The pen, indeed, is mightier than the sword!

Congratulations to the following students for winning awards in the 2012 Delaware Regional Scholastic Writing Awards Program:

• Sophomore Kyle Davidson garnered 2 Silver Keys in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category and 6 Honorable Mentions in the Science Fiction/Fantasy, Flash Fiction, and Dramatic Script categories.

• Senior Melissa Micek garnered an Honorable Mention in the Personal Essay/Memoir category.

• Senior Lea Scarangella garnered an Honorable Mention in the Flash Fiction category.

Our American Flag

by Morgan Trythall

Many people think about the American flag only on major holidays like July 4th or Memorial Day. However, here at St. Thomas More Academy, the flag is remembered daily by two unsung heroes: Scott Wallen and Dylan Vansant. These dedicated young men raise and lower the flag every day, even in the bitter cold weather or on extremely hot and humid days. Because of their patriotic spirit, these two juniors were asked to take on this responsibility, which they have carried out each day.

Every morning as I drive into the parking lot, I see Scott and Dylan raising the flag with smiles on their faces and pride in their movements. Both have ties to the military. Scott is a part of the Cape Henlopen State Park, Fort Miles, and as the youngest member, he is used to raising the flag. Dylan is interested in joining the Coast Guard since he is also interested in boats.

The American flag is a symbol of national pride, as well as a reminder of those who fought for this country’s independence. Consequently, if the flag is dropped on the ground or gets faded or torn, it must be burned. In addition, as a sign of respect, the American flag must be taken down if there is inclement weather and the flag cannot be left flying on the pole after dark unless it is illuminated.

You may have noticed recently that our flag has not been displayed. This is due to a broken clip which normally holds the flag in place. However, you can look forward to its reappearance in a week or so, when the clip is replaced.

And speaking of replacements, any student who is interested in helping Scott and Dylan in their flag duties, or taking over the responsibility after they graduate next year, should contact either one of these unsung heroes of our school.

Finally, if you have an old, faded or torn flag, you should take it down and contact the people at flagkeepers.org who will help dispose of your American flag properly. God Bless America. And God bless our selfless, patriotic Keepers of the Flag: Scott Wallen and Dylan Vansant.

Yearbooks!

by Michael Simpkiss ’13

It’s not too late to order the 2011/2012 yearbook.  The cost for the all-color book of memories is $85 and can be purchased in one of two ways: with a credit card, by clicking on the “click here to order your yearbook” icon on the STMA homepage; or by check, made out to STMA, marked as yearbook order, and delivered to the school office.

This year’s theme is “Looking Forward to Looking Back.” Order your copy soon so that you can look forward, worry-free, to delivery at the end of the school year. Quantities are limited and the books are selling quickly. Make sure you will be able to look back at the memories of an eventful year. The yearbook is packed with student portraits, and photos of sports, club activities, dances, concerts, plays, and student life. Don’t miss out on this collection of treasured memories.

Any questions can be addressed to Mrs. Powers at apowers@saintmore.org.

Cupid draws back his bow for our St Valentine's Dance!

Get ready for lights, camera, and action tonight. The Fashion Club and the YELL Club are bringing Hollywood to STMA. Cost is just $10 per person for a night of fun and a chance to win some awesome prizes, to include a brand new Coach purse.  Step into the photo booth, complete with  backdrops and props, to take some amazing individual or small group photos. All attendees should wear a red carpet-ready outfit and be prepared for a great time. What better way to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day than to dance, prance, or strut down the red carpet? All students are invited to come out this Thursday night (2/16) from 7-10pm and have fun!

• Jessica Wearden garnered a Gold Key and 2 Silver Keys in the painting category
• Alex Wittig garnered a Gold Key in the drawing category
• Christine Petrosky garnered a Silver Key in the mixed media category
• Samantha Robeson garnered a Silver Key in the painting category and a honorable mention in the printmaking category
• Anna Loffreda garnered an honorable mention in the drawing category
• Melissa Micek garnered an honorable mention in the mixed media category
• Stefanie Sels garnered an honorable mention in the painting category.

The Gold and Silver Key art work was on display at the Delaware State University Art Center Gallery  from January 9th through February 11th concluding with the awards ceremony . For more info about the program, click here.

Silent Auction and Wine Tasting - 3/3/2011

You may have “heard it through the grapevine” but now you heard it here, too!

On Saturday, March 3rd, 2012, St. Thomas More Academy will once again welcome you to a very special evening: Our annual Silent Auction. This year’s Silent Auction, our 10th, will be a culinary treat: It will include a wine tasting and food-pairing event!

Tickets are $35.00 per person or $250.00 for tables of eight.  For more information or to purchase tickets contact the school office at 302-697-8100 or visit us on-line at www.saintmore.org. (You can also pay for tickets using credit cards or Paypal at this link)

Please join us at St. Thomas More Academy for a wonderful evening of fun and terrific entertainment when the doors open for our Silent Auction at 6:30 p.m! See you there!

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

On the horizon in February is STMA’s annual Theatre-for-Youth production of C.S. Lewis’ classic story, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe performed by STMA’s Midnight Dreary Players.  A cast of some 35 students actors and actresses will perform at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in downtown Dover on Friday, February 24^th and Saturday, February 25^th.  Friday’s performance will be an evening show at 7PM and Saturday’s will be an afternoon performance at 2 PM.  Tickets are $10.  Note: There will also be a special performance of the show for schools only at 10 AM on Friday Morning (Feb. 24th). Click here to see and then print a copy of our colorful poster for the show.

Catholic Schools' Week 2012

It’s Catholic Schools’ Week and STMA is buzzing with excitement! Here’s what’s up!

On Monday 1.30.2012:
Teen Trivia Competition during lunch period – the students of each class select four classmates to represent them in an academic bowl type of setting. There are toss up question rounds, video rounds and special bonus rounds. Should be exciting!

On Monday 1.30.2012
The Rosary Club will gather to pray the rosary in the Chapel in support of our Catholic Schools.

On Tuesday 1.31.2012
Teacher Appreciation Day  - On this day, the SGA presents our hungry teachers (and principal) with breakfast!

On Tuesday 1.31.2012
Senior Movie Night (Tentative)

On Wednesday 2.1.2012
Catholic Schools’ Week Mass at 9:30am in the Refectory

Cupcake decorating!

On Wednesday 2.1.2012
Cupcake Decorating Competition – teams of students are given a set amount of time to decorate a giant cupcake that they are given. Most creative cupcake wins.

On Thursday 2.2.2012
Student Appreciation Day (hey, isn’t everyday student appreciation day?) – Free Ice-Cream during the lunch period.

On Thursday 2.2.2012
The Bishop’s Visit - Bishop Malooly will be visiting our school all afternoon and will be stopping in classrooms and offices.

Senior Bowling -- an event that should be right up their "alley" if they can "spare" the time after school.

On Thursday 2.2.2012
Senior Bowling Madness – After school at the Brunswick Lanes (Dover), our Seniors will gather to complete in our first annual Senior Bowling event.

On Friday 2.3.2012
Free Tag Day - Students get a free dress down day as we come to the end of our Catholic Schools’ week celebration.

On Friday 2.3.2012
Throat Blessings – On this feast day of St. Blase (patron saint of illnesses of the throat) students, staff and visitors will get their throats blessed in the chapel between 11am-12pm.

On Friday 2.3.2012
Student-Teacher Basketball Game. It’s Teachers vs. Students in this annual Basketball event held in the gym from 2-3pm.

Sounds like a busy and exciting Catholic Schools’ Week 2012 for St. Thomas More Academy!

Mr. and Mrs. McDonald at the baby shower thrown by students of STMA!

Mr. McDonald’s 3rd period Trig/Pre-Calc class surprised our school nurse, Mrs. Maria McDonald (his wife) with a baby shower on January 9, 2011. The event, set up in the morning, but played-out in the afternoon, was the work of students in the class. Mrs. McDonald was summoned to the classroom soon after the start of Block 3 on a pretense; when she arrived in room 105, she was surprised with a baby shower.

The shower included food, balloons, refreshments and baby gifts. Mrs. McDonald was very surprised by the event; she expressed her thanks to the class as she opened various baby gifts. Looking at the event standing at the side of the room, Mr. McDonald said, “We have  wonderful kids in this school.” All of the students, staff and faculty of STMA send Mr. and Mrs. McDonald their best wishes in the months ahead as they await the birth of their first child.

The fundraiser will be brunch from 11am until 2:30pm. A 15% share of each bill will go to the basketball programs. So please come on out and support your fellow Ravens as this is a good way to spend a Sunday with family and friends after attending Mass.

If you have questions, please contact Coach Burrows.