“Back and better than ever!” That’s the mantra for St. Thomas Aquinas High School after a restrained year due to Covid restrictions. The 2020-21 school year was not without its highlights, which included Proms, a Maker Faire, the 1st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, athletics events, and pre-recorded musical and dramatic performances. But this year the faculty of STA was determined to pull out all the stops to make it a memorable year filled with longtime favorite events and a few new ones as well.
“Our administration and faculty realized the importance of recapturing the joy of a Catholic high school experience,” remarked Mr. Harry Ziegler, Principal of STA, “so we worked tirelessly to create a dynamic environment that inspired students to engage with their teachers and peers.”
The task of re-engaging students in STA events and traditions began all the way back in June of last year, with a committee of faculty and staff that set out to envision the best possible school year for the students. With the help and advice of the Student Council as well as other student volunteers, the committee set out a roadmap of events for the year that would complement a fully in-person academic environment and a normal year of athletics, music, and drama. The kickoff event for this year of renewal was an all-day school celebration, the first schoolwide event in 18 months, that featured mass, an outdoor pep rally, and a picnic. Other exciting fall and winter events included Homecoming, a Homecoming Dance, the Snowball Dance, and the 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. All these events were held while adhering to Covid-19 safety protocols.
Academics also benefitted from a full return to in-person learning, which reinvigorated the educational experience and provided students with the interactive, hands-on, and profound instructional experiences that they have come to expect at STA.
The fall also witnessed the return of energizing Friday night football games, just in time to see one of the strongest Trojan football teams in decades. The team concluded the banner season at the top of the rankings with a 9-1 record and undefeated in the conference, racking up 329 points while giving up only 54, 45 of which in the NJSIAA tournament.
The Campus Ministry Department has continued its dual mission of guiding students in their journey on the path of faith and serving the communities in which they live. Since the fall, students and faculty have fed those in need through food drives, brought joy to the children at St. Peter’s Hospital through art, spiritually and monetarily supported two chronically ill child with donations and a return of the indoor Aquinas Star Spaghetti Dinner, written monthly cards to the retired Felician Sisters in Lodi, supported Catholic Charities families through the Christmas Angel program, and joined together for worship and praise with schoolwide masses and prayer services.
The Music Department rang in the Christmas season with its first indoor concert in over two years. The reimagined format wowed audiences with both outstanding Christmas favorites both old and new as well as creative staging and lighting effects. On the stage, the Drama Department has been moving full steam ahead beginning with a fall production of “Julius Caesar,” followed by “A Night of One Acts,” and “Peter and the Starcatcher” just before Thanksgiving.
Adding to the already-rich selection of student-led extracurricular clubs, a host of clubs expand students’ interests, feed their passions, and help them make new friends. Favorites such as Gaming Club, Fashion Club, Mathletes, Yoga Club, International Club, Art Club, and African American Heritage Club meet regularly in person, with meetings for members and non-members alike.
Looking ahead to the second half of the year, students are thrilled for the return of the Tournament of Champions, an all-day competition between grades, Teacher Swap, the Drama Department production of SpongeBob: The Musical, the first-ever Heart Heroes Teacher vs. Student Volleyball Tournament, the Junior and Senior Proms, and more.
Visit stahs.net if you are interested in learning more about the many academic, religious, athletic, artistic, and social opportunities offered by St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Our next Open House is on Thursday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. and we are still accepting students for the Class of 2026. More details at
stahs.net/admissions.