Returning Thanks!
On Thursday, November 16, Wolfhound parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of Saint Patrick Catholic School attended the Returning Thanks Breakfast. We were especially grateful to welcome so many members of our community back to campus in support of the School’s mission of educating and nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and spirit!
Guests were greeted by our always impressive student Legati and escorted to the gymnasium where they joined their table hosts for the official program. Saint Patrick Catholic School Lower School Theology Teacher Mary McPhillips opened the program by delivering the invocation. Second Grade student Cecilia B. introduced Board President Dr. Pamela McKinney.
Seventh Grade student and Celtic Council Vice President John-John W. introduced Head of School Lauren Mazzari who began by saying how “lucky she feels to have joined Saint Patrick Catholic School.” She went on to share how impressed she was by the students she met during her initial visit to campus and how “children of all ages understood what made their school great.” She shared, “Our vision is simply to be the best independent Catholic School now and well into the future, so we can continue to foster a love of learning, continue to inspire creative innovation, and continue to graduate courageous and compassionate leaders.”
After a moving video presentation, Corinne Lyons Hupp, Class of 2009 reflected on her time at Saint Patrick. Now a Certified Athletic Trainer and owner of Hupp to It, Corinne has had some time to look back and fully understand the positive impact her Wolfhound experience has had on her life. She fondly remembers attending a high school fair as a middle school student and learning about the field of sports medicine for the first time. Her passion for The Physical Life grew through physical education class with Mr. Mayer and playing Wolfhound basketball on teams her mom and other Saint Patrick parents coached. Corinne closed by saying “The values instilled in me during my time at Saint Patrick have all led me to where I am today: a small business owner, sports medicine professional, and citizen of my hometown - Norfolk, VA. Saint Patrick will always hold a special place in my heart and I am proud to be a graduate of this institution that has given me so much.”
Alumni parent Greg Bockheim followed Corinne at the podium with a heartfelt testimonial about the lasting impact Saint Patrick had on his two daughters, Vivian, Class of 2019, and Lily, Class of 2021. He shared that the teachers helped bring them out of their shell and thrive in a nurturing and caring environment to become strong, outgoing young women.
Our final speaker was current parent Emily Mapp Brannon. She told a humorous and true anecdote about her own experience to illustrate what she believes Saint Patrick gives to each of its families, and then she graciously asked parents to join her in “Returning Thanks” in the form of donations.
We truly appreciate all of the board members, parent ambassadors, table captains, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make the Returning Thanks Breakfast possible. Special thanks goes to our presenting sponsor, Instant Systems, for their continued support.
If you would like to make a donation to the Returning Thanks Annual Fund, please click HERE!
