April 2022

April 2, 2022

Fr. Bill Gabriel Addresses Community as St. Augustine Lecturer

 

Fr. Bill Gabriel, O.S.A., an Augustinian priest and Associate Pastor for the St. Thomas of Villanova Parish – and also one of the youngest Augustinians at the University – added perspective and context to Austin Prep’s shared theme for the 2021-22 academic year as this year’s St. Augustine Lecturer. To view photos from the event click here.

The event featured a welcome from School-Wide Student Body President Patricia Bibeau ‘22 and Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D., with a student panel participating in a question and answer segment with Fr. Gabriel at the conclusion of his lecture. 

The St. Augustine Lecture Series is a hallmark of the Austin Prep experience, designed to enrich the intellectual life of the school community by exposing students to accomplished individuals who share their experiences and lessons learned in life.

Fr. Gabriel drew connections between Austin Prep’s theme for the 2021-22 year from St. John’s Gospel “Love one another as I have loved you,” and the central Augustinian concept of the Spirit of God piercing our hearts, calling us to continued growth in faith, hope and love.  

“How has Christ pierced our hearts?” Fr. Gabriel asked those in attendance. “He has done so in three ways, through forgiveness, sacrifice, and resiliency.”

“For us to truly love one another, our love must be forgiving, sacrificial, and resilient until the very end.”

Fr. Gabriel also reflected on what connects Austin Prep with other Augustinian communities, such as his current home of Villanova.

"Augustinian communities challenge each other to greatness. Rethinking and re-evaluating behavior is a part of our role together.”

Born and raised a Roman Catholic in New Hampshire, Fr. Bill felt the calling as a young child to religious life, particularly inspired by an Augustinian Friar from Merrimack College who served as a pastor at his local parish. Fr. Gabriel entered Villanova University in 2010, graduating in 2014 with an undergraduate degree in Theology. After graduation, Fr. Gabriel taught high school Theology and coached basketball in Delaware. After much contemplation and study, Fr. Gabriel joined the Order of St. Augustine in 2015 through the formation process, and was ordained an Augustinian priest in 2021. His ministry experience and interests include: Augustine and the Augustinian charism, secondary education, retreats, campus ministry, faith formation, as well as sports and spirituality. 

About the St. Augustine Lecture Series​

The St. Augustine Lecture Series began in 2015. Previous speakers include:

• Brian Montgomery, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary in the Executive Office of President Bush and former Housing & Urban Development Secretary for President Obama.
• Major General Charles W. Whittington, Jr., the Deputy Commanding General of Operations in the U.S. First Army.
• Dr. Steven DiSalvo, current President of Endicott College and Austin Prep Trustee.
• Grace Cotter Regan, the first female president of Boston College High School.
• Rev. Raymond F. Dlugos, OSB, an Austin Prep Trustee and Merrimack College’s Vice President of Mission and Ministry.
• Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, a recognized educator, attorney, author and motivational speaker who has continued to work with Austin Prep in our journey to continue the progress in building a diverse and inclusive educational environment, in support of our Augustinian values of veritas, unitas, and caritas. 
• Fr. Bryan Hehir, the Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Religion and Public Life at the Harvard Kennedy School, who is also the Secretary of Health and Social Services on the staff of Cardinal Sean O’Malley in the Archdiocese of Boston.

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Community Mass, Spring Varsity Sports Mass is Tomorrow

 

We look forward to hosting the Sunday Community Mass tomorrow, April 3 in the Chapel of St. Augustine. Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by a fellowship hour in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to please RSVP for the Mass and fellowship hour here. The Office of Campus Ministry looks forward to meeting you!

Please note, the Mass for Spring Sports Varsity Athletes will also be taking place at this time.

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Annual Day of Giving is Thursday

 

The Countdown is on! Austin Prep’s Day of Giving is next Thursday, April 7, 2022

Your generosity and support anchors Austin Prep now and in the future.  

And this year, making a gift is easier than ever before. Donate by smart phone by scanning the QR code below using your Venmo app and include “AP Proud” in the payment details.  

Or visit our dedicated campaign page by clicking the button below to donate and monitor progress and participation throughout the day.  This year’s goal is to secure over 300 gifts.

Click to Make a Gift

Your gift will make an impact.  

See you on April 7. 

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Don't Wait, Submit Memorial Scholarship Applications Soon

Applications are due April 11 but can be submitted early.

 

There are a limited number of scholarships for which students in Grades 9-11 may apply for at this time for the 2022-2023 school year. Memorial Scholarships are available to our students due to the generosity of Austin Prep families and friends who have created funds in memory of a loved one.

The Memorial Scholarship Descriptions and Application are now available in the Student and Parent Portals. All application packages must be delivered to the office of Ms. Susan Belanger, Assistant Head for Administration and Special Projects on the 4th floor of St. Augustine Hall by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11th. Don't wait to apply, early applications are welcomed and appreciated. There will be no extensions and applications will not be accepted via email.

Formal presentations of the Memorial Scholarships will be made at a special breakfast for recipients and families on Wednesday, May 25th at 8:30 a.m. Award recipients will be notified by May 2nd.

Please direct all questions via email to Ms. Belanger at sbelanger@austinprep.org.

 

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Sibling Day Returns April 12

 

The Office of Admissions is excited to announce the return of Sibling Day, which will take place on Tuesday, April 12th.  Austin Prep last hosted an in-person Sibling Day in 2019. This is a great opportunity for any siblings currently in grades 4-9 to spend a day shadowing their sister or brother as they follow their regular academic schedule. If you have a child that is interested, please complete this form. All guests must be "siblings" of current students, we appreciate your cooperation. Any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@austinprep.org.

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Executive Functioning Academy Available over April Break

Austin Prep students are invited to participate in the following complimentary program during the April vacation week hosted by Reading Public Schools.   If you are interested in your child participating, please complete this Google Form by Monday, April 4th.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Laurie Ford, Teaching & Learning Specialist by email at laurie.ford@austinprep.org or by phone at 781-944-4900 x.652.  

High School Executive Functioning Skill Sharpener Academy

The program is designed for students looking to sharpen their planning, organization, and self-regulation skills.

Hours:  8:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. or 10:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

When: Tuesday, April 19th - Friday, April 22nd

 

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Annual Austin Open Golf Tournament is Sold Out

 

The 34rd Annual Golf Tournament will take place on May 23rd at Indian Ridge Golf Country Club in Andover. We are excited to note that the flight of golfers is full! Additional information about supporting the event can be found here. Please contact Ms. Susan Belanger, Assistant Head for Administration and Special Projects with any questions about the event.

The Annual Golf Tournament is vital in our efforts to continue to provide exceptional educational experiences for all our students. Proceeds from past golf tournaments have funded numerous campus initiatives, including the renovated David E. Nelson '81 Fitness Center and expanded parking on campus. We hope to see you on the course for another great day with friends in support of Austin Prep. 

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Middle School Robotics Class gives New Meaning to "Hands to Serve"

In this video, the Middle School Robotics class shares about their experience with Project-Based Learning in applying the mechanics they learned in class to the 3D printing and assembly of prosthetic hands with the e-NABLE Project. The project gives new meaning to our mission of "Inspiring hearts to unite, minds to inquire, and hands to serve."

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Student-Athletes Receive St. Sebastian Medals at Blessing

 

Austin Prep spring sports sub-varsity student-athletes received a blessing and St. Sebastian medals Wednesday morning as they journey towards their competitive seasons. St. Sebastian is the patron saint of athletes. Best of luck this spring!

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Toiletries Delivered to Lazarus House

 

During Spirit Week in early March, Student Government sponsored a toiletry drive through Advisory in support of Lazarus House Ministries.  All the toiletries were delivered to Lazarus House in Lawrence last week. Thank you again to all those in our community who participated!

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 Please Monitor for Symptoms of Flu

As some of you may know, influenza activity levels have increased notably across the area and we have observed an increase here at school. The flu is a very contagious virus that can spread from person to person by breathing in the droplets in a cough, sneeze, or runny nose that contain the flu virus. People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding virus from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after symptoms begin.

Signs and symptoms of the flu may include:

• High fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Vomiting/diarrhea

If you suspect your child is sick, contact their doctor for further evaluation, and contact the School Nurses Mrs. Kim Esakof and Ms. Diana Carlson in the Health Office for further instructions. The student must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing agents to return to school.

April 9, 2022

Day of Giving a Tremendous Success

 

THANK YOU! On Thursday, Austin Prep held its 4th Annual Day of Giving and raised over $150,000 for the Austin Prep Fund - and counting.

This incredible accomplishment would not have been possible without the tremendous support of the Austin Prep Community. Your generosity helps support the academics and extracurricular experiences that make an Austin Prep education so enriching for students.

We are especially grateful to our parents and alumni that initiated challenges to their peers to bolster participation.  Thanks to you we are on pace to set a participation record for the Day of Giving and continue to receive gifts that will be attributable toward the Day of Giving.  You can continue to participate by clicking here.

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Memorial Scholarship Applications Due Monday

An additional Memorial Scholarship has become available; details are in the student and parent portals.

As a reminder, all Memorial Scholarship Applications are due this coming Monday, April 11th. Applications are to be delivered to Ms. Susan Belanger, Assistant Head of School for Administration and Special Projects on the 4th Floor in St. Augustine Hall no later than 3:00 p.m. There will be no extensions and applications will not be accepted via email. Students in Grades 9-11 may apply for Memorial Scholarships for the 2022-2023 school year. Memorial Scholarships are available to our students due to the generosity of Austin Prep families and friends who have created funds in memory of a loved one.

We are pleased to note that an additional Memorial Scholarship opportunity has just become available. The fund description and criteria has been added to the portal and can be found on page 7 of the Memorial Scholarship Descriptions. The Memorial Scholarship Descriptions and Application are available in the Student and Parent Portals. 

Formal presentations of the Memorial Scholarships will be made at a special breakfast for benefactors and recipients and families on Wednesday, May 25th at 8:30 a.m. Award recipients will be notified by May 2nd.

Please direct all questions via email to Ms. Belanger at sbelanger@austinprep.org.

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Middle School Dancers Perform Stations of the Cross

Students in Mrs. Marla Pascucci-Byrne's P'26 Middle School Dance Performance and Production class led the Austin Prep community in prayer this week through their annual Stations of the Cross presentation. The students thought about how to represent the scenes of Christ's passion through a series of silhouettes which were then backlit on stage. Sr. Paskazia Nakitende narrated the Stations, and provided verbal context to the imagery depicted on the stage. As our community prepares to enter into Holy Week, we invite you to view this year's prayerful performance by clicking the video link above.

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Eighth Graders Share Projects at Science Expo

From projects on solar and electric cars to wind turbines, water filtration, and greenhouse gas emissions, students in the Class of 2026 held a Science Expo in the Father Smith Library on Tuesday. Over the past quarter, eighth graders have explored concepts connected with sustainability and the environment, from pollution and emissions to reusable energy. Students developed research questions, conducted experiments, analyzed data, and drew conclusions as they made parallels to lessons learned in class. Tuesday's Middle School Science Expo was an extension of the Middle School Strategic Plan for 2021-2026 and Austin Prep’s efforts to inspire and prepare students for experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

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Driscoll Named Athletic Director of the Year

 

Director of Athletics Pat Driscoll '97 was recently named the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association (MSSADA) District 6 Athletic Director of the Year. This award recognizes athletic administrators from across the state who have excelled in the profession, and those who have made significant contributions within the field of athletic administration at the local, state, and national levels.

"We are grateful for the leadership Mr. Driscoll provides our coaches and student-athletes as they pursue their goals in the classroom and on the fields of play." Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D. said. “We are very fortunate to have him as a member of our School community.”

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New Inventory at the School Store: Dogs Love Austin Prep, Too.

 

We are happy to announce the addition of some new products in the Unitas Shop. Austin Prep branded key chains are $5, dog collars and leashes are $17. David Doyle '72, owner of The Cape Cod Belt Company in Mashpee, specializes in custom woven accessories and provided the new products. Contact Mr. Pat Costello, Coordinator of Student Activities, with any questions about the Unitas Shop.

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John McLean Announced as New Boys Hockey Coach

 

Austin Prep has appointed John McLean as the school’s new Head Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Coach. MacLean takes the helm of the program after achieving considerable playing and coaching success at the high school, college and professional levels. You can read more from the Boston Globe here.

“As with any coaching position at Austin Prep, the best candidate will have the right experience, exceptional gifts, and be mission-aligned. We are fortunate to add an individual who brings a unique balance of these attributes,” Director of Athletics Pat Driscoll '97 said. “Coach McLean's experience and passion for developing the student-athlete makes him an excellent choice to lead our Boys Ice Hockey Program.”

McLean has had an impressive playing career. He was a high school standout leading Arlington Catholic to a MIAA State Championship.  After Arlington Catholic, he attended Boston College, where he was the captain of the Eagles Men's Ice Hockey team and was a member of the USA Select Hockey East All-Star team. He was also the recipient of Snooks Kelly Award and Pierre Club Award.  Following Boston College, McLean went on to play professionally for the IHL and AHL affiliates of the Hartford Whalers.    

In addition to Coach McLean's playing experience, he brings an extensive coaching background to Austin Prep, having coached at various levels since 1989.  McLean coached at the collegiate level at Boston College and Merrimack College.  At Merrimack College, he was an assistant coach responsible for the defensemen and the skating and skill development for all players. Additionally, he was the skating coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the on-ice Head Skating Instructor for the Boston Bruins.  Coach McLean was an assistant coach for a number of years at Malden Catholic before becoming the Head Coach in 2012, winning four MIAA Super 8 State Championships in 5 straight appearances.  He is the president and owner of Dynamic Skating and is the Director of Player Development for the Islanders Hockey Club. 

Coach McLean is enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead the Austin Prep Boys Ice Hockey Program. "I would like to thank Head of School Dr. James Hickey and Athletic Director Patrick Driscoll for the opportunity to coach at Austin Prep. Austin Prep is a tremendous institution with a very strong academic and athletic tradition. I look forward to meeting the team and starting the new journey into the NEPSAC," McLean said. "This is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to compete and develop at a high level within their school community."

In January, Austin Prep announced a transition of all the school’s athletic programs to the New England Private School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) beginning in the 2022-23 academic year.

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Victors Emerge in Annual Advisory Bracket Challenge

 

 

Well, Villanova University didn't cut down the nets as this year's NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Champions, and as a result there will be no Head of School Holiday (that we know of!). That said, it was still a great month of spirited competition on the hardwood with the Kansas University men and the University of South Carolina women emerging as champions. As a result, Mrs. Linda Filadoro and Dr. Paul Vecchione's advisories were our annual March Madness contest winners. Advisees will receive their prize soon: a bagel breakfast.

April 16, 2022

Annual Austies Recognize Student Filmmaking

 

The Austie Awards, Austin Prep’s very own video award show, made a successful return last Friday, April 8th. The APS Media sponsored event celebrated the filmmakers within the Austin Prep community. Photos from the event can be viewed by clicking here, and a full list of Austie winners can be found below. Congrats to all the nominees and award winners, and thank you to all the faculty and staff who helped support the event!

Best Educational Film

Winner: “Relating Classic Literature to Modern Music”

By Emma Guthrie, Katrina Michalak, Alexandra Kennedy, Caroline Courtney, Morgan Tammaro, Haley Fisher, Catherine Jalbert, Ava Napolitano, Jacquie Plante, Lizzie Hart, Maranda Bianchi, and Mrs. Choate

Best Acting

Winners: "Flume" 

by Calvin Pardee 

“Get Out of My House” 

by Madeleine Rhoden, Meredith Rhodes, Lily Amari, and Victoria Liwanag

Best Athletic Video

Winner: “Hall of Fame” 

by Brady Payne

Best Music Video

Winner:  “2021 Wrapped” 

by Brendan McCarthy

Best Faculty Cameo

Winner:  “22”

by Meredith Rhodes, Madeleine Rhoden, Lily Amari, and Victoria Liwanag

Best Screenplay

Winner: “Maple Learns to Fly” 

by Arianna Shalhoub

Best Editing/Special FX

Winner: “Entropy” 

by Grace Goddard

Best Cinematography

Winner: “The Happiness Project” 

by Gabby Asare

Best Tiktok Video

Winner: “Mrs. Barry’s Free Period”

by Madeline Hickey

Best Picture (Middle School)

Winner: “Dancing Queen” 

by Paige Martin, Eleanor Underwood, and Magdalena Tenreiro

Best Picture (Upper School)

Winner: “Get Out of My House” 

by Madeleine Rhoden, Meredith Rhodes, Lily Amari, and Victoria Liwanag

 

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Class of 2022 Baby Photos Needed for Yearbook

 

As part of the annual tradition, parents of Seniors are invited to submit a photo of their Senior's baby photo to be included in the Yearbook. The deadline was yesterday Friday, April 15th, but if you submit a photo ASAP it can be included. Important: Please include your child's first and last name so we can identify who they are. We will not be able to include them otherwise. You can email a photo to Ms. Nicolle Renick, Yearbook teacher, at nrenick@austinprep.org. 

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Over 80 Austin Prep Siblings Attend Sibling Day

 

The Office of Admissions hosted Sibling Day on Tuesday, held in person for the first time since 2019. The day was a great opportunity for any Austin Prep siblings currently in 4th through 9th grades to spend a day shadowing their sibling, following their regular academic schedule, and making new friends! Check out this photo album including some of the Austin Prep siblings who visited campus this week for Sibling Day. 

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Tyler Silva Announced as New Boys Soccer Coach

 

Austin Prep has appointed Tyler Silva as the school’s new Head Varsity Boys Soccer Coach. Silva takes the helm of the program with a wide range of experiences both playing and coaching at the high school and college ranks, as well as a player at the international level.

“Coach Tyler Silva not only possesses the experience and gifts that make for an outstanding coach, but he shares in the mission-aligned values we cherish at Austin Prep,” Director of Athletics Pat Driscoll said. “Coach Silva brings passion and a commitment to developing the student-athlete, and I can’t wait for him to be able to get to work with our players.”

Silva’s playing experience is extensive. He was a high school standout at Dracut High School where he was named team Most Valuable Player and captured the Merrimack Valley League Championship. Silva continued his playing career at Dean College where he served as Captain of the Men's Soccer program. During his time at Dean College, the team reached the USCAA National Semi-Finals. After finishing his Associates of Arts degree, Silva continued his education and playing career at Franklin Pierce University, appearing in the NCAA Final 8 and finishing the season ranked #2 nationally in NCAA Men's Division II Soccer.  Additionally, he played overseas professionally for the Sporting Clube de Guadalupe in Portugal. 

In addition to Coach Silva's playing experience, he brings a wide range of coaching experience to Austin Prep. Most recently, Silva coached at the collegiate level at Franklin Pierce University. As the assistant coach, he was responsible for assisting in planning training sessions, recruiting new student-athletes and overall preparation of the program. This past fall Franklin Pierce finished with a 20-1-1 record and appeared in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. He coached briefly for Dracut High School and has been involved in numerous soccer club programs. He currently, serves as the regional manager (MA, NH, RI) and Lead Instructor for the Resendes Soccer Academy. 

Coach Silva is enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead the Austin Prep Boys Soccer Program. "I would like to thank Director of Athletics Patrick Driscoll and Head of School James Hickey for entrusting me with the position of head boys soccer coach here at Austin Prep," Silva said. "I am extremely excited to lead this program in their transition to the NEPSAC and guide the program towards continued success".

In January, Austin Prep announced a transition of all the school’s athletic programs to the New England Private School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) beginning in the 2022-23 academic year. Austin Prep is an independent, Augustinian Catholic school serving young men and women in grade 6-12, located in Reading, Massachusetts.

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Mr. Stone Presents on Project-Based Learning

 

At the Annual Meeting of the New England Classical Association (CANE), Mr. Roger Stone presented a workshop on “Art - Ovid’s Legacy." The Roman poet Ovid has provided the Greek and Roman mythology as source material for much of Western Art.  Using the art appreciation projects done by Austin’s Latin IV students in previous years, teachers were able to see that by giving students a few basics, the students will learn an art genre and teach themselves by teaching others in their class about painting, sculpture, opera, dance, or theater.  This particular class then learned to analyze three sculptures based upon Ovid as well as the literary analysis of Ovid’s poetry.

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College Athletics Commitments Continue

 

This past week, Jodee Domey '22 made her commitment to continue her softball career at DeSales University in Pennsylvania. Congrats, Jodee!

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Austin Prep Staff Ready for 126th Boston Marathon

Fleming, Dwyer, Connolly set for Monday's Journey from Hopkinton to Boylston Street

 

Austin Prep will once again be represented in this year's Boston Marathon, taking place Monday for the first time since 2019 on its traditional running date on Patriots' Day and with a full field of 30,000 runners. Mr. Tyler Fleming, Director of Communication, Mrs. Heather Dwyer, College Counselor, and Mr. Coleman Connolly, Head Golf Coach, are all slated to make the 26.2 mile journey from Hopkinton, MA to the finish on Boylston Street in Boston.

Fleming will be competing in his fourth Boston Marathon and 17th marathon overall, with a personal best time of 2:57:59. We caught up with him to learn more about his training and the marathon in general.

How did you get interested in marathons?

I ran track in high school and college, but I was a 400 meter runner, so anything more than a lap or two around the track was way more than I was interested in. After about 15 years removed from any type of training while focused on family and career, I found myself in really bad shape. I knew I had to become more active. I started out just trying to complete a one mile run. Then eventually a 5k. Then eventually a marathon. After a few marathons, I became interested in obtaining a Boston Marathon qualifying time (often referred to as a “BQ” and based on age and gender), which I've now done eight times. Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is considered the landmark achievement for a distance runner. 

When does your training start for a marathon?

I am at the point in my running life where I am basically training year round, with two or three “down” months a year (after marathons) to help the body and mind rest and recharge. That said, I will increase the volume and intensity of running about 12 weeks out from a marathon. So for this marathon in particular, that was January.

When do you adjust your diet and what foods are part of your adjustment? Why these foods?

I've learned that what you eat the day of and during a race is far more important than what you eat leading up to a race. First and foremost, never start a marathon hungry. Second, be sure to eat and drink throughout or you will be doomed. For me, I'll have a bagel and coffee a couple hours before the start. Then, I will drink five ounces of a high carb drink with an energy gel with caffeine every 5k. (A marathon is over 42K).

Can you provide some level or timeline for your training? Miles?

I try to string together a month of 60 mile weeks about two months before a race. For me, that is all my body can tolerate and my personal schedule can handle. From there, I will drop the mileage a bit and start to pick up intensity with one high intensity workout a week. I am particularly grateful to be able to often do these workouts with the Austin Prep Cross Country team.  These workouts have been beneficial for me, and hopefully them!

Do you typically train alone or with running partners? Do you find running against people or stopwatch more beneficial?

I generally train alone, primarily because I have to fit runs in whenever I can. However, running with Austin Prep students has been great for me. 

I think it is most important for runners to compete primarily against themselves and not necessarily others. There is just such a wide range of talent, ability, and fitness levels to be able to fairly compete against anyone but yourself. Running success is about setting goals, consistently working to achieve them, reevaluating, then setting a new goal.

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Baby Photo Revealed

He is an accomplished photographer, too!

 

Not only did he serve as a great yearbook baby photo example, but he can take a great photo, himself! Congratulations to Brendan McCarthy '22 on winning four awards in the Oklahoma Camera Club Youth Photography Competition, including Best in Show - Digital for his “Boston Lights” photo shown below:

To view Brendan's other award winning photos, visit the Austin Prep Visual and Performing Arts Instagram page.

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Have a Blessed Easter Weekend and Great April Break!

 

The Cougar Courier will return Saturday, April 30th. Have a great break!

April 30, 2022

Week at Austin Prep Highlighted by National Honor Society Inductions

National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, and World Languages Honor Society Induct New Members

 

On Tuesday, 66 students were inducted into Austin Prep's Chapter of the National Honor Society. Inductees were joined by family in the Chapel of St. Augustine. The program for the evening can be viewed here.

National Honor Society member Patricia Bibeau '22 welcomed fellow members Jacqueline Plante '22, Jack Caruso '22, Liam Gildea '22 and Megan Silva '22, who reflected on the four pillars of NHS: character, service, scholarship, and leadership.

The evening closed with remarks from Colleen (Owens) Graham '96 , who started at Austin Prep as a freshmen in the fall of 1992 and graduated with the first group of female students. Graham is the Founder and CEO of Iridium Clinical, LLC serving as a Senior Clinical Operations Consultant. In the fall of 2022, Colleen’s journey will come full-circle when her two oldest children begin their journeys at Austin Prep in the 6th and 8th grades. She was joined at the induction by her husband, Rick, also an Austin Prep graduate of 1996, her children Jaxson, Cooper and Sydney, and her mother Cynthia.

 

The Austin Prep Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society held its Induction Ceremony in the Chapel of Saint Augustine on Wednesday. The program for the evening can be viewed here. Chapter President Nareg Minassian '26 welcomed family and current members who gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's inductees and their commitment to the pillars of Scholarship, Service, Citizenship, Leadership, and Character. Head of School, Dr. James Hickey, delivered a keynote about the value of Character, words that were echoed in the remarks of inductee Emerson Byrne '26 who used cartoon characters to illustrate the value and concluded "We can solve problems, work together, and try to put good into the world. Most importantly, we can be the best versions of ourselves and try to reach our goals."

 

 

Also on Wednesday evening was an induction ceremony and reception for those students inducted into their respective world language honor societies. Austin Prep is proud of these students' accomplishments in learning world languages and gaining a greater appreciation of the varied cultures of the world. Inductees are as follows:

Spanish

Ali Perriault, Jack Caruso, Kate Beckel, Taylor Grohe, Henry Jalbert, Cat Jalbert, Jessica Marks, Ava Intoppa, Filippo Nicolai, Victor Villarroel, Alexis Sherry, Hunter Grabar, Madison Barbieri, Chloe Buonopane, Paloma Carter, Derek Daley, Sophia Finocchio, Chloe Gryllakis, Alyssa Mangino, Alessandro Fanuele, Anna Ferranti, Jaya Gupta, Alexa Harris, Julianna Iannibelli, Emma Losolfo, Emma Moloney, Reece Montejo, Matthew Palumbo, Martin Pierce, Nicholas Tauro, Benjamin Tshudy, Mikolena Zirpolo, Ella Luongo                   

Latin                     

Maranda Bianchi, Caroline Courtney, Jared Cruz, Cailin Fennessey, Olivia Ferri, Rahul Gupta, Emma Guthrie, Caroline Kelly, Katherine Millett, Gabriella Mooney, Sydney Pilla, Sofia Senn, Kathryn Young                                  

Mandarin                           

Sophia DiNanno , Lilly Harmon, Lily O'Neil, Anjali Serrano , Theo Trant, Liz Urick, Arianna Shalhoub

French                                                 

Ashley DiBella, Christopher Ellis, Alyssa Joseph, Alexandra Kennedy, Avanish Mishra, Elena Oulton, Lily Seville, Samantha Smith, Hellena Trojer

 

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Join us Mother's Day for our Next Community Mass

 

We look forward to hosting the next Sunday Community Mass on May 8th in the Chapel of St. Augustine, which also happens to be Mother's Day. Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be followed by a fellowship hour in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to please RSVP for the Mass and fellowship hour here. The Office of Campus Ministry looks forward to meeting you!

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Support the Golf Open with a Family or Business Sponsorship

 

The 34th Annual Austin Prep Golf Open is taking place on May 23rd at Indian Ridge Golf Country Club in Andover. We may have a full flight of golfers, but there is still time to contribute and make this the most successful tournament ever.

We are excited to note that our Title, Lunch, Breakfast, Cart and 10 Exclusive Hole Sponsorships have all been sold, but we still have eight Exclusive Holes and Tee sponsorships available for you to join in to support this very important initiative. Don’t wait, show your support and let others see your business or family name on a sign along the course.  To lean more about the event and sponsor click here.

The proceeds from the Austin Prep Open have always helped ensure that Austin Prep students are provided an extraordinary experience rich in academics, extra-curricular activities, community and faith.  This year, your participation supports the creation of a multi-purpose laboratory in our science wing – a best-in-class space for middle school and upper school science instruction.

Please contact Ms. Susan Belanger, Assistant Head for Administration and Special Projects with any questions about the event.

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Summer Session Registration Extended

 

We are excited to once again offer students the opportunity to accelerate and expand their learning this summer through our 2022 Summer Session.

Students in Austin Prep’s Summer Session will experience a flexible, tailored schedule of enriching coursework taught by distinguished members of the Austin Prep faculty. Newer options this summer, including local travel and in-person options, will provide students with the building blocks to customize an invigorating, individualized program to sustain their academic progress this summer. 

With most classes capped at 15 students and led by a member of the Austin Prep faculty, students benefit from a sense of community as they keep their academic goals on track. 

We invite you to learn more about the Austin Prep Summer Session and peruse the Summer Session Catalog here. 

We have extended the registration deadline for the 2022 Summer Session courses to May 15th. The registration window for the complimentary Intro to the iPad and Intro to the MacBook sessions will remain open until the beginning of August.

The Academic Summer Session is being coordinated by Head of Middle School Mr. Michael McLaughlin. He can be reached directly with any questions about the program or any of the specific courses.

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Memorial Scholarships Recipients Announced Soon

Memorial Scholarships are available to our students due to the generosity of Austin Prep families and friends who have created funds in memory of a loved one. We are humbled by the number of applicants for this year's awards. Award recipients will be notified the week of May 11th. Formal presentations of the Memorial Scholarships will be made at a special breakfast for recipients and families on Wednesday, May 25th at 8:30 a.m.

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Students Encouraged to Find Their Passion

 

This week Mrs. Stephanie Choate’s AP Language classes wrapped up a year long pursuit to find their passion. After reading Ken Robinson’s The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything over the summer of 2021, students were tasked with choosing a project to work on throughout the school year. "With students’ busy schedules -- and I definitely add to those schedules with my own reading and writing assignments -- students can sometimes lose sight of the very things that bring them joy, so this project gives them the space and time to find a new passion or reignite a dormant one, " Mrs. Choate said. This year’s projects ranged from video editing to websites and blogs, scrapbooks, cooking challenges, and even learning another language! Students spent the class visiting different “exhibits” and leaving feedback for their peers. 

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Third Quarter Honor Roll Announced

 

The list of students who earned honors in the third quarter of Austin Prep's 2021-2022 academic year has been released. Congratulations to the students who earned this prestigious recognition in their pursuit of truth. #Veritas

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Martinelli '28 Serves as Honorary Head of School

 

Alexandra Martinelli '28 served as the Student Head of School for the Day on Wednesday. Alexandra got an insider's perspective on the many moving parts that go into the operation of Austin Prep - from meeting with prospective parents at an Admissions Open House to observing classes, conducting meetings with the Communications, Development, Human Resources, and Athletics offices to planning the next community meeting. Alexandra also arranged for a special ice cream treat for her sixth-grade classmates to enjoy at the end of the day. "My favorite part of the day was sharing ice cream with my classmates," Martinelli said. "It was nice to have my friends be a part of the fun." The Head of School for the Day program was one of the items from this year's Signature Event sponsored by the Austin Prep Parents Association.

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Students Continue Examination of Animal Habitats at Stone Zoo

 

Seventh grade students spent Tuesday morning at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham to conduct an observation lab. The class has been exploring habitats, adaptations, and scientific nomenclature. The visit to the Zoo also provided students with the opportunity to consider our collective responsibility in protecting wildlife and wild spaces. Students traversed the Zoo in small flocks/packs/herds like the flamingos, wolves, and reindeer which are some of the many animals that call the Zoo home. During their travels, students were challenged to collect information at the various habitats as a practical extension of some of their recent lessons and projects. Tuesday's lab visit complimented students' visit focusing on aquatic life at the New England Aquarium earlier in the semester.
 

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College Athletics Commitments Continue

 

This past week, Emma Guthrie '22 made her commitment to continue her ice hockey career at Assumption University. Congrats, Emma!

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Dean of Students Office Update

As we conclude the academic year and begin to plan for the 2022-23 academic year, we would like to provide an update from the Dean of Students office. Effective July 1, Mr. AJ Benning will assume the role of Dean of Students, with Mr. Colin Kiley serving as the Assistant Dean of Students. The Dean of Students Office looks to develop programs and policies aimed at building student leadership and accountability, and this repositioning will allow for Mr. Benning and Mr. Kiley to work with students in areas best suited for their backgrounds and experiences. The Dean of Students Office looks forward to the continued partnership with our student community.

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We Didn't Forget About Prom

 

We had a great time celebrating Prom Thursday evening, both at the promenade on campus before the event as well as with dinner and dancing at the Andover Country Club. All the photos from the event will be available next week...stay tuned!