The Saints' Scoop Spring 2016

THE SAINTS' SCOOP"Once a Saint, Always a Saint"

ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL SPRING 2016

THE MAGAZINE OF ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ALUMNI

St. Laurence Catholic School

THE SAINTS' SCOOP

Mission StatementAs a pastoral instrument of the Church, St. Laurence CatholicSchool educates and develops the whole Christian person inbody, mind, and spirit through the trinity of parent, child, andeducator.

ADMINISTRATION

Principal Debra Haney

Assistant Principals PreK-4th Suzanne Barto 5th-8th Germaine Guedry

EDITOR Adriana Gutierrez

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE

Suzanne Byrne Advancement Director Adriana Gutierrez Communications Coordinator Cari Caddick Special Events/Programs Coordinator

CONTRIBUTORS

Marie Brown, Suzanne Byrne, Cari Caddick, Glen Fucik, Vicky Glaser, Debra Haney, ShaLa Kiolbassa, Belinda Maldonado, Staff of SLCS

PHOTOGRAPHERS Rafaela Linn

Doris Mendiola

Shanna Muhlbauer Parents, Faculty and Staff of SLCS

Contents of THE SAINTS' SCOOP may notbe reprinted without permission from

St. Laurence Catholic School

Save the Date

The Saints' Scoop is a publicationof the Office of Advancement atSt. Laurence Catholic School and ispublished twice a year in the

Spring/Fall.

1.28.1725th ANNIVERSARY MASS

5:00PM

SPR

ING

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CONTENTSTHE SAINTS' SCOOP

10/31/16 Golf Tournament 11/11/16 SPICE Luncheon

1/28/17 25th Anniversary PTO Family Mass with Cardinal presiding

1/29/17 Catholic Schools Week Begins

2/18/17 Steps for Students

SLCS ALUMNI INDUCTED TO NHS AT ST. AGNES

06

" ONCE A SAINT, ALWAYS A SAINT"

SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNI

SAVE THE DATES

12 DID YOU KNOW?

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4

SPOTLIGHT ON STAFF

EXCLUSIVE!

MRS. HANEY'S TOP 25MEMORIES AT SLCS

WWW.STLAURENCECS.ORG

ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL2630 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX. 77479

281-980-0500

SLCS ALUMNI PRAYING BEFORE

WRESTLING COMPETITION

04

09 MICHELLE COLLINS NEW ARTISTFOR MDA CHILDREN'S ART

MRS . HANEY

1. SPICE (Special People In Catholic Education) starting and being blessed byCardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Fr. Drew Wood, Bob andMary Ginn Ryan, Eric Genius, and the parishioners and families at SLCS.

2. Creation of new programs/clubs – Booster Club, football team, witnessingSaints Families in action, Spanish Honor Society.

3. Special Masses and prayer celebrations, such as May Crowning, Our Lady ofGuadalupe, Living Rosary, Stations of the Cross.

4. 2014 National Blue Ribbon Award for High Performing Academic Excellencefrom the U.S. Dept. of Education.

5. 91% Exemplary and Outstanding Ratings from the TCCED Accreditation Teamin 2015.

6. Alumni coming back to SLCS to work and/or raise their children.

7. Celebrating our first PTO Family Rosary & Dinner.

8. Fr. Drew’s NCEA Pastor of the Year Award and traveling to Minnesota with thegroup to watch him receive the award in 2010.

TOP 25 MEMORIES FROM

We are excited to share with you that next year, starting in July, Mrs. Haney will replace Sr. Charles AnneSolomon as the Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and

will serve God’s children throughout the archdiocese. We are very grateful for all her hard work for ourschool, and especially the memories we created together! In anticipation of our 25th Anniversary next year,

we asked Mrs. Haney to share her Top 25 Memories at SLCS. It wasn't easy as she counted manymore than 25;, however, here are 25 of her favorite memories...

TOP 25 SLCS MEMORIES

9. Winning championship games over the last 10 years! GO SAINTS!

10. Developing and experiencing our First Annual Family Retreat.

11. Being slimed/Being a Sumo wrestler for the Yankee Candle PTO fundraisers

12. Hosting NCEA in Houston and having the entire faculty and staff in a national convention together, learning and praying together for aweek.

13. Going with the faculty and staff to GattiTown to play and team build.

14. Auction Gala raising over $425K in one year, and supporting the installation of SMARTBoards in every classroom at our school.

15. Technology integration; seeing the students enjoying learning and teachers stretching outside of their comfort zones to meet studentswhere they are in their education.

16. The creation of our mascot, Leo the Lion.

17. Renovation of the school to incorporate an updated library, new locker rooms, additional space for special needs, and a TV Studio.

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 4

TOP 25 MEMORIES23 YEARS OF SERVICE TO SLCS

THANK YOU, MRS. HANEY!TOP 25 SLCS MEMORIES

18. Journey to the Gym with our parish family.

19. Student performances where they share their talents and gifts for God’s glory.

20. Celebrating the parish’s 30th anniversary, school’s 20th anniversary, and Fr. Drew’s 40th ordination anniversary.

21. Creating and developing an Advancement (Development) Office.

22. Witnessing community support at difficult times: death of Zach Grafe (husband of one of our 2nd grade teachers, Jill Grafe), death of RickSimper (my brother), death of Anne Sullivan (firefighter killed that used to be a crossing guard for our kids), hurricanes, cancer treatments,etc.

23. Development of the Guedry Award of Gratitude given at graduation, honoring an amazing, Catholic person and champion of MiddleSchool students.

24. Hosting our first alumni Mass and welcoming the group to the TV Studio to make a video for our students.

25. Designing and implementing the new playgrounds in 2007 and 2016; encouraging children to play and work together every day.

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 5

MemoriesSLCS

ALUMNI NEWS

oin us for our Alumni Mass

on Friday, May 27th at 8:15a.m. It's is a

great opportunity to reconnect with

your school and see old teachers and

friends. We hope you can come! We

started this tradition last year and we

hope to see more and more

SLCS graduates attending each year!

CARI CADDICK

SAVE THE DATE

J

ALUMNI MASS

JOIN US!

ittle did I know when I graduated in 2000 from SLCS

that I would once again be part of the Saints

community. In November of 2016, I joined the staff as

the Special Events and Programs Coordinator. The first

thing I noticed was that even though much has

changed, there are still quite a few familiar faces. I was

welcomed with smiles and hugs that made my first day

back a joyful one. The best part was being able to

reconnect with my former classmate, Lindsey Guedry

Vainstein. Lindsey and I started attending SLCS in the

fourth grade when both of our mothers joined the

faculty. Many years later, we are on the staff! In middle

school , we filled our time talking about Doc Martins

and pagers. Now our conversations are about baby

bottles and diapers. It’s nice to have that old

connection. It feels like I am back with family. Lindsey is

the mother of sweet little Penelope, and I will be

welcoming Chloe Alice in early June. One day our

daughters might even attend SLCS as the next

generation of SLCS students! No matter where your life

is taking you, please know that you have a home at

SLCS! This home is full of friendly faces that

are happy to greet you!

L

ANNIVERSARY>

S L C S

FAITH, LEARNING & LEADERSHIP ANNUAL FUNDWe would like to thank you as alumni of St. Laurence Catholic School for your involvement regarding the Faith, Learning & Leadership Annual

Fund. We received many gifts of your time, talent, and/or treasures and would like to extend a “Thank You” to those who have begun a legacy of

financially supporting our beautiful school through the Faith, Learning & Leadership Annual Fund. The opportunities to assist our school vary, but

by supporting the Faith, Learning & Leadership Annual Fund, you, in turn, support the many wonderful programs that have become traditions at

St. Laurence Catholic School. All donations are 100% tax deductible and will benefit many young children as they journey through our hallways, just

as you did many years ago. Remember, when you are in town visiting with SLCS alumni, family and friends, please send us pictures and updates as

we love to keep up with the SLCS alumni.

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 6

Class of2000

SPOTLIGHT ONALUMNI

ALUMNI UPDATEINDUSTRY >

S L C S

halfway

2013

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 7

2013

Karen Kelleher O’Grady lives in Glenview, Illinois

with her husband, Brian. Karen and Brian own and

operate an Estate Planning, Estate Administration,

and Real Estate Law Firm in their hometown of

Glenview, a northern suburb of Chicago.

Hannah Owens Hill and her husband Brett

welcomed baby girl Anne Catherine Hill on

March 3rd, 2016, at 6:21p.m. She weighed in

at 7 pounds and 20 inches long. She is named

after her grandmother, Anne Owens, who

passed away on April 28th, 2013. Mrs. Anne

Owens was an active volunteer at SLCS when

her kids were in school here, and she also

worked at the St. Laurence Weekday

Children’s Program.

Sarah Boone got engaged to Benjamin Lepak.

CLASS OF 1999

CLASS OF 2000

CLASS OF 2000

CLASS OF 2002

CONTINUED

Dana Gilson married Garrett Knight on September 20th, 2015.

CLASS OF 2004

Amanda Herrington married Brent Allan Muzny on November 28th, 2015, at

St. Laurence, with Father Drew presiding. A reception with family and friends

followed at Pecan Springs in Brookshire, TX. Amanda and Brent are now living

in Spring, TX., and she is working as an Occupational Therapist at MedCare

Pediatric Group, LP.


S L C S

halfway

2013

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 8

2013

Clare Glynn and Ryan Dunbar got married

on July 2015. Ryan is serving on Pastoral

Council at St. Laurence.

Tara Schurman completed her Master’s in

Education at Texas Christian University in May of

2015. She is now teaching first grade at St. Andrew’s

Catholic School in Fort Worth, Texas.

Daniel Murray got engaged to Marie Tillema.

David Anderson and Kelsey Bivins are

getting married. They starting dating in 6th

grade! They announced their engagement in

their SLCS t-shirts.

Samantha McMenemy is currently in her third year at CU Boulder studying

political science and film. She is also serving as the Recruitment

Chairwoman in their chapter of Gamma Phi Beta.

CLASS OF 2006

CLASS OF 2005

CLASS OF 2008

CLASS OF 2009

CLASS OF 2012

Isabel Lapus, Class of 2012, and Sophia Lapus, Class of 2013, a senior

and junior at The International School, Manila won the HS Volleyball Gold

beating Singapore American School. Also in the picture is Julianne Lapus

who is currently in 6th grade.

Michael Hernandez graduated with a Bachelors in Art

from HBU. He is married and has two kids.


S L C S

halfway

2013

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 9

2013

2006

Did you know that Michelle Collins '12 is the new February artist for MDA children's art?

CLASS OF 2012 Mikaela Casuga '12 and Rylee Tucker '12, graduated SLCS, and are working currently

working in the BASC program. Mikaela is a senior at St. Agnes Academy. She hopes to major

in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M in the Fall. Rylee will be graduating from St. Agnes

Academy this year. She is planning to major in graphic design at either UNT or SCAD in the

Fall.

Mariana Joves ‘13 helped make the IWA Talent Show a huge success as a backstage crew member.

Hannah Kaiser ‘13 is on a volleyball team, a member of Teens 4 Unity Club and was the Master of Ceremonies at

the sold out IWA Talent Show.

Class of 2013 graduate Dawson Hawkins, along with the George Ranch Football team, won 5A division one

football state championship on December 18th at NRG stadium. Dawson is the starting Strong Safety for George

Ranch and was awarded the defensive game ball by Dave Campbell Magazine for his performance in the game.

Working inSLCS

BASC Program


FUTURESAINTS

S L C S

SLCS Alumni Confirmation Group last September.

Front Row: Shaelyn Stacy, Atalanta Ponce de Leon, Michelle Collins, Erika Breckon, Laura Klein, Vivian Phillips,

Lauren Henrichsen, Mrs. Dianna Thompson, Katie Lootens, Jordyn Voller, Hannah Kaiser, Caroline Fogarty.

Back Row: Kayla Leiber, Kylie Tumbleson, Brandon Holy, Isabella Behar, Joseph Allee, Carl Schneider, Alex Champman,

Bradley Burgess, Mrs. Debra Haney, Mathew Rea.

halfway

THE SAINTS' SCOOP 10

ALUMNI CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2013

Brandon Holy '13 and Colton Marks '14, SLCS Alumni ,

were chosen to represent Strake Jesuit at Pope Francis' visit to

Philadelphia in September.

They served as SLCS Special Reporters. and

they did a great job!


S L C S

Mrs. Haney with alumni and their

babies!

Lindsey Guedry Vainstein '00

with baby Penelope and Brandee

Duncan Bond '03

with baby Caroline.

halfway


SLCS alumni wrestling for Strake Jesuit.

Left to right: Alex Mendiola '15, Danny Perez '14, Landen

Glaser '13, Grant Bordeleon '15, Matt Rea '13, Andre

Chavez '14, Luke Sievers '15, Thomas Le '14 .

CLASS OF 2014 Jason Ancheta '14 is having a busy school

year at Clements High School. He proudly

represents his high school band, by playing

the clarinet. He will be speaking on behalf of

Global Studies Academy at the Ismaili

Jamatkhana Centre. He is also very involved

in Model UN competitions.

Way to go, Jason!

Kelsie Duff ‘14 is an active member of Teens 4

Unity and will be performing in IWA’s Spring

Theater Production of The Sounds of Music.

ALUMNI WRESTLING FORSTAKE JESUIT

FUTURE SAINTS

CLASS OF 2014

VIETNAMESEDOMINICAN

SISTERS OF MARYIMMACULATE

PROVINCE

N O M A D I C | 2 4I N T H E S P O T L I G H T

S L C S I S B L E S S E D W I T H T W O

T E A C H I N G O U R S T U D E N T S

GETTING TO KNOW SR. MARY MARGARET PHAM AND SR. MARTINA VU

DID YOU KNOW?

“The sisters’knowledge of our faith and theirlove of the children they teach isa shining example of Christ inour midst. We are truly blessedto work with them each day and

to have our childrenimpacted by their vocation.”

Debra Haney


I once came across a quote: “If you want to make God laugh, tell himyour plans.” Like other teenagers, I had already made up my mind onwhat my life was going to be like, and that did not include becoming areligious sister. Being the fifth of six children and just finishing myfreshman year in college, I felt the pressure to assure myself that Ididn’t have the vocation to the religious life. I went to a ‘Come andSee’ program where I spent three weeks discerning, but for the mostpart, I had already made up my mind. God has his own ways of tellingme that He has greater plans in stored for me. One day during prayer, astrong feeling of God’s love pervaded my soul through the image ofthe Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a pierced hand reaching out to inviteme to come, follow Him. Though I knew this was His invitation for me, Istill denied it. After the initial response of saying “no” to God, I felt anintense feeling of emptiness and sadness in my soul, which couldonly be expressed with tears. These tears, however, also expressed myinner struggle to let God’s voice be heard within me. Like Mary whopondered at the words of the archangel Gabriel, I also pondered,“How can this be?” Eventually, I surrendered my will to God’s infinitegoodness and love. I began to be in awe with the Dominican charismand decided to let God be my All in all. Therefore, each day is aresponse to God’s tremendous love in which I submit myselfcompletely to his Providence. I am now in my 9th year as a professedsister and am currently teaching 7th and 8th grade religion at St.Laurence Catholic School. I enjoy learning and teaching for I knowthat “to fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him thegreatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement”(St. Augustine).

Sr. Mary Margaret Pham

It was cold, dark, and the storm made our boat feel like a wooden toyfloating in an angry sea of large swells. The school of squid illuminatedwhat was to be the most frightening experience of my life. Our boatcaptain had fallen and drowned. That was 1982. I was barely thirteen. Iwas just happy to escape with my three younger siblings. Anythingwas better than prison, which I knew all too well in the previous threeyears since my parents began our family's escape plans. We drifted inthe sea for three days, hunger and dehydration took a toll on all of us.We prayed for rescue. We prayed for drinking water. Our prayers wereanswered when a light rain, provided us temporary relief. Little did weknow, a storm soon followed and our boat was in jeopardy. We prayedagain and again. I can only remember the roller coaster of my feelingstoward God and his plans. Our rescue came on the third day, when wewere picked up by a cargo vessel and transferred us to a refugee campin Indonesia. After seven months in the refugee camp, my siblings andI were placed with a foster family in Charlotte, North Carolina, until wewere reunited with our parents a few years later. It was through thiswhole experience that I solidified my commitment to the religiousvocation.

Sister Martina Vu, O.P


VIETNAMESEDOMINICAN

SISTERS OF MARYIMMACULATE

PROVINCE

N O M A D I C | 2 4I N T H E S P O T L I G H T

S L C S I S B L E S S E D W I T H T W O

T E A C H I N G O U R S T U D E N T S

MRS. KATHY STRANDBURG

IN THE SPOTLIGHT WITH ...

How long have you taught/worked at SLCS?This is my 24th year. I was here the first day we opened theschool in 1992. I am the last founding staff member stillemployed by SLCS.

What is your favorite color?Aqua, just like my mother.

Do you have a favorite scripture?All of the Psalms are so beautiful, but my favorite is," The Lord ismy Light and my Salvation." Psalm 27

What is your favorite memory of SLCS or of an event at SLCS?Too many to count. Many wonderful memories.

Name one thing that we wouldn’t know about you.I love to play board games with my family.

Do you have any special talents?Doing arts and crafts.

Do you have any pets?I have 2 black and white cats named Andy and Chloe.

How many kids do you have? Grandkids?I have 2 children- Jackie and Bryan. I also have 2 grandchildren– Isaac age 4 and MacKenzie age 2. Grandchild number 3 is dueApril 6th.

What is your favorite part about working with children?Their smiling faces and being able to pray with them everyday.

What would you be doing if you were not on staff at SLCS? What is your dream job?This is it! Teaching has always been a dream of mine since 1stgrade.

What kind of music do you like? KSBJ. It’s so nice to start myday with a Christian song on the way to work.

What is your favorite quote and why?“ Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make adifference. They bless the one who receives them and theybless you, the giver.” - Barbara deAngelis I also like ”A warmsmile is the universal language.” - William Arthur Ward

Where is your favorite vacation spot and with who?

It has to be Cleveland, Ohio to be with family. I travel with myhusband.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love to look for bargains. Shop!

MRS. STRANDBURG IS ONE OF OUR FOUNDING STAFF MEMBERS!SHE IS CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE AT OUR SCHOOL NEXT YEAR!


Alumni Update Questionnaire

Website www.edline.net/pages/slcsFacebook www.facebook.com/stlaurencecsTwitter www.twitter.com/StLaurence_1992Instagram www.instagram.com/stlaurencecsPinterest www.pinterest.com/stlaurencecsYouTube www.youtube.com/user/SLCSSaints/videosSaints TV www.youtube.com/user/SLCSAV/feed

Please print out and return completed to:

St. Laurence Catholic SchoolAttn: Suzanne Byrne

Director of [email protected]

2630 Austin Parkway

Sugar Land, TX. 77479

or

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The Saints' Scoop Spring 2016

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