The formation of every St. Louis U. High graduate is based upon the principles outlined in the Grad at Grad profile. It is expected that every alumnus who lives out the five categories—being Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice—will find, in the long run, vast consolation, a vibrant relationship with God, and the “man for others” ideal that is instilled in every student. It is worth reflecting, especially 10 days before graduation and nine days after the anniversary of his death, on one of the most notable examples of a grad at grad: Michal Blassie ’66. Last Tuesday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson created Lt. Michael Blassie Day in the State of Missouri, to be observed every May 11. 

ASC volunteer Matthew Fink is leaving St. Louis U. High this year to pursue his Ph.D in Biology at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. During his time at SLUH, Fink taught two sections of sophomore chemistry and helped with freshman service. Fink was excited to return to SLUH—his alma mater—even amidst a tumultuous pandemic, as he saw the challenges of Covid as ways to excel in his teaching and knowledge of science.

The Saint Louis U. High track and field team won its District meet last Saturday, qualifying for Sectionals in 16 of the 19 events. The District Champions won with 198.5 points while the second place team—Ladue—scored just 120 points. SLUH also competed at the SLUH JV No. 3 meet last Tuesday.

Due to an unexpected change in schedule, the JV lacrosse team got a chance at redemption against Chaminade last Wednesday. The Jr. Bills, who had lost to the Red Devils 6-3 in April, claimed a resounding 11-7 victory. 

Editor’s Note: Features Editor Sam Tarter hopes to be a teacher one day, so as a “Thank You” to all the inspiration the teachers of SLUH have given him, he wrote this reflection piece to share with the SLUH faculty.

SLUH is amazing, but at its core, it's the teachers that make it so special for me.

Four years ago, the Editor in Chief of Prep News 81, Samuel J. Chechik ’17, wrote a final reflection on his time with the newspaper. I have felt a connection to Chechik for some time. He too was someone who had a fierce love for the tradition of this great institution and the history it represents. It is the same love that every editor feels. It’s what keeps one going during the late Thursday nights, in the midst of AP exams or, in the unique case of this year, a global pandemic. Even though the pandemic stole four papers that we otherwise would have made, forced two papers to be produced virtually, and caused us to be distanced for the entirety of the year, in a twisted way, it has made the Prep News even stronger. 

From his compassion on the PE floor as a teacher to his genuine attitude when he checks athletes in before they go to practice, Alum Service Corps volunteer Sam Glass has instilled a value of cura personalis in his interactions with students and faculty throughout the year. As his ASC year comes to a close, Glass will be remembered for the care that he lives out on a daily basis despite the challenges and stress of the pandemic.

After a year of service to the St. Louis U. High community, Alum Service Corps volunteer Giuseppe Vitellaro will be putting away the camera and media devices as his time at SLUH comes to a close. From helping out with videography or live-streaming Mass to proctoring the Commons after school to leading Sophomore Pastoral Team, despite Vitellaro’s time at SLUH being short, his impact on the SLUH community has been widespread, and the SLUH community will be sad to see him go.

Alum Service Corps member and St. Louis U. High Class of 2016 alum Jack Zimmerman will be departing SLUH with gratitude and an inspiring legacy as his time as a freshman English teacher comes to a close.

America’s got talent and so does SLUH! Senior and cello extraordinar Alexander Unseth will soon be presented live on television performing a piece of his own creation: Beethoven on Broadway.