Catholic School2 0 1 5 S p r i n g n e w S l e t t e r

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Academic Excellence Since 1967

Saint JosephST. JOSEPH

CA

THOL IC S CHOO

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Volume 3, Issue 2

“There is nothing

on this earth more to

be prized than true

friendship.”

- St. Thomas Aquinas

OUR MISSIONSaint Joseph Catholic School, a ministry of St. Joseph Catholic Church located in Anderson, SC, integrates all learning with faith by empowering preschool, elementary, and middle school students to achieve their full potential as children of God. Saint Joseph Catholic School endeavors to assist parents, as primary educators of their children, in nurturing the intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and moral skills to become productive, ethical citizens in the Catholic tradition by providing a sanctuary where academic excellence and spiritual growth can flourish.

From the principal’s Desk True friendships are characterized more by a deep trust than by any other single characteristic. Some folks say that the measure of a friendship is how comfortable they feel with the other person. The level of comfort one feels is generally a measure of the degree of trust in the relationship. One can be comfortable in the

presence of another only when there is a high level of mutual trust. At St. Joseph, because of our small class and school size, we are able to help children build trust with one another, teach them important conflict resolution skills, and guide them in learning that mutual respect is essential for lasting friendships. The friendships our students make

in these early years continue because of the trust and respect they were taught here. They aren’t just friends because they are in the same class or sit next to one another, but because our teachers modeled the trust and respect needed for true, lasting friendship. “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” St. Joseph Catholic School truly fosters those golden friendships!

Alumni Spotlight:Building Relationships at St. Joseph

When asked to contribute to this issue, I first thought of my older son, Richard Martin Jr., and his friends, Ronnie Wess and Reid Staynoff. They

met as young boys and became friends while attending St. Joseph Catholic School. After graduating from 5th grade in 2005, all three boys attended McCants Middle School and T.L. Hanna High School together. They are now all juniors at USC together and studying in the same Engineering School. They recently turned 21 within a few weeks of each

other! The boys’ friendship began in kindergarten and then drew them to join the same scouting troop. Later, they all

participated in the band in both McCants

and T.L. Hanna, with Richard on the drum line, Ronnie on the sax, and Reid playing the trumpet. At USC, Richard is studying electrical engineering, Ronnie is studying computer science, and Reid is studying mechanical engineering.

They refer to themselves as the St Joe’s Bros! My younger son, Thomas, also built lasting relationships at St. Joseph that are still strong today. It was there he met Louis Schenk and Cole Kelly, as well as Lauren and Catherine Shuey. I still remember Thomas and his buddies participating in the talent show in 2008 when they were in 5th grade performing to Apache by Will Smith! When his friend, Lauren Shuey, left for college in August of 2012, the whole group (Thomas, Catherine, Louis, and Cole) all helped her move into her dorm at the College of Charleston.

It’s not only the students who end up forming lasting relationships, but the parents as well. My husband and I count some of our closest friends as the other parents we met while our children were students at St Joseph. We continue to maintain friendships with these families and now even get together without the kids! I credit St. Joseph with giving my children the moral compass they needed to

guide them and the lasting friendships to maintain that moral compass as they go through life. Friendships that start with Jesus as the basis are ones that will last!

God bless you always,

Mary Ann Wheeler, M.Ed

“There are many types of ships.

There are wooden ships, plastic

ships, and metal ships. But the best

and most important types of ships

are friendships.”- Old Irish Quote

by Margot Martin

Danielle Cox and Lauren Shuey (2005 St. Joseph graduates) holding their Kindergarten

diplomas in 1998. They are both college roommates attending the College of Charleston!

Becky, Michelle, Erin (1995 St. Joseph graduates) and the rest of the

St. Joseph 5th grade class on their Camp Greenville trip in 1995.

Becky (Smith) Salvatore

& Michelle (Cauthen)

Choromanski (2007)

Michelle (Cauthen)

Choromanski & Erin

(Walsh) Ulmer (2007)

Kristin Black and Lindsey Loparo (2008 St. Joseph graduates) on their first day of 1st Grade at St. Joseph. They are now seniors at Oakwood Christian school. They have remained close friends all these years while cheering and playing volleyball together.

Sophie Martell, Francesca Strathern, JohnMichael O’Neal, Ben Konieczny, and Michael Waldsmith (2014 St. Joseph graduates) reuniting at our Catholic Schools Week Dance.

Sophie Martel (2014 St. Joseph graduate) and Alyssa Edwards (2013 St. Joseph graduate)

Isaiah Jordan and Jonathan Edwards (2014 St. Joseph graduates)

Carter Knobel and Chris Sullivan (1982 St. Joseph graduates) coach a basketball team together. Chris’ daughters, Blake and Brady, also attend St. Joseph!

Gino Mazzola (1978 St. Joseph graduate) and Joseph Mazzola (1981 St. Joseph graduate) serving

as altar boys in the old church located in Father Friend Hall. Their mother, Barbara Mazzola, was

affectionately referred to as “the hot dog lady” by the children.

Jordan and Anthony (2007 St. Joseph graduates) have remained close friends and share their gift of music while entertaining family and friends. They both started college last fall!

JOrdananthOnyJordan Logue and Anthony Goad.

“During the six years I attended St. Joseph, I

formed friendships with people that I will keep for

a lifetime. The teachers really cared about me and

genuinely wanted to see me succeed. I will always

cherish my memories from this school.”

Lindsey Loparo, 2008 St. Joseph graduate

“Some of my favorite memories are from my days at St. Joes and of friends from my class. Since coming to college, Danielle has become one of my closest and best friends. I am so thankful I met her so many years ago in that pre-k classroom and I know she will be standing beside me on my wedding day. Talk about lasting friendships!”Lauren Shuey, 2005 St. Joseph graduate

“After our graduation, our friendships carried us to middle

school, high school, and even college together! We have

celebrated weddings, graduations, and births. Regardless

of where life has taken us, we will always hold that special

connection of the bond we formed so many years ago.”

Michelle (Cauthen) Choromanski, 1995 St. Joseph graduate

Chris and Carter’s 2nd gradeSt. Joseph class picture.

CartErChrIS

ST. JOSEPH

CA

THOLIC SCHO

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Catholic School SaintJoseph 1200 Cornelia Road Anderson, SC 29621

864-760-1619stjosephofanderson.com

FriendShipS thAt lASt A liFetime StArt At St. JoSeph CAtholiC SChool