ST. THOMAS STUDENT VOLUNTEERS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS AT AIR SHOW

Members of the St. Thomas FIRST Robotics Team helped at the recent air show

Dover, NH - On Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14, twenty-five volunteers from St. Thomas Aquinas High School manned a booth at the Boston-Pease Air Show. Through the efforts of parent Jeff Hiatt, St. Thomas was given an opportunity to raise funds for its programs by assisting at the show.

With over a dozen STA students, faculty and parents assisting each day, the crew sold hats, t-shirts and other novelties to the over 50,000 attendees at the event.

In addition to the benefits to St. Thomas, a group headed by Mr. Hiatt (including St. Thomas students juniors Alison Hiatt, Sarah Wunderlich and Matt Geary, and freshman Melissa Hiatt) earned 3rd place in the event’s “Jet Pull.” His team competed with others by pulling a Jet Blue passenger jet by hand (yes, by hand) against a time clock. Who knew what a St. Thomas education could do?

The biggest surprise of the weekend turned out to be a demonstration of one of Navy’s F-18 Hornets – piloted by alumnus Captain Bob Foley, class of 1998. When he heard that his alma mater was in the area, Capt. Foley made a point of stopping by the booth (and chatting with his former AP English teacher, Mrs. Collins).

Sunday, the booth was manned by Math chairperson and teacher Mr. Strniste and his Robotics team, and though the sky was a bit overcast, the show was just as thrilling, and the volunteers just a committed. (In fact international student Richard Li ’13, came back from Shanghai, China just to help out!)

Thanks to: Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Brenda Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. Maskwa, Becca Maskwa, Mrs. NellAnn Hiatt, Alison Hiatt, Melissa Hiatt, Dr. Sue Pike, Matt Geary, Richard Li, Matt Dailey, Sarah Wunderlich, Mr. Jason Strniste, KayeLynn Bernier, Eric Gilmore, Jeremy Hochschwender, John Hume, Connor Jednak, Sean Kates, Scott Lamoureux, Christ Strout, and Dominic Mutter

Located in Dover, NH, St. Thomas Aquinas High School is a coeducational, Catholic high school community where young people are called to be challenged academically, to stretch their hearts spiritually and to embark on a journey to make a difference. For more information, visit STA at www.stalux.org or call (603) 742-3206.