Dear Friends,<\/p>\n
On May 20, St. Thomas High School celebrated its 117th Commencement ceremony with 172 graduates walking across our stage to receive their hard-earned (and much-anticipated) diplomas. After four years as students, they celebrated their new status as STH Alumni! As we continue to look back and reminisce at this past school year \u2013 of the many academic, athletic and community-focused successes of the entire student body \u2013 we also look ahead to the exciting work in store for the next school year.<\/p>\n
Just four years ago, the $66 million 4500Forever Capital Campaign was launched to purchase and renovate the HISD campus next door. In Phase I, we successfully raised $54 million to purchase this vital property. Now in Phase II \u2013 4500Forever Finish Strong \u2013 our remaining goal of $12 million will fund the implementation of the new campus master plan including important green space redevelopment and building renovations on the new Joplin Campus and Main Campus. For a bird\u2019s eye view of the campus plan, please click here.<\/p>\n
In January 2017, the 4500Forever Finish Strong committee was formed with current parents and alumni graciously volunteering their time and energy. Enthusiastically leading the effort are campaign chairs Amy and Bo Huggins, current parents and loyal supporters of STH. They have built an incredibly strong committee as follows:<\/p>\n
Campaign Chairs<\/strong> Honorary Chairs<\/strong> Committee members<\/strong> The capital campaign has had great success to date resulting in a total of $6,344,276! We are incredibly grateful for these gifts from current and past parents, alumni, and numerous foundations who have given with generous hearts, highlighting their belief in our mission and vision.<\/p>\n We are thrilled to announce the campaign just recently received a $1 million gift from The Lyons Foundation! The Lyons Foundation has been a long-time supporter and we are proud of this strong partnership. We are doubly blessed that The Lyons Foundation has also pledged $1 million to the St. Thomas Foundation to ensure their efforts in support of the school\u2019s mission and long term goals. We share our deepest thanks with The Lyons Foundation trustees, most especially Flo McGee and Pete Seale, for their long-term commitment to our students and our school.<\/p>\n Our fundraising strategy will continue throughout 2017 as we continue our focus on current families and alumni. All gifts will make an impact in this campaign as we seek to raise the remaining $5.7 million. We are proud to highlight the following leadership gifts. For a complete list of all Phase II and Phase I gifts please go to www.4500Forever.org:<\/p>\n 4500 FOREVER $1M – $2.4M<\/strong><\/p>\n The Lyons Foundation 4500 MEMORIAL $500K – $999K<\/strong><\/p>\n The Alkek Foundation* STRENGTH ON SHEPHERD DRIVE $250K – $499K<\/strong><\/p>\n M.D. Anderson Foundation* MEMORIAL DRIVE MILESTONE $100K – $249K<\/strong><\/p>\n Barbara & Clark Smith We will begin pre-construction site work on the Joplin campus this summer as power lines will be removed. Stay-tuned for more updates regarding greenspace reconfiguration and building renovations in the coming months!<\/p>\n New Principal Aaron Dominguez \u201996 has hit the ground running and we are excited to have his leadership in the months and years ahead. Aaron will be on campus during the summer session as we continue to introduce him to students, parents and alumni. Please do not hesitate to say hello when you see Principal Dominguez and wish him well!<\/p>\n Thank you for your most generous support and unwavering faith in St. Thomas High School!<\/p>\n Our long-awaited dream to complete our campus master plan is coming true and we will continue to share the exciting updates through the upcoming months. There are many exciting possibilities for our future, but our most important traditions will not waver. The Basilian Fathers are committed to our sacred mission of teaching goodness, discipline and knowledge at 4500 Memorial Drive for many generations to come.<\/p>\n Fr. Kevin Storey, CSB
\nAmy & Bo Huggins, Alumni and Current Parents \u201916, \u201918, \u201919<\/p>\n
\nDona & Al Clay \u201961
\nJane & Bill Joplin \u201954<\/p>\n
\nJerry Dearing \u2013 Current Parent \u201919
\nThad Fuller \u201976
\nTami & Mike Hanks \u2013 Alumni and Current Parent \u201915, \u201918
\nJanna and Kyle Lippman \u2013 Current Parent \u201919
\nGinnie & Tim McConn \u201994
\nKay & Andy McStay \u201969
\nJan & Oniel Mendenhall \u201996
\nPeggy & John Rathmell \u201975
\nMichelle and Tim Ruch \u2013 Current Parent \u201918
\nBarbara and Clark Smith \u2013 Current Parent \u201920<\/p>\n
\nA Friend of St. Thomas*<\/p>\n
\nThe Brown Foundation*
\nJerry C. Dearing Family Foundation<\/p>\n
\nThe Elkins Foundation
\nFran & Weldon Granger*
\nJanna & Kyle Lippman
\nChristina & Luke McConn \u201874*
\nSandra & Patrick O\u2019Donnell -IMO Harry M. Hageney III \u201845<\/p>\n
\nThe Susan Vaughan Foundation
\nVivian L. Smith Foundation<\/p>\n
\nPresident<\/em>
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