Distinguished Alumni – Dr. Mark E. Lamielle, Class of 1971
After graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas, Mark earned a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology from Stark State College and began his career as a project manager with Hilscher-Clarke Electric. While working in hospital environments, he was continually reminded of his lifelong calling to become a physician. Determined to pursue that dream, he completed his pre-med studies at University of Akron and Walsh University.
At age 30, Mark made the courageous decision to leave his career and enroll in the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. After earning his medical degree, he returned home to serve the community he loved.
Dr. Lamielle opened his practice in Dalton in 1988 and later moved to Carrollton, where he faithfully cared for patients for 25 years as a solo practitioner. In addition to a busy private practice, he served multiple nursing homes, sat on the Carrollton Exempted Village School District Board of Education, and spent nearly 20 years as team doctor for the Carrollton Warriors football program. In 1997, Stark State honored him as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.
He later continued his medical career in Florida with Tampa General Hospital, retiring in 2023 after more than three decades in medicine
Even in retirement, Dr. Lamielle continues to live out his faith and commitment to service. He now volunteers as a physician at La Esperanza Clinic, a Catholic Charities free clinic serving uninsured and underserved families. There, he provides compassionate primary care to those most in need. “La Esperanza” means hope and throughout his life and career, Dr. Lamielle has truly been a source of hope to so many.
Distinguished Alumni – Alison Silverio, Class of 2003
A proud native of Louisville, Ohio, Alison has built an extraordinary legacy defined by excellence, leadership, and integrity. As a student-athlete at Georgia Tech, she became a national champion, helping lead her team to the 2007 NCAA Team Championship and earning Tournament MVP honors. During her collegiate career, she also helped secure three ACC Team Championships and left Georgia Tech as the program’s all-time leader in doubles wins and second in singles wins.
Her achievements extended far beyond the court. Alison was a four-time ACC Academic and Scholar-Athlete honoree and received one of collegiate tennis’s highest distinctions: the ITA Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship & Leadership Award which recognizes her character, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Following her playing career, Alison transitioned seamlessly into coaching. She served as an assistant coach at North Carolina State University and at her alma mater, helping guide nationally ranked recruiting classes and NCAA tournament teams.
As head coach at the University of Oregon, she led one of the most impressive turnarounds in program history, delivering record-breaking wins and the Ducks’ first NCAA tournament victory in 14 years.
Since 2018, Alison has served as head coach of the women’s tennis program at University of Notre Dame. Under her leadership, the Fighting Irish consistently compete on the national stage, earn NCAA tournament berths, defeat ranked opponents, and achieve academic excellence, with numerous players recognized as Scholar-Athletes and ACC Academic Honor Roll recipients.
Alison Silverio’s career reflects the very values instilled here at St. Thomas Aquinas: discipline, humility, perseverance, and servant leadership. She has demonstrated that true success is measured not only in championships, but in the lives, you shape and the standards you uphold.
Outstanding Educator Award – Ms. Deanna “Dee” Stranan, Class of 1989
Ms. Deanna “Dee” Stranan, a proud member of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Class of 1989, has dedicated more than three decades to education and the St. Thomas community. After graduating from STA, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Adrian College in 1993. She returned home to St. Thomas in 1995 to begin her teaching career, continuing the tradition of excellence that shaped her own education. She later earned her Master of Arts in Education from Walsh University in 2004 and completed the Master of Educational Leadership program at Walsh University in 2014.
Throughout her 31-year career, Ms. Stranan has made a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom. She has served in numerous roles at St. Thomas Aquinas, including Student Activities Advisor, Sophomore and Junior Class Advisor, Mock Trial Advisor, and Boys Bowling Coach. Her coaching career at St. Thomas began in 1994, and she also spent 18 years as an Assistant Softball Coach, mentoring countless student-athletes.
In 2007, Ms. Stranan was selected for the Stark County Teaching Team representing Eastern Stark County Parochial Schools, recognizing her dedication to excellence in education. She has also served as a peer mentor for new teachers, helping guide and support the next generation of educators.
Today, Ms. Stranan continues to serve the St. Thomas community as Chairperson of the Social Studies Department and as a Union Negotiator for the Diocese of Youngstown Confederation of Teachers Union.
Beyond the classroom, she has earned recognition for her athletic accomplishments, being inducted into the Adrian College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Greater Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. In her free time, she enjoys golfing and bowling.
Through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Ms. Dee Stranan exemplifies the spirit of the Outstanding Educator Award.
Outstanding Educator Award – Dr. Joseph Edward Krok
Dr. Krok served at St. Thomas Aquinas High School from the early 1970s until his passing in June of 1991. During his time at Aquinas, he taught Latin I through IV, World History, and Current Events, while also serving as the school’s Athletic Director. He was deeply committed not only to academic excellence, but to the formation of the whole student.
A dedicated scholar, Dr. Krok earned his bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University, his master’s degree from The Ohio State University, and his Ph.D. from Penn State University. Yet those who knew him best would say his greatest accomplishments were not found in his degrees, but in the lives he shaped.
Dr. Krok believed education was meant to build a strong intellectual foundation for life. He held his students to high standards, referring to them not simply as students, but as “scholars.” When a word or idea was unfamiliar, he would pause and insist they “look it up” a simple phrase that instilled lifelong curiosity and discipline.
His classroom was one of both challenge and engagement. Students translated Latin at the board, debated world civilizations, and prepared sometimes nervously for the next day’s reading. And of course, there was the phrase many remember well: “See me after class,” which could inspire just a bit of dread, but always came with purpose and care.
He brought structure and tradition to his teaching. Latin students were addressed formally as Mr. or Ms. followed by their last name, and a select few even earned a Latin name of their own. His expectations were high, but his delivery was often laced with humor. When grading essays, he was known for his famous red-ink notation “BS!” which, as he reminded students, stood for “Be Specific!”
Outside the classroom, Dr. Krok was deeply involved in the life of the school. He led the Latin Club, which became so popular that even non-Latin students joined simply to be part of it. He founded the Chess and Checkers Club and was a constant presence at Aquinas events, always cheering on his students.
He even extended his passion for teaching beyond Aquinas, instructing Western Civilization courses for adult learners at Walsh College. His impact was so profound that students voluntarily gathered outside of class meeting in living rooms for additional sessions simply because they wanted to learn more.
Dr. Krok also brought spirit and pride into his lessons. During rivalry week, he would famously remind students through historical comparisons that Knights were far superior to Crusaders, a lesson delivered with both humor and unmistakable school pride. And in keeping with that rivalry, students quickly learned one important rule: do not wear green in his classroom.
More than anything, Dr. Krok was remembered as intelligent, funny, and deeply caring. His influence extended far beyond graduation. Many former students credit him with shaping their paths in life, and hundreds returned to pay their respects upon his passing in 1991 a powerful testament to the impact he had on generations.
Perhaps his greatest legacy is seen in those he inspired. Many of his students and even members of his own family went on to become teachers, coaches, and mentors themselves, continuing the work he valued so deeply.
Dr. Krok believed that helping shape young minds was one of the most important callings in the world. Through his dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to his students, his legacy continues to inspire us today.
It is our great honor to recognize Dr. Joseph Edward Krok with the St. Thomas Aquinas Outstanding Educator Award.