Parent Newsletter 4/30/18
Headmaster's Update:
Dear Families,
 
We have a number of accolades this spring that have been conferred on our students and faculty. This week, we will focus on celebrating our students' accomplishments. While all are worthy of individual recognition, this collective compilation honors reveals an impressive number of outstanding achievements earned to date: 
  • Conrad Tibesar (11th) and Rachel Warren (11th) qualified for the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Of 1.6 million students who took the PSAT exam this past fall, Conrad and Rachel are among the top 50,000 highest scoring students. 
  • Tommy Jackson (11th) applied for and was accepted to the Witherspoon Institute's summer seminar program on "Moral Life and the Classical Tradition." He will be attending the program at Princeton University this June.
  • Matthew Connelly (12th) and Monica Harper (12th) were featured recently in the Dogwood Coffee Company art show. 
  • Ben Kitto (12th) was awarded the Burlsworth Character Award. This honor is offered to high school football players nationwide who demonstrate outstanding character and sportsmanship in their senior year. 
  • Vinny (5th) and Patrick (8th) Deavel competed in the Regional History Bee at Prior Lake High School. Vinny qualified for Nationals, and Patrick won the 8th grade division with a sudden death round in the finals. They will compete at the National History Bee in Atlanta on June 1 and 2. 
  • Jacob Taggart (7th) is a semi-finalist for Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars. Those accepted to this Program earn a full high school tuition scholarship, summer programs, and more.
  • Sara Foote (10th) won the Tolkien and Lewis High School Essay Contest! Her essay will soon be published in the Catholic cultural journal St. Austin Review.
  • Evie Dokos (9th) won an award for her essay on friendship, which she presented to the upper school student body earlier this spring. 
  • Lauren McCann (11th) won the Archdiocesan Center for Mission Writing Contest on the prompt "Who Is My Neighbor?" Of 800 essays submitted for review, Lauren's was selected for first place.
  • Sophia Muttonen (8th), Paityn Adams (8th), and Sam Neuville (7th) participated in the Big Bang Catholic STEM Fair on Saturday, April 21. They were selected to represent Saint Agnes after being voted as the top projects at the Saint Agnes Science Fair in March. 
  • Four students from Saint Agnes were selected to join the Minnesota All State musical ensemble:
    • Timmy Rosno (10th) - Orchestra (Trombone)
    • Benjamin Lenzmeier (11th) - Orchestra (Violin)
    • James Eilen (11th) - Choir (Tenor I)
    • Andrew Tarnowski (10th) - Selected as an Alternate - Choir (Baritone)
    These students invested many hours of work and concentration into their auditions. They will participate in a week-long camp this summer and gather with other All State ensembles. The orchestra will be meeting at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and the choir will be meeting at the College of St. Olaf in Northfield.  
  • Our High School Quiz Bowl competed at Nationals this weekend! After competing in three regular league matches, three high school tournaments, and doing well all season, they qualified for the Small School National Championship Tournament, which was held in Chicago this year! The team ended their Nationals weekend with a record of 9-8, finishing 3rd place in the consolation bracket. The team included Lucas Lahlum, Anna Wilgenbush, Matthew Bettencourt, Rose Birkey, Sara Foote, Grace Karadza, Timmy Rosno, Emma Taggart, Luke Wallisch, Teddy March, Connor Nickolay, Anna Simpson, Sebastian Stoss, and Sang Vu. 
  • K'Lynn Lewis (12th) received the Aggie Athena Award. The St. Paul Area Athena Awards program honors female high school seniors for their athletic achievements, and K'Lynn was selected as the Saint Agnes School recipient.
  • Carissa Quintanilla (12th) received the Sacrament of Confirmation at our 7-12 Mass on Thursday, April 19. When she transferred to Saint Agnes sophomore year, she had very little contact with her faith. Through her experiences at Saint Agnes and the guidance of our faculty, Carissa fulfilled her decision to be confirmed.  
  • Anna Wilgenbusch (12th) was awarded one of two $2,000 Youth Volunteer Scholarships from Saint Therese, a Catholic senior living organization. Anna is a regular volunteer at Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic nursing home in St. Paul. She began leading a group of seniors in writing poetry which later became a regular activity in the residence entitled Penetrate with Poetry. She was selected for her commitment to seniors and the evident impact volunteerism made in her life. 
  • Bridget Macdonald (12th) earned the Chick Evans Scholarship for Caddies. The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for golf caddies and is awarded based on a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. She will attend the University of Minnesota on this full scholarship.
Although we have inevitably missed somebody or something, please know that we will continue to do our best to recognize our students as they continue to show this world their extraordinary capabilities!
 
 
Blessings to your family,

 


 

Kevin Ferdinandt
ALL SCHOOL NEWS
Faith & Tradition Capital Campaign
As of last Friday, we have used $285,526 of the $500,000 matching gift announced in April, bringing the campaign pledges and gift total up to $2,580,188! Thank you to all who have accepted the challenge so far! If you have not yet done so, please prayerfully consider making your gift to this campaign so that it can be doubled as part of the matching gift! Over 400 families have participated in the campaign to date, and our goal is 100% participation. All parish and school families make a difference and an impact. From the $2 gift to the average gift of $2,788 - every gift matters!
 
For questions, please contact Bridget Klosterman (Campaign Manager) at 612-850-5011. Visit the Faith & Tradition website to find more information or to donate. 
Saint Agnes Grade School/Junior High Summer Volleyball
This program will provide an opportunity for athletes to learn, develop, and refine volleyball skills before the fall season. Practices will take place Wednesdays 10AM-12PM in Gruden Gym from June 13-August 8 (with no practice the week of July 4). Girls entering grades 5-8 are invited to be part of this eight-week program. Click here for more information. Contact Coach Odenbrett or Michelle Andersen with questions.
Summer Series Registration Extended to May 8!
Don't forget about our offerings for adults and alumni: Learn about Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg Address with Dr. Pentecost, Deepening Prayer with Dr. Ferdinandt, or Apologetics with Mr. Blonigen! We have something for everyone in the family from keyboarding and theatre to art and robotics. View full course descriptions and register for all academic and athletic offerings on our website. Please register as soon as possible so we can staff our camps accordingly.
Spring Concert Dates
All concerts will take place in the Helene Houle Auditorium at Saint Agnes School. Please come support our music department!
K-3 Spring Concert - May 7 at 6:30PM
7-12 Band Concert - May 10 at 7PM
4-6 Band/Choir Concert - May 15 at 6:30PM
7-12 Choir Concert - May 20 at 4:30PM
Field Day - Friday, May 25
Saint Agnes Field Day 2018 is almost here! K-8 students will be at West Minnehaha Playground from 9:30AM-1:45PM on Friday, May 25. All students must pack a bag lunch or order one from the school lunch program. Students must wear modest, weather appropriate play clothes with socks and tennis shoes. Please see the parents letter below for more information. T-shirt orders are due Wednesday, May 9. 
Permission slips are due Monday, May 14. Please contact Mr. Thompson with questions.

Aggie Open - Monday, July 16
Support the Athletic Department at this year's Aggie Open on Monday, July 16. Compete at Como Golf Course and return to Saint Agnes to enjoy a catered dinner and cash bar in the air-conditioned Ubel Activity Center. $125 for golf and dinner. $40 for dinner only. Click here for registration and more information.
Important May Dates
May 1 - Grades 7-8 Standford 10 Testing
May 2 - Grades 7-8 Standford 10 Testing
May 3 - K-12 Mass with May Crowning - 9:30AM at Church of Saint Agnes
May 4 - Grades 7-12 First Friday Confessions
May 5 - Prom - 5PM Grand March at Helene Houle Auditorium
May 9 - Convent Chapel Mass - 7:10AM
May 9 - K-6 Alphabet Fair - 12:30-2PM at Gruden Gym
May 12 - 2nd Grade First Communion (OF) - 10AM at Church of Saint Agnes
May 13 - 2nd Grade First Communion (EF) - 7:30AM at Church of Saint Agnes
May 17 - Senior Banquet - 6PM at Schuler Hall
May 23 - JH Awards Ceremony - 9:30AM at Helene Houle Auditorium
May 25 - K-8 Field Day
May 25 - High School Academic Convocation - 1:45PM at Helene Houle Auditorium
May 28 - NO SCHOOL, Memorial Day
May 29 - K-6 Virtue Assembly - 10AM at Helene Houle Auditorium
May 30 - 7-12 Final Exams
May 30 - 7-12 Baccalaureate Mass - 11AM at Church of Saint Agnes - and Picnic
May 31 - 7-12 Final Exams
June 1 - 7-12 Final Exams, K-12 Early Dismissal - 11:30AM
June 1 - Commencement Exercises - 7PM
7-12 NEWS
Student Stewardship Opportunity: Support the Sisters!
Students are invited to help Saint Agnes prepare for the arrival of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist by contributing to their new prie-dieus! Dr. Ferdinandt is handcrafting eight of these kneelers in his woodshop for the Sisters to use as they pray in our Convent Chapel. Materials for each prie-dieu cost $350, and donors generously funded six kneelers at the Red & White Benefit in February. Our student body has a great opportunity this month to practice stewardship by supporting the costs of these final two prie-dieus. During today's Convocation, each student was invited to contribute $2 toward this effort to welcome our Sisters.  
 
A collection will be taken for the prie-dieus during our final Thursday Masses of the school year. Donation jars will also be available in the offices of Mr. Hendrickson and Mr. Flood.
Job Opportunities for Aggie Students
Sweet Martha's Cookies at the MN State Fair
Once again, Sweet Martha's Cookies is asking Saint Agnes students to join their team at the Great MN Get Together! Sweet Martha's hires students from other area Catholic high schools in addition to Saint Agnes students. They only hire in-house references, so it is great that they want our students to apply! Must be 16 years of age. Apply online with Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar. Make sure to put "Saint Agnes" as your Sweet Martha's reference.

Warners' Stellian 
Warners' Stellian is looking for part-time warehouse associates to join their team this summer. They hope to fill these positions as soon as possible! Make sure to include Saint Agnes in the "referred by" field of the application. The warehouse is located one mile north of Saint Agnes, just off of Dale and Atwater. Download the Warners' Stellian application. No need for a cover letter or resume when you apply.
 
Midland Hills Country Club
Want to get some exercise, soak in some vitamin D and make connections? Here is your chance! Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville will be having a Caddy Orientation meeting this Saturday, May 5 at 9AM. The meeting will last approximately one hour, and you should go to the Pro Shop to check in.

For questions about these and other job opportunities please contact Mrs. Kate Boyle  in the Advancement Office.
2018 College Application Boot Camp - August 6-9
The Guidance Office is excited to announce the 3rd Annual College Application Boot CampBoot Camp is a four-day, intensive workshop to jump-start the college application process, ensuring that students are on-track as they begin their senior year. At Boot Camp, incoming seniors will:
  •         Complete at least one full college application
  •         Write and revise application essays
  •         Complete an activity resume
  •         Discuss college majors and careers
  •         Attend group workshops
  •         Meet with a guidance counselor for individual conferences, as needed
  •         Visit a college campus
  •         Talk with college admissions representatives
Registration forms available here or in the Guidance Office. Please turn registration forms into the Main Office by Thursday, June 7. Cost is $90. Questions? Contact Mrs. Rachel Kemp.
Grades 7-8 Standford 10 Testing - May 1 & 2
Junior high students will take the Standford 10 (SAT10) exam on Tuesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 2. The various subject exams will begin promptly at 8AM on Tuesday morning until lunch. On Wednesday, the exams will begin after lunch for the second half of the day. Students will have normal class periods 5-7 on Tuesday afternoon, and periods 1-4 on Wednesday. Questions? Please contact Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics.
Christian Intellectual Formation at the U of M!
Anselm House, a Christian study center at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, welcomes Aggies coming to the U of M to apply for the Colin MacLaurin Fellows , a three-year program of study in the Christian intellectual tradition. Share meals and prayer, discuss carefully selected readings in small cohorts, and live life together at the intersection of faith and university life. This program is open to all U of M students, and the application deadline is May 15. Anselm House has strong ties to the Department of Catholic Studies at UST and the Newman Center at the U of M. Questions? Contact John Rogers
STAY CONNECTED
The Parent Newsletter is a weekly publication of Saint Agnes School.