Cougar Courier
November 18, 2023
Thank You for your Day of Giving Support
On behalf of the Austin Prep community, we are so grateful for all the support during our Annual Day of Giving. It is truly inspirational to have a community rally behind us in raising funds to provide resources for our students, faculty, and staff upholding our mission of inspiring hearts to unite, minds to inquire, and hands to serve.
Austin Prep is a special place. The opportunities here are boundless. Our patron, St. Augustine, embarked on a journey of truth. At our core is an institution on the same journey, committed to exemplary teaching and learning. We celebrated St. Augustine’s birthday with an investment in his teachings –and with an investment in the hearts and minds of all our students.
In sincere appreciation, we thank you for contributing to this year’s Day of Giving!
Disney Rain Can't Stop the Class of 2024
Mrs. Natalie Petrillo and Ms. Doreen Fuller were joined by their senior math students on Hollywood Studio’s Tower of Terror — an annual tradition with senior math students.
The Class of 2024 made the annual Senior Class trip to Walt Disney World on November 13th - 17th. Austin Prep Senior Classes always remark that the Disney trip was a highlight of their Austin Prep experience. The Class of 2024 will likely be no different! Despite a week that saw a lack of sunshine and at times unrelenting rainfall, the trip provided the opportunity to celebrate friendships that have formed during their Austin Prep Journey. In some ways, the less than ideal weather made this senior class trip one of the more memorable Austin Prep Senior Class trips, showcasing the communal spirit of the Class of 2024. Thank you to School leadership and faculty for accompanying the Class on the trip, and extra credits goes to those who decided to #PackAPoncho.
Enjoy these Disney photos and video.
Christmas Traditions Approaching
Lessons and Carols, Austin Prep's annual celebration of Christmas readings and choir anthems, returns December 14th.
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! We look forward to the return of Austin Prep's holiday traditions. More details will follow, but please save the date as preparations are underway for the following events:
The Nutcracker
Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Performance will take place at the Collins Center in Andover.
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Performance will take place at the Collins Center in Andover.
Lessons and Carols
Thursday, December 14th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Performance will take place in the Chapel of St. Augustine for families of Austin Prep Band and Choir students.
We are grateful for all those who will help us make these events a reality, and hope you will join us for the shows.
Spring Arts Show Audition Dates Announced
Even though the Christmas season arts performances are just on the horizon, it isn't too early to look towards the spring art show, Grease. Audition information is as follows:
Wednesday, November 29th: Middle School Acting and Vocals - Please choose 16 bars of a song from the musical. Audition is 2:45 - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 30th: Upper School Acting and Vocals - Please choose 16 bars of a song from the musical. Audition is 3:45 - 4:40 p.m.
Friday December 1st: Callbacks for both Middle School and Upper School. Audition is 2:45 - 5:00 p.m.
Please reach out to Ms. Marla Pascucci-Byrne P'26, '30, Art and Design Faculty Chair, with any questions.
Tuition Raffle Goes Live on December 4th
Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D. and Ms. Susan Belanger, Assistant Head for School for Administration and Special Projects, draw the winning ticket in last year's Tuition Raffle.
Austin Prep is once again hosting a Tuition Raffle, which will be available to all current parents. The owner of the winning raffle ticket may be credited up to the full tuition cost for one student for the 2023-2024, or the 2024-2025 academic year.
Tickets are $275 each and only 250 will be sold. The raffle winner will be chosen on Friday, December 15, 2023 at Austin Prep and livestreamed for the community to view. Be ready for a phone call from Dr. Hickey!
All proceeds from the Tuition Raffle benefit each and every one of our students.
The raffle will open at 7:00 p.m, on Monday, December 4th and will close when the set amount of tickets are sold, or on Thursday, December 14th at 12:00 noon, whichever comes first. Look for an email with more details containing the link to the raffle.
Prospective 6th Graders Invited to Learn More About "Lifer" Experience
Christmas is such a special time of the year at Austin Prep and we want to share it with prospective students and families. Do you know a family who should apply for 6th grade for 2024-25? If so, please consider inviting them to our 6th grade admissions event “It’s a Wonderful Life at Austin Prep” happening on Thursday, December 7th from 5:45 to 7:30 pm. You can register for the event by clicking the button below:
"It's a Wonderful Life" Registration
Prospective 6th grade families will come together to learn more about the Austin Prep community and engage with faculty, school leadership, and students. Thank you for helping us tell the Austin Prep story and connecting more great families to our community. Please send any questions to the Admissions team at admissions@austinprep.org.
First Quarter Honor Roll List Released
The list of students who earned honors in the first quarter of Austin Prep's 2023-2024 academic year has been released. Congratulations to the students who earned this prestigious recognition in their pursuit of truth. #Veritas
Students Attend Race Amity Conference
Austin Prep Race Amity Conference Delegates from left to right: Aidan O’Neill '26, Jay Voica '24, Amelia Amadin '26, Grace Ditchfield '26, Jack Sweeney '24, and George Mamakos '24.
Austin Prep sent a delegation of students to the National Center for Race Amity Conference in Atlanta, Georgia during Veterans Day weekend. NCRA is an organization dedicated to promoting racial unity and friendships to move the public discourse on race from the “blame/grievance/rejection” cycle to one of “amity/collaboration/access and equity.” Convention organizers invited Austin Prep because students have dedicated hours of service throughout the past few years.
The conference featured leaders of industry, education, athletics, art, and business who are renowned for their impact on our communities. Our students engaged with University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Coach John Calipari, best-selling author Debby Irving, Dr. Bob Johnson, best known for his consultative work with Wegmans, and philanthropist and entrepreneur Steve Sarowitz, the founder of Paylocity. These keynote speakers and presenters provided outstanding examples of how our students can make a difference and move from theory to action. George Mamakos '26 explained that he enjoyed a reenactment of Frederick Douglass because “it was so real that it gave me chills.” Amelia Amadin '26 reported that she appreciated “the opportunity for an experience I will never forget.”
A tour of Atlanta provided students with the opportunity to visit the childhood home of Martin Luther King Jr., the famous Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, and the historic Atlanta Fire Department Building No. 6 that housed the first integrated fire company in the city. Our delegation was also amazed to see the Nobel Peace Prize 1964 at the King Center. The delegation ended their visit solemnly at the resting place of Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Happy Thanksgiving From Austin Prep
During this special time of year, we are especially grateful that you are a part of the Austin Prep Community.
Warmest wishes to you and your family this Thanksgiving.
As a reminder, Thanksgiving Break begins Wednesday, November 22nd and classes will resume Monday, November 27th. The Cougar Courier will return on Saturday, December 2nd.