Aquinas Alumni to Take Final Photo
By City Journal Staff at September 15, 2023 | 6:45 pm | Print
If you went to St. Thomas Aquinas and want to be part of an historic photo, several Aquinas Alumni are hosting a photo and get together for former students on Saturday, Oct. 1 in front of the old 74 Kelsey Street high school.
Alumni Association members Gary Naples, Frank Maccarone and Zeena Tawfik are arranging the event that includes a get together at the American Legion on East Street at 1:47 p.m. (the time classes ended) with the photo at 5 p.m. So far about 100 students plan to attend.
Naples, whose group puts on a yearly Aquinas Alumni Party, said this all began several years ago.
“I met Roger Peterson at the Quartette Club 4 years ago to organize the first All Class Reunion. I told him that Aquinas deserved better than simply fading away,” said Naples. “Frank and Zeena came on board and 4 years later Our Catholic School is getting the wake that it deserved.”
On that day, the alumni will also honor students and staff members that have passed away.
The school is in the process of being sold by the City to Chrysalis Center Real Estate Corporation. The company is looking to spend at least $6 million dollars in rehabilitating and refurbishing this building for housing. The property has been vacant since the last class graduated in 1999.
“Chrysalis is happy we have alumni who are active and interested to see what happens with the building,” said Tawfik. “Our alumni group wants to help in the plans happening there.”
It is not a safe building and people cannot go in there at this time.
“We are excited about the refurbishment and hope to make a donation for either a brick courtyard or bricks that have alumni names and date of graduation. There will be some kind of memorial for us,” added Tawfik.
Anyone who has questions is asked to email Tawfik at ztyonkers@gmail.
