September Mustangs of the Month

Each month St. Rita of Cascia High School honors one student from each class to be 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 projects or programs. Nominees for Mustang of the Month are those students who are vital elements to what St. Rita of Cascia High School is all about and whose efforts, accomplishments and contributions to our community sometimes go unnoticed.

Senior: Enrique Fuentes-Alcala

Representing the Class of 2023 as our September Senior Mustang of the Month is Enrique Fuentes-Alcala. Enrique graduated from St. Mary Star of the Sea School and is a member of the St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish community.

Enrique is a very high achieving student in the classroom, earning High Honors (4.2-4.39 GPA) last semester. Enrique is a member of the Varsity Soccer Team, Big Brothers, Spanish Club Leadership Council, and Chess Club. He also volunteers at the Boys Club when not at St. Rita.

A faculty member who nominated Enrique, spoke of him saying, “Enrique has come a long way in his St. Rita career. This year especially you can tell how much he loves going to school here. He always has a positive attitude and tries his hardest in his classes. He goes out of his way to talk to current and past teachers, and he has also stepped up in his role as a big brother to mentor the freshmen.”

Speaking about his experience as a Ritaman, Enrique said, “I have loved my experience here at St. Rita so far, I love my friends and classmates. I couldn’t imagine being at any other school. Our memories here seem short and my time here has flown by, I remember freshman orientation like it was yesterday!”

Congratulations Enrique!

Junior: Nolan O’Malley

Representing the Class of 2024 as our September Junior Mustang of the Month is Nolan O’Malley. Nolan attended St. Christina School and is also a member of St. Christina Parish.

Nolan is an accomplished student-athlete at St. Rita. He not only works hard in the classroom but is the goalie of the Varsity Lacrosse Team and plays defense for the Varsity Hockey Team. As an All-State hockey player and All-Catholic League lacrosse goalie, Nolan hopes to become a team captain. Nolan is also currently the Secretary of the Big Brothers and a member of the Broadcasting Club. In the future he hopes to become President of the Big Brothers. Outside of St. Rita, Nolan is also a goalie for the Four Star Lacrosse Club.

A faculty member said of him, “Nolan always tries 100 percent in everything he does. He did a great job stepping up during all the freshmen events as a Big Brother. He has stepped up into a leadership role as an upperclassman now and I think he will keep pushing to do his best during the rest of his time at St. Rita.”

Nolan spoke of his experience as a Ritaman by saying, “St. Rita has been nothing but a home for me. Ever since I was young, I always have wanted to go to St. Rita. Every day I am excited to get up and go to school. I love all my classes and will remember all the friends that I have made here forever. Rita will forever be my home.”

Congratulations Nolan!

Sophomore: Francisco Juarez

The student for the Class of 2025 chosen as our September Sophomore Mustang of the Month is Francisco Juarez. Francisco is a graduate of Queen of The Universe School and is also a member of the Queen of The Universe Parish community.

Francisco works hard in the classroom, and he achieved High Honors (4.2-4.39 GPA) and a Heeney Award for straight As last semester. Francisco is a member of the Varsity Soccer Team, Volleyball Team, Spanish Club, and a Sophomore Student Government Officer. He also enjoys participating in the Thursday morning Novena to St. Rita. When not at St. Rita, Francisco is a volunteer at LOS (Latino Organization of the Southwest), Assistant Soccer Coach for the Queen of the Universe Soccer Team, helper at the Scottsdale library summer program, and member of the Black Lions FC Soccer Team. In the future, Francisco would like to attend a university to study law and become a lawyer so that he can help people in need no matter how big the problem.

In his nomination, a St. Rita faculty member is quoted saying “Francisco has grown so much after his freshman year. He is a two-sport athlete where he is a great team player. He also is now a part of Student Government where he leads by example and has done a great job at stepping up and doing his best. In class he tries his hardest and is very kind and helpful to all his classmates. He only will continue to step up during his time here at St. Rita.”

When asked to speak about his experience as a Ritaman, Francisco replied, “St. Rita has become a second home to me. I enjoy my time here because I have many Rita brothers that are always there for me and are willing to help. I know all of the students in my grade, and I am proud of that because that shows that we are very united. I also have fun playing sports and being part of the clubs here at St. Rita something always happens which makes it very interesting. Coming here to St. Rita was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.”

Congratulations Francisco!

Freshman: Will Peterson

The Ritaman from the Class of 2026 chosen to be our September Mustang of the Month is Will Peterson. Will comes to us from St. Barnabas School and is also a member of St. Barnabas Parish.

Will has kicked off his academic career doing very well and is wasting no time getting involved. He is currently a member of the Band, Spikeball Club and St. Rita’s newest student organization, Science Olympiad. Will plans to get involved with Advice Beyond the Classroom and play lacrosse in the Spring. Outside of St. Rita, Will is a caddy at Ridge Country Club and attended a youth leadership conference in Washington, D.C.

The following was said of Will in his nomination, “Will has had a strong start to his freshman year. He is a very kind student who goes out of his way to say hello to his teachers and classmates. He also has done well in all his classes stepping up and trying his hardest. Will has a bright future here at St. Rita and will only continue to grow as a Mustang.”

When asked about his experience as a Ritaman, Will replied, “I have enjoyed my time here so far. Everyone has been welcoming and I feel a part of the community already.”

Congratulations Will!

Congratulations to our September Mustangs of the Month!