September 2023

Austin Prep Recognized Hispanic Heritage Month

Austin Prep continued to prioritize justice and inclusion in the classroom and beyond. The work of the Office of Mission and Inclusion remained animated by the life and teaching of St. Augustine and the Augustinians. Drawing upon the Augustinian values of veritas, unitas, and caritas, Austin Prep promoted Hispanic Heritage Month throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

On Friday, See photos from Austin Prep’s visit with restauranteurs Emily and Lorenzo Tenreiro P'23, '25, '27, owners of Melrose restaurants Learn more about La Qchara and Explore Tahpas 529. Before opening the La Qchara food truck to students during lunch for a selection of authentic tastes of Central and South America, the Austin Prep parents spoke to the Young Business Leaders of America Club about human resources, real estate, expansion, and managing a business.

Earlier in the day, students from B Block Spanish classes with Señora Celia Barletta, Señora Rebecca Martiniello, Señora Linda Filadoro, and Señora Linda Sherry met to discuss the importance of Hispanic culture to the business model. Emily and Lorenzo shared how their dream was to celebrate their cultural heritage and experience in the restaurant business. Students generated questions in English and Spanish while the couple emphasized the importance of being multilingual in a growing multicultural area.

The programming for Hispanic Heritage Month reflected Austin Prep’s mission to encourage learning, educate the whole person, serve the faith, and promote justice. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually to recognize the contributions, achievements, and influence of Hispanic Americans on religion, art, athletics, business, history, and culture in the United States and across the world. Beginning in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson, the celebration expanded under President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to a 30-day observance and was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

College Counseling Hosted College Admissions Representatives

The Office of College Counseling stayed busy throughout the fall hosting college admissions representatives from around the country. On Wednesday, Austin Prep welcomed Boston College, and students had the opportunity to hear directly from an admissions representative.

Students also continued to check daily announcements and Veracross for the college visit schedule and to learn more about upcoming visits.

Students Living Our Mission

Check this space monthly as we recognize students demonstrating our values on campus.

Unitas is a key component of what distinguishes an Augustinian education from all others. Austin Prep continued to work together to strengthen the community in a way reflective of its core values of veritas, unitas, and caritas.

As part of that effort, the Office of Student Life recognized exemplary behavior on campus. Students who best displayed the values distinctive to the Austin Prep experience were acknowledged monthly in the Cougar Courier and on social media.

In September, Austin Prep recognized the work of Jack Sweeney '24, Mikey Brosnan ‘26, and Patrick Simmons ‘30. Without being asked, Jack assisted a younger student in need by escorting him to lunch, helping him get food, and connecting him with friends. Mikey demonstrated selfless behavior multiple times during the month by volunteering to hold the door for the entire student body following Convocation and by helping clean in the dining hall without being asked. Patrick embodied the charisma of unitas by asking a new student to sit with his group during lunch. Their leadership and integrity reflected the qualities Austin Prep seeks to cultivate in its students.

Class of 2027 Visited Boda Borg

The Class of 2027 enjoyed a class trip to Boda Borg Boston. It was a great day for freshmen to spend time together and create memories with friends and classmates. The Office of Student Life continued planning class-based trips as the year progressed.

Athletic Evolution Strength and Conditioning Partnership Continued

As Austin Prep continued striving to provide students with strong health and wellness opportunities, the school maintained its partnership with Learn more about Athletic Evolution, a local athletic performance organization contracted to provide all students with a structured strength and conditioning program throughout the school year. Athletic Evolution, which has trained athletes of all ages from middle school through the professional ranks for more than 15 years, continued providing coaching services in the David E. Nelson ’81 Fitness Center.

Entering the third year of the partnership, Austin Prep introduced Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Connolly '15. Joe, a 2015 graduate of Austin Prep from Andover, Massachusetts, graduated from Stonehill College in 2019, where he competed in track and field. After graduation, he served as track and field coach at Dover-Sherborn High School. Most recently, he earned a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Physiology from Merrimack College, where he also completed a fellowship with the Harvard strength and conditioning staff and served as head strength coach for the men’s rugby team. In addition to serving as Austin Prep’s head strength and conditioning coach, he also worked as a personal trainer in the speed academy for Athletic Evolution. His father, Mark Connolly, graduated from Austin Prep in 1983, and his sister, Fiona Connolly, graduated in 2019.

Coach Connolly oversaw the Fitness Center Monday through Friday and guided interested students through customized strength and conditioning work. The partnership continued to provide structure in the facility while helping students pursue success on and off the field and work toward their personal fitness goals.

• 10% discount to all Austin Prep students for Athletic Evolution programs, including personal training, semi-private training, team training, youth programs, and speed programs.
• Free injury screens to all Austin Prep student-athletes through the physical therapy department.

Farewell, Patty Fothergill

Wednesday marked Manager of Accounting Patty Fothergill’s last day at Austin Prep as she retired after 17 years of service. A past Austin Prep parent of Andrew '06 and Edward '09, Patty provided incredibly loyal and detailed support to Austin Prep and the Business Office throughout her tenure. Faculty and staff, in particular, benefited in one way or another from Patty’s commitment to her craft over the years.

On Wednesday, faculty and staff joined Patty for fellowship and to wish her well as she entered retirement.

Community Spotlight: Meaghan Holloran

Note: The Austin Prep campus came to life through the talented students and faculty who made up the community. The Cougar Courier periodically highlighted those individuals.

Hometown: Woburn, MA

Education/Degrees: BS in Biology from Stonehill College; M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Boston College

Years at Austin Prep: First year

Years working in education: 13

Department/Area of Subject: Science Department Chair, teaching Biology and Anatomy & Physiology

Describe a teacher who inspired you growing up: “I was fortunate to have had many excellent teachers and professors throughout my academic journey. One of my favorite teachers was my high school French teacher, Ms. Fiore. Her class was always fun and engaging, and she was always encouraging her students to try new things. She really helped me grow into a more confident student and inspired me to study abroad in France and minor in French while I was in college.”

Do you have a motto you teach by or an expression you try to instill in your classroom? “My teaching philosophy has always been that all students are capable of learning at high levels.”

If you weren’t a teacher, what career would you have pursued? “I loved my college internships at the Museum of Science, so if I had not become a teacher, I could see myself continuing a career in informal education and helping people of all ages engage more with science and learn new things.”

Accolades: Boston College Distinguished Student Teacher Award (2015)

Favorite Quote: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” - Zig Ziglar

Fun fact: “I worked as both a Learn-to-Skate and Learn-to-Ski instructor during my high school and college years.”

Any other information you would like to share: “I was excited to be a part of the Austin Prep community.”

Community Danced the Night Away at the Black Tie Gala

Austin Prep enjoyed an amazing celebration on Friday, September 15, as nearly 300 parents, past parents, faculty, alumni, Trustees, and friends gathered at the Burlington Marriott to celebrate the school’s 60th Anniversary. It was an unforgettable dinner and dancing event, filled with joy, laughter, and a strong sense of community while honoring the accomplishments of yesterday, embracing the opportunities of today, and imagining the future with pride, confidence, and optimism.

One of the highlights of the evening was the premiere of a video piece documenting Austin Prep’s strong history with an eye toward the future. Watch video highlights from the evening and View photos from the Black Tie Gala.

The Austin Prep community remained grateful for all students, staff, parents, past parents, alumni, Trustees, and friends whose unwavering support shaped the school’s legacy across six decades.

Dr. Hickey Was Recognized by His Alma Mater

Head of School James Hickey, Ph.D., received the Kevin Sheehy ’67 M’70 M’92 H’99 Alumni Leadership Medal at Wagner College’s Grand Celebration as part of Wagner Weekend.

The Wagner College Alumni Association annually recognizes outstanding alumni who have given distinguished service to Wagner College and the community at large. Dr. Hickey, who earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History in 1994 and his master’s in Secondary Education in 1997 from the Staten Island college, held student leadership roles at Wagner and contributed to alumni and development initiatives after graduation. He also served as an adjunct professor in the college’s Education Department for 15 years.

Read more about the award and its recipients.

Austin Prep Faculty Were Featured in Professional Publications

Austin Prep educators sought to become forward-thinking leaders in their fields as visionaries and skilled practitioners in their academic disciplines. That philosophy was rooted in Augustinian pedagogy, which takes a holistic approach to education and promotes the growth of students as lifelong learners dedicated to the common good. Teachers modeled lifelong learning through professional development opportunities, including sabbaticals in the Czech Republic, Rome, England, Spain, and across the United States. Master teachers also mentored teaching fellows from Endicott College and Merrimack College, while faculty members served as professors at Endicott College and Boston College.

Members of the faculty were selected to present at national, state, and local conferences and were profiled in publications related to athletics and academics. Two recent examples were highlighted here.

Dr. William Driscoll '89, Dean of Faculty, recently wrote a review for Teachers College Record on a publication about refugee and asylum-seeking students, the topic of his dissertation research. Read Dr. Driscoll’s book review.

Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School, coordinates international travel programs at Austin Prep. This year, a Remembrance Journey took 50 Upper School students to Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic as they confronted the evils of the Holocaust through a series of visits and reflections. Mr. McLaughlin is also a freelance travel writer and regularly writes on the student group travel market. This summer, his article Adapt and Innovate, which highlighted programs offered at Austin Prep, appeared as the lead story in Youth Travel Planner, a national trade publication for the educational travel sector. Read Mr. McLaughlin’s article.

Austin Prep Concluded 60th Anniversary Celebration with Convocation

On Thursday, September 14, Austin Prep marked the official start of the academic year with the annual Convocation Liturgy. Austin Prep welcomed Seán Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston, as the principal celebrant and homilist. The celebration, open to parents and livestreamed to the school community, also helped conclude Austin Prep’s 60th Anniversary Celebration. View photos from Convocation.

Complete with the pageantry expected of Convocation, including the procession of See students carrying class banners, the liturgy also featured faculty in academic regalia and music from the Boston Police Gaelic Column of Pipes and Drums. This year’s celebration again included a parade of flags representing the national heritages of members of the school community. More than 80 national flags were included.

Ava Intoppa '24, School-Wide Student Government President, began the ceremony by addressing her classmates and welcoming Cardinal O’Malley to campus. She reflected on celebrating the school’s 60th anniversary and looking ahead to a new chapter in Austin Prep history.

Cardinal O’Malley began his remarks by thanking those who, over the past 60 years, helped make Austin Prep the institution it is today before reflecting on the importance of Catholic education.

Head of School Dr. James Hickey P'22, '23, '24, '27 welcomed those in attendance, thanked Cardinal Seán for his support of Austin Prep over the years, and congratulated him on recently celebrating 20 years as Archbishop of Boston. Dr. Hickey also noted the attendance of Augustinian friars Fr. Art Johnson, O.S.A., Fr. Peter Gori '70, and Trustee Fr. Ray Dlugos, O.S.A., as well as the Augustinians of the Assumption, who joined the Austin Prep community that year.

To mark the occasion, Senior Class Officers Ryan O'Malley '24 and Lauren Neal '24 presented the Class of 2024 banner, which was later hoisted to the rafters of Meelia Hall until being lowered at Baccalaureate Mass in May 2024. Watch the raising of the Class of 2024 banner.

School Picture Day Took Place

Picture Day took place on Monday, September 18, for all students in grades 6-12 in Meelia Hall. Students were called via announcements throughout the morning for their photos, and chapel dress was required. Mark Lawrence Photographers provided ordering options to families in advance.

Austin Prep Community Honored Victims of September 11

Monday morning, Austin Prep students, faculty, and staff took time to reflect, pray, and observe a moment of silence to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Dr. William Driscoll '89, Dean of Faculty, and members of School-Wide Student Government offered reflections and read prayers at 8:46 a.m., the time of the first attack.

Additionally, Austin Prep’s History Department examined the events of September 11 through first-hand accounts and primary sources. During Ms. Jess Swindell’s Research Methods in History classes, History Department Chair Jon Whalen visited to discuss his experiences on that day. Mr. Whalen was living in Belgium at the time as a professional baseball player with a host family. When his host family told him there had been a plane crash, he turned on European television and learned the alarming news, made more difficult because his parents were traveling by plane at the time. After a frantic 24 hours, he finally made contact with them and learned they had been rerouted with 25,000 others to Moncton, Canada, where they spent three days.

Mr. Whalen also shared the stories of three of his Williams College classmates who had been working in the North Tower that day and whose experiences differed dramatically. Students were engrossed in his narrative, especially when he presented a newspaper his mother purchased on September 13 while in Canada. He challenged the class to critically analyze the source and identify what reporters got right in real time and what information later proved inaccurate. This sharing of direct experience helped students contextualize history while asking meaningful questions.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Sixth Grade Built Community with Mini Golf and Ice Cream

Members of the Class of 2030 spent Friday morning getting to know one another while playing miniature golf and enjoying ice cream sundaes at Richardson’s Farm. Students were placed in foursomes to play 18 holes and were prompted to engage one another using conversation starters provided by faculty members at different holes on the course. An ice cream treat capped the outing. The Office of Student Life planned the activity as part of a series of programs designed to build community among students. View photos from the day.

Back-to-School Night Was a Success

Parents joined Austin Prep’s virtual Back-to-School Night on Wednesday for an overview of their children’s academic schedules and an introduction to faculty. The collaborative effort between the Office of Academic Affairs and the Technology Department was again a success, as the school hosted nearly 80 class meetings simultaneously and recorded more than 4,500 individual Zoom parent log-ins over the course of the evening.

Sub-Varsity Student-Athletes Were Blessed for the Fall Season

Austin Prep fall sports sub-varsity student-athletes received a blessing from Fr. Patrick Armano, School Chaplain, along with St. Michael medals as they prepared for their competitive seasons. St. Michael, an archangel and spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil, served as a fitting symbol as student-athletes and coaches asked for God’s blessing for a safe and healthy fall season.

Austin Prep’s Massive Infrastructure Project Chilled a Hot First Week

Austin Prep’s patron, St. Augustine, once wrote, “Do not be content with what you are, if you want to become what you are not yet. For where you have grown pleased with yourself, there you will remain… Always add something more, keep moving forward, always make progress.” As a school community, Austin Prep took that advice to heart. The past summer became another season of sustained progress and transformation.

Shortly after the final bell rang to close the 2022-2023 academic year, Austin Prep undertook a major $4.2 million capital project to replace the school’s heating system, install air conditioning in instructional and administrative spaces, and modernize classrooms and technology. The initiative marked another significant step forward in modernizing campus facilities. In upgrading the school’s mechanical systems, Austin Prep also installed more energy-efficient HVAC equipment, reducing the school’s carbon footprint and supporting care for the natural environment.

The project moved forward after the Board of Trustees approved the major renovation in January 2023. The work spanned 14 summer weeks, and long-time school project and construction management partner Pimentel Construction described it as one of the most complex projects completed for Austin Prep, renovating 70,000 square feet across the academic building.

Despite the considerable scope of work, the school year began on time as planned, and students enjoyed a cool first week of class during an unseasonably hot late-summer stretch with temperatures in the 90s.

The HVAC and classroom modernization project signaled Austin Prep’s bright future and continued growth. As the school closed a year of celebrating its 60th anniversary, the project also served as a symbolic step forward as Austin Prep rose to meet the challenge of the next 60 years and beyond. It is likely that the only time Austin Prep experienced a project of similar magnitude in its 60-year history was when the cornerstone was laid.

The summer infrastructure project followed a series of major campus improvements in recent years, including a completely renovated Dining Hall with an all-inclusive dining plan in 2018; a state-of-the-art athletic complex featuring a baseball stadium with a synthetic surface, competition space for soccer and field hockey, and a six-court tennis facility in 2020; and a new modular science lab supporting Upper and Middle School science instruction, along with renovations to the Chapel of St. Augustine in 2022.

Projects of this nature are funded through philanthropy, and Austin Prep remains grateful to the donors and benefactors whose generosity helps advance teaching and learning, expand programming, launch new initiatives, and improve infrastructure.

As a result of the work, Austin Prep’s instructional spaces were unmistakably transformed: bright, modern, and well equipped for the school’s next 60 years.

The 2023-2024 Austin Prep Academic Year Began

Students arrived on Wednesday, September 6, welcomed by faculty and staff and reunited with classmates as Austin Prep kicked off another school year together. Traditionally beginning before Labor Day, the first day of school followed Labor Day that year to allow time to See the summer building modernization project, which included a substantial HVAC upgrade and other classroom and facility renovations. With unseasonably high temperatures during the opening days of school, the improvement quickly proved valuable.

As with every academic year, Austin Prep adopted a theme to help community members advance the mission and live the faith. The school’s Augustinian values are qualities of the mind, hand, and heart. Together, those values instill strength of character and, when practiced habitually, enhance the human capacity to act. Ultimately, personifying the Augustinian virtues of truth, unity, and love is about integrity. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the theme came from the Book of Psalms (7:8): “Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to the integrity that is in me.” Through this theme, Austin Prep focused its conversations, actions, lessons, choices, activities, and liturgies on the inseparable connection to veritas, unitas, and caritas.

View first-day-of-school photos.