December 2011 - Divine Child High School

CONTENTS
Divine Child High School
MISSION STATEMENT
Divine Child High School is a Catholic high school
centered in Gospel values and Christian tradition.
The school is rooted in a long-standing tradition of Excellence and in
an educational partnership with students, parents and the community.
We are committed to providing opportunities that nurture each
student's academic, creative, social and spiritual growth.
We are dedicated to developing youth who pursue lives
of responsibility, leadership and faith in action.
Divine Child Alumni Association
Board Officers
President: Cheryl (Oros) Nelson '75
Vice President: Natalie Noeske '82
Treasurer: Mike Vecchioni '72
Secretary: Angela (Cowan) Kraetke '00
Member at Large: Laura (Lark) Cattaneo '82
Our Heritage
[email protected]
Since 1950, the Church of the Divine Child has been a strong Catholic presence in Dearborn and
today remains one of the largest and most vibrant Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of
Detroit, serving over 2,500 member families. Together, Divine Child Elementary School, founded
in 1953, and Divine Child High School, founded in 1958, have grown to host the largest
co-educational Catholic school enrollment in Michigan.
Office of Advancement
25001Herbert Weier Drive
Dearborn, MI 48128-1045
With a heritage spanning more than 50 years, Divine Child High School has imparted “goodness with
knowledge” to generations of students and continues to provide a Catholic education valuing spiritual,
academic, athletic and creative excellence. Nearly 10,000 alumni have gone forward to build success on
these values. Today, approximately 850 Divine Child High School students enjoy the opportunity to
study numerous academic disciplines, compete in 24 sports, and participate in dozens of extracurricular
activities - all built on a strong spiritual foundation.
Scott Dickey '85
Alumni and Parish Relations
313-216-0892
[email protected]
Once A Falcon magazine is published twice
yearly by the Divine Child Alumni Association
Editor: Scott Dickey '85
Design and Production
JCP Advertising
586.558.7777
Contributors
Julie Walker Altesleben, Press & Guide
Rev. James Bilot
Joshua Bolkan, THE Journal
Paul Bushon, JCP Advertising
Bob Bush
Ann Marie (Detkos) Cardenas '91
Jessica Carreras, Dearborn Patch
Jack Costello, JCP Advertising
J. Mike Courage '98
Connie DiMarco
Paul Egan, Detroit News
John Gallager, Detroit Free Press
Amy (Currier) Kleinlein '86
Peggy Knuth '72
Donna Kuczajda '88
Randy Kuzdak '12
John McTaggart, Dearborn Patch
Karen Pritchard
Scott Salowich, Press & Guide
Jeff Stone '91
Kathy Tar
Ricardo Thomas, Detroit News
Amanda Torok '01
Tom Young
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In This Issue
3
Messages
4
High School News
8
Alumni Focus
5
10 Athletics
12 Alumni Updates
14 Reunions
15 Alumni Events
16 Key Upcoming Dates
7
Parents of Alumni
Receiving your child’s newsletter? We are happy to continue
mailing the magazine to your home, but please contact the
alumni office with your son’s and/or daughters current
address so that they may receive a copy as well.
Please join the “Divine Child Alumni” group for the most up to
date information on reunions & alumni events. The “Divine Child”
page will be discontinued in January 2011.
We'd Like
To Hear
From You!
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Take a minute to email us news about yourself.
Feel free to include a picture of you on your special day or a picture of your new baby!
E-mail us at: [email protected]
For more alumni information, check out the DCAA link at http://www.divinechildhighschool.org
MESSAGE
from the Principal
We have entered the season of Advent, and our school community is preparing
itself for the incomparable joy of the Nativity. At Divine Child High School,
we teach our students to embrace the seasons of the Church. As I sit here,
writing the December newsletter, I'm thinking about Thanksgiving and the
many reasons that we should be thankful. The economy seems to be
recovering in the Dearborn area. Business is picking up for auto suppliers,
and more families feel secure making an investment in Catholic education. Our
freshman class is the largest in years and initial estimates for the class of 2016
indicate that it may be as large as 220, raising our total enrollment over 850.
Such healthy numbers are a testament to the faithfulness of our alumni who
want for their children the very same education they received: faith-based and
Gospel values-centered.
We are most thankful, at this time of the year, for Christ. Every Tuesday, our
students participate in Eucharistic Adoration. Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet
has kept our students
from walking over to
the sanctuary and
praising God. Today,
I marveled at the joy
with which our students
ran out into the cold
November rain to be
with the true Teacher
who guides us all into
deeper discipleship.
When our high school
students took their
seats in the pews,
they saw elementary
school
students
preparing themselves for the sacrament of reconciliation. We are grateful to
God that there is time in our school week for us to live the sacraments.
MESSAGE
Advent reminds us that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, and the faithful
pilgrimage of the Holy Family to Bethlehem inspires us to continue to be
People of the Way, following a star, in the hope of beholding the Prince of
Peace. I hope this season gives you reason to praise God for the blessings
He has made evident in your lives. We, at Divine Child High School
continue to give thanks for our alumni who support the mission of Divine
Child Parish and Schools. Your time, talent, and treasure ensure that we
can continue to be a vibrant faith-based community, secure in our
Catholic identity and ready to serve God.
Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas!
Peggy Knuth '72
Principal
from the Pastor
Dear Alumni,
As you read this wonderful publication, we will be nearing
a foundational pillar of our faith - Christmas. The Mass of
Christ, which we celebrate as a Catholic Christian people,
reminds us of why we needed a Savior in our lives. We cannot
do it alone. We will never have the opportunity to be with
the Saints in glory without the great gift of God becoming
man. With this in mind, we first must experience the
season of Advent to take time and reflect on where we have
been and who we are waiting for.
As Alumni of Divine Child High School, your lives have
been molded in Catholic Christian beliefs and principles
that guide you to this day. The gifts of the Sacraments (the
gifts of Jesus that help us to become holy) are indispensable
for our salvation and for living our daily lives. We may
believe we are fine just the way we are, but we will never
know the depth of love that can be ours if we do not have a
committed and practicing faith life in the Catholic Church.
the Lord desires to bestow upon us this Christmas, including
the gifts of academics, athletics, fine arts and, especially, our
spirituality, which have helped to form us in a holy way. It
is my hope that you always remember the gifts that were
received through your Catholic high school education, and
that you will continue to share these gifts with those you
encounter on a daily basis and, hopefully, share generously
with your alma mater.
I pray you have a blessed and joyous Christmas. Even
amidst the darkness of life, Christ promised His light, and
this light shines brightly in our hearts when we share our
faith vibrantly and boldly.
Blessings of joy and exaltation as we celebrate the gift of
Christ's Mass this year! Hopefully, you will be able to join
us here at Divine Child for the Christmas liturgies!
In Gratitude,
Advent affords us the opportunity to stop and reflect on
the blessings we have received over the years, especially our
faith in the Lord, and to anticipate the wonderful gifts that
Rev. James Bilot
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HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Student Council
This summer the DC Student Council sent seven of
its members to the Michigan Association of Student
Council's and Honor Societies' Summer Leadership
Camp. These students were among 500 members of
other schools from around the state of Michigan that
spent the week fostering leadership skills to take back
to their schools and communities!
Student Council
members help
to box up food
items to be
taken over to
St. Mary's
in Wayne!
(L to R: Kara Frank ('12), Greg Yaros ('12), Ebere Oparake ('12), Ashley
O'Connell ('12), Kelsey Mannarino ('13), John Govan ('12), Jessica
McVettie (Moderator), Not pictured: Dan Masserang ('12))
Student Council members,
Megan Neaton ('13) and
Rachael Joseph ('14) help to
box canned food items collected
in the school wide “Food for Fall,
Food for All” canned food drive.
DC FORENSICS FALCONS BEGIN A “SWEET YEAR”
A team of 44 students has begun the 2012 Forensics season under the
leadership of senior co-captains, Jacob Kay and Danielle Norman, and
head coach, Mrs. Kathy Tar, in her “sweet 16th year” at the helm of the
team. 28 members are returning to the team joined by a “sweet 16” total of
new students. Team members are currently preparing for their first tournament
in late January, and are setting goals for a trip to the State Finals at Western
Michigan University the first weekend of May.
Be sure to mark your 2012 calendar for THE FORENSICS TEAM
SHOWCASE on Tuesday, March 27, when all team members will individually
present speeches and interpretations of literature. This very unique and
highly enjoyable event will begin at 7:00 pm in the DC auditorium.
Left to right: Front row--Aaron Miotke, Danielle Norman, Adrienne Cruz,
Samantha Myers, Alyssa Dunbeck
Back row--Daniel Polster, Jacob Kay, Abbie Burns, Amy Pestenariu, David
Klavon, Michael Gutierrez.
Absent from Varsity photo: Emily Grawburg, Kevin Mardirosian, Maddie Rich
Whiz Kid: Military-Minded Student Serves as Dearborn Police Explorer
Casey Baker, a current Dearborn Police Explorer, hopes to pursue a lifetime of
service in the military and beyond.
Accomplishment: Casey Baker spends a lot of time in uniform when he's not
attending classes at Divine Child High School, where he will be a sophomore
this September.
“The part I like best about being an explorer is helping out other people,” said
Baker, 15. “It feels great to be able to provide a service to someone else.”
The Dearborn Police Explorer Program affords opportunities for young people
interested in a career in law enforcement to try police work out for size. The students
provide security at events such as Dearborn Homecoming, and learn about police
techniques and investigation tactics.
This month, Baker and his co-explorers provided security to several
Homecoming events.
For students like Baker, the program is a first step in what he hopes is a long career
in law enforcement and national security.
Key to Awesomeness: Baker's immediate plans are to finish high school at Divine
Child, where he is an honors student and a member of the wrestling team and the
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forensics team. But his goals beyond high school are lofty, and began to materialize
when a neighbor afforded him an opportunity to meet and interview a National
Security Agency agent.
“I hope to be a cryptanalyst with
the NSA,” said Baker.
Casey Baker, 15, is
learning about life
in law enforcement,
and hoping the
experience is the
beginning of a
lifetime of keeping
others safe.
A cryptanalyst is a person who
performs code-cracking to look for
patterns and information.
Getting to that level means a lot of
future commitment, Baker said. He
hopes to attend either Westpoint or
the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for four years of college, and
then follow that up with active military service, where he can continue to receive
specialized training. But again, Baker said the best thing about those goals would
be serving others-and his country.
“It would be great to serve in the military, and I'm learning a lot about that type
of environment right now,” he said.
Baker is the son of Daniel and Lisa Baker of Dearborn.
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Homecoming
Congratulations also, to this year's Homecoming Queen, Emily Grawburg and her court consisting of Kara
Frank, Kendall McCausland, Cara Miller, Ashley O'Connell, Ebere Oparake, Catia Sabak, Natalie Salehi,
and Alexa Zakarian. The dance was a special night for the all of students who attended. Thank you to the
entire school community for a job well done.
This year's homecoming theme was "I Love NY." Student Council decorated
the gym to look the NY City skyline!
Each of this year's floats depicted
some aspect of the New York City.
The winning float, done by the
2015 freshmen class, depicted the
cabs of NYC!
Top L-R: Alexa Zakarian, Emily Grawbrg, Kara Frank, Kendall McCausland,
Ashley O'Connell
Bottom L-R: Catia Sabak, Ebere Oparake, Natalie Salehi, Cara Miller.
Archbishop Vigneron Celebrates Mass at Divine Child
More Teacher Awards
On the Feast of All Saints, Divine
Child High School was honored to
have the Archbishop of Detroit, Allen
Vigneron, celebrate Mass with our
students, staff and faculty. Interacting
with the students during his homily,
he questioned them about “what it is
to be a self-less and faithful person.”
After Mass Archbishop Vigneron Archbishop Vigneron in the Bernadine
spoke to the senior class of 2012 and Franciscan Learning Center
visited a few Theology classrooms. He
even got to take home a Divine Child High School t-shirt! It really was an honor, since
he only comes to DC every three years to celebrate Mass! Congratulations to our
wonderful High School Principal, Mrs. Peggy Knuth, who was recognized at the end
of Mass for 36 years of Catholic Education!
Each October, the Catholic High School
League honors the best in athletics and
academics at the Prep Bowl. This year, October
22, 2011 Divine Child High School teachers
received special recognition for their years of
service to Catholic education at Ford Field.
Assistant Principal
Damian Hermann
'89 and Fr. Bilot
presenting Mrs.
Knuth her award
Ronda Sovine 15 years, Roz Astourian 25
years, Sally Kilcullen 35 years, Pam
Romanelli 35 years, Michael Foye 45 years
Archbishop Vigneron
celebrating Mass at Divine Child
Principal Mrs.
Peggy Knuth
'72 Accepting
her Award
We congratulate them and thank them for
their commitment to Catholic education and
Divine Child High School.
L-R Rhonda Sovine, Roz Astourian, Michael
Foye '63, Pam Romanelli, Sally Kilcullen
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HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
Divine Child Theatre Busy Fall Winds Down
Thespians from the high school wrapped up an incredible fall semester. From
attending an Arts College Fair in Lansing, to talking with Holocaust Survivors at
the Holocaust Memorial Center, the variety of activities has been part of what
educational theatre is all about. The fall play, The Diary of Anne Frank was well
received by the audiences who attended. Congratulations to all the cast, crew and
Mrs. Pritchard and Mr. Bush for their outstanding work. Thanks too to the three
alumni who came back to help as well: Becca Graf '11, Elizabeth Bazner and Sarah
Howard '11 who all tutored the makeup crew in aging techniques.
Thespians also attended the Michigan
State Thespian Festival the first weekend in
December. Nick Swider, Cara Ruetz,
Adrienne Walling and Harry Totten all
competed in solo singing and duo acting.
Additional students Valerie Mangulabnan
and Aanaleise Zaleski also attended the
weekend full of workshops, plays, and college
activities at Saginaw Valley College.
FALCON SCHOLARS
Of more than 16,000 students; Michele
Kerr & Matthew Bustamante, have
been
named
National
Merit
Scholarship Semifinalists in this year's
National Merit Scholarship Program.
Sahar Atassi, Rebecca Krasity, Aaron
Miotke, Amy Pertenariu and Adam
Savat have been named Commended
students in the 2012 National Merit
Scholarship Program.
Congratulations to Michelle Kerr
and Brandon Siedlaczek for being
recognized for their outstanding work
in math and science.
Congratulations to Anne Oaknowski
she
received
the
2011
NCTE
Achievement Award in Writing.
As soon as the first set was struck, plans were underway for building the next set
for our spring musical Annie Get Your Gun. Auditions began Dec. 9th for this
rollicking Wild West Show. Alumna Elisa Noeske '00 will direct this show, along
with vocal director, alumnus Doctor Christopher Urbiel '01. Show dates are the
two weekends before Easter.
An evening of student directed scenes presented by thespians from the Dearborn
Area Theatre Association will be February 10th at 7:00 p.m. This is a fundraiser for
the scholarships available for seniors who have participated in community and high
school theatre. Admission will be $5.00 at the door and this year is held at Divine
Child High. Each school will present up to four scenes from comedies and dramas.
Field trips to Meadowbrook and several other theatre venues are on the calendar
for the winter term. Keep looking for updates in The Infant and on Edline.
We appreciate your support for our programs.
Shmoop Adds Game Features
Digital curriculum and test preparation company Shmoop has added shmoints,
1,549 new literature quizzes and school leader boards to its website.
Shmoints are points students can use to earn leader board spots and can be earned in
a variety of ways, including: Logging in; Taking quizzes; Inviting friends; Signing up
for PSAT, SAT, ACT, CAHSEE, or AP test preps; Writing papers in the essay lab;
and Filling out your profile.
Currently, top scorers can earn t-shirts with additional prizes to come. "Shmoints
add a fun, competitive element to our ACT prep class. In fact, we are awarding
prizes to our students and tutors who score the most shmoints," said Serge
Danielson-Francois, librarian at Divine Child High School in Dearborn, MI.
"Shmoop turns tedious, required practice into measurable, shared fun. It's like Wii
for standardized testing.”
Shmoop features learning guides, test prep, and teacher resources with academically
rigorous materials and an irreverent style. It includes more than 7,000 titles for the
Internet, iOS devices, Android devices, Kindles, Nooks, and Sony Readers.
More information about shmoints is available at shmoop.com.
By Joshua Bolkan THE Journal
Link Crew
This year DC begins its first year with a new transition program for freshmen that
is very exciting. Link Crew is a program that welcomes freshmen and makes them
feel comfortable throughout the first year of high school. It is built on the belief that
students can help students succeed, so Link Crew is made up of juniors and seniors
who receive training in how to be mentors and positive role models to our frosh.
Link Crew helps frosh be successful during the transition to high school and works
to facilitate their success. Link Crew makes it easier for freshmen to receive support
and guidance from juniors and seniors who have been through the challenges that
high school poses, and who know that the
transition to a larger school can sometimes
be overwhelming.
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Each group of eight freshmen have two Link Leaders who help them make the leap
from all of our feeder schools to the larger canvas of high school. From the moment
they walk in the door and experience our new opening day orientation program put
on by Link Crew, to the individual and group meetings with their Crew Leaders,
freshmen receive support and keep in contact with their leaders throughout the year.
Link Crew also offers academic follow-ups with their freshmen, some of which are
presented within the classroom.
Last year, over 150 upperclassmen applied for membership within Link Crew, and a
diverse selection of outstanding student leaders were chosen to help the freshmen
this year. A number of our Link Crew leaders went with Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Welte,
Miss Pauline, and Mr. Young earlier this
fall to an extended training session at
North Farmington High School. We're
looking forward to next year already, and
continuing with Link Crew to help our
freshmen make the best of their high
school careers.
HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
3rd Annual University of Michigan Classics Campus & Class Visit: (Mr. Courage, Mr. Foye, Mr. Breen)
This past November, 45 of our AP Art History, AP & Honors Latin and Greek
upper level students traveled to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor for a full day
campus and classroom visit hosted by the university's Classics Department, which
is ranked top 5 in the country in Classics. During our visit, our students had the
unique opportunity to not only tour the campus but to also meet with professors
and university students while observing Art History, Classics Civilization, Latin and
Greek courses. Each student sat in on at least 2 classes; one lecture and one language
course. The students were able to see the connections between the program at the
high school and how the skills and techniques they are learning will translate and
transfer to the college level. This is the third year the Classics Department has invited
us to come and it is also the largest group we have taken. Each year, in the spring,
the professors visit the high school to continue working on our collaborative program
development projects, and to help mentor our students. We have been blessed to be
able to continue such a fruitful relationship with the Classics Department in Ann Arbor.
J.Mike Courage, Greek and Latin Teacher '98
DC in Detroit for the annual AP English Shakespeare Field Trip
Whether it's through clubs, sports teams, float-building, or in the classroom, the
time that classmates spend with each other can add up quickly over four years, and
often it could feel like when you're on a long car ride with your little sister; you love
her to death, yet sometimes you can't stand her. But great memories are made when
petty differences are overlooked and the recent experiences of our graduating class
have shown this to be true; for some they have even been unexpectedly profound.
Coming off the heels of an overnight senior retreat in Dewitt, Michigan, the senior
AP English students recently took a trip to the Hilberry Theater on the Wayne State
University campus to see Much Ado about Nothing. At this point, many of us had
been together nonstop since the retreat, yet everyone seemed to be looking forward
to spending even more time with one another in downtown Detroit. After the
performance was finished, a talkback with the actors took place, which was pretty
cool to experience. Since we had studied the work in class previously, many of us
found it intriguing to hear professionals voice their opinions and perspectives of the
play. Afterwards, we took a bus ride to a nearby, somewhat hidden little restaurant
called Traffic Jam, which is actually being featured on the Food Network in
November. As we practically took control of the restaurant and sat down with our
friends, I took a quick look around. It was clear that this was a time when everyone
was beginning to become even closer. Our entire section was full of laughter, and it
continued on the bus ride back to school as well. People who wouldn't normally talk
together were joking like old friends, drama kids with jocks, jocks with Forensics
team members and so on. It was reminiscent of what had happened on the retreat; I
had found myself cracking up during the group activities with kids I had never
talked to before. These experiences with each other happened so naturally that it was
something truly amazing to see. Within a week, the realization was dawning on us
that at the end of the day, the experiences that classmates share with one another go
a long way, and the hardships faced could be blessings in disguise. Bonds are created
from the time spent together, but we just don't recognize it right away. It has likely
been that way with every graduating class of Divine Child over the years, and it is
something that is happening in the current graduating class right now. While most
of us are looking forward to college and our futures, the few months of high school
that remain are shaping up to be something special. We will forever be linked as
Divine Child graduates, and it will be experiences like the senior retreat and the
Hilberry Theater that we will always remember.
Randy Kuzdak '12
Marching Band
Divine Child's Marching Band, along with the Pom Pon squad, performed in the
2011 America's Thanksgiving Parade in downtown Detroit.
“Disney's standards are very strict, what helped us this year is that we played at
the Magic Kingdom.” Bush said.
Members of the Divine Child Marching Band went wild after receiving news they
were picked to play in this year's 85th annual America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.
“They were anticipating (the decision),” said Robert Bush, director of Divine
Child Bands. “When we found out, they were just screaming.”
The Divine Child band performs at
every home football game and plays in
the school's homecoming parade each year.
The 50-member band,
along with the 20-member
Divine Child Pom Pon
team, marched in the
parade, an event that
annually draws thousands
of live spectators and over
a million TV audience.
Divine Child Band Chosen to Play in Detroit Thanksgiving
Day Parade also won the WDIV “Battle of the Bands”
Along with Director Robert Bush, this band participated
in Disney World's "Main Street USA" Parade at the
Magic Kingdom last February.
This 85-member band received a division one rating at the
MSBOA Marching Band Festival. The Divine Child High
School Marching Band has appeared in the Fort
Michilimackinac Memorial Day Parade, the Dearborn
Memorial Day Parade, and at The Chicago Field Museum.
Recently, the band has also played in
Hamtramck's Polish Day Parade and
the Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. At
the Hamtramck event, they were recognized
as the best marching unit, and in Dearborn,
honored with the Mayor's Award.
Also, the Divine Child Marching Band has earned several awards throughout the years
at the annual Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Marching Band Festival.
“We're extremely excited,”
said senior Drum Major
The Divine Child High School Marching Band performed
Jordan Solano-Reed.
“Sleigh Ride" at America's Thanksgiving Parade.
“Everyone was absolutely
enthralled at the idea of
playing in the Thanksgiving Day parade.” Bush said he submitted Divine Child's
application to The Parade Company in the early spring. Along with the written
application, he said, was video of the band playing at Disney World's Magic
Kingdom theme park in Florida-a trip it had just recently completed.
A parade selection committee, made up of talented and experienced musicians,
chooses from the hundreds of applications submitted by high school bands each
year. According to the website of WDIV-TV, which is a parade partner and
broadcasts the event live, 12 high school bands marched in 2010.
“For Divine Child, having just performed at Walt Disney World allowed the band
to stand out in the Detroit parade selection process. The selection committee likely
looked highly upon the fact that the band had been accepted to perform there.
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ALUMNI
Focus
Robert J. Pliska '65, CRE, CPA Receives The Public Service Award
From The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
Jeff Edmonds '05 OSFS, professed his first vows on August 20, 2011 at
St. Pius Church in Toledo, Ohio
Robert J. Pliska '65 - CRE, CPA, Managing Director, Sperry Van Ness,
Birmingham, Michigan was honored with the Public Service Award from the
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants at the Townsend
Hotel in Birmingham.
Mr. Pliska
received the award for his activities,
accomplishments, impact on the community,
commitment and innovation while
providing outstanding service as a valued
member of the profession. He has shown
his continual substantial involvement
with civic and community activities
throughout metropolitan Detroit, the
state of Michigan, and the United
States. The award is given once a year.
L-R Incoming 2012 MACPA Board
Chair John Pridnia, Public Service
Mr. Pliska was nominated from 18,000
award winner Robert Pliska '65, 2011
members of the Michigan Association
MACPA Board Chair Greg Nowak
of CPA's. Pliska has over 35 years of
commercial and investment real estate experience. He specializes in the sale,
leasing, financing, managing, consulting, accelerated marketing and auctioning
of apartments, office, industrial, retail and hotel properties and has secured
more than $1.5 billion in real estate transactions.
Congratulations to...
Mr. Jeffrey Edmonds '05, O.S.F.S.
Professed his First Vows as Oblates of St.
Francis de Sales on Saturday August 20,
2011. Mr. Edmonds will continue studies
at the Catholic University of America in
Washington D.C. Please pray for him
and for vocations to the priesthood and
religious life.
Pliska served as president and/or officer of several commercial real estate firms.
He also holds the prestigious CRE, the designation of an international group of
very high profile professionals that includes members of prominent real estate
firms. Only 1,100 practitioners throughout the world carry the CRE designation,
denoting the highest recognition in the real estate industry. His activities
include, among others, being on the
board for such organizations as the
International Institute of Detroit,
Childhelp USA, the Birmingham
Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra,
Holy Cross Children's Services,
Madonna University and Legatus.
He has been supportive of many
other organizations including
Michigan Bach Festival (past president),
Cranbrook Academy, Angel's
Place, Capuchins Soup Kitchen,
Child Abuse and Neglect Council,
Karamanos Cancer, the Parade
Company,
the
Smithsonian
Academy of Arts, the Detroit
Msgr. Ricardo Bass, Archbishop Allen H.
Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit
Vigneron, Robert Pliska '65
Institute of Arts, Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society, the Great
Lakes Music Festival, Birmingham Community House, Variety, Hospice of
Michigan, St Vincent de Paul Society, the Lennon Center, Cornerstone Schools,
and many others.
Additionally, he is active in many business related groups to improve his
profession including serving as president of the Commercial Board of Realtors,
the Communications Committee of the Counselors of Real Estate of the
National Association of Realtors, the Communications Committee of the
Michigan Association of Certified Public
Accountants, International Board Member and
Membership Chairman of an International CEO
group, Life Member of the Economic Club of
Detroit, Chairman and Treasurer of the Real Estate
Answer Forum, Detroit Chairman of the Real
Estate Cyberspace Society, Board of Directors of
the Real Estate Roundtable, member of the
Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce,
Robert Pliska '65 with
member of the International Council of Shopping
Steve Yzerman
Centers, member of the Association for
Corporate Growth, member of the alumni association of Michigan State
University and many other groups.
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Jeff Edmonds '05 pictured with family
after professing his first vows
Andrea (Costanzo) Reynolds '86
named Principal and Vice President
of JustAskBoo
Andrea (Costanzo) Reynolds '86 has
been named principal and vice president
of JustAskBoo, a South Florida-based
online newsletter that lets readers interact
by posting referrals, recommendations,
special events announcements and
advertisements. She will oversee the
company's advertising and sales initiatives,
including the hiring, training and
management of the company's sales
team, developing strategies for client
advertising campaigns and securing new
business. She began her career in media
buying for DDB Needham advertising
agency in Chicago. She then transitioned
to advertising sales at Turner
Broadcasting/Time Warner, where she
spent the majority of her career before
joining JustAskBoo.
Divine Child Alumna
Allison Ochmanek '02, is
one of the Fox Sports
Detroit Girls
Local sports fans routinely spot
Divine Child and Michigan State
graduate Allison Ochmanek '02
working as part of the
Fox Sports Detroit Girls
promotional team.
Allison O, originally from
Dearborn, now lives in L.A.,
where she's pursuing a career in acting and modeling. On top of her work with Fox
Sports Detroit, which includes being featured in on-air promos and appearing at local
community events, she has had roles on the TV shows "Entourage" and "House.”
Peoplemovers.com names Jackie Heiss '07 as Communications Manager
Peoplemovers.com, a social media network based in
Detroit, has hired Jackie Heiss '07 as communications
Manager. Heiss will be responsible for writing and
posting site updates, developing media relations, creating
promotional items, maintaining relationships with
Peoplemovers users and writing newsletters and news
releases. She will also be in charge of coordinating
networking events, training workshops, and informational
Jackie Heiss '07
presentations. Heiss graduated from Central Michigan
University with a bachelor of applied arts in integrative public relations with
a minor in event management. Peoplemovers.com is an online network for
communities where businesses, nonprofits, governments, houses of worship, and
individuals can collaborate to better the region.
ALUMNI
Focus
DC's Haase '11 Signs With Cleveland Indians
Mr. Baseball Has Turned Pro
Eric Haase '11, who was named Michigan's Mr. Baseball at the end of his senior
season at Divine Child, signed with the Cleveland Indians last week and has
reported to Goodyear, AZ, to play in the rookie-level Arizona League. A little
more than two days after passing a physical and having the commissioner's office
approval, the Indians announced the signing of Haase with a contract that features
a signing bonus of $580,000. Haase had been recruited to play college ball at Ohio
State, but chose the Indians instead after being selected in the seventh round of the
draft in June.
“I wanted to get started as soon as I could, but I wasn't
opposed to going to school at all,” said Haase. “The Indians
had to wait until after the trade deadline (July 31) before they
decided whether they wanted to sign me. “They contacted us
the next morning and I signed last Thursday. “It was tough to
wait, but that's the way things unfolded and now I'm just
excited to get going.”
Haase played a variety of positions during his four years on
the Falcons varsity squad, but he was drafted as a catcher and
that's where he plans to play. Coach Tony DeMare thinks it won't take long for
him to move up through the ranks. “Eric is a legit pro baseball player and the future
is promising for him,” said DC coach Tony DeMare. “He's got the skill set that
you'd expect from anyone drafted that highly out of high school, but he has a couple
other things working to his advantage.
“One is his work ethic. He is tireless. “The other thing is that his baseball IQ is
off the charts. He's an intelligent player and that slows the game down for him.
“He's never in a situation where things are moving too fast. He has a high comfort
level on the field and that translates into confidence.”
Haase batted .500 leading off for the Falcons this past season with 14 home runs,
15 doubles, three triples and 54 RBI. DC has won four state championships in the
past eight years, including 2010 and 2008 with
Haase in the lineup.
A number of outstanding players have contributed
to that success, but Haase is already unique.
“He's our school's first Mr. Baseball and that's
significant because we've had so many skilled
players through the years,” said DeMare.
“We've got three guys from our school playing pro ball and there will be 16 guys
in college baseball next season.”
One of those pros is Chris Rusin, a 2005 graduate who is in the Chicago Cubs
organization. “Chris needed a catcher in the off-season, so he came to the school
and threw to Eric and there's a connection there,” said DeMare. “All the guys are
thrilled for Eric. “Chris has been calling me all summer for updates on Eric.” The
latest is that Haase, just over two months removed from his final high school
game, is heading to Arizona alone to take on the world.
Life is good. “Every kid wants to be a big leaguer,” he said. “By the end of my
sophomore year and early in my junior year, the scouts were watching me and that
kind of started it all. “I've got a lot of people I can turn to for advice but, at the
same time, I guess I'll just be winging it out there.” Pressure? Culture shock?
Homesickness? DeMare isn't concerned. “Eric has presence,” he said. “He is
grounded, but he has confidence with who he is. He has the maturity to be a pro
right now.”
Divine Child grad debuts artwork at the Dearborn Homecoming
Dearborn resident and 2011Divine Child graduate Katie Mulligan (Daughter of
Ann (Gheesling) Mulligan '78) with her charcoal drawing of an iconic photo of
Hollywood legend James Dean. Mulligan, who began drawing and painting her
sophomore year, debuted her art at this year's Dearborn Homecoming festival.
Mulligan will head to Madonna University to study nursing in September. If a
nursing career doesn't happen, Katie Mulligan '11 could sell art. Her art. But she'd
rather it stay a hobby.
“I just like doing it on the side for fun,” Mulligan said. The 18-year-old recent
Divine Child graduate and Dearborn resident prefers doing charcoal drawings,
but finds painting with watercolors more relaxing. Until her sophomore year at
DC, Mulligan had no idea she could draw.
After taking a drawing class that year, she discovered she had a knack.
“It was fun,” Mulligan said. “I really enjoyed it.” She learned painting next, and
has filled blank canvas' ever since. For inspiration, Mulligan often looks to scenes
in National Geographic magazines. She recreates the photos that move her with
her paints.
When drawing, she tends to do
portraits of favorite movie stars,
including James Dean, Carey Grant
and Brittany Murphy. Mulligan, not
assuming anything, politely explained
who each of the three actors was,
including her modern favorite
Murphy, who died most recently in
December 2009.
“I really like drawing people, famous
or not,” Mulligan said. “I can draw or
(Photo by Julie Walker
Katie Mulligan '11
Altesleben/ P&G) paint any photo.” Each piece can take
her anywhere from an hour to a few
days; the more details, the more time. Some she completes in just one hour. All
that artwork started to pile up, though, which led to her first gig at this year's 32nd
Annual Homecoming Festival, which took place Friday through Sunday.
“We had so many of my drawings and paintings lying around, and my Mom wanted
to see what we could do with them,” Mulligan said. After contacting the Dearborn
Community Arts Council, Mulligan's work was OK'd to be sold at the council's
information tent, located on top of the hill along Cherry Hill.
Mulligan, who also works at Sweet Peas Baby Boutique, stopped in each day to
hang out for a bit, and check on sales. Her prices ranged from $35 to more than
$100, with an agreed 30 percent of each sale to go to the Arts Council for housing
the goods.
In September, Mulligan heads to Madonna University to begin her pre-nursing
program, where she will complete courses including Algebra, Chemistry and Biology.
If all goes well, she'll enter the regular nursing program and complete her degree.
Her next step after that would be working at a hospital for a year, before heading
back to school for two more years to become a nurse anesthetist, a nurse who
specializes in the administration of anesthesia. Normally, Mulligan said, the
hospital foots the bill for the additional schooling. Either way, she's excited to
begin her schooling and training.
Until then, Mulligan plans to keep on creating art, whether she makes money or not.
“I wouldn't want to make a career out of it,” she said. “It'd take the fun out of it.”
Even so, she's not completely against making money on the side.
Anybody interested in having custom artwork done can contact Mulligan at
[email protected]. Prices are negotiable.
Motor City Mojo: The Startup Renaissance In Detroit
A group of talented and motivated entrepreneurs in Detroit want to rejuvenate the
city. It's a chance to show what's right about America. A dozen of Detroit's top
founders discussed what it's like to start a company in what's probably the most
economically depressed city in the country. While their businesses were different
and they didn't agree on everything, they all shared one thing: a strong feeling that
the Detroit of the future will be better than the Detroit of the present.
The meeting came together in large part due to the efforts of Ben Bator, the
founder of Texts from Last Night, a somewhat random idea that spawned a website
with four million monthly unique visitors, a book and a development deal with
Sony Television. Ben is the kind of the guy who could start a company anywhere
but instead has chosen to grow his
company in Detroit and help to
provide jobs in the community
that he grew up in.
The renaissance in Detroit is one
that spans generations. It includes
guys like Andrew Rauh '11, a guy
who Peter Thiel should be actively
recruiting for his 20 Under 20 Andrew Rauh '11 far left
program. Andrew, a 2011 Graduate
of Divine Child High School and a freshman at the University of Michigan, has
already started one company and been featured by Fast Company. Andrew's
resume is one of the most impressive of any teenager I've encountered and
includes being published by Johns Hopkins University, finishing 3rd in an
International Science Fair and raising money for Haiti after the earthquake.
9
www.divinechildhighschool.org
ATHLETICS
Update
Congratulations to Divine Child High School
Athletes who Signed National Letters of Intent
to Play their Sport in College
Cara Miller
(Michigan State - Basketball)
Rosanna Reynolds
(U of D Mercy - Basketball)
Ellyn Nedwicki
(U of D Mercy - Soccer)
Randy Kuzdak
(Wayne State - Baseball who's
Head Coach is Ryan Kelly '95)
Girls Volleyball goes undefeated for the first time
in League Play
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www.divinechildhighschool.org
ATHLETICS
Update
Fall Round Up
GIRLS GOLF: The Girls Golf Team finished 2nd in the All-Area
Tournament and 4th in the State Regional. Junior Natalie Blazo
qualified for the MHSAA Individual State Finals for the second
year in a row.
BOYS TENNIS: The Team finished with a 5-3-1 record in dual
matches. Also, had a 2-0-1 record winning the AA Division of the
Catholic League. The team missed qualifying for the State
Tournament by just two points.
VOLLEYBALL: The Varsity completed a perfect 8-0 season in the
AA Division of the Catholic League. The Freshmen and JV Teams
each finished 6-2 in the division.
Natalie Blazo rips a drive
down the 10th fairway at
the Dearborn Country
Club. Daughter of (David
'77 and Theresa
(Bernocco) Blazo '80
FOOTBALL: Varsity finished 4-4.
The JV finished the season 5-3,
winning four of their last five games.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: The Girls won
their eighth consecutive All-Area Championship,
Falcon Invitational and the Regional Meets. The
Team placed 12th in the State Meet.
All-State Honorable Mention
Kicker Sr. Andrew Fulan
The champs from Divine
Child pose with the hardware
after winning a third straight
regional title.
Coach Mifsud Honored
Congratulations to Girls Cross
Country Coach Tony Mifsud who was
selected by the Girls' Track Coaches
Association and honored as their Girls'
Track Coach of the Year at the 53rd
Annual Michigan High School Coaches
Association Coach of the Year Banquet
on November 6, 2011.
Tony Mifsud with his wife Jewell,
and five grandchildren (two not
present), Mr. & Mrs. William Mays
(Mr. Mays his mentor)
Lindsey and Mackenzie Brewis run
second and third for Divine Child at
the State Regionals (Daughters of
Rick '75 and Denise Brewis)
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: The Boys won the Falcon Invitational, the All-Area Meet for
the third consecutive year and placed 1st in the Regional meet for the third time. They placed
13th in the State meet where Nick Soter and Griffin Miller received All State Honors.
BOYS SOCCER:The Varsity Soccer Team won the Catholic League Championship on
October 12 with a 4-1 victory over Notre Dame Prep. Varsity played in the District
Championship game, but lost 2-1 to Trenton HS.
The Divine Child boys' cross
country team celebrates with
the trophy after winning a third
straight Regional Championship.
Boys Cross Country
Three-peat as
Regional Champs
Nick Soter runs away with
first place at the Division 2
regional at Lake Erie
Metro Park
Divine Child's Evan Heiss set a record for goals scored in
a single season and led the Falcons to the district final
before they bowed out with a loss to Trenton.
Boys Soccer Claims
Catholic League
Championship
A muddy Michelle Kerr
won the race and led
Divine Child t o t h e
t e a m championship at
the Division 2 regional
meet (Daughter of Tim
'77 and Denise (Uetz)
Kerr '78)
Girls Cross Country Captured 3rd
Consecutive Regional Crown
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www.divinechildhighschool.org
ALUMNI
Updates
Laszlo Hideg '75 - I'm a 1975
Stacie (DeBoer) Erickson '02 - Stacie and her husband Zach welcomed their
graduate, and as a band alumnus, I
performed with the band during the
Homecoming 2011 game. I was
told that I was the eldest alumni to
participate to date.
first child on February 10, 2011. Their daughter, Eila Shea, weighed in at 7lbs and
measured 21in. They reside in Caledonia, near Grand Rapids, Michigan.
I appreciate the education provided
by Divine Child High School. For
example, as a student I was able to
compete in the Metro Detroit
Science Fair with robots I fabricated
and it led me to obtain an engineering
PhD in robotics.
Angela (Cowan) Kraetke '00 - Angela who is an English teacher at Divine
Child High School is also the Head Coach for the Divine Child 7th and 8th grade
CYO cheer team. She has lead the cheer team to back to back fall Championships.
As an ending to a strong sideline season, 39 cheerleaders competed on Sunday,
November 13, 2011 at the CYO Fall championship competition at Divine Child
High School. The 7th and 8th grade team placed first in the Varsity Division
1competition. The team is also coached by DC Alumni Shannon Blicharz '07 and
Kaitlyn Belcher '08. The 5th and 6th grade team placed third in the JV Division 1.
The 5th and 6th grade team is coached by alumni Katie (Koch) Koveleski '97,
Casey Schroeder '11 and DC Junior Paige Zubok '13.
Michelle (Matusz) Arbini '03 and Anthony Arbini '01 - Michelle and
Anthony were married at the Church of the Divine Child on October 30, 2010 and
hosted a reception for their loving
family and friends at The
Henry Hotel. The two met
five years earlier in class at the
University of Michigan Dearborn. Tony now works as
an art teacher in the South
Lyon School District and
Michelle works as a catering
sales director in Southfield.
They just recently bought
their first home in Livonia,
Michigan and have together
been tackling a few remodeling
projects in their spare time!
A Divine Child Wedding on Homecoming!
Matthew Simonie '03 and Meghan Sarb '04 celebrated the Sacrament of
Marriage on Saturday, September 24, 2011(Homecoming) at the Church of the
Divine Child. The entire wedding party was or will be Divine Child graduates!
We wish the happy couple much love and happiness!
Pictured from left to right: Tim Sarb '07, Umberto Berlasi
'03, Dan Butan '03, Chris Sarb '15, Aaron Peacock '03,
Mike Flis '03, Matthew Simonie - Groom '03, Meghan
Sarb-Bride '04, Lauren Straub '04, Kari Belmore '04,
Jennifer Stanton '04, Kathleen Sarb '12, Amy Burley '04,
Katherine Donohue'96
Bethany Stawasz '04 - Bethany graduated cum laude from Wayne State
University Law School in May 2011, where she was a Dean's Scholar and recipient of the Frederica K. Lombard Scholarship. During law school, she served as a
Note Editor for The Journal of Law in Society and as a teaching assistant to
Professor Kristin C. Theut. Bethany had the opportunity to intern for the
Michigan Court of Appeals in Detroit, to clerk at Trott & Trott PC in Farmington
Hills, and to work as a Summer Associate for Clark Hill PLC.
Sherry Belch '02 - The bride-to-be, daughter of
Vince and Sandi Belch of Canton, is a 2002 graduate of
Divine Child High School. She teaches first grade at St.
Damian School, in Westland. Her fiancé, son of Rich
and Judy Szymanski of Redford, graduated in 2002
from Catholic Central High School. He is a CPA at
Plante & Moran. A December 2011 wedding is planned
at St. Damian Church, in Westland.
Sherry Belch and Keith
Szymanski
12
www.divinechildhighschool.org
Bethany is now an Associate Attorney with Clark Hill's Litigation Practice Group
in Detroit. She continues to serve as a member of the City of Westland Historical
Commission and is an active member of the Polish National Alliance. Bethany
still manages to find time to play the harp for herself.
Class of 2006 & 2007 - Divine Child Alumni from the class of 2006 and 2007
at Grand Valley State's homecoming in late October 2011.
L-R: Karen Hain '06,
Guillermo Perez '07, Allison
Staley '07, Mary Pritchard
'06, Stephanie Plona '06,
Joshua Plona '07
ALUMNI
Updates
Brianna Gardner '06 - Brianna has been
Seven alumni make their way back to Divine Child High School
working in the film industry for quite some
time now, she just finished a movie in
Toronto and also worked on a few shows in
LA such as "The Office" and "Community."
Brianna was also nominated for 2 Emmys this
past summer and won an Emmy last year! She
discovered her passion for filmmaking in
her film studies class at DC. She is back in
Dearborn for a little while until she makes the
permanent move to Los Angeles. Her latest
ventures can be seen at www.briannagardner.com.
Michelle (Szabo) Slaviero '90 - Troy, Michigan December 7, 2011 --Michelle
Slaviero, a teacher at Boulan Park Middle School in the Troy School District, has
earned the highest credential available to American educators by recently becoming
a National Board Certified Teacher (Early Adolescence--Social Studies/History)
through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
National Board Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based
assessment of a teacher's pedagogical skills and content knowledge. The certification
takes one to three years to complete.
While state licensing systems set the basic requirements to teach in each state,
National Board Certified Teachers have demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge,
skills and practices. NBPTS certification identifies qualified teachers as leaders in
their field, much like the certifications earned by experts in law and medicine.
Completion of NBPTS's National Board Certification process signifies that the
certificated teachers have developed and demonstrated the skills required of a true
education professional.
Members from the '61 and
'71 Catholic League and State
Standing: Elisa Noeske '00 - English/Director of Musical, Gerogina
Delgado '00 - Spanish, Darcie (Martin) Ruby '00 - Science, Eric
Haley '98 - Assistant Principal/Dean of Students/Head Coach Soccer
Sitting: Karah Mcphail '05 - Religion/JV Cheer, Patrice (Rapin)
Leich '01 - Math, Lynn (Lapshan) Schumaker '01 - Math
FIFTY YEARS IN THE MAKING
The Reunion of the century is in the planning.
• Event will take place in Dearborn.
• The Divine Child Classes of
'62, '63, '64, and '65 will be contacted.
For Inquiries contact:
• Jennette Langlois (313) 561-7308 or [email protected]
• Dwayne Kremko (313) 530-7535 or [email protected]
Please email us to make sure we have your and other classmates
contact information. Your help will make this event a success.
Champions were honored
October 8, 2011. The Catholic
League also honored the 1961
Championship Team at Ford
Field October 22, 2011 during
the Catholic League Prep Bowl.
The 1961 State
Championship Football
Team Trophy which was
misplaced 12 years ago was
re-made from a yearbook
photo and donated back to
Divine Child from Dwayne
Kremko '62, Mike Surdyk '62,
Jack Rychlicki '63, and Jim
Zaya '62. A special thank
you to those gentlemen for
replacing our first state
championship trophy!
1961 State Championship Trophy
Mike Bourlier '63, Coach Tony Versacci, Mike Surdyk '62, Al Stabrava '63,
Erv Piontek '63
Photo taken by Dwayne Kremko '62
Vocations
Please pray for these Divine Child High School graduates who are discerning God's call to the priesthood and religious life.
Jeff Allen '97 - Jeff a 1997 graduate and a parishioner at St. Collette, Livonia, is in
formation for the priesthood in Detroit.
Jeffrey Edmonds '05 - Jeffrey a 2005 graduate and a parishioner at St. Mary,
Wayne, entering the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
Ann Yoches '97 - Anne a 1997 graduate and former Divine Child parishioner, is in
formation for the Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. of Steubenville.
Mark Quaine '07 - Mark a 2007 graduate and a parishioner at Sacred Heart,
Dearborn, entering the Seminary to discern and study for the priesthood in Detroit.
13
www.divinechildhighschool.org
REUNIONS
The Class of 1971 celebrated their 40 year reunion on August 7, 2011. The events started the day before with a Golf Outing at the TPC Dearborn. The events the day
of the reunion included Mass at the Church of the Divine Child, DC High School Tour and Dinner Cruise aboard the Detroit Princess. The cruise traveled up the
Detroit River to the mouth of Lake St. Clair and then back towards the Ambassador Bridge for roughly a 16 mile voyage. The cruise also included live entertainment.
The Dearborn Homecoming was the same weekend which had various activities to enjoy.
The Class of 1981 celebrated their 30 year reunion on August 13, 2011. The all day event started with an afternoon golf scramble at Fox
Creek in Livonia. The main event took place that evening at George Murphy's in Livonia where alumni and guests enjoyed a buffet
dinner reception and afterglow mixer. It was a wonderful evening
catching up with old friends and reminiscing about the glory days
at Divine Child.
Elaine (Majcher) Brand, Doreen
(Fenech) Reardon, Colleen
Corrigan, Patrice Czapski,
Eileen (McNamara) Dunleavy
The Class of 1986 celebrated
our 25 year reunion
Saturday November 26,
2011 at the Novi Sheraton.
Alumni and guests enjoyed
dinner and afterglow mixer.
The event was a great success
and a wonderful time had by
all who attended.
Guest (Stagner Halprin) Mike
Cascardo, Christine (Tucker) Jamison,
Cheryl (Assenmacher) Sellers
Patrice Czapski, Nancy (Donavan)
Valenti, Mary (Bihun) Boes (top),
Doreen (Fenech) Reardon, Ann
Marie (Brookshire) Ellis
Class of 81 Freshmen Cheer Team
Back Row:
Jack Furlong,
Al Rygiel,
Kevin Zahar,
Kevin Adams,
Frank Iaquinta,
Joe Hart
Mary Beth (Stagner) Halprin, Kevin Rob Schnieders, Tom Wong,
Quinn, Dave Shevock, Amy (Currier) Amy (Currier) Kleinlein
Kleinlein, Catherine (Sall) Tulauskas
Steve Andreoli, Liz Shea, Rob
Schnieders
Paul Hatty, Cesar Roman
Front row: Paul Uetz, Jim Thomas, Al Stachowiak, Ricky
Genslak, Chirs Long, Brendan O Leary, Kevin Ellis (Anne
Santeiu's husband), Brian Quinn
Tony Oliverio, Guest Mrs.
(Oliverio), Brian Chadwick, Ed
DeGuzman, Dave Bach
Ann-Marie (Abundis) Carravallah,
Cesar Roman, Tom Dohring,
Guest Mrs. (Dohring)
The Class of 1991 celebrated our 20 year reunion on September 24, 2011. The schedule of events included a 9am tour of DC High, a tailgate before the homecoming
football game and a dinner/dance at the Novi Sheraton that evening. Over 100 people attended the dinner/dance that included a DJ, a photo booth and a slideshow of
high school pictures. The party
continued into the wee hours of
the morning in a lounge area in
the hotel. Everyone left with
smiles on their faces and a strong
appreciation for the experience
we had together during those
four years at Divine Child.
Thanks for the memories.
Ann Marie (Detkos) Cardenas,
Brendan Carey, Lauren (Leszczynski) Kaye Ann (Pappas) Starosciak,
Jeff Stone, Greg Majeske
Amy (Bimberg) Sullivan,
Katie (Bloomquist) Walter,
Rebecca Kesler, Brian O'Donnell Terry McDonnell, Kristen
(Rash) Wheeler, Jim Solak
The Class of 2001celebrated our 10 year reunion at
Genitti's Hole-in-the-Wall in Northville,
November 26, 2011. There was about 60 people
that came - had music, food, drinks and lots of
socializing - some classmates now live out of
state so we had not seen each other in quite a long
time. Also, we played the senior year VHS tape,
which was funny to watch all together again!
14
www.divinechildhighschool.org
Pellerito, DCHS Teacher Roz
Astourian, Matt Starosciak
Elizabeth Jarosz
Steve Bellino, Brendan Carey,
Jonathan Steffes
Kristen (Gusfa) Palmer, Michelle
(Marini) Buchanan, Shane Anders,
Korina Kolbusz, Felicia (Gach)
Amanda Torok, Cathie Kibit,
Melanie (Stack) Sulkowski, and
Rachel Hofner
Mike Brockway, Mike Carpenter, Chris
Grabowski, Megan (Hamilton) Madge, Brian
Gough (married to Kristine Umlauf), Jennifer
Moore, Steve VanCamp, and Patrick Witt
Aaron Frank
Jen Mies, Chris Grabowski, and
Amanda Torok
ALUMNI
Events
Falcon 5k Run
The 19th Falcon 5k Run was held August 13, 2011. Hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages
and abilities participated in this event which started at Levagood Park. Three events that day
included the free Tot Trot, Mile Fun Run followed by the 5K Run. Thank you to Jack Demmer
Automotive Group - Jim Demmer '75, for sponsoring this event.
Nearly 200 runners raced down Silvery Lane in Dearborn
at the 19th Annual Falcon 5K Saturday August 13, 2011
A group of kids leads the charge in the one-mile fun run
at Levagood Park, prior to the start of the Falcon 5K
Divine Child Golf Classic
The Annual Divine Child Golf Classic was held on August 27, 2011. This year's
four-man scramble was hosted at the Dearborn Country Club. Golfers enjoyed 18
holes of golf with cart, lunch at the turn, a buffet dinner and reception in the main
ballroom, ice cream sundae bar, awards and prizes. Next year's Golf Classic is
tentatively scheduled at the Dearborn Country Club Saturday August 11, 2011.
Many alumni pictured enjoyed this event.
Special Thank You to our “Hole” Sponsors
Commercial Lawn Mower - John Murphy '72, Dearborn Italian Bakery, The New
Double Olive - Steve Guibord '93, Edge Finance - David Childs '78, Educational
Data Systems - Kevin Schnieders '90, Henry Ford Community College, Hemming,
Polaczyk, Cronin, Whittoff & Bennett PC - Chris Polaczyk, Great Lakes Foot and
Ankle Institute - Dr. Matthew Hansen '93, Jeffrey A. Stone - Class of 1991
2011 Champions - Joel Fabris '95,
Darren Fabris '94, Steve Guibord '93,
Kevin Jonca '95
Dr. Matthew Hansen '93, Tom
Barszczowski, Tom Barszczowski Jr.
'97, Brian Jonca '93
Andiamo - Dearborn, Dearborn Country
Club, Detroit Tigers, Divine Child Alumni
Association, The New Double Olive - Steve
Guibord '93, Edge Finance - David Childs
'78, Riddell - Brad Dickey '88, Spartan Forms
INC - John Martin '77, Mike Prevost '77
Jason McKelvey '92, Jeff Zelazney, '92,
Aaron Markavich '92, Bill Anders '93
Mike Surdyk '62, Dwayne Kremko '62,
Roy Kowalski, Jim Zaya '62
Dave Childs '78, Bill Madek, Tim
Cronyn, Mark Madek
Brian O'Donnell '91, Jim Solak '91, Stan
Wieckowski '94, Ryan Stupakis '94
Dustan Opiela, Mike Opiela '72,
Greg Sheremet, Eric Opiela
Hole in One Sponsors
Jack Demmer Automotive Group - Jim
Demmer '75, Varsity Ford - Jeff Stanford '95
Gift Sponsors
Dan Kisabeth '96, Drew Kisabeth '98,
Danny Harris '98, Charlie Ciuffeteli
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www.divinechildhighschool.org
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
PERMIT NUMBER 839
Divine Child High School
Office of Advancement
25001 Herbert Weier Drive
Dearborn, MI 48128-1045
ALWAYS A FALCON!
Key Upcoming Dates
JANUARY
28-29 Science Fair Weekend
29
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
FEBRUARY
1/30-2/3 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
8
Open House
12
Msgr. Weier & Kucyk Scholarship Recital
MARCH
3
Auction
22-25 Spring Musical
28
Freshmen Orientation (Class of 2016)
31
Freshmen Registration (Class of 2016)
APRIL
28
Prom
MAY
2
20
May Crowning/Alumni Legacy Photo
Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement
Calling All 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Students!
You are invited to attend Divine Child High School's
Open House February 8, 2012 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Any questions please call 313.562.1990.
D-N-A Prints Publishing, Dwayne Kremko
648 S. Brady, Suite A & B
Dearborn, Michigan 48124
[email protected]
313.530.7535
Paving the Way to Excellence Divine Child Alumni Association
Brick Paver Program
Personalized brick pavers are an ideal way
to honor or memorialize special Falcons or
significant events in their lives. Consider a
paver for current Falcons' academic or athletic
achievements, in celebration of graduation, or
to honor a fellow alumnus/a. They make a
great Christmas or graduation gift! Pavers are
placed in a position of prominence in the walkway
at the Divine Child High School entrance.
Bricks can accommodate up to three lines of
text with 11 characters on each line, not to
exceed 26 total characters. Cost $100.00.
Proceeds benefit the Divine Child Alumni
Association Foundation.
Contact the Alumni and Parish Relations
office at 313-216-0892 for more information
or to place your order.