TRUMBULL—St. Catherine of Siena School, in Trumbull, welcomed home a graduate from the class of 1990, Commander Matthew Fanning, Commanding Officer of the USS Hartford. He has been serving in the Navy for 19 years. During this time he lived in Italy, Hawaii, Georgia, Virginia as well as Connecticut with his wife and children.
Commander Fanning returned to his elementary school alma mater to spend the day with the students. He visited all of the classrooms from preschool to eighth grade and shared an engaging PowerPoint presentation.
He talked about the significance of service to community, Church, and country. He was taught the meaning of vocation and the importance of listening to God’s calling during his school years at SCSS. The Commander talked about determination and how valuable his time was at St. Catherine of Siena School.
His presentation was about life in the military and his travels to many European Countries, many states along the East Coast and even to the North Pole. The students were captivated as he talked about life on the submarine.
He was also greeted by his former classmates, Fr. Joseph Marcello the pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, and Mr. Steven Burke, a parent at the school. They reminisced about special memories with old friends and teachers. He toured the school and was amazed by all of the incredible upgrades to the school and in the technology over the years.
Principal, Miss Eunice Giaquinto said, “I love to have alumni come back and visit the school. It’s especially exciting when someone wants to come back and share their stories of success and what SCSS meant to them.” The Commander travels all over the world but he will always have a home at St. Catherine of Siena School.
