SAINT ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT ALUMNI ...

Darcy Messina
From the very beginning of my freshman year I was
immersed into an abundantly diverse population of students
and teachers. Growing up in a small town I felt I was limited.
Being the youngest of four I was well aware of striving to
meet personal goals. I had ambition, academic, spiritual
and athletic goals. I felt that in order to reach my full poten -
tial and meet my objectives I would need to be in a larger
environment, an academically more challenging and
a spiritually bountiful atmosphere. I saw Saint Anthony’s as
the difference, the place to provide great opportunities for
me to reach my goals.
What I achieved in four years was so much more than I
could have ever imagined. All my dreams and goals were
realized. I grew spiritually, forming friendships within a
diverse group of classmates.I became more socially aware
of the differences of my peers. I gained the utmost respect
for those differences that make us all unique. I was wholly
enriched by the dedicated teachers who encouraged me to
be more creative in my thinking. Collectively these teachers
instilled a solid academic foundation that will promote and
cultivate my learning throughout my entire life.
The presence of the Franciscan Brothers is inspiring to
each and every student; this alone is the greatest differ ence
in my life. The Brothers implant the importance of spiritual
development while simultaneously instilling academics.
Athletically I have worked extremely hard to be a four-year
member of the girls’ varsity lacrosse team that is currently
ranked third in the nation. I will be attending the University
of Florida on an athletic scholarship.
Lastly, the difference in me is Saint Anthony’s, a community
that instills core values and tremendous camaraderie with
your teachers, peers and teammates.
Durelle Napier
Saint Anthony’s High School has played a key role in my
life and in my success. I remember when I was in 8th grade,
going into my freshman year, my mom would drive past
Saint Anthony’s and I would smile and tell her that’s my
school. When I found out how great Saint Anthony’s
football program was, it was one of my dreams to play for
and contribute to the team. On the first day of practice I
was a huge nervous wreck, but I got over it and did what
I had to do. Fortunately I made the team and also made
friends. When freshman orientation came along I was
anxious and nervous because I knew this was my first day
of high school. Luckily, the friends I made during football
tryouts were the ones I hung out with in lunch.
From day one I was always focused on my studies and
focused on the field. I believe that they go hand in hand in
life. My friends who play Division I college football tell me
it’s a little troublesome maintaining good grades and perfor -
ming on the field. Saint Anthony’s taught me how to manage
both since my freshman year. With that in mind it gives me
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great confidence that I will be able to do the same thing
when I attend Yale University in the fall of 2012. The work
ethic that I established and the workload that I received in
the four years at Saint Anthony’s is helping me prepare for
the next level of college schoolwork and college sports.
Saint Anthony’s has also made a difference in my life when
it comes to friendships. The people who I made great rela -
tionships with here will always be there after high school and
for the rest of my life. Saint Anthony’s High School has defi -
nitely prepared me throughout my four years for the life of a
college student-athlete, and I would like to thank all faculty
and students for helping me during my four years here.
John Poetzsch
I can honestly say that without the positive influences
and impact from several role models at Saint Anthony’s
High School I would not be the same person I am today,
nor would I be as confident of my ability to settle in and
succeed in college next year. When I decided to enroll at
Saint Anthony’s I was simply following in the footsteps of
my older brother, Dougie, and I had no idea of the positive
influence I would take away from my education at Saint
Anthony’s. The things I have learned are more than just
math equations or phrases out of a history textbook. More
significantly I have also learned the importance of good
character and how to be a good person.
Albert Einstein once said, “Most people say it is the intellect
which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is
character.“ Coach Reichert always stressed good character
to his players. I have been hearing about it since I was on
the freshman football team. Coach Reichert would gather
us in a circle after practice and often talk to us about
character and how we are expected to act as part of the
Saint Anthony’s football community. By the time we made
it to Varsity we already knew how to act, and it was up to
us to set a good example for the younger kids coming up.
Coach Reichert taught us something that no textbook could
teach us – he taught us how to respect people and he
helped us mature into men.
This theme of character is repeated everywhere at Saint
Anthony’s. We are expected to act respectfully and with
character not only in class, but also in the school hallways,
on football road trips and when we interact with outsiders.
It is not always the easiest thing to live by but now, because
of it, I feel ready to take the next step in my life. That next
step will be attending Lafayette College where I will be
playing on the football team.
As I embark on the next step of my education, the focus of
developing character by Coach Reichert, the Brothers and
other teachers at Saint Anthony’s leaves me confident that
I have an advantage over other high school students from
across the nation. And thanks to these role models I feel
ready and prepared to succeed at the educational and
athletic challenges that will confront me in college.