By Brooke Joly
Moreau Catholic High School is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, marking six decades of tradition, growth, and community.
Founded in 1965 as an all-boys school, Moreau became coeducational in 1969. Since then, generations of students have passed through its halls, and many have returned as faculty and staff. Alumni now working at Moreau include Colleen Galloway (1977), Theresa Doty (1978), Paul McKenna (1983), David Baptist (1985), Shannon Bubar (1995), Christine Chan (1994), Patrick Alparone (2000), Ben Greenbaum (2000), James Hannon (2002), Kristin Hannon (2002), Paul Triplett (2002), Jessica Guidotti (2004), Tommy Abdenour (2008), Katie Greenbaum (2008), Stephanie Aponte (2013), Micheal Pacheco (2013), Kristie Alejo (2015), Robert Aceret (2018), Megha Sharma (2018), and Justin Firmeza (2020).
“I’m very proud that we’re celebrating this special anniversary this year,” said Kristin Hannon, class of 2002, Moreau alumna, and current Assistant Principal of Instruction. “I come from a family with a lot of connections to Moreau. Several of my aunts and uncles graduated in the ’70s, I attended along with my siblings and cousins in the 2000s, and now I’ve worked here for eight years. I’m also married to an alum with deep Moreau ties. We’re proud of the way Moreau has grown and of all the students who continue to make this community strong.”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’02
Many alumni have their own special stories that make us students wonder: What was Moreau like back then? Several Moreau faculty and staff shared stories that capture the memorable moments of their high school experiences:
Counseling assistant Theresa Doty, class of 1978, reminisced about her senior year Spirit Week:
“Spirit Week, my senior year was unforgettable! The finale was Queen’s ‘We Are the Champions,’ and everyone was going absolutely nuts. The energy was electric, and one of my friends even showed up wearing the same outfit as Freddie Mercury. It was such an exciting moment to be a part of.”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’78
Social studies teacher David Baptist, class of 1985, recalls a moment that perfectly captures the quirks of Moreau classrooms in the ’80s.
“I had Sophomore English with Mr. Showers in G21, Ms. Wainwright’s room, fall of 1983. We sat at individual desks—no tables back then. Paul Burchfield sat across from me near a narrow window facing Mission Blvd.
The fashionable shoe of the era was Sperry Topsiders—slip-ons that were easy to slide on and off. Paul, apparently inspired by this, slid one of his shoes off during a vocab quiz. Showers, who was kind of a lunatic in the best way, walked over, picked up the shoe, and dropped it out the second-story Garin window.
Paul couldn’t leave the room and got a dress code detention. The next day, Showers proudly announced the class did well—except for one student who got half off. Years later, when I told Showers the story, he said, ‘THAT!!??!! THAT’S what you remember from my class?’ Steve Showers is my Spirit Animal.”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’85
Physical education teacher Shannon Bubar, class of 1995, shared:
“My favorite high school memory is between winning Spirit Week my freshman year (Frosh in Sherwood Forest) and being a part of the MCHS basketball program when we won state. The JV team went undefeated in my freshman and sophomore years, and I received an all-tournament award. Coach Rubio was the best coach. He taught us about hard work, discipline, and ‘love of the game’ through patience and persistence. #MarinerPride”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’95
Theology teacher James Hannon, class of 2002, takes us back to one unforgettable night under the prom lights.
He shared:
“If I had to think of my favorite high school memory, it would be the evening of Prom. On the way there, there were about 12 of us piled into a limo, and we were talking, laughing, and singing. I was blessed to have my future wife as my date, and we enjoyed the whole dance. Afterwards, all of my friends went to an after-party at my buddy’s house, where we watched movies and kept the fun going. It was a magical night!”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’02
Theology teacher and Assistant Campus Minister Paul Triplett, class of 2002, reflected on one of his favorite high school memories:
“My favorite high school memory would be my social studies teacher, the late Mr. Jim Gade. I had him for World History as a freshman and Government as a senior. I remember how he’d roll across the classroom in his chair, always joking and laughing with students. He made the class such a fun, safe environment—and I was definitely a teacher’s pet, always raising my hand to answer questions. He really made Moreau feel welcoming and helped me fall in love with history.”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’02
When asked about her favorite high school memory, Student Life and Activities Coordinator Kristie Alejo, class of 2015, wrote:
“Retreats as a CMT member and all of the long nights planning and bonding with my fellow CMT members were the highlight of my senior year. We had gotten so close as a class and as friends that we still talk to this day. We even played a prank on Ms. Tabora for her birthday, which you can ask her what we did on a later time and date. My time on the volleyball team, starting as a captain my sophomore year, taught me so many leadership skills as a young adult. Our team bonding was a sleepover in Garin, and we did a full game of hide and seek throughout the field.”
Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff ’15
As the school celebrates its 60th year, the theme of “being family” rings especially true. With so many alumni returning to teach and lead, Moreau continues to honor its past while shaping its future. This anniversary is not only a time to honor the past but also to celebrate the generations still to come who will continue to build on the foundation laid in 1965.
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