October Mustangs of the Month
Every month, St. Rita of Cascia High School honors one student from each class as the Mustang of the Month. For a student to be nominated by a faculty or staff member for the Mustang of the Month Award, he must excel or stand out in at least two of the following areas: academics, activities, athletics, spirituality, or community service. Nominees for Mustang of the Month are those students who are vital elements to St. Rita of Cascia High School and whose efforts, accomplishments, and contributions to our community sometimes go unnoticed.
Freshman: Bryant Lowe
The Ritaman from the Class of 2029 chosen to be our October Mustang of the Month is Bryant Lowe. Bryant is a graduate and member of the St. Agnes Parish community.
Bryant is a Ritaman full of perseverance and has started strong here at St. Rita. In the classroom, he has been hardworking and has stood out amongst his teachers. Bryant has also gotten very involved in various student activities. He is a member of the fishing, cooking, and Spanish clubs. Bryant loves learning and trying new things, which is why he wants to try various sports and other activities throughout his time in high school. Bryant’s favorite memory so far at St. Rita has been meeting his new Rita brothers.
In his nomination, a faculty member stated, “Bryant has been a standout Ritaman in both the classroom and in the community. Bryant puts forth his best effort and is excited about his learning. It has been great to see him hit the ground running.”
When Bryant reflected on his time thus far at St. Rita, he said, “My time here at St. Rita has been one of the best experiences that I have ever had. The school itself makes me feel like I belong to something bigger than just myself; it makes me feel like I am part of a new family.”
Congratulations, Bryant!
Sophomore: Drago Sutalo
The member of the Class of 2028 chosen as our October Sophomore Mustang of the Month is Drago Sutalo. Drago is a graduate and member of the St. Barnabas Parish Community.
Drago is a successful and involved Ritaman who achieved a Heeney Award (Straight A’s) last semester and earned Superior Honors (4.4+ GPA) this past year. Drago is a member of the swimming, water polo, and cross country teams. This summer, Drago and his water polo team finished 6th in the Junior Olympics. Outside of athletics, he is also involved in scholastic bowl and the cooking club. His favorite memory at St Rita thus far was the freshman overnight.
In his nomination, a St. Rita faculty member is quoted as saying: “Drago deserves recognition for his genuine curiosity, active participation, and respectful collaboration with classmates. His enthusiasm for learning and his strong work ethic make him a standout student who truly enjoys learning.”
When asked to speak about his experience as a Ritaman, Drago said, “My time here has been both wonderful and impactful. I’ve met many people who’ve had a positive influence on me, and St. Rita has taught me important lessons and skills I’ll carry for life. I’m proud to call myself a Ritaman.”
Congratulations, Drago!
Junior: Patrick Donnelly
Representing the Class of 2027 as our October Junior Mustang of the Month is Patrick Donnelly. Pat is a graduate of Central Middle School and a member of Most Holy Redeemer Parish.
Pat is a very friendly and hardworking Ritaman who has been successful both in and out of the classroom. Last semester, he earned Honors (4.0-4.19 GPA) and continues to challenge himself in the classroom. Pat holds a leadership role in our Spanish club, and a member of Caritas club, ABC, Big Brothers, and also works with Campus Ministry. Pat is a member of the Lacrosse program and likes to play guitar and create music outside of school. His favorite memory at St. Rita was creating an altar for the Day of the Dead celebration in Spanish class.
A faculty member spoke of him, saying, "Patrick loves being a student here at St. Rita. He goes above and beyond in the classroom and with other things he is involved in. From sports, campus ministry, and other activities, he really has been an integral part of his class.”
Pat spoke of his experience as a Ritaman, saying, “My time at St Rita is flying by, and I have learned that all dreams come true if you pursue them. My dream was to come to St Rita, and I was able to achieve it. I work hard every day because I appreciate the opportunity I was given and I don’t take it for granted.”
Congratulations, Pat!
Senior: Aidan Partacz
Representing the Class of 2026 as our October Senior Mustang of the Month is Aidan Partacz. Aidan is a graduate and member of the St. George Parish community.
Aidan is a skilled and ambitious Ritaman who has excelled throughout his time at St. Rita. Academically, Aidan has achieved High Honors (4.2-4.39 GPA) and a Heeney Award (Straight A’s) throughout his last six semesters. Aidan is a member of the baseball team as well as plays eight different instruments in both the Pep and Jazz Bands. He is also a member of the Scholastic Bowl team, The Natir, and was a leader on the last Kairos Retreat. Aidan’s favorite class at St. Rita has been his Morality class, where he learned many things that he now will use in his everyday life. After graduation, Aidan plans to study meteorology in college.
A faculty member who nominated Aidan spoke of him, saying, “Aidan has truly embodied the St. Rita spirit, excelling as a student, athlete, and musician while leading with dedication, respect, and passion. His talent, commitment, and school pride make him a shining example of what it means to be a Mustang.”
Speaking about his experience at St. Rita, Aidan said, “I have been able to grow bonds with people I have never met before coming to St. Rita that will last long after high school. My experience at St. Rita is something I will never forget.”
Congratulations, Aidan!
