February 2022

February 5, 2022

Austin Prep Celebrates Augustinian Vocations Mass

Austin Prep celebrated a school-wide Mass on Monday morning, kicking off Catholic Schools Week, which concludes today. Fr. Joseph L. Narog, O.S.A., Vocations Director, Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, visiting Austin Prep for the first time since November 2019, was the celebrant.

"Where is God calling us to commit our lives? The foundation you lay at Austin Prep will help you answer tough questions down the road. Be humble, be kind, be childlike, and find ways to give to a life of service," Fr. Joe said.

Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D., further reflected on the theme. "Today we give thanks to vocations and to a life of service. Your current vocation is to be a student, the best student you can be. To come to school, work hard, and treat others with kindness."

Dr. Hickey also noted that the Mass was another step forward in our efforts to put community first. "Things haven't been what we are used to, but God willing, there will be more opportunities to come together as an entire school. That is our commitment to one another."

Fr. Joe  closed the Mass by referencing a recent event at Villanova University honoring Villanova students from Augustinian high schools across the country.  He noted that one of the attendees was Alyssa Vounessea '21 which drew cheers from students in attendance.

"There is something that unites us in this Augustinian family, and it is our commitment to veritas, unitas, and caritas," Fr. Joe concluded.

Next Parents Association Meeting is Monday

The next Austin Prep Parents Association meeting will take place Monday, February 7th at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Maryellen Iannibelli P'22, '24, President of the Austin Prep Parents Association, will send a Zoom link to the parent community on Monday. All parents are welcome to sign in and participate. Dr. Hickey will also provide some school-wide updates. We hope you will join us!

Monthly Community Mass on February 13th 

As announced in a recent Cougar Courier, we will begin holding monthly Sunday Community Mass in the Chapel of St. Augustine. We will celebrate Mass together on Sunday, February 13th. 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!

Special Programming Scheduled for Black History Month

Check out the Collection of Black History Month Inspired Books in the Library

Austin Prep celebrates Black History Month in February with a series of educational, extracurricular, and schoolwide events organized around the school’s yearlong theme of "Love one another as I have loved you" and is embedded in our Augustinian heritage and Catholic tradition. The theme was inspired by the Gospel of St. John and guides us in our yearlong planning across multiple departments.

Students and staff should consider visiting the Reading Circle in the library, as a collection of classic and popular books in honor of Black History Month and the Chinese Lunar New Year have been assembled. New acquisitions will be added to this space throughout the month so spread the word and visit often.

Have an idea for a book or want to discuss the collection? Please reach out to Mr. Alexander Williams, Library Director and Information Coordinator.

Student-Athletes, Coaches, Honored on National Girls and Women in Sports Day

On Wednesday, Austin Prep took part in celebrating National Girls & Women in Sports Day. This year, over 300 female student athletes will participate in Austin Prep athletics in 16 varsity and 16 sub-varsity sports, led by 46 female coaches, staff and volunteers. We are proud of their contributions to the Austin Prep community. To learn more about how sports has impacted their lives, click the links to hear from Head Cross Country and Assistant Track and Field Coach Nicolle Renick and Cat Bravo '20.  

Students Gather for the Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year began on Tuesday, February 1st and we wish a Happy Lunar New Year to all those who celebrate. On Monday afternoon, our International Students led classmates in a fantastic celebration including food, stories and traditions. You can view photos from the celebration here.

Austin Prep Announces Quarter 2 Honor Roll

The list of students who earned honors in the second 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

Model UN Returns to Annual Harvard Event

Last week, the Austin Prep Model United Nations team participated in the 69th session of Harvard's Model United Nations. This year, Austin Prep represented Sierra Leone.  In this unprecedented time in world history, the value of Model United Nations has never been clearer. From pandemics to financial crises, the dangers our world faces demand responsible and equitable action grounded in the spirit of international collaboration. Well over 2,000 high school delegates and their faculty advisors joined us along with a staff of over 230 Harvard University undergraduates at the Boston Sheraton and Marriott to learn about diplomacy, to connect with friends from around the world, and to offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues faced by our world today.

Every year, Harvard Model United Nation attracts some of the most promising young leaders from around the world, and this year, we need these young leaders more than ever. The size and international nature of the conference allowed the Austin Prep team a learning opportunity that extended well beyond the classroom and committee sessions. For their efforts, the Austin Prep delegation received an honorable mention recognition and a valuable learning experience that only a conference of this magnitude can provide. Most notably, it furthers our efforts to provide experiential learning that engages students in becoming global citizens. Well done delegates!

Austin Prep Advisory Program Highlighted

The advisory program in a hallmark of the Austin Prep experience and fundamental to student achievement. The program's primary purpose is to provide all students with trusted mentors for achieving academic, social and personal success throughout their lives. The Austin Prep advisory program was recently highlighted by the Association of Middle Level Education. Click here to read more.

Students Play Battleship While Learning Precalculus 

Students in Ms. Alison Fish’s Precalculus CP course practiced plotting polar coordinates in the form of the game Battleship. Students had to correctly guess where their opponents ships were located using polar coordinates. Two students, Joe Colannino '22 and Kiera Clark '22 successfully sank their opponent’s entire fleet of ships.

Student-Athletes Honored on Senior Days

Boys Hockey, Girls Basketball, Dance Team and Boys and Girls Ski are coming soon...

Community Spotlight: The Daughters of Mary

Note: Our vibrant campus comes to life as a result of the talented students and faculty who make up the Austin Prep community. We look forward to periodically highlighting those individuals here in the Cougar Courier.  

Austin Prep was blessed to have Sr. Paskazia and Sr. Mary join us at the start of the academic year. As a community, we have enjoyed many moments together, including the Convocation Mass celebration with His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, which was highlighted by Cardinal Seán's commissioning of the Daughters of Mary as they begin their time as members of the School community.

Sr. Immaculate and Sr. Justine arrived just before Christmas and started working with Austin Prep students in early January. Take a moment to get to know the latest Daughters of Mary to join the Austin Prep community.

February 12, 2022

Austin Prep Welcomes Holocaust Survivor

Austin Prep was honored on Tuesday to welcome Holocaust survivor Kati Preston to campus. Her powerful message to staff and students in grades 8 - 12 addressing loss, resilience, and tolerance resonated across the entire school community, and helped to  ensure that the atrocities of the Holocaust are not forgotten. Preston, who came from an interfaith family, detailed her Holocaust experiences, including hiding in a barn for months so she would not be found, and losing the entire Jewish side of her family, including her father. "I am often asked what my religion is now," Preston said. "And I answer that my religion is love."

Preston's visit to campus was a part of Austin Prep's continued effort to offer students new perspectives on the global world. In the latest edition of Journey of the Heart, Head of Middle School Mr. Michael McLaughlin details upcoming faculty professional development efforts that will result in a new class in the History Department examining the Holocaust. You can read Journey of the Heart here.

Monthly Community Mass is Tomorrow

We look forward to our first Sunday Community Mass this Sunday, February 13th 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!

Spring Sports Registration Due February 18th

Interested in playing a sport this spring? The 2022 Spring Student-Athlete Checklist, along with required registration forms, must be completed by Friday, February 18th at 11:59pm. Please refer to the email sent on Thursday by Mr. Joe Desjardins, Assistant Athletic Director, with further registration details.

Special Programming Scheduled for Black History Month

Austin Prep celebrates Black History Month in February with a series of educational, extracurricular, and schoolwide events organized around the school’s yearlong theme of "Love one another as I have loved you" and is embedded in our Augustinian heritage and Catholic tradition. The theme was inspired by the Gospel of St. John and guides us in our yearlong planning across multiple departments.

Sage Dining Prepares Meal Inspired by Celebrity Chef

On Thursday, Sage Dining Food Service Director Mr. Todd Moriarty and his staff prepared a meal inspired by celebrity chef Carla Hall, who has appeared on Bravo's Top Chef and is a Howard University graduate with several restaurants around the Washington, D.C. area. For her Millet Pilaf recipe, click here.

Senior Paints Portrait of Renowned Black Scientist 

Artist and aspiring STEM professional Jacqueline Plante '22 recently completed this portrait of Katherine Johnson, which is displayed in our Science wing. Jacqueline honored Johnson for her contributions to science, recognizing her achievements as a Black woman working in STEM. Johnson was featured in the film “Hidden Figures” which documents the true story of three brilliant Black female mathematicians who used their intellect to supersede both segregation and sexism at NASA and helped propel the United States in the space race that dominated the 1960s. Middle School students will have the opportunity to participate in a faculty-facilitated screening of the film next week.

Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse Visits Campus

This week we welcomed Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) back to campus to partner with us on programming and education about Substance Abuse Prevention. RCASA educators and school resource officers are joining Middle School classes to facilitate discussions around the harmful effects of vaping. The RCASA team works closely with surrounding schools, understands the realities of adolescent substance use, and is well-versed in the facts surrounding adolescent substance abuse.

Austin Prep Students, Staff, Welcome Accepted Families at Dinner

On Tuesday, Dr. and Mrs. Hickey hosted a dinner event at the Andover Country Club for the parents of accepted Upper School students. At this annual event, parents had the opportunity to meet fellow parents and interact and ask questions of the school administration in attendance. The highlight of the night followed dinner when parents were provided with the forum to ask questions of our student panel. Our students represented Austin Prep well and provided prospective parents an authentic glimpse into the Austin Prep experience. 

Student-Athletes Honored on Senior Days

Girls Basketball and Dance Team are coming soon...

Students Participate in Electromagnetic Spectrum Lab

Eighth-grade students in Ms. Katy Van Kirk's Physical Science class are learning about waves and the electromagnetic spectrum. This week's lab work was an immersive exercise for the purpose of learning about associating colors with their wavelengths. During the course of the lab, students worked in small teams to develop their hypotheses and follow a procedure to collect data on the visible spectrum. Students were given samples of barium, zinc, potassium, and other elements and held those elements over a flaming Bunsen burner. Students observed the color generated in the reaction and used a chart to record the approximate wavelength. Students then developed conclusions about the elements and their place on the periodic table. "Today's lab was amazing and my favorite lab we have done up to this point," said Brooke Voica '26. "I loved all the components needed and how engaged we were through the whole class."

The Boston Globe Features the Daughters of Mary

Austin Prep is grateful that the Daughters of Mary are a part of our community, and for their inspiring example for our students and staff. The Sisters were featured by The Boston Globe columnist Tom Farragher in Monday's paper edition of the Globe. You can click here to read the story online. We thank The Boston Globe for visiting campus, and for letting the broader community know about the impact the Sisters are having at Austin Prep.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day

And Enjoy the Super Bowl!

February 19, 2022

Dr. Kuykendall Visits Austin Prep to Help Celebrate Black History Month

Dr. Crystal Kuykendall visited Austin Prep Thursday as we continue our celebration of Black History Month. With the help of the student audience, including Jaqueline Plante '22, Mckenzie Morris '23 and Marcos De la Cruz'23, Dr. Kuykendall facilitated discussion focusing on Black Americans who exemplified the characteristics of courage, resilience, persistence, and creativity. "It is a dark past but it has also taught us so many lessons. That is why we study Black history," Dr. Kuykendall said. You can view photos from the day here.

Yearbook Ads Available For Purchase Now

Senior parents, the deadline to create a Senior Tribute Advertisement for your child in the 2022 Omega Yearbook is March 6th. Tribute ads are a great way to celebrate your child's achievements and include a personal message, such as pictures that show your child's growth throughout the years. The Yearbook Innovation website is designed to easily help you create an ad even if you don't feel very comfortable with technology. For more information and to order a Tribute Ad, click here. Please note: each graduating senior will receive one courtesy yearbook from the School. There is no need to purchase a yearbook at a later date.

Please reach out to Yearbook Teacher Ms. Nicolle Renick with questions. 

Spring Will be Here Soon; Register for Annual Golf Tournament

The 34rd Annual Golf Tournament will take place on May 23, 2022 at Indian Ridge Golf Country Club in Andover, MA. Information about registration and sponsorships can be found here.

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 welcome your participation in the event, either as a golfer or sponsor. Sponsorships help make our event a success, and a wide array of sponsorships are available. We appreciate all those who have already committed to helping us make this a great day, especially our Title Sponsors Pimentel Construction and Quirk Construction Corp., and look forward to having additional members of the community join us.

If you have questions about golf sponsorships or the event in general, please contact Ms. Susan Belanger, Assistant Head for Administration and Special Projects. We hope to see you on the course for another great day with friends in support of Austin Prep.

Robotics Team Wins Design Award

Austin Prep's robotics team competed in FIRST Tech Challenge's Freight Frenzy competition on February 13th at Andover High School. The students came away with the Design Award: "This judged award recognizes design elements of the robot that are both functional and aesthetic. The Design Award is presented to teams that incorporate industrial design elements into their solution. These design elements could simplify the robot’s appearance by giving it a clean look, be decorative in nature, or otherwise express the creativity of the team. The robot should be durable, efficiently designed, and effectively address the game challenge." Congratulations to Emily Clay '24, Rahul Gupta '23, Maddy Shih '24, Victor Villarroel '24, and Michael Young '24.

Student-Athletes Honored on Senior Days

Dance Team Senior Day is coming soon...

Austin Prep Students, Staff, Welcome Accepted Families at Dinner

On Tuesday, Dr. and Mrs. Hickey hosted a dinner event at the Andover Country Club for the parents of accepted Middle School students. At this annual event, parents had the opportunity to meet fellow parents and interact and ask questions of the school administration in attendance. The highlight of the night followed dinner when parents were provided with the forum to ask questions of our student panel. Our students represented Austin Prep well and provided prospective parents an authentic glimpse into the Austin Prep experience. 

Special Programming Continues During Black History Month

Austin Prep celebrates Black History Month in February with a series of educational, extracurricular, and schoolwide events organized around the school’s yearlong theme of "Love one another as I have loved you" and is embedded in our Augustinian heritage and Catholic tradition. The theme was inspired by the Gospel of St. John and guides us in our yearlong planning across multiple departments.

Students Visit Museum of African American History

Mr. Jaycob Morales, Coordinator of Community Engagement and Inclusion, accompanied a group of students on a trip to the Museum of African American History and the African Meeting House. The Museum is dedicated to Black history in New England, and the African Meeting House is the oldest extant Black church building in the nation.

Middle Schoolers Screen the Film "Hidden Figures"

Middle School students screened the film “Hidden Figures” which documents the true story of three brilliant Black female mathematicians who used their intellect to supersede both segregation and sexism at NASA and helped propel the United States in the space race that dominated the 1960s. Featured in the film is Katherine Johnson, who has been noted for contributions to science and mathematics.

Course Selection Process Begins

This past week, students and parents attended meetings and webinars detailing the course selection process for the upcoming academic year. Please refer to recent emails from the Office of Academic Affairs and student Advisors with additional details, as well as links to this week's parent webinars. Scheduling of courses will take place during the months of March and April. As a reminder, course selections cannot be processed until the student is fully enrolled for the 2022-2023 academic year. Our goal is to deliver students an unofficial draft of their course list in May. Releasing drafts of students' course lists in May will provide students time to review and request course changes prior to summer break. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this process.

Save the Date for Spring Arts Events

We are excited to announce dates for Art and Design performances this Spring. More details will be forthcoming, but for now, save the dates!

• The Austies will take place on April 8 at 7:00 p.m.
• Guys and Dolls will take place on May 13, 14, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday May 15 at 2:00 p.m. 
• The Spring Dance Show will take place on Saturday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m.
• The Spring Band and Choir Concert will take place on Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Community Spotlight: Dr. Paul Vecchione 

Note: Our vibrant campus comes to life as a result of the talented students and faculty who make up the Austin Prep community. We look forward to periodically highlighting those individuals here in the Cougar Courier.  

Have a Happy February Break!

Have a safe and well deserved break, Austin Prep! Campus will be closed Monday, February 21th, and the Cougar Courier will return on Saturday, March 5th.