Keeping the Community Spirit Alive

Dear St. Pius X Community,

We are in the home stretch of the 2023-2024 school year, and what better way for me to celebrate these final weeks than by spending time with our seniors? I had the privilege of joining them on Monday for their Senior Pilgrimage, which began with Mass, followed by a breakfast sponsored by our alumni association, and then a beautiful day at Kennesaw Mountain. Our seniors are a fantastic group who represent St. Pius X so well. It is hard to believe graduation is right around the corner, and soon, 246 more graduates will join our vast alumni network. Please join me in praying for them as they embark on their last few weeks of high school. 

Our strategic plan has made significant progress in the last two months. Thank you to the nearly 1,600 respondents who took part in the strategic planning survey. Our steering committee read each comment and spent a lot of time analyzing the data. We hosted two open forum sessions yesterday with members of our community, and the feedback was invaluable. We now have areas of focus laid out in each of our four domains, which are:

• Governance and Mission
• Academics and Student Life
• Enrollment and Advancement
• Finance and Facilities

Our next steps are creating domain subcommittees and formulating action plans and goals for our key focus areas. This work will begin in the summer, and we are on track to publish a new strategic plan this fall. 

In closing, I want to highlight the one word used most frequently in the Strategic Planning survey by both our student body and our greater community to describe why they love St. Pius X, and that one word was “community.” Community at St. Pius X defines more than just a place or a group. Community describes the experiences that students and families have here and the way St. Pius X makes them feel. Thank you to those who came before us for creating this legacy of community. We will continue to keep the community spirit alive and well at St. Pius X for years to come.

Domini Sumus,

Aaron Parr ‘06

President

Campus Ministry upheld cherished traditions this year while reintroducing others. The Boys' Lock-In in February and the Girls' Retreat two weekends later provided opportunities for students to connect with each other and with God. For many participants, these retreats profoundly impact their faith. 

After a long hiatus due to COVID-19, the first international mission trip took place over spring break. Three students and four adults journeyed to the Dominican Republic where they spent time painting walls as well as assisting residents with physical therapy. Though challenging, the experience was both enriching and rewarding. The following weekend, the Domini Sumus Retreat was held at Camp Hidden Lake in Dahlonega. Twelve students embarked on a transformative weekend featuring insightful talks, moments of meditation, and plenty of enjoyable activities. The Campus Ministry program is continually seeking new and exciting ways to engage our young people in their faith!

In thanksgiving for her 16 years of dedicated service, Lesley Bowman is being recognized with a scholarship named in her honor. Mrs. Bowman is retiring in May after 30 years as a math educator. During her years at St. Pius X, she taught AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB, Honors Analysis, Analysis CPA, Honors Algebra II, and Algebra I CP.

Mrs. Bowman is a six-time STAR Teacher, with four selections during her tenure at St. Pius X. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia’s high school seniors who have the highest SAT score at their school and are among the top 10% of their class. The student recipients choose the teacher most instrumental in their academic development. Most recently, Senior Vincent Casal chose Mrs. Bowman as his STAR Teacher. 

The Lesley Bowman Scholarship will support students with financial need, with a preference for females and minorities. A grateful parent created the fund, and donations are being solicited to help fully endow the scholarship. Scholarship endowment funds must reach $25,000 before awards can be given. If you would like to show your support and appreciation for Mrs. Bowman, please see below to contribute to the fund.

St. Pius X extends a heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Bowman and best wishes for a wonderful retirement!

Interested in contributing to the Lesley Bowman Scholarship?

1. CLICK HERE to open the form. You do not need to log in to make a gift.

2. Click the Student Scholarships drop-down arrow (8th listing from the top).

3. Scroll down to choose Lesley Bowman from the list.

4. Complete the donation information.

Thank you for your support!

Above, left-right: Principal Edye Simpson, STAR Teacher Lesley Bowman, STAR Student Vincent Casal, and President Aaron Parr.

St. Pius X Celebrates the Completion of the Ring the Bells Construction Projects

Boys and Girls Tennis completed their seasons. Both teams finished with 8-9 records.

Boys Golf qualified for the state Sectional Tournament and hopes to continue to the GHSA State Tournament.

Girls Golf won the Area Championship and will compete in the GHSA State Tournament.

Girls Lax lost in the first round of the GHSA playoffs. They finished the year with a 10-8 overall record.

Boys Lax won round one of the GHSA playoffs. The team is currently 10-7.

Track and Field competed in the Region Meet at Buck Godfrey Stadium this week. They will compete in the GHSA State Meet in May.

Girls Soccer won their first-round playoff game, and tonight, they will play in round two of the GHSA Playoffs at Glynn Academy.

Boys Soccer won its first-round playoff game and will compete again Friday in the second round of the GHSA Playoffs at Glynn Academy.

Baseball hosts its GHSA first-round series today and tomorrow vs Thomas County Central. The team's last win was a huge milestone for Coach Harlin as it was his 700th career win!