Lots of Short News...

HIGH QUALITY SUMMER ADVISORS IN CHICAGO

Six Western grads reunited to spend six weeks giving back this summer at the Midtown Summer Achievement Program in Chicago. They will coach and mentor middle and high school boys from the city. The Midtown program has been running effectively for 50 years!

Above, they are (L-R) Luke Omanga ('21, A&M), Fede Celis ('18, Notre Dame), Luke Webber ('21, U. Dallas), Fr. Frank Vera (former WA Chaplain), Pablo Caranti ('21, U. Dallas), Mateu Orendain ('21, UT) and Henry Omanga ('21, Notre Dame).

TRY TO SPOT THE WESTERN BOY...

Here's a U. of Dallas theology class held outdoors this semester. Can you spot the Western boy? Yep, it's Luke Webber ('21, Shell) up in the tree. According to Luke, "WA never wears off!"

A NEW CATHOLIC

Robert McNair ('25) surrounded by classmates as he entered the Church on March 25. Here are (L-R), Nic Marquez, Harold Busher, Will Pesce, Robert, Dominic Creech, Jude Cronin, Richard Bocock and Marc Orendain, at St. Michael's Church.

WESTERN GRADS BAG LATIN AWARDS

In late April, St. Thomas High School announced their National Latin Exam medal winners, and thirteen are from Western! Congrats boys!

Latin 1
Summa cum laude (Gold Medal): Lleyton Andrews (‘25), Adrian Riches (‘25)
Maxima cum laude (Silver Medal): Jude Cronin (‘25) 
Magna cum laude: Hudson Harkrider (‘25)

Latin 2
Summa cum laude (Gold Medal): Richard Bocock (‘25), Bill Efting (‘25), Will Efting (‘25)
Maxima cum laude (Silver Medal): Harold Busher (‘25)
Magna cum laude: Luke Mason (‘25) 
Cum laude: Dominic Creech (‘25), Elias McVicar, (‘24)

Advanced Latin 3
Summa cum laude (Gold Medal): Thomas Hayes (‘24)
Magna cum laude: Elijah Kruppa (‘24)

Some of the Western Latin Exam medalists appear in the group photo above. In the top row are Thomas Hayes (‘24), Elijah Kruppa (‘24) and Adrian Riches (‘25). In the front row are Dominic Creech (‘25), Jude Cronin (‘25), Harold Busher (‘25) and Richard Bocock (‘25). Congrats to these young Latinists!

FIRST GRAD TO HEAD TO MIT

In May, Mason Abrell (’18) became the second Western student to graduate from Yale University, earning a Bachelor's degree, Cum Laude, with a double major in Physics and Global Affairs.

Beyond academics, Mason was involved in the Saint Thomas More Catholic Center, Yale’s Davenport Pops Orchestra, and other endeavors. In the fall, Mason Abrell ('18), will head to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to pursue a PhD in Physics. His research will focus on modular quantum computing and distributed entanglement using microwave quantum optics. Congrats to Mason and his wonderful parents, Matt and Jeanette!

SOUTHPAW CLOCKS 200TH STRIKE-OUT

In mid-April, star lefty pitcher, Matthew Manis ('22) threw his 200th career strike-out at Memorial High. Matthew was named All-District first team pitcher for the third consecutive year. For 2026, he was 9-1 with a 1.32 ERA. He had 73 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings. For his MHS career, he was 24-4 with a 1.58 ERA and 229 strikeouts in 142 innings. Matthew will play at UT in the fall.

OLD BOY GIVES BACK ON THE FIELD

Among the men helping Coach Callahan's first-ever Western Lacrosse team this year was Vaughn Moore ('24). Vaughn said he was happy to help Western get started with Lacrosse in its first season in history, and the young team dominated!

A GREAT HIGH SCHOOL VOCALIST

Excellent vocalist, Patrick Forrester ('23), was voted by his peers to be Co-President of the Strake Jesuit Mixed Chorus next school year. Here he is singing on stage (far-right)

MUSICIANS HONORED

Speaking about musicians, 2022 grads, Brendan Walker and Carson Hebert bagged Strake's two top musician awards. Both will attend Texas A&M next year.

LONGHORN GRADS

2018 grads, Bruno Castilla and Simon Slot, at the UT graduation this May

JAKE GUTIERREZ ENGAGED

Faith and Joe Gutierrez came to Western in the second year of the school, 2011, bringing their first two sons at the time, Joseph ('13) and Jake ('15). Later, Nicolas ('17), Adrian ('23) and Roman (‘26) came to Western. Recently, Jake announced he is engaged to be married on October 24th to Megan Ahern. Congrats, Jacob!

SMOTER & WEBBER MEN SHOW UP FOR HEROES' RACE!

Smoter family Raven men gather after Mass on Heroes' Race day. With dad, Nathan, on top left, John Patrick ('24), James ('23), and below, Joseph (5th), Joel (3rd), and Jude (7th).

The Webber boys were here in force as they witnessed their Shell victory. Mikey and Xavi Webber ran the Heroes' Race for Shell. Next school year, the Webber family will grab the record of SIX Western men! Here are (L-R) Mike (5th), John-Paul ('20), Eli (4th), Luke ('21), and Xavier (8th). Dominic Webber will enter 3rd grade next year.

JOSH HEBERT MUSIC FROM SPAIN!

Singer-songwriter, Josh Hebert (‘19), continues to offer his melodious sounds from college, at the University of Navarra, in Pamplona, Spain. His latest album, Paths and Hollows, has many such offerings.

Songs from Paths and Hollows can be heard on Josh’s Spotify channel HERE

Josh’s fun song “Haircut” can be heard above on Facebook