Saint Thomas Academy
| Saint Thomas Academy | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Mendota Heights, Minnesota, USA | |
| Information | |
| Affiliations | Catholic |
| Headmaster | Thomas B. Mich, Ph.D. |
| Faculty | 60 |
| Type | Private |
| Motto | "Ex Umbris in Veritatem" (Out of Darkness into Truth) |
| Color(s) | Royal Blue and White |
| Established | September 8, 1885 |
| Enrollment | 670 |
| Information | 651-454-4570 |
| Homepage | http://www.cadets.com |
Saint Thomas Academy (abbr. St. Thomas Academy or STA), originally known as Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary, and formerly known as Saint Thomas Military Academy is the only all male, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory, military high school in Minnesota. It is located in Mendota Heights near Saint Paul. The Academy has a middle school, grades 7 and 8, and a high school, grades 9-12. The high school students are required be in Army JROTC. Its sister school, Convent of the Visitation (or Visitation), is located down the street and many classes and after school activities involve both schools. It is located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
Contents |
Traditions
- Every day after second period, students attend formation where they stand in their brigade. Many important traditions are exercised during formation.
- A senior reads the morning prayer and the headmaster or cadet colonel leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
- One or two students gives a Senior Speech during formation. It can be on any topic the Senior chooses (From cloning to dances to drug use). It is a requirement for graduation for a student to give a Senior Speech.
- The Crack Drill Squad performs once every year during formation, usually near the end of the year.
Sports and Activities
Saint Thomas Academy is a member of the Classic Suburban Conference. They participate in all 14 Minnesota State High School League sports as well as Orienteering. Saint Thomas Academy also has various co-curricular activities such as Band, Chess Team, Debate Team, VISTA Theater Company, Math Team, Quiz Bowl (2004 Quiz Bowl National Champions), Knowledge Bowl, Experimental Vehicle Team (2005 Dell Winston Solar Cup Champions and 2006 Solar Bike Race Champions), Mock Trial, The Rifle Team and The Crack Drill Squad. More than 90% of students participate in co-curricular athletics or activities.[1]
| State Championships | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Sport | Number of Championships | Year |
| Fall | Football | 1 | 1975 |
| Winter | Alpine Skiing, Boys | 4 | 1993, 1997, 2001, 2003 |
| Hockey, Boys | 1 | 2006 | |
| Swimming and Diving, Boys | 9 | 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 | |
| Basketball, Boys | 2 | 1998, 2007 | |
| Total | 17 | ||
Trivia
- St. Thomas' rival in athletics is Cretin-Derham Hall, a private Catholic high school in Saint Paul.
- St. Thomas has a distinguished and competitive Quiz Bowl and Knowledge Bowl program, which has won national and state championships in several leagues.
- The Swim Team of St. Thomas has won the Class A State Championship in 8 of the last 9 years (as of 2007).
- In every annual Brigade Formal Inspection (B.F.I.) since 1983, St. Thomas has earned the coveted “Honor Unit with Distinction” from the United States Army.
- St. Thomas is a Catholic, College Prep, All-Male, Military High School
Notable alumni
St. Thomas has been attended by several persons of note in its history, including:
- Thomas F. Gallagher, Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court (1943-1967)[2]
- General Alfred Gruenther, 1919, former Supreme Allied Commander – Europe in the 1950s
- Judge Fallon Kelly, Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court (1970-1980)[3]
- Marine Captain Richard E. Fleming, 1935, WWII Medal of Honor winner
- Marine Lieutenant General Edwin Miller, 1941
- James Garberg, 1941, received Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart for his actions on the Island of Attu in 1943
- Jim Lange, game show host
- Chris Cox, 1970, Chairman of the SEC; former United States House Representative (R-CA) and Committee Chairman
- Vince Flynn, 1984, author
- Ali Selim, Director
- Tom Malchow, Capitan of U.S. Swim Team at the 2004 Summer Olympic, gold medal winner (2000)
- Scott Phillips, Former top-ranked collegiate debater for Emory University
- Mike Ciresi, Laywer from the twin cities with great success in mass tort litigation. He is also a current candidate for Norm Coleman's senate seat
References
- ^ Student Participation in Activities
- ^ Minnesota State Law Library Biographies of Justices and Judges of the Minnesota Appellate Courts
- ^ Minnesota State Law Library Biographies of Justices and Judges of the Minnesota Appellate Courts
External links
| Preceded by Horace Greeley High School |
National Academic Championship champion 2004 |
Succeeded by Holland Hall School |
