For nearly two decades, if you’ve attended an Aquinas dance concert, school play, or school musical, chances are you’ve seen Al Mosher P’10 & ’12 quietly working behind the camera. What many may not realize is that Al’s connection to Aquinas extends far beyond photography. As the parent of two graduates, Al could have stepped away once his daughters received their diplomas. Instead, he chose to stay connected, continuing to share his time, talent, and generosity with the school community he and his family came to love. 7 the arts come alive Making Aquinas, Aquinas His Aquinas photography journey began in 2007 when his daughter invited him and his wife to a dance performance held in what is now the Aquinas Library aka the “old gym.” The setting may have been simple, but Al immediately recognized something extraordinary taking place. “It was a very spartan setting,” he recalls, “but Donna Damelio Brett was helping them create beauty and grace.” The dance program she founded in 2005 remains a part of Aquinas today, a testament to the lasting impact one person can have on generations of students. Noticing that only a handful of parents were able to attend, Al began taking photos to share with families so they could experience what their children were accomplishing and enjoying. More than 20,000 photographs later, Al has documented not only performances, but the relationships, traditions, and spirit that make Aquinas feel like family. Through his lens, Al has witnessed generations of students grow from shy freshmen into confident young adults. He has captured triumphant performances, quiet backstage moments with the tech crew, lifelong friendships, and the joy that comes from students discovering their talents. Capturing that peak moment in a performance that shows the beauty they are capable of creating, but also the personal joy of dancing, remains one of his favorite parts of the work. Equally meaningful are the candid moments off stage—between friends, siblings, and classmates—that parents might never otherwise see. “To some small degree, I hope I am capturing a part of that brief period in their lives that was high school,” he explains. Among the many memories he has documented, Al mentioned one that stands above the rest: the surprise tribute organized by Alexandria Alletto ’13 featuring a choreographed dance with current students and former alumni dancers to honor Donna Damelio Brett upon her departure from Aquinas in 2017. “It was a fitting recognition for the impact she made,” Al reflects. Another unforgettable memory was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through uncertainty, masks, distancing, and constant change, Al watched Aquinas faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure students continued learning, performing, and growing. “The masks and isolation protocols did not stop the education nor the performances,” he recalls. That resilience is part of what Al believes makes Aquinas special. Whether through dance concerts, musicals, athletic events, or longstanding traditions, students are given opportunities to challenge themselves, develop confidence, and discover who they are becoming. It is the same spirit that inspires Al and his wife to sponsor annual student recognition awards. “My admiration is for the staff and teachers who put so much into creating an environment where students explore, grow, and blossom into citizens of their community,” he says. “That is the reason my wife and I sponsor the recognition awards each year: to recognize and honor those students who are quietly helping others, making Aquinas, Aquinas.” For nearly twenty years, Al Mosher has done just that. Through thousands of photographs and countless volunteer hours, he has helped preserve memories, celebrate student achievement, and strengthen the community he cares so deeply about.
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