9 the arts come alive Cherished husband, father, and grandfather, Gerald Francis McGuire, known to all as “Jerry,” passed away on ursday, May 30, 2024, in his home at the age of 88, the same day the McGuire Anthology was distributed – a tting tribute to his memory. Jerry leaves behind a legacy of wisdom, humor, warmth and love, and he will be forever missed. e funeral mass was held at Aquinas in the omas F. Bell ’57 Auditorium on ursday, June 13, 2024. Friends, family, and the AQ community gathered to honor his legacy in a beautiful commemoration of a remarkable man. Honoring Gerald F. McGuire ’53 e McGuire Anthology is an art & writing magazine originally created in the early 2000s to showcase poems, short stories, artsy photographs, drawings, paintings, and a variety of other artwork from the Aquinas community. e magazine is named a er Gerald F. McGuire ‘53, who was inducted into the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame in 1996. As an alumnus, teacher of English and Business, coach, and former Dean of Students, Gerald was very supportive of the arts and writing, and building up the Aquinas community. As of spring 2024, the magazine has been revived a er its last publication of over 20 years! Lorin Easton, Department Chair of Fine Arts/Visual Arts Educator, is thrilled to revive the McGuire Anthology magazine. Beyond the creative outlet it provides students, Lorin emphasizes that arts programs like these play a crucial role in shaping students’ futures. e skills learned through artistic expression—such as creativity, critical thinking, and communication—are invaluable and extend far beyond high school. ey prepare students for success in whatever path they choose, whether it’s furthering their education, pursuing a career in the arts, or simply enriching their lives with a lifelong appreciation for creativity. Lorin elaborates on her decision to bring back the magazine a er such a long absence: “I personally love using art and writing to build a sense of community, showcasing our individual and collective creative strengths. When I was in high school, we had a similar publication where students could submit their work. I remember feeling so validated when my poem and artwork were published. Seeing the drawings and written pieces from my classmates was inspiring; it sparked conversations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. Reminiscing on my time as a student, I began discussing with some of my AQ students about how we could foster community and connection through the arts. I also spoke with Mr. Mancini, AQ Principal, who provided two McGuire issues from the early 2000s and I instantly knew revitalizing the magazine could strengthen our bonds. e National Art Honor Society students are excited to modernize it with digital access and color printing.” Lorin envisions this magazine as a platform for students, teachers, sta , administrators, parents, and alumni to connect as a community through their submitted art and writing. Her hope is that it will become something that people look forward to, for both contributors and readers alike, inspiring creativity and fostering a sense of unity. “Art inspires us, gives us hope, and allows us to express ourselves in ways we cannot always put into words,” Lorin explains. “ e Fine Arts Department recognizes the impact all forms of art have on our students and community. We’ve witnessed athletes bene ting from dance classes, students evolving into leadership roles because of their engagement in our theatre and performing arts programs, shy students blossoming into talented musicians, and students destined for business leadership developing an appreciation for the role visual arts play in marketing and social media strategies. ere are so many ways the arts connect and enrich a community, and Aquinas empowers students to fully explore their creative potential through our Fine Arts programs.” The National Art Honor Society invites you to submit any art or writing to be included in the McGuire Anthology. The National Art Honor Society will organize and produce each annual issue. Parents, alumni, and friends of Aquinas are all welcome to submit their creative pieces for consideration, alongside other featured works of art. For any questions or artwork submissions, please reach out to Mrs. Lorin Easton at leaston@aquinasinstitute.com. Reviving the McGuire Anthology Support the Arts – Send Us Your Art & Writing!
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