4 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2025 On a bright June morning, 14 proud members of the Aquinas community—alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and coaches—gathered on the field at Wegmans Stadium to bring our Landmark cover to life. Each participant held a letter to spell out A-Q I-R-I-S-H, symbolizing not only our school’s name and mascot but the spirit, pride, and tradition that connect us all. These individuals represent what it truly means to be AQ Proud. Following the spirited group photo, we captured smaller moments with each pair and asked them to share a few words about what Aquinas means to them. Their reflections—thoughtful, heartfelt, and authentic— remind us why AQ is more than a school; it’s a family. Here’s what they had to say: PROUD TO BE AQ IRISH A Q I Jason ’05 & Maria (Fleming) LaShomb ’09 & Annamaria ’37, Natalie ’39, and Luca ’43 “Aquinas has been a constant for our family, with generations on both sides walking the halls on Dewey Avenue. The values instilled in us, the teachers who inspired us, and the teams we were a part of, helped shape who we are. We will feel so proud when our three children follow in our footsteps and continue our Aquinas legacy.” Michael Latona, Social Studies “As a first-year Aquinas teacher, AQ Proud means even more to me. It represents the pride I feel being part of a school and community that values growth, integrity, and lifelong connections. Being AQ PROUD is about carrying forward these values every day—both in and beyond the classroom— strengthening my connection with God, and developing the confidence to keep striving for more.” Lorin Easton, Fine Arts Department Chair “Since 2016, Aquinas has been more than just where I teach— it’s where I’ve grown professionally, dreamed as an artist, and created a life of purpose. As a middle and high school art educator and Fine Arts Department Chair, I’ve found joy in the creativity of my students, the collaboration with inspiring colleagues, and the freedom to infuse faith into our projects. From legacy pieces like the mural for the Class of 2020 to my ‘Michelangelo moment’ painting galaxies in the AR/VR lab, I’ve been trusted to bring big visions to life. AQ supports all the parts of me—educator, mother of two girls, wife of 20 years, artist—and I’m proud to be part of a community where faith, art, and heart are celebrated every day.” Coach Dom Arioli ’73, AQ Boxing “AQ Proud means to me, ‘be the best you can be,’ and a big part of that is to lead with kindness. I witnessed my first Mission Bouts with Father Biondi when I was 12 years old. He told me the students in the ring were fighting for the Missions. That stuck with me—AQ boxers were tough, but more importantly, they were kind.” Aarika Kaester ’13, Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach “Being AQ Proud means being part of a tradition rooted in excellence, faith, and community. As both an alumna and head coach, it’s a privilege to mentor young women to compete with passion and lead with integrity—just as my coaches and teachers once did for me. Aquinas played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today, and I’m honored to help inspire the next generation of confident, compassionate leaders.” ALUMNI FACULTY COACHES AQ PROUD
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