The Shield
Saint Stories
![The first students enrolled in the new Multimedia News course gather around the green screen, where the Halo morning show is filmed. (Photo Judy Callahan)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724175489/stasaintsnet/aukr7jue6akrll4bucly/NewHalo2024.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724175489/stasaintsnet/aukr7jue6akrll4bucly/NewHalo2024.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724175489/stasaintsnet/aukr7jue6akrll4bucly/NewHalo2024.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724175489/stasaintsnet/aukr7jue6akrll4bucly/NewHalo2024.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1724175489/stasaintsnet/aukr7jue6akrll4bucly/NewHalo2024.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1724175489/stasaintsnet/aukr7jue6akrll4bucly/NewHalo2024.jpg","width":2200}])
- Academics
Peyton Vena, '25, Shield Reporter
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School takes pride in showcasing students’ talents, especially when it helps inform our community about what’s going on inside of school. Students have been producing multimedia news for a long time - and now it's officially a new class.
![Envelope with note that reads, Dear Freshmen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726497502/stasaintsnet/ed42ci5fvasidsh68uzp/DearFreshmen.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726497502/stasaintsnet/ed42ci5fvasidsh68uzp/DearFreshmen.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1726497502/stasaintsnet/ed42ci5fvasidsh68uzp/DearFreshmen.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726497502/stasaintsnet/ed42ci5fvasidsh68uzp/DearFreshmen.png","width":1080}])
Audrey Jimenez, '25, Shield Reporter
Features
![Academic Counselor, Deb Castinado standing with two Aquinas students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727395366/stasaintsnet/fykhvdpp8zteqh5gsadx/LizMajorswithstudents.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727395366/stasaintsnet/fykhvdpp8zteqh5gsadx/LizMajorswithstudents.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727395366/stasaintsnet/fykhvdpp8zteqh5gsadx/LizMajorswithstudents.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1727395366/stasaintsnet/fykhvdpp8zteqh5gsadx/LizMajorswithstudents.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1727395366/stasaintsnet/fykhvdpp8zteqh5gsadx/LizMajorswithstudents.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1727395366/stasaintsnet/fykhvdpp8zteqh5gsadx/LizMajorswithstudents.jpg","width":2200}])
- General
Anna Woods
College week kicked off the first week of September and already high school students are stressing out about which college to attend. Choosing a college can be tough regardless of the type of degree you plan to pursue.
![When Love Gets Ugly]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724766493/stasaintsnet/dj9ua5mhskeeqgdi6vfw/colleen-hoover_custom-c2b1f424ca02d5257a3b6419f0819ebfa39d9fd6-s1100-c50.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724766493/stasaintsnet/dj9ua5mhskeeqgdi6vfw/colleen-hoover_custom-c2b1f424ca02d5257a3b6419f0819ebfa39d9fd6-s1100-c50.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724766493/stasaintsnet/dj9ua5mhskeeqgdi6vfw/colleen-hoover_custom-c2b1f424ca02d5257a3b6419f0819ebfa39d9fd6-s1100-c50.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724766493/stasaintsnet/dj9ua5mhskeeqgdi6vfw/colleen-hoover_custom-c2b1f424ca02d5257a3b6419f0819ebfa39d9fd6-s1100-c50.jpg","width":1016}])
Maeve Sloan and Alexandra Ridge
![A Triumphant Family Tradition: The Trumpet Cookies]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724766211/stasaintsnet/lyjz5zilfm4yld5mygv3/Trumpets-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724766211/stasaintsnet/lyjz5zilfm4yld5mygv3/Trumpets-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724766211/stasaintsnet/lyjz5zilfm4yld5mygv3/Trumpets-1.jpg","width":542}])
Claire Forge, Shield Reporter
![Devastation of Maui Fires]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724766841/stasaintsnet/dvcqljr3u9kyxq1hm3rr/lahaina-on-fire-CNN-1200x675.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724766841/stasaintsnet/dvcqljr3u9kyxq1hm3rr/lahaina-on-fire-CNN-1200x675.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724766841/stasaintsnet/dvcqljr3u9kyxq1hm3rr/lahaina-on-fire-CNN-1200x675.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724766841/stasaintsnet/dvcqljr3u9kyxq1hm3rr/lahaina-on-fire-CNN-1200x675.jpg","width":1200}])
Katie Glasgow, Reporter
Sports
![Builders lay down a new floor in the Saints gym. (photo by Tim Zande)]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727299819/stasaintsnet/wr02lw0ejrbmhse9rrp8/GymFloorArticle-3.heic","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727299819/stasaintsnet/wr02lw0ejrbmhse9rrp8/GymFloorArticle-3.heic","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727299819/stasaintsnet/wr02lw0ejrbmhse9rrp8/GymFloorArticle-3.heic","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1727299819/stasaintsnet/wr02lw0ejrbmhse9rrp8/GymFloorArticle-3.heic","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1727299819/stasaintsnet/wr02lw0ejrbmhse9rrp8/GymFloorArticle-3.heic","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1727299819/stasaintsnet/wr02lw0ejrbmhse9rrp8/GymFloorArticle-3.heic","width":2200}])
- Fall Sports
Gabi Poeschl
How do you pivot when you discover a week into school that your gym floor is damaged beyond repair due to water? For the Saints, news that the floor would have to be replaced has impacted PE classes, Cheer, and Dance teams and especially the Saints Volleyball team.
![2023-24 Winter Sports Preview]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724765927/stasaintsnet/jitroezs4tio8nglstzm/st-thomas-aquinas-state-champs-2023-1200x675.webp","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724765927/stasaintsnet/jitroezs4tio8nglstzm/st-thomas-aquinas-state-champs-2023-1200x675.webp","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724765927/stasaintsnet/jitroezs4tio8nglstzm/st-thomas-aquinas-state-champs-2023-1200x675.webp","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724765927/stasaintsnet/jitroezs4tio8nglstzm/st-thomas-aquinas-state-champs-2023-1200x675.webp","width":1200}])
Kaitlyn Strout, Shield Reporter
![2023 Fall Sport Rewind]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724765690/stasaintsnet/aye20jmny0sx3qar97m7/3NV_9636-1200x800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724765690/stasaintsnet/aye20jmny0sx3qar97m7/3NV_9636-1200x800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724765690/stasaintsnet/aye20jmny0sx3qar97m7/3NV_9636-1200x800.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724765690/stasaintsnet/aye20jmny0sx3qar97m7/3NV_9636-1200x800.jpg","width":1200}])
Kaitlyn Strout, Shield Reporter
The Shield is Saint Thomas Aquinas’ newspaper publication. The 2022-2023 school year is the first year with the online format. Students write on a bi-weekly basis in alternating groups, so about 7-9 stories are published each week. Look for new stories on Thursdays or Fridays of each week, and thank you for reading!
Student Spotlight
![Matthew Fortino, Ren in Footloose]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728313708/stasaintsnet/vb7jeqtwqczphvlxqkvx/MatthewFortino_headshot.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728313708/stasaintsnet/vb7jeqtwqczphvlxqkvx/MatthewFortino_headshot.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728313708/stasaintsnet/vb7jeqtwqczphvlxqkvx/MatthewFortino_headshot.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728313708/stasaintsnet/vb7jeqtwqczphvlxqkvx/MatthewFortino_headshot.jpg","width":1081}])
The fall musical this year is Footloose and the student playing the lead role of Ren, is senior, Matthew Fortino. He feels like he really connected with the character and has been working hard to bring Ren to life on stage.
![Hailey Selock Says the Role of Ariel Suits Her]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728062416/stasaintsnet/zsypuka7garftk6mnjtu/HaileySelock-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728062416/stasaintsnet/zsypuka7garftk6mnjtu/HaileySelock-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728062416/stasaintsnet/zsypuka7garftk6mnjtu/HaileySelock-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1728062416/stasaintsnet/zsypuka7garftk6mnjtu/HaileySelock-2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1728062416/stasaintsnet/zsypuka7garftk6mnjtu/HaileySelock-2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1728062416/stasaintsnet/zsypuka7garftk6mnjtu/HaileySelock-2.jpg","width":2200}])
Hailey Selock is a senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas, and is playing Ariel Moore in the upcoming play, Footloose. Hailey said she tried out for Ariel, because she is the main lead and wanted to land an important role to make her senior year memorable. “I love Ariel’s character and I feel like this role really suits me.”