Here is the latest from DeMatha: |
- The DeMatha Express will come out every other Thursday during the summer. The next editions will be June 25 and July 10. We will continue to update our social media channels.
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A replay of last Friday's graduation from the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is available here. With the addition of 182 graduates, we now now 11,550 alumni. Here are some individual videos:
- Members of the class of 2026 performed 12,230 hours of community service. Since the school began its service program in the mid 1980s, DeMatha students have performed 489,367 hours of community service.
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Here are the awards presented at graduation, including a photo gallery.
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Here's a page devoted to Baccalaureate Mass, including a photo gallery as well as a listing of awards presented after Mass. We also have a photo of graduates with their alumni fathers:
- The DeMatha Leadership Institute (DMLI) for various members of the rising junior class was held this week. Well into its second decade, DMLI is designed to mentor and train young men to work the next two years in school leadership roles.
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Prayers Requested:
- Jennifer Dupree, wife of David '76.
- Ryan and Ryann Pratico and their newborn son Eliot.
In Memoriam:
- Lt. Col (ret.) Donald Clark. Father of Don '73, Dr. Darrell '74, and Dave '81. Grandfather of Dr. Robert '02 and Dr. Brian '04. Donald Clark, Sr. and his wife, Gretchen, who passed away last year, were great supporters of DeMatha. They were married for 72 years.
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Rita (Pat) Smith, wife of Ray (dec.), longtime faculty member and coach. Mrs. Smith was the mother of Billy '85, Ray '87 and Carl. She was grandmother to Danny Wintersteen '00, J.T. Kolb '15, Raymond '15 (dec.) and John Paul (Pauley) Smith '17. Mrs. Smith was a great supporter of DeMatha. Obituary
Stag Store Item of the Week:
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We featured this GameChanger Diamond Mesh DeMatha baseball cap two weeks ago, and it was so popular we're featuring it again. Available in three stretch sizes: S, M & L. $20. Perfect for spring or summer. Get yours today!
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Athletics:
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Senior Myles Dixon will compete in the 400-meter sprint at the New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia on June 18-21. He will be joined by junior Jalen Stubbs (100 & 200) and freshman Michael Cansler (long jump & triple jump).
- Mark Dalzell (tennis), Tom Krawczewicz '81 (swimming & diving) and Bill McGregor (football) will be honored by the WCAC for their Coach of the Year awards today during the league's athletic directors meeting. Each guided their teams to WCAC championships this season.
- The football team will open the season at home against Spalding on Friday Aug. 28. The Stags have won the past two WCAC championships and are on a 21-game winning streak.
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Alumni:
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Brian Sheahan '80 was interviewed on how his role as an attorney and youth basketball coach informs his understanding of "living a wealthy life through leadership." He gives numerous DeMatha shoutouts and mentions several DeMatha coaches and teachers. He, in particular, discusses special relationships with Morgan Wootten and Kelvin Johnson '81. Brian is a former member of the DeMatha Board of Directors. See
- Jimmy Key '93 and his bride Stefanie were married April 10. Jimmy's brother Joe '87, Derek Daves '84 and his parents, longtime DeMatha Senior Boosters Frank and Liz Key, attended.
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Mike Pegues '96 has been named an assistant basketball coach at the UConn. He spent the past four years coaching at Butler. Story
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Seaman apprentice Kevin Masciola '20 recently graduated from U.S. Navy Boot Camp in Great Falls Ill. After completing technical school, Kevin will be working as an aviation boatswain’s mate, directing, moving, launching and recovering aircraft on the USS Nimitz during its final year deployment.
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Bud Coombs '25 is transfering to Vanderbilt to play baseball. Bud played both football and baseball this past year at Maryland and was named to the All-Big 10 Freshman Baseball Team. Jack Bulger '20 also played baseball for the Commodores.
- Attention alumni from 1993 to today: If you served in the military or played professional sports, please send Wendy Norris a picture of you in your uniform. We're putting together alumni boards in the training room and would like to include you. Please send your photo to 240-355-5603. Thank you.
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Events & Miscellaneous Information:
- Additional thanks to all who supported our Giving Day last month. As you probably heard, we raised $130,000! We hope to send out the speakers and golf shirt gifts by the end of the month. We cannot thank the DeMatha community enough for supporting us once more. The top three classes in terms of participation were, in order, 1977, 1978 and 1988. The top three classes in terms of most funds contributed were, in order, 1974, 1980 and 1975.
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The Fund for DeMatha concludes June 30, so you still have time to give this fiscal year. Here is the giving link.
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The first of five weeks of the DeMatha Basketball Camp begins Monday. The goal of the camp is to ensure, through detailed and efficient instruction, that each camper learns the proper way to play the game and becomes a smart, effective player. We focus on improving weaknesses, honing strengths and giving athletes the tools to help them perform well in every aspect of the game. Camp is open to girls and boys, 7 to 15. For more information and to register, click here.
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Markelle Fultz '16, a nine-year NBA veteran, will host his Faithful 2 the Grind Basketball Camp at DeMatha, July 27-31. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or a seasoned player striving to enhance your skills, this camp is for you. Experienced coaches will lead drills, games and scrimmages to help you improve your game. Make new friends, challenge yourself and have a blast on and off the court. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your basketball skills to the next level. Sign up now and get ready to hoop!
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That is all.
Thomas Ponton '78
Executive Director of Advancement
tponton@dematha.org
240-764-2222
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Postscript from the Office of Advancement:
Sandra Duffy finished her 43-year career working in the school library in May. Sandra started out in the library that used to be on the main level of the "old" school building.
Sandra and her husband, Joe, had their wedding reception in the Antler Room in May 1966. Their sons, Paul '86 and Greg '91, are graduates. Sandra and Joe are also longtime members of the DeMatha Senior Boosters.
The following are excerpts from an article (by Barbara Coyle) the school did on Sandra several years ago:
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In 1983, Mrs. Sandra Duffy answered a DeMatha ad in The Washington Post. After managing a clothing store for several years – a skill learned at her mother's dress shop in Pennsylvania – she wanted a change. She already knew DeMatha because her husband, Joe, graduated in 1959. The Duffy and Chroniger families were volunteer mainstays at DeMatha events.
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Mrs. Duffy, raised in a small railroad town in Pennsylvania, loved coming to the Washington area to visit relatives. She moved here to work at the University of Maryland's McKeldin Library and later at the Goddard Space Center's library. She met her future husband, Joe, in a bowling league, and became a member of the DeMatha family – even her wedding reception was held in the Antler Room! Two sons attended DeMatha and when the school needed help, she answered the call.
- “I felt at home at DeMatha even before I worked here,” Sandra said. “I enjoyed my time in the library. I felt like I could relate to the students because of my sons...When you're busy, time goes by fast. My only dislike was getting up at 5 a.m.”
Sandra can sleep in now. She can also rest comfortably knowing that she served DeMatha very well during her long career here in Hyattsville. We wish her well in retirement.
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