LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT As the Father has sent me, so I send you. John 20:21 Missio (Latin, nom.) – sent. Mission, derived from the Latin missionem, mission from mittere “to send.” The Northwest Catholic story is a story of a journey – a journey that we hope will be a transformative experience for the maturing young adults who come here to learn, but also to grow in their relationship with God and others. At the start of each year, we introduce a theme that is woven into the academic and co-curricular program. This year, we are focusing on the jubilee celebration of the apostle Paul. In this well-known story, Paul reaches a critical point in his personal journey, a point where he is brought into a relationship with God and then is sent out into the world to spread the Good News. He is brought in, transformed, then sent out. Paul’s complete conversion represents a radical transformation in his life. For most of us, understanding how God calls us to our true selves is an incremental journey. The young men and women who join us follow a four-year journey through a unique Northwest Catholic culture where they can better understand how they are called to serve this world. We assist them in their journey by challenging them intellectually, physically, creatively, socially, and spiritually. We also encourage them to see how service to others is an essential ingredient in their ultimate journey -- a full and rich life. The Class of 2012, drawn from 33 towns, enters into a social climate composed of different races, religions, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, and social structures. Our community of educators will form and inform these students’ hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. In four years, at graduation, these young men and women will be sent out. When they begin the next phase of their journey, our graduates will carry with them the intellectual capacity to solve complex issues facing our world. They will carry with them moral character imparted to them by faculty, parents, and peer leaders. They will carry with them an ability to interact with people unlike themselves because they will have learned social and relational skills on a daily basis over their four-year journey. The mission of Northwest Catholic is to propel its graduates into the world with a new fullness in their heart. They are sent forth as their true selves, the selves they are meant to be, the selves that God created, the more loving parts naturally magnified. Their “sentness” into the world is strategic; it’s purpose driven. Just as Paul is sent out to deliver a message to the gentiles, our graduates go with a strategic mission. That mission? For 47 years, it’s been the same: Northwest Catholic educators promote life-long learning so that our young men and women can be sent forth to make the world a better place. Sincerely, Matthew O’N. Fitzsimons President 2 • LOGOS THE MAGAZINE OF NORTHWEST CATHOLIC Contents FALL 2008 FEATURES 5 THE CLASS OF 2012 BY THE NUMBERS A Look at the Northwest Catholic Admissions Process 5 12 GRADUATION 2008 PARTING IS SUCH SWEET SORROW 14 FAITH IN ACTION A CALL TO SERVE TAKES BOB MCNALLY ‘83 FROM SENEGAL TO THE WHITE HOUSE 12 16 ADVANCEMENT PROFILE REV. HENRY FRASCADORE, THE FATHER OF NWC ADVANCEMENT, “RETIRES” 14 DEPARTMENTS 4 FEEDBACK 42 NEWS FROM 29 WAMPANOAG 16 50 SPORTS NEWS 55 ALUMNI NEWS THE MAGAZINE OF NORTHWEST CATHOLIC FALL 2008 • 3 FEEDBACK I just received my Summer issue of Logos – thank you so much for the lovely tribute to my mother, Kay Slattery. She would be so happy to know that she is remembered fondly as a person who had a great impact on Northwest. The years she spent there were among the happiest and most satisfying of her life. And after her retirement, she never got tired of being recognized and acknowledged by her former students and colleagues. Her identity as “Latin teacher” was her very essence. I will share the article with my brothers and their families – I know that they join me in expressing our appreciation to you and the NWC community for your memories and thoughtfulness. Maura Slattery West Hartford I want to express to you and the Northwest Catholic family my deep thanks and appreciation for the golf tournament and the honors (see article on inside back cover). It was a fantastic day – one that in reality far exceeded any thoughts and expectations. In going back over the “great days” of my life, this will long be up there among the top three or four. Everything that day was spectacular, starting with the luncheon, through the golf and ending with the dinner. Many, many thanks for all. When you first talked to me about being honored at the golf tournament, I felt many deep thanks. I do what I do not for the glory and such … I often look upon my time at Northwest as important and beneficial to me – to keep me young and interested in life, to keep going. I gain much more than I give. I am thankful for the opportunity to keep going. When you throw the olive into the martini … put the sweet icing on the cake as you did last Monday … wow, wow, wow! Bill Baker Tournament Honoree, 2008 NWC Golf Tournament East Granby ERRATA LOGOS The Greek word or logos (pronounced lo-gaas) is defined as “word” or The Summer 2008 issue of Logos contained one error and one “meaning.” St. John’s Gospel opens: “In the beginning was Logos (the Word), omission. We deeply regret these mistakes. and Logos was with God, and Logos was God.” The phrase “Word (Logos) of God,” found in John 1:1 and elsewhere, shows God’s desire and ability to • In the story about NWC alums working in collegiate journalism, “speak” to the human. The Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs (the the name of the student newspaper at the University of Notre founding Order of Northwest Catholic) have been noted for their effective Dame, where Dan Murphy ’05 is Sports Editor, was incorrectly ability to preach the word. The mission of the Dominicans is to provide called The Examiner. The paper is actually called The Observer. intellectual formation, social communication, and service through word and action. Our publication, Logos, conveys our mission and values through this • The name of NWC science teacher Mark Dodd was left off the medium of the word. list of photo credits in the masthead box on page 4. Mr. Dodd Logos is published three times a year by the Communications Department of took many of the best photographs in that issue. Northwest Catholic High School. Please send comments or suggestions to: ALUMNI CALENDAR: SAVE THE DaTES! Michelle M. Murphy Director of Communications 3 Saturday, Nov. 22: Saturday Night Live Northwest Catholic High School (25th Anniversary Edition) at NWC 29 Wampanoag Drive West Hartford, CT 06117 3 Wednesday, Nov. 26: Class of ’08 Reception (at NWC), 860.236.4221 x133 6:30-8pm [email protected] 3 Friday, Nov. 28: Class of ’68 Reunion Editor: Michelle M. Murphy Wampanoag Country Club, 6:30- 11pm President: Matthew O’N. Fitzsimons Classes of ’98 and ’03 Reunions Northwest Catholic High School, Photography: Sara Avery, ArtRich Photography, Mark Dodd, Greco Family, 7-11pm Jane Leary, IRIS Photography, McNally Family, Jennifer Montoney, Michelle Murphy, NWC archives, NOWECA 3 Saturday, May 2, 2009 The NWC Grand Reunion for all (Northwest Catholic yearbook), Deacon Jeffrey Sutherland classes ending in 4 or 9 Design: GO media Northwest Catholic High School For updated information, check www.northwestcatholic.org/alumni Contributors: Mara Gauger ’09, Debra LeBel, Sarah J. Schwartz ’07 or contact Jane Leary, Director of Constituent Relations, [email protected] or 860.236.4221, x131. 4 • LOGOS THE MAGAZINE OF NORTHWEST CATHOLIC COVER STORY The Class of By The Numbers A Look at the Northwest Catholic Admissions Process t was a bright, warm, late-summer morning when the Class of ’12 officially became part Iof Northwest Catholic High School. Many of the incoming students had been in the building dozens of times before – for a basketball game or play, for Open House or Shadow Days, for older brothers’ and sisters’ Sports Nights, Academic Honors Nights, or concerts – but it wasn’t until September 2, 2008, that these 177 excited teenagers joined the school community in their own right. (One more girl enrolled a few weeks later.) For some, the formal journey here began in 7th grade, when dreaming about providing for their children the same special high their parents requested a packet of admissions information school experience they’d enjoyed. “Both Catherine (O’Toole and submitted their child’s application. For others, Northwest ’82) and I had fantastic experiences at NWC – we received a Catholic was not really on the radar until later – perhaps after great education, had a great time, and made so many friends that they’d attended the NWC Open House in November of their we encouraged Allison ‘12 to attend,” said Bill Denton ’80 of eighth-grade year. West Hartford. “We were thrilled that she chose Northwest.” And for another group of students (16%), the trip may The story of the Class of ’12 – who they are, where they came very well have begun in the womb, when their parents – who from, and how they got here – is a story about not just these themselves had graduated from Northwest Catholic – began 178 students, but also the NWC admissions process as a whole. Allison Denton Bridget Begley (Bill ‘80 and Catherine (John ‘81 and Mary Beth O’Toole Denton ‘82) Kearney Begley ‘83) Christian Murphy (Dan ‘80 and Alison Kearns Murphy ‘80) Cailyn McDonnell (Tim ‘86 and Laura Ginnetti McDonnell ‘86) students are the children of two alums THE MAGAZINE OF NORTHWEST CATHOLIC FALL 2008 • 5 COVER STORY These students’ experience helps to illuminate the many steps and their older son, Jonathan, was in the Class of ’01.