Our Old Boys

Matthew Manis (‘22) is ranked the #2 left-handed pitcher in Texas and #12 nationally. The Memorial High School Mustang’s season has just begun and the team is ranked the #2 6A team Texas. Congrats, Matthew and good luck moving forward!

Honorary Old Boy, Roman Ochoa (‘17) is in his final year at West Point, studying Mechanical Engineering. He is among a small group of a dozen Western boys deserving of this title. He had a visit from his coaches and wrestlers from high school at West Point in February.

Marco Nino (’16) popped in for a visit recently, after finishing his degree from Yale University in December. While at Western, Marco was one of the best Poet Bards ever, winning all three Festival Day competitions in his 8th grade year. We also dug up some of Marco’s fun comments he made in 2016.

The Pigskin Classic this year was, one of the best ever. Eight teams including a Faculty Team, a Dads' Team and five Class teams played it off this year. The Class of 2021 came out on top against the "College & Beyond Consortium" (Classes 2012-19), to capture the win.

Frederick Ruppert (‘22) organized other fellow Scouts to accomplish what turned out to be a Herculean task - to clean out the Bayou at Woodland Park.

We welcome two babies born to “old boys” from our first two graduating classes. Congrats to the O’Bar and Heffernan families and their wonderful parents!

John Hebert (‘22) has an amazing season at Running Back this year, ending the regular season as the #1 high school yard-rusher in Texas, and #7 in the nation.

Strake Jesuit awards three Old Boys of the Class of 2021 with academic honors for the year. They are Henry Omanga, Matthew Parker and Mateu Orendain.

Matthew Parmenter ('21) has qualified as a National Merit semi-finalist this year, as a senior at St. John XXIII College Prep.

Ian Riches ('21) obtained an internship this summer at the City of Houston’s Urban Planning Department, the only high school student to intern there this year.

On June 27, Brant Banks (‘15) married Madi Kubik. Both are college athletes, Brant playing his final year at Rice U this year, after playing at U of Nebraska. Madi is a professional volleyball player.

For a week in August, Rowan Bishop (‘21) visited a mountainous area in Guatemala. While there, he was “blessed to witness the devotion the people have to Christ and to His Church.”

In August, Matthew Parker (‘21) will swim as part of a relay team to cross the 20-mile distance between Catalina Island to mainland California.

On July 1, in a packed church, we celebrated the funeral for “J J” Furnace (‘17) who passed away ten days ago. A passionate athlete and member of House of the Water. Rest In Peace, J J!

In June, Alex Malanga (‘20) qualified for both US Jr Amateur golf tournament in July and for first stage of the US Amateur tournament in August. Congrats young man!

On June 1, Chris Gosselin (‘12) married Christie Viktorin in a beautiful wedding in the parish church in Wharton, TX. The ceremony was attended by many Western families, and six of Chris’ Western classmates served as groomsmen.

A group of 2020 Graduates created a tabletop with their College logos surrounding WA Coat of Arms and House shields.

On May 25, Luke Pelletier (‘13, Green) married Madeline Narduzzi in New Jersey. Luke’s parents, Claire and Mark Pelletier were among Founding Families at Western in 2010. Congrats to the newlyweds!

Matthew Manis (‘22) tears it up on the mound in his Sophomore year for the Memorial Mustangs! Congrats to Matthew for a great year!

On Thursday, May 23, 46 Western 8th graders and their families gathered in the Barn to celebrate Western’s 13th Baccalaureate Mass & Graduation.

Congrats to Edward Bocock (‘21) for contributing in a big way to lead St. Thomas High School to the TAPPS 6A State Track Championship in May. In addition, Edward won an Academic Award earlier in the year.

Alessandro Directo (‘20) was named Salutatorian at Strake Jesuit and addressed his classmates and faculty at graduation on May 25. Congrats to Alessandro and Carol and Angelo Directo for this accomplishment!

Rafael Bello (‘13) was our first graduate of several to get married this summer. The wedding was like a Western family reunion! Carmen and Frank Bello, Rafa’s parents were important among founding families at the beginning of Western Academy.

JP Webber (‘20) was awarded the Todd Maddox Award at Strake Jesuit, voted on by his classmates, faculty and staff.

Two Old Boys studying at St. Martin’s Academy in rural Kansas are playing rugby there. Jonah Aycock (‘20) plays on the Varsity Team that just won the Kansas State Rugby Championship!

Graduates of this year’s high school graduates (WA 2020) report that they will be attending 23 colleges of a great variety. It’s great to keep track of our boys as they move on in their careers and education.

25 members of Western’s Class of 2020 attended Founding Roots Dinner this year on April 27. Taylor DeJarnette (‘20) gave a rollicking speech remembering his days at school.

Old Boys and dads turned up to face faculty teams at a March madness inspired basketball tourney on April 13. One of the Old Boys’ teams beat out one of the Faculty teams in a tight game (24-20) to come up on top.

In February, Kyle Smith (‘12) and wife Erin, welcomed Margaret Anne into the world. Kyle was the second Western grad to marry and the third to have a child so far, congrats to Kyle and Erin!

Joseph Cosgray (‘17) began working on cattle ranching while in high school. Nowadays, Cosgray Farms has expanded and provides grass-fed beef nationwide.