From the president's desk

As we move through this academic year, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your partnership. Your trust in us is the foundation of this community, and it is a privilege to serve your sons. I want to start by sharing something that I believe with deep conviction: I love Saint Thomas Academy.

I say that as president, as an alumnus, a coach, and a parent. Each of these roles gives me a different perspective, but they all lead to one truth: the formation that happens here changes our sons’ lives. My favorite part of the day is our school-wide formation, where we come together to pray, say the Pledge of Allegiance, and recite the Cadet Creed. It is a time when we celebrate each other’s successes and face hardships together.

I've had the privilege of speaking to your sons this year, setting the tone for our school's culture. Since you, our parents, are a large part of that culture, I’d like to share a few of the topics we've focused on.

Our theme for this year is to “Live with Purpose.” Living with purpose means making intentional choices every single day. It means our sons ask themselves: What is the outcome I want, and what will I do to make it happen?

In an age when our sons want to control everything, the reality is they can only truly control their attitude, actions, and effort. These three things, more than anything else, will determine their success here and beyond. Together, we’ll continue to teach them that.

Intent matters, but impact matters more. The phrase, “I never meant to hurt you,” never really lands well. That's why I encourage the boys to follow not just the Golden Rule but what I call the STA Rule: Treat people the way they want to be treated. Living with purpose requires us to think about the effect our words and actions have on others.

Our deceased brother, Bennett Kotok, Class of ’23, expressed this beautifully in an assignment his senior year: “My priority is to leave a positive impact on everyone I meet… The things that matter are the interactions we face every day. To make the world a happier place, starting with one individual at a time is what matters to me.” This is what purposeful living looks like.

While at a concert recently, I saw a t-shirt that read, “If you live for others’ acceptance, you die with their rejection.” The truth is, your sons are already accepted by Christ, by me, and by our faculty and staff. But that acceptance is a call for them to grow—to become stronger, more courageous, and more authentic men of character. The bottom line is that purposeful living means becoming your true self, anchored in faith and integrity.

As we continue through the year, I have three simple expectations for your sons, all rooted in purposeful living:

• Expect the best from yourself. Demand excellence in academics, athletics, faith, and friendships.

• Listen to those who are here to help you. Teachers, coaches, and parents want you to succeed.

• Be kind to one another. Brotherhood begins here. Build it every day.

Purposeful living means knowing that every choice reflects not only on you but on your family, your school, your brothers in formation, and everyone who came before you. This also applies to us, parents, faculty, and staff. We, too, must act with intentionality and integrity because our choices reflect on this community.

Parents, thank you for entrusting your sons to us. Thank you for being our partners. This year, let’s live with purpose by making an impact that matters, by being authentic and true to ourselves, and by standing united in times of challenge. Let’s work together to form not just successful young men but men of character and men of God.

If we do that, there will be no ceiling to how high the Academy can rise and how much your son can achieve. Let’s make it a great year.

God bless, and Go Cadets!

Sincerely,
Brian Ragatz '98