A publication for alumni, parents, and friends of Father Gabriel Richard / Saint Thomas High School Legacies2017–2018 Annual Report In this issue: Graduation 2018 • Heart of Service Awards • Alumni Profile: Matthew Conlin ’01 From Our President Dear Friends, It is a great pleasure to present you with the 2017-2018 Father Gabriel Richard High School Annual Report. As we celebrate our 150th Anniversary year, it is hard to believe that our school was founded when Blessed Pius IX was Pope-- the last temporal ruler of the Papal States; Andrew Johnson was President-- picking up the Board of Trustees (2017-2018) pieces of a fractured country after the Civil War; Queen Michael Coghlan ‘83, Chair Victoria was still ruling the British Empire; and the Dr. Stephen Rouhana, Vice Chair University of Michigan was ten years away from having a football team. We have Robert Roelant, Secretary much to be thankful for and we, indeed, stand on the shoulders of giants. John M. DeJak, President, ex officio Our students continue to enjoy success and FGR has a stellar reputation in the Steve Alexandrowski Ann Arbor community and Southeast Michigan. Our students are well-rounded: Kevin Benson ‘00 seeking academic greatness; athletic and artistic greatness; and spiritual greatness. James Birchler Half-measures are not for us and our supporters see this and invest. It is our conviction that this habitual vision of greatness for our students and our school will Dr. William Chavey guide us into the next 150 years! Please join us in this exciting vision! Rev. James Conlon Rev. Richard Lobert, ex officio With Gratitude, Thomas S. Monaghan ‘55 John M. DeJak Lisa Vasconi Rev. Brendan Walsh School Administration From Our Principal John M. DeJak, President Christopher Dotson, Principal Janie Herrera, Assistant Principal Meghan Buckler, Dean of Students Dear FGR Community, Rev. Richard Lobert, Chaplain We are pleased to share with you the 2017-2018 Annual Report for Father Gabriel Richard High School. This past school year was a special one as our student body excelled in all capacities. In the classroom, graduating seniors earned an average composite score of 26.6 on the ACT (our highest score in recent memory) and 86% of FGR students who took the A.P. Exam earned a score of 3 or higher, which continued an upward trend Our Mission on this nationally recognized exam. Our student body accumulated thousands of Father Gabriel Richard High service hours in their local community and beyond, too. This ranged from Saturday School, a Catholic school trips with Faith in Flint to the weeklong Mexico Mission Trip where our students community, exists to build up displayed charity and kindness to those living and working in a Mexico City landfill. the Body of Christ through the Students won state championships in Forensics, earned numerous Catholic intellectual and spiritual formation League honors, and 11 student-athletes are continuing in their sport at the collegiate of its students. Rooted in the level. Student performers presented The Diary of Anne Frank, sang at Disney World, Catholic Intellectual Tradition, painted life size saint icons, which are now hanging in the Chapel, and our band FGR cultivates in each student program earned a level 2 at the Michigan State Band & Orchestra Festival. It was a remarkable year in all areas! a sense of awe in response to the The 2018-2019 school year is off to a great start and we are thankful for your beauty of truth. Strengthened continued support of our work in forming Disciples of Christ who are prepared to by the Sacraments, students are engage the world. equipped to live at the service of others through academic excellence, In Christ, intentional discipleship, creativity Christopher Dotson and sportsmanship. WWW.REBOUNDPHOTO.COM CREDIT: REBOUND PHOTO PHOTO COVER A CELEBRATION OF Excellence Congratulations to the Class of 2018! Class of 2018 by the numbers: 142graduates service11k hours performed recognized6 by National Merit cum34 laude honors Scholarship Corporation magna30 cum laude honors summa25 cum laude honors student-athletes11 recruited to enter3 military service to play in college 1. 2. 3. Honors Convocation, May 2018 | Senior Top Scholars (1) These students maintained cumulative GPAs above 4.0 throughout their high school careers. Forensics Excellence (2) Colleen Hammond ’18 won three straight state titles in her category. Serving Our Nation (3) Paul Villa ’18 accepted an ROTC Scholarship to attend Villanova University; John Blaney ’18 discerned a call to enlist; Andrew Putlock ’18 received a commission to the United States Air Force Academy. These three men were presented with special commemorative coins by FGR President John M. DeJak, who served on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army. 1 Hearts of Service Three community members were honored for their examples of Intentional Discipleship. Their “above and beyond, without counting the cost” actions caught the attention of the members of the Class of 2018 who nominated them for the Heart of Service Award. Below are excerpts from speeches given in their honor at Commencement on May 24, 2018. Tim and Shann Patton Fr. Satheesh Alphonse A fighting spirit; wit and happiness that lights up a room; The love and respect that Fr. Satheesh has earned is based the tireless defense of those who cannot defend themselves; not only upon the services he provides for our students and kindness to all they have met; and humility before a merciful community, but also upon the joyful attitude with which he and gracious God--these characteristics define Tim and Shann provides them. Fr. Satheesh sets the best possible example Patton. Whether it is supporting a young woman in a crisis by serving with a joyful heart. He generously provides pregnancy and staring down the bullies that would seek to opportunity for our students to receive the Sacrament of snuff out the precious life underneath her heart, helping to Reconciliation and regularly concelebrates our All School create the possibility of a healthcare system that treats every Mass. Fr. Satheesh teaches our students how to serve through single human person as infinitely valuable, or using their events like the Mexico Mission trip, which he helped lead resources to create the best possible Catholic education for our this year. Students who served alongside him said they were young people in Ann Arbor, Tim and Shann have consistently, “honored to have witnessed his hard work, compassion, and humbly, and most generously used the many talents and gifts charity in Mexico.” Fr. Satheesh is an excellent example of one’s that God has given them to build up not only FGR, but growth in a personal relationship with God. Over the years, Ann Arbor, our country, and, yes, the world. We are grateful he has become a staple as a Kairos chaplin. His heartfelt talks to them for their service and for entrusting us with the and homilies inspire students to take off their masks and open education of their most precious gifts; their children. Tim and up about the troubles that they might be struggling with in Shann Patton have radiated tremendous joy and, for us, their their personal and faith lives. He instructs them to lay all their friendship is a foretaste of that eternal joy which, God willing, suffering at the altar of our Lord and Father. Fr. Satheesh is awaits us all in heaven. celebrated by our students as a mentor in faith and service. 2 2017–2018 ANNUAL REPORT Discipleship on Display Father Gabriel Richard High School Pro-Life Club marched for life in Washington, D.C. Special Olympics, Sophomore Service, Faith in Flint, March for Life, Mexico Mission Trip, Stadium Clean-up: opportunities to put our faith into action, and to display our Intentional Discipleship. Taking our commitment to serve into our community. The Class of 2020 logged 4,350 service hours to our surrounding community during their Sophomore Service theology class last year. The program, which was launched during the 2016-2017 school year, finds students helping in Catholic elementary schools, at ArborWoman or Huron Valley PACE, an assisted-living facility in Ypsilanti Township, to name just a few. While serving others, they all learn A special day in myriad ways. how to give of themselves. “You can see Special Olympics Field Day is one of the transition happen as the students go the best days of the year, according to out into the community and then come many, many students. Each year, the back into the classroom and talk about Our Faith in Flint is stronger than entire student body hosts the fun day for their experiences,” says Bradley Stalder, ever. An initiative of the Diocese of area special needs young adults. Teams the faculty advisor to the program. “It’s Lansing, the Faith in Flint efforts are of students usher participants around remarkable.” spearheaded at FGR by chaplain, Fr. and participate in various games and Richard Lobert with strong support from activities with their new friends. Despite Ms. Barb Brown. The response from the the overcast April day, the atmosphere FGR community is one of tremendous was festive. Matt Granzatto ’18 and generosity. Students and adults travel to Gabe Hoban ’18 spearheaded the Flint each week to visit with the poor in Special Olympics Field Day planning three neighborhoods, offering material efforts. The duo received the Blessed Pier support but more importantly friendly Giorgio Frassati Campus Ministry award faces, understanding smiles and a taste of for their work. God’s love for them. 3 Creativity for All to See Don’t try to curb this enthusiasm. The Pro-Life Club supported the Mexico Mission Trip efforts by holding a “Curbside Coffee” Fundraiser, earning funds to donate to Mother Inez’s orphanage in Mexico City.