PANTHERPROWL ELYRIA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE > FALL 2015 • A Night of Celebration • One Family’s Journey of Faith and Service • Alumni Embraces Entrepreneurial Spirit INSIDE • 14-15 Donor Recognition Report Congratulations to the Class of 2015! Did you know that the Class of 2015 received a total of $5,617,633 in scholarship offers from 50 private and public colleges and universities? They are attending the following colleges and universities this fall: Arizona State University Baldwin Wallace University Bowling Green State University Brown Aveda Institute Cleveland State University College of Wooster Cuyahoga Community College Fordham University Geneva College Indiana Institute of Technology John Carroll University Kent State University Lorain County Community College Miami University Mount Union University The Ohio State University Ohio University The University of Akron The University of Findlay The University of Pittsburgh The University of Toledo University of Cincinnati “I knew this school before I even enrolled. Many of my teachers had my parents as University of Dayton students and shared memories of that time. I felt that everyone around me rooted for University of Notre Dame me to succeed in everything I did. Thank you to everyone who gave me the opportunity University of San Francisco to be in this amazing environment and to truly be able to reach my potential.” Ursuline College Walsh University Savanna Brown ’15, Salutatorian Westminster College University of Notre Dame Scholarship Recipient West Virginia University Wright State University Best wishes to our new alumni — don’t forget to come back to Elyria Catholic to visit! Mission Statement Committed to excellence and compassion, Elyria Catholic High School is a Christian community within the Catholic tradition that calls young men and women to embrace their faith, recognize their full potential and establish a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. Through worship, academics, extracurricular activities and service, the Elyria Catholic community educates students to use vision and courage to act as caring, just and responsible citizens of the world. 2 Elyria Catholic High School Magazine CONTENTS ELYRIA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FALL 2015 MAGAZINE 04 Administration News 05 President’s Letter 06 School News 08 Advancement Notes 10 The Call to Serve 12 Alumni News EDITOR Elyria Catholic High School Kristen Frank ’00, Faculty Librarian Student Focus PRESIDENT/PRINCIPAL 14 CONTENT/DESIGN Amy Vajentic Butler ’80 Panther Pride News Michele Fusco Scoccola, Senior 16 Advancement Director ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL Panther Prowlings Michael Wisnor 18 CONTRIBUTORS Alumni Reunions Mike Frey ’07 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL 20 Brian Humphrey ’98 Tom Taylor ’79 Anne Wilson Yu ’00 2014-2015 Donor Recognition Michelle Wisnor, Director of Advancement DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS 21 Annie Cunningham Calendar of Events PHOTO CONTRIBUTIONS 28 U.S. Air Force cover photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert ADVANCEMENT OFFICE Cloys, Joint Base Andrews public affairs. Michele Fusco Scoccola, Senior Amy Butler ’80 Deacon Pat Humphrey ’71 Advancement Director Allen Clark Andrew Krakowiak Michelle Wisnor, Director of Advancement Terrance P. Dickson Robert D. Reinker ’81 Kristen Frank ’00 Biddy St. Marie ’59 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Jill Hoagland ’86 Michelle Wisnor Jill Anglin Brian Humphrey ’98 ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DESIGN AND PRINTING Tim Ertle Academy Graphic Communication Panther Prowl is an annual publication of the ELYRIA CATHOLIC Advancement Department distributed to alumni, ADVISORY COUNCIL 12 parents, faculty, administrators, and friends of Elyria Catholic High School. Officers: ON THE COVER: Dr. Nicholas Ksenich, Chairperson 11th Wing and Joint Base Andrews Commander, Reader Feedback Ms. Susan Pavlus, Vice Chair Colonel Brad Hoagland and his wife, Jill (St. We need your help to stay current. Please send Mrs. Chris Kish ’78, Secretary Marie) Hoagland escort Pope Francis as he leaves address changes, share your life celebrations, or Andrews AFB for New York and Philadelphia on provide your thoughts and comments on Panther Mr. Christopher Burton ’02 September 22, 2015. Brad and Jill are graduates Prowl magazine with us to: Mr. Rob Corts ’79 of Elyria Catholic High School Class of ’86 and are Mrs. Michele Diedrick-Turrill ’81 Elyria Catholic High School recipients of EC’s Outstanding Alumni Award. Brad ATTN: Advancement Department Mrs. Annie Heidersbach Hoagland is the son of Margaret Murray Hoagland 725 Gulf Road Mr. Bob Resar ’83 ’62 and the late Charles Hoagland, and Jill is the Elyria, OH 44035 Mr. Joe Savoy ’85 Mr. Bill Young daughter of Mary Brigid “Biddy” McGowan St. Or Update Online: Mr. Ron Zidek ’63 Marie ’59 and the late Leon St. Marie ’59. www.elyriacatholic.com www.elyriacatholic.com 3 Congressman Jim Jordan ADMINISTRATION NEWS Hand Delivers Golden Ticket to EC’s Mr. Krakowiak, Executive in Residence New Administrative Structure Aims to Strengthen, Enhance School Goals and Opportunities A new school year always brings about changes and new opportunities, and this 2015-2016 school year is no different at Elyria Catholic. A new administrative structure has been implemented to support the growing academic and advancement needs of the school. With Mrs. Amy Butler ’80 at the helm of advancement as president/ principal, Mr. Michael Wisnor has Congressman Jim Jordan recently visited stepped into the role as associate Elyria Catholic with the purpose of hand principal. As such, Wisnor will be delivering a ticket to Mr. Krakowiak to managing the day-to-day operations of attend Pope Francis’ address the school. In addition to ensuring the to Congress when he arrived in continuance of a strong, Christ-centered Washington, D.C. in September. Students school, Wisnor also aims to boost had the opportunity to ask the collegiality, enhance the curriculum, congressman questions during their strengthen communication, and commit L to R: Mr. Tom Taylor ’79, Mrs. Patti Lutke, and Mr. Michael Wisnor government class with teacher Mr. Allen to the school’s continuous improvement. Clark. Mr. Krakowiak was Congressman Jim Jordan’s guest in the House gallery for Working alongside Wisnor in the front office is experienced educator and EC alum, Mr. the September 24th speech by Pope Tom Taylor, ’79. Taylor brings with him 30 years of educational experience as EC’s new Francis to a joint session of Congress. “It assistant principal. Prior to this he worked as the Assistant Principal at Brunswick High is my honor to invite Mr. Krakowiak to School for 19 years. Taylor also worked for Elyria City Schools as a special education witness firsthand what will most certainly teacher for 11 years. In addition, he coached baseball for Elyria Catholic from 1986 to be a very special day in the nation’s 1995. Taylor and his wife Tracy have three children who graduated from EC: Corey ’07, capital,” remarked Jim. Congressman Ryan ’09, and Emily ’11. Likewise, Taylor is the only person to have coached at all three Jordan chose Krakowiak with the ticket to of Elyria’s past and present high schools: Elyria High, Elyria West, and Elyria Catholic. honor the formative role he played in the Taylor will be focusing on student discipline, work in tandem with the guidance lives of students throughout his 30 year department, oversee student co-curricular activities, and help coordinate the career span in Catholic education. scheduling process. Veteran math teacher Mrs. Patti Lutke has stepped in as the dean of academics, and will also be teaching two math courses during the day as well. As dean, she will assist the administrative team and guidance with course selection, professional development, and curriculum development. Andy Krakowiak Reflects on Pope’s Visit I was blessed through my personal invitation as a lifelong Catholic educator to witness a special moment in U.S. history as I attended Pope Francis’ address to the joint session of Congress in Washington, DC. Along with all in attendance, I could sense very quickly the humility, compassion, and wisdom of a man known around the world as “Pope Francis.” What began as a step into history, however, quickly developed into a rich experience of spirituality through the charisms that this man quickly exhibited and freely shared with all who encountered him. I will forever be grateful for the honor and privilege of representing Elyria Catholic High School and Catholic education as a whole through my personal journey to be part of Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, DC. Mr. K and Alex Meihls ’09 meet on the front lawn of the White House. Alex now works for the House Oversight Committee. 4 Elyria Catholic High School Magazine PRESIDENT’S LETTER A Message to Alumni and Friends of Elyria Catholic High School The Elyria Catholic community encompasses a diverse group of alumni, parents, students, and friends. But in diversity is found common ground: a passion for Catholic education and the desire to help move the mission of the school forward. Our success would not be possible without the hard work and generosity of our families, donors, and the support of the Diocese of Cleveland. Truly, this community is a team, working on a foundation of faith, love, and mutual support. My hope is for this continued spirit of community building and faith sharing to reach each and every past and present student, and that the Holy Spirit guide all of us to continue to stay connected, celebrate our faith together, and work as a team to build a bright future for Elyria Catholic. One initiative we are focused on this year is to improve school governance through the development of an Advisory Council. We have partnered with Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU), The Center for Nonprofit Excellence to facilitate the process of identifying and engaging alumni and friends to join the Advisory Council. With the guidance of BVU, we have selected council members based on the skills, knowledge and resources needed by our school to be more effective in meeting our 21st century educational needs.