As a proud alumnus of Saint Patrick High School, Dave Kumiega ’90, always knew he wanted his sons, Nathan and Braden, to follow in his footsteps. He also knew it was ultimately their decision to make. Fortunately, both came to the conclusion on their own that St. Pat’s was the place they wanted to be.
Here is why the Kumiega family chose Saint Patrick High School in their own words.
Both our boys saw for themselves (with maybe a little influence from dad) that St. Pat’s was the school they wanted to be at. After attending Open House and Shadow Days, each of them felt instantly St. Pat’s was where they belong. Our oldest son, Nathan, is in his senior year and our youngest, Braden, is a sophomore and we can honestly say there has never been a time we didn’t feel they made the right decision. Even through any adversity they may have experienced, we’ve always known they were exactly where they were meant to be.
As an alum, I wanted my sons to attend St. Pat’s because I knew it was a place where they would learn there are consequences for their behavior. Not only that but they’d make lifelong friends with boys from families with similar values and would receive a quality education. Fortunately, that’s exactly what has happened. Both get good grades and each have a core group of friends we feel good knowing they will be close with for many years to come.
Nathan’s involvement in extracurricular activities, particularly football, and the overall camaraderie at St. Pat’s, has helped him gain confidence in himself. He’s worked hard and it’s nice to see it paying off his senior year. Head Football Coach Adam Guerra pushed Nathan to stay with the program and we’re grateful he did. It’s built him up as a man. He’s learned responsibility and to follow through with things which has prepared him for college and adulthood and the additional responsibilities that come along with it.
Braden, who knew from an early age he wanted to attend St. Pat’s and continue the family legacy, has always been personable but is even more comfortable expressing himself and his opinions since attending St. Pat’s. He’s developed more than the traditional teacher-student relationship with many of the faculty and is able to hold meaningful, intelligent conversations with anyone he meets.
Another thing that makes us proud to be at St. Pat’s is the way the school supports First Responder and Legacy families. We are very fortunate to qualify for these scholarships, as well as those given based on academic achievement, that make it easier for us to send our kids to Catholic school.
Being at St. Pat’s as an alum and knowing a lot of people in the school, I feel like my boys know to “Do the right thing.” They would never do anything to jeopardize the family, their individual or St. Pat’s pride.
I would tell prospective families to come out, see the school and talk with current students, families, recent alumni and parents who are alums with kids at the school. They’ll give you a different perspective and help you determine for yourself, as our boys did, what a special place St. Pat’s is for all who have and will attend.
To learn more about Saint Patrick High School, visit us at our Fall Open Houses on Thursday, October 24 and Thursday, November 14 from 6-8 pm. There are also opportunities to be a Shamrock for a Day by scheduling a Shadow Day.
To read more Why I Chose Saint Patrick stories from current Shamrock families, go to: Why I Chose Saint Patrick and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
