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MiegianA BISHOP MIEGE HIGH SCHOOL PUBLICATION december 2007

DON’T MISS WINTER Welcome to Dixon Doll Stadium SPORTS AT BISHOP MIEGE! Make plans to catch a home game this winter at Bishop Miege:

BOYS’ BASKETBALL Friday, Jan. 4 vs. Blue Valley West Friday, Jan. 11 vs. Blue Valley Friday, Feb. 8 vs. Blue Valley North Friday, Feb. 15 vs. BVNW Friday, Feb. 15 Bishop Miege begins a new era of Stag athletics vs. Aquinas

INSIDE On Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, a new era GIRLS’ ■ A profi le of Dixon of Bishop Miege athletics began with BASKETBALL Doll, class of the opening of Dixon Doll Stadium. Thursday, Jan. 3 1960, page 9 Demolition started in June, and four vs. BVW ■ The past met months later, the gates opened for the future at OMiege’s Homecoming football and soccer Jan. 15-17: Girls’ Homecoming Metro Tourney games. at Dixon Doll The new stadium features new light- Monday, Jan. 21 Stadium, page 8 vs. BVNW ■ A gift from ing, competition-grade track, a state- Don and Patty of-the-art artifi cial turf fi eld and a new Monday, Jan. 28 Kincaid doubles grandstand. The stadium was named for vs. Aquinas the size of 1960 Miege alumnus Dixon Doll, whose Wednesday, Jan. Bishop Miege’s signifi cant contributions to and leader- During halftime of the Miege-Aquinas football 30 vs. Wyandotte campus – and ship in the early phases of fund-raising game on Oct. 26, Miege President Dr. Joe Passantino (right) recognized stadium namesake Thursday, Feb. 7 helps make The helped make the current facility a reality. Future of Miege Dixon Doll ’60 (left), along with members of the vs. BVN On Oct. 26 during the big Miege- Athletics a reality, undefeated 1958 Miege football team and their Aquinas football game, the stadium coach, Paul Martel. Monday, Feb. 11 page 9 vs. Blue Valley

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 freshman focus

Why I chose Miege Bishop Miege Everyone has a different reason for and Miege is Scholarship choosing the high school they attend. I in the diversity have known that I would be attending of the student freshman winners

Bishop Miege for as long as I can body. Miege has FOUNDATION ■ Stacey Riley remember. When I was in kindergarten, an incredibly SCHOLAR’S AWARD (Holy Spirit) Emy oldest sister was a freshman at eclectic student ■ Erin Alexander ■ Michael Starshak Miege. From then on my closest friends population, and (Cure of Ars) (Good Shepherd) ■ Julia Moore ■ Haley Westhoff and I all planned to attend Miege. this gives you the (Holy Cross) (John Paul II) One of the many things I like is the opportunity to ■ Hannah Orpin KEVIN KLEINE great variety of clubs, activities and meet and form (St. Agnes) MERIT sports, such as Spirit Club, Spanish friendships with all kinds of different ■ Helen Stanley SCHOLARSHIP (St. Peter, Mo.) ■ Conrad Bonney Club, Guitar Club and SADD, just to people. (Foreign Language name a few. These offer something My first semester is coming to an SOFT HART Academy) exciting for any type of person. end, and I couldn’t be happier with my SCHOLARSHIP ■ Ann Kalis Miege also has a lot of fun activities, high school experience thus far. I have ■ Colleen Maxwell (Cure of Ars) (St. Agnes) ■ Nicole Miller such as our recent Guitar Hero™ met many new friends. All the teachers (Christ the King) tournament. And finally, Miege also are very helpful with any question or IGNATIUS ■ Austin O’Bryne has a wide variety of sports to choose problem you may have. All the classes STRECKER AWARD (St. Ann) from. Whether you enjoy , are taught keeping Catholicism at ■ Sarah Cazares ■ Brian Orrick (Holy Cross) (St. Ann) basketball or Miege has the their root. This allows for you to say ■ Ellen Wheeler sport for you. what you think and believe and not be PRINCIPAL (St. Ann) I attended St. Ann for grade school. limited in what you can discuss in class. SCHOLARSHIP It is a great school, and I enjoyed all Bishop Miege was the perfect choice for ■ Jacob Cronenwett MARY ANN LUCAS (Good Shepherd) nine years I spent there. One of the me, and I’m sure it could be for you too. AWARD ■ Maggie Hair ■ Seamus Albritton biggest differences between St. Ann’s Kevin Kleine, St. Ann (St. Thomas More) (Sacred Heart) ■ Tessie Johnson ■ Hannah Flournoy (John Paul II) (Cure of Ars) ■ Kevin Kleine ■ Kevin Kleine SNAPSHOT: “SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ” (St. Ann) (St. Ann) ■ Samuel Komosa ■ Sam Komosa (St. Joseph) (St. Joseph) ■ Michael Starshak ■ Nikki Lally (Good Shepherd) (John Paul II) ■ Alex Werth ■ Sean Martin (St. Joseph) (St. Agnes) ■ Emily Mika WILLIAM ROST (St. Joseph) SCHOLARSHIP ■ Mark Poulose ■ Erin Alexander (Sacred Heart) (Cure of Ars) ■ Emily Rainey (Holy Cross) PASTOR ■ Stacey Riley SCHOLARSHIP (Holy Spirit) ■ Ann Kalis ■ Kelsey Ritz (Cure of Ars) (Cure of Ars) ■ Emily McConniff ■ Michael Starshak (St. Pius) (Good Shepherd) ■ Emily Mika ■ Patrick Tarwater (St. Joseph) (John Paul II) ■ Rachel Myers ■ Molly Vogt The Bishop Miege theater and music departments took a ride back to the beginnings (St. Agnes) (St. Agnes) of rock ‘n’ roll with their production of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” in November. From left: ■ Brian Orrick ■ Daniel West John Mark Schapker (St. Ann), Keith Smith (Sumner), John Bickers (St. Elizabeth), (St. Ann) (Holy Cross) Kevin Alejo-Morgan (St. Steven), William Spears (Curé of Ars), Colin Elving (Accelerated ■ Mark Poulose School) and Peter Arroyo (St. Peter). The show was a musical revue of songwriters Jerry (Sacred Heart) Leiber and Mike Stoller, who, as much as anyone, invented rock ‘n’ roll.

2 almost Miegian december 2007 freshman focus

PLACEMENT EXAM PREP CLASS fast facts ... An enriching mix of student Bishop Miege is offering a High School Placement Exam backgrounds has been a hallmark of Prep Class on Saturday, Jan. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bishop Miege since its inception.

This class is specifically designed for 8th grade students to prepare them Bill Dunn Jr., a 1966 Miege grad and for their high school placement exam – the HSPT at Miege and all Missouri a past Miege parent, remembers the Catholic schools, or the Explore, which is given to most of the Catholic varied environment Miege enjoyed schools. Miege’s Placement Exam will take place Saturday, Jan. 12. when he was a student. He said he learned a lot from working with people The class will include test strategies and lessons in math, science, English and from backgrounds other than his own, reading, taught by licensed teachers. Students will also take a pre-test during and he says it’s been essential to his the class, and a snack will be provided during the morning. success. “The manager of the future has to be able to communicate with the workforce, and to do that he or she has to be able to work with a wide variety of The cost is $40 per student. people,” he said. Register online at www.bishopmiege.com/prep OUR INCLUSIVENESS ENCOMPASSES MANY AREAS: For more information, contact Patti Marnett, ■ INCOME LEVELS: Because of our 913-262-2701, ext. 226, [email protected] affordable tuition and extensive financial assistance programs, we include families of different income levels. QUIZ KIDS TOURNAMENT WINNERS ■ ABILITY LEVELS: Miege serves both ends of the academic spectrum and everything in between. The ACT Prep program helps target areas for growth of all students. In addition, course phasing places students in classes where they are challenged yet still attain success. ■ CO-EDUCATION: As a co- educational school, one of the biggest advantages is that girls and boys are taught to work together to achieve personal and group goals. This experience fosters respect and cooperation that is essential to their future careers. ■ CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS: Our student community represents a mix of cultural backgrounds: ■ 79% Caucasian ■ 4.5% African American ■ 2.0% Asian American ■ 14.6% Hispanic ■ LARGE GEOGRAPHIC AREA: Students come from all over the Kansas City metropolitan area The Curé of Ars Quiz Bowl Team won the Bishop Miege Quiz Kids Tournament in October. because families recognize the Front row: Andy VanBuskirk. Back row (from left): Gabe Ries, Alex Lamb, Paige Wendland educational value of learning to work (holding trophy,) Morgan Christian and John Fox. Congratulations to these students and to together with students of various everyone who participated in the tournament! backgrounds. december 2007 almost Miegian 3 introducing bishop miege High ACT scores are within reach Achieving an impressive score on the ACT test is ferent types of questions. These lessons were mixed within the reach of every Miegian. Because having a in with the regular curriculum, so the preparation high score is needed on competitive college applica- was taking place along with my regular learning. tions, this test is not to be taken lightly. The Cambridge Junior year was game time: In the spring I would ACT test prep program shows that Bishop Miege is seri- take the real ACT. At the beginning of the year, I took Aous about improving students’ standardized test scores. an old version of the ACT that had once been used My experience with this program began during my by students as the real thing. I also used Miege’s ACT first month at Miege. As a freshman, I was not think- computer lab a lot. I felt challenged by the ACT test ing about college or the ACT; I was more focused on program on the computer, which presented me with SUCCESS STORY adapting to high school. However, high school is sup- questions that were more or less difficult depending Senior Tim Janc- posed to prepare us for college whether we realize it on how I answered the previous question. I also like zewski (St. Agnes) or not. I took a version of the ACT that was easier than how that program let me review the questions and scored a 35 on the the real ACT, yet standardized for freshmen. I took the see the difficulty level of the ones I answered. That ACT exam, out of a same test at the end of the year to track my progress. spring I took the ACT only twice, and I was satisfied possible 36. He is a Sophomore year involved a slightly harder ver- with both scores. In fact, I was excited to see that my National Merit Com- sion of the ACT, though it was still not an actual score improved on my second test in June. mended Student and ACT. That year I did a lot more preparation in the As a senior completing college applications, I am the Student Council classroom out of the workbooks that accompany the thankful for the test-taking skills the ACT prep pro- president. practice tests in the prep program. These workbooks gram at Miege gave me. It definitely can be credited covered all four sections of the test individually, and for the score I received on my ACT because I did not they made it easier for me to interpret all of the dif- take any other form of preparation for the ACT test.

On Oct. 21, Bishop Miege opened its doors for the annual open house. Families visited with Discover Bishop Miege teachers and coaches, gathered information about the school and heard performances from Miss Open House? Schedule a private tour! choir and band members. Bishop Miege opened its doors on Oct. and coaches, tour the building, receive Miege for yourself, schedule a 21 for the annual Open House, and admissions information and hear private tour by calling Patti Marnett, hundreds of families took advantage of performances from the choir and band. 913-262-2701, ext. 226, or e-mail Bthe opportunity to meet with teachers If you’d like to discover Bishop [email protected]. 4 almost Miegian december 2007 campus ministry

Miegians help bring fast facts FAITH IN Christmas in October ACTION The Campus More than 30 Bishop Miege students helped transform two Ministry houses in Kansas City, Mo., during the annual Christmas in Program involves October project. more than 300 Over the course of two weekends, students did yardwork, students. painted the houses inside and out and even installed a deck on Miege was a Mone of the homes. leader eight Projects like Christmas in October allow Miegians to give years ago in back to the community in ways that answer Christ’s call to establishing service, and students are also able to earn service hours that are spring break required by Bishop Miege’s religion department. alternatives for In addition to seasonal projects like Christmas in October, its students by organizing March students regularly volunteer their time at Operation service trips to Breakthrough and St. Vincent’s Daycare throughout the year. More than 30 students from Bishop Miege’s Campus Ministry Team took part in Christmas venues all over During school breaks, large mission trips around the country in October and helped clean and renovate two the country. are another way students gather to serve and help. Kansas City homes. Miegians have such a strong reputation of UPCOMING Left: More than responding to MISSION 20,000 high school the needs of students from around others that the TRIPS the country gathered National Relief Christmas Break: in Columbus, Ohio, for Network has More than 40 the National Catholic twice contacted students are going to Youth Conference in Miege to put southern California November. The next conference will take together trips to to help with cleanup place in Kansas City help hurricane from the devastating in 2009. victims. California wildfires earlier this fall. Below: Bishop MIege’s RESPECT: Campus Ministry TAUGHT Spring Break: The program sent 16 students and four AND National Relief PRACTICED Network is calling chaperones to the conference in Ohio. on Bishop Miege to Miege visitors to help with the wildfire the building and cleanup again over National Catholic Youth Conference guest speakers Spring Break. comment on ■ Groups are In November, the Campus Ministry the high level of also going to the Team sent 16 students and four adult courtesy shown Appalachian chaperones to Columbus, Ohio, to attend by the student Mountains again to the National Catholic Youth Conference, body. repair houses, and which takes place every other year. to Reynosa, Mexico, Various vendors IMore than 20,000 high school students who call on other to build a house in a gather during NCYC to proclaim their squatters’ camp. area high schools faith through prayer and song. The ■ During Spring made note that Break, students are students also attended workshops and the behavior at also going on Urban listen to speakers testify how God has Miege stood out Plunges in Kansas touched their lives. for the positive City and Chicago The 2009 conference will take place in way students to help those who Kansas City. treated each struggle with poverty. other.

december 2007 almost Miegian 5 stag achievement

ACADEMIC HONORS DEBATE AND FORENSICS COACH SMITHSONIAN SPEAKER JOINS ELITE RANKS Debate and Forensics coach Melissa Reynolds has earned a fourth diamond on her National Forensics League pin, mark- ing the latest addi- Tricia Edwards, tion to her overall a speaker from coaching points tally. Coaches receive the Smithsonian one-tenth of the points their students earn Institution, visited Bishop during debate and forensics tournaments. Miege on Nov. In her 20 years as a coach, Reynolds 15 to talk about has earned 14,541 points, which makes invention to her only the 160th coach (out of 6,500 Scott Anderson’s science classes. coaches) to have reached that level.

SOFTBALL TEAM RANKED TOP 20 (Queen of the Holy Rosary) and Jennifer ACADEMICALLY Kolarik (Queen of the Holy Rosary), The National Fastpitch Coaches junior Alisa Schemmel (St. Joseph) and Association has recognized the 2007 sophomores Mallory Baxter (Cure of Ars), Bishop Miege Varsity Team as Brittany Gemmill (Queen of the Holy Chris Lamb, Tim Janczewski, Russell Walter a Top 20 Academic Team. The squad’s Rosary) and Katie Kane (Cure of Ars). overall GPA of 3.731 ranked it 16th 3 STUDENTS HONORED IN KANSAS HONORS SCHOLARS NATIONAL MERIT PROGRAM among the nation’s high schools. Student-athletes who earned a GPA Each year the University of Kansas Three Miege seniors have been named honors the top 10 percent of all seniors Commended Students in the 2008 National over 3.5 were recognized for the individual honor of Academic All-America Scholar of each high school in the state of Kansas. Merit Scholarship Program. Tim Janczewski Here are Miege’s honorees: (St. Agnes), Russell Walter (Good Shepherd) Athlete. Recipients of this honor are: and Chris Lamb (Holy Cross) placed among Jena Comiskey (Holy Trinity) ’07, Katie Duncan (St. Pius) ’07, Molly Duncan (St. Ellen Albritton (Bishop DuBoueg, Colo.) the top 5 percent of more than 1.4 million Alexa Cooper (Indian Woods) students who entered the 2008 competition Pius) ’07, Katie Richardson (Queen of the Holy Rosary) ’07, seniors Rachel Gemmill Erin Hogan (Visitation) by taking the P-SAT. Mary Fama (Lincoln) Stephanie Foster (St. Paul’s Episcopal) CHOIR SINGS FOR TOUR OF MISSOURI Kelsey Friesen (St. Joseph) Jacqueline Freund (Queen of the Holy Rosary) The Bishop Isabella Fuentes (Holy Name) Miege Concert Kevin Glatt (Holy Spirit) Chorale performed Tim Janczewski (St. Agnes) the National Harrison Keegan (Academie Lafayette) Anthem before Kaylie Kerr (St. Joseph) the start of Katherine McNitt (St. Ann) the Tour of Missouri Elizabeth Piehler (St. Ann) bicycle race at Tara Rellihan (Queen of the Holy Rosary) the Plaza on Molly Salisbury (Holy Cross) Sept. 11. Laura Lynn Schneller (St. Joseph) Jaclyn Unruh (Barstow) Rebecca Varady (Curé of Ars) Austin Walter (Good Shepherd) Russell Walter (Good Shepherd)

6 almost Miegian december 2007 stag achievement Volleyball coach reaches big milestone Head Volleyball Coach Gwenn Pike reached a remarkable coaching milestone this fall when she recorded her 900th career match win. The landmark victory took place during the Mo-Kan HTournament on Sept. 8. The school honored this milestone during the volleyball team’s Senior Night on Oct. 16. Coach Pike has built an incredible vol- leyball program at Miege, having captured 17 State Championships and creating a long legacy of success for her teams. This year, Coach Pike was also named 5A Coach of the Year by the Kansas Volleyball Coach Gwenn Pike (center) was honored for her 900th career match win during Senior Volleyball Association. Night on Oct. 16.

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS FOOTBALL VOLLEYBALL The Miege The Bishop Miege volleyball football team squad dominated the Eastern Kansas capped an League in 2007 and ended the season incredible with second place at State. 2007 with a ■ Kathleen Ludwig (St. Joseph): Homecoming EKL’s most valuable player victory over ■ Jackie Church (Indian Hills), Katie Harmon and a O’Connor (Holy Cross) and Kate thrilling defeat of VanDyke (St. Joseph): 1st team EKL rival St. Thomas ■ Jennifer Kolarik (Queen of the Aquinas on Oct. Holy Rosary) 2nd team EKL 26, which led ■ Ludwig and VanDyke: first team, to the Stags’ The Miege football team won the first three games played at the new Dixon Kansas Volleyball Association playoff victory Doll Stadium, including a 36-19 victory over rival St. Thomas Aquinas. ■ Church: second team, Kansas the next week Volleyball Association against Shawnee Heights. The Stags’ Grunhard was honored earlier in ■ O’Connor: honorable mention, season ended in the second round of the season by being named Coach of Kansas Volleyball Association the playoffs against Blue Valley West. the Week by the Kansas City Chiefs ■ Ludwig and Church: first team, In the end, Miege captured the district Ambassadors after opening the season All-Sun Volleyball team championship, and Head Coach Tim with three straight victories. ■ Ludwig: Player of the Year, All-Sun Volleyball ■ Ludwig: Evelyn Gates Award PLAYER CAPTURES 2ND ■ Coach Gwenn Pike: Coach of the Senior Maureen Rielley (Curé Year, KVA of Ars) captured second place in the 5A State Individual Tennis CROSS COUNTRY Championships in October. she Senior Etagegn O’Neill (Rancho finished her senior year with a 22-6 Valmora) finished 7th in the record, and she ended her varsity individual Cross Country State career with three top-three State Championships in October, and her finishes. girls’ team came in fourth overall, while the boys’ squad finished eighth.

december 2007 almost Miegian 7 2007 homecoming Past meets the future at Homecoming Alumni join current and future students for fi rst game at Dixon Doll Stadium

Homecoming at Bishop Miege was not Kristan Tinoco (St. Agnes, at right). just an historic event featuring the fi rst Miege games are also a great football game at the new Dixon Doll opportunity for grade schoolers to Stadium – it was also a chance for Miege experienceexperience the thrill of cheeringcheering with the alumni, the entire student body and home team. Football coach Tim Grunhard Hfuture Miegians to gather and celebrate invites eighth grade football players our famous school spirit. (such as St. Agnes players, pictured Alumni from the 1972 and 1977 bottom right) to join the team on the championship football teams (top right) sidelines during home games. returned and were honored on the fi eld at It’s easy to get swept up in the thrill of halftime, and then the school celebrated a game. To join us next year in the home the crowning of Homecoming Queen stands, choose Bishop Miege!

The 2007 Homecoming court: Ashley Cato (Our Lady of the Angels), Kate O’Connor (Holy Cross), Kristan Tinoco (St. Agnes), Kathleen Ludwig (St. Joseph) and Tara Rellihan (John Paul II). Tinoco (center) was crowned Homecoming queen during halftime of the Miege-Harmon game.

8 almost Miegian december 2007 stadium dedication Kincaids donate North Campus Honoring a family’s love and respect for Miege

In August, Bishop Miege received the largest gift in its history when Don and Patty ’70 Kin- Icaid donated to the school the 18-acre North Campus. The acquisi- tion of the North Campus goes back About Dixon Doll ’60 to 2000 when The man behind the name of Bishop the Old Mission Miege’s new stadium was drawn to Junior High School the school more than 50 years ago north of Bishop because of its athletic program. So Miege was put up for sale. Miege was it’s only fitting that now his name is in the middle of the Capital Campaign Tsynonymous with Miege sports. and couldn’t afford the $1.5 million The new stadium is named Dixon asking price. But it needed that property Doll Stadium in honor of the 1960 for expansions that would become The graduate’s significant contributions Future of Miege Athletics plan. to and leadership in The Future of Enter the Men in the Tub. Don Kin- Miege Athletics campaign. caid, along with Paul Bastasch, Bob Bibb, At Miege, Doll was a three-sport Larry Gates and Bob Mogren agreed to The school recognized the generosity of Don athlete – football, basketball and borrow enough money to purchase the and Patty Kincaid (middle) during the fall sports track. In 1956, Doll chose to attend property until Miege could raise the night in August. Archbishop Joseph Keleher (far St. Agnes High School – soon to right) was on hand to help mark the occasion. funds needed to purchase it from them. become Bishop Miege – primarily so The five formed an LLC (a limited the loan – unless a guardian angel came he could play football and basketball liability company) called The Friends of along. The Kincaids planned from the for Coach Paul Martel. Miege. At the time there were eight full- beginning to be that angel. Doll went on to earn a bachelor’s price offers, so the LLC overbid, securing In August 2007, their donation was degree in electrical engineering from the property for $2 million. recognized at the fall sports night. Not Kansas State University, and then The plan was for the LLC to hold own- only does this gift double the size of the master’s and doctoral degrees in elec- ership, leasing the property to the high school, but it also makes Miege’s ambi- trical engineering from the Univer- school until funds were raised to pay off tious facilities plans possible. sity of Michigan. Since the early 1980s, Doll has CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 been a telecom and Internet venture was officially dedicated, and Doll’s Miege Athletics, but much more is capital pioneer. In 1996 he launched contribution was honored during to come. Work on the stadium will Doll Capital Management, an early halftime. The school also invited continue through next fall, when stage technology venture capital firm members of the undefeated 1958 football the school hopes to have Phase II in Menlo Park, Calif. team, as well as its coach, Paul Martel, completed. This phase will include During halftime of the Oct. 26 to return for the game. They were on additional seats in the bleachers, game against St. Thomas Aquinas, hand to watch a thrilling game, as Miege concessions and restrooms, press box, Miege President Dr. Joe Passantino defeated Aquinas 36-19, capturing the gameday entry plaza and additional recognized both Doll’s generosity and district title and advancing to State. parking. More information on the the members of Miege’s undefeated The dedication ceremony marked Future of Miege Athletics campaign 1958 football team. the end of Phase I of The Future of can be found at www.bishopmiege.com.

december 2007 almost Miegian 9 student focus One busy senior Senior Kathleen Ludwig excels in many fields It’s hard to imagine a busier senior Kansas City metro area. This is the first year than the one Kathleen Ludwig (St. time a player from Kansas has received Joseph) is having. the award since its inception. Here’s a short list of what she’s been “I was tricked into thinking that I involved in: Varsity volleyball, a member didn’t win, which was fine,” she said. “I Iof the Homecoming court, executive vice was so happy to be invited. But then I president of Student Council, MEET Club walked in the gym and saw my sister with CMT, a eucharistic minister, theater and I just started crying because I knew productions (last year she was Oscar in something was up. It was so cool to be The Odd Couple) and KC Power, a club the first person from Kansas.” volleyball team. And, of course, classes. Both the University of Kansas and “It’s been incredible, and it’s going so Kansas State University offered her fast,” she said. “This year I felt I’ve been volleyball scholarships, and she said she Senior Kathleen Ludwig was the first Kansas able to give back to the school.” found the homey feeling she was look- student to receive the Evelyn Gates Award as the top volleyball player in the Kansas City area. She Ludwig started playing volleyball ing for at K-State. She plans to major in helped lead the Stags to second place at State. in grade school and quickly fell in love Elementary Education. with it. Her dedication to the sport has Choosing a college was a lot like two older sisters, Barbara ’03 and Caroline brought her many awards, including a pair choosing a high school for Ludwig. ’07, both attended Miege. Barbara is cur- of honors this year for her tremendous “I was looking for a good feeling, a rently a coach on the Miege volleyball team. talent on the court. First, Fox 4 and Hy-Vee welcoming community, and I found that Although Ludwig was sure that Miege named her the 2007 Volleyball All-Star at Miege,” she said. “I felt like Miege was was the school for her, she participated Player of the Year, the first of a series of the perfect size – not too big and not tiny. in the Shadow program and attended awards they are giving to stellar athletes. We’re competitive in sports and have classes with Katie Reynolds ’07, who was Then, in front of an all-school assem- tons of activities, but you don’t have to a freshman at the time. bly, Ludwig received the Evelyn Gates stick with one thing.” “I never really had any desire to go Award as the top volleyball player in the Ludwig is the third of four sisters; her anywhere else.”

STUDENT-ATHLETES SIGN WITH DIVISION I AND II SCHOOLS

On Nov. 15, senior Travis Releford signed a letter of intent to play basketball at the University of Kansas in the fall. From the Miege tennis team, Maureen Rielley (at left, front) will play for St. Louis Releford dominated the 2007 awards season thanks to University next fall. From the volleyball team, Leah Maurer will play volleyball his outstanding performance on the court, averaging 19.8 for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Jennifer Kolarik will play for Washburn points per game. He was MVP of the Eastern Kansas League University in Topeka, Kan., and Kathleen Ludwig signed with Kansas State and the Johnson County Player of the Year. He has been University. These students had a signing ceremony on Nov. 14, 2007. ranked as one of the top 100 players in the nation.

10 almost Miegian december 2007 student focus fast facts Eighth-Grade EXTRA- CURRICULAR Day at Miege ACTIVITIES Bishop Miege opened its doors to eighth- With an graders in November for the annual enrollment of Eighth-Grade Day. almost 800, REGISTRATION Miege is the Students toured the campus and AT BISHOP ideal size, which MIEGE enable us to Battended brief 1. Take the Place- offer not only classes, where they ment Exam – Jan. a challenging took part in fun 12 or Jan. 19 curriculum, but activities, such 2. In February, also to offer a as an art project scores from the wide range of in Mrs. Werts’s test and a registra- extra-curricular class or a science tion packet will be activities. Our mailed to you size increases the experiement (com- 3. Registration student’s chance plete with some Night at Miege for of participation. explosions) in Mr. the class of 2012 Anderson’s class. – Tuesday, Feb. 19 Miege offers over Eighth-Grade 4. Registration 60 different Due – Thursday, activities. Day gives students Feb. 21 just a taste of what’s 5. March: Letters TRADITION to come as a Miege of acceptance will be mailed to you Bishop Miege student. You can was established also experience 6. Uniform fitting Miege through the and ordering in in 1958 by the May Archdiocese TOP: In what has become an annual tradition, students in Mr. Anderson’s Shadow Program. of Kansas City, science class watched as he created a brief (and contained) explosion in Call Patti Mar- Kansas, and the lab sink. Then students did their own experiment at the lab tables. nett at 913-262-2701, ext. 226 or e-mail named in memory BOTTOM: During the day, students met with coaches and activity leaders, including cheerleading coach Nancy Weber (at right). [email protected] to sign up. of Bishop John Baptist Miege, the first bishop of the territory of Kansas. Miege has estab- Miegians Strut their stuff lished a tradition of excellence in Students collect pledges for a 5-mile walk the development of the student as The 19th annual Stag Strut found the a whole person. students off the beaten path, thanks to A proven cur- construction on the new stadium and riculum, highly track. On a beautiful Friday morning in talented teachers late September, students completed their and a serious commitment to Tfive-mile walk in the field south of Miege, the message of having raised more than $54,000 in the Gospels form pledges for the event. a unique educa- Stag Strut is Miege’s largest student tional opportunity fund-raising event, in which students for young men collect pledges and then walk five and women. miles. The money benefits student programs and services, as well as general operations. december 2007 almost Miegian 11 Bishop Miege CALENDAR SPORTS & ACTIVITY IMPORTANT DATES Placement Test FOR 2007-2008 CLINICS AT MIEGE EIGHTH-GRADERS DANCE CLINIC 913-262-2700 ext. 524 or e-mail Saturday, Jan. 12 March 2008 [email protected] 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Shadow Program Grades K-7 Contact: Nancy Weber, Makeup exam date: Saturday, Jan. 19, LITTLE STAGS Oct. 2 – April 24 [email protected] 2008, 8 a.m. BASKETBALL CLINIC Placement Test June 9-12, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. VOLLEYBALL CLINIC ■ Cost: $15 Saturday, Jan. 12 Entering grades 1-3 ■ Students do NOT need to preregister for June 2-6 Contact: Dolly Foley, 913-495-9559 the exam. Residual Entering grades 3-6 ■ Calculators are not allowed. Contact: Gwenn Pike, 913-422-0581 BASKETBALL CLINIC ■ $500-$1,200 merit-based scholarships Placement Test or Michelle Smith, 913-681-0514 Saturday, Jan. 19 (BOYS) are available June 16-19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. to those who take the test at Miege. FOOTBALL CLINIC Entering grades 4-8 ■ Registration Night Miege will treat all test-takers to pizza June 9-12 Contact: Dolly Foley, 913-495-9559 after the exam. Tuesday, Feb. 19 Entering grades 4-8 Contact: Tim Grunhard 913-262- BASKETBALL CLINIC If you take the test at another school and Registration Due 2700, ext. 552 plan to attend Miege, please forward a copy Thursday, Feb. 21 (GIRLS) of your test scores to the Miege Admissions CLINIC June 23-26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Entering grades 4-8 Office. June 23-26 Contact: Dolly Foley, 913-495-9559 Entering grades 7-9 New this year: Bishop Miege is offering Contact: Tim Kennedy at a Placement Exam Prep Class, Saturday, Jan. 5. See page 3 for more details. For more information, call Patti Marnett Go to the athletics section of www.bishopmiege.com for more at 913-262-2701, information and registration forms for summer camps. More ext. 226 details will be available soon!

For questions or comments about Almost Miegian, contact Colleen Cooke at (913) 262-2701, ext. 252 or [email protected]

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Bishop Miege High School 5401 Reinhardt Drive Shawnee Mission, KS 66205