St. Pius X Catholic High School (Atlanta, Ga)

The first event of the fall was a WIN for our softball team at Spellman Field.

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The halls are full again, and the 2026–2027 school year is officially underway! 🦁

Students kicked off the year at our opening assembly, where they heard from President Parr, Principal Kramer, Mrs. Wack, and Lauren Spratte Schwartz ’09. Lauren shared how the standards and expectations at St. Pius X prepared her for a successful career. We also reflected on our school motto, “We Are the Lord’s,” learned more about our House System, and recited the Honor Pledge together. Fr. Robbie then visited each classroom to offer a blessing as we begin a new year of learning, growth, and faith.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

We welcomed the Class of 2030, our transfer students, and their families to campus today!

The morning began with Mass before our newest Golden Lions broke into small groups with administrators, faculty, and counselors to learn the essentials of navigating high school at St. Pius X. Our Lion Leaders also helped them find their classes, shared insider tips for getting around campus, and answered plenty of questions along the way. After lunch, students completed CPR training with our PE Department, then wrapped up the day with games, an obstacle course, crafts, and more.

Rest up, everyone. . .the 2026–2027 school year begins tomorrow!

One last look at our faculty’s summer adventures before the hallways fill up again, Part 1 ☀️ We can’t wait to welcome our students back this week!

1. Ms. Williams spent a few days hiking in Denali National Park, Alaska.
2. Ms. Stockard spent time with her high school best friends.
3. Mrs. Rose hiked the Appalachian Trail.
4. Mr. Christopherson visited Houston with his family and attended an Astros game.
5. Mrs. Beck visited Hulk Hogan’s Wrestling Shop in Clearwater, Florida.
6. The Schmitt family enjoyed the shores of Lake Michigan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, considered the “Malibu of the Midwest.”
7. Mrs. Peck visited New York City with her family, including seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.
8. Mrs. Williams traveled to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
9. Mrs. Farrell and her kids rode the train around Stone Mountain… many, many times.
10. Mr. McCauley worked his 10th summer with the Atlanta Braves and caught up with plenty of alumni, including Ashley Twiner ’26 and Rory Stokes ’25.
11. Ms. Millard, Mrs. Backfish, Mrs. Savage, and Mr. McClay attended an AP conference in Las Vegas.
12. Mrs. Backfish enjoys school so much that she also graded AP Calculus exams and met fellow math enthusiasts in Louisville, Kentucky.
13. Mr. Venosa spent time with his family on St. Simons Island.

Faculty summer adventures, Part 2 🏖️

1. Mrs. Brolly spent time hiking and paragliding in Switzerland. She and her husband also rode the world’s steepest cable car to visit the car-free mountain village of Mürren.
2. Mrs. Sowers explored New Orleans, including one of its historic cemeteries.
3. Mr. Wannemacher and his son visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York and played a few games at Cooperstown Dream Park
4. Ms. Gwynn visited Paris.
5. Mrs. Blackburn traveled along Ireland’s west coast.
6. Mr. McCurdy watched the USA vs. Bosnia World Cup match at Cosm Atlanta.
7. Mrs. Messick visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
8. Mrs. Zimmerman spent time in Sunset Key, Florida, with her family, including Trevor ’22 and Taylor ’24.
9. Mr. Parr and his family traveled (by car!) to Ocean City, New Jersey.
10. Fr. Robbie joined five other priests, including SPX alum Fr. Tim Nadolski ’07, to sail the British Virgin Islands on their second “Padres of the Caribbean” trip.
11. Ms. Clavenna attended her brother’s wedding in Colorado.
12. Mrs. Petersen and her family spent time at their favorite beach, Longboat Key, Florida, where her son, Campbell Petersen ’30, captured a drone photo.

You know it’s a special place when so many alumni choose to come back and serve the next generation of Golden Lions 💙💛

38 Alumni faculty and staff members are on board for the 2026-2027 school year. Alyshia Chavez Koerner '04, our new Dean of Student Services, said it best - coming home to St. Pius X was the easiest YES! Once a Golden Lion - always a Golden Lion!

Front Row:
Blaise Wannemacher ‘06, Amy Foster Williams ‘85

Second Row:
Bray Gwynn ’15, Molly McCarthy Wack '06, Cary Johnson Blackburn '85, Morgan Carney ’08, Alyshia Chavez Koerner '04, Carolynn Smith Walker '90, Rachel Braham ’86, Laura Patch O'Connell ’94, Kristin Kramer ’98, Anne Marie Ciprari ‘77

Third Row:
Will Cloyd ’08, Karoline Rumps Brennan ’82, Consuelo Leon Ecuyer '86, Christi Lampe Caragher '84, Cecelia Shannon Corso '83, Julie Auer Brandon '87, Mary Pat Warner Martin '86, Jenniffer Todd Kapp '94, Trey Broussard ’01, David Sabino ’00, Daniel Foley ‘06

Back Row:
Cam Wooden ’21, Lance Bridges ’19, Katie Beard ‘19, Rebecca Jones Rose '96, Jessica Darga Sowers '97, Victoria Millard ’16, Megan Fannon Savage ’09, Jami Terracino Warren '09, Jennifer Coady McBride ’90, Ashley Marriott Curlette '02, Aaron Parr, ’06, Chris Murphy ‘97

Not Pictured:
Ann Marie Dooley Edwards ’96, Catherine DeWitt Rice ’00, Kevin Ksionzyk ‘05

St. Pius X Catholic High School (Atlanta, Ga)

Please join us in welcoming our 11 new faculty, staff and administrators to the St. Pius X community. They bring a wide range of experience, talents, and enthusiasm to our school, and we can’t wait for our students to meet them next week!

Front Row: Alyshia Koerner ‘04 (Dean of Student Services); Lindsey Hanna (Theology); Molly Wack ‘06 (Science)

Second Row: Adam Pullen (Science); Neema Salimi (Math); Cam Wooden ‘21 (Permanent Substitute); Lance Pickering (Social Studies/PE); Lance Bridges ‘19 (Permanent Substitute); John Casaburri (Math); Tim Hipp (STEM/Robotics); Mike Dana (Fine Arts/Band)

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