The challenges of the 2020-21 school year have proven to be, unsurprisingly, unlike any other. Yet despite the temporary uncertainties and restrictions, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, has redoubled its efforts to providing a vibrant and well-rounded experience to its community of students with diverse interests and talents by inaugurating new traditions and finding different ways to continue old ones.
St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) has had to break the mold many times this academic year, starting with a multi-day welcome for freshmen in August, which featured physically distanced icebreakers and teambuilding activities for the newest members of STA and meet-and-greets with faculty and staff. Even before that, the athletics, drama, and music departments were already in full swing. The football, soccer, cross country, and tennis teams took to the fields with NJSIAA-recommended health measures in place, setting the stage for one of the best fall seasons for our athletes in years.
The music department stepped off with practices for a field show that would bring to life the classic Queen hit, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Their innovation, under the direction of Joseph Cullinan (STA class of 2002), continued into the fall, letting nothing stand in the way of developing students’ musical talents and passions. From outdoor rehearsals to a split rehearsal schedule, you can’t stop the music at STA. The incredible efforts by students and faculty culminated in a superb virtual concert that was presented throughout the month of December on YouTube channel @stahsedison, featuring modern and classic Christmas songs by the concert band, jazz band, concert choir, and acapella select chorus.
“In times of great need and pain, the performing arts have always been a source of comfort for the world,” said Cullinan. “We’re proud to not only provide that comfort for our community, but also to teach our students the uniquely Christian value that lies in sharing that comfort with others.”
On the stage, STA student actors along with a small army of backstage support and adult leaders produced not one, not two, but three shows over a three-month period. As they say in show business, the show must go on! Starting with a Wild West-inspired performance of Shakespeare’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” followed by a Halloween Spook-a-Rama, and culminating with the hilarious physical comedy “Noises Off,” the actors of each show incorporated physical distancing and masks seamlessly into their creative interpretations. And, for the first time ever, live audiences were joined by viewers at home with on-demand showings for family and friends who were not able to attend. drama department director Lea Gossett (’95) acclaimed the hard work of everyone involved in making the fall drama season a reality, adding, “We are very proud of the fact that we’ve been able to safely continue what we love to do, and also provide others with some much-needed entertainment during this difficult time. Our motto has been to keep moving forward responsibly, focus on the present, and make every moment we are lucky enough to have together as a Drama Department count.”
As the weather cooled, life at STA continued to heat up and a new tradition was born. Students and faculty gathered at the beginning of December for the first Christmas Tree Lighting. The event, organized by the Student Council with the assistance of the Campus Ministry Department, featured Christmas carols led by members of the school choir, a reading of the Christmas Story, prayer and the blessing of the trees, and a surprise appearance by Santa Claus himself, who lit the trees as the audience counted down to zero.
“I was honored to be a part of planning and celebrating the very first STA Christmas Tree Lighting, which I think was even more meaningful because we were able to make it happen during the pandemic,” said senior Anna Caruso, a member of Student Council and event planning co-chairperson. Senior Karina Diaz, the other co-planner added, “I thought it was an important event to introduce this year, an event that would bring the community together during a time of separation.”
All throughout this school year, STA students and faculty have tried to make the most of their time both during and after school. The Campus Ministry Department has continued its dual mission of guiding students in their journey on the path of faith and serving the communities that they live in. Both missions are more important today than ever. Since the fall, students and faculty have fed those in need through food drives, brought joy to the children at Saint Peter’s University Hospital through art, spiritually and monetarily supported an acutely ill child with donations and a first-ever “Drive Thru Spaghetti Dinner,” nurtured people’s faith with a four-week Virtual Advent Retreat on YouTube, and gotten together for worship and praise with physically distanced masses and prayer services. Three of the biggest Masses of the year had to take different form: Aquinas Star Christmas Mass was attended by a limited number of musicians, student leaders, and Campus Ministry student members while the Mass was recorded. While parents were not able to attend the annual Junior Ring Mass, they were also able to watch the event on demand. And the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass is being divided up over four days in order to permit every grade level to celebrate in person.
The fun doesn’t stop when the bell rings at the end of the school day. Adding to the already-rich selection of student-led extracurricular clubs, a whole host of new clubs have joined the mix this school year, including the Amnesty International Club, Future Business Leaders of America, and the Record Club. These clubs and existing favorites such as Gaming Club, International Club, Art Club, and Pro-Life Club continue to meet regularly, with some modifications of course, and even host guest speakers via videoconference.