Austin Preparatory, Class of 2009

Class Information

Number of seniors: 109

Class officers: Eddie Fothergill, president; Kevin Cronan, vice president; John DeMichaelis, secretary; Katie Garland, public relations

Valedictorian: Timothy MacKenzie

Salutatorian:Mary Bidgood

Class advisor: Doreen Fuller

Prom: Saturday, May 16, at the Westin, Waltham

Class gift: New trophy cases

Class trip: Six Flags New England

Other special senior activities: Baccalaureate Mass: Friday, May 29, at 4 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Facility. Homilist: The Rev. James Flavin. Theme: Using our gifts from the Holy Spirit in Service to Others.

Class Memories

• During our time at Austin, one of our favorite events happened during the winter sports season our sophomore year. Despite good seasons by the girls and boys basketball teams, the ski team, the swim team and the winter track team, the success of both the boys and girls ice hockey teams is what drew fans' attention. As tournament time neared, the hype around the two teams began to rise. The girls had easily qualified for the state tournament and the boys were able to clinch a berth in the Super Eight with a win over Woburn in a shootout. The boys went 2-1 in the round robin play and earned a semifinal game against Weymouth while the girls team earned a spot in the state championship. Both teams were playing in front of a packed Harvard Arena and despite falling to their opponents, the success of both teams brought great school spirit to Austin. This event was a favorite because of the camaraderie at Austin and the support that both students and faculty showed for our student athletes.

• The Class of 2009 is the last remaining class to have been at Austin for "Fire Day." In 2003, during our sixth grade year, a fire started in the second floor boys' bathroom during first period. The school was immediately evacuated and all students were sent to the Multi-Purpose Facility. We remained there for most of the day while the Reading Fire Department put out the fire and investigated its cause. The faculty did their best to keep the students entertained, mostly with impromptu games of volleyball. The majority of the morning was spent with the girls varsity volleyball team taking on the boys and girls soccer teams, boys football and others. Even the sixth and seventh grades got a chance to play each other. Luckily, the fire had not spread throughout the rest of the school, and we were allowed to return to school towards the end of the day to eat lunch. We were able to have class the very next day. Firefighters said that the fire had originated in a trash barrel, and it is still not known how it started. Still, Fire Day will not soon be forgotten by anyone who experienced it.

• One of the class of 2009's favorite school memories was tailgating before the football games throughout our high school career. We set up a tent and brought a grill and a cooler to enjoy the fall days together. We always had music to listen to and had a great time. Then we would all go sit in the end zone to cheer on Austin Prep. At the end of the game, the celebrations would continue in the parking lot under the tent, with players joining in. It was a chance for everyone to be together and have fun enjoying great food. The fall seasons will never be forgotten.

Congratulations Class of 2009