Dear Aquinas Alumni and Friends, Welcome to the latest edition of the Landmark Magazine! We are, once again, excited to share these great stories with you from our amazing Aquinas community. As we celebrate our 100th year on Dewey Avenue, we were blessed to receive a transformative gift in September. Paychex Founder and CEO Tom Golisano generously gifted Aquinas with a $5 million contribution that will be spread out over the next five years. One major initiative funded by this contribution was the creation of the Golisano Teaching Initiative at Aquinas, which will give teachers onetime bonuses, plus significant pay increases over the next four years. These enhancements will help close the gap in pay between Catholic and public-school educators while ensuring that Aquinas remains affordable for current and future families. In addition, a portion of the Golisano gift will support the Aquinas Fund, helping to offset operational expenses. The fall semester brought tremendous energy to our campus as we celebrated three Section V Championships in football, girls’ volleyball, and competitive cheerleading. The football team advanced even further, winning the Far West Regional Championship and competing in the state semi-finals in an unforgettable game against Christian Brothers – Syracuse. Meanwhile, in the arts, our theatre department delivered a wonderful performance of e Diary of Anne Frank over a 3-day weekend. This past July, we also launched a new Aquinas website. If you haven’t already, take a look! Packed with engaging videos and information, the site showcases our position as a leader in Rochester’s educational community. Additionally, we’ve made giving back to Aquinas easier than ever by introducing Venmo as an electronic option that many of you have requested in recent years. Whether through the new website or Venmo, your contributions are more seamless than ever. I thank all of you who have already contributed this past year or plan to do so in the months ahead. Your financial commitment to Aquinas helps us in so many ways while providing a Basilian education to over 700 students. It is my sincere hope that everyone has a healthy and happy 2025. All of us at Aquinas treasure the past as we look to the future. We believe that everyone who passes through our doors is College Prepared. Life Ready. Aquinas Evermore, D E – President As I mark my one-year anniversary as Director of Communications at Aquinas, my heart is filled with gratitude and my mind dances with great memories. Our students’ achievements are remarkable, but it is their character—their kindness, respectfulness, and unwavering integrity—that fills me with pride and admiration. While the years may pass, our culture and our commitment to the Basilian teachings of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge remain steadfast, a timeless foundation that is truly inspiring to witness. This year is particularly meaningful as we celebrate our 100th graduating class at Dewey Avenue. To honor this milestone, we chose a powerful cover design that bridges our past and present. The black-and-white photograph, taken on March 7, 1924, captures the moment Monsignor J. Francis O’Hern and Bishop Thomas Hickey broke ground on Dewey Avenue— our school in its earliest stages, full of hope and promise. Fast-forward to winter 2025, and our school stands proudly as a testament to its enduring legacy, driven by the heart of Aquinas—our students, who embody its spirit. While our school has evolved over the years, adding new programs and sports, it remains firmly rooted in the same strong values and traditions that shaped its earliest days. I want to personally thank each student for lending their time and energy to this meaningful project. You have beautifully showcased the vibrancy, talent, and heart of our school. Your warmth and spirit shine through even the harshest and coldest of elements. : AQ Dance – Violet Booker ’28 AQ Baseball – Trent Buttles ’27 AQ Boxing – Victoria “Tori” DiNottia ’25 AQ Hockey – Michael “Mikey” Dossier ’26 AQ Choir – Caiden Failing ’25 AQ Lacrosse – Savannah Hinchcliffe ’25 AQ Football – Lucas “Luke” Leone ’25 AQ E-Sports – Travaris Meeks Jr. ’28 AQ Band – Riley Miner ’26 AQ Campus Ministry – Christopher “Chris” O’Neill ’25 AQ Photography/Arts – Molly O’Toole ’25 AQ Cheer – Avery Wegman ’25 As we honor our timeless traditions, we also embrace the excitement of evolution. Our recently launched website was designed to showcase the very best of our school and make staying connected easier than ever. To catch up on recent news, events, and updates, visit AquinasInstitute.com, click About, and select Recent News—or simply scroll down on our homepage for the latest stories. You can find our Gallery and Videos within the website footer. Thinking about joining our team? Check out Employment Opportunities also within the website footer. As we honor our rich past and celebrate the future, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on what Aquinas has meant to you. Whether you’re a proud graduate, a current parent, or a cherished member of our community, your connection to this school is part of what makes us so special. Here’s to 100 years on Dewey Avenue and many more to come! All the best, C B – Director of Communications Welcome 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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