Scarlet & Gray
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A publication of Central Catholic High School Summer 2021 SCARLET Central To Life & GRAY Music Edition Making Music for Over 100 Years! Music History 92nd Musical Music Hall of Fame Contents 3 Hitting the Right Notes A History of Central Catholic’s Music Department 8 Gerald V. DePrisco ’45 24 AlumnEye 28 Students in the News 31 In Memoriam Central To Life Dear Alumni and Friends, For some, the past year has been challenging. But we have come together as an Irish Family and our perseverance has paid off. Central Catholic has been blessed by its families and supporters to be able to continue our mission throughout this pandemic. And we have many reasons to celebrate. We are celebrating the completion of a successful school year. Our students attended in-person classes throughout the entire year, and thanks to the dedication of our faculty, staff, families, and students, we were able to enjoy many of the “normal” school activities that make us who we are. We are celebrating the Class of 2021 - another incredible group of students who are going to make an impact on their communities and the world. We are excited to share in their success and look forward to having them among our distinguished alumni. We are celebrating being named “Best Private School” by not one, but two local publications! We are greatly honored to earn this distinction, especially because the votes come from the community. These awards give us confidence in our mission as we begin our next century educating students. (See the full story on the next page for more details.) We are also celebrating Central Catholic with a new Scarlet & Gray feature in which we focus on the history of the music department, and take a look at where we are now as we move into our next century of education. We will highlight other academic departments in future issues. Part of that music history includes, of course, our annual spring musical. We were very proud to recently celebrate our 92nd musical, performed on the Central Catholic campus in the front gym for the first time in nearly 50 years. As always, our students amazed us with their talent and dedication. As you can see, Central Catholic has a lot to celebrate! We appreciate your ongoing support and generosity as we continue to form disciples and leaders. In Christ, Kevin F. Parkins Head of School 1 Central To Life Central Catholic EDO Named TOL “Best Private School” in Northwest Ohio By Toledo City Paper AND Toledo Blade Readers’ Choice! In March, Central Catholic High School was named the “Best faculty, staff, and administration of Central Catholic High School. Private School” in Northwest Ohio in the Toledo City Paper’s Best Their commitment to our students helps CCHS thrive!” of Toledo 2020. Readers of the Toledo City Paper vote for their favorites in categories that include shops, services, professionals, Priest Leader, Fr. David Kidd, said, “All the credit goes to our food, art, music, and community. This is the 21st year the students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and friends of Central newspaper has been running this contest, and they had over 65,000 Catholic! When you form disciplines of Jesus Christ every day, votes in the various categories for 2020. people begin to notice the love of God in the world. All we can say is, Thank you, Jesus.” In May, Central Catholic was named “Best Private High School” in the Toledo Blade Readers’ Choice Awards. This is the first year for “It’s an honor for Central Catholic to be chosen for these awards,” these awards that provide an opportunity to celebrate excellence added Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Greg Dempsey. and highlight the many outstanding people, places, and events “We have been serving Toledo and Northwest Ohio for over 100 throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. years, and this is a great start to the next 100.” Central Catholic is honored to have been chosen by the community “We are extremely delighted to be recognized as the “Best for both of these distinctions. In 2020, we celebrated 100 years of Private High School”,” said Mike Boyle ’70. “This recognition outstanding education. The Class of 2020 earned over $4.6 million is a testament to our outstanding administration, faculty, staff, in college scholarships, and the graduates were accepted into top and students. As an alumnus and current Chair of the Board of universities across the country, including the American Musical Directors, I couldn’t be more proud!” and Dramatic Academy, Boston College, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame, and “I had a great experience at Central Catholic when I attended, and the United States Air Force Academy. I was thrilled that my children chose to attend Central Catholic as well,” said Stacy Bruno ’89, mother of Joe Bruno ’20, and Central Catholic is committed to in-person learning, and has incoming senior Christine Bruno. “The challenging academic worked diligently to provide a safe and effective learning environment is a great preparation for college and career. The environment throughout these difficult times. We continue to caring and engaging teachers and extracurricular activities at focus on providing our students the best educational opportunities Central Catholic really made it the best choice for me and my possible. family.” “We are excited to be named ‘Best of Toledo’ and the top private The Class of 2021 Valedictorian, Krista Roessle, said, “I could not school in the inaugural Blade Readers’ Choice Award,” said Kevin have had a better high school experience than the one I’ve had at Parkins, Central Catholic’s Head of School. “For over 100 years, Central Catholic. CCHS has both the academic rigor and multitude Central Catholic has been forming our region’s leaders and we are of extracurriculars I was looking for, but also has the familial excited to continue that mission! Being named the “Best Private aspect and loving community for which we’ve become renowned. School” twice in the same year is a testament to the amazing I could not have gotten into Cornell University without the support that Central provides, and I know I’ll be better prepared for the 2 next chapter of my life because of it.” Central To Life Hitting the Right Notes A History of Central Catholic’s Music Department As Central Catholic begins its second century preparing students to impact their community and the world, we are taking a look at the history of various departments in the school and how they shape the lives of our students. Central Catholic’s music department has a long history of tradition and success. This year marked 92 consecutive years of spring musical performances with the presentation of Into the Woods. Students have opportunities to participate in Marching Band, Concert Band, String Orchestra, Glee Club, and Mixed Chorus, and to take classes in piano, guitar, strings, dance, and music history. Music students compete in the Ohio Music Educators Contest, perform at sporting events, pep rallies, and other school functions, and perform in the community. Many students go on to pursue music in college and find careers in music professions. The music program currently consists of approximately 150 students, which is about 25% of Central Catholic’s total student enrollment. Many have been playing instruments or performing since they were very young, while others are just beginning their musical careers. But whatever their experience, CCHS students have been fortunate to have many dedicated teachers and music directors to guide them to musical excellence. Here are just a few of their stories. Music Department Leaders Joseph Sainton - CCHS Music Director, 1931-47 As Central Catholic’s music director, Joseph Sainton oversaw the band, orchestra, and Glee Club. During his last year at CCHS, the Glee Club had 106 members. His doctor ordered him to slow down in 1947, but he continued to work part time in the music department at CCHS until his death in 1957. Joseph was born in England and studied music in Germany. He conducted orchestras in England and Argentina. He came to New York City in 1911 and began touring the United States. While on a concert tour in Minneapolis, Joseph met and married Helen Cole. They had four children, and after touring the country for a short time, the family finally settled in Toledo. Joseph’s music career in Toledo included directing the Toledo Philharmonic Orchestra during the Great Depression, conducting an orchestra that played during silent movies at the Valentine Theatre, and directing the Swiss Singers, who won many awards in Midwest competitions. He also directed an orchestra that performed at the dedication of Rosary Cathedral, and he worked as a private music tutor. 3 Central To Life Dr. Angelo Cucci - Music Director, 1947-54 In his first four years at Central Catholic, Dr. Angelo Cucci developed a successful and balanced music program that included band, orchestra, and chorus. In recognition of his efforts, Angelo was selected by The School Musician Magazine in 1952 as “One of the Ten Most Outstanding Music Directors in the United States of America.” He went on to teach music at Wayne State University. In 1961, the Wayne State University Band, under his direction, was invited to perform in the inaugural parade before President John F. Kennedy and other dignitaries. John Bennett - Head of the Music Department, 1952-55 John Bennett, along with Norma Jean (Grote) Herman ’53, wrote the Central Catholic Alma Mater in 1953, and we still use the song today. It has been a tradition to sing it at Central Catholic formal occasions, such as concerts and graduation ceremonies, as well as at the end of many pep rallies and Fighting Irish athletic victories.