MIEGE

MATTERSA NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS OF ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SUMMER 2008

INSIDE The Miege miracle Page 3

Sister Martina receives national award Page 4

KU seniors play at Miege Page 4

35th annual auction wrapup Page 6

Alumni and past parents pitch in on mission trips 50 YEARS Page 7 OF BISHOP MIEGE  1 9 5 8 - 2 0 0 8 Stag achievements Celebratingn Sept. 7, 1958, the students, Page 8-11 faculty and staff of St. Agnes High School ceremoniously Danny Morris O 3-on-3 marched from St. Agnes to the new Bishop Miege High School and ushered tournament in both a new building and a new era of Page 12 1950s Catholic education in City. Fifty years later, we will recreate that 1980s Donkey Ball opening parade as we look back on the returns to past and ahead to the future of Miege. Miege Page 12 This reunion is more than a mea- sure of years gone by. It’s an opportunity Alumnotes for old friends to tap a well of shared Page 13-15 1960s memories and to remember what made 1990s us friends in the first place. If you haven’t Calendar Page 16 been back in a while, this is an ideal time to revisit your old stomping grounds. The place has changed quite a bit, but the spirit of Miege has remained the same for the last half century. 1970s 2000s

SEE SPECIAL INSERT FOR MORE! 8 FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends of Miege,

ost would agree the biggest worry for parents is the safety and health of their children. This parental Mmission manifests itself in the many ways we focus our actions and thoughts on them. It starts at infancy and lasts through Miege Matters alumni magazine is published adulthood. We never stop caring for their welfare. two times a year by Bishop Miege High School, In the end, though, we realize there is only so much a parent 5041 Reinhardt Dr., Shawnee Mission, KS 66205. can control, and the rest is in God’s hand – and that’s where prayer comes in. So, on a daily basis, parents ask Him to watch over their POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Bishop Miege High School, 5041 Reinhardt Dr., children and protect them from harm. God answers our prayers Shawnee Mission, KS 66205. God answers more than we will ever realize. But, there are exceptions – those LETTERS in response to articles in Miege our prayers times when it is obvious His hand is at work. Matters are welcomed. Please limit your letter I call it the “Miege Miracle.” The accompanying article (on to 200 words and include your name, year more than page 3) recounts the marvelous story of how a classroom lesson of graduation, address and daytime phone number. Address correspondence to Colleen we will ever saved a Miege student from a certain medical crisis. The thing Cooke, Editor, Miege Matters magazine, 5041 that makes this story so exceptional is the outstanding care and Reinhardt Dr., Shawnee Mission, KS 66205; realize. But, diligence displayed by two of our staff members and his parents e-mail: [email protected]. Letters may be edited for style, clarity and length. there are and the unexplained events that came into play in order for Patrick Moore’s condition to be identifi ed and later treated. exceptions Another amazing part of these events is the timing. If this lesson – those times had occurred any earlier in the year, as it sometimes did, it might have been too soon to detect the condition, and any later might when it is have been too late. obvious His As it happened, Mr. Alan Thomas was in the nurse’s offi ce the day before to get some help on measuring blood pressure as part hand is at of an upcoming lesson. During his visit, Mrs. Maura Peterson work. showed him a pulse oximeter and asked if he wanted to use it in the lesson also. He decided to take one with the idea he might use it as an additional way to measure pulse rate. The next day was his annual lesson of having his students measure their pulses by using their fi ngers on a pulse point. Again, because he had just obtained the device, Mr. Thomas decided to allow as many students as possible to use the pulse oximeter. As it worked out, Patrick was one of the last two students in the class to www.alumni. use the instrument. It would not have been unusual for the lesson to conclude before his turn. bishopmiege.com I am sure many of you have your own experiences that are so To join the Bishop Miege online exceptional that it reinforces your belief in the power of prayer alumni community for the fi rst and you just know that God’s hand had to be at work. time, enter your user name as In this situation, our story quite likely would have had a far your fi rst name, last name and different ending if it were not for the diligence of Patrick’s parents four-digit year of graduation with and the caring work of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Peterson. I am no spaces between words: i.e., reminded of the phrase: “Work as if everything depends on you; susantremonti1979. Your password and pray as if everything depends on God.” is the numeric code at the top of this issue’s mailing label. God bless. Once you’ve logged in, you can Sincerely, personalize your username and password in your profi le information. If you have any trouble or questions, please email Colleen Cooke: ccooke@ bishopmiege. com.

2 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com NEWS & NOTES The Miege Miracle During a class project, a sophomore discovered a life-threatening heart condition t all ended like a made-for-TV movie. But it began simply, on April 2, Ilike any other day in the life of Miege sophomore Patrick Moore. He drove to school, went to classes, talked to friends – the usual. In his anatomy and physiology class that day, the lesson was on heart rates. Typically, science teacher Alan Thomas taught his students to measure their heart rate the usual way: pressing two fingers to the pulse point on the wrist. But on a whim that day, Thomas had borrowed the school nurses’s pulse oxim- eter to measure the students’ heart rates instead. When it was Patrick’s turn to take his pulse, he wished he’d paid closer atten- tion to Thomas’s instructions. “I was surprised,” Patrick said. “I thought maybe I’d done something wrong.” When Bishop Miege science teacher Alan Thomas (left) borrowed a pulse oximeter for His heart rate registered abnormally a class demonstration, sophomore Patrick Moore (middle) noticed something unusually high – 160 bpm (beats per minute). A wrong when it was his turn to measure his heart rate. A quick follow-up by school nurse Maura Peterson (right) led to a series of events that may have saved Patrick’s life. normal resting heart rate is usually between Photo by Elaina Generally, The Leaven 60 and 90 bpm. When Patrick informed his teacher, They had, and the next three weeks great,” she said. “They sent cards, came to Thomas was immediately alarmed. were a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, visit Patrick in the hospital, and friends “I coach runners,” Thomas said, “so I’m as physicians tried to determine what was were always bringing food over to the used to someone having a higher heart wrong with Patrick’s heart. house. We couldn’t even keep up with the rate when they’ve been running and are A chest x-ray and an EKG both came sheer volume of e-mails and phone calls breathing heavily. But Patrick was just sit- back negative for indications of a heart from people offering their support.” ting there in class, and I knew his heart rate problem. Then, because Patrick had just Finally, a referral to a pediatric cardiac should not have been that high.” returned from a mission trip to Mexico, specialist produced the answers the Moores Thomas walked Moore down to the doctors considered the chance that he were looking for: Patrick was diagnosed school nurse Maura Peterson, who took his might have contracted a tropical disease. with ectopic atrial tachycardia. heart rate again and tried several ways to “It was an eight-day period for us that At some point, Patrick’s heart had see if it would go down at all. was almost like an episode of ‘House,’” formed an extra piece of tissue that had It didn’t. So Peterson notified his par- said Bob Moore, Patrick’s father. “We were recently become active. The extra tissue ents and sent the teen – still feeling fine taking Patrick’s temperature and his heart somehow caused his heart to enlarge. That – straight home. rate every four hours, trying to figure out if forced it to work twice as fast to pump “Patrick’s heart rate was extremely he had some form of rare infection.” as much blood volume as normal, which significant, but we didn’t know what was One of the few things going right accounted for his heart rate. causing it,” Peterson said. during those long days, said Patrick’s mother, Doctors said it would not have been long She was so concerned she called the Debbie (Kavanaugh) Moore ’73, was the before Patrick would have started showing Moores again to make sure they had fol- support the family received from the school. lowed up with a doctor. “The entire Miege community was CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

When you read about kids who drop dead playing sports, it’s usually because of this diagnosis or a very similar one. Patrick’s doctor told us that by the time most people are first seen, over 30 percent will go straight to the transplant list. – Bob Moore, father of Miege student Patrick Moore bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 3 NEWS & NOTES Sister Martina wins national award

enerations of Miege students Sister Martina have always known that science Rockers () teacher Sister Martina Rockers received one of six G Catholic is the cornerstone of Bishop Miege – one Secondary of the best teachers they’ve ever had and Education a beautiful example of commitment to Awards from the Catholic education. National Catholic Now the rest of the nation knows it, Educational too. Association in This spring, Sister Martina received Indianapolis this March. the Catholic Secondary Education Award from the National Catholic Educational Association. The award is one of six presented by the association; Sister Martina was the only classroom teacher to receive the award this year. It recognizes Sister Martina’s distinguished service to Catholic education, Miege since the school opened 50 years Passantino, Principal Stan Herbic and which dates back to 1946 when she began ago, and in 2006, she celebrated her 60th Campus Ministry Director Mary Perrini, teaching at Queen of the Holy Rosary year of teaching. Sister Martina traveled to Indianapolis in Grade School. She’s been part of Bishop Along with Miege President Dr. Joe March to receive the award. ■ Kansas Barnstormers at Miege

he KU Barnstormers – seniors from the national champion men’s Tbasketball team – played seniors from Bishop Miege, St. Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Ward on May 10 at Miege. The KU Barnstormers are seniors , , Rodrick Stewart, and Brad Witherspoon. The high school team included Miege seniors Matt VanDyke, Brian LeSage, Colin Mulvany, Jason Payton, TOP: KU senior Jeremy Case Willie Reed, Travis Releford and Colin signs the shirt of a young fan Zvosec from Miege, coached by Miege during the autograph session coach Jeff English. before the KU Barnstormers After an autograph session, fans filled basketball game at Bishop nearly all the bleachers in the Miege gym Miege on May 10. to celebrate the Jayhawks’ outgoing seniors LEFT: KU senior Sasha Kaun and catch a glimpse of part of the program’s fends off Miege senior Travis future, as Releford played against his future Releford during the exhibition team. game. Releford took to the court The KU players and “coach” Rodrick against the team he’ll be playing Stewart (who was injured) led the for as a freshman basketball player at KU. Barnstormers to a 104-97 victory. ■

4 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com NEWS & NOTES Freshman celebrates First Communion sually, your first communion is a classmates, teachers and chaplain at Miege. big deal, marked by fancy dresses On May 7 during the 7:15 Mass, she Uor official starched robes – the was first in line for Communion, only a highlight of second grade. But for one little bit nervous. Her family and friends Miege student, that milestone of Catholic – as well as teachers Nancy Weber, Steve faith occurred at the end of her freshman Koesterer and Campus Ministry Director year – and she chose to celebrate the Mary Perrini – were on hand to support sacrament before school one Wednesday in her. the Miege chapel. Morgan is grateful to Fr. Greg Hammes Morgan Robbins had been baptized at and Mrs. Perrini for their help with this age 9 or 10, and while she had taken some process. Mrs. Perrini also helped Morgan of the courses required to complete her get involved in the Campus Ministry Team Miege Chaplain Fr. Greg Hammes and freshman Morgan Robbins, after her First First Communion, she’d never finished. early on in the year. Communion. After three years of Catholic school – and “I thought CMT would be a great way her first year of Miege under her belt – it to meet people and learn about my faith,” in different activities at Miege, Morgan is was determined that she could proceed Morgan said. “It’s also a great way to meet finding that her first impressions of Bishop with the sacrament. upperclassmen.” Miege were right. When it came time to choose the This year, she’ll meet even more “When I shadowed here, I thought the location, Morgan wanted to celebrate upperclassmen as a member of the varsity people were really nice,” she said, “and I got her first Eucharist in front of her new cheer squad. As she becomes more involved the sense I would fit in here.” ■

Coming soon: Dream House

PARTICIPATE IN THE 2008 DREAM HOUSE AND LET THE DREAM TEAM COME TO YOU! Leave your Watch your mail for an legacy

invitation to participate in he Bishop Miege High School Legacy Society was established the 2008 Dream House Tto recognize the generosity of individuals and families who have included Bishop Miege High School as a beneficiary Extreme Remodel. The of a planned gift. Planned gifts come in many forms: will bequest, life insurance Dream Team members completed two winners will be announced policies, trusts, annuities and real estate beautiful home renovations as part of a gifts. These “legacy” gifts help ensure the 2006 Miege Auction item. ongoing tradition of excellence at Bishop Nov. 1, 2008. Miege. If you are considering making a planned gift to Bishop Miege, please call COMING SOON! WATCH YOUR MAIL! 913-262-2701, ext 238. ■

bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 5 AUCTION 2008 A SMART start Annual auction not only raises crucial funds, but also helps Miege leap forward in classroom technology

ishop Miege took a trip through time with the 35th annual benefit Bauction this year. With a theme of Be True to Your School, the school was filled with reminders of our high school years – no matter what the graduation date. Toward the end of the live auction, President Dr. Joe Passantino made a special request of the crowd. The school wanted to install new technology in the classroom called SMART boards – multimedia devices that look like dry erase boards but allow teachers to pull up video and Web sites, save their notes and even record their lectures. Don and Patty ’70 Kincaid had made a challenge gift of $25,000, which the school TOP: 1979 alumni returned for the 35th would receive if it could match that sum in annual auction. Front pledges. By the end of just a few minutes, (from left): Susan nearly $60,000 had been raised, enough to Tremonti, Danielle equip 12 classrooms. Wilcox, Theresa Thanks to all who helped make the Jackson, Kelly Specht and Bridget Martin; auction a memorable success! ■ back: Kevin Kavanaugh and Joanie Bartkoski. CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Dorothy Murphy Spezze and Elaine O’Connell Schmidtberger ’76 enjoyed the evening with teacher Chuck Peoples. ■ The decorations included some familiar faces, including coach Terry English ’68. ■ Thanks to the generosity of auction Decorating chairs bidders, Miege was able to equip 12 Sue Wohler, Diane classrooms with SMART boards, which are Kovich and Paula Harr cutting-edge multimedia devices – a far (seated). ■ Members cry from dusty chalkboards. of the Watkins family. Homecoming 2008 Friday, Sept. 19, 2008, 7 p.m. Don’t miss Homecoming during our 50th anniversary year! The Stags take on Blue Valley West at 7 p.m. Join us for a pre-game tailgate at 5:30 p.m. Watch the Web site for details. Attention class of 2008: New alumni get into the game for free!

6 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com CAMPUS MINISTRY Chaperones on a mission Past parents and alumni return to help with CMT’s program oing on mission trips has become a popular tradition for Bishop GMiege students – a great way to earn service hours, make lasting friendships and help the less fortunate. But on every trip, there’s another con- tingent from the Miege community – the chaperones. These people help supervise a group of students and also pitch in their skills and expertise on the cleanup or construction projects. Their commitment to these trips often lasts far beyond their direct connection with Miege. It’s not uncommon for alumni – both from recent classes and reaching back 15 or 20 years – to sign up for trips. There are even past parents whose children have long since graduated who keep coming back. Mike Casey, whose son, Tom, gradu- ated in 2003, went on his first trip as a chaperone in 2001. In the five years since ABOVE: Parents, students and past parents help build a house for a family in Reynosa, Tom graduated, Casey has chaperoned on Mexico, during a spring break mission trip. BELOW: Thanks to members of the mission trip, six trips. 3-month-old Jose’s allergy to infant formula was discovered. “There’s a need for chaperones, and I found it very rewarding,” he said. “You can 07-08 ALUMNI & PARENT CHAPERONES start to see the lights go on in the stu- Victoria Amor ’07 Steve Livingston dents’ eyes about the importance of what Suzanne Bagley Robin Mills they’re doing. At the end of the day, they Mike Casey Mary Perrini talk about what they’ve done, and they Jillian Circle ’07 Rick Peterson Bill Creach ’83 Chuck Raplinger invariably say they realize how lucky they Jennifer Freund ’00 Paul Rodriguez are and how they have a responsibility to Jean Gomez Renee Schultz ’07 help people. You literally see them grow up Jerry Gomez Richard Sulzen before your eyes.” Laura Hendricks ’04 Cathy Vering ’03 During the trip to Reynosa, Mexico, Scott Jabloski ’00 Larry Walter Paul Kirk ’07 Helen Wesley over spring break, Casey was part of a fortuitous chain of events. One of the children in Reynosa, Jose, was about three life is a series of doors, and we’re invited time with her and get to do something I months old, very small, and suffering from to walk into them. In each doorway where had always wanted to do.” a horrible cough. Casey urged Carolyn we shake hands with someone else, that’s Each year, Miege sends nearly 200 Ashby, a nurse who was part of the trip’s where Christ is – where two or more are students on upwards of seven mission trips, overall organization, to try to get Jose to a gathered in His name.” plus a series of urban plunges to work with doctor. They discovered that the boy was Jen French, a 2000 Miege graduate, had the less fortunate in large cities. And there’s allergic to infant formula, and after switch- never gone on a mission trip while she was always a need for chaperones, who get to be ing to soy milk, he’s been fine. Casey sees a student, but this year she signed up to part of a unique time in students’ lives – and the hand of God in play in Jose’s diagnosis. go on the National Relief Network trip who invariably come away with a great “Had we not been there, maybe to help in hurricane-affected areas of the appreciation for the blessings in their lives. nobody else goes to that site to help and south. “Every trip has its own flavor to it,” said maybe Carolyn Ashby isn’t there and as a “I never went on a mission trip in Mary Perrini, director of campus ministry. result and maybe Jose gets really sick and high school and always wished I had,” she “One of the neatest by-products of the dies,” Casey said. said. “My sister was going on this trip as trips is the outreach – the community that “It was one of those added blessings. a senior and they needed more adults. I is built with our kids – and it all happens in I’ve told the kids on the mission trip that thought it would be a good way to spend a week.” ■

bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 7 STAG ACHIEVEMENT Robotics team 3 students win takes second essay contest he National Center for Fathering sponsors an essay contest each year, at regionals Tand from nearly 5,500 student essays submitted, there were three winners he Stag Robotics Team returned from Bishop Miege. to the Kansas City Regional Sophomore FIRST Robotics Competition in Lindsey Callahan’s T essay won first place March and came home with second place. Led by advisers Scott Anderson and for the 10th grade Lezlie Martin, the team designed and division; junior finals was supportive of our team.” built a functioning, competitive robot in Gabriella Grado was To view videos of the event, go to six weeks this winter. This is the second a runner-up for the www.more.net/services/videostreaming/ year of the team’s existence; last year, 11th grade division, first2008/archives.html. ■ Stag Robotics competed at the national and sophomore Lindsey Callahan competition. Nate Ellerman was This year, the team came within four a runner-up for the 10th grade division. points of qualifying for the national ROBOTICS TEAM MEMBERS The students were honored at a Kansas tournament again. Once again, the Curt Cebula Barry Preston City Royals game on June 1 with their experience of working on the robot was Roberto Gonzales Bridgette Ritter fathers and Miege English teachers Mrs. something that team members learned a Jack Hashman Alisa Schemmel Fennell and Mrs. Freeland. ■ Wai Ho Li Steven Solar lot from and enjoyed. Kevin Janczewski Nia Swem “I think we did a fantastic job,” said Tim Janczewski Connor Terrill sophomore Nia Swem. “We got farther than Yuki Kato Roxanne Troxell I ever thought we would. Our whole team Stephanie Lyons Josh Wancura worked hard, and everyone who went to the Bridget Murphy Michael Worms

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

FORENSICS HEADS TO one ballot. Overall, Hogan is ranked 81st NATIONALS out of more than 93,000 students in the country based on points she has earned in COACH, QB GO TO Members of the Bishop Miege her four years of competition. Forensics Squad competed in the National SHRINE BOWL Qualifying Tournaments this spring and REGIONAL AND STATE MUSIC Miege Head Football Coach qualified for nationals in June. Tim Grunhard and quarterback Eight Miegians received I ratings – the The following students qualified for Brett McConniff were chosen to highest rating possible – at the regional the National Tournament in Las Vegas: participate in the 2008 Kansas Shrine music festival at Baker University in Danny Hague and Nick Rundle: 1st place Bowl Game in July. The Shrine Bowl April: Pancha Brown, Maria O’Connor, in Public Forum Debate; Erin Hogan: 2nd is an all-star football game between Christine Anjard, Allie Richmeier, Shannon place in U.S. Extemp; and Keith Smith: 1st football athletes on each side of a Bockwinkel, Molly Wessling, Nathan Bauer place in Dramatic Interpretation. north-south dividing line in Kansas. Medalists include Tim Janczewski: 5th and Cameron Taylor. Maria O’Connor place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate; Kevin went on to receive a I rating for vocal solo Davidson: 7th place in Oration; Alyson at State. GEMMILL NAMED TO Germinder: 6th place in Oration; Molly The Concert Chorale traveled to the ALL-REGION TEAM Salisbury: 6th place in U.S. Extemp; Hague: Music in the Parks Festival in April in Springfield, Mo., to compete at choir Rachel Gemmill ’08 was selected to the 4th place in International Extemp; and National Fastpitch Coaches Association Rundle: 3rd place in International Extemp. director Robin Christie’s alma mater, Kickapoo High School. The Concert All-Region Team as the First Team Second At nationals, Smith placed 14th in the Baseman for the South-Central Region. country, while Hogan finished in the top Chorale received a Superior rating (the highest) and earned second place overall. The region consists of eight states. She 31-60 in the nation. Hague and Rundle joins Cynthia Verhulst ’04 as the only missed advancing from preliminaries by just Miege players to receive this honor.

8 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com STAG ACHIEVEMENT

Wrestler earns Releford named Wicina trophy Gatorade Player his spring, senior Carlos Rosales of the Year received the Wicina Wrestling TTrophy. This award is presented ravis Releford has added another annually at the Metro Classic, an event award to his impressive record on featuring the best senior wrestlers from Tthe Bishop Kansas against the best senior wrestlers Miege basketball from Missouri within the Kansas City team: He has metropolitan area. been named the The Wicina Trophy was established in Gatorade Boys’ 2000 in honor of Jeffrey Wicina, a former $1,000 scholarship along with the trophy. Basketball Player of Bishop Miege student who was paralyzed Nominations for the Wicina Trophy are the Year for Kansas. after an accident in a football game as submitted by coaches within the Kansas Releford a sophomore in 1983. After his death City area. averaged 24.8 in 1999, his family wanted to keep his points and 6.8 The Wicina Trophy isn’t the only Travis Releford memory and legacy alive. accolade Rosales has received. He won the rebounds per The award goes to a wrestler in the Evans Scholarship from the Western game in 2007- Kansas City area who shows excellent Association, thanks to the five years he’s 2008. He was named the Eastern Kansas character, has overcome challenges, spent working at Indian Hills Country League’s MVP in 2007 and 2008, and he is displays a strong work ethic and does Club. Rosales plans to major in Pre-Med a returning Class 5A First Team All-State well academically. Rosales received a and go on to receive a medical degree. ■ selection. He will play for the this fall. The Gatorade Player of the Year award honors top high school student-athletes in FOUR STUDENTS TO PLAY AT COLLEGE LEVEL 12 varsity sports. Last fall, senior Kathleen Ludwig was named the Kansas Player of the Year.

BASKETBALL TEAMS EARN HONORS The Bishop Miege boys’ and girls’ basketball teams gave Stag fans an exciting season, and now the honors are coming in for coaches and players. In March, the girls’ team captured the substate title and advanced to the 5A Championship tournament. Eleven players were named to the Eastern Kansas League’s All-League teams, and boys’ head coach Rick Zych was named EKL Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year. For the girls’ team, Jessica Raplinger and Ashley Thayer were named to the EKL Second Team. Honorable Mentions: Rosie Youngstrom, Hannah WestHoff, Shandelyn Two volleyball players and two football player from Bishop Miege have signed Stewart and Adrianna Maurer. letters of intent to play athletics at the collegiate level. From the volleyball team, From the boys’ team, Travis Releford Katie O’Connor will play for Johnson County Community College, and Jackie was once again named EKL MVP of the Church will play for Florida State University next year. From the football team, year, and Jason Payton made First Team All quarterback Brett McConniff will play for next fall, and EKL. Trevor Releford made Second Team, Sedrick Baskin-Ward will play for Fort Scott Community College next fall. and Justin McCay and Colin Mulvany were Honorable Mentions. ■

bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 9 STAG ACHIEVEMENT Students on the Graveyard S.H.I.F.T. History club members document information on headstones for group project

s field trips go, this was an odd Junior Paloma one. Ten Miegians boarded a bus Carmona took one overcast day for a club outing. more than 80 A photos of grave- Their destination: The St. Joseph Cemetery stones during the in Shawnee. Graveyard S.H.I.F.T. The students were members of Miege’s field trip to the St. history club, called the Graveyard S.H.I.F.T. Joseph Cemetery (Students Helping Identify and Find this spring. Club Tombstones). They weren’t going to the members record information on cemetery to simply walk around. Armed headstones and with notebooks and digital cameras, their upload the photos mission was to document and catalog as and text to a gene- many headstones as possible and upload the alogy Web site. information to www.findagrave.com. “Our goal is to help memorialize people,” said Judi Wollenziehn, the Kincaid up transforming the name of the club. This year, Mrs. Wollenziehn will be Media Center specialist and Graveyard The Web site is an international effort joined by co-adviser and social studies S.H.I.F.T. sponsor. “Due to factors like with more than 24 million entries, and teacher Amy Lukert. They hope to add acid rain, erosion and vandalism, the the Graveyard S.H.I.F.T. members aren’t new recruits to the 15-member group and information on these stones can be lost.” the only ones in the Kansas City area to expand the club’s mission and activities Mrs. Wollenziehn stumbled on the finda- contributing. to possibly include cemetery cleaning and grave Web site after watching an old movie “Kids are finding now that when they fundraising projects. But the findagrave on television one night. She wondered if the check on a cemetery online, others have project will remain central to Graveyard lead actor was still living, so she googled his beaten them to it,” Mrs. Wollenziehn said. S.H.I.F.T. name, plus “dead or alive.” It led her to find- “Some of the kids are already talking about “You really get a sense of these people agrave, which is an online genealogy tool going 20 miles out of town or doing this on whose names are on the stones and what that visitors can both search and contribute their vacation. It’s very addictive.” they might have been like during their to. Mrs. Wollenziehn and her husband began So far, club members have contributed dash,” Mrs. Wollenziehn said, referring to documenting cemeteries on their own, and more than 400 graves to the site; when the dash between date of birth and date of then she got her history club members into students do the work on their own time, death. “It makes you wonder – what are it about three years ago. The project ended they can earn required service hours. you going to do with your dash?” ■

CLASS OF 2008 SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS: $3 MILLION

The 232 members of the class of 2008 continued Miege’s tradition of earning impressive scholarship offers, totalling nearly $3 million. That’s an average of nearly $13,000 per student.

10 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com STAG ACHIEVEMENT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 serious symptoms – if he was lucky. “When you read about kids who drop dead playing sports,” Bob said, “it’s usually because of this diagnosis or a very similar one. The only symptom they show at first is an irregular heart rate and most people don’t notice that right away.” By the time it’s diagnosed, the heart has usually undergone incredible damage. “Patrick’s doctor told us that by the time most people are first seen, over 30 percent will go straight to the transplant list,” Bob said. Patrick was one of the lucky ones – and he has his science teacher and a school nurse to thank for it. But Thomas won’t take any credit for what he says was “a fluke.” Three Bishop Miege students received full-ride scholarships to their dream schools “I arranged to borrow the pulse oximeter this year. From left: Erin Hogan, Drake University; Tim Janczewski, St. Louis just the day before,” he said, “and didn’t University; and Ellen Albritton, St. Louis University. originally intend for all the students to take their heart rates. And Patrick was one of the last students in the class to try it. It would Full-ride scholarships have been easy for us to run out of time or for him to have taken it incorrectly, and we would not have caught it.” Three seniors earn full scholarships But Miege president Dr. Joe Passantino sees it as more than a fluke. reparing for college is one of manager for Kansas City, was scheduled “I like to call this the ‘Miege miracle’; the most stressful times in a to visit Miege March 10 if either student it was really God’s hand at work,” he said. Pstudent’s life. Scrambling to turn in received the award, but that day came “Alan, Maura and Patrick’s parents all fol- applications and writing essays, worrying and went without a visit. The next day, lowed up and played a role each step of day and night if you’ll get into your Albritton was away on a German field the way in getting Patrick what he needed dream school, wondering what you’re trip, when Janczewski was called to the to be diagnosed and treated. Even though going to do with your life, and asking Guidance Office. The SLU recruiter had you could look at this situation as a fluke, yourself how the heck you’re going to brought good news for both Miegians. it really was everyone doing their part that pay for college. “It was completely unexpected, made it happen.” For many people, college tuition because all the other kids we met were But neither Thomas nor Peterson con- is one of the biggest deciding factors just as qualified,” Janczewski said. “It’s a sider “their part” completed yet. determining their school options. For huge honor, and it’s great that both of us “Each year when I teach the lesson three Miege seniors – Ellen Albritton, would receive it.” on heart rates,” Thomas said, “I will tell Erin Hogan and Tim Janczewski – sizable Erin Hogan, who recently gave one Patrick’s story as a way to encourage my scholarships have eliminated any tuition of the graduation speeches at Miege, students to pay attention when they mea- problems. received a full-tuition scholarship to sure their heart rate – to let them know Janczewski and Albritton received Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. how important it is.” full tuition scholarships to Saint Louis This award required a 3.4 GPA and 29 For his part, Patrick is glad to be enjoying University. The Presidential Scholarship ACT score. Hogan was one of 16 students his summer and getting ready for his junior provides $18,000 in tuition and is the out of 370 to receive the award. year – all with a clean bill of health. highest award SLU offers. The university Drake was Hogan’s first choice “I think this was a really lucky, great gives 20 of these scholarships each year, university, so the scholarship helped seal situation and I’m very grateful to everyone and it’s unusual for one school to have the deal on her choice. here,” Patrick said. “I don’t know what two students selected. “I hung up the phone and started would have happened if this had not been After applying and submitting jumping up and down screaming, which caught when it was.” additional applications and being I don’t normally do!” Hogan said. “It’s the He smiled, paused, then added softly, “I interviewed on campus for the most excited I’ve been about something scholarship, Janczewski and Albritton in a long time.” ■ guess I do know.” ■ Excerpted from the story by Kara Hansen waited anxiously to hear from the school. Amy Johnson, SLU’s recruitment By Sarah Plake, Miegian staff writer with permission from The Leaven

bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 11 NEWS & NOTES 14th annual Danny Morris 3-on-3

he 14th Annual Danny Morris 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament Ttook place Saturday, July 26. The tournament was started in 1995 in honor of Danny Morris ’92, who died tragically in a 1993 car accident. This year we had 67 sponsors and 30 teams participate in three divisions. The tournament raised over $14,000 to for scholarships. This year brings MEN’S COMPETITIVE WINNERS: Clint Whitson, MEN’S UNDER 30 WINNERS: John Murphy ’01, the total raised to over $181,000. The 15th Nick Biby, Tom Morris ’00 and Jordan Marx. Dan Sutera ’00, Sean Luft ’00 and Chad annual tournament will take place Saturday, Lantz ’01. July 25, 2009. Please join us! ■

MEN’S OVER 30 WINNERS: Craig Begeron, WOMEN’S WINNERS: Missy McCoy, Jessica Troy Wood, Jeff Lickteig and John Bail ’87. Gillespie, Kristin Mangelsen and Lauren Hendricks.

Graduate dives into Columbia scholarship DONKEY BALL RETURNS tephanie Foster ’08 is continuing her student-athlete career in swim/dive In April, Miege’s Student Council sponsored Donkey Ball – basketball played while riding at Columbia University in New York. S donkeys – in the school gym, as a fundraiser. Foster ended her four-year swim team The different grades each fielded a team, and career at Miege as a four-time State finalist the faculty suited up as well to perform the and holder of the school record for points tricky task of shooting a basketball while not in a six-dive meet. She also became the being bucked to the gym floor. first swim team member to win the scholar athlete award for Miege. ■

12 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com ALUM NOTES

Parents Dave & Jane Grant CHRIS MABRY ’02 MICHELLE REGAN ’04 Dave and Jane celebrated their 50th wedding Alumni golfers in the news anniversary in wo Miege alumni are making January. They are Ginny (Stiles) names for themselves in the the parents of nine Tadlock ’69 Tgame of golf. Miege graduates: Ginny retired from Mike ’77, Mark ’79, Sprint in 2006 MICHELLE REGAN ’04 Duane ’80, Daniel after 36 years. She’s Michelle Regan ’04 was the ’83, Julie Cross ’84, enjoying the local hometown hero at the first Kansas David ’85, Stephen grandbabies (Kaden, City Women’s Amateur tournament at ’87, Brian ’94 and Kortlan and Keaton Swope Park in June. Jeffrey ’95. from daughter After watching a two-stroke lead Evelyn in Gardner, disappear, she was able to come back to 1950s Kan.) and traveling claim victory with a 4-over 75. to visit daughter The tournament was sponsored by George Lucas ’51 Erica and her kids the Kansas City Golf Association and George and Carol (Brooklyn and was open to women of all skills and age celebrated their Blake) in Jackson- groups. 50th wedding ville, Fla. Ginny and “This is great,” Regan told The anniversary in May. her husband, Jim, Kansas City Star. “I’ve grown up in They are the par- enjoy riding their Kansas City my whole life – it’s special ents of three Miege Chris Mabry ’02 came in second at the Goldwing 1800 all to be a part of the opening tournament alumni: Andy ’81, Watson Challenge golf tournament this around the country here.” summer. Joe ’83 and Amy and countryside. ’90. CHRIS MABRY ’02 this summer. Chris Mabry ’02 returned to Kansas Mabry tied for second with 200, 1960s 1970s City after a busy year touring to behind the overall winner, Watson, who Steve and Sheryl compete in the Second Annual Watson shot two-under 70 to win the event Pam (Shannon) Shondell ’73 Wages ’64 Challenge at Milburn Country Club with a total score of 215. ■ The Shondells Gary and Pam cel- had a very busy ebrated their 35th 07-08. Their oldest anniversary in 2007. daughter, Heather, has been with the He retired from was married in Fire Department St. Joseph Medical June, and daugh- for 21 years. Brian Center in 2000 and ter Courtney was is also an instruc- she retired from engaged to be tor for the Kansas MetLife in 2001. married in Febru- Fire and Rescue Training Institute Kathy Matthews ’68 ary 2008. The twins the director of the navelasquez.com. Kathy is adding to are still in col- (KU). Brian still Director of Crimi- Recently, Susanna her education as lege. Stevie played Brian Spini ’85 lives in rural Lane, nal Law Program– finished working a student at Penn soccer at Drake in Brian is a Captain Kan., with his wife ABA/CEELI in on the new Star Valley Community Des Moines and with Consolidated Kim, and sons Epi Washington, D.C., Trek film, which College. graduated in May. Fire District 2 in (6), and Jacob (16), Mallory is studying will be released in North East Johnson daughter Tara (20) John “Mick” Dolan at Baker University 1980s the spring of 2009. County. In 2005 he has left the nest. ’69 in Overland Park. Susanna Besides working in received his Certi- When not at work, Mick is the market- Velasquez ’81 the entertainment fied Public Manager he loves spending ing director of Mary Adele Susanna continues industry, Susanna from the Univer- time with his boys Greer ’76 Camp Nashville, to reside in Bur- has also started her sity of Kansas. In in the outdoors, Mary received the America’s Coun- bank, Calif., where own business in 2007 he received hunting, fishing Offeramus Medal try Music Fantasy she is working as health and wellness. his AA degree in and trapping; he from her college Camp. E-mail an actress in film Fire Administra- even lets Kim come alma mater, Bene- mick@campnash and television. Her tion from Johnson along every now dictine College, ville.com. personal Web site County Commu- and then. this spring. She is is www.susan- nity College. He bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 13 ALUM NOTES

TRAVIS RELEFORD ’08 1990s Amanda (Cox) Myers ’93 Amanda and her Releford makes U19 team husband, Brandon, efore settling in with the Uni- Releford survived two rounds of welcomed their versity of Kansas men’s basketball cuts after entering the tryouts with 17 second child, Ashley, team, Travis Releford ’08 spent other players and went on the play in the Joseph on Oct. 1, 2007. B Bessenbacher ’89 Their daughter, his summer on the 12-man men’s U18 FIBA Americas U18 Championship July national team, which just fell short of a 14-18. Joseph was married Lauren, is 3. gold medal victory against Argentina in Releford scored 12 points as a starter on Aug. 11, 2007, July. in the championship game, which the to Lacy Jackson Melissa (Spooner) Parise ’93 The team is part of USA Basketball, U.S. lost to host team Argentina 77-64. of Overland Park. Melissa and her the national governing body for men’s and The U.S., Argentina, Canada and Lacy is a teacher for husband, David, women’s basketball in the United States. Puerto Rico have qualified for the FIBA Aurora Schools in welcomed their USA Basketball oversees the U.S. National U19 World Championship, July 2-12, Denver and Joseph first child, Jaxon team competing in the Olympics. 2009, in New Zealand. ■ is a Branch Man- ager for US Bank. Thomas. on Oct. 6, Lacy graduated 2007. They live in from KU with a Chicago. Joyce (Flaherty) Shana Kenny ’87 degree in education, DiDonato ’87 Shana has bachelor’s Jacob Sackin ’ 94 and Joseph has a Mezzo-soprano and master’s degrees Jacob has recently master’s in interna- Joyce DiDonato in psychology. had a tional business from will perform with young Regis University. the Kansas City Jennifer (Dodson) adult They live in High- Symphony Classi- Arbogast ’89 envi- John Gladbach ’86 lands Ranch, Colo. John Gladbach cal Series on Sept. Jennifer has been ron- 26-28 at the Lyric married for 14 Genon Wicina ’85 and wife Joanne Michael Jones ’89 mental Dr. Wicina is a O’Callaghan wel- Theatre. She will years and lives in sci- perform selections Apex, N.C. She and Michael gradu- pediatrician in Palm comed daughter ated from UMKC ence fic- City, Fla. Recently, Julia Ann Gladbach from Chausson’s her husband, Joe, tion novel, “Islands,” “Poéme de l’amour have two children with a degree in she helped create to their family, accounting. He has published by Wind- a nutrition and born May 16, 2008; et de la mer,” – daughter Meghan storm Creative. The Ravel’s “Alborada is 8 and son Mason been married since fitness initiative their first. John is 2000, and he and novel comes with a for children in the a special education del gracioso,” David is 5. She works free study guide for Diamond’s Music as an accounting his wife have three Martin County area teacher in Denver. boys. They moved teachers interested called We Can, to His wife Joanne for Shakespeare’s manager for three in reading a story “Romeo and Juliet” ice hockey rinks in to western Shawnee address childhood is a child protec- in 2003. focused on global obesity. She and her tion worker for the and Rimsky-Kor- North Carolina. warming and other husband have two City and County of sakov’s “Capriccio environmental daughters. Denver. espangnol.” CALLING ALL HELP US SAVE COSTS SOCCER ALUMNI! The cost of everything is going up – even the cost of Boys’ State Championship – 10-year anniversary keeping in touch! Please help us reduce our mailing costs Saturday, Aug. 30 and sign up for our monthly e-mail newsletters from Bishop Miege. We’ll share stories of what’s happening This fall, we’re recognizing the 10-year anniversary of the first boys’ at your alma mater and let you know about our exciting soccer state championship. On Saturday, Aug. 30, all soccer players (boys and girls), their friends and family are welcome to come to lineup of events! Dixon Doll Stadium. At 4 p.m., all boys’ soccer players can play scrimmage games on the new turf field against other alumni. Then To join our mailing list, e-mail Colleen Cooke, the 1998 team will play the varsity squad at 6 p.m. Join us also for [email protected] a cookout from 4 to 6:30 p.m. just outside the stadium. For more information, contact Nate Huppe ’01, [email protected]

14 MIEGE MATTERS ■ SUMMER 2008 bishopmiege.com ALUM NOTES

IN MEMORIAM When a loved one from the Miege issues. To view a in February 2008. Katie Martincich ’05 community passes away and the school study guide and get She is the assistant Katie, a Kansas is made aware, the loved ones are more information branch manager of University volley- remembered at the next all-school Mass. about the novel the Gardner, Edger- ball player, has been A reception follows for family members. please go to Jacob’s ton and Spring Hill named the Big 12 ALUMNI Leanna Harding Web site at: jacob- libraries. Conference female Gregory C. John Hague sackin.com. Olivia, on April 24, sportsperson of Beggs ’70 Wanetha Helbing 2008. The family John Green ’04 the year. Martin- Sharon Clayton ’71 Virginia Hicks Michael currently resides Corporal John A. cich, who will be Mary Agnes (Marsee) Jane Holland Cisneros ’96 Franzen ’54 Kelly Jones in Lenexa, Kan., Green, USMC was a senior this fall, Michael has Joseph Hartnett ’63 Agnes Kintzle where Joe works stationed at Camp was honored for returned to his Laura J.(Hendricks) Maryjo Kloster in finance for the Pendleton, Calif., her participation in Hoskins ’69 Rita Kramer family business. American Italian until June 22, when community out- The Rev. Paul Mary Catherine After seven years Pasta Co. he ended four years reach programs. Keenan ’63 Krupich working for Jones Mary Jo Vincent Lamas, Sr. of active duty. He She has been Store and Macy’s, Podrebarac ’51 Lois Francis Seanna (Kellerman) received Meritori- involved with he has moved to James “Pat” Lanning Viggers ’98 ous Mast while Habitat for Human- Purinton ’61 Dalton Lee The Video Pros, William Patrick deployed to Iraq. ity, the Susan G. Mark L. Schow- Frank Leet, Jr. based in Overland Viggers was born Komen Founda- engerdt ’74 Lucille Legler Park. TVP special- on Jan 23, 2008, Kevin Smith ’05 tion and National John Michael John Lisson Sweeney ’73 Peter Macan izes in professional weighing in at 7 lbs Airman Kevin Girls and Women in video and audio Smith completed Peggy (Feren) Geary Mahr 8.5 ounces and 21 Sports Field Day. Marie Minenna production and basic training Whalen ’63 inches long. Patrick Murphy duplication services. at Lackland Air Jessie Rush ’05 OTHERS Lucy Nigro 2000s Force Base in San Jessie was elected Scott Allen Marion Novo- Joe Hoffmann ’98 Antonio, Texas, in vice president of Jacqueline Amrein Gradac Betty Jane Gloria Riedel Joe and his wife, Kinsley Krupich ’02 December. the Association of Kinsley began work Bartkoski Jerome “Jerry” Jennifer, celebrated Textile and Apparel the birth of their with the Johnson Kathleen (Froeschl) Ritchie Management at the Baska Herbert Rome County Library first child, Loren University of Mis- Cecelia Marie Battle Gustave Rosberg souri. Joanne Bauer Luz C. Sanchez Gloria Castor Alice Schaible Millie Creach Rose Marie “Pete” George DeCoster Shondell Richard Desmond John Spence WORLD ROSARY AT KAUFFMAN STADIUM Harold DeVoogd Christopher Helen Dixon Sullivant Glennis Fiehler Robert Sundblad Margaret Fitzgerald Martha Ann Robert Fletcher, Jr. Tarwater John Francis Marcella Viene Laurence Gadwood Mary Villanueva Frances Gunter Carol M. Vogt Manny Hall Mary Catherine Chester C. Wilkus Handzel, Sr. Mary Zellers

SEEKING STAG STORIES If you know of a Miege alum who has an interesting story to share, let us know! E-mail Colleen Cooke at [email protected] or call 913-262-2701, ext. 252.

Adam Burkhart ’06 (center, black robe) participated in the procession of the Your classmates want to hear what’s new World Rosary celebrated at Kauffman Stadium in May. Adam is a seminarian at in your life! Keep us informed of marriages, Conception Abbey in Conception, Mo. Also at the event, Jen Decoster ’08 was a births, promotions, moves, honors and petition representative. updates. Don’t forget to send photos! Submit news at www.alumni.bishopmiege.com.

bishopmiege.com SUMMER 2008 ■ MIEGE MATTERS 15 UPCOMING COMING EVENTS REUNIONS Join us for the 29th 29th annual Annual Miege Open AUGUST 18 Classes begin CLASS OF 1958 Golf Tournament — a 27 Back to School Night, 7 p.m. Sept. 19, 2008 time for Miege alumni, friends and parents to Stag Shop open, 6:30 p.m. Contact: Jim Wolf, have fun while providing 30 Boys’ Soccer State Championship 913-438-4599 Miege scholarships for Miege 10-year anniversary (see p. 14) students. Golfers will be CLASS OF 1968 able to participate in the SEPTEMBER Oct. 11, 2008 Open $10,000 Hole-in-One 5-6 All-Classes Reunion At the Lenexa Contest and a putting – www.alumni. All-classes contest. After a full Conference and bishopmiege. reunion: Visitor’s Center. Golf TournamentTournament day on the course, all com/50th golfers are welcome to Contact: Joan benefi tting the Bob Frazier Alumni 12 29th annual Miege Sept. 5-6, attend a silent auction, Malone Seichepine, Open Golf 913-492-4147, Scholarship Fund awards ceremony and 2008 jseichepine@hotmail. dinner. Tournament, 10 a.m. com, and Melanie 19 Homecoming, Stone Nolker A wide variety of 7 p.m. 913-383-8938, sponsorship levels are budandmel@kc. Friday, available and each has OCTOBER rr.com. a variety of benefi ts. 1 Nell Hills Shopping Adventure Sept. 12 For more information, – more details at www.alumni. CLASS OF 1973 please contact Kim bishopmiege.com/nellhills08 Sept. 6, 2008 Leawood South Gregory at 913-262- 3 Stag Strut – you can donate online 35th anniversary Country Club 2701, ext. 258, or at and support a student or a at Sutera’s in 12700 Overbrook Road, kgregory@bishopmiege. teacher’s homeroom! www.alumni. Westwood. Contact: Leawood, KS 66209 com. bishopmiege.com/strut08 Deb Kavanaugh, dkavanaugh NOVEMBER [email protected] COST: $175 per player, with a variety of 1 Dream House drawing CLASS OF 1988 sponsorship levels available 5 Eighth Grade Day at Miege October 2008 REGISTRATION: 10 a.m. LUNCH: 11 a.m. 13 Fall Musical, 7 p.m. 15 Fall Musical, 7 p.m. Contact: Peggy SHOTGUN START: noon 16 Fall Musical, 2 p.m. Gladbach Louree, 26-28 Thanksgiving break 479-636-4989 Register: www.alumni.bishopmiege.com/open08 DECEMBER 7 Mother’s Club Advent Dinner Miege online community: www.alumni.bishopmiege.com 14 Christmas Concert, 3 p.m. To join the Bishop Miege online alumni community for the fi rst time, enter your 17 Stag Shop open, 5:30-7:30 p.m. username as your fi rst name, last name and four-digit year of graduation 19 Christmas break begins with no spaces between words: i.e., susantremonti1979. Your password is the numeric code at the top of this issue’s mailing label. Once you’ve Information and registration: logged in, you can personalize your username and password in your profi le information. www.bishopmiege.com Questions: [email protected] or 913-262-2701, ext. 252.

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