Aquinas-Landmark-Winter-2021

12 12 After announcing in 2014 that the junior high would be expanding, Aquinas eagerly welcomed its inaugural sixth grade class in September the following year. The addition was yet another defining moment in Aquinas’ longstanding history, and the start of a new legacy. Much like when the junior high was added in 2008, and when the school went co-ed in 1982, the addition of sixth grade enriched the culture of the school. Now, those students who began at Aquinas as elementary-age children in 2015 have grown into young men and women about to graduate and go on to college. Senior CJ Cammack, who was part of that first class, realizes the significance. “Our class had 38 students and now there are 84 sixth graders this year, it’s nice to think we started that,” he said. Middle School Director Bryan Mooney remembers the arrival of the sixth graders well. “It brought a whole new level of energy into the building. Teachers, administration, and the older students really took them under their wings and that was exceptional to see,” he said. “We were so fortunate to have had teachers Tricia Sadler and Melissa Clark who started the sixth grade. They stepped into it seamlessly. We’ve added more great teachers to that team since and we’ve really been blessed.” Since the beginning, the sixth graders were an integral part of Aquinas taking part in masses, community service, spirit weeks, the Book and a Blanket project, Thanksgiving food baskets, the raffle, and Kumbaya, however, they established many new traditions as well. Retreat day, Thanksgiving dinner, movie night, the pumpkin drop, and taco night are just a few of the sixth-grade traditions that began in the 2015-2016 school year that remain tried and true. “The seniors come back to visit us all the time and love to see that we’re still doing a lot of the same things they did,” said Tricia Sadler ‘91, who has been teaching sixth grade at Aquinas since the beginning. One of the most rewarding aspects she says is that you really get to see them grow up and become adults. “This is a seven- year commitment, I call them my school children,” said Tricia. “It really is a lasting bond. We can see that the expectations we set for them in sixth grade have carried through now as seniors. They truly are an example.” Melissa Clark, who has also been teaching sixth grade since that first class, feels the same. “One of the best things is that they always say hello to me and Ms. Sadler no matter what. They respect and care about us as we do for them, even seven years later.” As far as her place in Aquinas history Melissa said, “It was so cool to start something that had never been done. This was a new legacy and it means a lot to be a part of that.” This June, 31 seniors who were part of Aquinas’ first sixth grade class will walk across the stage at graduation. They will be the first students to complete seven years at Aquinas. Both Tricia and Melissa look forward to getting those students together in the spring to open a time capsule they made back in 2015. Enclosed are photos and notes that the sixth graders wrote to their older selves. Senior Erin Heh looks forward to that day. “Just seeing the current sixth graders makes me realize how much I’ve grown since then,” said Erin. “I know this was the right place to set me up for success.” Aquinas’ first-ever sixth grade class. Aquinas’ First 6th Grade Class Graduates this Spring 6th GRADE Through the Years Interest in Aquinas’ 6th grade has continued to grow. In fact, 6th grade enrollment has more than doubled since its addition in 2015. 2015 – 38 2016 – 47 2017 – 54 2018 – 54 2019 – 63 2020 – 66 2021 – 84 AQUINAS LANDMARK | WINTER 2021 W hat ’ s N ews