St. Thomas Aquinas has done it once again. On March 31, the school won the Spring Vocabulary Bowl, marking its sixth consecutive victory. For the past three years, no other school in the country has been able to surpass STA in mastering new vocabulary. The Vocabulary Bowl is a major national competition hosted by Vocabulary.com, where more than 50,000 schools compete for the top spot. Because STA has over 1,000 students, the school competes in Division I against some of the largest schools in the nation.
The Spring Vocabulary Bowl lasted nearly two months, during which students worked tirelessly to maintain the school’s winning streak. While every student who practiced contributed to the victory, STA’s English teachers played a major role in motivating and guiding students throughout the competition. This year, six STA teachers ranked among the top 20 teachers in the nation:
Ms. Amy Shaak
Ms. Desiree Pezzoti
Ms. Bianca Marcellus
Ms. Misty Tabon
Ms. Darth McCarron
Ms. Carolina Thompson
Ms. Thompson explained that the competition represents more than just another trophy for the school. “The true catalyst for growth in reading, writing, and even public speaking is vocabulary acquisition,” she said. “When students master a robust vocabulary, they gain the tools needed to build better sentences, understand difficult texts, and speak with confidence. By focusing on language, we aren’t just teaching English; we are giving students the ability to excel in every classroom on campus.”
Although many students may think vocabulary is important only in English class, STA’s “STA Writes” program demonstrates how language skills impact every subject and everyday life. Whether students are solving a word problem in math, analyzing a historical document, or simply having a conversation outside of school, understanding language is essential for success. Winning the Vocabulary Bowl highlights the determination of STA students and their willingness to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
This sixth consecutive victory is not only a reflection of the school’s competitive spirit, but also of its commitment to excellence in all areas. At STA, students strive to succeed both academically and athletically. As Ms. Thompson said, “Ultimately, our success in any arena, be it the Vocabulary Bowl or a national championship, stems from our competitive spirit and our commitment to putting faith first, knowing that when our spiritual foundation is solid, everything else follows.”
Once again, St. Thomas Aquinas has shown the nation what it truly means to be a Raider.
