School News

Marching For Life!
On Monday, January 23, Saint John's Catholic Prep braved the weather and took 35 students and four adults to the March for Life in Washington D.C. They joined tens of thousands of protesters who marched from the National Mall to the Supreme Court for the annual call to end abortion in the United States. This year marks the 39th anniversary of the march, which has been held every year since 1974 to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Young people were a large percentage of the marchers. Groups bearing banners from high schools, colleges, even law schools joined the thousands who walked. The crowd was massive, the weather was rainy and cold, but it was all worth it to take a stand for life!

(l to r) Alex Massi, Joy Mancini, Alex Nigida, and
Emily Tolino taking a stand for life

Students representing Saint John's at the March

Mock Trial Off to Great Start
The Saint John's Mock Trial team has started the season off with two impressive wins. On Tuesday, January 10, the prosecution went up against Linganore High School, defeating their defense team 46 to 42. The prosecution was led by captain Alex Nigida, whose persuasive closing helped to seal the win for the team. Co-counsel Summer Villarosa and Mark McGrail asked hard hitting questions during cross-examination and did a masterful job directing our witnesses for the prosecution: Lianne Pedersen, Maria Sofia, and Austin Rose.

On Wednesday, January 18, the defense team - consisting of our lawyers Emily Tolino, Jonathan Clark, and Danny Russo - made a strong case for their client Drew Hunter, played by Brian Plamondon. Sarina Sofia and Krysta Johnson rounded out the witnesses for the defense. The team overall made a strong showing and proved victorious over Tuscarora High School, 54 to 46.

This year's case involves an aggressive soccer coach who pushes his high school players (during pre-season practice) to the point that several pass out due to heatstroke. The State of Maryland is prosecuting the coach, Drew Hunter, with two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of child abuse.

Winter Masquerade Ball
On Saturday, January 14, the Saint John's Chapter of the National Honor Society sponsored the first annual Winter Masquerade Ball. The students were in awe of the transformation of the gymnasium into a winter wonderland complete with falling snow. The NHS would like to thank Mrs. Julie Shanklin and her crew for all their work in transforming the gym. The dance was a huge success and the students had a fantastic time! The money raised at the dance will go toward scholarships that will be awarded at the senior recognition dinner.

Click here for more photos of the dance

Students having a great time!

IAAM Athlete of the Week
Vikings girls' basketball player Meredith Jones was named the IAAM Athlete of the Week. Click here to read the full article. Congratulations Meredith on this achievement!

SJCP Girls' Basketball in the News
Saint John's girls benefit from depth...read full article

SJCP Athletes Named to All-Area Teams Congratulations to the following student-athletes who were named to the all-area teams for the Frederick News-Post and the Gazette! 2011 Frederick News-Post Fall All-Area Teams
Cross Country Honorable Mention Abigail Tighe Football First Team Ryan Grimes Second Team Nick Peifer Grier Wilson Honorable Mention Anthony Barzey Jake Filyo Trevor Lecuona JaColby Lott	Girls' Soccer First Team Marial Pierce Second Team Laura Malagari Honorable Mention Maggie Nelson Boys' Soccer Honorable Mention Carson Jones Austin Rose Volleyball Honorable Mention Kathy Acosta
2011 Fall All-Area Gazette Football First team Ryan Grimes Second team Nick Peifer Grier Wilson Girls' Soccer Second team Marial Pierce

A Loss of a Special Alumna and Friend
Mrs. Lois Ann Lipps Edwards lost her two and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday, January 14. The oldest child of the late Alton and Louise Lipps of Frederick, Lois graduated from St. John's Literary Institute in 1954 and St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, MD in 1958. She married Albert Edwards in 1959 - they have three children and four grandchildren. Al's career took them to San Francisco, CA, Frederick, Newark, DE, Belle Meade, NJ, Cincinnati, OH, Yardley, PA, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Australia and Dallas, TX. They resettled in Frederick in 1998. Al served on the Board of Trustees for Saint John's Catholic Prep from 2003 to 2009. Lois was a full-time homemaker and mother. In addition to her husband, Lois is survived by her three children and their spouses, four grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews, a great-niece and a host of dear friends, cousins and neighbors.

Lois was a devoted volunteer where she enjoyed serving as president of the Montgomery, Ohio Women's Club, a religious educator and lector at various parishes, and Meals on Wheels visitor. Beyond her volunteer work, she began an interest in writing while in college. In 1957, she won an Atlantic Monthly Contest and had a dramatic monologue published in the magazine. She won additional writing competitions throughout her life. Lois also enjoyed extensive travel and visited Normandy, France this past summer. An avid reader, she participated in several book discussion groups and loved dance. As a child she was a student at the Evelyn White School of Dance and as an adult she studied at various studios located in places she lived including Tom Waters' Artistic Dance Centre and Dance Unlimited. Lois also loved her close friendships that were formed with her fellow Alums from St. John's. Lois was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. In honor of her love for reading, Memorial donations can be made to the Friends of the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick, MD.

Catching Up with our Alums
DeShawn Weaver, 2011
Fifty-five players were named to the 2011 NAIA Football All-Independent Teams and DeShawn Weaver of Robert Morris was selected. Players are voted on and selected from ten different NAIA Independent football programs and those respective coaches. Read full article...

Aaron Middeke, 2008Aaron is a Communications major at the University of South Carolina and he has been busy covering the South Carolina primary. Click here to check out several of Aaron's photos that are posted on the South Carolina Press Association's website.

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Saint John’s Catholic Prep
889 Butterfly Lane
Frederick, MD 21703
Phone: 301.662.4210

Saint John’s Catholic Prep