THE GAELBishop GormanGAZETTE High School Alumni Newsletter | Spring 2021 GROCERY STORE WORKERS delivery drivers military educators firefighters doctors WORKERS nursesThank You! AIRLINE CONSTRUCTION heroes AMBULANCE farmers police TRADES restaurants child care workers pharmacists energy workers REALTORS MECHANICS notes of interest Dear Gaels, Here we are, spring 2021, one year into our “new normal”. We couldn’t have imagined the twists and turns this past year would have put us through and all of the challenges along the way. So much is different yet, some things haven’t changed. We are seeing great things being done by our alumni (page 3), our teachers are rising to the occasion like never before (page 1) and our students are prevailing, even through the many adversities they have faced this year. It wouldn’t have been possible without the heroes amongst us. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the year started off with no sports, clubs, special events, or pep rallies, but we have started to reach a turning point in these unusual times. Sports teams are back in action (page 7), in-person club meetings are happening, virtual pep rallies have been streamed and some special senior class events are on the horizon. As we continue to work through our “new normal”, the community’s commitment and resilience is ever present and we can start to see a light at the end of the tunnel. One of the most heartwarming moments has been seeing the students’ appreciation to the administration, faculty and staff for their unwavering support; academically, emotionally and spiritually. As I reflect on the past year, I can’t help but feel proud of Bishop Gorman High School and I am humbled to be a part of this community. From watching the administration work countless hours to getting the school year underway in a safe manner to the teachers providing in-person learning for our students no matter the circumstances, it is an honor to be a part of Bishop Gorman High School. At the end of the day, we’ve seen heroes emerge in ways we never knew possible and we are so proud to call many of those heroes “Gaels”. To all Gaels - students, alumni, families, faculty and staff - Congratulations on a successful school year and thank you for your continued support and prayers. It’s safe to say “we did it”. Go Gaels! Lauren (Blaney) Blasek '04 Assistant Director of Advancement Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | THE GAEL GAZETTE contents 1 celebrating our heroes: faculty, staff, alumni 5 faith on campus 6 legacy in action 8 spotlight: head football coach brent browner 10 coming up... the ultimate spring auction! 11 roll call The Gael Gazette "Even though I’ve only been virtually connected to school this "I appreciate everything year, there’s nothing but gratitude in my the teachers have done... just heart for Bishop Gorman and all of the staff checking in with me on the little things, members for making it what it is. It must’ve making sure my day is good and making sure been a lot of hard work to structure this I’m doing OK mentally. I also appreciate the school year but here I am, still learning... crossing guards asking how my day has been. it’s been great." Their genuine kindness goes a long way making my day a little bit better." celebrating heroes TEACHERS ARE HEROES Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Gorman teachers have been navigating new technology, new ways of teaching and new classroom environments. They are showing up to provide familiarity during uncertain times and adapting quickly to the rapidly changing educational scene. With 80% of the student population on campus and 20% distance learning, educators are managing teaching both online and in-person simultaneously. They have had to adjust to this new setting all while taking care of themselves and their families. The school has surpassed all expectations in the goal of providing a safe way for our students to attend classes this year and it would not have been possible without our teachers' unwavering commitment to this goal. We are proud to say, while following COVID-19 restrictions; the school has not had to shut down since opening in August. Thanks to the diligent work of Nurse Sandy (Sagel) Young '75, Greg Piet and the Administration, Bishop Gorman students have had the opportunity to engage in a safe learning environment while following all precautionary measures. Now more than ever, Bishop Gorman educators are invested in their students' academic achievement and their overall well-being. Teachers are adding lightheartedness to the heavy days and offering emotional support to their students. They are focused on providing a solid learning environment, like they have never had to do before, while learning new things about the classroom themselves. Thank you to the Bishop Gorman High School Faculty and Staff who have made this school year happen. YOU ARE HEROES. "I just want to let the teachers know that the students see how hard they are trying. I see that you guys are THANK doing your best to help us and YOU! I really admire that." "The administration comes into the classes to wave and say 'HI' every day. They check up on us and ask about ourlike days. it." I really 1 Spring 2021 Jordan Aguilar ’10 –• Karen Alessi • Joanne Andrews ’78 •– Chelsea Anstett •– Alicia Aquino • Laura Armeni-Kneesel ’03 •– Itzia Barron • Joshua Bartee • Jill Bernhardy • Lauren (Blaney) Blasek ’04 • Kristin Block • Jay Bonar ’82 • Alice Braun • Brent Browner • Kevin Calkins • Carmella Cao • Gregory Cava ’76 • Paul Ciullo • Monica Conteduca • Breanne Copenhefer • in action Robert Crisp • Pamela Cross • Reginald Cruz • Virginia Cunningham • Nicole (Gagnon) Davis ’97 • Amy Dawson • Mary DeJoria • Ian Devlin • Vicky Diaz • Gino DiMaria ’84 • Stacy DiVento • Jeanette Dixon • heroes Monica Estiandan • Lora (Crammer) Feely ’98 • Jack Feger • Judy Ferguson • Elena Ferrante-Martin • Chuck Fiore • David Fish • Linda Fox • Margaret Foy • Dara Franceschi ’17 • Jo Ann Frazier • Jesus Garcia • Andrew Giger • Steve Gillis • Jimmy Gleich ’01 • John Goertemiller • Tracy Goode • Danny Green • Joshua Greene • Mark Gustaveson • Joseph Haller • Mark Hancock • Isabel Henry • Barrett Henzel • Frank Hicks • Juliana Hilliard • Wayne Holman • Caprice Houston-Bey • Olivia Hurst • Kelly Ivie • Morgan Jackson • Rebecca Jackson • Sherry Jackson • Larry Javier • Jenifer Jefferies • Pattie Johnson • Kristin Kardon • Kathy (Ralenkotter) Keating ’91 • Aidan Kennelley ’16 • Kevin Kiefer • John Kilduff • Jacob Knee • Sheryl Krmpotich • Louisa Lemos • Kerry Lieb • Greg Lim • Rob Lundquist • Tara Maguinness • John Paul Manfredi ’07 • Heather Marr • Kimberly Martinez • Mary-Kathleen McCann • Gigi McCombe • Christi (Thomas) McEachern ’86 Adriana McGurk • Katherine Menchacatorre • Patrick Menchacatorre • Bridget (Moore) Michlik ’95 • Nicole (Sarret) Moeslacher ’95 • Jacob Moore • Linda Myers Firestone • Courtney Napoli ’09 • Kevin Nixon • Gregg Nunley • Deborah O’Brien • Tim Opdendyk • Vanessa Orozco • Greg Piet • Ryan Pietranton ’92 • Laura Pittmon • Toni Poidmore • Anthony Prato • Nathan Radzak • Kevin Reilly • Grant Rice • Domingo Rivera • Tessa Rivera • Deidre’ Roberts • Michelle Roberts ’99 • Rachel Roybal • Michelle Rumschlag • Theresa Sampaio • April Sauline • Marc Sayre • Joseph Shipp • Deborah Shireman • Richard Spiritosanto • Patricia Taris • Kim Tegano • Janu Tornell-Ferraro • Donna Trematerra • Br. Dan Tripamer '84 • Leonard Urso • Jason Valle David Vela ’86 • José Velásquez • Melanie Wattenbarger • Lisa (Blasco) Werksman ’85 • Jackie White ’98 • John-Paul White • Michael Wright ’91 • Sandy (Sagel) Young ’75 • The Gael Gazette 2 he•ro hîr′ō (noun): a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities. A person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal. celebrating heroes t has been a trying year for many thanks to COVID-19. To the incredible caregivers and Ifrontline workers — we cannot fully express our gratitude for your continued heroism. We asked the Bishop Gorman community to nominate “Alumni Heroes” so that we could honor and celebrate them in this issue of the Gael Gazette. Michael Hardman '16 • Las Vegas • City of Las Vegas Firefighter/Advanced EMT Mike is so young to be on the frontline Julie (Womack) Gomez '75 with some of the sickest patients and is even working at the homeless medical • Las Vegas facility at Cashman Field. • SICU Nurse, Valley Hospital "Julie has worked tirelessly throughout " the COVID-19 pandemic to assure her patients are receiving the best care Lauren V. Bedrock '08 during their stay in the hospital. Like many frontline workers, she has always been willing to put in extra hours, pick up • Las Vegas " • Registered Nurse extra shifts - knowing that her patients needs are what’s most important. Julie "Lauren has been working throughout this pandemic as RN in is always going above and beyond to COVID-19 ICU unit. Lauren has showed courage and selflessness provide compassionate care for her in her conviction to not only care for her patients but also in patients, especially during this time caring for their families. The circumstances, the stress, and the when their loved ones are unable to pressure she deals with daily are unimaginable and yet she still be at their bedside. Additionally, Julie manages to show compassion and kindness to all who cross her path. ensures that her staff has the safest Lauren is not only a COVID-19 hero to me, but also to countless working environment possible." others she has nursed." THANKS Paula Sayegh '09 GAELS! • Oklahoma City, OK Michael Moody '03 • Oncology Pharmacist • Las Vegas Paula has never once • Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department let COVID deter her from Michael is dedicated to all he helping people beat their does and has never wavered cancer diagnosis. in fulfilling his duties during " this pandemic. 3 Spring 2021 " " " YOU Heather Morgan '92 ROCK! • Battle Creek, MI • Nurse, VA Hospital Heather Morgan has been working on the front lines at the Michigan VA as a heroes in action nurse.