty retreats have focused school, working under the leadership of our pastor, Fr. Fred Close, on the Rule of Benedict and Community. These Benedictine traits, believes that St. Anthony’s best days lie ahead. a welcoming spirit and sense of community are evident in St. An- thony faculty, as well as the staff and students. This year, the school Again, thank you for your continued prayers and all you do for St. secretary, Mrs. Atchoi Bond was named Secretary of the Year in the Anthony Catholic School. Center City Consortium and the school was acknowledged for its’ support of new teachers.

Our summer programs were very successful. The summer camp completed its ninth year providing a fun-filled summer to over Regards, seventy campers. The academic enrichment program served almost forty students.

Recent school improvements include new lighting in the middle Bill Eager, Principal school classrooms and the completion of the air-conditioning of all classrooms.

2 BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007 At St. Anthony’s, A Graduation And A Homecoming Mark Zimmermann

t. Anthony’s School in the Brookland neighborhood of North- east Washington had graduation and homecoming on the Ssame day Twelve young ladies wearing gold graduation gowns and nine young men wearing blue gowns proudly walked on stage June 1 to receive their diplomas as members of St. Anthony’s class of 2007, and eight members of the school’s class of 1957 returned to their alma mater 50 years after their own graduation, and stepped forward to receive golden diplomas.

“I’m glad the class of 1957 is here with the class of 2007,” said Father Fred Close, St. Anthony’s pastor, who noted, “...Everybody Class of 2007 who comes through St. Anthony’s, you take St. Anthony’s with you wherever you go.” ‘A New Adventure’

amily members and friends greeted the class of 2007 with loud applause as they walked down the center aisle of St. FAnthony’s Church. Jamal Childs of the class of 2007 greeted the people, saying, “Today marks the end of our great career at St. Anthony’s, and the beginning of our new adventure in high school. Without the grace of God our Father in heaven,” the students would not have made it this far, he said. Addressing the parents and guardians, he added, “The investment you made in us is worth it, trust me. A Catholic education lasts a lifetime.”

The graduation speaker was also making a homecoming visit to St. Seven Class of 2007 graduates Anthony’s School. Holy Cross Father Edward “Monk” Malloy, a 1955 graduate of St. Anthony’s who served as president of the University of Notre Dame from 1987 to 2005, addressed the graduates.

“Fifty-two years ago, I sat where you distinguished graduates of this great eighth grade class are now sitting,” said Father Malloy, who is now 66. The priest, who went on to become a student leader and basketball star at nearby Archbishop Carroll High School, said that when he became Notre Dame’s president, he received a letter from one of his St. Anthony’s teach- ers, Benedictine Sister Eleanor, and he called her back to thank her.

“You helped convince me if I took my studies seriously, I could do great things with my life,” he told her. The two became pen pals over the years, a Catholic school teacher and the university president whose life she had shaped.

The priest imparted similar advice to the class of 2007, telling them, “Make sure you never sell yourself short. Make sure you never give up on your dreams... I’m confident each one of you will Yearbook photos from the Class of 1957 do something special with your lives.”

During the ceremony, members of St. Anthony’s class of 2007 stepped forward to receive special awards, including medals for academic excellence in subjects ranging from art to math to history to science. Graduate Taylor Williams received the Benedictine Service Award for serving children at Mary’s House and senior citizens at the Little Sisters of the Poor residence.

The school’s principal, William Eager, commended the graduates, saying, “They are the future leaders of our country, of our church and our world. We’re very proud of them, and we send them forth as the most recent ambassadors of a wonderful school community.”

Continued, Page 4

3 BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007

(Continued From Page 3) Values That Endure Congratulations to the St. Anthony’s ver the past 50 years, the demographics of the school and Class of 2007 neighborhood have changed, and last month, African- OAmerican students constituted all of St. Anthony’s class Alumnus High School of 2007, while the returning members of the class of 1957 were of Champagne Bailey Archbishop Carroll High School European descent, but the old and new graduates spoke of values Kiara Brooks Duke Ellington High School that continue to endure at St. Anthony’s. Kara Carmichael St. John’s College High School Jamal Childs McKinley Tech. High School Thomas Payne of the class of 1957 encouraged the new graduates to follow the values of faith, hope and love that have been a hallmark Tenisha Fleming McKinley Tech. High School of St. Anthony’s. As they walked smiling from the ceremony, his William Gaines St. John’s College High School classmates Barbara Brown Devine and Rosemary DeGiorgio Mulroe Taylor German Academy of the Holy Cross said returning to St. Anthony’s was like coming back home. “We Jerome Greenwell St. John’s College High School were like brothers and sisters, 98 in the class!” said Devine, and D. Zachary Houston DeMatha Catholic High School Mulroe added, “It was our foundation for life.” John Hughes DeMatha Catholic High School Antonia Jones Archbishop Carroll High School Moments earlier, Taylor German of St. Anthony’s class of 2007 Tarik Phillip Gonzaga College High School noted that she had attended the school as a 4-year-old in pre-kinder- Lauren Price McKinley Tech. High School garten through the eighth grade, receiving her First Communion, Alicia Reese Bishop McNamara High School First Confession and the sacrament of Confirmation there. “I realize Simone Royster Archbishop Carroll High School St. Anthony’s has not only been my school for 10 years, but also my Diana Simmons Georgetown Visitation family,” she said. Charles Sims Archbishop Carroll High School And she offered advice for the class of 2007 that was probably also Justin Smith DeMatha Catholic High School imparted years earlier to the class of 1957: “In all you do and all you Taylor Thomas Archbishop Carroll High School say, make sure God is there.” Taylor Williams St. John’s College High School Jared Wormley DeMatha Catholic High School Reprinted with permission of the Catholic Standard, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington. www.cathstan.org.

Class of 2007 visits Little Sisters of the Poor Home in Northeast with Michael Thomasian, their teacher (kneeling, front row)

4 BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007

Eighth grade participates in Mock Trial at CUA Law School In Memorium

osted by Dean Veryl V. Miles, an alumna of St. Anthony Please pray for the deceased. and parent of Jared Wormley ’07, the school’s eighth grade Hclass held a mock trial at Catholic University of America Anthony Jackson ‘66/‘70 Columbus School of Law on Monday May 14. Christopher Rooney, Alumnus The opportunity gave the 20 St. Anthony eighth graders a better Maxine Mulvey, Alumni Parent understanding of how the legal system works and the role that defense attorneys, prosecutors and judges play within it.

Ms. Sarah Cordes, the middle school math teacher, accompanied An English teacher for more than the 8th grade class, along with Mr. Michael Thomasian, eighth 50 years at DeMatha Catholic High grade teacher. School in Hyattsville, Md., Dr. Offutt was one of five educators selected from over 49,000 Catholic secondary teachers in the U.S.

Robert Wassmann ‘64/’68, in the Washington Post’s Top 30 middle schools in the Washington area compiled by columnist Jay Mathews, was cited as “(finding) new ways to ensure that his students actually read and comprehend, not just turn the pages, during his book-a- week regimen.”

John T. Butler ‘66/’70 became the vice president of university advancement at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md., in July 2006, after serving as president of Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington since 1995. Mount St. Mary’s will celebrate its bicentennial in 2008.

Ginny Perucci Novak ’70 and her husband Richard Novak ’70 Please remember St. Anthony’s recently became grandparents for the first.time. fter taking care of your loved ones, please remember Dwight Datcher H.S. ’70 is director of intercollegiate athletics at St. Anthony’s School in your will. A gift, made to “St. Howard University. A former St. Anthony High School basketball Anthony Catholic School of Washington, D.C.,” would A coach (record 144-44 in eight years), he set up the first-ever ensure that our 85-year old school can help educate another athletics’ forum with Howard coaches, student-athletes, alumni generation of children from Brookland and the surrounding and staff to discuss the state of Howard athletics. He was also neighborhoods. instrumental in completing the new floor in Burr Gymnasium and has made it possible for Howard supporters to view various athletics For more information, please contact Fr. Fred Close, pastor, at 202- events via video streaming. 250-8208. Gloria Lunsford Cook ’70 retired from the Raleigh (N.C.) public Alumni Notes school system, where she was human resources head.

Charles “Buck” Offutt H.S. ’49 received B. Alvin Drew ’76, an Air Force colonel and rookie astronaut, has the Catholic Secondary Schools been added to the spare seat on Endeavour, making his debut space Department Award at the National flight this summer on STS-118. Catholic Education Association national convention at the Baltimore Convention He will fly as a mission specialist on the International Space Shuttle Center in Baltimore in June. assembly flight, currently set to launch Aug. 9 or later.

5 BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007

Tonya R. Bell ’82 graduated from Howard University in 1992 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering before receiving an M.S. in Education Administration from Trinity University in 2007.

She works at the Library of Congress as a Senior Facilities Operations Specialist who is responsible for the facility operations of all three of the Capitol Hill buildings: Adams, Jefferson and Madison. (Left to right) Bob’s great niece Maya, Sister Aedan, Sister Marita (standing), Bob’s daughter Emma and Justin Fairfax ’92 and his wife Dr. Bob Wassmann ‘64/’68. Cerina Fairfax, DDS celebrated their first wedding anniversary in June. They We had a great time. I hadn’t realized that Sr. Aedan spent 29 years purchased a dental practice in Fairfax, at St. Anthony’s and then worked for 20 more years at St. Ambrose Va., two months ago that she runs. in Cheverly. That’s almost 50 years in the DC area, a record for the Benedictines, one she was very proud of, too, I might add!!! Of Justin is an attorney who works course, I’m most thankful for the four years she spent teaching me! as an associate in the Litigation Department of WilmerHale in We visited Sr. Giles in the infirmary. While the body might Washington. be weak, the mind was as sharp as a tack! We weren’t there 30 seconds before she started telling jokes and flashed that wide, Have news to report for the Blue & Gold? Please send it to Bill Murray contagious smile. What a joy she is!! at [email protected] or call him at 301-881-8180. Many of you don’t know Sr. Sharon since she taught me in seventh grade, but for those who do remember her, she still has A Visit to the Motherhouse the same lively personality she had way back when. She is now a school counselor in a 400 student K-8 school in Elizabeth. ob Wassmann ‘64/’68 and his wife Mary Wassmann ’69 visited the Franciscan Sisters motherhouse in Elizabeth, And Sr. Marita, thank you so much for your warm reception and B N.J., to visit with a few of his St. Anthony’s teachers. tour of the Motherhouse. You modeled that Benedictine rule that is Following the visit, here’s a letter he wrote to Marilyn Brown written on one of the stained glass windows in the church, “Treat all Furbush ’69, his classmates and former teachers. guests as Christ.” Please thank again Srs. Aedan, Giles, and Sharon for welcoming us into your home. It was a real treat!! Hey Marilyn, And if anyone else is pondering the idea, I strongly encourage Guess what I did yesterday? Yep, I took your suggestion and you to visit. (Thanks again, Marilyn, for encouraging me!) The visited some mutual friends in Elizabeth, New Jersey. I had Motherhouse is only 30-35 minutes from New York, so you may contacted Sr. Marita a few weeks ago with the idea, and she want to do as we did -- spend a day in the Big Apple and then stop made the arrangements for us (Mary, our daughter Emma, our by for a visit with some of the teachers who helped us so much just a great niece Maya, and me) to visit a short while with Sr. Aedan, few years ago. Alright, so it was 39+ years ago - who’s counting? Sr. Sharon, Sr. Giles, and, of course, Sr. Marita. We decided since we had the kids to make it a short afternoon visit. As Sr. Marita and I (and as we’ve done here a time or two!!!) reminisced yesterday, St. Anthony’s was a special place and that was a special time. We were lucky to have been a part of it.

Take care, all.

Bob(by)

P.S. Thanks to Mary for taking the pictures:

Sr. Giles wasn’t wearing her “Sunday best” (Big Grin!), so she declined a picture. Bob Wassmann ‘64/’68 with Sister Aedan

6 BLUE & GOLD Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007

St. Anthony Teacher “My priority is keeping St. Anthony School Catholic! St. Anthony Participates In Notre School has rich Benedictine roots. Each month our school will focus on a different aspect of this charism,” Thomasian said. “We Dame Educational are a sacramental church and we must continue to be a sacramental school. This year the school community will gather with parishio- Leadership Program ners once a week for Mass and also have penance services.

Mike Thomasian’s mission for Catholic education took him to the Through working at St. Anthony’s and attending classes online University of Notre Dame this summer for the second straight year. and in person at Notre Dame, Thomasian has come away armed with a stronger conviction in support of Catholic education. He Enrolled in Notre Dame’s Master of Arts degree in Catholic points out that Catholic school alumni and former students are Educational Administration, Thomasian spent several weeks at more likely to vote, involve themselves in community activi- Notre Dame through its Alliance for Catholic Education program, ties, go to college and become active in politics. “We need to be designed to strengthen and sustain urban Catholic education. mission-driven, not market-driven,” he said, while admitting that St. Anthony’s needs to “Being at Notre Dame is fabulous market itself better. because you’re in class with teachers and administrators from across the Thomasian and his wife of country,” Thomasian said, relaxing in three years, Jessica, met while a Brookland coffee shop after return- she was a Response-Ability ing from Notre Dame. volunteer and teacher at St. Francis de Sales School, N.E., The Massachusetts native has taught which is also a member of at St. Anthony’s since he came to the the Center City Consortium. school through a Catholic volunteer They attend St. Anthony program, Response-Ability, in 2000 Church, own a home in and currently teaches eighth grade, after Brookland and have a son, Wayne Straight retired in 2006. Before Michael Thomasian III, who Straight, the legendary Lorraine Ferris is nearly one year old. taught the eighth grade at St. Anthony’s for more than 30 years. Michasel Thomasian with Archbishop Although he doesn’t particu- Donald W. Wuerl of Washington. larly enjoy public speaking, He plans to be a certified administrator and receive his Master’s Thomasian enjoys the rapport he has established with his parents degree from Notre Dame in 2009, which would follow a Master of and students. It’s particularly important to communicate regularly Arts in Teaching that he earned in 2002 at Trinity College. with the parents, he said, and he makes a point of emailing weekly so that parents know how their children are performing in school ACE participants learn how dioceses function differently, the differ- and keeps them abreast of upcoming school activities. ent dynamics of schools and trends taking place across the country. While ACE program participants are predominantly lay people, Working with students, he said, it’s critical to get them engaged in Thomasian was particularly inspired by five Dominican Sisters of learning to succeed as a teacher. Nashville, who wear the white Dominican habit with Rosary beads. “They’re old school,” he explained. Congratulations St. Anthony’s School wish list

To Mr. Wayne Straight on his retirement from St. Anthony’s School in w Scholarship aid for parish children (tuition is $4,500 for June 2006 after more than 30 years of teaching. one child). w Painted classrooms with new carpets. To Mr. John Devereaux on reaching his 40th year of teaching at St. w Help with landscaping outside the school to improve Anthony’s School. curb appeal. w School supplies.

Please contact Bill Eager, principal of St. Anthony’s, if you can help at 202-526-4657 or [email protected].

7 St. Anthony School NON PROFIT Office of Development/Alumni Relations ORGANIZATION 1029 Monroe St., N.E. U.S. POSTAGE Washington, D.C. 200017-1793 PAID ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Permit No. 9862 Washington, D.C.

Blue and Gold Newsletter for St. Anthony’s School Vol. 8 Issue 1 • Summer 2007

St. Anthony School (Pre-K-8) 12th & Lawrence Streets Washington, D.C. 20017 202-526-4657

Fr. Fred Close, pastor [email protected] 202-250-8208 (rectory)

Mr. William Eager, principal [email protected]

Story ideas for the Blue & Gold? Address updates for alumni and friends? Please contact Bill Mur- ray at [email protected] or 301-881-8180.

St. Anthony School Office of Development/Alumni Relations 1029 Monroe St., N.E. Washington, D.C. 200017-1793