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Page 1: FALL 2019€¦ · that we are living our faith and witnessing to others. Our school families are incredibly involved. We must realize that anytime we are out in the community with

FALL 2019

Page 2: FALL 2019€¦ · that we are living our faith and witnessing to others. Our school families are incredibly involved. We must realize that anytime we are out in the community with

To be Saints

is not a privilege

for the few,

but a vocation

for everyone.

Pope Francis

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The Spirit 1 St. Laurence Catholic School |

FROM ST. LAURENCE2 . . . . . . From The Principal4 . . . . . . From The School Board President5 . . . . . . From the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)6 . . . . . . From Our Booster Club President7 . . . . . . 2018-2019 Booster Club Membership9 . . . . . . 2018-2019 SLCS Booster Club Accomplishments

HELP ING OTHERS10 . . . . . LEAD-Love, Evangelize, Advocate, and Make a Difference12 . . . . . SLCS Service Projects FROM THE ADVANCEMENT OFF I CE13 . . . . . With You, All Things Are Possible14 . . . . . Financial Report for 2018-201916 . . . . . Annual Fund17 . . . . . 2018-2019 Annual Fund Donors22 . . . . . Restricted, Unrestricted, Gifts-In-Kind and Matching Gifts23 . . . . . . Other Ways To Support St . Laurence Catholic School24 . . . . . Auction Gala26 . . . . . Celebration of Our Unique Gifts Luncheon28 . . . . . 2018 Tuition Assistance Golf Tournament

AL UMNI U PDATE S29 . . . . . From Our Students

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N TAs a pastoral instrument of the Church,

St. Laurence Catholic School educates and

develops the whole Christian person in

body, mind, and spirit through the trinity

of parent, child, and educator.

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

CONTR IBU T ORSJessica Barry Mary Esther PhillippiSuzanne Barto Jennifer Reyes Mary Lou Cabello Nora SessionsKelly Goff Marisa VelaVeronica Messersmith Reinette Zezatti

PHOTOGRAP HERSAdriana Gutierrez SLCS VolunteersSLCS Faculty and Staff SLCS Yearbook Staff

D E S I G N InkWell Plus

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2 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

Dear Saints Community,

In choosing a theme for this past year, I looked to our mission as a Catholic School for

inspiration. As a school, what do we inspire to instill in our students from PreK-8th grade? What do a strong faith foundation, strong values, strong academics, and a well-rounded education lead our students to achieve? In striving to meet children where they are and challenging them to reach their highest potential, I am certain that we are doing our very best to create leaders. This led to the decision to use the word LEAD as an acronym for Loving, Evangelizing, Advocating, and, ultimately, making a Difference. From our first day in August, we began talking about this idea of leadership and forming ideas of what it means as a student, a class, and as a school. Now, as we end this school year, I am called to look back and determine how well we have met each of these goals.

F R O M S T . L A U R E N C E

Pastor Father Drew Wood

Principal Suzanne Barto

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 A D M I N I S T R AT I O N Assistant Principal 5th–8th Grade Germaine Guedry

Assistant Principal PreK–4th Grade Joanne Wrinkle

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The Spirit 3 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Our LOVE shines through a commitment to service and acceptance. We logged over 4,950 hours of service between clubs and service projects at grade level and throughout the School. In keeping with our namesake, the Deacon Saint Laurence, our community lovingly served as the hands and feet of Christ. We did this through partnership with our Parish, and seeing this service continue in our families and beyond graduation is a true sign of a mission accomplished. Our parents graciously served as volunteers and shared their time, talent, and treasure generously. The SLCS community shines brightest as we support and surround those in need. Whether it is to pray or share a meal, Saints love is abounding. EVANGELIZING by reaching out to others and sharing the gospel was evident in our students with rosaries, leading Mass, praying for those in need, and sharing our

gifts with the wider community. Everything from students wearing their uniforms proudly on field trips, working a booth at the Bazaar or assembling meals for Sharing God’s Bounty sends the message that we are living our faith and witnessing to others. Our school families are incredibly involved. We must realize that anytime we are out in the community with a SLCS logo on our car or communicating via social media about something that happened at school, it is an opportunity to evangelize.

Students are encouraged to ADVOCATE for themselves and others by speaking up if they see something wrong and standing up for what is right. As leaders, they must find their voice; and we do our best to give them opportunities to speak and build their confidence. Oratoricals, reading at Mass, participating in mock trials, etc. give our students opportunities to

work on important speaking skills. Teaching them their faith, promoting Positive Works, and guidance lessons through our counselors give them the information needed to stand up for themselves as well as others. We are very proud that our students feel confident enough to come to us if they see others in need.

And, finally, making a DIFFERENCE. This goal may not be realized until our students leave us, but parents and students return often to tell us how appreciative they are of their time spent at St. Laurence. Our students refer to their strong faith, ability to organize and follow through with expectations, and the strong bond formed with the people they met during their years spent at our school. We are very proud of our alumni and view them as the best example of the difference we are striving to make in the world.

Your support in our mission to create strong Christian leaders is invaluable, and we humbly ask for your continued prayers as we look to the future.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Barto, M.Ed.Principal

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4 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

Dear St. Laurence Family,

How blessed we are to be part of such an amazing community where all of us come together as one in

prayer and support for each other.

I am pleased to say that St. Laurence continues to strive to be the best private school possible. We continue to have great accomplishments, especially in the areas of academics, technology, community involvement, fundraising, and athletics. Our academics are abounding. Our teachers continue to challenge students by introducing and using new techniques, such as differentiated instruction. Our students and families continue to be fully involved in our community, in our parish, Sugar Land, and the surrounding areas. Our fundraising efforts, such as STEP for Students, hit new levels this year. Thanks to you, our amazing parents, the Annual Fund and our Auction reached and exceeded funds for our school’s operating expenses. Our athletics continue to flourish at SLCS as each of our sports has had great seasons over the years. Our mission emphasizes the trinity of parent, child, and educator; and we were a vivid example of that this year.

Mrs. Barto’s leadership style continues with great success as she embarks on her fourth year as our Principal. We are blessed to have such a caring and dedicated leader creating a safe and caring environment for our children while continuing to challenge them through the curriculum. As a School Board, we continue our diligent work on our Strategic Plan. As a team comprised of the Board, Faculty, staff, and students, we are all proud of the work that has been accomplished. This will be the end of the third year of a 3-year plan; and each quarter we ensure there is evidence to see we are achieving our goals. Next year, our School Board will work hard to review and set new goals for the next three years to come.

I would like to thank all the employees and volunteers who have faithfully shared their gifts of time and talent this school year. To my fellow School Board members, it has been an honor serving with you and thank you for all your hard work. All the best to the upcoming School Board, whom I know will continue representing our school and working diligently as a team.

God bless,

Nora SessionsSLCS School Board President 2018-2019

President: Nora Sessions

Vice President: Silis Girgis

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 S C H O O L B O A R DTheresa Baker

Tunde Cardozo

Treasurer: Tish Cox

Secretary: Rafaela Linn

O THER MEMBERS

Raymond Chang

Jesus Guerra

Lionel Martin

Stephen Montoya

F R O M T H E S C H O O L B O A R D P R E S I D E N T

Patrick Otero

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The Spirit 5 St. Laurence Catholic School |

F R O M T H E P T ODear Parent Community, “We are called to serve,” and the PTO would like to thank you for answering the call . You have blessed the entire SLCS community by selflessly giving of your time, talent, and treasure . During the 2018-2019 School Year, we had 27 Executive Board Members, 39 VIP Coordinators, and countless volunteers . We extend our sincere appreciation to all the volunteers who came forward, showing we have a genuinely amazing Saints family! We were able to make memories of a lifetime for the students, parents, and staff . The SLCS families were able to pray the rosary at the annual Family Rosary; fathers were able to dance the night away with their beautiful daughters; and grandparents were able to walk a day in the life of their grandchild . We partnered with the Knights of Columbus for our first annual “Grace Before the Race Dinner .” You made this all possible!

All monies raised by the PTO throughout the year go right back to our school through family events, school donations, and instructional support . We stepped back from Steps for Students this year for the school administration to direct 100% of the proceeds to address needs throughout the School . However, here are a few fantastic things PTO did for our school because of your support:$5,000 contributed to the School’s Endowment Fund$3,000 supported a Christmas Luncheon for our teachers and staff$3,000 supported the annual School Family Retreat$2,000 contributed to speakers (to partner with the Parish)

Every student at SLCS benefits from each donation made by our PTO on behalf of the entire parent community . Our parent volunteers who give so much throughout the year are a huge part of this success . We would also like to thank the faculty and staff at St . Laurence Catholic School for providing leadership and guidance to our children .

Yours in Christ,Mary Esther Phillippi and Jennifer Reyes PTO Co-Presidents

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 P T O B O A R D

President ...................................................Mary PhillippiPresident ................................................... Jennifer ReyesFundraising Chair .................................Shannon CaldwellFundraising Chair .................................Stephanie Limbacher Programming Chair .............................Valerie MeyneSecretary .................................................. Jill MichaelTreasurer ................................................... Janet RohrigVIPS Coordinator ..................................Amy BergmanTeacher Appreciation ........................Brooke HudsonTeacher Appreciation ........................Cara MillasTeacher Appreciation ........................Chrissy MillerTeacher Appreciation ........................Becca PhillipsTeacher Appreciation ........................Melissa SochaTeacher Appreciation ........................Reinette ZezattiECC Coordinator .................................... Lauren DrappECC Coordinator ....................................Bonnie InamdarElementary Coordinator ................... Tammy LusterElementary Coordinator ................... Joan FuchsMiddle School Coordinator ............Martha PatinoMiddle School Coordinator ............Corinne VandermeerHospitality ................................................Cristina DangelHospitality ................................................ Tanya LeiberHospitality ................................................Autumn PhillipsHospitality ................................................Elizabeth ValeriHospitality ................................................ Tiffany WinklerPrayer Liaison ........................................Andrea CashiolaService Project Coordinator ..........Kristin Holy

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6 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

2018-2019 ST . LAURENCE SA INTS BOOSTER CLUB RECAP

The St. Laurence Booster Club celebrated its seventh year, and it was great! We met our goals

of increasing membership and gym sign sales with continued growth in Spirit Store and concession sales. We added a few new items to our Spirit Store and had fun with a new spirit t-shirt design. Our concession stand was popular at all sporting events, and guests enjoyed new healthy choices. We are extremely grateful for the support of our St. Laurence families and the greater St. Laurence community. Their support each year offers a big “boost” to our athletic department.

On behalf of the St. Laurence Booster Club Board, we would like to thank our athletic directors, coaches, administration, teachers and volunteers for making this another great year for our student athletes.

Go Saints!Jessica BarrySLCS 2018-2019 Booster Club President

2018-2019 Booster Club BoardPresident – Jessica BarryVice President – Rita JonasSecretary – Julie ClayTreasurer – Les FuchsFundraising – Ashley Jung and Brook MorelloMembership – Veronica Messersmith and Reinette Zezatti

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The Spirit 7 St. Laurence Catholic School |

2018-2019 ST . LAURENCE SA INTS BOOSTER CLUB RECAP

Hall of FameElizabeth and Kevin Madden

ChampionsJessica and Tom BarryCristina and Matthew DangelJessica and Ryan MoreheadJanet and Michael Rohrig

VarsityMs. Colleen ChernockJulie and Jade ClayAngela and Mick CoadyTish and David CoxLibby and Gil HenryRachel and Will LeamanMs. Lauren MaiBecca and Matt PhillipsDeann and Kenny PriesmeyerJennifer and Eric ReyesSonhui Chung and Alain Tran

Junior VarsityJanessa and Nathan BockMandy and Ryan BoudreauxShannon and Gregory BrownMaria and Mark CarantoPatricia and Matt CorsonLuciana and Jorge DarcourtJoan and Les FuchsArtesia and Silas GirgisAllison and Jim GroverLinda and Larry HolifieldBrooke and Shane HudsonMarcie and Gary JusticeRachael and Tom KittlesonAnne and Tim LootensTania and Dominic MagnaboscoAmor and Guillermo MartinezKelly and Michael McGrawVeronica and Matthew MessersmithMonica and Richard NeroMarie and Charles Nguyen

Ms. Amy ReaserStephanie and Grant ReedMichelle and Brandon ShimerMs. Pam StewartRachel and Sean StreckfusElizabeth and Xavier ValeriReinette and Jocsan Zezatti

Saints PrideLala and Roberto ArenasCassandra and Elie AtmeJanna and Derek BrzezinskiClaude and Carlos de La GarzaCecilia and Rick GarciaOriana and Chris HadleyJosephine and Michael HurtadoCarmen and Matt JordanTanya and Jason LeiberBelinda and Thomas MaldonadoArlene and David MikelCara and George MillasKelly and Patrick OrteroAurora and Frank ResurizWendy and Brian ValdezLisa and Rodney VannersonCatherine and Bruce Yepsen

MemberMs. Erin AlexanderJackie and David AlldredgeStephanie and John AraizaGabby and Jimmy BabaTheresa and John BakerAmy and Ben BergmanKelley and Jonathan BregeMs. Krista GibsonAnne and Dennis HoelscherKristin and Clayton HolyMs. Cynthia IschyMr. Craig JonasValerie and Claes OlssonRebecca and Christopher PerezAmy and Doug Pike

Melissa and Warren SochaElissa and Chris StipesAndrea and Jose SuarezBrandy and Daniel Yurasek

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 B O O S T E R C L U B M E M B E R S H I P

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.—St. Catherine of Siena

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8 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

GoldAtme FamilyFirst Colony Tire & AutomotiveHappy Life DesignsJakubik FamilyAlison and Art OrtegaSessions Family

SilverCardozo FamilyFrost BankMorehead InsuranceMurray InsuranceJennifer and Eric ReyesSt. Laurence PTOMs. Pam StewartMartha and Thomas TranMr. Tony Zubizarreta

BronzeAramburo FamilyCaranto FamilyDow FamilyGirgis FamilyAllison and Jim GroverRachel and Will LeamanAngie and Marcus MenoughMorello FamilyMs. Annie MurrayReggie Perez FamilyBecca and Matt PhillipsPonce de Leon FamilyNicole and Ron PumaRachel and Sean StreckfusTice FamilyTykes to Teens PediatricsVannerson FamilyZezatti Family

Signage Sponsors

THANKYOU

To purchase a sign for your student or company,

please contact the Booster Club at 281.980.0500.

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.—Deuteronomy 16:17

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The Spirit 9 St. Laurence Catholic School |

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 S L C S B O O S T E R C L U B A C C O M P L I S H M E N T S

• Provided funds to purchase Guardian helmets for the football team to protect against concussions• Purchased rolling coolers used at outside athletic events and away games • Purchased new uniforms for our softball, cross country, and track teams• Provided each student athlete with a “Saints” team bag to enhance teambuilding and “Saints” identity at school sporting events• Paid for coaches’ clinics and training• Supported the Hospitality Room for the coaches during tournaments• Provided financial aid for students with need• Organized monthly spirit nights at local restaurants to encourage school spirit and benefit our teams• Supported Spirit Store sales the last Wednesday of each month• Donated prizes for the pep rally during Catholic Schools Week• Hosted a “Thank You” dinner for all coaches and their spouses including a gift card drawing• Updated the team banners in the gym• Provided concessions for movie night

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10 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

LOVEWe were called to love God, our family, and our neighbors throughout the school year as we celebrated many achievements and weathered some storms. In December, repairs to our roof led to some new flying friends in the building. “Bat Day,” as it was affectionately called, forced students and staff to stay home until the critters were safely released from the School. We were happy to recognize and show love to our amazing maintenance team who helped clear the School of bats and ensured that the building was safe for our students.

We were also able to show love to our neighbors during a flooding event in May, right after school was released for the day. Although several of our students and staff

members were left stranded overnight at the School, we were able to open our doors to community members who had to abandon their cars on the flooded streets and seek shelter. Our generous and hospitable community welcomed those in need as they weathered the storm together.

EVANGELIZEHeld once a quarter, Saints Families is a unique and much-loved tradition at St. Laurence. One student from each grade level (grades Pre-K through 8) form into “families” where they meet throughout their time here. Students in grades 7 and 8 serve as the leaders of the family as they instruct their fellow students on Catholic teaching and virtues. From washing each other’s feet during Lent, to learning about a newly canonized saint, Saints Families encourage evangelization among our students and teach them how to boldly share their faith with others.

This year’s theme at St. Laurence Catholic School was “We are called to LEAD: Love, Evangelize, Advocate, and Make a Difference.” During a school year full of achievements and challenges, our students, staff, and community stepped up to the plate every time to demonstrate how they lead.

Love, Evangelize, Advocate, Make a Difference

LEADH E L P I N G O T H E R S

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The Spirit 11 St. Laurence Catholic School |

ADVOCATEOur students have been encouraged this year to advocate for themselves as well as their friends and neighbors. Supporting and standing up for fellow students who are bullied, offering assistance to those who are less fortunate, and doing good deeds in their classroom were all things that were celebrated with the quarterly Good Samaritan award. Teachers nominated students who exemplified Good Samaritan characteristics, and these students were recognized by the priest after mass and enjoyed a breakfast reception to celebrate their achievements. By instilling these traits in our students now, our hope is that they will continue to love, evangelize, advocate, and make a difference in our community.

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12 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

8th Grade “Garden of Saints Remembered”

Students designed and built a garden to honor SLCS saints who’ve gone before us.

The “Garden of Saints Remembered” has stones with alumni and staff names

along with the dates of their passing. It also includes a rosary along the crushed granite path.

“Share God’s Bounty”

Students partnered with Social Concerns to assist with Thanksgiving meals for our community.

StaffMembers of our staff collected toiletry items and assembled gift bags to benefit 18 women at Angela House, a program that helps women

re-enter the community after incarceration.

Kindergarten “Easter Egg Hunt”

Students filled 400 Easter eggs for the children at Bethel for an Easter Egg Hunt.

1st Grade “Rice and Beans Project”

Students helped bag rice and beans to feed the hungry in our community twice during the school year.

2nd Grade “Helping Hands Cards”

Students designed and sold beautiful cards to raise funds to support our sister school,

Queen of Peace Catholic School.

3rd Grade “Grow, Make, and Deliver Prayer Chaplets”

Students made prayer chaplets from Job’s Tears Beads, grown in our own garden, for seniors at

Mamie George Community Center.

S L C S S E R V I C E P R O J E C T SM A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y

The final component of our “LEAD” motto is to Make a Difference. Following the example of Jesus, we offer our time and talents to help those in our school, church, and community. Students exhibit Spiritual and Corporal Works of mercy through age-appropriate service activities. These opportunities help students step outside of themselves and recognize the needs of others. We are

so blessed to have been able to serve our community in the various ways listed below:

4th Grade “Welcome Refugee Families”

Students provided all the wish list items for the two refugee families (Cuba and Vietnam) by performing extra chores at home.

5th Grade

“Read-A-Thon for Literacy”Students hosted Queen of Peace for a

read-a-thon to raise funds for their classrooms.

6th Grade “Food Pantry Fun”

Students cleaned and stocked the pantry at Mamie George Community Center.

Pre-K and 7th Grade “Lunches of Love”

Students collected and packed food to provide 400 Lunches of Love sack lunches.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.—James 4:10

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The Spirit 13 St. Laurence Catholic School |

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W I T H Y O U , A L L T H I N G S A R E P O S S I B L E

F R O M T H E A D VA N C E M E N T O F F I C E

S O U R C E S O F F U N D S U S E O F F U N D S

Committee, Chair and Treasurer: Tish Cox

F I N A N C E C O M M I T T E E M E M B E R S

Theresa BakerSilas GirgisPatrick OteroNora Sessions

Ex-officio Members: Suzanne Barto Mary Lou Cabello

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SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 3%

FUNDRAISING, AUCTIONS, DONATIONS AND OTHER 14%

INVESTMENT INCOME AND GRANTS 1%

TUITION AND FEES 69%

OTHER PROGRAMS 13%SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISING 5%

ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT (SALARIES AND BENEFITS) 19%

BUILDINGS (PAYMENTS, UTILITIES AND MAINTENANCE) 13%

EDUCATIONAL (SALARIES AND BENEFITS) 45%

EDUCATION SUPPORT 11%

BOOKS AND SUPPLIES 3%TUITION DISCOUNTS AND ASSISTANCE 4%

Each year, your participation helps provide the resources necessary to develop our students in mind, body, and spirit! Our school is unique in that we do not receive significant funding

from government sources of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. You, our generous donors, make a difference in the lives of 700 students.

We strive to be good stewards of our budget, recognizing our partnership with every donor as an honor and a privilege. Currently, our yearly tuition revenue only accounts for about 81% of the funding necessary to educate a student at St. Laurence

Catholic School. The Annual Fund, along with other fundraising events, helps bridge that gap.

In 2018-2019, we were blessed by the financial support of families, parishioners, alumni, faculty, and community members. Each year, your contributions allow us to offer competitive teacher salaries, tuition assistance for families in need, professional development for faculty and staff, expansion of academic programs, and enhanced security measures. Our expenses and revenues for the fiscal year of 2018-2019 are shown below.

We are a grateful for the time and talent of our dedicated Finance Committee members. Their support helps mold future saints who support our school mission.

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14 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

ANNUAL FUNDThe Annual Fund is the most important source of unrestricted funds to St. Laurence Catholic School as we depend on the generosity of our SLCS community to help bridge the gap between tuition and the cost of operations. We exceeded expectations this year as we raised over $210,000 which was well above our $200,000 goal. We are grateful to our donors who believe in our mission of Catholic education and who continue to support our school.

GALA & AUCTIONThe 2019 “Cirque du Saints” Gala & Auction was an amazing success! A night of dinner, dancing, cirque performances, silent auction, and live auction created lasting memories for those in attendance. Parents, grandparents, friends, staff, and our parish priests came out to support our largest fundraising event of the year. Raising over $275,000, the Gala helps to fund our general operations for the next school year, ensuring that our students receive a quality Catholic

education. We are so appreciative of our volunteers who gave their time and talent to help make this night a success. Special thanks to our school community for coming together to support this amazing event.

ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE GOLF TOURNAMENTMany of our families desire the quality Catholic education of our parish school, but simply cannot afford the full tuition when an unexpected event leaves them in need of financial assistance. The annual Tuition Assistance Golf Tournament held each Fall benefits the tuition assistance program at St. Laurence Catholic School. The 2018 tournament raised over $60,000 through the generosity of our sponsors, players, and supporters. These funds will give families the opportunity to continue their education at SLCS, providing them the comfort of their school community as they navigate unforeseen financial difficulty.

Thank you to our Co-Chairs Victoria and Ziad Haddad and committee members Cassandra Atme, Carey Colley, Janette Lapus, Chris Lovely, Alison Ortega, Autumn Phillips, Becca Phillips, and Reinette Zezatti for their continued leadership.

F I N A N C I A L R E P O R T F O R 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9

St. Laurence Catholic School has been blessed by the continued generosity of parents, grandparents, alumni, parishioners, friends, corporations, and foundations throughout our 27 years as a parish

school. This commitment to Catholic education is demonstrated by the support of donors, volunteers, students, and staff as we strive to educate the whole Christian person in body, mind, and spirit. We are grateful for the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that have been bestowed on our school community and we look forward to continuing to grow together in the years to come.

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The Spirit 15 St. Laurence Catholic School |

A CELEBRATION OF OUR UNIQUE GIFTS LUNCHEONSt. Laurence families and community members attended the “Celebration of our Unique Gifts” luncheon, benefitting the SPICE Program. Featuring guest speakers and a catered lunch, the event raised over $25,000 for the Special People in Catholic Education program. SPICE serves students with special learning needs, providing resources for extra support in the classroom.

STEPS FOR STUDENTSSLCS was proud to participate once again in the annual 5K event, Steps for Students. This family-friendly event is organized by the Archdiocese and attended by all Catholic schools in a show of unity and community among our students and families. This year, St. Laurence helped kick off the race by shooting cannons at the starting line after being honored as the team with the most registrants (over 700 registered)! Steps for Students raised over $24,000 to support technology, STREAM, and general operations at SLCS.

GRANTSSLCS applied for and received a $21,000 grant from the DeBusk Foundation to host the DECATS program at St. Laurence. DECATS is a student enrichment program which is offered to students archdiocesan-wide.

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16 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

Each year, we ask for support of our Annual Fund to help bridge the gap between tuition and the full cost

of educating our students. Your participation, at whatever amount is right for you, provides the resources necessary to develop our students in mind, body, and spirit. Gifts to the Annual Fund are voluntary and are therefore tax-deductible, unlike tuition. Every year, we strive to achieve a goal of 100% participation in the Annual Fund. A loyal community with a strong participation shows potential donors, corporations, and foundations that we believe in our school and its programs.

We would like to thank all who supported our Annual Fund last year—we appreciate your participation. As we prepare for our new campaign, please

prayerfully consider renewing or increasing your gift through recurring payments. Your regular support allows us to recruit some of the best educators and offer them professional development, provide technological support to students in the classrooms, maintain our facilities, and offer sibling discounts.

Your generosity touches the lives of all students at SLCS. Our Annual Fund kicks off September 4 , 2019, and your participation is vital. Please contact the Advancement Office at 281.980.0500 to make a gift.

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The Spirit 17 St. Laurence Catholic School |

2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 A N N U A L F U N D D O N O R S

Apostolic Angels $10,000 and aboveA Friend of St. LaurenceJakubik Family

Founders Circle $6,000-$9,999 Adriana and Mark KardoushMrs. Judith MunzigDiana and Joseph YuenZaccardo Family

Trinitas Legacy $3,000-$5,999 Heather and Luke AlbrechtSandra and Raymond ChangCristina and Matthew DangelNewmark Homes/ Dye FamilyGirgis FamilyElizabeth and Kevin MaddenJanet and Michael RohrigNora and Trey SessionsFriends of St. LaurenceDrs. Lois Peters-Vann and Mark Vann II Welsh Family

Communion of Saints $1,500-$2,999A Friend of St. LaurenceMr. Lawrence Becnel Jr.Andrea and Mark CashiolaDrs. Rosemary and Charles ConlonEckelkamp FamilyAndy and Cindy Lane FoundationLeAnne and Derik LundyMed Valt Pharmacy, L.L.C.Mary Esther and Vay PhillippiElaine and Tim RiepeTammi and Bart RollertArlene and Leonard RolsenSanchez Cisneros FamilyLisa and John SkiffingtonA Friend of St. LaurenceAngela and Quan Vu

Wings of a Dove $500-$1,499Cheryl and Charles AramburoWilhelmina and Roberto ArenasJessica and Tom BarryAmy and Ben BergmanKristin and Jay BerryJudy and Mark BradicichMr. and Mrs. Michael Bratton/Bratton PoolsKelley and Jonathan BregeEdith Nino and Joseph Busby Calatrava FamilyDr. and Mrs. Mark CarantoDr. Mojisola and Mr. Tunde CardozoDrs. Johanna and S. Ross ClowneyDr. and Mrs. Jorge Darcourtde La Garza FamilyCatherine and Pedro DesdierPatricia and Brian GaineCarolina Urdaneta and Jesus Guerra Mr. and Mrs. Chris HadleyStephanie Reed and Andrew Haley Kristin and Clayton HolyAdaora and Anthony IfeanyiAlicia and Arnie JimenezJuliana and Andrew JohnsonMs. Carmen JordanDr. Almas Zane and Mr. Zane Joseph Marcie and Gary JusticeKon FamilyGeorg Lardizabal, GGC Survey, PLLCLasa FamilyRafaela and Charles LinnRosemary and Tom LootensTammy and Ron LusterMagnabosco FamilyJoanne and Brian MaudeVeronica and Matt MessersmithJill and Ashley MichaelCara and George MillasTracy Nguyen and Khiem Ngo Marie Do and Charles Nguyen

O’Dell FamilyOffner FamilyCarrie and John PaciniMr. and Mrs. Simon ParakattelMaricel Lising-Pham and Hoa Pham Becca and Matt PhillipsKate and Mike PienoviDeann and Kenneth PriesmeyerSanjay & Durga Reddy Konda FoundationJennifer and Eric ReyesRiebe FamilyMr. and Mrs. David RiveraCharlene and David SabonghyMarlene and Allan SanderRadhika Williams and Leonard Sivananthan Haidee and Fredrik SjodinA Friend of St. LaurenceDr. Sonhui Chung and Dr. Alain Tran Melissa and Antonio VallejoSandy and Leo VuMr. Tam VuongMary and Jason WadeWells FamilyMr. and Mrs. Michael WhaleyTiffany and Rodney WinklerGema Ospino and Alonso Young Karen and Tom Zimmerman

Contributions were made between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. If we have omitted your name or listed it inaccurately, please accept our sincere apologies. We ask that you contact the Advancement Office at 281.980.0500 to advise us of any errors.

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18 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

A N N U A L F U N D D O N O R S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Messengers of Hope $250-$499 Cassandra and Elie AtmeBaker FamilyLorena and Diego BeltranMs. Judy BerckmanJanessa and Nathan BockElizabeth and Adam BrackClaudia and Erik Burga-Barreda Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. BurgerSuzanne and Sean ByrneCalatrava FamilySheri and Jeff CassOmaira and Juan CastilloCorazon and Joseph CasugaChernock FamilyJuliana and Alberto CividanesCoady FamilyTish and David CoxMarsha and Albert CruzJulie and Michael DevlinDarlene and Bruce DyeJennifer and Joseph EschGracie and Rudy FernandezRosalind and Austin FontenotJennifer and TJ GibbonsKatie and Josh GilliamGermaine and Jack GuedryGushiken Family

Debra and Jason HaneyEmma and Nick HartHemphill FamilyMr. and Mrs. Gilbert Henry, Jr.Sarah Barker and Mark HooverAmanda and Wes HudsonSeun and Victor JamesBrittany and Kevin KettleMariane and Martin Lacy

Janette and Robert LapusTracy Cao Lee and Lawrence Lee Mr. and Mrs. Christopher LimbacherMr. and Mrs. Chris LovelyDr. and Mrs. Thanos LykidisMelissa and Lionel MartinMaulit FamilyAna and Doyle MukalelMr. and Mrs. Quan NguyenTish and Jake NguyenChi Vu and Huy Nguyen Liz and Joe OchoaBeverly and Nick PantusoAmy and Doug PikeLydia and Luther PowerMonica and Reggie RamirezMarta Bermudez and Darrin Rousse Alejandra and Richard RysKiran Rizvi and Shahzad Sadiq Catherine and Josh SandersMr. Joseph SchroerMrs. Lauren Liu and Dr. Alex Shi Theresa Dang and Jason Simmons Elissa Rivas Stipes and Chris Stipes A Friend of St. LaurenceMaria and Dat Tran

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The Spirit 19 St. Laurence Catholic School |

A N N U A L F U N D D O N O R S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Esperanza and Robert VelaLaura and Abraham VereideWalker FamilyFr. Drew WoodZgonina Family

Red, White, and Blue Club $100-$249Cinthya Abuata-Toledo and Nidal Abuata Stacey and Eric AdairTalina and Arturo AlcalaAllen FamilyMs. Melanie AraizaStephanie and John AraizaBandera FamilyMs. Michaelene BaroneMercelita and Rodrigo BarreyMs. Cristina BarrionuevoSuzanne and Todd BartoClarissa and Eugene BenzonJasmin and Irving BeringMs. Johanna BonnoMs. Allison BotardMr. Rob BotardSamantha and Jose BretonVicky and Dave BrockmanBetsy and Jeff BrownShannon and Greg BrownJanna and Derek BrzezinskiCindy and Brendan BurgessLou and Tino CabelloShannon and Shannon CaldwellBlanca and Jose CastilloCavigliano FamilyShiela and Ron CawthonMrs. Gaynel CentanniJulie and Charles ChovanetzJulie and Jade ClayJacquelyn and Carey ColleyPaula and Gene ColleyDr. Julia ConlonKrista Gibson and Jim Coppedge Judy and Errol CortezDr. and Mrs. Roland CortezYvette and Michael Crawford

Laura and Tom DansKathleen and Donald DerocheKarin and Al DeshonBeth and Jeff DodsonMichelle and Keith DolarTerri and Brian DuncanMs. Maria EstevaKristi and Jerry EumontMs. Jaime FernandezGhislaine and Eric FotsoDenise and Glen FucikMiHoa Vo and Andrew Fung Gaia FamilySuzanne and Alvaro GarciaMrs. Gabriela GarzaSarah and Cody GerdesAna and Michael GibsonKelly and Derek Goff ‘97Jennifer and Manuel GoldenDiana and Felix GonzalezAdriana and Hernan GutierrezDiana Tovar and Carlos GuzmanJennifer and Bryan HobbsAnne and Dennis HoelscherJason Hoelscher FamilyDeacon Larry and Patricia HoelscherSally and Ted HolyKatherine and Ross Hovde ‘01Olivia and Gerald Hughes ‘99Sybil Fisher Jamison and Lewis Jamison Elizabeth and Robert JarosMr. and Mrs. Jason JonasJorelyn Ga-an and John Jones Pamela and David KageyDr. Tina Nguyen and Dr. John KelleyFiras and Luma KhayatSusanne and Patrick KingShaLa and Frank KiolbassaKohase FamilyPam and Larry LambertLasala FamilyMr. and Mrs. Andrew LauerLavery FamilyKiki and Xuan Le

Coco and Tony LealBetty and Frank LederJamie and Alex LeeKendra and James LeslieHeather and Carey LindseySandra and Richard LizardiWendi and Ken LojoLootens FamilyIrina Makarova and Boris Makarov Mr. and Mrs. John MaklaryBelinda and Tommy MaldonadoMairin and Scott MansonKaren and Richard ManuelMrs. Dana MareshKristina and Ryan-Ben MarinasStephanie and Richey MartindaleMcMahan FamilyAngie and Marcus Menough

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20 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

Stella and Andrew MerckerValerie and Doug MeyneAnnie and Chad MurraySusie and Jim MurrayBrianna and Bryce NelsonLauren Mai and Mike Nguyen Jocelyn and Edward OcampoNataline and Chase OelkersValerie and Claes OlssonLisa and Bill OstenLori and Lance PacePangelinan FamilyMr. Mario PatinoPedraza FamilyAnsley and Andre PereiraMs. Kelli PinacXanti and Alton PintoJennifer and Albert PotatoRosemarie and Andrew PsykMs. Anne QuatriniRamirez FamilyMs. Angelita Ramirez

Theresa and Frederic RebollidoResuriz FamilyMrs. Melanie ReynoldsAlana and Travis RichterAshley and Clayton RiddleRivera FamilyEmilyn and Jay RodriguezLaura and Paul RomanoMaria and Rommel SaenzMila Garcia Samson and Santiago SamsonMarietta and Angelito SantosAurelia and Alfred SarnoMr. Alfredo M. SarnoLinda and Robert SchurmanSenften Family Lory Santiago and Maximilian Silvestri Candace and Eric SmithAshley and Jason SmithLaura and Josh SolAleli and Marvin SomeraMr. and Mrs. Shawn St. JohnA Friend of St. Laurence

A Friend of St. LaurenceFriends of St. LaurenceChristina and Lowell StantonJulie and David SteidleyMs. Judy StoreyMr. and Mrs. Jack StrandburgMs. Amy StugartMs. Gemma R. SuarezMs. Andrea SuarezMr. Jose SuarezMr. Tommye SzafarzDiana and Brian TankersleyMr. John TiceMs. Suzanne TiceGabriel and Andreina TiradoMartha and Thomas TranMs. Wei NI TsaiMs. Tricia TumblesonMs. Margaret TurnerPaola and Juan ValerioMrs. Jo Ann VallotMarla and Fred Van MeterRodney and Lisa VannersonMarisa and Julian VelaChristine and Dominic VuJun Wang and Yamin ChenAmanda and Alan WardCynthia and Wayne WashburnJulia and Michael WildeMaria and Stephen WinzerlingChristine Vo and Jeff Wu Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy WybleMajor and Mrs. Dan YurasekZambrano FamilyReinette and Sam Zezatti

Education Partners-up to $99Mr. and Mrs. Christopher AleriaMr. William AlexanderSarah and Julian Alexander ‘01Mrs. Leslie AnnicchiaricoKasey and Brian BaileyBrandee and Justin BondMandy and Ryan Boudreaux

A N N U A L F U N D D O N O R S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. —PROVERBS 22:9

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The Spirit 21 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Ms. SiMone BraquetMs. Maria del Carmen BretonCynthia and Kevin BryantMrs. Leslie BuckleMeredith and Bill CannyMs. Allison CarlisleChristine and Travis CatronMartha and William CobbMrs. Melissa De La PenaAngela and Adan DerocheRanda and Dany ElrahebErin and Parker ErwinMrs. Lily FeaginFeng FamilyJoan and Les FuchsMs. Phyllis GarciaCecilia and Rick GarciaMary and Matt Garcia-Prats Heidi and PJ GreenMs. Jessica GunterMichael Gutierrez FamilyCindy and Waylon HaeckerSheri and Art HanzoLinda and Larry HolifieldJeanne and David HollkampBonnie and Amay InamdarMr. and Mrs. Andres JaramilloRita and Michael Jonas

Audra and Kevin KlotzMrs. Erin LagascaJuliana and Patrick LaRueNero FamilyTanya and Jason LeiberMs. Renee Livesay ‘04Kim and Timothy MalekMrs. Marietta MartinezAdrienne and Patrick MathewsMs. Ivette Merren and Family

Arlene and David MikelJessica and Ryan MoreheadSara Hall-Narvacan and Guillermo NarvacanDenise and Austin NewshamKelly and Patrick OteroMr. Jesus PachecoPatricia and Marcus ParkerNatalie and Wayne ParkerDiana Mora-Perez and Jose Perez Rhodora and Reynaldo PerezHanh Nguyen-Perez and Joseph Perez Mrs. Christine PowellPuma FamilyMartha Patino and Chance Putman Susan and Anthony RapczynskiReed FamilyMikele and Robert SimoneauxMrs. Gennadiy Slyozkin and Mr. Alla Slozkina Merrylyn and Danny ThorntonLindsey and Jonathan Vainstein ‘00Catherine and James WedemeierSusan and John WeiheMrs. Toni WeyandLinda and Kevin WhiteMrs. Kristen WhiteheadMrs. Joanne WrinkleCatherine and Bruce Yepsen

A N N U A L F U N D D O N O R S ( C O N T I N U E D )

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22 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

R E S T R I C T E D , U N R E S T R I C T E D , G I F T S I N - K I N D A N D M AT C H I N G G I F T S

RestrictedAnderson Stewart Family Foundation Catholic Daughters of the Americas CT2402DeBusk FoundationGirl PoweredKnights of Columbus, St. LaurenceLadies Guild of St. LaurenceGrace and Georg LardizabalDr. Reggie PerezSt. Laurence Catholic School BoardSt. Laurence Catholic School Booster ClubSt. Laurence Catholic School PTONora and Trey SessionsVeronica and Rene Soliz

UnrestrictedCarol and John IrvinMr. and Mrs. Kevin LaveryGina and Raúl Ramón

In-Memoriam GiftsMrs. Elsa MendiolaDr. Victor Mendiola

Matching Gift CompaniesBaker Hughes FoundationBank of AmericaBBVA Compass ChevronCITGOEOG ResourcesEquinorFidelity CharitableFluor FoundationGreater Houston Community FoundationHewlett Packard EnterpriseJP Morgan Charitable Giving FundMicrosoftMotiva EnterprisesOXY- Occidental Petroleum CorporationSABIC Innovative PlasticsSanofi

Shell Oil CompanyTexas Instruments FoundationVerizon Foundation

Gifts In-KindArt AttackCorelli’s Italian RestaurantFirst Tire and AutomotiveHotel IndigoKendra Scott, First ColonyKnights of Columbus, St. LaurenceMaureen’s BakeryMinuteman Press WestchasePappas RestaurantsMr. and Mrs. Reggie RamirezRisse Brothers UniformsSami’s CafeteriaSugar CyclesTallest Tulip

Community PartnersAmazon SmileBFW PizzaBox Tops for SchoolsChick-Fil-A, First ColonyKendra Scott, First ColonyKrogerLopez Mexican RestaurantLos Tios Mexican RestaurantMarriott Town SquareNora FoodsPepperoni’sSkeeters Mesquite GrillSolvaySteel City PopsSugar CyclesSweetwater Country ClubRandall’s Good Neighbor ProgramWillie’s Icehouse Sugar Land

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The Spirit 23 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Every gift of time, talent, and treasure to St. Laurence Catholic School is appreciated and helps us achieve our goals. Please contact our Advancement Office with any questions 281.980.0500.

Planned GivingGenerosity comes in many forms, and it’s often the best way for you to support important organizations that matter most to you in your life. When you make a planned gift to St. Laurence, you ensure that the School will continue to provide a legacy of high-quality Catholic education for generations to come. With your gift, you may also receive substantial tax and financial benefits.

MemoriamKeep a friend or loved one’s giving spirit alive through a personalized donation. In place of flowers, consider giving to St. Laurence Catholic School in memory of a loved one.

Recurring GiftsRecurring giving allows us to recruit some of the best educators and offer them professional development, provide technological support to students in the classrooms, maintain our facilities, and offer sibling discounts. Setting up a monthly,

quarterly or annual gift is an easy and convenient way to make a difference all year long.

Matching GiftsMany employers have matching gifts programs—does yours? Employers will often match any monetary gift an employee makes or will make a monetary donation for each volunteer hour the employee gives to St. Laurence. Contact your Human Resources Department for more information.

Securities Consider donating appreciated securities (stocks, bonds or mutual funds you’ve held for more than one year) to St. Laurence Catholic School. By doing so, you may be

able to reduce or avoid capital gains taxes and receive a federal income tax charitable deduction.

Honorarium and In-TributeConsider honoring the birthdays and anniversaries of your loved ones with a gift to St. Laurence in their name.

TimeWe love volunteers at SLCS and would love for you to share you time and talent with us. Please contact the School office for more information.

This information is not intended as legal or professional advice. For legal or professional advice, please consult an attorney or your tax advisor.

O T H E R WAY S T O S U P P O R T S T . L A U R E N C E C AT H O L I C S C H O O L

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24 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

A U C T I O N G A L A

Guests enjoyed music, dinner, dancing, and cirque performances throughout the night. The highlight of the evening was the live auction, featuring amazing trips to Las Vegas, Bermuda, and Napa Valley, as well as VIP access to our favorite Houston sports teams. The Big Board included even more vacation homes and entertainment while the Silent Auction offered everything from wine and dine opportunities to home décor. Grade-Level Baskets wowed the crowd with their creative themes, and Class Projects created by the students were a hit with guests. SLCS teachers and faculty also came through with amazing opportunities for students to party with their favorite teacher or be “Teacher for the Day.”Each year, our incredible SLCS parent volunteers and families play a large part in the success of the Gala and Auction. Our Gala Committee members were relentless in their search for the best auction items and spent countless hours planning and setting up the Live, Big Board, and Silent Auction areas. We are

also tremendously grateful to families who donated items, money, or gift cards to the auction and their grade-level baskets. The entire SLCS community came together to help make this event a success!

On behalf of the students and staff at St. Laurence, thank you to our parents, volunteers, and donors for your part in making this year’s Gala a beneficial event for our school. We take pride in the continued support and participation from our amazing community and look forward to next year’s event on April 25, 2020!

April 27, 2019 was a “Cirque du Saints” celebration at the annual SLCS Gala and Auction. The Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year and raised over $275,000 to support St. Laurence Catholic School.

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The Spirit 25 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Underwriters Jakubik Family

Nora and Trey Sessions

LeAnne and Derik Lundy

A Friend of St. Laurence

Dye & Leaman Families

Suzanne and Todd Barto

Berckman, Hoover, Hull, Lovely, Pienovi, & Waldron Families

Berry, Bilodeau, Gilliam, Kelley & Whaley Families

Breton, Hebert, Leiber, Magnabosco, & Riddle Families

Caldwell, Mercker, Panchamia, Peck, & Resuriz Families

Moji and Tunde Cardozo

Sandra and Raymond Chang

Tish and David Cox

Dangel Family

DeSouza, Facker, Hemphill, Inamdar, & Winkler Families

Fotso Family

Gaia, Hudson, Lauer, Thompson & Trevino Families

Girgis Family

Guerra & Zaccardo Familes

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Medical Anesthesia Associates

Nathan Nguyen Family

Hanh and Joseph Perez

Ms. Tammi Rollert

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26 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

THE PHILOSOPHY

St. Laurence Catholic School Special People in Catholic Education (SPICE) supports students with special learning needs. SPICE serves students who are struggling to meet the demands of the regular classroom setting and who require more support.

THE NEED

SPICE families may pay triple the cost of the typical SLCS tuition so the need for financial support of the SPICE program continues to grow. St. Laurence is dedicated to meeting

each student’s needs and providing a Catholic education for those families who truly desire that for their child.

Our SPICE program impacts our entire community; and we believe that inclusion promotes understanding, compassion, and respect for all.

Please contact our Director of Advancement for more information about how to support our mission 281.980.0500.

Stay tuned for more details about our next

Celebration of Our Unique Gifts luncheon to be held December 10, 2019!

S P E C I A L P E O P L E I N C A T H O L I C E D U C A T I O N

Celebration of Our Unique Gifts

The “Celebration of Our Unique Gifts” luncheon, held December 4, 2018, was a memorable event to benefit the SPICE program. Over 125 guests heard from Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale, founder of the Peace of Mind Foundation and daughter of Jim “Mattress Mac” McIngvale. Having dealt with OCD since childhood, Dr. McIngvale now speaks on behalf of OCD, mental illness, and mental health stigma. Dr. McIngvale shared her own story and how her faith and family saw her through some of the most challenging moments of her life. Sponsored by Corelli’s Italian Café and supported by SPICE families and PTO volunteers, the luncheon truly was a celebration of our unique gifts. St. Laurence Catholic School is proud to be a leader among Catholic schools in providing extra assistance to students with special learning needs as well as meeting the needs of students who are capable of more advanced coursework. SLCS Parent Allison Grover and Director of Support Services Dana Maresh spoke about the impor-tance of SPICE and the ways in which they have seen students benefit from this unique program. The staff, resources, and support from SLCS give all students the opportunity to receive a quality Catholic education.

The luncheon raised over $25,000 to benefit the SPICE program, and we are so grateful to our donors who believe in the gift of Catholic education for all.

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The Spirit 27 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Cilantro Level $1,000 & UpA Friend of St. LaurenceTish and David CoxCristina and Matthew DangelKathleen and Josh GilliamArtesia and Silas GirgisSuzanne and Bruce GroverLeAnne and Derik Lundy Jennifer and Eric ReyesNora and Trey SessionsThe Wells Family

Cayenne Level $500-$999Mary Jane and Chuck CarlisleAllison and Jim Grover/ Ventana Land Development CompaniesMr. and Mrs. Mark HotzeSheila and Nicholas Stulak

Cinnamon Level $250-$499Dr. Mojisola and Mr. Tunde CardozoEmma and Nick HartRafaela and Charles LinnSallyport Commercial Finance

Ginger Level $150-$249Michelle and David CashiolaMr. Joseph JacobsonMrs. Jo Ann VallotFr. Drew Wood

Salt & Pepper Level $50-$149Asian American Dance Co.Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth BuckleSandra and Stephen CichonMs. Charlotte ConnerSharon and Douglas EhrenkranzMs. Olivia HudsonLootens FamilyNerina LyonsOffner FamilyMarlene and Jonathan White

A Celebration of Our Unique Gifts Sponsorships

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2018 TUIT ION ASSISTANCE GOLF TOURNAMENT

28 The Spirit| The Spirit | Fall 2018

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!Solvay Specialty Polymers & Solvay ChemicalsTykes to Teens Pediatrics and Allergy & Asthma Care of HoustonReverend John T. Weyer Council #11343 Knights of ColumbusDistribution NOWThe Barry FamilyThe Clowney FamilyHettig Construction Corporation

The Jakubik FamilyMadix Inc.Memorial Hermann Surgical, First ColonyMerc Medical Supply CompanyThe Phillips FamilyRomano & Sumner, PLLC Sun Air Conditioning & HeatingMi HuertaCassandra Noien-Atme – Keller Williams Realty

Joe Ochoa Roofs and Even MoreScan RiteSLCS PTOSouthwest Surgical Associates, LLPAllied ConcreteFirst Tire & AutomotiveThe Girgis FamilyThe Reyes FamilySt. Laurence Catholic Daughters

T he frigid temps couldn’t stop our supportive Saints community at the St. Laurence Catholic School Tuition Assistance Golf

Tournament, presented by Solvay. With the temperature in the 30s and cart-path only conditions, the weather was challenging, but we still hosted almost 150 golfers at Sweetwater Country Club on November 12, 2018. For a new fun spin on the tournament this year, we added a Helicopter Ball Drop fundraiser where participants watched anxiously as a real helicopter spun above the club

and dropped their numbered golf balls above one of the pins. Marcie Justice’s ball was closest to the pin, and she won an “Ultimate Staycation Package.”

We are grateful for all those who continue to support and believe in Catholic education, values, and commitment, allowing us to educate and prepare our students for the future. This amazing tuition assistance program allows children already attending St. Laurence Catholic School to remain at our school in the event their family experiences substantial, life-

changing events, which would financially impact their ability to remain enrolled. Proceeds from our annual golf tournamentimmediately benefit this program, which is depleted each year. This year, the golf tournament contributed over $60,000 in supporting families in need. Thank you to all the generous sponsors and amazing committee of volunteers who contribute so much in making this tournament a popular and successful event.

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Anna Robshaw recently moved back to Houston to join Thompson & Horton LLP as an Associate where she practices school and education law. She attended Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia, worked in HR & Recruiting for several years in San Francisco, and earned a law degree from UCLA School of Law before making her way back to Texas.

A L U M N I U P D AT E SF R O M O U R S T U D E N T S

The Spirit 29 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Class of 2002

Class of 2004

Pablo Javier Janer completed his DMD degree in 2016 and a Certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry in 2017. He joined Richmond Landing Family Dentistry in Richmond, Texas and is practicing General Dentistry. He enjoys providing comprehensive care to his patients as he establishes lifelong relationships with them and their families.

Darian Echevarria is now a second grade teacher at KIPP Unity Primary school.

Michael Sherman moved to Los Angeles in 2014, after dropping out of college, to work at a video game company called Riot Games. He now leads their college gaming division, focused on changing the way games are perceived by senior university administrators. The program he leads has generated millions of dollars in scholarships. In 2018-19, more than 800 students received college scholarships from his company’s game, League of Legends.

Class of 2006

Jonathan Bauer lives in Sienna Plantation with his wife Shanna, their two-year-old daughter Brooke, and their newborn daughter Anna. Jonathan works at Oxy Chemical as a chemical engineer. He and Shanna are both involved in the ministries at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church.

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30 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

A L U M N I U P D AT E S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Class of 2008

Class of 2010

Molly Brown completed a dual master’s degree program in May. She was awarded a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Heath from Washington University in St. Louis. She is working at the St. Louis Area Foodbank as the Youth Programs Coordinator.

Gabriel Manuel Janer celebrated the sacrament of matrimony on June 8th, 2019 at Stella Maris Catholic Parish in Condado, Puerto Rico. He married Meghan Kelley who graduated from Memorial High School in 2008. Meghan and Gabriel met at the University of Notre Dame where they both graduated in 2016. Gabriel obtained a BS in Chemical Engineering and works at Dow Chemical in Lake Jackson, TX. Meghan has a degree in Finance and Spanish. They live near Hermann Park with their dog Rocky.

Ryan Hanse graduated Texas A&M University with an Industrial Engineering degree. He is working in Latrobe, Pennsylvania for Kennametal.

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The Spirit 31 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Class of 2011

Class of 2013

Jake Brown graduated cum laude from Knox College with a double major in Biology and Secondary Education. He will be teaching Biology in the Alief School District at Elsik Ninth Grade Center this fall.

Bradley Burgess is now a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) at the University of Oklahoma. He has over 300 hours of logged flight time and continues to work on earning his degree in Aviation Management with flight concentration. This semester, he will be flight instructing, taking courses, and working a second job at the OU Golf Club! He has also finished his interviews and been accepted into the Envoy Airlines Cadet Instructor Program giving him a future job flying for the airlines. He plans to graduate from OU in May 2020. His time at St. Laurence has prepared him to soar as he carries on his passion for aviation through teaching new students how to fly.

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32 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

A L U M N I U P D AT E S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Class of 2013

Sara Mendiola graduated in 2017 from St. Agnes Academy and is currently a junior at Rice University studying Psychology and a new major Social Policy Analysis. She is also a flautist in the MOB (Marching Owl Band). She is enjoying her time at Rice very much!

Katie Lootens is a junior at the University of Missouri majoring in Dietetics. She was recently in St. Louis and ran into Colton Marks ‘14. (Pictured)

Amanda Hanse is currently a junior at Texas A&M in Forensics Science. She just completed a summer internship with Houston Forensics Science Center.

Alyssa Potato will be a sophomore at Texas A&M, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She welcomed her family to College Station this summer for a visit.

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The Spirit 33 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Class of 2014

Victor Mendiola graduated in 2014 from Strake Jesuit and 2018 from Texas A&M University with a degree in Computer Science. His Capstone project was published with him as the lead author. He also was a member of AMSA (American Medical Student Association). With his many hours of volunteering, he won trips to the yearly

AMSA national conference in Washington D. C. where he learned about different topics, did some networking, and enjoyed sightseeing. He is currently a first year medical student at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock, Texas and is considering training in Pediatrics. He is enjoying his classes and doing well.

Jason Ancheta is now a junior at the McCombs Business School of UT Austin. He is majoring in Finance as Pre-Law and obtained University Honors this year. He was a Financial Services intern at Vinson & Elkins, LLP this past summer and is also a staff opinion columnist for the Daily Texan, the UT Austin newspaper. Check out one of the articles he wrote during the flu season: https://www.dailytexanonline.com/2018/10/02/get-through-your-flu.

Class of 2015

Eduardo Bouchez and Lucas Leon have been together since Pre-K4 at St. Laurence and will be attending Texas A&M in College Station this fall. Eddy will be at the Mays School of Business, and Lucas will be studying Biology and Pre-Med. They will be living together as college roommates. Talk about friendships made at SLCS that last a lifetime!

Nicole Fleishman will be attending the Mays School of Business at A&M and was admitted into their Honors Program.

Summer Nguyen graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ridge Point High School and is a freshman at Rice University majoring in Psychology and Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. She is hoping to study and do volunteer work abroad during her time in college. She recently completed a 6-week summer research internship at the BioScience Research Collaborative at the Texas Medical Center where she studied gut microflora and human reactions to ingesting tryptophan.

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34 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

A L U M N I U P D AT E S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Class of 2016

Emma Tran is a junior at St. Agnes Academy and on the Dominican Preaching team. She is also on the Varsity Field hockey team and a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish and Science Honor Societies, Key Club, and Student Council. She is still part of the St. Laurence altar server team and a part-time lifeguard at Life Time Fitness. She just finished her 7-week Students of the Year campaign in raising almost $43,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Up next, college visits and working on Girl Scouts Gold award.

Audrey Simpson, Julie Kiolbassa, Bailey Burgess, and Skylor Tucker made the 2019-2020 SAA Tiger Girls Officer Line. As seniors, these girls are looking forward to leading the team through football, Christmas, and competition season. These girls have been dancing together for many years--even before their freshman year at SAA. Go Tigers!

Alex Garcia is a senior at the British International School of Houston where he is Head Boy (Student Body President). He recently won a contest that allowed him to travel to the United Nations in New York City to participate in a Model United Nations contest. Alex won Best Delegate and was selected as one of this year’s High Level Political Forum panelists where he was able to contribute to the discussion on the Global Goals and influence policy. He is a leader in his school’s Model United Nations Club. He loves learning languages and studying history and diplomacy. Outside of school, he is a member of Boy Scout Troop 828 and sings in the Life Teen Choir.

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The Spirit 35 St. Laurence Catholic School |

Class of 2017

Piper Bratton attended a two-week International Business course in Singapore at Yale/NUS this summer. She is now a junior at Incarnate Word Academy.

Emily Lootens is a junior at Clements High School and plays on the JV Basketball and Softball teams.

Jonathan Rogers was recently featured in Town and Country sports magazine for his participation in ice dancing with his partner, Vanessa Pham. The teens qualified for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January 2019 and placed 3rd in the Free Dance final.

Class of 2018

Lilianna Garcia is a sophomore at the British International School of Houston. She is a part of the Houston Zoo Teen Programs Zoo Crew and was a junior zookeeper in the children’s zoo this summer. One of her jobs was to train a goat named Elsa. She also traveled with the Houston Zoo to the Galápagos Islands where she was able to study giant tortoises, sea turtles, fish, and sea lions. Lilianna loves to sing and is a member of the Life Teen Choir.

Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. —Timothy 4:12

Zachary Hanse is a sophomore at St. Thomas High School and loves it!

Margaret Riebe had an exciting freshman year at St. Agnes Academy. She earned her letter jacket in cross country and lettered in swimming as well! She had the opportunity to swim at the state championship in Mansfield, Texas. She will be a sophomore and now trying water polo and enjoying learning a new sport with other St. Laurence alumni who play alongside her.

Rose Barry, a sophomore at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, performed with the TPSMEA Region 3 Choir at St. Agnes Academy and the All State Choir in Richardson last school year. She was the first freshman in Duchesne history to be selected to the All State Choir.

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36 | The Spirit | Fall 2019

A L U M N I U P D AT E S ( C O N T I N U E D )

Class of 2019

Ivan Potato will be a freshman at Strake Jesuit. He and his family took a trip to Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas this summer while visiting his sister, Alyssa Potato (’13) at Texas A&M.

Alex Perez is a freshman at Incarnate Word Academy where she was selected to be a member of IWA’S Impact Dance Team. Alex continues her philanthropy and service work through Incarnate Word Academy’s Service Program and the National Charity League. She actively participates in the Young Leaders Program and plans to continue to play soccer for her new school.

Sarah St. John spent her summer interning on You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Main Street Theater as their sound operator.

Remember the past with GRATITUDE,Live the present with ENTHUSIASM,Look forward to the future with CONFIDENCE. —Saint John Paul II

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2019

St. Laurence Catholic School Annual Tuition Assistance Golf Tournament

Sugar Creek Country Club420 Sugar Creek BoulevardSugar Land, Texas 77478

Monday, October 28, 2019NEW LOCATION

Sponsorships available.

Contact Kelly Goff in the Advancement Office [email protected]

Presentedby

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A D M I S S I O N SSt. Laurence Catholic School admits students of all races, colors, and national/ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national/ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admission policies, tuition assistance, or athletic and other programs.

For Admissions, please contact Suzanne Byrne, Admissions Coordinator/Registrar at 281.980.0500.Get more information online at www.stlaurenceschool.org.

A C C R E D I TAT I O NSLCS is a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. SCLS was fully accredited in 1995 through the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department (TCCBED) under the aegis of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). We adhere to the policies and procedures of the TCCBED and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. SLCS has met the criteria established by AdvancED Accreditation Commission.

Visit us at www.stlaurenceschool.org. Watch us on www. youtube.com/user/SLCSSaints/videos and www.youtube.com/user/SLCSAV/feed

S TAY C O N N E C T E D

Like us on Facebook; follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest .

2630 Austin Parkway | Sugar Land, Texas 77479www.stlaurenceschool.org | 281.980.0500 | fax 281.980.0026

Make plans to join us in these important 2019-2020 community events!

Annual Fund Kick Off

Annual Fund Commitment Day

Poinsettia Sales

Tuition Assistance Golf Tournament

#Saints Give Day

A Celebration of Our Unique Gifts Luncheon

Steps 4 Students

“The Saints Garden” Auction Gala

September 4

September 27

October 9-25

October 28

December 3

December 10

February 15

April 25