President's Message
Greetings Saints, from Brian Schenck, your new President at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Thank you for your prayers and support of our community throughout the years. Our story is strong and we continue to write that story bringing young people in our community closer to each other and ultimately closer to Jesus. The future looks bright because I know the strong foundation has been set.
Although the position is new for me, I am certainly not new to the Saints Community. The upcoming school year will be my 25th year at Saint Thomas Aquinas. During my time, I have taught Math (hello to all my alumni students out there), worked with the student council, attended Kairos retreats, and coached track, basketball, and volleyball. Since 2013, I have been Co-Principal of Academics and co-led the effort to get our great school recognized nationally as a Blue-Ribbon School.
Like most of us, I was raised in the Heartland, and like our students, due to my parents’ dedication and sacrifices, I was able to attend Catholic schools, forming connections in music & theatre and playing sports (at least I tried). During my years at Gross Catholic High School, in Omaha, I grew in faith through retreats, liturgies and mission trips. The staff ignited my desire to become a teacher. I received my teaching degree at Rockhurst University and was hired by Sr. Kathleen in 1997 here at Saint Thomas Aquinas. I received my Masters in Education Administration at Benedictine College in 2008.
SAINTS, we have a special community. There are few places where students and parents are surrounded with excellence in academics, sports, the arts, community service and faith building. STUDENTS learn the stories of other students as they grow in their formative years and learn they are not alone on the journey. Our STAFF’s dedication to excellence has formed the powerful traditions passed on from year to year. We love when ALUMNI and their PARENTS tell us they miss our daily community. You can hear their pride in what we have built which is why PROSPECTIVE PARENTS and their children are continually attracted to becoming SAINTS. Our CURRENT PARENTS continue to sacrifice for their children’s benefit. They may not fully know the power of the example they have set, until their grown-up kids raise their own kids. Whether through alumni, parents, staff, or students, the growing of our catholic faith is the greatest blessing our Saint’s Community can provide.
My wife Leigh, my daughter Kelsey, and I are proud to be SAINTS just as you are. Kelsey just completed her freshman year here – what a blast it is watching my daughter grow in our community. As we write a new chapter in our story at Aquinas, please pray for us as we pray for you. Together we are A COMMUNION OF SAINTS!
Amor Vincit Omnia!
Brian Schenck
President
