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Welcome to
St. Pius X Connections magazine
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the world of the Class of 2021! These outstanding students celebrated their graduation from St. Pius X High School on May 19 surrounded by their closest family and friends at a morning ceremony on our own Ben Rios Field. Tasked with living and learning through a pandemic, these 153 graduates felt the pure joy that day of throwing their caps after chanting the P-I-U-S cheer.
Despite the difficulties they faced, these students completed 26,000 hours of community service during their four years at St. Pius X, even continuing to serve during the pandemic shut downs. Through their dedication to their studies, activities and service, colleges and universities across the country offered them scholarships totaling $14.98 million. We pray that the goodness, discipline and knowledge learned at St. Pius X High School will continue to guide them and their future success!
In this issue of Connections we honor the Class of 2021 and hear the stories of alumni Emily Dieterichs ’15, who was inspired during the pandemic to create an app for the healthcare industry, and Michael Olivas ’68, a distinguished law professor and creator of the Law Rock and Roll radio show.
Sadly, we also remember Rev. Graham Golden ’04, who died of injuries sustained in a car crash on May 21, 2021. Fr. Graham spoke to seniors in theology classes this spring and left a lasting impression in sharing his vocation. In a February 2021 interview, Fr. Graham told Connections, “(A)s a priest, the most meaningful thing is to witness what God does in people’s lives through the sacraments. I get to witness it and be in the midst of it.” We will greatly miss his witness and his ministry.
Sincerely,
Barbara M. Rothweiler, PhD
Principal
St. Pius X Connections
2021 Issue 2
Presenting the 153 graduates of the St. Pius X High School Class of 2021.
St. Pius X High School seniors were honored for their 2021 academic, service and athletic achievements.
“I grew up in rock ‘n’ roll. I’d fall asleep with Wolfman Jack broadcasting his strong signal from Mexico. I had a subscription to Rolling Stone. I loved the back story of how they got into music, what touring was like, how they got their inspiration, and the business behind it.”
“We thought, what can we do to ease the transition from regular life to (how we live under) Covid. How nice would it be to develop an app that would regulate customer flow.”
The St. Pius X community mourns the loss of Rev. Graham Golden, O. Praem. ’04. Fr. Graham, 35, died when his car was struck by another vehicle on May 21, 2021. A member of the Norbertine Community of Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey and a priest for six years, Fr. Graham often shared his vocation story with the students of St. Pius X High School
In 2020-2021, Sartan sports faced shortened pre-season preparation, abbreviated game schedules, masked practice and competition but took the field in black and gold with pride, sportsmanship and success, earning one state championship, three runner-up trophies and multiple All-State awards.
St. Pius X High School honored 14 seniors who made commitments to continue their sports at the college level during the annual Athletic Signing Ceremony.
The 20201 St. Pius X Academic Decathlon Team earned its 20th State Championship and the opportunity to represent New Mexico at the National Finals. The St. Pius X Team won 14 National Medals in individual events and a Third Place National finish in Division III.
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The mission of St. Pius X Connections is to provide alumni and friends of St. Pius X High School with news, information and inspiration regarding the school and each other.
St. Pius X Connections is published by the St. Pius X High School Advancement Office.
St. Pius X High School Advancement Director
St. Pius X High School Associate Director of Advancement and Alumni
St. Pius X Connections Editor