Mustang Messenger Summer 2014 | Page 29

McNAMARalumni the very prestigious Aspen Music Festival and School for the 2014 season. He will spend eight weeks in Aspen, Colorado studying and performing orchestral music to hone his craft. Kendall Pace '13, a freshman at Columbia University in New York and former BMHS varsity football player, has been chosen to be a paid intern this summer conducting economic research at the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomsberg School of Public Health. As a scholarship recipient of the White House Correspondents' Association, Simone Thomas '13 was able to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner where she had the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. "I walked across the stage and not only gave First Lady Michelle Obama a hug, but shook the hands of President Obama and other White House Correspondents. It was such a great experience that I will always remember," she described of the experience. Alexis McNeil '13 finished first in her heat and recorded the second fastest time in school history in the 100-meter dash at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C. The twoday meet was hosted by North Carolina State University. Alexis posted a time of 12.55 seconds, only a quarter-second off of the University of Mount Olive Trojan record. Andrew Feather '13 was a member of the Elon University ELN (Elon Local News) network that took second in the Alternative category for the 35th College Television Awards. Tyrone Allen '13, a freshman string bass player, performed along with other fellow students of Eastman School of Music University of Rochester at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre on April 23rd. Former teachers attended his performance. Led by Tayler Stiles '13, the University of Maryland Men's Baseball team clinched the program's first regional title and advanced to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament with a 10-1 victory over South Carolina at Carolina Stadium in the Columbia Regional final. '14 Graduating senior Thomas Page '14 was a recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the Joseph Ferrante Foundation. This scholarship was awarded to students who gave so much time and talent back into their communities. Joseph Ferrante, a former BMHS Board Member and BMHS parent who passed away in 2011, strongly believed in the idea that it is up to us to make our communities, churches, schools, and our country a better place. He was always looking for ways to give back, including coaching, assisting with the boys and girls club, school and church fundraising both personally and through his business, Nick's Supermarket in Clinton, Maryland. He was father of Nick '84, Jean Marie LR '86 and John '87. "To my Bishop McNamara High School Friends and Family," I can remember when I started working at Bishop McNamara High School and Dominique, our now ten year-old daughter, was only five months old. I am writing to you because I am headed to another school, in another archdiocese, to work as their next principal. I know my future faculty and staff will have searched for me on the Internet by now, trying to grasp who I am and where I come from. I imagine it's only fair I have a chance to tell my own story. I am the new principal at St. Mary's High School Annapolis, yes, but I am also a product of this proud community. I have lived the McNamara experience as a sibling, student, teacher, and administrator and all these experiences have shaped me. I am a better person because of McNamara. How did that change take place? The teachers who taught me, some which became my colleagues, set me on my path. My classmates, who are on staff and otherwise, and my principal, Mr. Matthew Goyette, while I was a student, gave me confidence, knowledge, support, and opportunities to be myself. As a professional, every one of you molded me by your compassion and your commitment to giving everything for our students. The millions of selfless acts I witnessed at McNamara, show that our community is fulfilling God's call for all of us to be instruments of His love. You touch hundreds of lives every day in your roles and you have touched me. I know we have weathered transition, but all that made us stronger and, therefore, a better community. the benefit of the doubt and supported me with respect, please offer that same support to the one who will follow me in this role. The person who fills my role will have his/ her own gifts and talents that will enhance this community, and the only thing I can guarantee is that he/she will be different. That change is one I challenge you to see as a sign of hope and great benefit for this community. I want to thank specifically the Academic Board members. How long was our longest agenda? You are wonderful academic leaders and I challenge you to continue to bring excellence at all levels. I love this place and I will carry on all that you have shared with me to my next community. This is NOT goodbye. Thank you for all that you do. Can I ask one favor? Just as you gave me I still remember finding out when the Academic Dean position opened years back, because at that moment in my life, I was called. Sincerely, Mindi Imes de Duclos '96 THE MUSTANG MESSENGER 29