WEST CATHOLIC WINTER 2015 ALUMNINEWS

TOGETHER IN LEARNING. WESTAND FOREVER IN FAITH.

School News Alumni News Advancement News Foundation News Vol. 29 No. 1, WC Edition WINTER 2015

Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools David Faber, Superintendent/ ALUMNIConnecting the WEST CATHOLICNEWS Community Canonical Administrator Kevin Simon, Business Manager Pam Sisco, Accounts Receivable 3 PRINCIPAL’S LETTER Tory Smith, Accounts Payable/Human Resources Carol Glanville, Director of Educational Technology Marilyn Gillis, Database Assistant 4 FROM FR. SCOTT NOLAN West Catholic High School Cynthia Kneibel, Principal 5 PASSING ON VIRTUES: ALUMNI PROFILE Tony Fischer, Assistant Principal Christopher Abid, Director of Alumni Relations & Assistant Athletic Director 7 SHARING THE FRUIT OF HARD WORK Kristy Blackmore, Advancement Director Jill VanderEnde, Program Officer 8 SHINING BRIGHT: FALCON AWARDS NIGHT Dan Rohn, Athletic Director Todd Peters, Admissions Director Fr. Scott Nolan, Chaplain 9 SCHOOL NEWS Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education Michael Wolfston, Executive Director 11 SPORTS ROUND-UP West Catholic Alumni News is published twice yearly by Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools to connect the community of alumni, 14 FOUNDATION NEWS friends and family of West Catholic High School.

Send comments to: 15 IN MEMORIAM Editor Alumni News 1801 Bristol Ave NW 15 CLASS NOTES Grand Rapids MI 49504 [email protected]

Mission West Catholic High School provides a Catholic culture for instruction and faith formation that challenges students to know and love God, seek Intercession to Saint John Paul II knowledge and truth, respect the dignity of each person and contribute to society through leadership and service. O Holy Trinity, we thank you for having given to the Church Keep in touch! Send us your new address and your new degree, new job, engagement, marriage and birth Pope John Paul II, announcements. Please email Chris Adid, Alumni and for having made him shine with your fatherly tenderness, Director, at [email protected]. the glory of the Cross of Christ and the splendor of the Spirit of love Online www.grwestcatholic.org He, trusting completely in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, has shown himself facebook.com/grwestcatholic in the likeness of Jesus the Good Shepherd facebook.com/grwestcatholicalums and has pointed out to us holiness twitter.com/grwcatholic as the path to reach eternal communion with You.

Grant us, through his intercession, according to your will, the grace that we implore, in the hope that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen. WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 1801 Bristol NW • Grand Rapids MI 49504

2 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

A new era

Welcome to the new West Catholic!

Beginning on January 1, 2015 we began a new era, a time of independent governance that will allow West Catholic’s unique personality to grow and flourish. Last spring the Most Reverend Bishop David Walkowiak announced the splitting of the Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary School Board into two independent boards, one serving Catholic Central the other West Catholic. This separation will help both schools meet the competitive challenges faced today in the educational marketplace. Separate we can laser-focus on the strengths as well as the challenges in each building and each community. The Catholic principle of subsidiarity dictates that matters should be addressed at the smallest, least centralized authority possible with the knowledge that those closest to the issues understand them and their potential solutions best. I am confident this governance structure will encourage growth and sustainability in both schools, bringing in more energy and vitality than ever before.

The new Board is taking over the governance at what I believe to be the early stages of significant growth for West Catholic. Enrollment, up for the past two years, is positioned to grow significantly for the 2015-2016 school year. To date, the number of applications received for the 2015-2016 freshman class has increased by 27% compared to last year, with potential for even greater growth as the academic year progresses. Each class currently in the building has grown in number since entering freshman year. Private schools typically have attrition of students throughout the years yet we show growth at every class level!

The new Board is fortunate to have the tremendous momentum gained from the past. We have a firm foundation on which to build. Thank you to everyone who has given their time, talent, treasure, prayers and support. Your dedication is not only reflected in enrollment growth, but many other facets of West Catholic life. Since 2007 we have received recognition as a Top 50 Catholic School, this year renamed a School of Excellence by the Cardinal Newman Society. We were acknowledged on the 2014 Washington Post’s list of the Most Challenging Schools in America. College scholarship dollars granted to the 2014 senior graduating class reached a record high of $7,238,782 which averages out to $62,945.93 per graduate. We are in the process of improving our physical campus. Come by if you have the opportunity to see the current and planned improvements.

I would also like to thank the Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Board members, past and present who valiantly steered the Grand Rapids Catholic Schools through both great and challenging times. Working together we kept our mission of a Christ-centered, academically rigorous education alive and well. I am confident collaboration will continue as both schools reach out to each other for advice and support.

Please enjoy this copy of the Alumni News. Come visit we would love to see you! God Bless you today and always.

Cynthia Kneibel Principal

WINTER 2015 | 3 FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Dear Friends in Christ,

The school year is almost halfway over already! Which means that all of our students are busy getting ready for the final exams concluding the first semester, and the teachers are all gearing up for the second semester of courses. Winter sports are in full swing, and the Shakespeare play is getting ready for their performance. Plenty is happening at West Catholic (although really that is true all year)!

The other thing happening is that we are in the middle of winter, or at least are about to be in the middle of winter. For some, that’s a great thing, outdoor winter sports can be an absolute blast. Personally, I would prefer that the sun come out a little more often, even if the cold forces us to be inside, I’m still a big fan of the sunlight. And you know what, I’ve discovered that at times life can be like that. We want the sunlight to come out a little more often than it does, we want the warmth and comfort that it brings. Even if we cannot clearly identify and articulate the restlessness of our hearts, there it is, staring at us like a cloudy January day in Michigan, not going anywhere anytime soon.

Might I propose that precisely the ordinariness of this time we are about to enter, after Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are over, is a fantastic place to encounter God. You see, the Incarnation of Jesus, also called Christmas, is incredible and grace-filled, and yet amazingly ordinary. There is something incredible and unrepeatable about the birth of a child. And yet it happens every day and rarely makes the news. Jesus was born into our world as a seemingly ordinary little baby. The grace of God happens upon our hearts often in very ordinary ways. Will we, like Mary and the disciples before us, be paying enough attention to God’s ordinariness to say yes to His grace? I think that the ordinariness, and perhaps cloudiness, of winter gives us a chance to learn anew how to do just that.

Yours in Christ, Fr. Scott Nolan Chaplain

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, West Catholic held a Mass in honor of all Veterans.

4 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI PROFILE

Passing on virtue Large families often draw a lot of attention to themselves whether intentionally or inadvertently. Anyone who watches reality television knows the public’s fascination with how these mega families function. One such family has its roots in West Michigan: Miles and Cecelia Schmidt and their nine children, eight of whom attended West Catholic. Miles, a 1968 West Catholic graduate, met his wife, Cecelia Stawski from Hamtramck, while attending Duns Scotus College in the Detroit area. “I was looking for a girl with traditional Catholic values, who placed family as her first priority. He also added, “She was Polish and even though I wasn’t, I grew up with so many of Polish descent on the Westside, that I felt right at home with her from the start. And,” he said, “she was very attractive!” Education is very important to the Schmidt’s. Both Miles and Cecelia attended Catholic grade schools and high schools and went on to receive multiple degrees. Cecelia attended Immaculata High School (’71) in Detroit and earned her bachelor and master’s degrees from Wayne State University. She then proudly served her country as a U.S. Naval Officer in its Medical Commissioned Corps as an audiologist in Spartanburg, SC and then, later, at the University of Texas in Dallas at the Callier Speech and Language Center. Miles graduated with a B.S. Degree in Medical Technology from the “We chose WC because we and then earned an MBA in Finance from Eastern Michigan University. He also earned a B.A. in Classical Languages and wanted our kids to receive a Philosophy from South Carolina’s Furman University and later attended the good Catholic education. As a University of Dallas before returning to the Grand Rapids area in 1986 with Cecelia and their then four children. graduate of West, I had many “We missed our families and the trips to Lake Michigan and even Michigan’s weather and its change of seasons,” said Miles. The family joined fond memories of my high the Basilica of St. Adalbert where he and Cecelia sing in its choir and were active in its grade school where their older children attended. Later, their school years there and knew that children attended St. Jude School and All Saint’s Academy. Miles then worked the school prepares you well for on a Master’s Degree in Taxation from Grand Valley, and now manages his own CPA tax and accounting practice along with his staff of ten. the outside world and for one’s As their family grew with five more children, Miles and Cecelia wanted an education for them similar to their own. Miles recalls: “We chose WC because Catholic faith.” -Miles Schmidt we wanted our kids to receive a good Catholic education. As a graduate of West, I had many fond memories of my high school years there and knew that the school prepares you well for the outside world and for one’s Catholic faith.” continued on next page

WINTER 2015 | 5 ALUMNI PROFILE

continued from previous page

Their daughter, Monica (WC ‘00), is a testament of that Kolleen (’05) has a B.S. Degree from the U of M in Brain preparation. selected her as one of the Behavior & Cognitive Science and is an intraoperative neuro- areas “Top 100 high school students”. She then went on to earn technologist at the University of Michigan’s Health System. a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the U of M, graduated Recently married in June, she resides in Ann Arbor with her from MSU’s Osteopathic Medical School and is now stationed as husband, Nick Chulski, who is in the same profession and a an active duty physician with the rank of (soon to be) Major in the graduate of G.R. Catholic Central. U.S. Air Force in Osan, South Korea. Luke, who has Down Syndrome, graduated from Cedar Springs Monica credits her parents for her successes. “My parents as a High School’s Special Education program in 2009 and currently unit were a perfect balance of being nurturing and supportive. resides with his parents and attends Kent Vocational Center. My mother was there to comfort me and my father was there to Erik (’09) graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in encourage me. They instilled in me the importance of living within Accounting, and recently finished officer training in the USMC and my means and sacrificing for the things that are really important.” was commissioned a 2nd Lt. as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He What is really important to Miles and Cecelia is their faith and is currently stationed in Pensacola, Florida. belief in Catholic education. Kolbe (’12) attended Aquinas College for two years and is “Parents need to do everything they can to see that their children completing his studies at Grand Rapids Community College. are properly schooled in the Catholic faith,” said Miles. “Public Finally, the Schmidt’s youngest — and last — child to attend schools cannot teach the beauty of traditional values, morals, faith, West Catholic is Dominic, a senior who, active in football, belief in God and true character” that are part of the Catholic basketball and track, will be graduating in May 2015. schools’ mission. Cecelia adds that “WC has mirrored the values Monica contends growing up with so many siblings wasn’t always that we ourselves instilled in our children, to become moral, easy. “I was frequently embarrassed by my large family: We were respectful and generous adults prepared to face life’s challenges with always late, often wore hand-me-downs, and our vacations usually faith and confidence.” involved some sort of vehicle breakdowns! In addition to Monica, their other children are equally successful: “But it wasn’t until recently that I realized what a blessing it is to Justin (’97) graduated from the University of Michigan (U of be part of such a large family... now family vacations, weddings and M) with a degree in liberal arts, was a Captain in the U.S. Marine holidays are ridiculously fun because there is never a dull moment.” Corps (USMC) and fought in Fallujah, Iraq, and then went on The Schmidt family got noticed because of its size, which is a to receive his law degree from Rutgers University. He is now an rarity these days, but it really is not that much different from the aviation attorney and litigator at the Jaffe Law Firm in Southfield, many hundreds of families who have made West Catholic their Michigan but makes his home in Ann Arbor with his wife, Heather school of choice for their own children. These families may be and the Schmidt’s only grandchildren, Caleb and Evan. different in makeup and size, but they all share a common goal of Ben (’99) graduated from the U of M majoring in Economics. wanting what is best for their children and for that which walks He is a Captain in the USMC and flies the F-18 fighter jet although hand in hand with their own values of faith and integrity. next June he has been selected to begin training on and flying Cecelia sums it up best: “As we close the book on our last 21 years the new stealth fighter jet, the F-35. He is currently serving in of having children attend WC, many bittersweet memories swell Okinawa, Japan while his wife, Becky, has to stay home in sunny up inside of me. I won’t miss all the conferences and meetings but San Diego where Ben’s “Red Devil Unit” is stationed at Miramar definitely will recall with fondness all the people who have touched Marine Air Base. our lives. Miles and I, as well as our children, are so much better for Brigid (’03) graduated from the U of M with a degree in film having been West Catholic Falcons. May God continue to bless all and theater and is an art teacher at Harbor Day School in Orange who make WC a very special and unique Catholic school.” County, California.

6 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS HANK AND CHERYL MAKAREWICZ

Sharing the fruit of hard work— announcing a $1 million gift Hank and Cheryl Makarewicz, whose daughters Suzanne (’86), Christine (’89) and Carrie (’90) attended West Catholic, are all smiles after making the announcement of their generous gift to the Fifty Year Campaign. Their son, Thomas (’92), attended Catholic Central.

West Catholic High School is pleased to announce that Hank Mr. Makarewicz grew up on a farm. When he moved to Grand and Cheryl Makarewicz have pledged a gift of $1 million to the Rapids at age 11, he was delighted to find people would pay him West Catholic 50 Year Capital Campaign with the donation for shoveling snow and raking leaves. He continued this strong going towards building a new main entrance and a state-of- work ethic in college, where, when he couldn’t find a job, he made the-art academic learning center. The West Catholic 50 Year one, becoming a barber and cutting fellow classmates hair. “If you Capital Campaign is part of a five year campaign with plans to can’t find a job, make one, he implored. Hank ran Shawmut Hills propel the school into the 21st Century and beyond. The $1M Sales for 47 years and currently is still involved at K&M Dodge. gift from the Makarewicz’ is part of Phase Two of the campaign, “On behalf of everyone at West Catholic High School, I want to with a goal of $2 M for capital improvements. Roughly $2 M express our deep gratitude to Hank & Cheryl Makarewicz for this was raised during Phase One of the campaign, with all funds generous and visionary gift,” said West Catholic Principal Cynthia allocated to tuition assistance. Kneibel. “Gifts of this size are not made without a great deal of Hank and Cheryl Makarewicz made their surprise thought, and we embrace the opportunity and responsibility of announcement at the 2014 Falcon Awards Gala, demonstrating using this investment to help enhance learning for all students on their strong support of the work ethic exhibited throughout the the West Side. We have the chance to impact the learning of many evening by those receiving awards. The award recipients included students, and for that we are eternally grateful.” Sister Miriam Therese SSND, Mr. Michael VanGessel, Ms. Debra “This generous gift continues the tremendous momentum Bailey, Mr. Joel Langlois, and Mr. Edward Wagner, all of whom and growth at West Catholic High School this past year, and we had, and continue to have, a strong work ethic and an influence on hope it will inspire others,” said Kristy Blackmore, Director of the West Side. “West Catholic staff, students, parents and alumni Advancement. “We are thankful for the success of the campaign understand the importance of hard work,” said Hank Makarewicz. so far, and grateful for all the support we have received to date. “If you work hard, that’s what is important for success.”

WINTER 2015 | 7 FALCON AWARDS NIGHT

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Recipients (Presenters): 1. Deb Bailey WC ’68 (Fr. Mark Przybysz, WC ’79); 2. Sr. Miriam Therese Gill (Lisa Nawrocki, WC ’82); 3. Ed Wagner CC ’57 (Steve Abid); 4. Joel Langlois (John Beadling); 5. Mike VanGessel WC ’82 (Tom McGovern, CC ’83)

Shining bright Falcon Awards Night spotlights amazing people West Catholic High School hosted Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and sitting on construction of the Falcon Stadium and its Second Annual Falcon Awards Night many local boards. many other improvements to our campus. on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. The Sr. Miriam Therese Gill, SSND was Mike VanGessel (’82) was presented Falcon Awards Gala allows West Catholic presented with the Excellence in Catholic with the Alumni Excellence award for the opportunity to express their deep Faith award for her work at West Catholic his visionary leadership throughout appreciation, gratitude and admiration from 1969–1979. Sr. Miriam was placed Grand Rapids as the CEO of Rockford for those who have made West Catholic at West Catholic in 1969, first as a math Construction. Mike grew up on the Westside one of the top Catholic High Schools in teacher, then as Assistant Principal, and lastly and continues to support its redevelopment, America. West Catholic’s alumni have as West Catholic’s first female Principal. including establishing Rockford’s new gone on to be leaders in the church and At the age of 91, Sr. Miriam Therese headquarters on the lower Westside. the community exemplifying “The West still works full time as the Director of Edward H. Wagner, Sr. was presented Way.” Proceeds from the evening will help Religious Education at Sts. Peter and Paul with the Falcon by Choice award for provide tuition assistance to families who in Huntington, Indiana. his many years of teaching, coaching, desire a faith-based education. Joel Langlois was presented with the and service at West Catholic. In 1962, Business Excellence award for his tireless Ed became a teacher and coach at West The following people were awarded: work to improve West Catholic. In 1999, Catholic and then in 1979, Ed succeeded Deb Bailey (’68) was presented with Joel co-founded the West Improvement Sr. Miriam Therese as the first lay Principal the Veritas award for her virtues and Network (WIN), a group that identified and remained in that position until 1991. contributions to so many in the Grand campus improvement projects and Ed is currently the honorary chair for the Rapids community. Deb’s tireless work then looked for talents within the WC West Catholic 50th Campaign and is still a ethic and “can do” attitude is evident in community to complete them. He is regular presence on campus. everything she does, such as founding credited with the completion of the

8 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS SCHOOL NEWS

Convent demolition You may have noticed some changes around campus this past summer. The convent that occupied the northwest corner of campus for 52 years came down this past summer to pave the way for future site improvements at West Catholic. The original tenants of the convent, the School Sisters of Notre Dame returned to campus in October to commemorate the tireless work of the school’s first staff members and teachers. We are grateful for everything the School Sisters of Notre Dame did to shape West Catholic in the early years and are exciting for the future. The demolition was made possible by funds raised through the 50 Year Campaign. Taking flight On May 20, 2014 114 students celebrated mass with the Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley at the Basilica of Saint Adalbert. The class of 2014 was comprised of students from almost 20 parishes was well as exchange students from Asia and Europe. The class of 2014 was addressed by their valedictorian Nick Link, and salutatorian Pete Brechting, during the commencement ceremonies. The 2014 seniors earned $7,238,782 in college scholarships and 98 percent of the Class of 2014 went on to college with one student entering the seminary. The Class of 2014 also saw a five percent increase in students attending Catholic Colleges after West Catholic. Along with Nick and Pete, the Class of 2014 was led academically by top ten students; Joe Corey, Chris Jensen, Ryan Linak, Joe O’Brien, Ellie Ryan, Kasey Setlock, Justin Trudell and Cal Wila.

WINTER 2015 | 9 SCHOOL NEWS

Growing in faith together Peer Ministers — working with our Director of Campus Ministry, Mr. Phil Dolci (’99), parents, and teachers — prayerfully planned and executed a two-day retreat at Camp Blodgett on Lake Michigan in order to create a bonding experience for the incoming seniors and to encourage them to live as loyal disciples of Jesus Christ. Teams were made of seniors who had not had a chance to interact during their high school experience. Team bonding activities such as a dizzy bat race and pie eating contest were played to help students get to know each other better. Mary Bielski, a national youth speaker, spoke about forgiveness and friendship with God. Later, she teamed up with David Denbraber (’84) and addressed some of the challenges our students face in today’s society and encouraged them to rise above it, so to truly live as the sons and daughters of God that they are. Fr. Scott Nolan, our chaplain, shared both days by working with small groups, hearing confessions and celebrating Mass on the beach.

PLAN ON ATTENDING FRIDAY, APRIL 24! 2015 WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL AUCTION Reserve online at www.grwestcatholic.org. Early Bird pricing: $40/person through March 24.

10 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS SCHOOL NEWS/SPORTS ROUND-UP Westward bound The Out West trip was another amazing experience. 43 students and 14 chaperones made the trek from Grand Rapids out to Wyoming with many stops along the way. The group left on June 15 and returned home on June 28, wearily exhausted but full of memories. The group began by going north through the Upper Peninsula and then took a turn west heading through Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana before arriving at the ultimate destinations of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Stops included Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Devil’s Tower, Mr. Rushmore, The Badlands, and many more. Highlights included white water rafting on the Snake River, a snowy hike up to Surprise Lake in the Grand Tetons, lots of wildlife, including a couple bears on the mountain climb, many great car rides with sing-a-longs, Euchre games, good food and friends.

Sports round-up The 2014 Spring Sports season was a great success at West Girls Golf placed second at their conference meet, first among Catholic. Both the baseball and softball teams took home OK OK Blue schools. They then finished second at Regionals and an Bronze Conference championships and followed that up with outstanding fourth place finish at the State Finals. District Championships as well. Senior Nick Solarewicz won the Boys Tennis D4 Number One The Boys and Girls Track teams each won Regional singles state championship, along with the Regional championship. Championships qualifying them for competition at the Division The Football team won their eighth consecutive league III MITCA Team State Meet where the boys finished third and championship with a 5-0 OK Blue record, and then won district the girls finished sixth. and regional titles for the fifth year in a row. The football team also The 2014 Fall season concluded with many state-level qualified for the state finals for the third season in a row and won accomplishments. Junior Bobby Haskin won the OK Blue the 2014 Division V State Championship completing the first Cross Country Championship, then an eighth place finish at the undefeated season in the 52 year history of West Catholic Football. Regional, and a sixth place finish at the State Finals. Girls Cross FB Coach Dan Rohn was named Detroit Free Press Dream Team Country took third at the Regional Championship. Coach of the Year and the Coach of the Year.

WINTER 2015 | 11 SPORTS ROUND-UP SPORTS ROUNDUP

The 1976 West Catholic football team was coming off a History joyously disappointing season the year before. After going 9-0 for the first time in school history in 1974, the 1975 Falcon squad struggled through a tough schedule and lost three games by a combined 19 points on repeats itself their way to a 3-6 finish. The 1976 WC football team was determined to turn the tables. With a convincing week one win over Lansing Tradition Never Graduates Sexton they were on their way. The ’76 team won the City League title, the third in WC history, with a perfect 6-0 league record before shutting out Grand Haven (34-0) and Rockford (35-0) in weeks eight and nine. Unfortunately, the ’76 team was a victim of the original playoff format which only allowed four teams from each class into the playoffs. The ’76 team had to settle for the #1 ranking in the Detroit Free Press at the end of the season rather than a shot at the state title which went to East Grand Rapids.

12 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS SPORTS ROUND-UP

The 1977 team picked up right where they had left off the Falcon team was the reigning Division V State Champions, year before. Once again the ’77 team was a perfect 6-0 in the City ranked number one is Division V and had not lost a game since League, WC’s first back-to-back conference championships, but September 27, 2013. It had been 406 days since the Falcons were they also qualified for the then three year old MHSAA Playoffs last the losing team on the scoreboard. The streak, however, might with another perfect 9-0 record. The first time playoff qualifier have been the last thing on the players’ minds as their goal was Falcons defeated South Haven 21-20 with Tony Makarewicz simply to advance one more week in the playoffs and continue making his first PAT of the season with only 4:15 left to play towards a state championship. The host Falcons jumped out to a to give WC the win and run the win streak to 19 games. The 28-12 halftime lead en route to a 48-12 victory. following week the Falcons bowed out of the playoffs in a loss to The win over Hopkins was the Falcons 11th on the year Saginaw MacArthur in a 14-6 loss at Houseman Field. and 20th straight since September if 2013. Perhaps it was a bit Over the years there would be streaks of eight or nine wins bittersweet for those members of the 1976-77 teams that were in for West Catholic Football. The 1987-88 teams put together 11 attendance as they cheered on this Falcon team and watched as consecutive victories before falling to neighborhood rival GR the record winning streak that stood for 37 years was broken. Union 7-0. In 2007 the Falcons racked up 12 straight wins on Three weeks later the 2014 Falcons finished the job and joined their way to the semi-finals for the first time since 1979, but were the 1974 and 1976 WC Football teams as the only undefeated unable to advance past Menominee. The 2010 team won the teams in West Catholic history. They however stand alone as the school’s first state championship with 13 consecutive wins after a only 14-0, state champion team in the storied history of West week one loss to perennial power Orchard Lake St. Mary, but the Catholic Football. Here’s hoping that the 2015 team can continue 2011 season again started with a loss to OLSM. making edits to the record book and keep the streak alive. No Fast forward 37 years from that Saturday afternoon in matter what, over the 52 season of football at West Catholic, one South Haven to November 7, 2014 and Falcon Stadium. This thing was been constant, Tradition Never Graduates.

WINTER 2015 | 13 FOUNDATION NEWS

Have you considered a charitable gift annuity? They pay you money while you enjoy life!

Dear West Catholic Alumni,

A major concern for many retirees, or those thinking about retiring, is how to guarantee a steady income stream that exceeds daily financial needs and maximizes all available tax breaks. Once personal needs are met, many people then consider how they can continue to support favorite charities and causes they care about, even when living on a fixed income.

As a means of reaching and maintaining your retirement financial goals, while supporting West Catholic High School, please consider the Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education (FCSE) Charitable Gift Annuity program.

A few major points of our Charitable Gift Annuity program are: • Beneficiaries must be at least 60 years of age at the time of the gift. • A minimum gift requirement is $10,000. • Receive dependable, fixed income for life in return for your gift. • In many cases, increase the yield you are currently receiving from stocks or CDs. • Receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your gift. • A portion of your annuity will be tax-free. • Gift annuities act as longevity insurance to protect income as you age.

The FCSE has partnered with the (Comerica Legacy Foundation – Comerica Bank) which guarantees your annuity payments and then turns over 100% of the annuity residuum to the FCSE at the contract end. The FCSE will then place the residuum in our general endowment fund which provides tuition assistance to the students at West Catholic High School.

Please consider this gift annuity option. To calculate your annuity payments and tax savings based on your age and donation amount please visit the FCSE web page at: community.fcse.grcss.org and use the Online Gift Illustrator to calculate your payments for life. If you would like to set an appointment with me to discuss the Charitable Gift Annuity option please call me at 616-514-6069 or email me at [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Michael R. Wolfston Executive Director The Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education Leave Your

14 | WEST CATHOLIC ALUMNI NEWS Mark IN MEMORIAM AND CLASS NOTES

Class of 1965 Class of 1974 Juliann (Balulis) Austhof (d. 11-20-14) Craig Bienick (d. 5-28-14) Michael Jonkman (d. 11-21-14) Class of 1966 Cheryl (Averill) Klein (d. 7-27-14) Class of 1975 Margaret Spruit (d. 5-6-14) Deborah (Maciulewski) Rodgers (d. 11-20-14) Ruth (Stiemel) Polmanteer (d. 5-31-14) Class of 1976 Class of 1967 Gregory Olen (d. 10-4-14) Lawrence Siegel (d. 8-17-14) Cynthia Szumski (d. 7-4-14) Robert Paniwozik (d. 3-1-14) Class of 1978 May the souls of the Class of 1968 Jean Nastaj (d. 10-11-14) Paul Morley (d. 6-17-14) faithful departed rest Ann (Yost) Maluchnik (d. 10-22-14) Class of 1981 Anthony Hehl (d. 7-13-14) in peace. Eternal rest Class of 1969 Donald Blough (d. 6-26-14) Class of 1985 grant unto them, Heidi (Walsh) Mull (d. 7-10-14) Class of 1970 O Lord, and let Michele (Flagg) Higby (d. 9-29-14) Class of 1986 perpetual light shine Daniel Rock (d. 5-26-14) Adam Pawloski (d. 5-27-14) Class of 1971 Class of 2007 upon them. James Zomberg (d. 7-8-14) Charles Oppenneer (d. 7-13-14)

Class of 1972 Class of 2008 David Slezak (d. 10-21-14) Bobbie Croel (d. 12-3-14) Thomas Uzarski (d. 11-18-14) Class of 2014 Tell us! Alexander Borgia (d. 6-3-14) New job? New baby? Class notes Newlywed? CLASS OF 1995 Rev. Pete McCormick, C.S.C., associate director of campus ministry, has been appointed director of the University of Notre Dame’s Office of Campus Ministry, effective February 1.

Please send all submissions to Chris Abid, CLASS OF 2004 Alumni Director, at christopherabid@ Chris and Jenny (Aikens) Abid welcomed Henry Christopher Abid, born July 13, 2014. grcss.org. Please include: Your Name (at Todd and Tiffany (Madura, CC ’04) Peters welcomed Payton Rose on June 13, 2014 graduation and present); Class Year; Email Address; Current Address/Phone (if new). CLASS OF 2005

Submissions are edited for space, clarity and Jake and Jessica (Gutowski) Slaydon welcomed the birth of their first child, Blake Jacob adherence to the style and tone of the magazine. Slaydon, on born May 3, 2014 at 9:02 P.M. in Orlando, Florida. The family currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

WINTER 2015 | 15 GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS NONPROFIT ORG WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL US POSTAGE 360 Division Ave. S. PAID Grand Rapids MI 49503 GRAND RAPIDS, MI PERMIT NO. 398

Use Your Gift Annuity Payments To Support Your Grandchildren’s Education

Benefits of a charitable gift annuity with FSCE include: . Future support for West Catholic . Charitable income-tax deduction . Payments for life that you can use to support your grandchildren’s education

GIFT ANNUITY RATES

age rate ages rate One annuitant Two annuitants 60 4.4% 60-60 3.9% 65 4.7% 65-65 4.2% 70 5.1% 70-70 4.6% 75 5.8% 75-75 5.0% 80 6.8% 80-80 5.7% 85 7.8% 85-85 6.7%

The information contained herein is offered for general informational and educational purposes. The figures cited in the examples and illustrations are accurate at the time of writing and are based on federal law as well as IRS discount rates that change monthly. State law may affect the results illustrated. You should seek the advice of an attorney for applicability to your own situation. Copyright © by Pentera, Inc. All rights reserved.

Let us help you create your legacy. Contact us today and/or visit us at community.fcse.grcss.org! Mr. Michael R. Wolfston • [email protected] • 616-514-6069