Saint Stories

Saint Thomas Aquinas senior, Olivia Giammanco, '26 has been playing soccer since she was three years old, when she started pre-school. Her dad was her first coach and she remembers she picked the number 10 for her jersey because it was his number when he was a kid. Fifteen years later, she’s still on the pitch - no longer focused on the number on her back, but on using her talent to play at the collegiate level while pursuing her career ambitions.  

New entry-level photography class inspires students to capture life's everyday moments through the lens of a camera. This class gives students a fun chance to explore both the art and the skills of photography!  

Students Cassia Mazzella, '27 and Lucas Winkler, '28 were selected to share their work. 

At Saint Thomas Aquinas, the first week of school carries a special tradition - one rooted in generosity and community.

For the past 22 years, our National Honor Society has led a Back-to-School Supply Drive, inviting students to bring not only their own supplies, but also to share with others. Together, they’ve brightened the start of the school year for the students and teachers of Resurrection Catholic Grade School in Kansas City, Kansas, ensuring they have the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.

This Easter, 11 students from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School made the profound decision to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Additionally, two alumni chose to join the Church and received their First Communion and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass, Saturday, April 19, 2025. 

Mentorship is a very important part of the culture at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, whether it’s upperclassmen to freshmen, or teachers to their students, we strive to make each other better, to support one another. There's no one better at this than senior, Shane Gifford. '25. As a mentor he goes above and beyond.

The Teens For Life Club held its annual trip to Washington D.C. and over 40 students traveled to participate in the March for Life. Read this account of the pilgrimage as told by senior, Eva Best, '25.

Christmas is right around the corner and the holiday season is in full swing. Aquinas students celebrate Christmas in many ways throughout the month of December. 

Our Saint’s community would not be able to cultivate the learning, celebration, and success we take pride in without the help of our generous benefactors.

Over a period of 25 years, Aquinas has sent a total of 49 students to Japan and Yonago has sent 143 students to America. Discover the history of this awesome Student Exchange Program with Yonago High School!

It’s safe to assume that many students here at Aquinas have tried playing an instrument at some point. It’s a valuable skill to have, even more valuable when you’re crazy good at it. Enter senior Grayson Orr, who I had the pleasure of sitting down with and discussing his journey with music, which he says started as early as he can remember.

Want an effective way to grow the size of your brain, improve memory, problem solving, and decision making? Learn another language. Saint Thomas Aquinas High School offers a variety of ways for students to learn and immerse themselves in cultures from around the world. Whether through classes or clubs, students have the opportunity to get involved in a world language of their choice.

Recently the Shield caught up with Max Broomfield to learn a bit more about his role in Halo and a hobby turned full time student role.

At the beginning of the school year, students were informed that Saint Thomas Aquinas would be implementing a new Random Drug Screening policy beginning January 2025. 

Peyton Vena is a senior at Saint Thomas Aquinas and her family lives on 20 acres of land in Olathe, KS. They have 19 chickens, two ducks, two dogs, two cats, a turtle, a lizard and some fish. They also sell their own brand of chicken eggs called Pelton's Flock & Farm. 

The Shield sat down with Rosie Oades to talk about her thoughts on winning the virtue award for "Courtesy"and how she hopes to be an example for others.