Marshall Athletics: More than Just a Game 100 Years of Hilltopper Drama Fall 2009 FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT It sure seems as if the year goes by quickly. As Board members, it is our responsibility to make sure Marshall is here for generations to come. The role of the Board is to focus on the long-term future of the school and to plan initiatives that keep our school strong. This past year we completed a thorough strategic planning process that gathered feedback and input from students, parents, teachers, school alumni, trustees, and friends of the school. Based on this feedback, the Board identified Strategic Principles that will guide us for the next several years in the following areas: Program Differentiation, Global Connections, Marshall’s Mission in Curriculum and Community, Sustainability, and Facilities. In the fall the Board will adopt specific initiatives for each principle and will communicate them with our Hilltopper community. In mid-October, we welcomed Gene Bratek as the Interim Head of School. Gene will lead the school for the remainder of the school year when a permanent Head of School will be named. His depth of experience allows us to begin implementation of our strategic plan that continues the forward momentum the school has had over the years. As I enter the last year of my nine years on the Board, I’d like to extend a thank you to the many individuals who have made sacrifices and contributions to move our school forward. I have been especially impressed by the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff and MARSHALL SCHOOL parents. My family and I are proud to be a part of the rich tradition of a 2009-2010 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cathedral and Marshall education. I look forward with excitement to our school’s continued success. President, Eric Norberg Eric Norberg Vice President, James C. Jarocki ’76 President Secretary, Elizabeth Stauber-Johnson, PhD ’68 Treasurer, Jim Spreitzer ’73 WELCOME GENE BRATEK Deb Amberg I have only been part of the Marshall community for a few weeks, but I can already see some Michelle Buria ’89, Alumni Chair of the reasons why people are so strongly Todd Campbell ’79 committed to this school. I have been warmly welcomed by everyone, including teachers, Kim Chart ’69 students, administrators, support staff, parents, Kristina Fryberger D’Allaird ’86 alumni and trustees. During parent conferences I was able to meet many new faces and hear Beth Kelly about some of the wonderful experiences Gale Kerns families have had over the years at Marshall. Mark LaLiberte ’80 My first impressions are that this is a vibrant, energetic and productive academic community with significant emphasis Melinda Machones on the character development of students. The small class sizes, the Brian Murphy ’76 dedication of teachers, and the opportunities for students to participate in activities such as sports and drama are often pointed out as among Kathryn Nelson the reasons students love being here. During my career I have had the Barbara R. Sheedy opportunity to get to know many independent schools. Without question, Marshall ranks among the best of these. My wife, Rose Marie, and I Charles Skinner are delighted to be here and I look forward to working with everyone Philip W. Sneve during the year as the Search Committee completes its task of finding a Barb Welinski, MPO Chair permanent Head of School to begin the 2010-11 school year. Brent Wouters Eugene Bratek Interim Head of School THE HILLTOPPER TABLE OF CONTENTS A publication of Marshall School Fall 2009 The mission of Marshall School is to educate students to become global citizens who demonstrate strong academic habits, respect, compassion, integrity, self-discipline, and intellectual curiosity. EDITORIAL TEAM Shannon Hoffman Christa Knudsen ’92 Tony Lockhart Adam Tehle DESIGN & PRODUCTION Amy Geissler ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Kim Kosmatka, Michael Gabler & the Marshall Beacon Yearbook Staff Marshall 7th grade student studies raptors at Hawk Ridge. PRINTING Service Printers 4 100 YEARS OF HILLTOPPER DRAMA For over 100 years drama has held a beloved place at Cathedral ON THE COVER and Marshall. The Marshall Hilltopper football team in action. 7 MARSHALL ATHLETICS: MORE THAN JUST A GAME Dave Homstad, Athletic Director, explains the philosophy behind ADDRESS CHANGES sports at Marshall. contact Adam Tehle at 218.727.7266 x114 or [email protected] CONTACT INFORMATION DEPARTMENTS Marshall School 1215 Rice Lake Road Duluth, MN 55811 inside From the 218.727.7266 cover Head of School To submit comments, 2 Campus News feedback, or ideas, e-mail [email protected]. 9 Alumni News & Notes The Hilltopper is published for alumni, parents, grandparents 12 Tell Us Who and friends of Marshall School and Duluth Cathedral High School. back cover The View marshallschool.org 1 CAMPUS NEWS WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE HILLSIDE SUMMER CONSTRUCTION Last May, four Marshall students met It was a busy summer with several with Duluth Mayor Don Ness to talk major construction projects about leadership. These students completed on campus. – Julia Ardis ’09, Alex Jarocki ’09, Haley Little ’10, and Sam Rathke ’09 Using dedicated funds that were – were surprised to hear the mayor raised as a part of the “Our Second list compassion as an important Century Campaign,” necessary attribute of all great leaders. They updates were made to our athletic were just as surprised to hear facilities. Inside the building, a him challenge Marshall to take a major renovation of the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms created more leadership role in Duluth’s Hillside Sam Rathke ’09 with Duluth neighborhood. functional and appealing spaces for Mayor Don Ness our athletes and physical education Since then, a group of Marshall administrators and faculty have been students. Outside, a limestone working side by side with several youth-serving organizations to create surface was laid on the track, and activities for schools and families that benefit the Hillside community. the tennis courts were rebuilt and Representatives of the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Grant and Nettleton upgraded. schools, and Heidi Timm-Bijold from the Mayor’s office are working with Adam Tehle, Mike Gabler, Dave Johnson, Jamie MacDougall ’94 and Bob Sherman to define our answer to the mayor’s challenge. Marshall science teacher Michael Gabler joined the Hillside initiative because “it’s the right thing to do. This partnership benefits Marshall and Duluth by fostering community through new friendships. Because Duluth communities tend to be somewhat isolated from one another and segregated by economic income, this initiative breaks down neighborhood barriers and allows Lily Alvarez ’14 visits Grant School common interests in science and other activities to be the foundation for positive relationships.” The new boys’ varsity locker room Some of the proposals made so far include • Middle school students at Marshall and students at Nettleton and The biggest project was the Grant schools teaching various subjects to each other and building replacement of the gym and lasting relationships Walsh Hallway roofs. The new • Building a community garden near a Hillside school roofs have increased insulation • Bringing Hillside families together to hear and preserve stories about to help reduce energy costs. the history of the neighborhood and We piloted a “classroom of the • Holding free concerts for Hillside families at Sacred Heart Music future” project this summer. Center and other neighborhood venues. Through the generosity of a donor, one classroom was transformed Asked to define what success might look like a few years down the road, with new energy efficient Stephanie Heilig, principal at Nettleton elementary, said: “Success would windows, lighting, and interactive look like families from all walks of life working to develop new ways of technology. The project will serve working together.” as a model for future renovations of classrooms. You can view construction photos on the school web page at www. marshallschool.org/construction. 2 THE HILLTOPPER CAMPUS NEWS MARSHALL STUDENTS OUT- WELCOME NEW TRUSTEES PERFORM STATE AND LOCAL We are pleased to welcome two new members to the Marshall Board SCHOOLS ON ACT EXAMS of Trustees. The Marshall Board is comprised of twenty volunteers who are responsible for governing the operation of our school. According Once again Marshall Students to The National Association of Independent Schools, the board is have achieved impressive results “the guardian of the school’s mission. It is the board’s responsibility on the ACT college entrance to ensure that the mission is relevant and vital to the community exam. Marshall students scored it serves and to monitor the success of the school in fulfilling its a 25.7 average on the test. The mission.” average score statewide was 22.7. Marshall’s Director of College Deb Amberg is the parent of a Marshall eighth Counseling Katie Voller-Berdan grader. Deb is Senior Vice President, General attributed the school’s consistently Counsel and Secretary of ALLETE, Inc. She has high ACT marks to the rigor of been with the company since 1990, and has been courses at Marshall. She said most involved in a broad variety of areas within the students take English, math, social company’s energy business. Deb is a 1990 cum studies, science and a foreign laude graduate of the University of Minnesota Law language during all four years of School, and received her B.A. in economics from high school. “I think our curriculum the University of Minnesota in 1987. She is a 1996 really prepares students to take the graduate of Leadership Duluth. ACT,” she said. “They just get a lot of preparation in the classroom.” Brent Wouters has two sons in the Middle School. Marshall has been awarded ACT’s He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus prestigious Red Quill Award in both Aircraft.