December 2019

2019 Softball Team Awarded State Championship Rings and Honored with Headmaster's Medallion

The 2019 MIAA Division 3 State Champion Austin Prep Softball team was honored November 27th with the presentation of championship rings and the Headmaster's Medallion. Team members, family, faculty and staff were in attendance for the event.

The softball team finished the 2019 season with a record of 24-2, defeating Turners Falls 3-0 in the State Championship on June 22. "Two things must happen to make for a championship season," Athletics Director Patrick Driscoll '97 said. "First, you must use the gifts and talents God has given you. And second, you must build strong friendships and relationships across the team. You, without a doubt, have done both."

James Hickey, Ph.D. P'22, '23, '24 presented members of the team with the Headmaster's Medallion, which recognizes members of the Austin Prep community who have exceeded expectations and achieved unparalleled results. A certificate presented to each team member read: "The Headmaster's Medallion is reserved for distinct occasions and rare moments to salute those who unquestionably exemplify Austin Prep's Augustinian values of veritas, unitas, and caritas. The medallion, given at the discretion of the Headmaster, symbolizes a fellowship of Austin Prep community members who, through personal or collective achievements, have strengthened Austin Prep's heritage."

The tradition of the Headmaster's Medallion began in 2018. The softball team joins the 2018 Baseball State Championship team and former Parents Association President Susan Ardizzoni P'19 as past recipients of the honor.

To view more photos from the event, click here.

Class of 2019 Alumni Brunch

Austin Prep continued the tradition of welcoming back the past year's graduating class for an alumni brunch the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. On November 27th, members of the Class of 2019 gathered in the Dining Hall to connect with classmates, faculty and staff as a kick-off to the holiday weekend. Thank you to all who returned back to campus!

To view more photos from the event, click here.

Lessons and Carols, Cookies and Cocoa Return December 12th

All families are welcome to join us for our annual Christmas tradition, Lessons and Carols. This year's event is Thursday, December 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Richard J. Meelia Hall. The evening includes traditional Christmas hymns and carols by the Austin Prep Chorus and Austin Prep Band, as well as scripture readings and short passages about the true meaning of the season. 

After the event, our community gathers in the Dining Hall for the Parents Association’s Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. Families enjoy hot chocolate and treats while taking photos with Santa. Volunteers are needed to help with setup and cleanup. Parents may also participate by donating a baked good or treat to the event. Click here if you are able to donate an item or help out at the event.

The Nutcracker Suite Set for December 14th-15th

The Arts at Austin hopes you will join us for our annual Christmas tradition, The Nutcracker Suite. In addition to showcasing the talents of our students, the performance features cameos by members of the faculty and administration. Shows take place in Richard J. Meelia Hall on Saturday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 15th at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can also be purchased online here.

Austin Prep Class of 2020 Arrives in the Magic Kingdom

The Austin Prep Class of 2020 departed bright and early Wednesday for their Senior Class trip to Disneyworld. For many, this trip and the 2019-2020 academic year will be the culmination of their "lifer" experience as an Austin Prep student. To read more about Austin Prep seniors who began their Austin Prep journey as sixth graders, click here.

Dr. Hickey Participates in St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Dedication

James Hickey, Ph.D. P’22, ’23, ’24, who serves as international board chairman of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) International Fraternity, was recently in Memphis, Tennessee as the Fraternity dedicated in its name the Bone Marrow Transplantation Research Labs & Cellular Therapy Research floor at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  The Fraternity and the Hospital began their partnership in 1978 and St. Jude is the primary beneficiary of TKE philanthropic efforts.  Danny Thomas, who founded St. Jude in 1962, was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

The dedication and naming of the hospital floor recognizes TKE's latest fundraising commitment to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in their efforts to understand, treat and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. TKE’s commitment to raise $10 million for St. Jude in 10 years was announced in August and is the third and largest commitment TKE has made to the hospital since the partnership began. Earlier this year, TKE completed a previous $2.6 million gift to St. Jude. Joining Dr. Hickey at the unveiling were several TKE collegiate members, as well as TKE's international board of directors, and members of the professional staff.

"Today is a proud moment for Tau Kappa Epsilon. We are humbled and excited to partner with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," Dr. Hickey said. "The work TKE does for St. Jude helps us to fulfill the mission of Tau Kappa Epsilon. We are inspired by the work of St. Jude and we are pleased and proud to make the largest commitment to St. Jude by any men's fraternity."

Support from partners like TKE and donors worldwide help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes with doctors and scientists worldwide in order to assist them in their effort to save children. 

"This special dedication is about celebrating the incredible commitment of TKE fraternity and all they do for St. Jude," said Richard Shadyac, Jr., President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "The devotion of this organization and its members to helping our patients truly speaks to the desire of our next generation of leaders to make the world a better place for so many."

Dr. Hickey has served the Fraternity in various capacities throughout his professional career, most notably as a member of TKE’s Grand Council (board of directors) since 2009. He was inaugurated as international board chairman in August 2019.

Lazarus House Giving Tree

This Christmas season, the Friends of Rachel and Service Club are sponsoring a Lazarus House Giving Tree. New toys, gloves and hats should be placed under the tree in the library. New and used coats and winter gear can be delivered to Mrs. Lisa Theriault's  P'15,'17,'19,'19,'22 Room 313. Donations will be accepted through Monday, December 16th. Thank you in advance for your support!

Authentic Dining in Latin II Honors Class

Students in Mr. Roger Stone's Latin II Honors class prepared a Roman meal, called a Cena. Some of the dishes were made using authentic ancient recipes.  Pictured left to right are Rahul Gupta '23, Michael Young '24, Sofia Senn '23, Katherine Millett '24, Cam Bayusik '24, and Aiden Becker '24.

Academic Decathlon Competition Report

Thirteen students from Austin Prep recently competed in the Massachusetts Academic Decathlon Competition at Quincy High School. The team finished in fourth place in the Small Schools Division. Four Austin Prep students earned individual awards. This is the largest and youngest team Austin Prep has entered in an Academic Decathlon competition in several years, with one junior, seven sophomores, and five freshmen participating.

The students in attendance were: Patricia Bibeau '22, Valeria Centinaro '23, Olivia Ferri '23, Liam Gildea '22, Vikram Gonuguntla '22, Cat Jalbert '22, Meredith McDonough '22, Sofia Senn '23, Anjali Serrano '23, Lily Seville '23, Eryn Trant '21, Julia Viana '22, and Victoria Withycombe '22.

Individual Awards were won by:

Vikram Gonuguntla '22 - Bronze in Math

Cat Jalbert '22 - Bronze in Economics, Highest Individual Score for Austin Prep

Eryn Trant '21 - Silver in Music

Victoria Withycombe '22 - Silver in Science, Silver in Social Science, Honorable Mention as 5th Place Overall in Varsity Division

The team will compete next at the Massachusetts Region II Championship to be held on Saturday, February 1st, 2020. In addition to taking the seven objective subject tests (Art, Economics, Literature, Math, Music, Science, and Social Science), participants in the Region II Championship will also be required to write an essay, give a speech, and perform an interview, making the competition a true decathlon. The curricular theme for 2019-2020 is In Sickness and In Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.

Mr. Ed Mackenzie '99 and Ms. Kayla Greenwood serve as co-moderators for the group. Additionally, Mr. Tony Biscardi '88 (Economics), Mrs. Stephanie Choate (Literature), and Mrs. Natalie Petrillo P'10 (Math) provided expert guidance and instruction to the team in preparation for the event.

Two More Student-Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent

Two more college bound Austin Prep student-athletes recently signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers after graduation. Dani Rich '20 signed her Letter of Intent to continue her soccer career at Saint Anselm College, and Emily Hickey '20 signed her Letter of Intent to participate in track and field at The Citadel. Congratulations to Dani and Emily and best of luck as you continue your athletic careers!

Support Austin Prep This Giving Season

As 2019 comes to a close, we ask you to remember Austin Prep in your year-end-giving. 

Annual Fund contributions enrich the quality of life for our students and their teachers, and enhances all student life; the arts, athletics, technology, teacher professional development, and family financial assistance. Such contributions maintain unique and distinctive learning opportunities for today's students and those who will journey with us for years to come.

Every dollar sustains Austin Prep's accelerating arc of success.

All gifts made by December 31, 2019 are eligible for a 2019 tax deduction. Click HERE to make a donation.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of Austin Prep through the Annual Fund during the holiday season and beyond!

New Website Launches January 6th

Austin Prep is excited for the launch of a new website Monday, January 6th. The new site will serve current Austin Prep students and families with up-to-date resources and information, and will be an online admissions tool to reach prospective students, providing families in depth information about the Austin Prep Journey. Be on the look out for more information about the website as the launch date approaches!

Come See The Nutcracker Tonight and Tomorrow!

The Nutcracker Suite, the Annual Austin Prep Christmas tradition, opens tonight! The show begins at 7:00 p.m. in Richard J. Meelia Hall, with a second show tomorrow, Sunday, December 15th at 2:00 p.m. In addition to showcasing the talents of our students, the performance features cameos by members of the faculty and administration. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets will be available at the door or can also be purchased online here.

Community Comes Together for Lessons and Carols

The Austin Prep community gathered on Thursday evening for the annual Christmas tradition of Lessons and Carols. The evening included traditional Christmas hymns and carols by the Austin Prep Chorus and Austin Prep Band, as well as scripture readings and short passages about the true meaning of the season. The night showcased the talents of Austin Prep students, who were led throughout the performance under the exceptional direction of Mr. Joe Leary and Mr. Stephen Williams. Additional photos from Lessons and Carols can be viewed here.

After the event, the focus shifted to the Dining Hall for the Parents Association’s Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. Families enjoyed hot chocolate and treats while taking photos with Santa. Thank you to those parents who volunteered and contributed desserts for the event. Additional photos from Cookies and Cocoa with Santa can be viewed here.

Austin Prep Class of 2020 Returns from Walt Disney World

The Austin Prep Class of 2020 returned last Sunday from their senior class trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The trip provided experiences not found in any book or classroom, and seniors created memories that will be among their best and that will last a lifetime. The Class of 2020 conducted themselves with the responsibility we expect, and exemplified Austin Prep values throughout the trip. We already look forward to a return trip with the Class of 2021!

Lazarus House Donations Accepted Through Thursday, December 19th

This Christmas season, the Friends of Rachel and Service Club are sponsoring a Lazarus House Giving Tree. New toys, gloves and hats should be placed under the tree in the library. New and used coats and winter gear can be delivered to Mrs. Lisa Theriault's  P'15,'17,'19,'19,'22 Room 313. The deadline for accepting donations has been extended to Thursday, December 19th. Thank you in advance for your support!

Support Austin Prep This Giving Season

As 2019 comes to a close, we ask you to remember Austin Prep in your year-end-giving. 

Annual Fund contributions enrich the Austin Prep experience for our students and their teachers, and enhances all student life; the arts, athletics, technology, teacher professional development, and family financial assistance. Such contributions maintain unique and distinctive learning opportunities for today's students and those who will journey with us for years to come.

Every dollar sustains Austin Prep's accelerating arc of success.

All gifts made by December 31, 2019 are eligible for a 2019 tax deduction. Click HERE to make a donation.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of Austin Prep through the Annual Fund during the holiday season and beyond!

7th Grade November Writing Challenge

The November writing challenge for the 7th grade class is complete! Students had a goal of writing 10,000 words during the month, and anyone who met that goal was entered into a raffle. Raffle winners were Nora Matthews '25 (20,000 words), Caroline Brabeck '25 (15,000 words), and Sophia Collins '25 (10,000 words).
 

Drama Students Participate in Statewide Competition

Last Saturday Ms. Kacie Brown took two Journey Into Drama students, Kat Millett '24 and Caroline Brabeck '25 to the Mass Educational Theater Guild (METG) theater competition. Kat and Caroline competed against students from other schools all over Massachusetts and were entered in the individual monologue category. Kat performed a monologue from "Mean Girls," and Caroline performed a monologue from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." Both performed exceptionally! 

Fruit Snack Probability

Students in Mrs. Doreen Fuller's P'09, '13 statistics class took part in a real-life probability activity. They were given the task to collect and sort by color data from bags of fruit snacks. From this data, the class found the measure of central tendencies (mean, median, mode) as well as calculating the probability of randomly selected colors. The most popular fruit snack color was orange, comprising 27% of all fruit snacks.

Students Conduct Advanced Biotechnology Experiment

Dr. Ricardo Vanagas' P'21, '24 biotechnology class just finished a three-week project where they constructed their own genetically modified organism (GMO). This opportunity was made possible through the Amgen Biotechnology Experience and Harvard Life Sciences Outreach Program which provided advanced, technical equipment and materials to our students. The students constructed a DNA vector with a gene for red fluorescent protein (RFP) that comes from a sea anemone. They then took this gene and placed it into a bacteria called E. Coli.  The E.Coli went from white colonies to pink colonies when transformed with the RFP gene. The E. Coli has been genetically modified to produce a protein found in sea anemones.   

New England Aquarium Field Trip

Austin Prep students continue to use field trips across the Boston area to make a connection between their school curriculum and real life experiences. On Tuesday, Juniors in Mrs. Jeanne Maurand's Marine Biology class traveled to the New England Aquarium. Students went to see live invertebrates and vertebrates - fish, sharks, rays, seals and penguins they have been studying in class. Students also viewed the IMAX film, Hidden Pacific, about protected island habitats. Each student will use their own photos to create a slide show of marine animals and research the classification. 

Reminder: Augustinian Holiday December 20

Just a quick reminder: Austin Prep will be closed Friday, December 20th for the Augustinian Holiday. Enjoy the extra day for your Holiday preparations!

The Nutcracker Tradition Continues

Richard J. Meelia Hall was filled last weekend for two performances of Austin Prep's annual production of The Nutcracker Suite. The production is a Christmas season tradition, having occurred on campus for the past 25 years. In addition to featuring the talents of our students, members of the faculty and administration performed on stage. Bravo to Mrs. Marla Pascucci-Byrne P'26 for orchestrating yet another successful production! Photos from the weekend performances can be viewed here.

Support Austin Prep This Giving Season

As Christmas draws near, please consider supporting Austin Prep's Annual Fund with a gift. The Annual Fund helps enhance every part of life for our students and faculty. Gifts are put to immediate use and impact every corner of the school from the arts to athletics, faculty professional development, tuition assistance, campus ministry, and more. Every gift matters and no gift is too small! Please consider making a gift to the Austin Prep Annual Fund and be a part of something extraordinary. 

All gifts made by December 31, 2019 are eligible for a 2019 tax deduction. Click HERE to make a donation.

Thank you in advance for your continued support of Austin Prep through the Annual Fund during the holiday season and beyond!

Farrell Named St. Augustine Lumen Award Recipient

Congratulations to Ms. Elizabeth Farrell, who is the fourth recipient of the St. Augustine Lumen Award. The Lumen Award was established by the Austin Prep Board of Trustees to recognize outstanding teachers. Headmaster James Hickey, Ph.D. P’22, ’23, ’24 and Board of Trustees Chair Dan Bouchard P’10, ’14, ’15 presented Ms. Farrell with a certificate that noted  "Ms. Elizabeth Farrell places the holistic formation of students as the foundation of a life well lived in the vocation of teaching.  Inspired and inspiring, the St. Augustine Lumen Award Recipient is a beacon of light, bringing out the best in others and being a shining example of what it means to personify Austin Prep's mission.”

The award was presented Monday night at the annual Austin Prep Christmas party, which was attended by faculty, staff, and members of the Austin Prep Board of Trustees.

Austin Prep Chorus Less Than a Week Away From Rome Trip

The Austin Prep Chorus is less than a week away from their 2019 Christmas Break trip to Vatican City to perform for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica. This week, students made final preparations for their trip, as red robes and stoles were distributed to Chorus members.

The Chorus will have the opportunity to sing at Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on December 29th and again on January 1st. Later that evening, the Chorus will offer a concert for the City of Rome at the Church of St. Ignatius. Finally, the Chorus will perform at Mass in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi on January 2nd. They will also have an opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel. 

Annual Door Decorating Contest

Upper School Door Decorating:

1st Place: Mr. Williams' Advisory - The Nightmare Before Christmas

2nd Place: Ms. Doan's Advisory - Santa in the Chimney

3rd Place: Ms. Barletta's Advisory - Operation 

Athletics Events Over The Break

Students may have departed for the Christmas recess, but there are plenty of opportunities to see Austin Prep Athletics in action this break, including a full slate of home contests. To see a full athletics schedule for the winter break, click here. For in game updates at select athletics events, be sure to follow the athletics department on Twitter here.

Austin Prep Holiday Schedule

We hope that all members of the Austin Prep community have a restful and relaxing Christmas Holiday Break. Campus will be closed December 24th and 25th, and January 1st. The Cougar Courier will return on Saturday, January 11th.