St. Thomas Aquinas: Success by every measure

By Gail Bulfin - Florida Catholic

 

Photographer: GAIL BULFIN| FC

Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Msgr. Vincent T. Kelly accept the blessing from Pope Benedict XVI in celebration of St. Thomas Aquinas High School's 75th anniversary.

Photographer: GAIL BULFIN| FC

Archbishop Thomas Wenski processes towards the altar at the beginning of Mass in the capacity-filled St. Thomas Aquinas gym.

FORT LAUDERDALE � In today�s world, a high school can measure its success by graduation rates, testing scores and college scholarships. While these criteria are very important at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, leaders here look beyond those measurements in their definition for success.

�Are the students happy?� asks Tina Jones, principal for 11 years at this Fort Lauderdale school, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary year. �Is the student learning? If I can put those two things together then I know that we, as a school and a faculty, are successful.�

Stroll down the open-air hallways of St. Thomas and it is clear that this is a school that acts like a family. Teachers greet students by name. Legions of parents volunteer daily in the cafeteria, foundation and athletic offices. Laughter and conversations void of profanity are exchanged among students between classes. It is an atmosphere of respect and self-discipline. And it did not happen by accident.

Msgr. Vincent T. Kelly, supervising principal whose commitment to St. Thomas began with his arrival at the school in 1970, explains that over the years, the school has developed a �respectful atmosphere in which academic discipline is insisted upon.�

�Self discipline is the basis of any achievement. For 1,000 years the Church has nurtured that with its culture of sacrifice, Lenten observances and prayer. In education, you absolutely have to be self-disciplined. You have to know when to study, when to react.�

Best-selling author Michael Connelly, class of 1974, credits St. Thomas for much of his success. �I wasn't the best student but St. Thomas required a work ethic and I developed one there that has served me all my life. My job has no hours, no real structure. It relies almost entirely on self-motivation. I think I have (St. Thomas) to thank for that.�

HIGH STANDARDS
This rich tradition of respect and discipline in academics, athletics, arts and spirituality was built over many decades of focused leadership at St. Thomas.

Photographer: GAIL BULFIN| FC

Dominican Sister John Norton and Frank Krauser, whose two children graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, celebrate in the gym following the 75th anniversary Mass.

Former principal Sister John Norton arrived in 1966 and was part of the Dominican community that helped staff the school. Unstoppable even at age 85, she is currently the coordinator of special events. She recalls that when then Father Kelly arrived at the school, he rolled up his sleeves and got going.

�He would spend every Saturday on campus laying sod, painting.�

The school�s high standards, vision and commitment to excel have produced visible results.

St. Thomas earned the U.S. Department of Education�s Blue Ribbon award for excellence � twice.

It traditionally ranks among the top schools in the state and nationally for National Merit Scholars. In 2003, St. Thomas Aquinas claimed 32 National Merit Finalists, top in the state and 13th in the United States.

In the class of 2009, 254 students were recognized by the Advanced Placement organization for their achievements in the annual AP tests. This past years� class was awarded over $59 million in college scholarship aid.

Results like these don�t come without a first rate staff of teachers and a proactive guidance staff. Current teachers have, on average, 21 years of teaching experience.

Msgr. Kelly says, �It is paramount that St. Thomas continue its emphasis on the teacher. It is absolutely necessary to have vibrant teachers and professionals who are informed, challenged, and conversant with society and its needs.�

ATHLETIC SUCCESS
In addition to academic achievement, St. Thomas has a deep tradition of athletic excellence. Seventeen of its sports have won a total of 82 state championship trophies. The 2008 football team finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. Sports Illustrated magazine recognized it as number one in its 2009 preseason rankings. The school has won the Broward County All-Sports Trophy 30 years in a row.

This year, St. Thomas was chosen as the practice facility for the NFL Pro Bowl teams. Its alumni include football greats Brian Piccolo, Stefan Humphries and Michael Irvin. Tennis legend Chris Evert is a graduate. The school sent five alumni to the 2008 Summer Olympics including track medalist Sanya Richards.

Just as tenure with teachers has produced great academic results, so too has coaching longevity contributed to winning athletic seasons. Head football coach and athletic director George Smith has been with the school for over 28 years, girls soccer coach Carlos Giron 28 years, and Lisa Zielinski, girls volleyball coach for 23 years. But it is their commitment to their student athletes that has created a lifetime bond between the coaches, teachers and former students.

Every year, former football players come back at Thanksgiving to scrimmage with current players. Sister Norton attributes this loyalty to Coach Smith�s commitment to his players. �He respects them, the students. He is the first to call if someone is sick. He�s really unique. He follows up with kids if they are hurt. And he does so much to get kids into college.�

Tennis great Evert said she was grateful that the school understood the need for flexibility when she was competing at national and international levels. �They allowed me to be absent to pursue my sport and to make up the work when I got back. I have great memories of all of my friends there and all of the support I got.�

The fine arts program is now housed in the Bienes Arts Center, which opened in the spring of 2009. It has a 300 seat theater and has played host to Broadway stars and nationally acclaimed music and dance troupes. But the appreciation for art began decades before the new building opened. In the 1960s, St. Thomas developed a forensic program that competed nationally.

ST. ANTHONY HIGH
This nationally recognized Catholic school had its start in 1936 in eastern Broward County as St. Anthony High School. Founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, the first graduating class was made up of nine students.

Recognizing the need to expand the real estate footprint of the Catholic community, Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine � the diocese which then encompassed nearly the whole state � purchased land upon which St. Anthony High School would relocate in 1952.

Taking the name Central Catholic High School to better reflect its location within the county, the school soon grew to over 800 students. In 1961, the school again changed its name to St. Thomas Aquinas in honor of the Dominican priest who is the patron saint of education. Today, the school has an enrollment of over 2,100 with a waiting list hundreds long.

Photographer: GAIL BULFIN| FC

Tom and Judy Maus, St. Thomas Aquinas class of 1953, pose with their grandson, Joey Maus, class of 2014, after the Mass marking the school's 75th anniversary.

The role of the family is apparent in most every aspect of the Aquinas community life. Msgr. Kelly believes that involving parents to be part of their students� lives is key, both now and in the future.

�We want parents involved in most everything that affirms the life of the student,� he said.

Family allegiance is strong in this school where last names can sound familiar no matter what your generation. Take the name Maus, for example. Tom Maus and his wife Judy, 1956 grads, saw their son Joe graduate in 1970 and now enjoy as their grandson Joey, 14, begins his Aquinas career as a freshman.

The school has graduated students who have become lawyers, judges, doctors and yes, priests. Msgr. Michael Souckar, who until this month served as chancellor for the archdiocese and secretary to the archbishop, is a 1980 grad.

�I had an interest in the priesthood even when I was in high school. St. Thomas nurtured my vocation to the priesthood and was very supportive as were my classmates,� he said.

The values that guided the school in its early years continue to be guideposts today. Sister Norton says it is the spirit. �People can feel it as soon as they step on campus. It�s a spirit of happiness.�

JOIN THE CELEBRATION
Events for the 75th anniversary of St. Thomas Aquinas High School will be spread across the entire academic calendar.
� Archbishop Thomas Wenski launched the celebration with a joyous Mass in a packed-to-the-brim gymnasium. For the first time in its history, the school will allow students to wear jeans and sneakers on First Fridays, with a donation for the student-run fund for Haitian school children.
� Other events include the gala at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood Oct. 30, the annual celebrity pro-am golf tournament in April and a special alumni dinner. For information and tickets contact the school at 954-581-0700.
� Endowment campaigns launched to help sustain the financial health of the school are underway. Gifts can be made to the Father Vincent T. Kelly Aquinas Endowment, Sister John Norton Academic Endowment, George F. Smith Athletic Endowment and Bienes Center for the Arts Endowment funds. Contact the foundation office at 954-327-2189 for more details.