4 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2026 Shooting the cover photo for this issue of The Landmark was about much more than capturing a picture. It became a visual representation of the future: friendship, faith, laughter, and connection that endures long after graduation day. Six members of the Class of 1964 gathered around a table in the Aquinas cafeteria, sharing stories and breakfast. Seated among them were six members of the Class of 2027, our future seniors. At first glance, the two groups seemed worlds apart. The Class of ’64 did not grow up with cell phones. They never sent a text message, posted on social media, or carried a laptop from class to class. They attended an all-boys Aquinas, wore different uniforms, listened to records instead of playlists, and watched history unfold through newspapers and evening broadcasts as opposed to a computer. The Class of ’27 has never known a world without the internet. They post on TikTok and send texts at all hours of the day. They learn, communicate, and connect in ways the Class of ’64 could never have imagined. One graduated more than six decades ago. The other is preparing to begin their final year at Aquinas. They grew up in different eras, experienced different challenges, and sat in classrooms taught by different teachers. Yet as conversations unfolded and laughter filled the room, it became clear that they had far more in common than they realized. Members of the Class of 1964 joined members of the Class of 2027 in the very cafeteria where the alumni once gathered as students themselves. The setting was intentional. The cafeteria has changed over the years, but its purpose remains the same: a place where friendships are formed, memories are made, and community is built. As the camera clicked, the conversations became genuine. Stories were exchanged. Jokes were shared. New friendships were formed. It felt less like a photo shoot and more like family gathered around the table as they broke bread. Joseph “Joe” Valentino ’64 shared the table with his granddaughter, Elizabeth “Ellie” Valentino ’27 – a beautiful reminder that the Aquinas story continues from one generation to the next. For the members of the Class of 1964, these connections have stood the test of time. More than sixty years after graduation, they still make it a priority to gather each month. They continue to celebrate life’s milestones together, support one another through challenges, reminisce about old memories, and create new ones. Their friendship remains rooted in a bond that first began at Aquinas. As they joked with one another across the table, it was easy to see that while the years may have passed, the camaraderie has not. Copies of the 1964 Arete were passed around as students and alumni alike flipped through its pages. There were plenty of laughs as familiar faces appeared in old photographs and senior portraits. At one point, Joe pointed to his own senior picture, a dead ringer for Buddy Holly, thick-rimmed glasses and all, prompting laughter from everyone at the table. It was evident that the personalities behind those photos were still very much the same. But the Class of ’64 is not alone. The Classes of ’53 and ’59 still gather regularly to share meals and memories, as do many other Aquinas alumni. Their commitment to staying connected serves as a powerful reminder that graduation is not the end of the Aquinas experience. In many ways, it is only the beginning. ONE TABLE, ONE FAMILY THE AQ CONNECTION
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