CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING 2014 ALUMNINEWS WHERE ARE THEY NOW? SCHOOL NEWS | ALUMNI NEWS | ADVANCEMENT NEWS | FOUNDATION NEWS ALUMNINEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL 3 PRINCIPAL’S LETTER Dear Friends of CC, This spring we will graduate our 108th 4 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Alumni News class at Catholic Central High School. Since tracks down former teachers and students. before the invention of instant coffee, color 9 SCHOOL NEWS photography, and the modern zipper, we’ve been educating students in spirit, mind, and 12 ADVANCEMENT NEWS body. We are so proud of our alumni who have to advise their clients of our school with correct information. built our reputation of producing competent and compassionate It’s important for any family, new to town or those relocating 15 FOUNDATION NEWS graduates who excel in higher education, the workplace, and within within Kent County, to have the confidence to purchase a home their communities, and who are ministers of the Gospel by word within a 30 minute radius of downtown knowing there is an 16 ALUMNI NEWS and example. outstanding educational option at 319 Sheldon Blvd. Our alumni are a vast source of energy, advocacy, and support The program featured the Capella Choir, testimonials from 18 IN MEMORIAM for the future of Catholic Central High School. Perhaps alumni, the school’s video, a student address, a Q/A session, and a unbeknown to you, all graduates of CC are members of our tour of the facilities. The Treadstone office was able to attract over 19 CLASS NOTES alumni association, The Pride. Through reunions, special events, 40 real estate agents to the event, all of whom learned about the publications and correspondences, The Pride seeks to enrich exciting and transformative happenings at CC. My hope is that relationships between you, the alumni, and the school – all to the positive energy at the conclusion of the event will permeate preserve and strengthen our Mission for the benefit and support the realtors’ business practices, as well as ripple further into a wider of future Cougars. audience of families considering their options for high school. And that support for the school comes in many forms – all of Brendan and Kevin offer just one example of the many, many which are important. While financial contributions are necessary ways our alumni serve and support Catholic Central all year and deeply appreciated, we are also grateful for your advocacy, long. We – the administration, teachers, staff, current students your prayers, and your expertise in improving our school. You and families – appreciate all you do to spread our good word, are able to generate invaluable word-of-mouth marketing among and, more importantly, His Word. your social and professional networks. And, through your The foundation of our Catholic faith truly is what makes a Vol. 28 No. 2 CC Edition | SPRING 2014 | Catholic Central High School | 319 Sheldon Plaza SE | Grand Rapids MI 49503 engagement, Catholic Central will continue to benefit from your CC education unique and it is what will continue to elevate and skills and experience. inspire our graduates throughout their lives. I know the Class of Catholic Central Alumni News is published twice yearly by Grand Rapids Catholic Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools A perfect example of this potential is when two alumni – 2014 will follow in the footsteps of the 107 before them, living Secondary Schools to connect the community of alumni, friends and family of David Faber, Superintendent/Canonical Administrator/Acting President Catholic Central High School. Msgr. Rev. R. Louis Stasker, Pastor/Spiritual Advisor/Chaplain Brendan O’Driscoll (’84) and Kevin Polakovich (’89) – recently lives of faith, leadership, and service. Thank you for continuing Kevin Simon, Business Manager sought to use their successful business, Treadstone Funding, to to support them and our school in this important mission. Send comments to: Pam Sischo, Accounts Receivable Editor introduce Catholic Central to area realtors through a Realtor Tory Smith, Accounts Payable/Human Resources Alumni News Breakfast. The purpose of the event was simple: to inform local In Christ, Carol Glanville, Director of Educational Technology 319 Sheldon SE Tori Dandeneau, Database Administrator realtors of the value of our education, giving agents self-assurance Greg Deja Grand Rapids MI 49503 Marilyn Gillis, Database Assistant [email protected] Catholic Central Mission Greg Deja, Principal Memorare Catholic Central High School provides a Catholic culture for instruction and Linda Olejnik, Assistant Principal faith formation that challenges students to know and love God, seek knowledge Mike Jacob, Dean of Students and truth, respect the dignity of each person and contribute to society through Trevor Hinshaw, Athletic Director leadership and service. Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, 2 Elizabeth Banta, Advancement Director 3 Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education Jackie Stetson, Admissions Director implored your help, and sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, Michael Wolfston, Executive Director MeaganVanderVelde, Communications Coordinator O Virgin of virgins, my mother! To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Keep in touch! Send us your new address, degree, job, engagement, Online: grcatholiccentral.org marriage and birth announcements. Email [email protected]. facebook.com/grcatholiccentral or faceboook.com/grcatholiccentralalums O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen. twitter.com/GRCatholicCentr ALUMNI NEWS SPRING 2014 ALUMNI NEWS SPRING 2014 One of Mr. Wisnewski’s more ambitious undertakings: With wanted to go to CC with me. That turned the tide and the rest help from family and some CC students, he rebuilt the family went to school there.” Now many Wisnewski grandchildren attend WHERE ARE home as a log cabin using logs from huge red pines that grew Catholic schools in the area, including two currently attending CC. from the seedlings he had planted as a kid on his uncle’s property Today, many family members are involved in different aspects at Fife Lake. The rebuilt home has an open floor plan that today of the art world, and two daughters have followed in Dad’s accommodates the Sunday gatherings of the family – sometimes footsteps: Mrs. Lisa Nawrocki WC ’82 teaches fine art at West THEY NOW? all 29 of them. Catholic, while Mrs. Sara Olson CC ’88 teaches fine art at That big family is another of his passions. “We have eight Catholic Central. “The community spirit at CC is great, and Many staff and students have walked the halls children and 13 grandchildren,” he relates. “All our kids went to the long tradition, too,” says Mr. Jim. “Teaching art, you have Catholic Central or West Catholic. Out here in Belmont most kids some kids for three or four years. You really get to know them. of Catholic Central over the last 100-plus years. go to West Catholic, as our first three did. But daughter Becky Hopefully I made a difference in some lives.” Ever wonder what happened to some of those people or teachers you knew “back in the day?” Here are stories of three teachers and three alums to satisfy your curiosity. Ms. Michelle Anderson CC ’90 Years at CC: 1996–2006 Mr. James Wisnewski (Mr. Jim) Subjects: History, Sociology, World Cultures, Geography CC ’60 Years at CC: 1966–2006 Ms. Michelle Anderson “absolutely loved” her time at Catholic Subjects: Art, Religion Central – as a student and as a faculty member. “CC has amazing faculty and great students,” she says. “There Former art and religion teacher “Mr. Jim” Wisnewski has a are so many things to mention: the collegiality of the faculty; passion for art. For family. For travel. In fact, when you talk to we worked so well together, especially in the social studies him, you learn he has a passion for everything he does. So what is department. I could go to anyone at any time for help, advice he doing since retiring from Catholic Central? ... we shared ideas, lesson plans.” Another factor in her positive Probably his most recent accomplishment has been to write experience as a teacher here: “Catholic Central has motivated a book, The First 100 Years: A Story of Assumption of the Blessed students – most of them want to be there and aspire to do well.” Virgin Mary Parish in Belmont, Michigan. Begun in 2012 to The community and culture at Catholic Central are known for commemorate the church’s centennial this year, the book became being nurturing and supportive as well. “The administration and available this May. parents always supported me. I can’t tell you how helpful it is to At the same time, he is readying a work of art to enter in have involved and supportive parents.” ArtPrize 2014 coming up in September. He has entered the During her 10 years at CC, Ms. Anderson taught honors contest four of its previous five years, producing sculpture world history, United States history, world history, world cultures, Mr. Jim Wisnewski, with his iconic tweed sport and paintings with a religious theme. “The Way of the Cross,” geography and Michigan history. She was the student activities coat, loves to travel with his wife Mary. composed of 27 individual paintings, and an 8-ft sculpture of advisor, worked with the cheer team and acted as assistant 4 John the Baptist are just two examples. Primarily a sculptor, he varsity softball coach. She also founded the student volunteer 5 also paints, does graphic art, multi-media and printmaking. organization HOPE (Helping Out People Everywhere) which still Then there is travel, including a 2012 trip to the Holy Land with “Catholic Central has an amazing faculty and functions today, headed up by Mrs.