2012-2013 News
Laura Loustalot Wins HBA Essay Contest Award
 Laura Loustalot, a senior at St. Pius X, was awarded second place in the Houston Bar Association’s annual Law Day Essay Contest.
The theme for this year’s contest was “Realizing the Dream: Equality for All”. The theme provided an opportunity for students to explore the movement for civil and human rights in America and the impact that it has had in promoting the ideal of equality under the law.
As the second-place winner, Loustalot won a prize of $300. Students in grades 9-12 were eligible to participate in the contest.
Law Day is celebrated across the country each year on May 1st. Its purpose is to reserve a special day of celebration by the American people in appreciation of their liberties and to provide an occasion for rededication to the ideas of equality and justice under law.
The HBA Law Day Essay Contest was the second essay contest of the year that Loustalot has won. She also earned first place amongst 12th graders in the UST/Archdiocesan Essay Contest in January.
Loustalot will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall.
Zachary Henry Earns TASSP All-State Academic Award
 Zachary Henry, a senior at St. Pius X, has been selected by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as a member of the TASSP All-State Academic Excellence Team. He was chosen by the selection committee as one of the top 20 scholars in the state.
The prestigious award was designed to recognize Texas high school seniors for their outstanding academic achievements and the rewards of superior scholarship. Selection is based on a combination of GPA, SAT and ACT scores, pursuit of an advanced diploma, other evidence of exceptional academic ability and scores on a submitted essay.
As a member of the TASSP All-State Academic Excellence Team, Henry is awarded a $500 scholarship and will be formally recognized at the TASSP Summer Workshop held in Austin on June 13, 2013.
Henry will also be honored in The Catholic Heart, the official newsletter for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, as a student from St. Pius X who embodies the notion of a Catholic Scholar. He will attend Texas A&M University in the fall.
SPX Baseball: The 2013 TAPPS Class 5A State Runner-up
 St. Pius X head coach Adam Massiatte has led the Panther baseball team to the TAPPS Class 5A state championship game three times in the last five years, with titles in 2009 and 2012. On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, the defending state champions fell just short of their third title, however, falling to Argyle Liberty Christian, 6-1, at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.
“We had the guys to do it, just a few things didn’t go our way,” Massiatte said. “They’re a good hitting team. They played quality baseball and they executed some fundamentals. We’re going to reset it, learn from this experience and try to get back to this game next year.”
As the visiting team, the Panthers struck first, with leadoff batter Luis Sanchez drawing a walk. He was sacrificed to second by Chase Fontana and stole third on the next pitch. Jerry Murillo’s single through the left side scored Sanchez and gave SPX a quick 1-0 lead.
Liberty Christian loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but a smooth 6-4-3 double play got the Panthers out of the jam.
In the bottom of the second, the Warriors loaded the bases again and this time scored on a balk to even the game at 1-1.
In their next at bat, a two-run double by Connor McMann and an RBI single through the right side gave LCS a 4-1 lead.
The Warriors added a run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly and scored again in the fifth on an infield groundout.
St. Pius X put two runners on in the fifth with two outs, but were unable to push them across.
Ben Little gave SPX fans hope of a rally in the sixth with a two-out single to center field, but he was thrown out on the play trying to stretch it to second.
“We didn’t get too many chances after that first inning to get back on it,” Massiatte said. “We had a rough time getting a leadoff runner on, so that made it a little tougher for us to play the game we’re used to playing. It’s a learning experience for everybody, but the boys did a good job of trying to compete and do whatever they could for the team.”
Making the TAPPS Class 5A All-Tournament Team were Kohl Stewart, Jerry Murillo, Sanchez and Joe Gerringer.
Playing in their final game were the seniors of the Class of 2013: Kenneth Danna, Gerringer, Ross Kiatta, Little, Damitri Morris, Stuart Peterson, Sanchez, Joel Segura, Stewart and Dylan Tarpey.
“They’re a good group of guys who really committed themselves to trying to be as good as they could,” Massiate said. “They mean a lot to the program. They’ve been able to reinforce and validate the hard work to be able to get us back here.”
Baseball Heads to TAPPS State Championship Game
 Senior right-hander Kohl Stewart allowed only three hits and struck out 11 to lead St. Pius X to a 5-1 win over St. Thomas in the TAPPS Class 5A state baseball semifinal on Monday.
The Panthers advance to the state title game for the second straight season and are in search of their third title in five years.
As the visiting team, St. Pius X got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third inning. Stuart Peterson led off with a double and moved to third on a balk. A single by Luis Sanchez scored Peterson for a 1-0 SPX lead. Sanchez stole second, and Chase Fontana singled and moved to second on the throw to put two runners in scoring position. Jerry Murillo’s sacrifice fly scored one and Stewart knocked in another with a groundout for a 3-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the sixth, St. Thomas got one run back with a two-out, RBI single up the middle by Jordan Bautista-Rosales.
St. Pius X answered in their next at bat as Peterson led off with single and moved to second with a stolen base. Fontana singled to left with and Stewart was intentionally walked with two outs to load the bases. Ben Little then came through with a two-RBI single to give the Panthers a 5-1 cushion going into the bottom of the seventh.
Stewart picked up his fifth win of the season to move to 5-1 with his complete game performance.
SPX plays Argyle Liberty Christian for the state title on Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. The game is played at UMHB in Belton, Texas.
SPX Student Garners First Place at TAPPS Academic State Meet
 St. Pius X High School’s Miranda Turner became a state champion at the 2013 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Class 5A Academic State Meet on April 5-6 at Concordia University in Austin, Texas.
A junior, Turner earned first place and was awarded a gold medal in Original Oratory. Her speech was titled “Debasement of Women”.
St. Pius X tied for 13th as a team, while Argyle Liberty Christian School was the overall winner at the Class 5A meet and Dallas Bishop Lynch finished as the runner up.
A total of six SPX students qualified for TAPPS Academic State, including John Johnson in both Science and Current Events, Schuyler Link and Vincent King for Number Sense, Ashley Holt and Nathan Murphy for Duet Acting, Ashley Holt for Mathematics, and Turner.
Only the top five students from each district advanced to the state competition.
The SPX Academic Team is co-sponsored by Trudie Dattilo and Mildred Johnson.
SPX Joins CenterPoint Energy’s Sustainable Schools Program
 St. Pius X High School is proud to announce it is the first and only private school in Houston to participate in CenterPoint Energy’s Sustainable Schools Program (SSP), which promotes energy efficiency awareness school-wide.
The SSP is an interactive energy conservation program offered at no cost to St. Pius X by CenterPoint Energy to provide a positive impact on the environment.
The goal is to raise awareness of energy usage and change behavior in both students and staff in order to promote energy savings.
The program highlights the Dominican commitment to sustainability and addresses issues of social justice and care of the earth.
The services and materials that are part of the SSP include: educational materials and activities, teacher training and guidance, additional resources for lessons and activities, school energy audit kit for student audits, and training and on-going support for school staff.
The program gives SPX students a hands-on, eye-opening and user-friendly experience in a growing field of engineering as well as an engaging cooperative experience.
Implementation of the program begins immediately and continues into the 2013-2014 school year.
Five Vocal Ensembles Advance to State
 St. Pius X High School would like to congratulate the Vocal Music Department for its superior performances at the TAPPS Region Vocal Contest on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont, Texas.
Five ensembles – Mixed Sacred Ensemble No. 1 and No. 2, Mixed Sacred Ensemble No. 3 - Campus Singers, Mixed Sacred Ensemble No. 4 - Treble Choir, and Pop/Show Choir Ensemble - Campus Singers – advanced to the TAPPS State competition by receiving a superior rating from all three judges.
Soloist 12th graders Rachel Wile and Alex Mackzum each earned a superior rating of I on their class I solos and also advanced to state. Soloist 11th grader Lauren Hand was awarded a superior rating of I on her class II solo.
This record-setting performance is the second straight for the St. Pius X Vocal Music Department, after 13 soloists advanced to state at the TAPPS Region 3-5A Solo and Small Ensemble Contest.
Soloists are coached by Mr. Carlton Ford and Ms. Julie Allison, while ensembles are directed by Mr. Patrick Spedale. The treble choir was directed by guest choirmaster Mr. Paul Jurick.
The TAPPS State competition is held April 12-13 at Mary Hardin Baylor College.
Seven Academic Team Students Qualify for State
 St. Pius X High School would like to congratulate students from the Academic Team that competed in the district meet at Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont, Texas. Seven students, as noted below, qualified to compete in the state meet in April.
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Science
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Schuyler Link
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Second Alternate
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Physics
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John Johnson
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First, qualified for State
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Persuasive Speaking
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Clarissa Rivera
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Second Alternate
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Current Events
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John Johnson
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Fourth, qualified for State
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Number Sense
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Schuyler Link
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Third, qualified for State
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Vincent King
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Fourth, qualified for State
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Math
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Ashley Holt
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First Alternate
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Gena Markantonis
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Second Alternate
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Latin
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Allison Shely
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Second [District level only]
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Spanish
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Stephanie Zelaya
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Second Alternate
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Duet Acting
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Ashley Holt & Nathan Murphy
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Fifth, qualifies for State
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Original Oratory
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Miranda Turner
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Third, qualified for State
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Co-Sponsors of the Academic Team are Mildred Johnson and Trudie Dattilo.
The following faculty members also volunteered their time to work with the students: Gillian Erdmann (Math), Raju Kurian (Science), Carolyn Taylor (Speaking Events), Gloria McCreary and Concepcion Barquin (Spanish), Tim Woods (Latin) and Denise Markech (Literary Criticism).
Five Student-Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent
 St. Pius X High School was proud to witness the official signing of five student-athletes on Wednesday, Feb. 6 in the Herzstein Gym. These students will continue their academic and athletic endeavors at the collegiate level with scholarships in football, soccer, softball and basketball.
The following students accepted offers:
- Solomon Brown - Eastern Nazarene University (Basketball)
- Briana Hester - University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Soccer)
- Kaitlin Hintz - Benedictine College (Soccer)
- Carah Nunez-San Jacinto College (Softball)
- Kohl Stewart - Texas A&M (Football)
Thirteen Soloists Advance to TAPPS State
 Thirteen St. Pius X High School vocal music students earned Superior rankings at the TAPPS Region 3-5A Solo and Small Ensemble contest hosted on the campus of St. Pius X on Saturday, Feb. 2.
With their Superior rating of I on a Class I Solo, each of the following soloists advanced to the TAPPS State competition in April: seniors Allison Shely, Hallie Smith, Janelle Walker, Laura Loustalot, Adrian Gonzales, Branlyn Jones, Erik Sandstrom, Jesse Lara, junior Kendall Chancellor, and sophomores Thinh Huynh, Nathan Murphy, Gregory Fails and Claire Mouton.
“Our TAPPS region has really sound musical pedagogy and we are proud to have had such an outstanding and record-setting showing at this contest,” Senior Choirmaster Mr. Patrick Spedale said. “The contestants from all of the schools in our region were really well prepared, according to our judges. The work of our vocal coaches is really to be commended. Under their leadership, we were able to have more solo contestants and state advancers than ever before. Our previous state advance record was nine.”
SPX was represented by 20 soloists in all. Junior Miranda Turner was awarded an Excellent rating of II on a Class II solo; seniors Stefani Culver and Emily Massey earned a Superior rating of I on a Class III solo; and juniors Kaitlin Belmares and Adriana Turner and sophomores Ashley Holt and Gabrielle Williams garnered a Superior rating of I on a Class II solo.
“The SPX students and their teachers/accompanist were exceptional in their talent and participation,” said Dr. Terry Morris, Director of Music Ministry at First United Methodist Church in Houston, and one of three judges at the contest.
The scoring for the TAPPS Choral Competition consisted of ratings: 1 – Superior, 2 – Excellent, 3 – Good, 4 – Fair, 5 – Poor.
The SPX Music Department took the lead in the region with a record-breaking 19 Superior ratings for solos, and continues a long tradition of excellence in musical performance and presentation. Vocal solo students are coached by Mr. Carlton Ford and Ms. Julie Allison.
Math Classes Achieve Model Classroom Status
 St. Pius X High School is pleased to announce that Marge Harris’ Math Labs 4 and 6 have been awarded Model Classroom status by Ascend Education.
The Ascend Math Model School Program was created to honor schools and individual classrooms that implement Ascend Math with fidelity and integrity and hold them up as leaders in math intervention and models for others. The program seeks to celebrate the students’ and school’s success while providing the opportunity to share best practices with others. The Model School program encourages educators to build a network of knowledge, sharing with other educators the challenges they face and the strategies they use to overcome these challenges with the help of Ascend Math®.
Math Department Teacher and Chair Marge Harris is a master implementer of Ascend Math. She regularly sets ambitious goals and uses data to monitor student progress and improve upon her students’ success.
Harris has been using Ascend Math effectively for six years to help struggling students close math skill gaps quickly and get back to grade level quickly. In one semester, one student completed four grade levels, six completed two grade levels, and 17 more completed a full grade level.
“At St. Pius X, we believe in challenging our students to realize their full potential and having Ascend Math as a component of our Learning for Success Program has been tremendous,” SPX Academic Dean Diane Larsen said. “We are extremely proud of the efforts Ms. Harris makes to meet the needs of individual students and to teach them to enjoy learning.”
As an Ascend Math Model Educator, Marge Harris will have the opportunity to share best practices with other educators and districts who will likely benefit from her knowledge and experience.
Eight Students Earn UST/Archdiocesan Essay Contest Awards
 Eight students from St. Pius X High School were honored at the ninth annual UST/Archdiocesan Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.
St. Pius X swept the 12th grade awards with Laura Loustalot earning first place, Stephanie LaMotta second and Nathan Sityangco third. Gena Markantonis was awarded third place for 11th grade and Haley Shoebotham received third place for 10th grade. Ashley Holt, Jennifer Shereen and Miranda Turner earned honorable mention.
“We are very proud of our students,” Academic Dean Diane Larsen said. “Of the nine essays SPX submitted, eight placed. That is fantastic! One of the important goals of the SPX academic program is to assist our students in recognizing and developing their writing skills, preparing them for college and careers.”
The event included a Mass celebrated by the Most. Rev. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and concelebrated by priests from throughout the Archdiocese, the awards ceremony and a reception at the Cathedral Centre.
Finalist essays from each grade level were read and ranked by UST faculty and staff members, who chose the winners. The essays from first-place winners in every grade level were enlarged as posters and put on display at the reception. First- and second-place winners were also awarded $1,500 scholarships if they choose to attend UST.
SPX students had the opportunity to meet and shake hands with Cardinal DiNardo and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Sister Kevina Keating, CCVI.
Over the last eight years, the UST Catholic Outreach Office has sponsored an essay contest focusing on the benefits and meaning of a Catholic education.
Stewart Named Offensive Player of the Year
 St. Pius X High School quarterback Kohl Stewart was selected as The Touchdown Club of Houston’s Offensive Player of the Year at the club’s inaugural Private High School Awards Dinner at the JW Marriott on Thursday, Dec. 5.
Stewart, a Texas A&M commit, completed 170 of 313 passes for 2,560 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. He also added 483 rushing yards and six scores.
For his career, Stewart finished as SPX’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,831) and passing touchdowns (86).
Several Panthers were selected as finalists for a number of other honors including Coach of the Year finalist Blake Ware, Offensive Player of the Year finalist Damitri Morris, Defensive Player of the Year finalists Kenneth Danna and Joel Segura and Lineman of the Year finalist Michael Vicic.
The St. Pius X football team advanced to the TAPPS 5A Division I quarterfinals and finished the year with a 9-3 overall record.
Malone Signs NLI to Lamar University
 St. Pius X High School girls basketball player Micarah Malone signed a national letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Lamar University when the early signing period for NCAA student-athletes began on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
Malone transferred to St. Pius X as a sophomore and was a first-team all-district and second-team all-state honoree as a junior. The senior starting forward helped lead the Panthers to a district championship and a state final four appearance last season.
The School was proud to witness Malone’s official signing. Malone’s family, including her mother, Felicia Collins, father, Wilton Malone, sisters, Jada Malone and Daryon Fields, grandfather, Lynn Collins and aunt, Angela Collins, shared this special day with her.
“Today means a lot to me, especially to have my family and friends, and my SPX family here to support me,” Malone said. “Not only is it a free education, but also an opportunity to continue playing something I love. SPX taught me a lot and put me on stage so I could show what I was capable of.”
Malone and the Panther varsity girls basketball team are currently in season and compete at the Toast of the Coast Tournament in Sour Lake, Texas, this weekend. For a complete 2012-13 schedule click here.
SPX Girls Soccer Raises Over $1,850 at Wings Over Houston Airshow
 The St. Pius X High School girls soccer team raised over $1,850 in two days at the Wings Over Houston Airshow, a production of the Commemorative Air Force, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The team worked back-to-back 12-hour days selling ice cream at seven different stands as part of their fundraiser.
The Lehner family manned its own stand and won four Houston Dynamo playoff tickets for selling the most ice cream.
The money raised by the Lady Panthers will go towards travel costs and much-needed equipment for the 2012-13 season.
SPX girls soccer head coach Jennifer Allen Schattle shared about the experience:
“The girls and I were initially leery about selling ice cream in 55-degree weather, but when we reached out to people telling them that we represented the St. Pius X High School girls soccer team, the support was overwhelming. The girls met at the school at 5:45 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, during one of the biggest events of the year – Homecoming Weekend. I’m so proud of this team for all their hard work on this fundraiser.”
The SPX girls soccer season began Nov. 6 and runs through February. The 2012-13 schedule is available here.
SPX Girls Rugby Attends USA Women’s Rugby Event
 The St. Pius X High School girls rugby team was on-hand to witness the announcement that Houston was chosen as one of the sites to host the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) first ever Women’s Seven Series featuring 12 international women’s teams competing at BBVA Compass Stadium on February 1-2, 2013.
“It was an amazing opportunity for our ladies to be a part of this international event,” said St. Pius X Athletic Director Jason Kimball. “From Mayor Parker sharing her rugby roots, to Coach Suggitt and the ladies of team USA giving them pointers, all of the girls shared how much of a life-changing experience it was. We can’t wait to get our tickets to this historic event.”
The Lady Panthers were able to visit with Mayor Annise D. Parker, USA Women’s Rugby 7s head coach Ric Suggitt, members of the USA Women’s Rugby 7s team and USA Rugby President Nigel Melville.
“This is a breakthrough moment for women’s international rugby and the USA Eagles,” said Melville. “As the team prepares for the 2016 Olympics, this Series will be instrumental in giving them the competition they need to compete for gold.”
Click here for photos from the Mayor’s Facebook page.
St. Pius X High School Foundation Pledges $1.2 Million at Annual Gala
 The St. Pius X High School Foundation committed $1.2 million in support of the School’s Set the World Ablaze capital campaign at its 17th annual gala on Saturday, Oct. 20. The generous gift will be partially funded through the gala, which raised more than $440,000.
“Pursuant to its mission, I am delighted to announce that the Foundation Board unanimously agreed to this gift”, said James A. Black, President of the Foundation. “We are so grateful to the many supporters of St. Pius X. Hopefully this commitment from our Board will entice a few more benefactors to contribute to our school’s future.”
The $12 million capital campaign is currently in Phase 2 which includes a new science building, west campus access, plaza and sidewalks. The expanded campus and facilities will build not only on the 55-year heritage of Dominican education in Northwest Houston, it will also better prepare our students as they march into the 21st century to Set the World Ablaze.
This year’s gala treated guests to a Saturday Night Fever theme and was held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott where St. Pius X High School Foundation was honored to recognize Mrs. Trinidad Mendenhall Sosa as the recipient of the Del Sarto Humanitarian Award for her work and generosity on behalf of others.
Often known as “Trini”, Mrs. Mendenhall Sosa is a long-time resident of Houston who has made it her life’s work to share with her community the many gifts God has given her. She launched the Trini & O.C. Mendenhall Foundation to enhance the lives of Houston’s underserved women, children and minorities and provides scholarship funding for Houston’s inner-city Catholic schools. She also gave the University of St. Thomas its largest gift by an individual donor. This gift established the Mendenhall Achievement Center, led to the formation of the Mendenhall Summer Institute and established a scholarship fund for students in need.
This year’s festivities, organized by the Gala Committee, including Gala Chairs Teri O’Connor and Terrie Sechrist, with support from the Foundation, kicked off with cocktails, a silent and a big-board auction, and followed with dinner and a live auction. Music and entertainment was provided by ProSoundCo, owned and operated by Daniel Pawlowksi ‘06.
Notable attendees included long time benefactors and friends of the School Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Bishop George Sheltz, Sister Carol Mayes, O.P., Mrs. Raye G. White, Mr. Ralph Marek and Head of School Sister Donna M. Pollard, O.P.
Kohl Stewart Receives Under Armour All-America Game Jersey
 St. Pius X High School senior quarterback Kohl Stewart was presented with an honorary game jersey on Thursday, Oct. 18 as part of the 2013 American Family Insurance Selection Tour for the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game.
The 20-minute ceremony took place at noon inside St. Pius X’s Herzstein Gym.
Stewart, a Texas A&M commit, will be one of 90 of the nation’s top high school seniors spotlighted at the sixth annual Under Armour Game. The game last season, played Jan. 5 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., after practices at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., featured former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucci and Herm Edwards in addition to 10 of the top 12 players in the final ESPN 150.
In addition to Stewart, St. Pius football will be represented at the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game by head coach Blake Ware. Ware was selected as one of 16 coaches for the prestigious competition.
The 2013 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game is scheduled for Friday, January 4 at 5 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The complete roster is available on ESPN.com More information on how to purchase tickets will be released soon by clicking here.
Click here for Kohl's ESPN interview and feature story!
Annual Day of Remembrance
 The St. Pius X Community celebrated the Annual Day of Remembrance on Tuesday, September 11, with the laying of two wreaths.
A memorial wreath was laid on the bench in the reflecting pool commemorating the anniversary of death of St. Pius X student Mason Sebastian Ott,'02, who passed away suddenly on September 11, 2000, and for whom the Memorial Prayer Garden is named. A second wreath was laid in the garden entrance to commemorate all those lives that were lost in the tragic 9/11 attacks in 2001.
An honor guard, special prayers, a moment of silence, the singing of the national anthem, and the flag raised and lowered to half-staff are all part of the annual observance on this day.
The St. Pius X Community was invited to visit the garden throughout the day to reflect on the lives honored this day and to pray for world peace.
The St. Pius X Student Council provided wristbands inscribed with names of the 9/11 victims to be worn for the day by all members of the community and also had special displays throughout the school to honor the victims of 9/11.
Previous News Stories for St. Pius X
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