Happy Holidays from Girls and Boys Town

Home , Boys (short story)

lumni News Winter 2003 – Volume 42, Issue 5 Alumni Mission: We exist to unite and grow our alumni family; champion the dream and values of Father Flanagan through leadership Happy Holidays From Girls and Boys Town

This Christmastime photo of Chambers Chapel has earned a place on next year’s National Historic Landmark calendar, finishing among the top entries in the fourth annual “Imaging Our National Heritage” contest sponsored by the National Park Service. “There were 162 entries nationwide,” explained Hall of History Manager Tom Lynch, who submitted the photo. “Our photo was one of the top six. So we did very well.” The contest entries came from 30 states in five different regions of the National Park Service. The Girls and Boys Town photo won first place in the Midwest Region. “We’ll enter the contest again next year because we have a great array of photos to choose from and objects to shoot,” Lynch said.

Lake Tahoe BTNAA Mini Convention, June 11-13, 2004 – Details on page 10 From the Executive Director Monsignor Wegner To Be Honored Dear Alumni, at Boys Town. With the help of Tom Lynch like to help. and the resources of the Hall of History, we I wish each and every one of you and Many alumni and will develop a biography of his achieve- your loved ones a very Merry Christmas. staff who knew ments. Please remember the Christmas seasons you Monsignor Wegner Monsignor Wegner was responsible for spent at the Home. Keep yourself close to would like to honor his tremendous work as expanding the Home Campus, introducing the Lord. You know Father Flanagan and the first successor to Father Flanagan a huge number of program advances, Monsignor Wegner would both want you to (1948-1973). He was the man who was achieving Father Flanagan’s goal of building do that. handed the ball when Father Flanagan died the Trust Fund, and establishing a major God bless you with a Merry Christmas suddenly in Berlin in 1948. initiative in helping handicapped children. and a Happy New Year. This is a project close to the hearts of This resulted in the Boys Town National many alumni and myself, too. We are Research Hospital. He was a man of enor- Sincerely yours, delighted to announce the formation of a mous talent and he richly deserves recogni- Committee to Honor Monsignor Wegner. tion today. The Chairs of this Committee are Robert The Committee has a goal of getting Stoffel, Director of IT, John Mollison, lots of material ready for the 2005 Alumni Associate Executive Director, Human and Convention for a special ceremony honor- Physical Resources, and Bob Nelson, ing Monsignor Wegner. Anyone interested President of the National Alumni. in working on the Committee should call Father Val J. Peter, JCD, STD The Committee will take a retrospec- John or Bob and let them know you would Executive Director tive look at Monsignor Wegner’s great work

Editor Christmas Gift? Buy a Brick Bob Goodrich

Graphic Designer Buy a brick for a deceased classmate or a fellow Alumnus. Eli Hernandez Help build a beautiful, landscaped setting for our Fr. Flanagan Statue.

Contributing Writer ■ 4" x 8" individual engraved bricks ■ 8" x 8" individual engraved bricks Justin Taylor (2 lines, 14 characters per line) $50 (4 lines, 14 characters per line) $100 Alumni Advisors More than one brick may be purchased, with one name per brick. The same name can be used John Mollison ’64 only once. Limited number available – order yours today! Contact BTNAA: Stan Struble ’68 Edwin Novotny ’43 1-800-345-0458 ■ PO Box 2, Boys Town, NE 68010 ■ [email protected] Jerri Novotny George Buckler ’64

The Alumni News is published and printed by Reserve Your Father Flanagan Statue

Girls and Boys Town 14100 Crawford St. 18" Miniature Bronze Replicas Boys Town, NE 68010 ■ Collectors’ Items – Only 100 made by internationally www.girlsandboystown.org recognized sculptor, Fred Hoppe

e-mail: [email protected] $1,850 (Monies received will be put toward the cost of the two life-size Father Flanagan statues.) Phone: 1-800-345-0458 or (402) 498-1150 Payment plans available. Credit cards accepted. Donations welcomed. Fax: (402) 498-1159 Contact BTNAA: 1-800-345-0458 ■ PO Box 2, Boys Town, NE 68010 ■ [email protected]

2 ALUMNI NEWS Send Us Your Memories of Msgr.Wegner Msgr. Wegner touched many of our lives in a number of different ways. Some of us remember him handing Christmas presents to us on Christmas morning. Others remember his staunch support of all our athletic events—seeing him pace the sideline on a cold November day with his black overcoat and hat—cheering us on, talking to Skip. Some remember his kind and supportive letters after we graduated to let us know that he still cared about us. We would like to capture many of those memories over the next year and a half as we begin our journey of remembrance, celebration, awareness, and respect for the work of our Executive Director, the first caretaker of Father Flanagan’s dreams, Msgr. Nicholas H. Wegner. We are asking all alumni and staff to be part of this impor- tant journey. Please send your remembrances, stories, memorabilia, and anecdotes to:

Mr. Tom Lynch, Hall of History, Boys Town, NE 68010

You can also call him at the alumni 800 number: 1-800-345-0458. Help us let the world know how we feel about Msgr. Wegner. If Father Flanagan was the architect of Boys Town, Msgr. Wegner was the brick mason. Without his steady hand it might have all gone away.

Bob Stoffel, Bob Nelson, John Mollison, Co-Chairs of the Committee Alumni Director

Dear Brothers & Sisters; the Boys Town Choir singing at Mass, the Nestled away in the Sierra Madres, Lake Court of St. Stephen, the Boars Head Inn Tahoe is a beautiful clear water lake with I hope that the holi- watching the movie Boys Town, and long activities for everyone in the family. A day season finds you in hours playing ball at the Field House during social room for gatherings, conversation, good health and high Christmas break. Those from the Frs. information and registration will be avail- spirits. We all have Hupp-Peter generation will remember the able from 9 a.m. to midnight Friday and much for which to be strong family structure, festively decorated Saturday. A family barbecue will be held thankful. Be sure and homes, home-cooked meals everyday, shop- on the beach Saturday Evening. A very get the family to church, ping, worship at our beautiful chapels and special three-hour cruise complete with and please pray for our brothers and sisters lots of special activities over the holidays. dinner, drinks and entertainment will be in the military. We have several former Different traditions for different times, but held Friday night, followed by a silent auc- Boys Town youth overseas, and for many of meaningful, relevant and spiritually nour- tion. A Sunday morning fellowship brunch them, it will be their first Christmas out-of- ishing to all. Regardless of when we were will bring the weekend to a close. We will country. here, Christmas at Boys Town is unforget- be sending you a complete convention reg- The snow fences are up, the crèche table. istration packet in the mail Please register again sets prominently above the Music The BTNAA Board of Directors is now ASAP in order to guarantee your reserva- Hall and the large pine tree at Flanagan focusing on the ’04 Mini-Convention tion. See you there! and Heroes Blvd. is gaily strung with lights. sponsored by Regions 6,7, & 8 to be held I wish you were here with us to celebrate All best, June 11-13 at Lake Tahoe, California. the holidays. Because of the Home’s Information is available on our web site at changing traditions, Christmas at Boys www.BoysTownAlumni.org and is includ- Town evokes many different memories. For ed in this issue of the Alumni News. What those here during the Frs. Flanagan- a great opportunity for a family vacation! Stan Struble Wegner era, you may recall Twelfth Night,

DECEMBER 2003 3 Alumni’s Favorite Holiday was a Sweet, Sweet Deal

Christmas at Boys Town has come a long way since that first celebration around a barrel of sauer- kraut. Many of our alumni of 50 and 25 years ago said, without hesitation, that Christmas was their favorite holiday during their stay at Boys Town. Their reasons varied from the singing, church services, 12 days of activities, and general feelings of being home and having a home, to seeing family and getting gifts. But their most common memory of Christmas was – candy. Following are their fondest memories along with photos depicting the Alumni received a lot of great gifts, but they could always count on activities of past Christmases. candy. “You remember the poker games?”

Tony Jaramillo ‘53 “Christmas because of the choir, everything revolved around the Tom Shores ‘53 choir—the singing and the Masses. We were on tour and we always “Christmas because of the midnight Mass and the gifts we used to looked forward to getting home because it was Christmastime. Those get. I remember going in to the services and when we came out there were the good days for me.” would sometimes be a light snow falling.”

Bryan Burgess ‘53 Oh, Christmas, it was crazy. I still laugh about it, always laugh about it. My Christmas gifts were wrapped in brown paper and tied with rope. We loved it. We never paid any attention to it but now as time has passed I look back and I think, “God, how unbeliev- able that was that we would be so excited about Christmas when the box Christmas Eve Midnight Mass with the Boys Town Choir was standard Th e pac was wrapped in brown w kages programming for CBS radio and, later, Television from the 40s through rapp may h ed in b ave b early 60s. paper and tied with but th rown een ey we pape who re gif r and rope.” cared ts fro rope, . m som Robert Nelson ‘53 eone “No question it was Christmas. We used to have 12 days of Marty Critchley ‘78 Christmas and we would get something different each day. Well, the Boars Head during the 12 days of Christmas. When you didn’t get a chance to go Gilbert Honerman ‘52 home, they had a movie every day and then they “Christmas was my favorite holiday because I had the bonfire out in the field and they actual- looked forward to a package from home from my ly put it, it wasn’t real, the Boars Head up on the brothers and sister.” Music Hall for the 12 days. The candy compa- nies gave every kid in the grade school candy. Emil Bredemeyer ‘52 When I was in building #3, they gave us 36 “Christmas, because it lasted several days and they bars of candy each, a sealed box of candy. ic Hall e Mus gave you things that as poor kids we never would have d at th g the Didn’t know what kind we got so we had to r’s Hea durin e Boa of fun ed this gotten, like good food, clothes and candy.” Th 2 days port trade each other after we got them. ified 1 egner s ugh sign ther W 8 thro ys. Fa m 194 holida om fro an cust Europe 60s. 4 ALUMNI NEWS the 19 Dominic Damone ‘78 My favorite holiday was Christmas because usually I’d get to go to one of my sister’s house. I’d get to visit some of my real family members or some of my real family members would come and visit me.

Bill Maddux ‘53 Christmas. We had 12 days of Christmas. It went on forever. All sorts of things, you know. You can forecast the Christmas gift. It was two pair of Levis, two tee shirts, and a box of Butterfinger candy bars. Just like clockwork. You know, I told that story to a neighbor of mine and one Christmas he gave me a box of Butterfinger candy bars.

Hal Nedved ‘53 Oh, Christmas. We used to make those, well, we used to call them cribs where you made all the that warmed manger and all that stuff and roads around the tree. Food, clothes, and candy. Gifts That was my favorite part. I used to get troubled hearts. a big kick out of somebody who sent me a two Hersheys and a pair of socks. That was my Christmas present I got from home and I didn’t have a home. I don’t remember who sent it to me. That’s what the present was.

Mike Panetta ‘53 It was Christmas, because we got our box of candy. Boys Town High School won some state basketball championships in the 1960s with the help of their Jim Wehbey ‘53 pivot man “Frosty” who came s’ That would be Christmas on Christma pt us focused from Manitoba. h services ke e meaning. because we got a box of candy bars. es and churc tru Manger scen

That light snow falling after Christmas Eve church services added to the spirit of the season, but usually meant shoveling it the next day.

DECEMBER 2003 5 BTNAA Chapter News President Omaha The Omaha Chapter Christmas Party Boys Town of Nevada homes for the holi- was held Dec. 6, at the Spaghetti Works in day season. This year like last, alumni Appreciation is Gratifying Ralston. Forty alumni and their families gathered for a brunch on the morning were present. To the delight of many, after. Dear Brothers and Santa Claus appeared and distributed The chapter also had Christmas dinner Sisters, candy to the children. The event featured with the Trabuco Canyon residents of Another Holiday a White Elephant gift exchange that drew Girls and Boys Town of Southern season is upon us, many laughs and groans. The Omaha California on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2:30 and on behalf of the Chapter’s next event will be the Senior to 7 p.m. This was our fifth annual get National Board of Potluck Dinner at Boys Town in May. together with the kids and was a very fes- Directors, I wish you tive day as we sang Christmas carols and and yours a most Southern California enjoyed each other’s company. The family blessed, and happiest of holidays. The This Nov.1, the chapter held their bi- teachers and kids of the homes prepared season also brings back many thoughts of annual garage sale to raise funds for our the dinner for all. This year like last, there the holidays we have enjoyed. Some are annual Christmas program, Achievement was a house bake-off for the best dessert. still as clear as the day they happened. Awards, Festival Day and Scholarship This is an enjoyable event for everyone. I would like to send some thoughts on incentives for the residents of Girls and The day concluded with a visit from Mr. appreciation. All of us have done many Boys Town of Southern California. We are and Mrs. Santa Claus with gifts. All the efforts on behalf of our Alumni and some happy to report that we raised more than residents of Girls and Boys Town of of these endeavors are sometimes lost in $325. This time of year also culminates in Southern California received Christmas the bustle of activities, leaving a sense of the annual “Pennies for Christmas” effort gifts from the alumni. frustration and un-appreciation. I person- (members put pennies in change jars for That was our final event for 2003, and ally have found that sometimes the larger Christmas). That amount came to $154. we will be preparing for 2004. effort goes unrecognized and occasionally These two efforts gave the chapter a great We wish all alumni a very joyous the smallest endeavor can bring a feeling boost toward our goals and allow us to holiday season!!!!! of accomplishment. This is where the complete these chapter programs. feeling of self accomplishment comes Other events for our chapter members Florida into being, knowing the project you start- this holiday season started with our partic- Florida is a very large state, but we ed was completed by your work, and you ipation in the Elmer Marshall ninth annu- have many alumni living there. A Girls come away with a feeling of satisfaction al Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 21, at the and Boys Town USA graduate from North for a job well done. Railroad Pass Casino in Henderson, Nev. Florida, Chris Timmons, is very interested A recent occasion illustrates this Elmer was so kind to extend invitations to in starting up the Florida Chapter again. point. After taking a group of youths to a members of our chapter for the sixth year. Anyone interested in assisting, joining, or Christmas party with food and gifts, one Those who could, traveled to Las Vegas to being part of the solution should contact of the youths stood up and stated he be a part of the occasion, and brought a Chris by email at [email protected]. would like to speak. He said he was very small gift to the residents of the Girls and grateful to the alumni for the meal and gifts. He wanted to express thoughts of gratitude to the alumni for taking their Boys Town National Alumni Association time to come and be with him and his ORGANIZATIONAL STATEMENTS friends. Mostly he wanted us to know we Developed October 3, 2002 Annual Board of Directors Meeting demonstrated that there were others who VISION STATEMENT cared about them. Encourage a positive effect on our alumni family throughout the world This statement of appreciation was more than enough to make all the time MISSION STATEMENT and efforts put forth to make a better hol- We exist to unite and grow our alumni family; iday season for them, gratifying. champion the dream and values of Fr. Flanagan through leadership I wish all a healthy, happy holiday sea- VALUE STATEMENT son. Respect one another and celebrate the diversity of our alumni family We are committed to: Our Goals: • God, Family, Country • Add value to membership • Trust, Honor, Integrity • Double the number of paid members Robert G. Nelson • Communication, Team Work, Service in three years President • Kindness, Courtesy, Recognition • Improve our financial • Accountabililty, Ethics, Responsibility viability

6 ALUMNI NEWS Alumni Ready When Duty Calls Fighting the war on terrorism hit a me,” Carter said. “One thing that I little closer to home in October when learned here that I want to pass on to the two Girls and Boys Town ’03 alumni students is be dedicated and motivated found out that they could take their first and if you do that, then you can accom- steps toward being involved personally plish anything.” in the war. When it comes to her nerves, Carter is Mary Alice Carter, a member of the holding up well. United States Air Force and “I think my family is more nervous Christopher Martinmaas, a member of than I am,” Carter said. “As for me, I’m the United States Marine Corps, both not really nervous because I knew this day found out that they will be going to the would come. I’ve made it through every next level in their training in preparing other challenge in my life so far and this is them to do their duty during the war on Mary Alice Carter just another one, so I’m not scared.” Christopher Martinmaas terrorism. Martinmaas just finished his Marine “I’m just doing my job,” said Carter. “I’m a very patriotic person Corps basic training and is getting ready to go into his area of special- and when duty calls, then I’m trained and ready to protect my ty, which is supply. country.” “It will be interesting to get more involved with my training,” Although the call has not come yet for her to go to the Middle Martinmaas said. “I know that if I do get called up to active duty I will East, Carter took one step closer when she was recently deployed to be prepared to do what it takes to protect my country.” Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash. Martinmaas and Carter said (the late) Col. Jordan prepared them “I should be there for about a year, but you never know, the call for facing many obstacles and increasing their confidence so they are could come tomorrow saying that they need me to go and fight,” said prepared for what ever happens during their tours of duty. Carter, who will be working in Civil Engineering department while Both say their time at Girls and Boys Town is a main reason they there. are prepared for whatever lies ahead. Carter, who came to Girls and Boys Town when she was 16, cred- “My parents are really proud of the person I am today compared to its her time here for making her the person that she is today. the person that I was at 16 when I came to Girls and Boys Town,” “When I first got here I didn’t really want to be here but after Martinmaas said. “I have a future now which is something I couldn’t awhile I realized that this was the best thing that ever happened to say a few years ago.” Congratulations Private Martinmaas This young man graduated May 25, 2003, from Girls and Boys Town. He visited our children in October and shared these thoughts with them: Hi, my name is Chris Martinmaas. I graduated from Girls and Boys I would like to say the toughest thing about boot camp is definite- Town in 2003. I joined the United States Marine Corps because I ly the physical training. But it’s designed to build you up. Today I can enjoy the challenge of physical training, mental endurance, and in my say I am stronger not only in my body, but in my mind and my spirit as country’s time of need, I believed it to be my civic duty to protect the well. I learned to shoot an M-16 accurately at 500 yards. I am a sharp- freedom that we all enjoy. shooter. I learned first aid and survival training, but more importantly I just returned from 13 weeks of boot camp at Camp Pendleton in I learned the importance of teamwork and peer relations. California. Though the training was rigorous, I wouldn’t trade the I would recommend the military for a lot of reasons. It provides not experiences for anything in the world. I had a chance to forge amaz- only excellent training, but a guaranteed career and great benefits and ing relationships with my fellow recruits. They really made me feel like plenty of money for college afterwards. part of a team. We woke up together, trained together, and hiked I have only had 13 weeks of training in the Marine Corps, but it together. would take me a year to give back what they have given me. I want to We were on a three-day survival hike through the wilderness and thank my Girls and Boys Town family, Sgt. Taylor and Col. Jordan for one of the recruits fell behind. But recruit Walker and I went back and setting me on the path to success. You have all been a real big help to picked him up, gave him encouragement, and helped carry his pack. me. I plan to do great things. Thank you. Because of that display of teamwork our platoon got to go to the World Series baseball game and that was a rare opportunity for all of us. – Chris Martinmaas

DECEMBER 2003 7 The Mighty Cowboys

All sports this past fall enjoyed great success, according to Athletic Director Nolan Beyer, which leaves the door open for even greater success next year. “We reached an all-time high for the number of kids participating in sports last year, and we maintained the growth throughout this past fall,” Beyer said. “And through it all, I was very proud of the way our students practiced the CHARACTER COUNTS! philosophy and pursued victory with honor in all sports.” FOOTBALL For the fifth straight year, the football team enjoyed a successful season finishing 8-2, claiming the C-1 District 2 Championship. By winning the district, the Cowboys also qualified for the State Playoffs for the seventh straight year. Headlining this group is junior running back, Joe Howell-Burke, who lead the team in rushing with 1,274 yards and 21 touchdowns, junior quarterback Enrique Mazon, who passed for 1,192 yards and threw eight touchdown passes, and Ronnie Agosto who lead the team in tackles with 102. The season ended though with a hard fought 47-21 loss to Auburn in the 2nd round of the State Playoffs. “We have a strong nucleus for next year’s team,” head coach Kevin Kush said. “It’s just a matter of working hard in the off season to con- tinue our success.” Overall, more than 100 kids from grades 9-12 participated in the football program this past fall, with 32 of them playing on the varsity roster.

grades 9-12 participated in volleyball with 12 of them playing at the VOLLEYBALL varsity level. Of the 12, five of them were seniors, which opens the The girls volleyball door for optimism going into next season. team improved its record “This year we had 10 that had never played organized volleyball from 5-15 a year ago to an before this year,” Lessmeier said. “But these girls formed a close bond 8-12 record this fall. with one another and played like a team that had been together for “I couldn’t be more years.” pleased with the develop- In fact, the team won the Iowa School for the Deaf Volleyball ment of our girls’ skills,” Tournament in September. head volleyball coach Leading the team this season was senior Ashley Elster who earned Maggie Lessmeier said. an Honorable Mention at the All-Conference Tournament where the Overall, 31 girls from Cowboys were defeated by Conestoga to end their season.

The highest CROSS-COUNTRY finish for the boys GIRLS The girls cross-country team had 12 girls participate this past team came on fall, two of whom were seniors. October 6th at “We made some strides to improve ourselves,” said head coach Jay the Platteview Jordan. Invitational The highest finish for the girls’ squad was a 3rd place finish on where they fin- September 25 at the Nebraska City Invitational. ished 2nd. Headliners for the team included junior, Kayla Reynolds who Senior Greg returned to state for the second straight year after finishing 13th at Bartlett qualified for state after finishing 13th at Districts. Districts “Overall, I’m very pleased with the effort that our kids put forth day-in and day-out and with the leadership qualities they displayed BOYS The boys cross-country had 18 boys participate, six of whom during competitions,” Jordan said. were seniors.

8 ALUMNI NEWS No Matter the Setting, Palrang Found Teachable Moments

The legendary Skip Palrang influenced the lives of thousands of boys who came through Boys Town during his tenure. At the 2003 convention, Bill Maddux (’53) recalled this story that shows how Skip Palrang found teachable moments whether on or off the football field. The Boys Town football team in the early 50s was traveling to one of their games by train to another part of the country when this teachable moment took place.

One of the nice things is that when you travel like that, you get some individual attention. Palrang was a great guy for that. I can remember one time when we were in the Dining car which they used to reserve for only us after all the humans had eaten and then we went in there. Still there, was a woman who was a schoolteacher and I and another one of the guys were at her table. Palrang was back to back with me at the next table and we were making polite conversation when this lady says, “My, look at that herd of cattle out there. I won- der how many there are out there.” I said, “There’s 1,214.” She says, “How did you know that?” I said, “I counted the legs and divided by four.” Palrang turned around and picked me up and put me in his chair and sat down with her and apologized for my remark. He just wanted her to know that we were not insane, crazy people.

He taught us how to eat, he really did. We learned how not to pick up peas on Skip Palrang and three of his quarterbacks from the a knife and stuff like that. He would go from table to table and teach you table man- 1952-53 season. L-R are Wilburn Hollis, from Possum ners. It was great. Trot, Miss., Coach Palrang, Bill Maddux, Omaha, Neb., and Frank Marquez of Rawlins, Wyo. Home Campus Athletes Add Iron To Their Diet

Boys Town High School athletes are pumping about 9,400 pounds of iron into their physical fitness routines thanks to the Athletic Boosters and other donors. The weight room in Palrang Field House underwent a $60,000 refurbishing this summer complete with 10 new bench press stations, one leg strengthening module with five stations, one shoulder exercise module with four stations, six other stations to work leg and abdominal muscles, and 40 bars The Boys Town Athletic Boosters donated to lift free weights. $33,000 to the renovation. “We were not getting the maximum benefits out of our old weight room because the lack of air circulation was pretty stifling and it wasn’t efficient in handling our large number of athletes,” said Home Campus Associate Executive Director Dr. Dan Daly. “The new York and Cybex equipment, just by its design, is better suited to help our athletes become bigger, stronger, and faster,” explained Athletic Director Nolan Beyer. “We can also keep more people active because the room can now keep 60 kids busy at one time.” Head Football Coach Kevin Kush agreed. “We have greatly improved our on-task time during our strengthening and conditioning classes. Nobody is standing around waiting to get on a machine. We can now get more kids through a 30-minute class and have them do more during the period. The room also helps our supervision. It is set up now so we can move quick- ly and easily to the different stations.” Besides new weights and machines, Home Campus maintenance employees repainted the walls, installed new carpet, replaced the ceiling, added fluorescent lights to brightened up the room, and hung new ceiling fans to keep the air moving so athletes can keep working. “I think our kids show a lot of pride in this room and want to take care of it because it was rebuilt while they are here and, initially, it is motivating more of them to work harder,” said Father Peter and Dr. Daly dedicated the new weight room on June 18. Beyer. “I know they are greatly appreciative of this facility.”

DECEMBER 2003 9 Auxiliary Column Where Are They Now? Krysten Vance, ‘99 Since graduation, Antonio. She is recently married, and Send Us Your Suggestions Krysten has been heavily involved with the together with her husband, they own Anna’s Salvation Army in Nevada, New Mexico, Nails, a health care spa in San Antonio. and California. She attended the Salvation Shannon White, ‘92 Shannon attended Dear Auxiliary: Army Crestmont College for one year to learn leadership skills and prepare for a Western Washington University for two years on football scholarship after graduat- During this youth ministry. After moving to Anaheim, ing. He now lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, is holiday season I California she became the education direc- married, and has two children. Shannon has wish all of you tor. They have year-round school in worked in new car sales for many years in peace, love and Anaheim and during the periods children Virginia and Nebraska and is currently happiness. are out of school, they can study math, employed at Dean Bros. Lincoln-Mercury in This time of spelling, English, reading and writing at the Lincoln. He also owns and runs Pantheon year can be hectic and stressful. My Salvation Army so they don’t forget what Entertainment, booking entertainment acts, thoughts are "Keep It Simple". So with they’ve learned. She is actively involved in getting new bands into studios and working that in mind I have a wonderful gift idea a youth ministry and is planning to attend as an agent. that will be in our "December Auxiliary Crestmont College again to finish her Messenger". Associates Degree and become a pastor or Tiffany Nielsen-Wright, ‘99 Tiffany is an If you don't get the newsletter and assistant pastor. Army Reservist and was called up in January would like to receive it, please write me Gerald Feauto, ‘91 Gerry Feauto is living of ’03. She is stationed in Kuwait and just at: Sue Ann Burgess, 12 Marten in Des Moines, Iowa. He is married with received word that her unit’s time has been Avenue, Narragansett, RI 02882 and children, and has been working six years as extended into 2004. Tiffany is married and one will be e-mailed or mailed to you, the manager of Car X Automotive, a six-bay has a young child. She states that she felt whichever you prefer. automotive repair facility. like part of the Girls and Boys Town family Recently I received a call from a all during her four years here and wishes that daughter of a deceased alumnus. She did- Angela Deboutez, ‘99 Angela completed many of her fellow reservists had the support n't know that she could become a mem- her training at Texas Beauty College in San that she had. ber of our auxiliary. So for those of you who would like to join and are family or friends of an alumnus, please contact me. Since the July Convention we have BTNAA Mini Convention been gathering suggestions for possible June 11-13, 2004 auxiliary activities for Convention 2005. Here are a few: Lake Tahoe, California Pampering Day (Spa etc.) Old Market Join your brothers and sisters in June of ’04 for a Tri-region Mini-Convention!! Lakeland Shopping Spree, Museum Trips, Henry Village offers a quarter mile of private beach, a heated lakeside pool, and acres of wooded seclu- Doorly Zoo Trip, Casino Crawl, State sion, all within minutes of Reno’s high-energy casino nightlife. Plan now and bring your family. Park Picnic, and a Site Seeing Tour of Area Activities Omaha. What would be your choice? A recreational paradise, Lake Tahoe offers world class skiing, mountain biking, hiking, horse- Feel free to email me at back riding, fishing, sailboarding, tram rides, volleyball, parasailing, Jet ski rental, and golf. [email protected], mail or call 401- 789-7959 with your suggestions. Alumni Events God Bless all of you and especially our 1. Friday Night Lake Tahoe Dinner Cruise: Three hour cruise with dinner, drinks, and military. entertainment. 2. Saturday Night BBQ Dinner: Chicken, Hamburgers, Hot dogs & Grilled Sausages, Potato Salad, Green Salad, Chips & Salsa, Fruit, Cookies, & Drinks. 3. Silent Auction: All 8 Regions will provide a wide array of valuable and interesting items on which you may bid. 4. Sunday Breakfast Brunch: traditional fare of eggs, bacon, Sue Ann Burgess sausage, rolls, juices, potatoes and pancakes. President, Alumni Auxiliary 5. Social Room: Daily, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., registration, information, meeting room, conviviality, conversation. Information Call Stan at 800-345-0458 or query us [email protected] RegionVIII Russ Fabre at 509-582-4787 [email protected] Region VII Bob Nelson at 714-962-1276 [email protected] Region VI Jim Congrove at 303-940-1919 [email protected] 10 ALUMNI NEWS Former Boys Town Mayor In Loving and Athlete Dies Memory

Former Boys Town mayor and standout athlete Robert Caniglia, ’61, passed away Sept. 12, 2003, in Sacramento, Calif. Leonard Kroll, 76, died Sept. 26, at his home in Phoenix, Ariz. He was elected Mayor of Boys Town in 1946, and Irma Doornkamp, former Boys Town teacher passed away Sept. 14, 2003, in graduated in 1947. Omaha, Neb. Leonard came to Boys Town in 1941 from Pensacola, Leonard Kroll, ‘47, died Sept. 26, 2003, Fla., as an orphan, who family friends loved, but could no in Phoenix, Ariz. longer care for. Leon Lamb, former machine shop From 1943 to 1946, Kroll’s stellar athletic career at teacher at the Vocational Career Center, Boys Town earned him a total of 13 letters in football, died Nov. 12, 2003 in Omaha, Neb. basketball, baseball, and track. At five foot 11 inches and John Vilburn, ’51, passed away Oct. 20, 162 pounds, Kroll helped lead Coach Skip Palrang’s foot- 2003 in Santa Maria, Calif. ball teams to a 22-1 record in ’45 and ’46 against some of William Vinton, ’65, died Nov. 3, 2003, the most powerful high school teams across the country. in Lake City, Fla. Leonard Kroll, 1947 photo Kroll received All-State honors for three straight years and was crowned All-Nebraska Fullback in 1946, his senior season. That year, Kroll carried the ball 1,616 yards in 151 carries and scored 164 points for Boys Town’s breakaway offense. Six of his touchdowns resulted from runs of longer than 50 yards and three touchdowns from receiving passes of longer than 50. He ended his football career in his home state running for four touchdowns in a 46-6 victory over Sts. Peter and Paul High School of Miami in the Orange Bowl. Kroll’s football success rode on his fast legs. He won state sprint championships in 1946 in the 220-yard dash and in 1947 in the 100. He also broke records on both 440 and 880 sprint relay teams during those years. In his senior year, Kroll was Boys Town’s MVP in basketball and anchored the baseball team’s pitching staff. In 1946 and ’47 The Omaha World Herald voted him one of the ‘Big Four’ athletes from the State of Nebraska for his prowess in all four sports, and his teammates voted him Outstanding Athlete of his senior class. Kroll was a leader off the athletic field too. He was president of his Spanish Club, commanding officer in the Boys Town Cadet Corps, was secretary-treasurer of his class, served several terms as commissioner and councilman, and served one term as mayor. In 1947, The Omaha World Herald awarded him the Benjamin Victor Trophy, which was given annually to the outstanding athlete and scholar of the senior class. Kroll went to the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship but later transferred to the University of Portland in Oregon, where he played halfback. After graduating from college, Kroll taught school in Humphrey, Neb. He later moved to Omaha to work for Western Electric. In 1968, he and his family moved to Phoenix when Western Electric transferred his job Kroll, left, with Skip Palrang and teammate Chet Oden in 1945 there. Longtime friend and teammate Jim Mitchell of Omaha said Kroll liked to golf and travel with his wife Shirley during his retirement years. He said Kroll was last in Omaha in 1997 for his Boys Town class reunion. His wife, Shirley; daughters, Linda Collins of Arizona, and Sheree Kroll of Florida; son, Leonard, of Arizona; and five grandchildren survive Kroll.

DECEMBER 2003 11 MAY 2003 11 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Boys Town, NE Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home PERMIT NO. 1 Boys Town, NE 68010

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Msgr. Wegner hands out gifts to the boys on Christmas morning.