Priscilla (Frederick) Loomis, BA ’07

After graduation in 2007, Priscilla Loomis (formerly Frederick) continued her education at St. John’s University in Queens, NY where she received her BA in Marketing and Communications. As a young girl, Priscilla dreamed of being an entertainer on the stage. She was very active in the arts while at Paul VI, participating in the spring musicals, advanced dance class, and dance team. She also ran track and field all 4 years, ending her high school career on a high note, becoming the #1 high jumper in NJ and the #4 high school high jumper in the U.S.A. Priscilla’s main inspiration has always been her mother, Eve, who always taught Priscilla to work hard, believe in herself, chase her dreams, and believe that God will lead her to the right path.

 

While in college, Priscilla found that she could entertain in a different way, through track and field. She received a full athletic scholarship to St. John’s University, and during her time there, she became the indoor and outdoor MVP, Big East Champion, and school record holder, and she went on to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012. She loved competing in front of thousands of people and realized that this is where God led her, to perform in front of and entertain crowds through track and field.

 

Priscilla became a professional athlete in 2014, competing for the country of Antigua and Barbuda. (She has dual citizenship because her father was born in that country.) Her accomplishments include World Championship competitor; Pan American Games silver medalist; North American, Central American and Caribbean Games silver medalist; national record holder for Antigua and Barbuda; and 2016 Olympic Games competitor. She is currently training for the 2020 Olympic Games.

 

She has learned so many valuable lessons along her journey, but the most important is to believe and trust in God’s plan, no matter how difficult the path seems. With her guidance at Paul VI from incredible teachers, such as Mr. John Yeager, Ms. Courtney Daniels, and Mr. Michael Chambers, who always helped her to see that her unique personality and tenacity would take her far, she was able to stand firm in her Christian faith and allow God to lead her to new experiences. With all that she has learned on this journey, Priscilla shares her triumphs and life lessons with her Paul VI track and field athletes. She was the boys and girls track and field coach from 2017 through June 2019.

With all her track and field success, Priscilla plans to retire after the 2020 Olympic Games to pursue her second dream, which is to work with Disney/Pixar. She will be auditioning for upcoming Marvel films in hopes that she can still entertain the masses, this time around as a superhero (or villain).

 

Priscilla wants to thank her mother, Eve, and her stepdad, Jerry, for always supporting her; her incredible coaches, Mike Pascuzzo, Richard Fisher, Jim Hurt, and Mike Lyons, for their dedication to her success; the Loomis family, for welcoming her into their family and being so supportive and loving; and her phenomenal husband, Ken Loomis (her PVI classmate), for blessing her with the best gift God has given her.