CORNER Dearest Alumnae continue to embarrass our children by jitterbugging and Friends, throughout our house and delight our grandchildren with our Halloween costumes. “Oh the places we’ll go! There is “Celebration! Now, come on! There’s a party goin’ FUN to be done! Today is our day. on right here; a celebration to last throughout our We’re off to great places. We’re years.” Joining Ray and me are four fabulous off and away.” Yes, the McAuley children and their super spouses: Patrick and Class of 2014 and I are graduating. Danielle, Kathleen and Mathew, Michael and (For me it has been 45 fantastic Tiffany, Maureen and Stelio. “We’re going to years educating terrific teenagers.) “We’ll step with celebrate and have good times.” Adding to our care and tact and remember that life’s a great celebration of life and laughter will be seven balancing act. Oh, the places we’ll go!” adorable grandchildren: Caitlin (21), Erica (16), Julie (13), Emma (9), David (9), Jocelyn (7), and “CELEBRATION! Now, come on!” One of my Gabriel (4). I thank my family for sharing me with favorite “happy songs” reflects the emotions surging so many others. They did have easy access to through us as the magnificent Class of 2014 and McAuley’s “Ho-Ho” room where all the Hostess their Principal begin a new journey. Beautiful cupcakes are stored! Recently, at the intermission of Ladies, thank you for sharing daily life 27 glorious Cinderella, my grandchildren asked if I got to keep years with me. How lucky I have been as I had 45 the “Ho-Ho” key. glorious years with a plethora of terrific teens whom I adored. For a native of Connersville, As I contemplate the adjustment, I think about no Indiana, it has been a dream come true. I was only more 5:30 a.m. alarms; sitting on our screened deck five when I began closely watching my beloved reading as long as I want; preparing gourmet great Aunt Ruth Koch teach first grade. I knew I delights for Ray, children, and fabulous friends; wanted to be a teacher also. Thank you, God, for playing lots of bridge; attending weekday Mass and my blessed career. not racing out after Communion; and reconnecting on a regular basis with extended family and our How do I thank each of you loyal followers of friends. Catherine McAuley and our beloved Sisters of Mercy? How do I express my gratitude to you I shall try to keep a stiff upper lip as I admit saying supporters of the mission and partners in providing “goodbye,” isn’t my cup of tea. I can’t help but smile daily Christ-based academic excellence? You have as the memories of 27 glorious years and 11,000 showered McAuley with your time, talent, and fantastic alumnae flash through my mind. Words CHERYL'S CHERYL'S treasures as you joined me on this incredible cannot express how grateful I am for the “Cheryl opportunity to provide super young women and Sucher Scholarship: Passionately Embracing the education of excellence beyond their wildest Mission” that has been created. My goal is to help dreams. Please continue with zeal to move the each young woman, who desires to be at this school mission forward. McAuley High School is the of excellence, attend McAuley. That will be my BEST high school in the USA. Embrace legacy with these donated monies. passionately that each of You – Wonderful You – has the power and ability to share this fantastic So, today is a celebration of all that has been but educational institution with your family and friends. also of all that will be. “Oh, the places we’ll go! Be proud always and boastful of your alma mater as There is FUN to be done!” it educated you to be the incredible woman you are! Thanks for the memories. With you, my dear friends, I share the joys I look With lots of love and gratitude forever, forward to in my celebration of life. First and foremost, always, God blessed me with a devoted, compassionate husband, Ray, who is my Cheryl Ann McDonough Sucher best friend, head cheerleader, sounding board, and number one partner in enjoying life! Ray and I will 2 mcauleyhs.net Cover 4 Story Mrs. Sucher Retires McAuley TIES is published three times a year by the Advancement Office of McAuley High School. Cheryl Sucher, President/Principal Brigitte Foley, Features Director of Advancement and Traveling Science Alumnae Relations Show Kathy Dietrich, 8 Public Relations Marie Knecht, Director of Admissions and Marketing McAuction Kathy Hauser, Invades London Administrative Assistant 11 Libby Hodapp, McAuction Coordinator Pigs Comments and submissions 13 Fly Again for the McAuley TIES, c/o The Advancement Office, McAuley High School 6000 Oakwood Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 www.mcauleyhs.net (513) 681-1800 Departments (513) 681-1802 (fax) Please notify the Advancement Office Cheryl’s Corner 2 about any change of name or address at (513) 681-1800 x 1148. McAuley Today 7 Cover: Mrs. Sucher with our newest alumnae: Cara Molulon ‘14, All About Julie Newsom ‘14, Hannah Geckle ‘14, Advancement 12 and Ellie Thiemann ‘14 Alumnae Activities 13 McAuley Milestones 16 Calendar 19 Spring 2014 3 4 mcauleyhs.net President/Principal Mrs. Cheryl Sucher Retires after a Plethora of Years and Awards To everything, there is a season, and June is retirement season at McAuley High School. We bid a fond farewell and wish a wonderful retirement to Linda Goldbach, Theology teacher and former Campus Minister; Laurel Chambers, English teacher; Carolyn Dierkers, a valued asset in the Main Office and Athletic Office for many years; Barb Kramer, auxiliary services clerk, and, lastly, to Cheryl Sucher, McAuley’s fearless leader since 1987, when she began her tenure as McAuley’s sixth principal and first lay woman to hold that position. Colerain High School’s loss was definitely McAuley’s gain. Mrs. Sucher’s contributions to McAuley are most auspicious. She had the foresight to create new policies and traditions to help fill the absence created by fewer and fewer Sisters of Mercy on the staff. She ensured the continuation of a Catholic identity by introducing the story of Catherine McAuley to all freshmen, and creating Mercy Day and Founder’s Day traditions. She allowed for and encouraged the blossoming and tremendous growth of McAuley’s service and justice program. Spring 2014 5 Three capital campaigns were forged during Mrs. Sucher’s tenure: one to remodel and update the Chapel of Christ the Teacher; one to add an entire science and fine arts wing, and expand the gym and cafeteria; and one to transform the auditorium into a state-of- the-art performing arts center. Mrs. Sucher’s vision of providing career readiness became a reality in the late 2000s with the creation of the innovative Women In Programs: Women in Medicine, Women in Engineering, and Women in Law. She also gave the green light to McAuley’s TabletPC Program and became McAuley’s first president. Although serving on and chairing countless committees for the Sisters of Mercy and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, she still had time to make school fun for the students, for whom she was an excellent role model of a faith-filled, practicing Catholic woman. Her Halloween costumes are legendary and every holiday was celebrated as much as possible within the academic atmosphere at McAuley. Some of her favorite adjectives and nouns, such as “auspicious” and “plethora” will be fondly remembered by many alumnae! As this year, Mrs. Sucher’s last at McAuley, comes to a close, she has been honored in three distinct ways by her peers and her constituents. Eearlier this year, she was selected by the NCEA for an honor of the highest degree. The NCEA (National Catholic Education Association) named Cheryl a recipient of the Secondary Schools Educational Excellence Award. She was one of only six recipients of this award in the entire United States, and, on April 23, she accepted her award in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At McAuction this April, a scholarship fund in her honor was established, and over $90,000 was raised in just one evening. Mrs. Sucher, who has tirelessly solicited and obtained many donations for McAuley financial assistance over the years, is so thrilled to be able to help needy students in this important way. Thirdly, on May 1, Mrs. Sucher was awarded the Christ the Teacher Award by Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. This award is given to a principal who personifies the ideal of Christ the Teacher. Jesus is the ultimate teacher and example of effective leadership. Recipients of this award demonstrate not only excellence in school administration, but in Christian service to all of God’s children. Through their love, compassion, dedication and faith, Christ the Teacher Award winners serve as an example of Christian leadership and service in the Archdiocese. Mrs. Sucher is humbled by all these accolades and will certainly miss the day-to-day running of this wonderful school. She is looking forward to spending time with her husband, Ray, and their children and grandchildren. 6 mcauleyhs.net Graduation 2014 Congratulations to our newest alumnae, the Class of 2014! These young women will be venturing near and far after high school. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these McAuley graduates. Leading the Class of 2014 academically are valedictorian Rachel Koize and salutatorian Lynn Schutte. Rachel Koize will matriculate to the Honors College at Purdue University, having received the Presidential Scholarship, and plans to major in either chemical or mechanical engineering, with the ultimate goal of working in a lab or developing processes.