KAPAUN MT. CARMEL C A T H O L I Fall 2011 A quarterly newsletter celebrating our former students and present supporters Mount Carmel Academy • Chaplain Kapaun Memorial • Kapaun Mt. Carmel Facilities Funding Update It has now been a year since we completed construction of the most recent phase (Phase 3) of the Facilities Master Plan – the Coach Herm and Jackie Bachrodt Athletic Complex. I thought this would be a good time to provide an update on that project, as well as a brief summary of the construction projects that preceded it. Having recently started the second year using the new athletic complex, it is easy to look back and realize that it is a special place – for our student athletes (competitive teams and PE classes), our coaches, our fans, and the overall Kapaun Mt. Carmel community. During its first year, we drew great crowds for our varsity volleyball, wrestling and basketball events; in fact, out of the ten basketball H I G S C O L evenings we hosted, our old gym probably would not have accommodated the crowds we drew for seven or eight of the games. Attendance at this fall’s volleyball games has also been strong, and would have certainly stretched the seating capacity of our old gym. Of great importance, as well, are the artificial turf on the football field, the new 8-lane track, and various other improvements of the outdoor athletic fields. The new athletic complex complements beautifully the student commons we completed in 2007 as part of Phase 2 of the Master Plan. Together, they provide space that will accommodate the social and athletic activities of the Kapaun Mt. Carmel community for the next several generations, both for every day events such as student dining, games, and socializing, and for special events such as dances, banquets, tournaments, etc. Going all the way back to 2002, we completed Phase 1 of the Facilities Master Plan which was anchored by the construction of the new Science and Technology Wing and the refurbishment of the original academic wing. Our students today are well-served by the new science classrooms, technology classrooms, media center and the large chapel in the lower level. The total cost of the projects approaches $16 million which was funded through the generosity of hundreds of dedicated people in the KMC community. Of that amount, approximately $3.1 million remains outstanding on our diocesan construction loan. While interest rates are very favorable at present, it would help our operating budget greatly to pay off the loan as quickly as possible. I would much rather invest in teacher salaries, technology, learning materials, etc. than to pay interest on a loan. Therefore, I am asking everyone who has a balance remaining on their pledges to consider accelerating future pledge payments or to pay off their remaining commitments as soon as possible. continued on next page 1 On a related note, through the generosity of one donor, we now own a home in the Palm Springs, California area. office of development It is located on one of the most prestigious golf courses in the area, and has a private pool, three bedrooms and three bathrooms in 3,450 square feet. We have the home Annual Fund 2011-12 listed for sale but, in the meantime, it will be available for With the start of another school year at Kapaun Mt. Carmel, work has begun in earnest on the Annual Fund. If you have not short-term rental or lease. If anyone is interested in either yet received your Annual Fund envelope, look for it in the mail purchasing or renting the home, please contact me at 316- during the next couple of weeks. Our goal this year is to raise 634-0315. $300,000 in support of the ongoing daily operating expenses of the school for this year. Once again, we are asking the help of As a school community with a rich heritage and a bright everyone to help us continue our mission “to educate and form future, we have been richly blessed to be able to upgrade the total person in the image of Jesus Christ.” our facilities during the past ten years. On behalf of all current and future Kapaun Mt. Carmel students, I want Some of the operating expenses covered by the Annual Fund to thank everyone who has been instrumental in these include teachers’ salaries, KMC’s largest expense. In addition, costs of utilities, maintenance and insurance on our plant projects. facilities are also partially paid for by the Annual Fund. Your support of the Annual Fund will help keep KMC financially healthy, while at the same time offering us the opportunity to recruit and keep quality faculty. Mike Burrus ‘73 On page 8 of this edition of the Quest newsletter you will find a President summary of the KMC operating results, including the Annual Fund. More information is available on the KMC website under “Development." Please accept the thanks of the Kapaun Mt. Carmel students, faculty and staff for your support of last year’s Annual Fund. On-line giving to the Annual Fund is available through a link on the KMC website at www.kapaun.org. From this link you can make a pledge on-line or set up drafts from either a bank account or a credit card to pay your pledge in installments. It has never been easier to support KMC through a gift to the Annual Fund. Please call Kevin Arkin in the Development Office at 316-636- 9612 if you have any questions or need assistance. I wish to thank in advance the members of the Annual Fund Council for leading their constituent groups this year. More information on the Annual Fund is available on the KMC website under the “Development” tab. The BIG Event 2011 The BIG Event is right around the corner. This year’s BIG Event will occur in the fall rather than during the winter. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 19! The fun begins at 6:30 pm and runs non-stop throughout the evening. The theme this year is “The ‘60’s--Groovy, Baby!” Musical entertainment will be provided by the Reunion Band, who will be playing at their third BIG Event. Door prizes abound. As always, there is no charge to attend the BIG Event. A free-will Check us out at www.kapaun.org 2 office of development offering to offset the cost of the event, generally about $20 per person, will be accepted. See you on November 19. Alumni Gatherings Each year we hold a number of alumni gatherings across the country. These events are not fundraisers; rather, they are an Crusaders on the Air: KWLS opportunity for alumni of Mount Carmel Academy, Chaplain For the fourth season, KMC has renewed its partnership with Kapaun Memorial and Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High KWLS FM-107.9, who will again be our broadcast partner. Schools to come together as one family of Crusaders. Dates This year they will air all of our football games, and will again for most of this year’s planned events have not been finalized. broadcast all of our girls and boys basketball games on Friday Planned alumni gatherings this year include: nights this winter. Wichita (at KMC for college-aged alumni)--December 13, 2011 Phil Gillen and Dave Channel bring you all the action on the • Lawrence (KU) • Dallas, TX gridiron each week. The pre-game shows start at 6:30 and • Manhattan (K-State) • Denver, CO kickoff is at 7:00 pm. • Kansas City Metro • Phoenix, AZ The game schedule appears on the KMC website. In the “Quick Look for more information regarding upcoming alumni Links” box, look for the link to KWLS to listen to the game live. gatherings on the KMC website under “Development”. Podcasts of all games also appear on the KMC website. The CRUSADE Continues! Crusaders on the Air: Webcasting For the first time, we are able to webcast events live and via podcast in order to provide video and audio of both live and podcast sporting events. KMC football and boys soccer games Kevin Arkin are being presented via webcast this fall. It is hoped that the Director of Development program will continue during the winter and spring sports seasons as well. Select non-athletic events will also be webcast. Chaplain Emil Kapaun, Servant of God Links to the podcasts and the schedule are on the KMC Prayer homepage in the “Quick Links” box. We are grateful to Livecast. Lord Jesus, in the midst of the folly of war, your servant, US, the Catholic Family Federal Credit Union, and the Goal for Chaplain Emil Kapaun, spent himself in total service to you Goal Soccer Camps for making these broadcasts possible over the internet. on the battlefields and in the prison camps of Korea, until his death at the hands of his captors. Alumni who would like to be a part of KMC broadcasts may do so by recording a brief “Outtro” by phone. The recordings are We now ask you, Lord Jesus, if it be your will, to make known used as the broadcasts lead into commercials. To participate, to all the world the holiness of Chaplain Kapaun and the glory call 316-634-3770. When the voice mail answers and you are of his complete sacrifice for you by signs of miracles and peace. prompted, record: In your name, Lord, we ask, for you are the source of peace, “This is ___________________ from the KMC Class of the strength of our service to others, and our final hope.