Saint James

Catholic School 

Alumni Newsletter

Established 1906

830 W. Broad Street

Falls Church, VA  22046

703-533-1185

Second in our series on our re-accredititation process  

 Student Scientists

Save the Date for Golf!

The weather is fine and perfect for: GOLF! 

Save the date, APRIL 30th for our Annual Golf Tournament to raise scholarships funds.  Last year more than $95,000 was awarded in financial aid.  Now more than ever, we must work together as good stewards to ensure that parochial education is available to every family who desires it.

In the past two years we have raised close to $20,000 with our golf tournament.  This year we have another dedicated group of volunteers working to make this one the best yet.  We need you.

How can I help? 

• Come and play!  Make an in-kind donation for prizes
• Make a donation directly to our Scholarship Fund
• Pray for our students, faculty, administration and parents

2012 Golf Flyer

You can make a donation at any time to St. James school by logging onto www.faithdirect.net.  The Parish id number is VA50; you may elect to make a one-time gift or set up a monthly pledge.  At any time, please contact Christine Kurtzke Hughes with questions at advancement@stjamescatholic.org.

Thank you to last year's sponsors and donors: 

McLean Cleaners, Bishop O'Connell High School, Gonzaga College High School, St. James PTO, Sonic Car Wash, Northern Virginia Surgical Arts & Medical Spa, Precision Cleaning, Markon Solutions, Ireland's Four Provinces, Law Office of Frederick J. Brynn, ICA Language Services, The Italian Store, The Kurtzke Family, The Tramonte Family, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Meighan, The Murn Family, The Langan Family, National Memorial Park/King David Memorial, The Fishenden Family, The Andres Family, Signet Construction, Miller Brothers Construction, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Noska, Falls Church Funeral Home, 2010 8^th Grade, Purple Onion Catering, Flynn & O'Hara and all our golfers!!  

In the Rockets Red Glare:

Lance & Downey Hinrichs

We are pleased to highlight one of our School families. Lance and Downey Hinrichs are another link in our long chain of parents who have chosen a parochial education for their children.  We thank them for stepping, albeit reluctantly, into the spotlight!

Born hundreds of miles apart, Lance and Downey Hinrichs could not have been more similar in their pursuits if you had cast them in a movie.   Both, as young persons, were heavily involved in outdoor sports: soccer, field hockey (that would be Downey!), lacrosse, sailing and skiing.  There really wasn't much they did not try... Downey even having a hand at archery.

Downey was raised in the Baltimore area, along with her two siblings.  Only 45 miles away from Washington, DC, "it feels like another world," she jokes.  Travel time to Baltimore today, however, is not such a laughing matter.   Named for her grandmothers, Downey's given name is Ann Downes Ruhl.  "My parents always called me Downey and it never felt right to go by 'Ann.'"

Attending Catholic school from first grade until her senior year in High School, Downey recounts an ordinary childhood; one with summers spent in Annapolis.  "We'd go to camp where we'd play tennis, golf," and the infamous archery.  "That was actually a lot of fun!"

 After attending Notre Dame Preparatory for High School, Downey studied at the University of Richmond where she played lacrosse.  She made her way to warmer climes for her post-graduate degree: the University of Miami.  There she earned a Master's in Physical Therapy.  "I grew up playing lots of sports and found PT after many internships in healthcare."  After graduation she "played the traveling physical therapist up and down the East Coast."

Working in Rhode Island, Downey met Lance at the Shake-a-Leg regatta.  Lance, who had been injured in an accident while in college, was a participant in this race for disabled sailors while Downey was acting as an event volunteer. 

Born in Armonk, New York, Lance was also an avid athlete.  A lacrosse player like Downey, Lance was also a sailor and competitive skier.  Which explains his attraction to the University of Vermont.  Outside of the fine academics, those mountains are a sure temptation to one who spent so much time on the slopes as a young person.  He learned to sail on the East Coast and eventually became an instructor in his own right.  He earned his MBA from Columbia University after graduation.

The Hinrichs laugh when they talk of their long distance relationship prior to their 1997 marriage.  "We followed the weather," explains Lance.  Downey continued to be based in Florida, while Lance remained in the Northeast working.  "I was still in school in Miami; Lance is much older than me," she jokes - lovingly! 

After marrying, they were transferred to Houston for Lance's job at Enron.  There he worked as an energy analyst, a field in which he still works today.  Lance remembers thinking, "what were we getting into," moving to Texas.  Far from family and in an entirely different geographical setting (the Gulf while near, not quite the same as the Atlantic Ocean), the Hinrichs were surprised at how much they really enjoyed Texas.  "The quality of life was wonderful," explains Downey.  "We had a great time there." 

They remained in Texas for six years; their eldest child, Julia, was born there.  Both Lance and Downey laugh when remembering Julia's birth certificate:  "They put Lil' Buckeroo' on it.  It was pretty cute," says Downey. 

Employment brought them back East, this time to Virginia where Lance began work at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC.)  Downey continued working "part time" as a physical therapist.  Her specialty is catastrophic injuries.  "I don't necessarily see the folks who tweaked a shoulder; I deal with major life altering injuries."  It takes a special person to work in this field: compassionate, knowledgeable, strong in both body and spirit.  Upon meeting Downey one gets the impression that she has this in spades. In addition to this, Downey also works for a company which markets an exoskeleton for use in PT for the disabled.  Though requiring more travel than she anticipated, "you make it work!"

Together Lance and Downey have three children: Julia (our Lil' Buckeroo) in third grade and second grade twins, Lindsey and Michael.  They are taking a cue from their active parents and "are all about sports," jokes Downey.  One gets tired (and a slight muscle ache) listing their activities: soccer, lacrosse, basketball, swimming, tennis, golf, ice hockey.  A nap may be in order for this writer.  But it's not all touch fields and courts: "they also really enjoy pottery." Both Julia and Lindsey are involved with Girl Scouts; Julia is also active with the school choir.

Though Lance uses a wheelchair for mobility, he continues to sail and is extremely active in initiatives on behalf of the disabled.  He is president of the Board of Directors of CRAB (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating), an organization based in Annapolis which seeks to provide the sailing experience for physical and mentally challenged persons, as well as for those who are financially unable to share the wonders of ocean sailing.

Lance and Downey came to Northern Virginia for a job transfer, with the thought that they would enroll their children in Catholic School.  At St. James they found "a great community, with wonderful people and families."

Involved in many aspects of the school community as a couple, Downey also serves as the PTO Vice President; a job which she finds "terrific.  There are so many great people out there who are involved.  And that's what I would encourage [among all parents]: get involved, participate!"  She goes on to explain how easy it is to meet other parents and form strong friendships through volunteering.

"The kids are very happy here; they've made wonderful friends and are getting a solid education," says Downey.  Her children echo her opinion:  "I like everything about it," says Julia.  She tells us, "[T]he teachers are really nice."  A great plug for our specials teachers comes from Lindsey and Michael:  "we love the specials, [PE, computer, music, art, library and Spanish!] and all our teachers!"   

Lance continues: "St. James provides great structure for the children and [grounding] in their faith.  They learn more than just the three Rs; which they do and do well!  But with faith as their guiding principal, they get so much more." 

More than a century after our first students walked through the doors on Broad Street much has changed.   New buildings were erected; playgrounds, white boards and computers came.  But the heart of a St. James education has remained intact: provide the best educational, physical and moral foundation for today and tomorrow.  For all those who have taught, administered and sent their children to St. James, a la Bob Hope: thanks for the memories.  And the dreams.

Good News From St. James Students

Let us know what's new with you! Send your information to advancement@stjamescatholic.org.   We love pictures!  Send them in a jpeg format to the above email.