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KAPAUN MT. CARMEL C A T H O L I Summer 2013 A quarterly newsletter celebrating our former students and present supporters Mount Carmel Academy • Chaplain Kapaun Memorial • Kapaun Mt. Carmel Our Legacy and a Look to the Future As I write this, my inaugural Quest article, I can hardly believe that this blessing which we call a job is a part of my life. I cannot express the gratitude I feel for all of you who have expressed your support to me and to Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School, nor can I explain the understanding I have of the many blessings that I have received that have led me to this position. When I took the reins of KMC on June 1, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the strong sense of responsibility I felt. Instantly, I saw this school in a completely different light. I was no longer representing only myself and my family in my relationship with the school, but rather, I felt responsible for the entire history of the school; a history which I, quite honestly, did not fully appreciate, and still probably do not. And so, to become more prepared for what the future holds for me here at KMC, I first looked to the past H I G S C O L to become more familiar with our history. My study enlightened me on an important fact about Kapaun Mt. Carmel that has been easy to overlook lately, with all the focus and attention we have rightly given to Father Emil Kapaun’s story and the importance of his spirit to our school. That fact is that our school actually was opened decades before Father Kapaun was even born. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School has its roots in a small girls’ academy, 21 students strong, called All Hallows Academy, opened in 1887 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (we know them as “the BVMs”). There is a great story that Bob Voboril, our Superintendent, shared with me about the opening of All Hallows Academy. As the story goes, upon opening the school, our first principal, Sister Mary Veronica, BVM, planted several trees at the entrance. Overnight, the ever present winds of the Kansas prairie blew the trees out of the ground. The next day, Sister Mary Veronica replanted the trees only to have them blown over again. On the third day, in an act of Trinitarian conquest, Sister Mary Veronica planted the trees a third time, boldly proclaiming that we were establishing roots here no matter what. The next morning, the trees remained erect, and the school took root. Sister Mary Veronica’s dedication to the survival of those trees was but a foreshadowing of the dedication it would take to shepherd our school all the way to today. But the name “All Hallows Academy” is a far cry from “Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School.” So, how did we get to where we are today from All Hallows? In 1900, Bishop John Hennessy requested that the name of All Hallows Academy be changed because of the negative connotation of its association with the purely secular holiday of Halloween. The BVMs chose the name of Mt. Carmel Academy, after their Mother House in Dubuque, Iowa. Mt. Carmel Academy, having since been merged with Chaplain Kapaun Memorial in 1971, has existed ever since. continued on next page... 1 from the President...continued Interestingly, Wichita’s first public high school started We must tout our successes and address our opportunities only nine years earlier than All Hallows Academy and for improvement. And, most of all, we must exude Catholic only had graduated about 100 students by the time Sr. culture upon which we were built and be a light focused on Veronica planted those trees in front of All Hallows. That Christ for all those with whom we come in contact. makes Kapaun Mt. Carmel about as old as the public school system here in Wichita. I am sure all you MCA And so, even before the importance of the realization of alumnae constantly remember this fact of longevity about the campus improvement plan, I place emphasis on our our school, but I must admit, it is not something I have constant, daily improvement. This is why we have the contemplated all that much. It does, however, make the Kapaun Mt. Carmel Annual Fund; because every day at weight of responsibility even heavier. KMC represents an opportunity to improve, and every opportunity requires our commitment. Everyone who has What lies ahead for Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High ever read a Quest knows that KMC operates by the Grace School? I have been asked several times what my vision of God through the stewardship and discipleship of the is for the school during my presidency. Indeed, that is a people of the Diocese of Wichita. But even those good difficult question, given the numerous dynamics that affect graces are not enough. We are all stewards of the gifts that us daily. It would be easy to say that my vision is to carry on have been so lavishly showered upon us. And so I ask you with the fantastic legacy to which we have all contributed all to please remember Kapaun Mt. Carmel in your annual and which the leadership of Mike Burrus leadership giving portfolio. Respond positively to the requests that enhanced greatly. But, somehow, I think that would be an you will soon receive to be an annual supporter of KMC. I inadequate response, a shallow dismissal of the reality of know you are all generous and I know you all have, in some educational advancement and a disservice to the current small measure, KMC to thank for your gifts. Please join and future Crusaders who have a vested interest in this me in continuing the KMC legacy for our current students school and its ability to provide for them a springboard of for those who will fill our hallways in the future. That is a success the way it provided for me and countless others. grateful and sincere summary of my vision. Moreover, I believe I was hired to do more. My beautiful bride, Becky Nixon `83, and I have been I was hired, I believe, to utilize the legacy to which I blessed in so many ways. We met here in the halls of succeed as a base, a foundation upon which to build and Kapaun Mt. Carmel. We have three graduates from KMC, grow and improve. Patrick `05, Joseph `08 and Paul `12. Our lone daughter, Cecilia, will be a junior here at KMC this fall (yes, she is For example, we have not fully realized the vision Mike a little apprehensive about having dad on campus for her Burrus set out for us during his time here at KMC. We have final two years of high school), and John will darken the two more phases of our overall campus improvement plan doors in the years ahead. My brother, Phil `79, is from the to complete, and I am committed to make these phases class that has continued to celebrate its 30-year reunion a reality. The next phase will showcase a new chapel for over the past four years. Becky’s sisters, Michelle `84 and our school, further advancing us towards our mission to Sarah `98, attended here as well. Our whole family has educate and form the total person in the image of Jesus Christ. been touched by KMC, and we owe a lot to this school And the final phase will revamp our administrative offices which has given us so much. and finally bring them up to the standard set by the rest of the school. Although I enjoyed a long and very educational career in the Koch Industries family of companies before coming to Standing in the way of full realization of that improvement KMC, I consider this position my true calling, and I will vision, however, is something which might surprise you treat it as such. My constant prayer is that I am worthy of but is an ever-present speed bump to our advancement; the call. I ask for your prayers for all of us in leadership of competition. Kapaun Mt. Carmel faces unprecedented the school, and I ask for your unwavering support for us as competition not only for students but also for our students’ we continue the Crusade. attention and their ever-increasing options for alternative education and career training. It is not enough anymore May God bless you all. to simply open the doors to a Catholic high school and expect that students will fill the halls and classrooms, eager to learn and grow and compete. We must be excellent and show ourselves to be excellent. We must be up-to-date in our methodologies and technologies. We must provide Rob Knapp `82 avenues for development, achievement and advancement. President 2 announcements Ed Kriwiel Memorial Golf All of our sponsors are listed on the Golf Tournament page Tournament a Success of the KMC website. Thanks also to Craig Singer and the many volunteers who On June 10, 2013, 48 golfers lined up at the Tallgrass made the event possible, and especially to Mrs. Mary Country Club for the annual shotgun start of the Ed Kriwiel Kriwiel, Coach Kriwiel’s widow, and the family members led Memorial Golf Tournament. The warm day with scattered by Sarah Kriwiel ‘82 Cundiff who were our gracious hosts clouds provided the perfect backdrop for a day of fun mixed again this year. in with a little skill as well.

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