April 2022

 

We look forward to bringing the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 back to Austin Prep in celebration of their 50th Reunions! Register for the 50th Reunion Weekend

 

The schedule of events for May 19–21 includes:

At Austin Prep

     Reception (in the newly renovated dining hall)

     Class Photos

     50th Reunion Dinner

 

At Austin Prep

     Alumni Memorial Mass

     Lunch in the dining hall

     Green Key Student Ambassador Campus Tours

     Head of School/Trustees Reception

     Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

 

     Informal gathering at a local restaurant

 

Morning golf outing at Hillview Golf Club, North Reading (separate reservation required)

 

---

Annual Day of Giving

Annual giving by the Austin Prep community – parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends – supports small class sizes, dedicated teachers and funds experiences outside of the classroom that help our students grow intellectually and spiritually.

Show your Austin Prep pride today.

Participation is easier than ever before. Visit our Campaign Page by clicking the button below to give by credit card, Venmo, PayPal, or Apple Pay.

Give Today!

All donations are tax-deductible and please know every gift will make a difference in the Austin Prep experience.

Thank you for your continued support.

---

 

34th Austin Open Golf Tournament Returns May 23

 

The 34th Annual Golf Tournament will take place on May 23, 2022 at Indian Ridge Golf Country Club in Andover, MA. The flight of golfers is completely full, but information on sponsorships is available through the Austin Open planning team. 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.

Business and family 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 alumni Title Sponsors Pimentel Construction and Quirk Construction Corp., and look forward to having additional members of the community join us and add their business or family name to the program.

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

---

 

Austin Prep Alumni Lead Professional Development

On Monday, March 21, Austin Prep faculty and staff took part in the first-ever Austin Conference. This daylong professional development experience included a mini-Lenten retreat, a Women’s History Month panel with our past Lumen Award Recipients: Celia Barletta, Stephanie Choate, Eilis Farrell, and Marla Pascucci-Byrne P’26, and workshops such as community building cooking, dance, and painting classes; talks on current events; interactive labs; and sessions on pedagogical strategies, advising, and technology tips.

Several alumni faculty presented programs, including:

 

Below is a more in-depth look at two of the presentations by our alumni faculty:

Tony Biscardi ’88 and Ed MacKenzie ’99, The Cold War & the Ukraine Crisis

AP European History and AP Microeconomics faculty member Tony Biscardi ’88 presented on the causes of the current war and the differences between economic sanctions and financial sanctions, while Ed MacKenzie ’99, United States Government and Politics, Civil War Era, and Demystifying the Middle East faculty, presented on all the possible outcomes based on historical examples of this type of situation. This well-attended session included an engaging discussion involving the expansion of NATO since 1990, how the U.S. has reacted to Russian influence in the western hemisphere over the past century, and the divide within Russia of who supports and who is against Putin. The long history of glorifying Russian leaders who expanded Russian borders was discussed as well as Putin's own love of Vladimir the Great from over a thousand years ago.  When learning about financial sanctions leading to bank runs, one of the veteran faculty members exclaimed, "Where's George Bailey [It's a Wonderful Life] when they need him?!?"

Brian Russo ’09 Summer Sabbatical Experience

Every year, Austin Prep grants summer sabbatical awards to select faculty members to promote their growth as practitioners in the classroom and leaders in their fields to sustain best teaching practices. Humanities faculty Brian Russo '09 was the recipient of a summer sabbatical grant this past summer, and visited Yellowstone in August. 

During the first-ever Austin Conference for professional development on March 21, Russo shared with his colleagues the impact this experience has had on his teaching in the classroom.

Russo was drawn to visit Yellowstone because it is one of the largest areas of preserved wilderness in the United States. The park provides a timeless snapshot of what life was like for millions of years before humans dominated the environment.

 

Brian has integrated his experience into his teaching curriculum by not only educating his students on Yellowstone’s role as the first national park, but also on how Yellowstone inspired countries around the world to create protected parks of their own. Russo also incorporates science, history, and religion into his teachings around the Park. Yellowstone serves as an encouraging reminder to Austin Prep students that nature must be preserved for humanity to thrive. 

Some of Russo’s favorite experiences were seeing the eruption of the Old Faithful Geyser, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and the rainbow coloration of Grand Prismatic Spring. He was also captivated by the bison which ruled the road in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. Russo was also able to visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center where he saw grizzlies and timber wolves up close. 

Faculty experiences like this are made possible by your support through the Annual Fund. The faculty and students of Austin Prep appreciate your continued generosity.

---

Austin Prep Girls Ice Hockey Wins MIAA State Championship

The Austin Prep Girls Ice Hockey Team won the MIAA Division I Girls State Championship with a 4–1 victory over Arlington High School at TD Garden on Sunday night. The win capped an undefeated 27–0 season for the top-seeded Cougars. You can read more about the championship victory in coverage from the Boston Globe article on the Cougars’ undefeated championship season and the Boston Herald report on the Division I title win .

Austin Prep’s 2022 Championship Girls Ice Hockey Team

---

Boys Indoor Track and Field Takes Division 4 State Championship By Storm

Austin Prep’s Boys Indoor Track and Field Team had an amazing accomplishment by capturing the Division 4 State Championship in the 4x400 meter relay event. The boys competed at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston at the MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championship on Thursday, February 17, 2022. The team also represented Austin Prep at the New Balance Indoor Nationals Competition at the Armory in New York City, placing fifth while setting a school record in this national competition. It was the first time an Austin Prep team or athlete has medaled at this event.

Nico Fanuele ’22

Steven Galatis ’22

Colby Medeiros ’22

Tristan Miller ’23

 

Brad Harkins, Head Coach

Joseph Hickey, Assistant Coach

Nicolle Renick, Assistant Coach

Jack Brady, Assistant Coach

 

---

In the Classroom

Austin Prep Model United Nations at Harvard Model United Nations

In January, the Austin Prep Model United Nations team participated in the 69th session of Harvard’s Model United Nations. Our students joined more than 2,000 high school delegates and over 230 Harvard undergraduate staff to engage in diplomatic simulation, connect with peers from around the world, and develop solutions to pressing global issues.

Model United Nations advisor Mr. Jon Whalen created a detailed e-newsletter highlighting the weekend experience. Explore the Model UN experience recap and student highlights

---

Sixth grade Earth and Space Science students learned how to test water for indicators such as salinity, alkalinity, and levels of nitrogen, copper, and iron. Throughout the spring, students will collect water samples from the Aberjona River, which runs through campus, and conduct further analysis using these same methods.

---

Austin Prep administered the American Mathematics Contest 12 (AMC 12) for Middle and Upper School students on November 10, 2021. Hosted by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), the AMC 12 strengthens problem-solving skills and prepares students for advanced mathematical thinking.

Congratulations to the students with the highest scores:

---

Student-Athletes Make College Commitments

Tommy Skeffington ’22 — Endicott College

College-bound student-athletes continue to commit to competing at the collegiate level. To date, ten seniors have signed National Letters of Intent, including:

---

Summer Session Registration Is Open

View the catalog below to explore opportunities

Austin Prep offers students the opportunity to accelerate and expand their learning through the Summer Session program. Courses are taught by Austin Prep faculty and include academic enrichment, electives, and skill-based learning experiences.

The program includes in-person and virtual options as well as the Austin Adventures Program for Middle School students.

Questions about Summer Session may be directed to Mr. Michael McLaughlin, Head of Middle School .

---

Alumni Events and Happenings

We look forward to welcoming our alumni back to 101 Willow Street.

For registration and updated event details, visit the Alumni Events page .