1. Welcome to SAINT John Paul II Catholic School!
Our patron has been canonized and it has sent a wave of excitement
throughout our community. Signs and logos have been updated, print materials
have been rebranded, uniforms have been re-sewn, but mostly, our spirit has
inflated. Pope John Paul II has inspired our students and staff to be kind, hard
working saints for years, but SAINT John Paul II has ignited a desire throughout
the community to strive for deeper compassion and kindness.
Our theme this year is “Only Love Creates Good,” spoken by St. John
Paul II and embodied in various aspects of our community thus far. For example,
Holocaust survivor Jerry Rawicki spoke to the fourth through eighth grade stu-
dents about the incalculable impact of love and hope on his life during the war.
Further enacting our theme, classes have practiced the Boys Town Skill of
“Showing Appreciation” by writing and delivering letters of thanks to staff mem-
bers. One of our chaplains, Fr. Michael Sullivan, visited seventh graders to discuss
the Passion, reminding the students of Jesus’ unconditional love. We have also
expanded last year’s Be a Hero Campaign through a “Rachel’s Challenge”
presentation and the middle school’s Friends of Rachel Club, in which they have
created weekly goals for the entire school to increase inclusiveness and integrity.
Our community has been incredibly blessed by St. John Paul II. Since the
school’s inception, the students, staff, alumni and supporters have experi-
enced our patron’s papacy, passing and canonization, and have never
been more proud to be named St. John Paul II Catholic School.
Same Face, Different Name
The school gathered together in Mass to
celebrate the first ever feast day of St. John Paul II
on October 22nd. Archbishop Emeritus Fiorenza
made the trip out west to be our celebrant for the
joyous occasion, seeking St. John Paul II’s intercession
for the school which has been dedicated to the Saint
since our beginning in 1988. The Student Council led
the readings, the Honor Choir sang the songs, and
the Archbishop delivered a beautiful homily, refer-
encing how St. John Paul II lived out his famous
quote, “Be Not Afraid,” during his papacy. Archbish-
op Fiorenza stated that St. John Paul II believed his
strength came from his nearness to Jesus Christ, which
he viewed as a great privilege.
Although, like Fiorenza, only few in our
community have had the blessing of meeting St. John
Paul II in person, the school feels
an innate closeness to the Saint
who continues to inspire us. We
look forward to countless years
of celebrating our patron every
October 22nd on his Feast Day.
St. John Paul II’s Feast Day
How Well Do You Know St. John Paul II?
Down:
2. The eighth graders
love their visit to __
D.C. every year.
3. Twice we’ve won the
National __ __ Award.
4. The school was ____
in 1988.
5. St. John Paul II’s birth
country.
8. The fifth graders get
to learn about nature
and sleepover at __ __.
10. Mrs. ______ has
been healing boo-boos
for 22 years.
3
4
6
5
7
9
12
Across:
1. Victoria Forkner and Anne Davis chaired the Game Day ___ at the
school this Fall.
6. “Only ____ Creates Good”-St. John Paul II
7. Which bishop granted the opening of SJPII School?
9. Blessed John Paul II was _____ on April 27th, 2014.
11. Pre-K and Kinder classes wash their hands in the _____ trough.
12. Our school mascot.
1
2
8
10
11

2. Student Life
It has been a busy year at SJPII so far, filled with projects, events, field trips and travel! The eighth graders flew to Washington D.C.
a bit early this year, enjoying the shorter lines and cooler weather of October. On a field trip to the Renaissance Festival, the
Middle School Chorale brought light to a rainy day with their beautiful singing. Latest in engineering, our robotics club that had so
successfully competed in Nationals in San Diego last spring has inspired a junior league of sorts. The 4th and 5th grade AWEBOTS
look up to the middle school students and to St. John Paul II with their motto, “Be Not Afraid.” We have been taking activities beyond
the classroom! Our third graders have a tradition of “adopting” seminarians from St. Mary’s, two of whom will be ordained next
year, and another becoming a deacon. Also, a student bought a live Venus Fly Trap and brought it to school to show his 1st grade
classmates science in action! Our students and teachers continue to exceed expectations on and off campus. Keep it up, saints!
Students Accept the Challenge
“You just may start a chain reaction” are the inspiring words of Rachel Joy
Scott that have become her legacy. Rachel was the first victim of the Col-
umbine shootings, and since her death, her family and those she has influ-
enced have been presenting her message of inclusiveness world- wide.
David Hill, a presenter for the organization, travelled to St. John Paul II
from California to spread the idea of a chain reaction of kindness to our
student body. Elementary and middle school students alike were touched
by Rachel’s hope for a more loving community, so they have formed a
“Friends of Rachel Club” that works to put her words into action. Every
week for the year, the school will be presented with a challenge that will
help unify the student body. As students enact the challenges, their names will be written on strips of paper and added to a
paper chain. By the end of the year, the Friends of Rachel Club hopes to wrap this chain around the entire school! More
importantly, the hope is that each link inspires yet another act of kindness so that the chain reaction never ceases to ripple.
Sports Update
The Game Day Gala
held this fall stayed right on
point with the college football sports
theme. With a tailgating trailer and games,
college pennants lining auction tables, game day
inspired grub and a casual feel, our co-chairs Anne Davis
and Victoria Forkner left no fan sulking! The auction gala was held
on campus this year, which contributed to a community feel among our
families and friends. Guests donned their various alma mater’s colors with pride,
but the unanimous love for our burgundy and blue brought everyone together in support
and fellowship for St. John Paul II!
The hard work and effort of our athletes truly paid off this fall! Our Football
team had an undefeated season and played in the GHCAA Championship
Game, but unfortunately lost in a tough battle against St. Vincent de
Paul in the Finals. Our Soccer team made it to the playoffs for the 13th year in a row!
With hearts set on another Championship title while half of the team was in
D.C., 7th graders stepped up to fill their cleats. Sadly, the team lost 4-3
in a shoot-out in the quarterfinals. Both volleyball teams had a
great season. Varsity made it to the GHCAA Semi-finals! Our Cross
Country team participated in the Championship Meet
hosted by St. Laurence in Sugar Land. The boys placed
4th and girls took 5th. We look forward to a
Spring Season of new sports that will
bring about the chance to build
character and skills through
some losses but many
more wins!
ATM
LSU
Texas
BAYLOR
TT
ND
Gators
A
ALABAMA
UH
PennState
VIRGINIA
OU
SOONERS
Aggies

3. 16th Annual Lauren Lockard Memorial
Run with the Saints 5K
Alumni, friends, families, students and staff joined togeth-
er in support of the Lockard family, the school and the Childhood
Brain Tumor Foundation for the 16th annual race. The Lockards
greatly impacted St. John Paul II, with Lauren being a stand-out
student, and her mother, Marty Lockard, a wonderful teacher for
years. It was a tragic time for the community when Lauren lost her
brave fight against cancer in the fifth grade, but her family and
her legacy have inspired thousands to support cancer research
and our school through the annual Run with the Saints event.
This year, close to 600 runners registered for the 5K,
more than 100 children ran the Kids K, and we received many
donations from individuals and businesses. Overall, the proceeds
exceeded twelve thousand dollars, half of which benefit the
Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation and the rest used for the St.
John Paul II athletic program.
Bernie Weber, a volunteer for the race every year
since its beginning, headed the committee this fall, with numerous
alumni, staff members and supporters assisting him in the effort. In
the brisk air, All Saints Day 2014 provided a beautiful environ-
ment for our runners and volunteers to remember the saint gone
before us. Lauren will continue to be an inspiration for years to
come.
Race Champions:
 Female Overall — Chloe Campo
 Male Overall — John Yoder
 Female Masters — Rebecca Marvil
 Male Masters — Alan Mut
Philip Chbeeb ‘03, a contestant on the fourth
season of So You Think You Can Dance and
featured in the Step Up movies, is most
recently the lead dancer in an Ed Sheeran
music video of 2014!
Joseph Drewes ‘10 is playing trombone in
the UT Marching Band. In Mrs. Drewes’ words,
“I hope every parent gets a chance to see
their child this happy.”
MaryAnn England ‘11 is Royalty! She was
crowned Homecoming Queen of St. John XXIII
College Preparatory this fall. MaryAnn is
hoping to stay in Texas for college, with her
sights set on UT in Austin.
Mary Kimmitt ‘03 passed the Bar exam this
Fall. She has been working as an associate
for Alliant Group, and now steps into the
office as a full-fledged lawyer!
Frank Lara ‘10 was the Texas State
Champion cross country runner this fall. Lara
runs for UIL Division 5 which includes the
largest schools in the area! Are the Olympics
perhaps on the horizon?
Charlotte Stevens ‘11 walked the runway at
New York Fashion week this fall for Czar,
Houston-based designer Cesar Galindo’s fall
collection.
Jared Hengst ‘98 And David McJunkin ‘98
biked from Canada to Mexico over the sum-
mer, an adventure lasting nearly two months.
(And not without a visit from a bear!)
Lauren Lockard

4. The first alum to return this newsletter with the completed questionnaire AND crossword puzzle (page 1) will receive a $25 gift card!!
We would like to acknowledge the Albert
and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation
for their generous grant of $5,000 last
spring. This donation helped fund the St.
John Paul II Robotics Team's trip to San
Diego for the National Championship in
Legoland, CA. The Foundation's support of
our programs is greatly appreciated!
The Herzstein Foundation Sends our Students to New Heights!
Interested in Admissions for the
2015-2016 School Year?
Contact admissions@jp2.org or visit www.jp2.org
for details.
Friday, April 17th
Community Dinner on the SJPII Fischer
Pavilion
Mark your calendars now and plan on joining
your friends for an evening of fun, family and
fellowship!
SAVE THE DATE!