As we continue our celebration of Lakewood Catholic Academy’s 20th Anniversary, we share reflections from some faculty and staff members who have been with LCA since its founding in 2005. Each one of these LCA Saints remains a vibrant and important part of our staff today!
Kim Arrighi and Mary Martin, Middle School
“Kim and I met for the first time to discuss and upcoming field trip with our then fifth grade classes from St. Luke and St. James schools the year before the merger. This trip would be an overnight, two-day adventure! It would allow the classes to get to know each other before becoming classmates the following year. It was a great start to our new adventure, which continues today!”
Beth Conaway, First Grade
“One of my favorite memories is more of a tradition. First and eighth grade students are buddied up and I just love to see how those friendships begin and grow. I buddy them up, so I have a vested interest in how the partners work out. It is so sweet to see them hugging in the hallways, or how excited both the eighth grader and the first graders are to see each other each time we meet up. On the last day of school for eighth grade, each first grader chalks a block down the front sidewalk with their buddy’s name and some good luck wishes for them to see as they are clapped out one last time. I have seen so many parents taking pictures of those blocks. We also go on an end-of-the-year field trip together and that is always a fun time. It shows that friendship has no age limit!
I also love the tradition of the first day of school — the excitement and newness of it all!
I have lots of memories of sweating it out that first summer in 2005 as we tried to navigate through! I attended St. Augustine Academy and the classroom I was assigned (room 216) once we became LCA was the classroom of my most dreaded class in high school! There was a large floor to ceiling pole in the middle of the room until almost the first day of school and I had no desks! I was determined to make new, happy memories in this classroom, and luckily I have!”
Jennifer Komar, First Grade
“My favorite LCA memory is when we used to go to Whispering Pines Tree Farm in West Farmington. It was such a beautiful farm, and we always had the most amazing day together. I love working at LCA because my co-workers make our school feel like a family. I also love our LCA families. It is always so much fun to connect with families of students I’ve had in the past.”
Sheri Masterson, Third Grade
“When Lakewood Catholic Academy opened 20 years ago, I did not know what to expect. Nobody did. We were combining so much from three other schools — faculty and staff, students, furniture and decor, lessons and traditions. Being a part of LCA’s beginning and still holding strong is one of the best feelings and accomplishments for me.
These 20 years have just flown, and I have seen so much happen, and each year got even better, with so many memories! I am so proud of Lakewood Catholic Academy, and could not even imagine myself teaching anywhere else.”
Leah Nagy, Fourth Grade
“LCA has been my home for the past 20 years! When LCA came into existence, I remember being the youngest and newest teacher on the block. I was so excited for my first-ever teaching job, and was welcomed with open arms by the amazing veteran teachers I now call family and friends. I have such fond memories of leading dance parties during Catholic Schools Week, planning fun faculty outings, and traveling with students around the world and back. I have loved watching LCA grow and change over these past two decades. The energy, creativity, and faith-formation created at LCA cannot be compared to anything else, and I am so proud to be part of this amazing tradition. The memories and experiences I have had and shared will be cherished always. I am so grateful for this amazing community and all the love and support they have provided to me and my colleagues for the past 20 years. I look forward to the years ahead and the amazing things LCA has in store for the teachers, students, and families. Happy 20th LCA!”
Gretchen Petty, P.E. and Health (Partially Retired in 2024)
“As the P.E/Health teacher, I had the pleasure of getting to know so many students through the years. Having them for so many years back-to-back gave me the opportunity to get to know them well and watch them grow, which made it feel like family. I have too many wonderful memories to pick just one as my favorite. Seeing the joy on students’ faces after an activity in gym class or a project in health class has been so heartwarming. The letters and cards I’ve received since announcing my partial retirement filled my heart with more love than I would’ve ever thought possible.”
Congratulations to the following teachers and staff members on their 20 years if service to LCA!
- Beth Conaway
- Kim Arrighi
- Karen Burke
- Sheri Masterson
- Mary Martin
- Gretchen Petty
- Leah Nagy
- Jen Komar
- Kathy O’Toole (not pictured)
