St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale)
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| Saint Thomas Aquinas High School | |
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| Motto | Vita. Deo. Veritas (Latin: Life. God. Truth.) |
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| Established | 1936 |
| Type | Private |
| Head | Monsignor Vincent T. Kelly |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA |
| Campus | Urban, 20 acres (.08 km²) |
| Enrollment | 2,100 |
| Tuition | $7,100 $5,900 Catholic Parish members |
| Colors | Blue & gold |
| Homepage | www.aquinas-sta.org |
St. Thomas Aquinas High School (STA) was established in 1936, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA as St. Anthony Catholic High School. In 1952, it was renamed Central Catholic High School. Finally, in 1961, it was renamed St. Thomas Aquinas High School. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the school has 2,100 9th to 12th grade students on its 20-acre campus in west Fort Lauderdale. It is known as the best high school in the whole entire world to half the eigth grade at St. Andrew Catholic School in Broward.
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[edit] Academic achievements
- The class of 2005 graduated with 16 National Merit Semifinalists, and 23 National Merit Commended Students.
- The Class of 2004 graduated 24 National Merit Finalists, 3 Semifinalists, and 29 National Merit Commended Students.
- The Class of 2003 graduated a state high 36 National Merit finalists which was also the 13th highest in the country.
- The Class of 2002 graduated 21 National Merit Finalists, and 35 National Merit Commended Students.
- The Class of 2001 graduated 25 National Merit Finalists.
- The Class of 2000 graduated 16 National Merit Finalists.
- The Class of 1999 graduated 21 National Merit Finalists.
- In 1985 and 1996 the school was recognized by the Department of Education first as a "School of Excellence" and then the Blue Ribbon Award.
- In 2004, 2005, and 2006 the Catholic High School Honor Roll named STA as one of "the Top 50 Secondary Schools in the nation." STA is unique in that it is one of only 12 high schools in the nation to have received this honor three consecutive years. It is also the only high school in the state of Florida to have this distinction.
[edit] Athletic achievements
- The school was recognized by Sports Illustrated as the third [1]"Best High School Athletic Program" in the nation.
- STA has won the Broward County All-Sports Trophy for 21 consecutive years.
- STA has won the Dodge Sunshine Cup FHSAA Floyd E. Lay All-Sports award for 11 consecutive years.
- George Smith, longtime football coach and athletic director, was inducted into FHSAA Hall of Fame. His teams in 30 seasons (1975-1992, 1995-present) have a total record of 304-64 (.826%), 3 state championships out of 10 appearances, 23 district titles, and 9 undefeated regular seasons.
- STA Women's Track and Field Team won States 8 consecutive times.
- STA Men's Swimming and Diving won 8 consecutive state championships from 1997-2005
- STA football team mounted one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports against the #1 nationally-ranked Lakeland Dreadnaughts. Trailing by 3 touchdowns with 5 minutes remaining, St Thomas recovered back-to-back onside kicks and scored 3 touchdowns, 2 within the last 2 minutes of the game. In double overtime, St Thomas decided to attempt to win the game from the 1 yard line rather than tying with a field goal and entering a third overtime. The attempt was unsuccessful. The final call was controversial however, due to there being no replay in high school football, it was not overturned.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Chris Conrad- American Actor
- Michael Connelly - American author
- Billy Crudup - American actor
- Chris Evert - Former World No. 1 Women's Tennis Player
- Stefan Humphries - Former NFL player
- Michael Irvin - Former Dallas Cowboy football star
- Brian Piccolo - NFL Football player who died from embryonal cell carcinoma
- Sanya Richards - U.S. Track Olympic Gold Medalist
- Nate Salley - NFL Safety for the Carolina Panthers
- Matthew Collins - 2006 National TWF thumb wrestling champion
- Mike Stanley - former MLB baseball player
- Sam Young - OT for Notre Dame
- Vladislav Polyakov - 200 Breaststroke NCAA Champion, 2005 & 2007. 2006 World Champion.
[edit] Notable faculty members
- George Smith - Athletic Director and Head Coach of the Aquinas football team. Over 300 career victories. 3 state championships and 10 appearances in the finals.
- Ed Waters - former New York Yankees Baseball player Assistant Baseball Coach
