February 2024
2.3.2024
February 3, 2024
Austin Prep Celebrates Catholic Schools Week
This past week, Austin Prep celebrated National Catholic Schools Week (CSW), an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Now entering its 50th anniversary year, CSW has traditionally been held the last week in January. Austin Prep kicked off the week with Sunday's Community Mass in the Chapel of St. Augustine and we spoke to Austin Prep parents, faculty, and alums about why Catholic education is important to them. Hear what those members of our community said by clicking below:
Winter Spirit Week Begins February 12th
Spirit Week makes its way to Austin Prep the week of February 12th - 16th. The week includes fun contests, charitable efforts, and a pep rally on Friday. A $20 donation to support St. Jude's Children's Hospital allows participation in Spirit Week. Donations can be submitted to advisors by February 8th. If you have questions about Spirit Week, please reach out to Mr. Patrick Costello, Coordinator of Student Activities.
Next Community Mass is February 11th
Join Father Patrick Armano and the Daughters of Mary at the next Community Mass.
The Monthly Community Mass for February will be held Sunday, February 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine. We encourage our school families who regularly attend Sunday Mass at their local parish to consider joining us for this monthly Sunday Mass. The Mass gives an opportunity to meet each other and pray together, at least occasionally. We will join for a time of fellowship in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to RSVP by clicking here so we can take an appropriate count for the Coffee and Donut Hour.
Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you February 11th as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.
Middle Schoolers Inducted Into National Junior Honor Society
Members of the Class of 2028 and 2029 Inducted on Monday
The newly inducted members of the National Junior Honor Society.
Austin Prep inducted new members into the National Junior Honor Society on Monday, January 29th. During the ceremony, Mark Palumbo '28, Aanya Metpelly '28, Neel Gomes '28, Zachary Oliver '28, Lucia Gracillieri '28 and Alexandra Martinelli '28 offered remarks and reflected on the pillars of NJHS - Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Character. Congratulations to all the new inductees!
You can view photos from the night here and a program from the event can be found here.
Softball Student-Athletes Make College Commitments
Colby College bound Juliana Iannibelli '24 with parents Jim and Maryellen.
Rhode Island College bound Alana DeLuties '24 with parents Damon and Lisa.
Congratulations to Juliana Iannibelli '24 and Alana DeLuties '24 who made their commitments to continue their softball careers collegiately, Juliana at Colby College and Alana at Rhode Island College. Congrats to both. We look forward to seeing you on the softball diamond soon!
P.S. -- The Iannibellis are good at this...
Unitas Leadership Academy Welcomes Navy Seal Alum
Mr. Eric Donahue '00 returned to campus this week to speak to our Unitas Leadership Academy. Mr. Donahue is a Navy Seal and currently serves as the Vice President of Advanced Training in Military Operations for the U.S. Navy. By sharing stories from his intensive specialized training and crucial missions, Mr. Donahue relayed the leadership traits and implied tasks that have proven successful for him, the importance of setting individual goals, and having a team mindset to our student leaders. The session ended with students working in groups to solve a variety of seal-like simulations. Mr. Donahue credits his Austin Prep journey with playing a critical role in the person who he is today.
Annual NaNoWriMo Writers Celebrated
Meghan Agassounon '29, Aiden Richard '29, Amanda Theisen '29, Christian Salibian '29 and Arame Minassian '29 (left to right) were recognized for their excellent NaNoWriMo work.
The NaNoWriMo Project is a capstone experience in seventh grade English. During the month of November, students are challenged to compose a minimum 10,000-word novel. Students are supported in this endeavor with an extensive planning period in the fall and incentives throughout November. English teacher Mrs. Leeann Blais joined Head of Middle School Mr. Michael McLaughlin to celebrate the students' work as descriptions of each novel were read for the class. Well done, seventh grade! And thank you to Mrs. Blais, for her work on this annual initiative. We have no doubt you'll be finding many Austin Prep authors' work on the shelves of a bookstore near you in the future!
Lawson '27 Sings National Anthem at New Hampshire State Capitol
Rep. Katelyn Kuttab presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to Tasha Lawson '27 from the House of Representatives of New Hampshire after signing the National Anthem.
On Thursday, Tasha Lawson '27 had the opportunity to sign the National Anthem at the New Hampshire House of Representatives Committee meeting at the state capitol in Concord. You can view Tasha's performance here (it begins at the 13:15 minute mark). Great job, Tasha!
Baseball Earns Preseason Recognition
Yesterday was Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil rose without seeing his shadow, forecasting an early spring. That said, the phrase "It's like it's Groundhog Day" refers to a situation in which events are or appear to be continually repeated. If that is indeed the case, when Perfect Game USA releases its annual top high school baseball team in each state list, it truly is "Groundhog Day" as Austin Prep Baseball once again tops the list for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read more here.
Pitchers and catchers report soon...
2.10.2024
February 10, 2024
Winter Spirit Week Begins Monday
Don't forget, Spirit Week makes its way to Austin Prep this week, including fun contests, charitable efforts, and a pep rally on Friday. A $20 donation to support St. Jude's Children's Hospital allows participation in Spirit Week. Donations should have been submitted to advisors by last Thursday. If you have questions about Spirit Week, please reach out to Mr. Patrick Costello, Coordinator of Student Activities.
Lunar New Year Begins Today
International Students celebrate the Lunar New Year with traditional games and candies.
The Lunar New Year begins today and we wish a Happy Lunar New Year to all those who celebrate. Over the past week, Mandarin and international students have been preparing for the occasion, emphasizing food, stories, and traditions. Activities have included the preparing of dumplings in the dining hall, the creation of posters introducing the Lunar New Year, fan painting with Mandarin calligraphy, and trivia cards on tables in the Dining Hall, among other activities. A special thank you goes to World Language Faculty Mrs. Daisy Tian and Dr. Fei Wang for helping guide our students during the celebrations. View photos from the celebration here.
Next Community Mass is Tomorrow
The Monthly Community Mass for February will be held tomorrow, February 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Augustine. We encourage our school families who regularly attend Sunday Mass at their local parish to consider joining us for this monthly Sunday Mass. The Mass gives an opportunity to meet each other and pray together, at least occasionally. We will join for a time of fellowship in the Dining Hall after Mass. To help us with our planning, we would ask families to RSVP by clicking here so we can take an appropriate count for the Coffee and Donut Hour.
Students are required to attend with their parents. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we strengthen each other through this act of celebrating Mass together.
Class of 2024 Baby Photos Due February 16th
Can you name this member of the Class of 2024?
Answer below...
As part of the annual tradition, we would like for parents of the Class of 2024 to submit a baby photo of their senior to be included in the yearbook. We would like to receive them by Friday, February 16th. 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. The Baby Photos page will be built around the submissions sent on time. Any photos sent beyond the due date of February 16th are not guaranteed to be included in the yearbook.
First Students to Enroll for 2024-2025
Last week, Austin Prep sent via email admissions decisions to applicants who completed their applications by the December priority deadline.
Kimberly Tauro '28 (Upper School) and Julian Blais '31 (Middle School) were the first to enroll for the 2024-2025 academic year. Welcome Kimberly and Julian, we can’t wait for you to start your #AustinPrepJourney!
Additionally, Nolan Abbott '28 and Addison Slye '29 were the first Austin Prep students to re-enroll for the Upper and Middle School, respectively. Welcome back, Nolan and Addison!
In just the week since admissions decisions were released, we have been overwhelmed by the response from those families who have already enrolled. We are grateful for those in our community and beyond who believe in and support our mission on a daily basis, and we can't wait to welcome our newly enrolled students in person in the very near future.
Austin Prep Announces Menu of Student Trips for 2024-2025
The Summer of 2023 included a trip for students to the United Kingdom, shown departing above.
We are thrilled to announce our menu of student trips for the 2024-2025 academic year. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of our patron Saint Augustine who famously wrote, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page," we embrace the idea that life itself is an incredible journey filled with opportunities for exploration and discovery. The theme of the journey is inherent to our Augustinian mission. Our patron encourages us to turn the pages of the world and uncover the richness of diverse cultures and beautiful landscapes as we do so. Each new experience, each adventure, adds another chapter to the story of our lives and our appreciation of the human experience.
These trips are more than just travel experiences; they are transformative adventures that distinguish Austin Prep and its students as seekers of knowledge and champions of cultural understanding. By participating in these journeys, our students and teachers go beyond the ordinary and gain an appreciation for our world and the human experience. This unique and special opportunity sets Austin Prep apart, reinforcing our commitment to a holistic education that goes beyond the textbooks. Through travel, students gain a perspective that prepares them to navigate their interconnected future with empathy, curiosity, and a profound understanding of the world and how they can contribute to it.
This year’s slate of itineraries offers a range of destinations where students can stamp their passports and experience veritas, unitas, and caritas in the world beyond Willow Street and make the globe their classroom!
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Quebec (French Language Studies)
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Italy in the Footsteps of Augustine (Choir Performance Tour & Pilgrimage)
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Japan (STEM)
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Bermuda (Marine Science)
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South Dakota (Service & the Great Outdoors)
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London (Middle School Study Abroad)
If there is a trip of particular interest to you, please reach out to express that to help us advance our planning. In many cases, a minimum number of participants is needed for a trip to run. Contact Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School for more information. Detailed information, including trip itineraries with specific dates, costs, and registration details, will be made available in the coming weeks. Happy Travels - the world awaits!
Eighth Annual Sixth Grade Egyptian Museum a "Pharaohcious" Success
Karlee Cambray '30, Klara Masterpol '30, and Sofia Kiaer '30 show off the pyramid they built for the Egyptian Museum.
The Class of 2030 welcomed family and friends on Tuesday evening to the Eighth Annual Sixth Grade Egyptian Museum. This past semester, our sixth grade scholars worked towards this annual interdisciplinary and experiential capstone in their English and History courses. This year’s scholarly symposium was an opportunity for sixth graders to showcase their work and that of their peers. The Egyptian Museum is an important mile marker on the Austin Prep Middle School Journey. The night even included a performance by the 6th grade choir.
View photos from the Museum here.
Benefactors and Students Recognized at Memorial Scholarship Ceremony
We were honored to announce Memorial Scholarship recipients for the 2024-2025 academic year at a special breakfast and ceremony on Wednesday. A program for the event can be found here. Students in Grades 9-11 were eligible to apply for the awards and recipients demonstrated significant academic achievement and service contributions to the Austin Prep community, among other qualities. 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. Students were presented with certificates by James Hickey, Ph.D., Head of School, and Jonathan Pollard, Associate Head of School. We are proud of our students and grateful for the support of those who make these scholarships possible. Thank you to all who make these scholarships possible. #Caritas
View photos from the ceremony here.
Psychology and Sociology Classes Hear From Boston Based Social Workers
Boston CASA Executive Director Nicole Stewart speaks with Austin Prep students on Monday.
Psychology and Sociology classes learned more about the foster care system when representatives from Boston CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) visited campus this week. Executive Director Nicole Stewart and Advocate Supervisor Jaylene Tiscareno shared their experiences serving foster children who experience abuse and neglect in the Middlesex and Suffolk counties. They discussed how the children they work with suffer from trauma and how Boston CASA works to advocate for students as they navigate DCF, foster care, health care, and the criminal justice systems. Ms. Stewart explained that "I am passionate about helping people because I wanted to put my values into action. Your school's core values resonate with me, especially Caritas, because children need someone to care for them so they can overcome poor outcomes."
Sherry '24 Makes College Soccer Commitment
Lexi Sherry '24 with parents Richard, Linda and sister Ava '27.
Congratulations to Lexi Sherry '24 who made her commitment to continue her soccer career collegiately at Regis College. Congrats, Lexi, and best of luck. Also, Señora Sherry, felicidades!
Also on the college commitment front, stop by the Office of College Counseling to see the growing compilation of college acceptances and commitments for the Class of 2024. This is an exciting time for our seniors!
English Department Celebrates Black History Month
Chris Tauro '28 presents to classmates on Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
In celebration of Black History Month, 8th grade students have researched figures from American history and their impact on the worlds of politics, music, athletics, and science. Students first read teacher-supplied biographies and answered text-dependent questions, then completed additional elements of the project before bringing the research together in an infographic highlighting the importance of their particular individual. The project culminated with presentations to classmates.
Class of 2024 Baby Photos Answer
Paul Forlizzi '24
2.17.2024
February 17, 2024
Pep Rally, Basketball Game, Highlight Spirit Week
Austin Prep celebrated Spirit Week February 12th-16th in a week that included fun events and charitable efforts in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The week was highlighted by the Students vs. Faculty Basketball game on Thursday, in which the faculty showed a wide range of skills leading to a 52-46 victory. Watching the faculty string together victories in recent years gives credence to the concepts of work smarter, not harder, and even let the ball do the work. The week was capped off with Friday's Pep Rally. We hope everyone had a great week!
Grandparents Day Info Requested by February 29th
Grandparents' Day was so great in 2023 that we decided to celebrate Grandparents twice in 2024.
Grandparents' Day at Austin Prep will be held over the course of two days this year, May 1st and May 2nd. We look forward to welcoming grandparents to campus to celebrate a morning of prayer and community with their Austin Prep grandchildren. The morning will include a continental breakfast, a prayer service and a student-led experience.
In order to ensure that grandparents receive all correspondences for the event, please take a moment to share with us the contact information of your child's grandparent(s) by clicking this link.
Please submit this information by Thursday, February 29th. As you know, Austin Prep continues to experience a robust enrollment, and as a result, it is important for us to gauge the number of grandparents interested in attending as soon as possible so we can finalize logistics. We plan to host the grandparents of students last name A-K on May 1st, and students last name L-Z on May 2nd. The two-day format is subject to change based on the number of names submitted.
Formal invitations will be mailed to grandparents in March. Due to space constraints, families are welcome to have up to two grandparents in attendance.
Ash Wednesday Celebrated with Schoolwide Mass
Fr. Chi Ai, A.A. delivers ashes at Wednesday's Mass.
Austin Prep was blessed to welcome Fr. Chi Ai, A.A. to campus to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass. In his homily, Fr. Ai drew connections between Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday. "Today we celebrate love, change, and commitment," Fr. Ai said. "It is the beginning of our Lenten journey. It is the beginning of our love story with God." You can view photos from the Mass here.
School Community Shows Love on Valentine's Day
"Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul." - St. Augustine
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Office of Admissions and APS Media Club collaborated to find out what our school community loves about Austin Prep. Click here to find out what members of our community had to say. What do YOU love about Austin Prep? 💘
Austin Prep Welcomes Hip Hop Dance Crew
Students received lessons on how to do The Robot with Boston-based hip hop crew, The Floor Lords.
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing students with guest speakers who are leaders in their respective fields, dance students had the opportunity to learn new styles from an award winning Boston-based dance crew, The Floor Lords. This organization seeks to use the positive aspect of hip hop dance to reach and empower youth worldwide, and share our perspective that education can cultivate global citizenship. The focal point of their visit was to share the history of hip hop dance and how dance can have a positive impact on the community. The Floor Lords taught Middle and Upper School students the elements of hip-hop through a blend of performance, a tutorial in how to do the robot, and an introduction to breakdancing. See photos of The Floor Lords with our students here.
Model UN Newsletter Summarizes Weekend Experience
The Model UN Team and Model UN Seniors during the Harvard Model UN event.
In January, the Austin Prep Model United Nations team participated in the 71st session of Harvard's Model United Nations. Our students were joined by over 4,000 high school delegates and their faculty advisors with a staff of over 230 Harvard University undergraduates 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. Now, perhaps more than ever, the value of Model United Nations has never been clearer.
Model UN advisor and History Department Chair Mr. Jon Whalen recently put together this great e-newsletter summarizing the events of that weekend. You can learn more about the Model UN experience here.
Second Quarter Honor Roll Announced
The list of students who earned honors in the second 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
Mardi Gras Celebrated in French Club
The French Club celebrated Epiphany and Mardi Gras with traditional pastries and treats. A fève (bean or trinket) was hidden in the “galette des rois,” the kings’ cake. Those who found a bean in their piece of cake were “king” and “queen” of the party and wore a royal crown and cape. One student in the French Club brought in an authentic king’s cake shipped from a French bakery in New Orleans. The frosting and green, purple, and yellow sprinkles came separately for us to decorate together. The baby inside, representing baby Jesus, is said to bring luck and prosperity. Merci to Noah Francone '28 and his family for their part in this delicious tradition!
Austin Authors Sponsors Writing Contest
Be sure to check out the Austin Authors website to read more entries from our students.
The Austin Authors club recently had a writing contest where all juniors and seniors had to write a short descriptive piece. The Austin Authors club chose two winners: Torin Baggs '24 who wrote "The Winter" and Haoting (Hayden) Bai '25 for "A Winter Utopia." You can read the winning pieces here. Congrats Torin and Hayden!
Enjoy February Vacation!
We wish you a safe and well deserved February Break! Austin Prep will be closed Monday, February 19th, and the Cougar Courier will return on Saturday, March 2nd. In case you need extra incentive to make this February Break a great one, don't forget that with the transition in the academic calendar for the 2024-2025 academic year to a two-week March break, this will be the last year that Austin Prep will have a February vacation. Don't worry, though, Presidents' Day (February 17, 2025) will continue to be observed.