SCHOOL NEWS | ALUMNI NEWS | DEVELOPMENT NEWS the WESTWORD from the PRINCIPAL/CEO Keeping Our Flock Connected | Vol

WE STAND TOGETHER IN LEARNING, FOREVER IN FAITH

Spring 2019

Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids Mission Welcome to the Spring at West. I was surprised to read the number of essays she Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids To form disciples of Christ through a dynamic, excellence-driven Catholic education edition of the Westword. has written in just short of four years. You will have to read

Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools Vision Spring! It sounds so welcoming the article to find out. But it is no wonder we have students David Faber, Superintendent / Canonical Administrator Inspired by Saint John Paul II, West Catholic High School is dedicated to the transformation after a harsh winter and what I such as a nephew of mine who came back after his first Kathy Purcell, Controller of students who will live their earthly and eternal lives as humble servants of God. believe to be a record, or close semester at Michigan State University complaining he was Jill Annable, Assistant Superintendent to a record, number of snow “ruined for peer editing”. No one wanted to partner with The Westword is published twice yearly to connect the community of alumni, friends West Catholic High School Administration and family of West Catholic High School. days - eleven and counting. him as he was so picky with grammar, and so well-prepared Fr. Daniel Schumaker, Co-Chaplain Send comments to: Thank goodness for iPads, our for college writing. Don’t miss the wrap-up of Falcon Awards Fr. Michael Steffes, Co-Chaplain Editor - Gerri Wesorick online learning management system, Canvas, and dedicated Night honoring Duane Kluting WC ’76, Jim Rooney CC Cynthia Kneibel, Principal/CEO The Westword teachers who are trying to deliver content through the snow, ’44, Jim and Lois Flickinger and Tom WC ’77 and Diane Tony Fischer, Assistant Principal 1801 Bristol Ave NW winds and ice. (Fleis) WC ’80 Pelak. They have contributed so much to Joe Gietzen, Dean of Students Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Denny Krynicki, Athletic Director West Catholic and to our broader community. [email protected] Sue Armstrong, Assistant Athletic Director In this edition of the Westword we highlight the valiant Jill VanderEnde, Development Director Keep in touch! Send us your new address and your new degree, new job, service of West Catholic Falcon’s who dedicated, and in some On a final note, if you haven’t been on campus for Todd Peters, Admissions Director engagement, marriage and birth announcements. Please email Geraldine Wesorick Tom Kutzli, Instructional Technology Specialist at [email protected]. cases gave their lives to fight for our freedom in the military. awhile, please join us for the Celebrate West! Auction on Phil Dolci, Campus Minister To the families and friends of John Grachtrup WC ’64, Friday, April 26. We will have fabulous Polish food by Billy Online: Diane Ysasi, Guidance Department Director www.grwestcatholic.org | www.gowestcatholic.org Paul Klingenmaier WC ’64, Timothy Miedzielec WC ’66, K. Catering, lots of tempting auction items, and many Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education Gerald Rock WC ’67, Robert Schumaker WC ’64, George friends and alumni with which to share good times and a

Cynthia Kneibel, Principal/CEO, West Catholic facebook.com/grwestcatholic twitter.com/grwcatholic Zomberg WC ’65 and teacher Daniel Jaskiewicz please know toast to the future of West Catholic. If you can’t make the our continued prayers are with you and for the repose of the auction but would like to stop by and see all the upgrades we instagram.com/grwestcatholic souls of these brave young men who lost their lives in service continue to make, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’d love to our country. Every fall in honor of Veterans Day, West to take a few minutes and show you around! Our Root Beliefs Catholic hosts a Veterans Day Mass with celebrant Bishop David Walkowiak on campus, followed by a light lunch. God bless! If you are in Michigan let’s hope the Become Eucharistic Disciples of Christ. We are called to be Disciples of Act rightly, serve generously. Through living example, high expectations, and Christ, renewed constantly at the Eucharist, who live with Christ, sit at His feet and practice in self-discipline, we challenge students to develop their consciences to live Please watch our calendar as we draw closer to this day. We groundhog was right and we are headed for an early spring. learn how to love from the God Who is love. moral lives of virtuous action and service. would love to have you join us. All are welcome! The snow days have got to stop or our students will be celebrating the last day of class long into June! Educate the whole person, one student at a time. West Catholic educates “Open wide the doors to Christ” – St. John Paul II I hope you enjoy other articles in this edition such as the mind, body and soul. More than an excellent academic institution, we invite each We enthusiastically invite new members into our shared life. We strive to show, through senior Audrey Patterson’s essay on Not only words - but Cindy student, with his or her unique gifts and challenges, to live well, seek excellence, our actions, words and compassion, that each person is a worthwhile and meaningful numbers. She gives a quick glimpse into the lives of students make careful distinctions and judgments, and care for others. part of our community. Nurtured by Catholic tradition and the life of St. John Paul II, we follow his example of being Disciples of Christ. Our Core Values Joy expresses the call of Pope Francis to evangelization: that the mark of the Commitment expresses our tenacity and our strength: West Catholic is an institution The St. John Paul II disciple is one who is joyful. It expresses how we want everyone to experience our of excellence. We expect excellence from staff and students; we know that they are The St. John Paul II community, our classrooms, and everything we do. capable of achieving it, since they are made in the image of God. Legacy Society

Learning. Intentional education based on faith and reason brings about Caritas. Latin for love/charity. Imbued with selflessly loving and caring for others, LegacyPlease contact Society Cindy Kneibel at transformative learning that deepens our students’ understanding of God and His caritas best describes all of our relationships in which we strive to emulate the caritas [email protected] or magnificent creation. of God for His people. (616)Please 233-5905 contact for more Cindy information Kneibel on how at you Living. At West Catholic, high school is not an interruption of real life, nor a waiting [email protected] include West Catholic in your planned giving. or room for future life, but a rich experience of being fully, joyfully alive. (616) 233-5905 for more information on how you

can include West Catholic in your planned giving.SPRING 2019 | 3 STUDENT PERSPECTIVE | by Audrey Patterson School news Not only words – but numbers – affect one's life Fall sports wrap-up It seems like just yesterday, I was a terrified freshman walking through and 49 spectacular football games. I enjoyed the thrill of the fight, the the doors of West Catholic as a student for the first time. The four struggle, and the triumph. And even though we didn't take home the Many teams had successful seasons; individual athletes also won awards or advanced to years I've been here have passed both slowly and in the blink of an eye. championship my senior year, I am more than proud of our team and state competition. Suddenly I find myself with only a few months left before I graduate, what they've accomplished. The Volleyball team won the District title, while the Boys Soccer team reached the and looking back on all the time I've spent at West, I can't help to reflect District finals. The Football team made the playoffs, but lost to eventual State champs, on what I have done and the ways I have changed. So here is a little 37 Unity Christian. breakdown on my four years at West - by the numbers. The 37 exams I took over my high school career taught me a great Individuals who qualified for deal. While stressful and difficult I gained experience in study skills, individual competition at the State 160 time management, and most importantly perseverance. These are such level include Lindsay Reens, Girls Faith comes first at West Catholic as demonstrated by frequent prayer, important qualities that they make the exams completely worth it. Golf; and Andy Solarewicz, Boys weekly Mass, and its faith-filled community. I spent 160 hours in Mass Tennis. over the four years I've been here. A Catholic school allowed me to grow 366 Bridget Kohane and Dana Wila my faith in many ways and 160 hours spent worshipping God certainly Much of my homework at West was comprised of essay writing: 366 of were Finalists for the MHSAA didn't hurt! them - both short and long. All the essay writing honed my writing skills Scholar-Athlete Award. and when I dual enrolled in college classes, I found that I was more than 640 prepared for writing essays in college. I can't even imagine how many hours went into studying for the 640 quizzes and tests I took. They were a lot of work - and pass or fail - I had 15 the unwavering support of my teachers, friends and family. In the end, the Books have always been a passion of mine and I enjoyed the 15 different skills I honed and the knowledge I gained made them all worth it. novels I read in my English classes. They ranged from heartbreaking to empowering, joyful and reflective and all of them taught me something 7 about reading and the power of words. I had never really been a fan of retreats before I came to West, but that changed after my freshman retreat. Soon retreats became something I 4 really looked forward to, and I have had the pleasure of enjoying seven Writing for the Westword has been an amazing experience. I have so retreats at West Catholic, both as a participant and a leader. Each one led enjoyed getting to share a little bit of my journey with all of you readers me to grow in a new way and I am so thankful for the people who made and the support I have gotten has been overwhelming. I will miss writing them possible. for the alumni magazine and I hope you have enjoyed reading my articles as much as I have enjoyed writing them. 715 I've always loved helping people, and West has helped me further 5 develop this passion through an emphasis on community service. The I applied and was accepted to five different colleges. West prepared me 715 (and counting) hours of community service I have done over my four for college, giving me the skills and education that made it easy to impress years allowed me to better come to know myself and my community. admissions teams. My teachers helped me along the way, proofreading application essays and writing letters of recommendation. I know had it Athletes Named All-Conference 23 not been for West I would not feel nearly as confident as I do now as I'm The 23 different teachers I have had at West all taught me important entering into this next stage in my life. Volleyball - Dana Wila lessons, both in my studies and in my personal values and beliefs. I have Tennis - Aaron Ryan, Andy Solarewicz Soccer - Andrew James, Tyler Perez, Noel Banquarambona learned important skills from all my teachers, as well as developing the Football - Matt Bilski, Payton Daetwiler, Nick Dorato, kind of person I want to be from their example. Audrey Patterson is an Mitchell Doyle, Zach Patin, Jack Schichtel 18-year-old senior at West 1 Catholic. She is a member of the West Catholic Peer Ministry While it may seem dull, I actually liked only having one outfit to wear. Team, Choir and an attendee of Athletes sign to play at college level A uniform made high school much less stressful because I didn't have to the Kent Career Technical Center worry about what I was going to wear every day and also didn't have to Early Health Careers program. Lindsay Reens - Golf - Aquinas College Ellie Vry - Rowing - Michigan State University worry about what others would think about what I was wearing. Audrey isn't sure what she wants to study in college, but she thinks Emma Moore - Hockey - St. Catherine University (MN) she would like to go into the Hannah Gill - Cheer - Aquinas College Carl Myers ‘16, second from left, received his first-year varsity letter as 49 medical field. (*Other students are expected to sign later this spring) part of the University of Michigan football team. As both a cheerleader and a fan I got to enjoy three state championships

SPRING 2019 | 5 SPRING 2019 | 5 Students Walk to Support High Schools 'Thank you for your service' Alumni news More than 1,200 students and staff from West Catholic groups walked from their respective campuses and met at John West Catholic High School first opened its doors in who served during peacetime or any of the conflicts that and Catholic Central participated in the annual All A’s Walk Ball Park. West Catholic students raised $68,450 this year to aid in 1962, at the height of a war that was both lengthy and occurred after Vietnam. We also will feature some of our on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The weather cooperated this year as the tuition relief at the school. unpopular. The Vietnam War was the first war since 1940 graduates who are currently in service, attending military to reinstate the draft, yet nearly two-thirds of the military academies or who have multiple family members in service were enlistees; the remaining one-third were drafted. West or made a career in the military. had many young men during that era who bravely served Many thanks to those who responded to social media their country in one of the five branches of service: Army, requests for information on these individuals and a special Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. thanks to school historian, teacher Pat Nugent who For the last five years around Veterans Day, West has had supplied much information on the deceased WC veterans a Mass and celebration of veterans, whether they graduated (see p. 15). from West or in previous service. Last fall, we put out a We assume the list is not complete, since we relied on request for information on those graduates who served information obtained through requests that not everyone over the last 55 years in some capacity in the military. The saw. If you or a loved one is a WC graduate who served in following pages will focus on stories of those who lost the military, please feel free to contact the Editor, and we their lives in Vietnam or served during that era, to those will add it in a later edition of the Westword. Thank You to our Sponsors! 'Never Forget' 4 Grads, 1 Teacher Killed in Action Achievement Frey Family Dentistry, PLC Legacy of Faith The news no parent or spouse wants to hear: “Your loved one Daniel J. Jaskiewicz, WC Math teacher - Dan, who graduated Kelly Bearden H.S. Die & Engineering, Inc. was killed in action.” Yet during the Vietnam War, four WC from Catholic Central and Aquinas College, taught math and Norm and Rosemary Byrne Kaczmarski Hearing Services In memory of: grads and one teacher died there and two additional grads died at coached swimming at West for two years before he enlisted in the Barb Grice Kent Record Management Jack Bowen – CC ‘58 Victory Apparel Michigan Electrical Solutions, LLC Bruce LeMieux military bases in the U.S. during the era. Marines in 1967. He applied to officer’s training school and was Gary and Peg Novosad Mark Theile promoted to first lieutenant shortly before he suffered fatal rifle Advancement RGA Properties, LLC Dave Uzarski – WC ‘85 John Grachtrup ‘64 - John, aged 20, was one of 17 killed on and grenade wounds near the Demilitarized Zone on April 16, Dan Vos Construction Co., Inc. Dave Uzarski – WC ‘85 Thomas Zoellner Davenport University Dec. 10, 1966. He was a Navy corpsman serving with a Marine 1968. The 25-year-old was to meet his wife - and for the first time Accountability In honor of: detachment on a mission near Saigon. He and many in his - his then three-week-old son in Hawaii that May. His funeral was Academics Ed Young Orthodontics, DDS PC The Blundy Family advancing column were killed by “friendly fire” when one of six held at St. Francis Xavier Church. The Daniel Jaskiewicz Award Anonymous HELP Pregnancy Crisis Aid Carole Keefe Jones bombs dropped by a U.S. plane in support of the movement Apex Spring & Stamping Lake Michigan Dental is given to a WC male and female senior athlete who exhibits Credit Union One Polish Falcon Aid Society of Grand Rapids ricocheted off rocks and exploded near them. John’s funeral was at leadership. Community Choice Credit Union Tyson Foods, Inc. St. Mary’s Church. Divine Maid Service, LLC Jim and Mary Wila Paul L. Klingenmaier ‘64 - Paul, aged 22, enlisted in the Marines Everybody Love Everybody Williams Group FlexChecks, Inc. George Zomberg ‘65 - A sergeant in the Army, George was killed in 1966 after attending Community College. He was stationed at by shrapnel on Aug. 14, 1967 while serving with the 1st Cavalry Quantico, Va. where the corporal serviced helicopters and other Division. He had enlisted with the Army in July, 1965 and served aircraft. He died Aug. 21, 1968 from injuries suffered in a car in Germany before the 20-year-old was assigned to Vietnam in accident near the base along with two other Grand Rapids men, Government Shutdown doesn't affect March for Life March 1967. George’s funeral was held at St. James Church. one his brother-in-law Dan Chassee. His wife Maria and three- week-old infant daughter also lived on the base. Paul’s funeral was Once again, WC teacher Pat Nugent took Timothy Miedzielec ‘66 - Tim was a private in the Army, and at St. James Church. members of the Students for Life group to the was deployed to Vietnam in August, 1969. He was killed when annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. This the vehicle he was driving on a mission hit a mine on Oct. 11, Robert J. Schumaker ‘64 - Robert entered the Air Force after 1969. The 21-year-old had attended Grand Rapids Community graduating from West. He served in Vietnam for two years as year, 51 students, two teachers and three parents College for two years before being drafted. Tim’s funeral was held a loadmaster and pilot with the Air Commandos, where he made the trip. The group left Grand Rapids on at St. Anthony’s Church. obtained the rank of sergeant and was set to receive multiple Thursday, Jan. 17 and returned Monday, Jan. 21. medals for his bravery in battle. The 21-year-old returned to The group also had the chance to attend Gerald Rock ‘67 - Gerry was an outstanding football player at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware in Oct. 1967 and died from a the Youth Rally and the Mass for Life. They West and played football at GRCC for one year before enlisting leg infection on Nov. 26, 1967. Robert’s funeral was at St. James also visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum, in the Army. He arrived in Vietnam in October and was killed Church. toured the Library of Congress and attended on November 17, 1968. The 19-year-old was a passenger on a Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate military aircraft that caught fire on the ground after a booby trap Conception. exploded under the plane. Gerry’s funeral was held at SS. Peter and Paul Church.

SPRING 2019 | 7 Alumni news The Neubeckers The Richmonds Identical twins Jake Olivia ‘16, is attending Marquette University in Milwaukee A Family Affair and Josh ‘12 both were on a Navy ROTC Scholarship. She is pursuing a Bachelor of For some West Catholic families, it’s a tradition or at least a calling for more than one sibling in the ROTC while Science degree in nursing. She is a squad leader in her ROTC to be active in the military. The following families have had more than one member in the Armed attending MSU. They unit and receives Navy leadership training through the ROTC Forces. graduated in 2017 with program. Olivia expects to graduate in May of 2020 when she degrees in mechanical will be commissioned an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps, with The Schmidts Erik ‘09 engineering. After MSU, an assignment to a Navy hospital. Olivia has completed training Miles ‘68 and Cecelia Schmidt have had four out of their nine graduated from Josh went to Naval Air at sea aboard a Navy amphibious ship, and will be completing an children serve or make a career in military service. Purdue and has Station in Pensacola, internship at a Navy hospital the summer of 2019. Son Justin been in active Florida for his Combat Alex ‘17, is attending the United States Naval Academy ‘97 served as duty as a captain Systems Officer/ in Annapolis, MD. As a midshipman, he is majoring in a captain in in the Marine Navigator training. mechanical engineering and hopes to become a Naval aviator the Marine Corps. He was He trained there with the Air Force for about 15 months, and upon graduation. During his time at the Naval Academy, he is Corps after an Aviation graduated in July 2018 and received his wings. Jake also trained not only working on baccalaureate studies but is also receiving graduating Maintenance from U of for about 15 months, and graduated and received his wings in training in Naval leadership techniques. Alex has completed Officer and maintained helicopters and Ospreys which are troop M. One of August 2018. They are both second lieutenants and aviators in technical field training on a nuclear submarine based out of carriers. He and other Marines aided the residents of Haiti after the his stints took him to Fallujah, Iraq in 2004 where he fought as a the Air Force, but are stationed at different bases: Jake is a T-6 Pearl Harbor, HI, and received familiarization of Marine Corps hurricane damage there. Erik is currently living in St. Augustine, logistics officer. Justin is now an attorney specializing in aviation law. Instructor Pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas aviation forces at Camp LeJeune, NC. He will be participating Florida and is a Marine Recruiting officer. Ben ‘99 is a where he trained, while Josh is an E-3 AWACS Navigator at in a Mechanical Engineering summer internship at the Lawrence major in the Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City. Jake and Josh hope to make a Livermore National Laboratories in California the summer of Marine Corps. He career out of their service and possibly one day work together. 2019. Alex expects to graduate and Commission as a Navy joined the Marine Officer in 2021. Upon graduation he is required to serve five Reserves in 2001, The Renbergs years in the Navy or the Marine Corps. shortly after 911. Brothers Christopher ‘77 The Boleks He graduated and Bill ‘77 enlisted in the Brothers Joe ‘67, from U of M and U.S. Navy together, going Dave ’68 and Tom entered officer’s to bootcamp in Pensacola, Bolek ’69 all enlisted training school at Quantico and applied for flight school. Ben Florida. in the Marine Corps is an experienced pilot who is trained to fly the F-35B, the fifth Bill went on to Aviation after graduating generation Stealth Jet. Some of his flight training occurred in Electronics Technician from West. Joe Nevada at the Navy’s “Top Gun” school. Ben is currently stationed school and assignment to an and Dave served as in Yuma, Arizona Marine Air Station. Electronic Warfare squadron Corporals in Vietnam. Tom was stationed in San Francisco as an Monica ‘00 served as a major in Rota, Spain for the duration MP. Their father was a Marine during WWII. and flight surgeon for the Air of his enlistment. Christopher Force for six years. After graduating went on to Cryptologic from U of M, she attended MSU’s Technician (Collection) Osteopathic College of Medicine school and assignment to a on a USAF scholarship. She had Navy listening post in Edsell, stints in Oklahoma, Washington D.C., and Korea. Monica currently Scotland. Their father Edward practices family medicine at Creighton and older brother Michael also served in the Navy. University in Omaha. Dave Tom Joe

SPRING 2019 | 9 Continuing the Call to Serve Falcon Awards Night Honors Alums, Supporters news The following list contains names of living graduates who served in the military. If the branch of the service is known, it is listed. Some also sent a photo; those names are in Bold and the photos The sixth annual Falcon Awards Night was held on and created the Amazon Relief charity which aids the sick and are below. Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018 at the Goei Center. Over 200 people impoverished citizens of the Amazon. attended the festivities where two individuals and two couples 1964 1969 2009 were honored for their support of the West Catholic community. Lifetime Achievement Award - Tom (‘77) and Diane (Fleis Dan Mazurek, Army Dan Chulski, Marines Joel Basile Edward Zomberg Tom Levandoski, Marines ‘80) Pelak 2010 For the Pelaks, owners of FlexChecks, West Catholic is part 1966 1972 Stephen Host of their family identity. Tom and Diane met a West, their four Moe Zainea, Army Kirk Bajdek, Navy Andrew Wysocki Larry Stoffer, Navy children graduated from West - Jennifer ‘02, Scott ‘04, Nathan 1967 2011 ‘07 and Lauren ‘08 - and all 13 of their combined siblings Michael Kirkwood, Army 1974 Patrick Nink are alums. The couple created and oversaw WestFest for four Mary Halas, Army Trevor Miller, Air Force years, and Diane worked on the inaugural committee of the 1968 Dave Chesney, Air Force 1985 2012 annual WC auction. Tom and Diane also organized the Band Mike Fischer, Air Force Michael Hipp, Air Force Haley Willsea, Air National Guard Boosters car wash fundraiser and recently co-chaired West’s 50th Greg Freeman, Marines Anniversary Campaign. The couple are currently involved in the Tom Golczynski, Air Force 1989 2016 Dale Gossett, Marines Jenny (Mead) Frasco, Navy William Hathaway, Marines Ed and Irene Fleis Education Fund, a family-run foundation Paul Merrills, Navy Business Excellence Award - Duane Kluting (‘67) which awards college scholarships to students in Leelanau Mike Rettig, Marines 1994 2018 Duane and his wife of 41 years, Audrey, sent their two County. Pat Sullivan, Air Force Dave Wisz, Air Force Brendan Darrow, Army Mike Thompson, Air Force children to West - Steve ‘92 and Kimberly ‘93. Duane worked Jim Walendzik, Marines 2001 at various West Michigan companies as a CPA and Financial Scott Peters, Coast Guard officer, retiring from X-Rite. He now does consulting and serves on corporate and charitable boards. Duane was a very active member at Holy Spirit. He also served the Diocese and West Catholic sharing his business expertise on various boards. Audrey sadly passed away six years ago, but Duane stays active traveling and spending time with his three grandkids - Abigail, Emma and Owen.

Falcon by Choice Award - Jim Rooney (CC ‘44) - posthumous B. Darrow H. Willsea If West Catholic had existed in the early 40s, Jim would have surely attended the school. After serving in the Navy after high school, he eventually started his own company, The Rooney M. Kirkwood Corporation. A longtime Westsider, Jim and his wife Val (CC Thank you to our sponsors! ‘47) raised their three children on the Westside and all attended West - Tom ‘81, Robin ‘82 and Patrick ‘85. Jim was involved Silver Sponsors D. Mazurek with the Boosters and Touchdown Clubs. He also worked Anonymous Holland Litho Printing Service M. Zainea many years organizing and volunteering at the annual WC Golf tournament. Sadly, Jim passed away in August, 2018. Bronze Sponsors Aquinas College St. John Paul II Award - Jim and Lois Flickinger Beene Garter, LLP Even though Jim and Lois did not graduate from West M. Hipp Magic Steel Catholic, their five children did: David ‘86, Joseph ‘88, Susan WC Touchdown Club M. Halas ‘90, Nancy ‘94 and Thomas ‘96. While students at Aquinas, the couple married. After Jim attended Notre Dame Law School, Green & White Sponsors Custom Caulking the couple returned to Grand Rapids and live their faith through Dempsey Ventures, Inc. service to others. In 1992, Lois started the adorers group at K&M Dodge J. Frasco the newly refurbished chapel at West, a group that continues K&M Wayland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today. Around the same time, Jim assisted in programs for Managed Senior Care Gary and Peg Novosad S. Peters the refugees from Bosnia and Kosovo. The couple also work Rockford Contstruction W. Hathaway T. Miller in local programs that help the inner-city poor and homeless, Schmidt, Koning, Villarreal & Associates, LLC Spring 2019 | 11

SPRING 2019 | 11 Reunions ALUMNI news Class of 1998 Class of 1968 The Class of 1998 held their 20th reunion at Long Road Distillers on November 21, 2018. About one-third of the class were in attendance. Pictured left L to r: Alexis (Rollert) Rice, Nicole (Lamancusa) Jenkins, Danielle (Kozminski) Hoeg and Brett Parent. Pictured right L to r: Stephanie (Purwin) Hoekstra, Lis (Jones) Bartom and Kristen (Kuzma) Burleson.

Class of 2008

The Class of 2008 held their 10th reunion on November 23, 2018 at Creston Brewery L to r: Katie (Chase) Lash, Stacy Sabaitis, Ellen Davey, Melissa (Ostrowski) Klenk and Angela Slonske. Pictured above Grads in the group photo include: Dominic Bergquist, Alexa Denhof, Rob Abid, Chelsea Pummill, Paul Guild, Andy Kuzniar, Anne Marie (Herman) Weaver, Abby Schmidt, Julia Solarewicz, Melissa (Inchauste) Freeman. Class of 1973 Class of 1978 Archives Help Needed The West Catholic Archives is in need of volunteers The Class of 1978 held their 40th reunion at 5th Street Hall on Sept.16, 2018 with a no-game tailgate at West beforehand. Principal Cindy Kneibel to maintain, organize and display its artifacts and records. gave those interested a tour of the school improvements. Until last spring, the Catholic Central and West Catholic Upcoming Reunion archives were combined in one location at West Catholic. Volunteer archivists would be asked to commit two or three Class of 1979 – July 27, 2019 – Contact Cindy hours once a month to work in the archives. We need help Roberts at [email protected] for more details. with cataloging donations, organizing files and setting up displays. Visitors to the archives always find our collections to be valuable and interesting. The Class of 1973 met on Sept. 29, 2018 for their 45th reunion Individuals or groups of friends who are interested in at 5th St. Hall. Approximately 75 classmates and their volunteering in the archives should contact Pat Nugent at spouses or guests attended. [email protected] or (616) 233-5941.

SPRING 2019 | 13 IN MEMORIAM IN MEMORIAM Letters to the Editor Supporter of West Catholic Class of 1969 Maureen Schoen Abid (d. December14, 2018) Sharon Egan Farrell (d. January 3, 2019) Dear editor, Staff Class of 1970 What a nice issue of the Westword! The front cover pic [of Bob Misner] is striking and CLASS NOTES Fr. Stephen Vesbit (d. October 28, 2018) Joseph Viventi (d. October 28, 2018) will be a familiar face for all the alum to see! I really like how the articles in the newsletter Class of 1964 Class of 1972 are pertinent to a large range of age groups to capture the attention of all alum. Richard Makowski (d. October 14, 2018) Cathy Schmidt Poling (d. October 6, 2018) Is it possible to have a column each time to highlight reunions? Pics, upcoming Emily (Reens ‘95) Bocian was Alex Borkowski (d. October 18, 2018) honored as part of the Teacher Class of 1976 reunions, contact info, etc? Team of the Year for Forest Class of 1965 Nancy Gerke Wilson (d. December 5, 2018) Great Job all! Thanks for all you do! Hills Public Schools. She has Gregory Baranowski (d. December 23, 2018) Catherine Hendges Huntley (d. October 1, 2018) Sincerely, been teaching first grade at Ada John Hunter (d. January 31, 2019) Elementary in FHPS for the past Class of 1979 Jean King Class of 1966 Monica Frantz Galla (d. October 4, 2018) 20 years. Emily and her fellow Carol Brennan Clouse (d. September 18, 2018) Thank you, Jean! I took your advice and I hope you and our alum enjoy the pictures and teammates have been working Eternal rest grant unto them, Susan Grose (d. December 13, 2018) Class of 1980 updates on p.12 and 13! together 19 of those years. Emily Patricia Heuss Chrystan (d. November 11, 2018) Laurie Rasch (d. December 10, 2018) and her husband Scott Bocian ‘95 O Lord, and let perpetual light Mary Ksiazkiewicz Slocum (d. July 24, 2018) are celebrating their 20th wedding shine upon them. May their Class of 1995 Dear editor, anniversary this year. They have Class of 1967 Corey Ford (d. October 11, 2018) have three children, two of whom souls, and the souls of all the Dorothy Batog Thomas (d. December 8, 2018) I want to thank you for the great article on Class Nite. You brought back some really are students at West Catholic. faithful departed, through the Class of 2001 great memories of that special time during my senior year. I want to share something mercy of God, Rest In Peace, Class of 1968 Rebecca Centilli (d. November 15, 2018) extra to what one of the paragraphs alluded to. Kind of like Paul Harvey's "The rest of the Mary Kay Bergstrom Menn (d. December 25, 2018) story.” Lauren Wesorick ‘04 has been Amen. named the Contract Specialist for the Supply Chain Management 1972 was the year the drinking age dropped to 18. I was a senior then, and class Vice team at Repsol Oil & Gas USA President. We got word the administration was going to cancel Class Nite, mainly for in Pittsburgh, PA. She received the drinking-age reason. Of course, we were all quite sad at this. But a few days later we her law degree from Case Western received news that the class officers at CC got permission to have a support rally at their University in Cleveland and has Deceased grads who served in the military been working in the energy sector gym. We wanted to save Class Nite, not just for our class but those to follow. 1964 Gerard Glowacki 1968 1972 for the past six years. Jerry Brand Roger Krol David Burns Joseph Cohill The big night came and we WC officers and the CC officers were off to the side, next Ronald Brown Paul Manni Steven Chulski Gary Medukas to the microphone. The gym was packed, standing-room-only and people spilled into the Lester Dunneback Michael Sciamanna Harry Karatkiewicz Alexa (Denhof ‘08) Bovill is John Erins Joseph Stein Patrick Gavin 1975 adjacent hall. Since this was so last minute, nothing was set and the time came to start. currently the Senior Accounting John Fortuna James Wojczynski Joseph Hodyna Donald Maynard None of us officers jumped up to be the one to speak first, so I volunteered. I introduced Manager at Feeding San Diego Thomas Gieroch Benedict Zickus Paul Morley myself as VP from WC and the WC students cheered. I don't remember every detail, - a member of Feeding America. Charles Hathaway Terry Nota 1976 She lives in San Diego with Robert Jarceski 1966 Thomas Strolis David Polkowski but I know I put both hands up to stop the applause and said something like "No this her husband Captain Michael Larry Kaleta Lawrence Bozek is not rivalry time. Tonight we need to be one. Catholic Central and West Catholic Bovill who is stationed at MCAS Collin Mankoski Stanley Gryszko 1969 1977 combined to save Class Nite." Then, BOTH CC and WC students cheered. I said a few Michael Margelis Thomas Kazel Robert Rosloniec Timothy Beenen Miramar as a Judge Advocate and Jerome Nawrocki Eugene Keller David Sierputowicz Christopher Renberg more things, the CC officers got up and spoke, and so did another of our officers. We their daughter Drew who was born Stephen Wierzbicki David Moore basically pledged to police our behavior and asked Msgr. Murphy, the administrators and last September. David Yalacki Richard Richter 1970 1978 especially Mrs. LaBelle to reconsider. They were all in attendance. Then, to our surprise Donald Zickus Frederick VanAssen Michael Anisko Joseph Sehler - and amazement - Msgr. Murphy got up and said he and Mrs. LaBelle conferred, and Daniel Weber Patrick Czarnowski Megan Harkema ‘13 graduated 1965 Robert Gorecki 1981 based on the huge show of student support decided to keep Class Nite going. The gym from the University of Michigan Gerald Blanchard 1967 Roger Klimas Allen Rohloff erupted. The rest is history. last April with a Bachelors of Vincent Haraburda John Abram Robert Madden Science in Nuclear Engineering, John Hunter Jerry Fish 2006 Michael Klein Thomas Oleniczak 1971 Mitchell VanPortfleet In retrospect, I think Msgr. and Mrs LaBelle showed us that even 17-and 18-year-olds Summa Cum Laude. She is now working on her PhD at Robert Kozminski Robert Paniwozik Richard Kluting CAN make a difference. Vanderbilt University, Nashville Jerry Levandoski Anthony Panza TN with a Fellowship in Nuclear Keep up the good work with the Westword. Environment Engineering.

Sincerely, John Kaman WC '72

SPRING 2019 | 15 NON-PROFIT WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ORGANIZATION 1801 Bristol NW • Grand Rapids, MI 49504 U.S. POSTAGE PAID GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT #398

6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Order tickets at www.grwestcatholic.org