Alumni

What year did you graduate from St. Ann?  2003

Tell us about your career - What company do you work for, what is your role, and how did you and your company contribute to the St. Ann Summer renovation project?

I am a Project Manager for our Charlotte Choate Construction office. We managed the summer renovation project from initial design through to completion. We collaborated closely with the design team during preconstruction to assist with specifying and detailing the new finishes within the renovation streamlining installations to meet

the schedule. Early coordination with manufacturers and trade partners allowed equipment and finishes to be released and fabricated prior to starting on site. A 10-week timeframe is extremely challenging given the scope and the 70-year-old structure contains its own set of secrets that can only be found after demolition is completed. Working with the design team and our trade partners we attacked any obstacles with a positive and collaborative mindset to find solutions. Understanding that hours and minutes are needed to provide solutions during construction, being proactive in finding any potential conflicts ahead of time allowed our team to complete the renovation ahead of schedule.

What was the most rewarding part of giving back to your alma mater?

Knowing all the hard work and long hours that went into this renovation will have positive impacts for future generations to come. The school has been around for 70-years and working just a short timeframe to extend it another 70-years is a tremendous reward itself.

How did your time at St. Ann shape who you are today?

First, lifelong friends, I keep in touch with my classmates and found my best friend from Mrs. Ford’s 3rd grade class. We have been friends since, through Charlotte Catholic, college, and now curious if our children will maintain the same friendship at St. Ann in years to come. St. Ann teaches you compassion and kindness, which I have carried with me through life and into my career, I still see that today when walking the hallways. This is probably why you leave with such great friends whom you can always trust and know they are there.

Do you have a favorite memory or tradition from your time at St. Ann?

There are a lot of fond memories from St. Ann. The one reoccurring memory is field day, walking across the street each year to the open field with all my classmates was always an exciting time. The efforts from teachers, staff, and parents who all helped put it together should feel proud a student is remembering it so many years later.

If you could describe St. Ann in one word, what would it be?  Family

What advice would you give to other alumni or companies considering supporting St. Ann?

Consider supporting at any capacity possible given your means, volunteer your time or providing donations. There is a forever need to always enhance the learning environment for future students that will have an impact on this world.

Which teachers or staff members do you remember most from your time at St. Ann, and why?

So many.. Sister Helene Nagle was our principal and a wonderful woman, Mrs. Buening would always take care of you when sick or have a band aid ready from recess on the blacktop. Mrs. Rebol would always make you a peanut butter sandwich no matter how many times you left your lunch at home, which was a lot.. and Mr. Gabe always had a smile on his face and a very high, high five that needed a running start. I remember all my teachers as each of them had their own impact on my life and learning and I will always be forever grateful.