Dedicated Teachers Past and Present
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FALL 2018 Dedicated Teachers Past and INSIDE:Present 2017-18 Annual Report Summary Around the Fall Sports Homecoming 2018 AHA History Class Notes Campus Success & Hall of Fame p. 10 & Reunions p. 2 p. 5 p. 6 p. 25 Academy of Holy Angels 6600 Nicollet Avenue South Richfield, MN 55423 612-798-2600 The mission of Academy of Holy Angels is to educate and nurture a diverse FALL 2018–19 Board of Trustees student population so that each student, as a whole person, may achieve 2018 full potential to excel intellectually, to live spiritually, to lead responsibly, to act John Schutz – Chair Susie Dolan Laird ’90 justly and to serve selflessly. John Arms ’86 Michelle Lynch Tim Cleary Marie Povolny Maslowski ’98 1 From the Board Chair 14-24 Annual Report Summary Jon Duval ’93 Sam Meckey and Thank You Donors Lisa Erickson Karen Morris 2 Around the Campus Beth Frye Susan Oeffling, CSJ 25 Class Notes Jazz Hampton ’08 Carolyn Puccio, CSJ 8 We Are Holy Angels! Tom Jasper JoAnn Sperl-Hillen Alumni Challenge 29 In Loving Memory Michelle Dupont Johnson ’80 Mike Steinlage Michael Jones Father Mike Tix 10 AHA History 30 Admissions News Pam Matthews Kerber ’73 Todd Vollmers 12 AHA Theater Chuck Knapp Mike Wise ’75 AHA President Tom Shipley – ex officio 2018–19 Administration ON THE COVER Thomas E. Shipley, President FALL 2018 Heidi J. Foley, Principal Top row: Maureen Meshek Mark H. Melhorn, Assistant Principal/Activities Director (Sr. Irenaeus), Sr. Susan Oeffling, Michael Kautzman, Athletics Director Fay Hokenstrom, Sr. Jeanne Lieser, Sr. Constance Marie David Knoll, Finance Officer Second row: May Ginder, Donna 2018–19 Advancement Poshusta, Patty Keller, Bob Bartlett, Meg Angevine, Admissions Officer Doug Meeker, Gayle Bari, Dan Joe Berg ’05, Admissions Associate Woods, Sr. Bernadine Reinhard Mackenzie Fitting, Database Manager Third row: Mark Melhorn, Gary Jesse A. Foley ’89, Major Gifts/Alumni Officer Dedicated Teachers Rufsvold, Gregg Sawyer, Drey Sarah Hauer, Marketing/Communications Officer Bradley, Peter Dysart, Dan Dimond, Brian M. McCartan, Annual Fund Officer, Major Gifts Cathy Anhut, Randy Nelson, Rose Murray, Steve Werle, Chris Gary Rufsvold, Advancement Assistant DeCrans, Charlie Gorrill, Ann Rebecca Tofte, Chief Campaign Officer Kjorstad, Steve Vopatek, Kathy Communiqué is published three times a year. Submit items Cassidy, Tina Proctor, Kevin to [email protected]. AHA reserves the right to edit all Chirpich, Sarah Wicklund, Carla submissions. Kilkelly Special thanks Bottom Row: Sheila Brennan, to Joe Berg ’05, David Frear, Charlie Gorrill, Gregg Sawyer, and others for photos and content for this Katie Carroll Johnson ’69, Pam publication. Boston, Sr. Corinne Winter, Sheila Past and Jesse Foley ’89, Editor Malone-Povolny, Peter Imsdahl, Sarah Hauer, Editor INSIDE:Present 2017-18 Annual Gregg Sawyer, Kate Hanson, Kathy Report Summary Hanley, Dianne LaScotte Susan Abbott, Designer FROM THE BOARD CHAIR A Season of Gratitude As we approach the Advent season, my thoughts reflect on how year, we will focus on improvements for fortunate our family is to be a member of the Academy of Holy enhanced curriculum, interactive learning Angels community. It seems like yesterday that Beth and I made spaces, and endowment growth — all the decision to provide our sons with a Catholic education while maintaining true to our mission of from kindergarten through high school. In the blink of an educating and nurturing a diverse student eye, we are now visiting colleges for our eldest son, Jack, and population so that each student, as a know whatever his decision, he will be well prepared for the whole person, may excel intellectually, live many opportunities that await him. In return, we are confident spiritually, lead responsibly, act justly, and Jack will share with the world the many gifts and blessings he serve selflessly. received while attending Holy Angels. So much of this work could not happen without the As a parent and member of the Board of Trustees, I am generosity of our broader community. As we look to continue thankful for the gifted administration, the passionate educators our important work, I ask for your steadfast prayers and who elevate the academic achievements of each student past support which will allow our students, our school, and our and present, the many engaged alumni and our committed community to continue to thrive. Board colleagues that continue to look for opportunities to improve upon an already great institution. This is done Christmas Blessings, selflessly with the goal of ensuring that every student has an opportunity to achieve their full potential. There have been so many important projects and initiatives completed over the past year, and we take this same spirit John Schutz and excitement with us as we look to 2019. In the coming Chair, Board of Trustees Leading with Prayer In a longstanding tradition, Father Mike Tix, school chaplain, led the faculty and staff in Mass as they launched the 2018-2019 school year (pictured). The theme for the academic year is Mission Driven. With this theme, the faculty intends to renew, replenish, and remain focused on not only the Academy of Holy Angels’ mission, but the the mission of AHA’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ). The CSJ’s mission is “to strive to move always towards profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.” The administration has also asked faculty and staff to reflect and carry in their everyday work their reasoning — their “why”— for choosing to work in the field of education, in a high school, in a Catholic high school, and, specifically, at Academy of Holy Angels. Mission Driven. We intend to renew, replenish, and remain focused on AHA’s mission as well as the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. FALL 2018 COMMUNIQUÉ 1 AROUND THE CAMPUS | Academics Academicby Heidi Foley Excellence Past and Present Since 1931, the timeless tradition of processing through the Forum for two Teachers of the Year and Program of the Year front doors of Academy of Holy Angels, dressed in white for a positive school culture. with red roses, is a rite of passage for students and one of The 2018-2019 school year brings a continued focus on nostalgia for alumni. As I hand diplomas to our graduates, I science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). We have can say with confidence that I know they have completed the remodeled current science rooms with upgraded laboratory requirements of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. facilities and student technology, along with a robotics space Since those early days and thanks to the vision of the Sisters with a build and run facility. AHA students earn a STEM of St. Joseph of Carondelet, it has been the commitment of diploma at graduation for having completed a rigorous course this institution to prepare students for college, for a changing of study in math and science, a job shadow and research world, and for life. project, and by participating in other STEM experiences like When I arrived in the 1999-2000 school year, already in our robotics team. Last year, 24 students graduated with a place was a successful Theater School (1989) and Writing STEM diploma. This year, we expect some 55 students to Across the Curriculum (1996). The core courses at AHA do so. delivered a solid, college-prep course of study. And from that This academic year also brings nine new faculty members solid foundation, we have grown in every way measurable as to AHA. We’ve seen a wave of retirements over the years of a top-notch, educational institution with a growing reputation the veteran staff of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. We are blessed that for college and career preparation in a Catholic, faith-filled many of those retirees are still active in the AHA community. environment. In the year 2000, while there were exams To name just a few, Senora Murray subs in Spanish; Mrs. taken in history and English, there was one official Advanced Hanson continues to work with new teachers in Clinical Placement Course, AP Calculus. The 88% of the graduating Evaluations; Mrs. Bari takes tickets at sporting events, class of 2018 took 616 AP exams in 17 AP Courses. With the Sr. Jeanne is the namesake for the Knowledge Bowl Team, launch of Project Laptop in 2007 to the addition of the STEM “The Sister Jeans;” Mr. Vopatek has consulted in the STEM diploma in 2012 and the World Language Seal in 2017, AHA program and chemical storage room; and Ms. Hanley and provides opportunities for growth and proficiency in core and Mrs. Anderson work on the alumni board and sub. The elective fields of study. enormity of this group of people combined with the current Teachers helped earn the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence faculty at AHA is truly a gift, a blessing. in 1998, The MN Quality Award through the Baldrige Throughout generation after generation of AHA teachers, Foundation in 2008, a Superior Rating of Accreditation we have always delivered a guaranteed, rigorous academic by AdvancEd in 2016, and they, the staff, by way of their preparation, teaching the whole person in faith and service autonomous survey responses, rated AHA as one of Star with new methods and technology. Along with a competency- Tribune’s Top 150 Best Places to Work in 2017 and 2018. We based and guaranteed, viable curriculum, Dr. Robert Marzano have received recognition from Minnesota Independent School of Marzano Research, cites that the effectiveness of the 2 COMMUNIQUÉ FALL 2018 Academics | AROUND THE CAMPUS Principal Heidi Foley celebrated her 19th year at Holy Angels. Academic Excellence Past and Present teacher is one of the most fundamental pieces of a quality In German class, I am the only freshman to test into a education.