St. Mary’s High School girls soccer coach Jim Foley had the words to fit the honor at Sunday night’s breakup banquet: a real special award for a real special family.
Foley was about to present an award of appreciation to the Ferrari family of Lynn, who has been an integral part of the school community for the past 16 years.
Kirsten Ferrari, a senior at St. Mary’s who received soccer team’s defensive MVP award at the banquet, is the fourth child of Tim and Lisa Ferrari to attend the school.
It’s a tradition that began with Tim Ferrari Jr. (Class of 2000) and continued with his sisters, Amy (2003) and Katy (2004). Kirsten (2011) is winding down an outstanding athletic career whose greatest moments may be yet to come. She is the starting point guard for the highly regarded St. Mary’s girls basketball team that should be one of the state’s best in the coming season.
“For 15 of the last 16 years, they’ve had a child at St. Mary’s,” Foley told the gathering at Polcari’s in Saugus. “This unfortunately is the last year. I wish I could keep them another year, but it doesn’t work that way.”
Foley said Tim and Lisa Ferrari have volunteered their time and given their efforts to support a number of endeavors at the school, including hosting multiple team dinners and helping to raise thousands of dollars for the school’s programs.
“They’ve been a great friend to me and any of the coaches at St. Mary’s,” said Foley. “They represent what St. Mary’s is all about. They love the school. They’ll do anything for you.”
As Foley called the Ferrari family forward to accept the award, St. Mary’s players, parents, and guests gave them a warm ovation.
Foley then read the inscription on the plaque. “To Tim and Lisa Ferrari, St. Mary’s thanks you both for all your hard work and support throughout the past 15 years. Forever, Spartans.”
“I just want to say thank you to everybody here,” said Lisa Ferrari. “Coach Foley is the best. I can’t thank Mr. DiMaiti enough for everything he’s done over the past several years. The changes he made at the school have been phenomenal. I just can’t say thank you enough to everybody at St. Mary’s.”