The Geibel Family Newsletter • Fall 2016 WHERE TRADITION MEETS TOMORROW
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GEIBELThe Geibel Family Newsletter • Fall 2016 WHERE TRADITION MEETS TOMORROW GEIBEL ... A School of Excellence • A School of Faith • A School of Tradition • A School of Service • A School of Joy • A School of Character • A School of Spirit GEIBELCATHOLIC.ORG Patricia L. Nickler Named Geibel Principal Patricia Nickler, a native of Greene County, became the thirteenth prin- cipal of Geibel Catholic in July. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Penn State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership with principal’s certification from Barry University in southern Florida. Prior to her teaching career, Ms. Nickler worked as an accountant for Westinghouse Electric in Pittsburgh. After moving to Florida, she worked as a stock broker and portfolio manager for major corporations. She be- gan her Catholic education career in 1999 as a middle school mathemat- ics teacher at St. Juliana Catholic School in West Palm Beach, FL. Seven years later, she moved to All Saints Catholic School in Jupiter, FL, where she has spent the past ten years as an advanced mathematics teacher. She helped rewrite the math curriculum for the Diocese of Palm Beach, FL. In addition to her teaching duties, she coached basketball, softball, and lacrosse. Ms. Nickler is enjoying the challenges of her new leadership position, and she feels that it is a blessing to be part of the ongoing success of Geibel Catholic. “I am impressed with the faculty and students here. I see a bright future for Catholic education in Fayette County.” One of her many goals is to help students develop their gifts and talents to use them in service to their families, communities and the Lord. 1964 - 1966 Fr. William K. Sheridan 1966 - 1969 Mr. Frank Reno GEIBEL 1969 - 1980 Sister Mary Jude McColligan, SC 1980 - 1981 Sr. Kathryn Palas, SC PRINCIPALS 1981 - 1986 Sr. Mary White, a.s.c.j. 1986 - 1990 Fr. Richard Curci THROUGH 1990 - 1993 Mr. Thomas Daugherty 1993 Mr. Reynold Peduzzi, interim principal, first semester THE 1994 - 2001 Mr. Steve Fusco 2001 - 2009 Mr. Vince Mascia YEARS 2009 - 2011 Mr. John Lipchik 2011 - 2016 Mr. Don Favero 2016 Ms. Patricia Nickler Emily Zimcosky Receives 2016 Geibel Alumni Award Emily Zimcosky is the recipient of the 2016 Gei- bel Alumni Award. This award has been presented to the most outstanding senior student since 1981. Emily is a competitive swimmer and is a six-time WPIAL champion. She has two State PIAA medals and qualified for the 2016 US Olympic trials. Emily Pictured on the front cover are Geibel juniors is majoring in Studio Arts at Ohio University in Gabrielle, Gillian, and Jesse Yourish, triplets Athens, Ohio. of Luann and Bob Yourish ‘81 of Acme, PA. leading to serve by Mary (Ruggieri ‘79) Dreliszak, Director of Advancement A leader may seek power. But a ser- president, I was required to get out there He was working full time and doing vant-leader seeks to empower others. and see the tree trimming and guard rail home visits as a physical therapist when Paul Mongell ’67 understands the construction. That’s when I saw how he recognized the need for better com- difference. So does Arnie Burchianti hard they work,” he said. munications between physical therapists, ’96 and Gabby Kolencik ’17. And because he is a servant-leader, occupational therapists, nurses and As a leader, Paul saw something more. “The tree other healthcare providers. So he did we’re called to trimmers wear saddles and hang in the something about it. Arnie formed Celtic help one anoth- trees for up to eight hours. We were Healthcare and used his technology er. We believe asking them to do this, but not giving expertise to streamline communications, in empowering them a comfortable saddle. I realized while growing and acquiring healthcare and coaching we needed to spend more money to get facilities that now employ 2,500 people our people,” said better saddles. in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illinois. Paul Mongell, Safety is also a core value. We have a According to the company’s website, president of Penn moral and social obligation to take care under Arnie’s team-centered, ser- Line Service. of our employees. We strive to treat vant-leadership model, Celtic Healthcare It’s a value system that was formed people fairly and to correct in a way was named #1 Large Company in the years ago. that respects the individual.” 2007 “Best Places to Work in Western “Being a servant-leader began as a Pennsylvania” and was ranked #5 out of student. Geibel instills these Catholic That’s servant-leadership in action. Pittsburgh’s 100 fastest growing compa- values, providing a spiritual component. nies by the Pittsburgh Business Times. We had a positive influence from peers “Our core values of servant-lead- Arnie Burchian- and teachers.” ership were formed in 2000 to foster ti couldn’t agree French teacher, Sister Laura, O.S.B mutual respect and teamwork. We can more. The Chief inspired Paul to pursue goals and en- disagree without being disrespectful. I Executive Officer couraged him to apply to colleges. Her have assigned people who have medical of Graham Health- efforts paid off. responsibilities to create an environment care Group, and “I received an acceptance letter from that respects different beliefs.” In doing founder of Celtic St. Vincent College and a rejection so, Arnie said the company is able to Healthcare credits letter from Notre Dame. But later that “create collaboration and the freedom to his Catholic educa- summer the college closed a hall that express ideas.” tion at Conn-Area housed seminarians and they were able The servant-leadership model, he said, to take 150 more students, so I chose to Catholic, Geibel Catholic and Duquesne “is contagious.” Our hospice nurses are attend there instead.” University with instilling in him ser- angels. It’s a calling, and for all of our It was during the early 70’s recession, vant-leadership, a core value of his employees it’s a ministry, no matter Paul said, when he graduated with a companies. what department they are working in. degree in business and finance. After “I can’t say enough about Catho- Everyone, even if they are in IT, payroll, working at BF Goodrich as assistant lic education and what it has done in or finance, plays an important role. They store manager and office manager at service to others. It has molded me into all have a direct impact on care deliv- Connellsville Construction, he got a who I am. As CEO, I serve people in the ery.” job at Penn Line in 1973 earning $4.75 organization.” This impact is now felt across thou- an hour. He has been there ever since, At Geibel Catholic, Arnie said aca- sands of employees, patients, and their starting in payroll and working his demics did not come easily. He said he families. And it began with a faith that way up to president and owner of the struggled with SATs and getting into was nurtured as a student in Catholic company. college. But he had a strong work ethic, schools. Penn Line, a mid-market contractor, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the support operates in the Mid and South Atlantic of teachers on his side. states as well as the Eastern Seaboard “Mr. Mascia (science teacher) was a Gabby Kolencik and Gulf Coast. Its four business units big influence on me. I wouldn’t have is now one of cover Tree and Right of Way; Roads, gotten through Physical Therapy school them. The sev- Reclamation and Landscape; Tri County without passing physics and he helped enteen year old Electric; and Line Construction. me. He was firm, but fair, and he met Geibel Catholic At the height of its season, the com- you where you were. senior holds pany employs 1,400 people. And every After earning a bachelor’s degree in officer positions one of them is empowered by leadership health science and a master’s degree in in the National to be their very best. physical therapy, Arnie made a business Honor Society, Paul, who is on the threshold of re- out of helping others and meeting people Student Council, tirement, commented, “When I became where they are. and Spanish National Honor Society. She founded a Poetry Club and helped to initiate NHS tutoring to support other students. She also happens to be among the top academically ranked students in her class. At a school Leadership Reception held this past fall, Gabby spoke elo- quently and passionately about how her teachers are role models of servant-lead- ership. Teachers, she said, lead by example. A leader may seek power. But a servant-leader theREMEMBER place that gave you a start in life? seeks to share the opportunity empower others. MANY GRADUATES SAY THAT GEIBEL – WITH ITS DISTINGUISHED FACULTY, EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS AND TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE – TRANSFORMED THEM INTO WHO THEY ARE “The teachers do what needs to be done TODAY. PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING SOMETHING BACK TO YOUR ALMA MATER. and students follow. If there’s something on the floor and the teacher picks it up, the students see that and later on I’ll see the students pick something up too.” Her English teacher, Dr. Justin Steven- The Bridge Builder son ’94, is one of those teachers. And his An old man, going a lone highway, actions didn’t go unnoticed by Gabby. came at the evening, cold and gray, “He balanced teaching classes, help- to a chasm, vast and deep and wide, ing coach girls’ basketball, and being through which was flowing a sullen tide, a father, all while working to earn his the old man crossed in the twilight dim – doctorate in English – and I was in awe.