MPScapades - Mercyhurst Preparatory School

mpscapades
A magazine
for alumni and friends
of Mercyhurst Prep
In this issue
2016 Laker Legends
Scholarship Gala, pg. 6
Next 90 Renovations, pgs. 14-15
Winter 2016
A Sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy
2
FROM THE DESK
OF OUR PRESIDENT
Ed Curtin
CONTENTS
2
President’s Letter
3
Alumni President’s
Letter
ercyhurst Preparatory School has always been Marked by Pride and Spirit
M
and will continue in this manner long into the future. How blessed we are atop
this special hill to have provided 90 wonderful years of a Catholic education in
the Mercy tradition. The Sisters of Mercy, visionaries and pioneers, have worked
tirelessly to ensure that this would be so. I am proud to have come to work each
day for the past 26 years in this wonderful Mercy school; a school which was
established by enlightened sisters. I am proud, as well, that we maintain the
charism of Mercy, which consists of the core values of justice, service, hospitality,
concern for the dignity of all persons, and compassionate presence. For us, they
are not simply words we speak, but values which we hold in very high regard, and
which we endeavor to live out on a daily basis.
As I move through my first year as president I have been able to witness, through
our wonderful alums, that Mercy is indeed being spread throughout the entire
world. Our students take seriously our commitment to instill a passion for the
possible, and I am edified at the many ways this comes to fruition.
In the four years spent at Mercyhurst Prep, our students are exposed to many
interesting and important ideas and the true gift is that they are able to shape
them into worldviews that suit each person. We are committed to creating a
community in which all may deepen their spiritual awareness, broaden their intellectual endeavors, strengthen their personal integrity, enhance their individual
talents, and embrace their global responsibility. We continue to strive toward a
reality that a “Laker” can be anything, and everything.
Evidence to these sentiments abound in the following pages, with incredible
alumni stories demonstrating our graduate’s profound promulgation of the core
values of the charism of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. I hope it
inspires all to share in this essential ministry.
23
Alumni Spotlight
13
Upcoming Reunions
16-22
Class Notes
14-15
Next 90
Cover: Betsy & Bill Vorscheck
Library/Research Center
Editor
Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer ’71
Photography
Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer '71, Gary
Laboski and DAS Photography
Contributing Writers
Ed Curtin, Marilee Warner, ’78 and
Lisa Nietupski
MPScapades Graphic Designer
Michele A. Martin
MPScapades is published two
times a year for the Mercyhurst
Prep community. We welcome your
articles, suggestions and comments.
Please direct your correspondence
to its editor, Marcia Izbicki
Gensheimer at 814-824-2067 or
[email protected].
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
538 East Grandview Blvd.
Erie, PA 16504-2697
W: mpslakers.com
T: @mpslakers.com
FB: facebook.com/mpslakers
I: mpslakers
In Mercy,
Ed Curtin
Volume 36, Number 1
WINTER 2016
Check us out at mpslakers.com
3
ALUMNI
FROM THE DESK OF OUR ALUMNI
PRESIDENT Marilee Warner ‘78
As we enter into 2016, I reflect upon the past year
with pride and admiration and look forward to the
exciting ventures that are being set forth for the
New Year. MPS is a unique school that continues
to maintain high standards and continues to
grow each year. The achievements that have been
accomplished by past and present students are
extraordinary. And our accomplishments could
not have been achieved without the help from our
faculty, staff, alums, current students, donors and all
others who recognize MPS for its greatness.
With that said, each year the Alumni Board of Governors carefully chooses
recipients for our Distinguished Alumni Awards who will be honored on
Saturday, March 5, at the Laker Legends Scholarship Gala. These individuals
have demonstrated outstanding qualities set forth in each specific award and
we are honored and proud to have chosen this year’s winners. A complete list
of awardees can be found on page 6. We invite everyone to celebrate, honor,
and congratulate these Distinguished Awardees at the Gala.
In other exciting news, the Alumni Association is proud to announce the 1st
Annual All-Class MPS Reunion Weekend 2016. Activities begin Friday, August
4th with the Golden Anniversary Luncheon for alums celebrating 50 years or
more from Mercyhurst Prep and Mercyhurst Seminary, and alumni interested
in attending. On Saturday, August 5, the festivities continue with a party
at the Bayfront Convention Center where all classes will join together and
celebrate! Spouses and significant others are encouraged to attend. Tickets
can be purchased online at mpslakers.com/reunionweekend. The weekend
will conclude on Sunday, August 7, with a mass and tour of MPS. The All Class
MPS Reunion Weekend will be an event where old friends reconnect and new
friends are made with alumni of all ages.
Being a ‘Laker’ is not just a name – it is a commitment – a proud commitment
to excellence that we have pledged throughout our years at MPS, whether
as students or alumni. So for 2016, let us not forget that we are all one
community…we are all MPS - MARKED by PRIDE and SPIRIT - let’s continue
this tradition and set forth new records in 2016.
Have a happy and blessed 2016!
Marilee Warner ‘78
Alumni President
PLEASE NOTE: In order to help reduce waste, you are receiving one
issue of MPScapades per household. If you would like an additional issue,
please contact us at 814-824-2066 or email [email protected].
WE’VE LOST AN ICON
We were saddened
by the death of
Sister Maura
Smith, RSM on
November 13, 2015.
She was in her 69th
year of religious life.
Sr. Maura, principal
of Mercyhurst
Preparatory School from 1977-87, was
responsible for implementing the
International Baccalaureate program,
started Campus Ministry, began the
mandatory service hour requirement
and also started the rowing
program. She will be dearly missed.
You can read her full obituary in our
e-newsletter, Laker Life, which can be
found at mpslakers.com/publications/
November 13, 2015 issue.
CALLING ALL MPS
INTERNATIONAL
BACCALAUREATE
PROGRAM ALUMNI
I think, therefore IB!
If this statement makes you smile,
chances are you have been part of
the Mercyhurst Prep International
Baccalaureate program.
MPS IB diploma and certificate
recipients are invited to become part
of a new private Facebook group
devoted to networking with each
other and with current and future MPS
IB students. The MPS IB Facebook
group is an opportunity for you, your
fellow IB alums, and current students
to share information about education,
career and life. You will also be invited
to take part in occasional surveys to
offer input into the MPS IB program.
To join the group, please go to
facebook.com/mpsib. For more
information go to mpslakers.com
or contact Kathy Donovan at
[email protected].
4
TAKE YOUR SEAT FOR THE NEXT 90
Performing Arts Center
TRANSFORMATION
It’s the project for which so many have been waiting. The transformation from “Audi” to
Performing Arts Center is on track to begin the summer of 2016. The renovations include new, comfortable seating with full storage underneath as well as climate control, first class acoustics,
lighting, and onstage/backstage renovations.
The renovations will vastly improve the audience experience for Performing Arts Department
musicals, plays, concerts and dance performances. Students will surely appreciate the
upgrades during liturgies and assemblies.
Your help is needed in the campaign to raise funds for this PAC (Performing Arts Center) project.
Please consider sponsoring
a seat in your family’s name or in the name of a loved one. You can find details in
this newsletter on pages 14-15 and also at mpslakers.com/next90.
Save the date of October 15, 2016, to attend a Broadway style review at Mercyhurst Prep, featuring invited alumni
soloists, including Nick Adams ‘01 and Eric Scioto ’93. The event will raise funds for the project and will offer an
opportunity for performing arts alumni to join in a huge production number. Interested alumni can contact
Art Martone ’80 for details at [email protected].
Opportunities for naming sponsorships
If you are in a position to have a major impact on our Performing Arts Center, please consider naming sponsorship of the
PAC and of many of the areas within. Please contact Lisa Nietupski at [email protected].
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA
PRESENTATION
Congratulations to our 2015 Mercyhurst Prep International
Baccalaureate Diploma recipients pictured here with their advisor.
L to r (back): Dan Fitzgerald, Brennen Staaf,
Devin Petit, and Alex Kruszewski;
(front) Katie Butler, Julia (Zhiyi) Zhu,
IB director Mrs. Kathy Donovan,
Lauren Petrella and Amanda Simmons.
5
KATIE SHERIFF
SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENT
PLEASE JOIN US FOR
THE SECOND ANNUAL
LAKER GLOW 5K AND
1 MILE FUN WALK.
Saturday, April 16, 2016 @ 7:30 PM
@ Mercyhurst Preparatory School
For registration and information,
please go to:
runsignup.com/Race/Erie/
LakerGlow5k
For sponsorship opportunities go to:
mpslakers.com/lakerglow.
Contact Karen Groshek @
814-824-2161 or
[email protected]
Current senior Ashley Khouri
was the 2015 recipient of the
Katie Sheriff Scholarship. As
the awardee, she received a
$4,500 stipend that enabled
her to study abroad this
past summer in a country of
her choice. Ashley chose to
travel to Italy. She said, “It
was definitely an incredible
experience and it is truly a
blessing that the Sheriffs have
been allowing MPS students
to have similar opportunities
for the past twelve years.”
The scholarship is awarded
annually in memory of Katie
Sheriff ’97.
Ashley Khouri in Venice, Italy
2016
Laker Legends
Scholarship
Gala
You are invited
&
The Roaring 20s at Mercyhurst Prep
Honoring Laker Legends
Changing Student Lives
THIS YEAR’S HONOREES:
Distinguished Alumni Award for Career
Dr. Ellen Dailey ’71
Distinguished Alumni Award for Service
Sister Mary Felice Duska, RSM ’52
Young Alumni Award
Andrew A. Dulin, Major, USAF ’00
Mercy Award
Feed the Hungry-Nancy Zimmerman
and Team
Laker Legend Philanthropy Award
Marco and Betsy Monsalve
Laker Sports Legend
Angie Potthoff ’92
You are cordially invited to join us for
The Roaring 20s at Mercyhurst Prep
March 5, 2016
6 PM Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
7 PM Dinner Stations
8 PM Honoree Recognition & Auction
9 PM Entertainment
Black Tie Optional or
Your Best Roaring 20s Wear
$90 Per Person / Open Bar
rsvp
BY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
For additional information and reservations, please go to mpslakers.com/gala or
contact Karen at [email protected] or 814-824-2161.
7
Memories
from
The Olevnik
Sisters
A MERCYHURST FAMILY
Eileen, Elaine and Jan
Eileen Olevnik Rappaport (Class of ’65)
spent her freshman and sophomore years
at Mercyhurst Seminary, at Mercyhurst
College, but graduated from the “new”
Preparatory School. Elaine Olevnik
Frank (Class 0f ‘67) was in the first class
to complete all four years on the hill. The
prep school was firmly settled in its new
home when Jan Olevnik Alexiou (Class
of ’71) started her four years there.
Eileen: We wore the original 1930s’
school uniform navy blue jumper with
a starched white blouse. For Mass and
special events we added a short navy
cape, beanie and white gloves.
Elaine: The uniform changed, at the
new school, to plaid pleated skirts, white
shirts, and navy blazers. We still wore
beanies and gloves for Mass.
As we celebrated Thanksgiving 2015 together, we reminisced about
growing up in Erie. It occurred to us that our combined tenure at
Mercyhurst spanned a decade, from 1961 to 1971. We all agree that this
was an exciting and tumultuous time in history, when life for young
Americans was rapidly changing and we were changing with it.
Jan: There were more lay teachers, including a number of MEN. That was a real
change on campus.
Eileen: John Kennedy was our new president, bringing with him Jackie and the
Camelot era, the Peace Corps, and the space program. In the pre-Beatles era, we
enjoyed Elvis Presley, Chubby Checker, and early Motown music. Our dances at
Mercyhurst included themed decorations, dance cards, chaperones, corsages, and
dates in sport coats and ties.
Elaine: The most horrifying event of my freshman year, was the assassination of
the President. Mere months later, the Beatles exploded on the music scene, and
the entire high school was caught up in Beatlemania, much to the dismay of the
Sisters of Mercy! Our dances remained dressy affairs, though the dance cards simply
disappeared, and no one noticed or cared.
Jan: By 1968 the war in Vietnam was in full swing and there were heated debates in
school about US involvement. The draft was affecting many families and some of us
Jan: Our uniforms did not change in 1967,
with siblings or boyfriends were involved in student demonstrations.
but the nuns’ attire surely did! We started
to see their hair and shorter habits.
Eileen: In the small seminary classes, everyone was involved in nearly every
activity, including Glee Club, Red Cross, Student Council, Latin and French Clubs,
Eileen: With a class of 30 students, we
and Sodality, just to name a few. With NO free time, we managed to fit in a few
were hardly noticed by the college
clandestine soap operas on the TV behind the theater stage! We were weekly
girls, with whom we shared space. Our
reminded by Sister Gregory that a lady always wears a hat and gloves downtown.
presence there, however, availed us of
the college chapel, library and theater
Elaine: Our class in the new school was equally involved in expanding school
as well as the magnificent campus.
activities, which added intramural sports to our existing academic endeavors of
Forensics, Model UN, and Science Club. Since the school day ended at 2:50, one fast
Elaine: Our class at the new school more car, a couple of friends, and the Olevnik home nearby made the 3 PM soap “Another
than doubled in size with 70 students.
World” possible! Sister Gregory was still at it, ensuring that our skirts touched the
Since we had no gym the first year, our
floor when we knelt! These very same skirts were rolled up by those who took the
physical activity consisted of bowling,
bus to the Boston Store to mingle with the Prep boys!
skiing, and dancing to the choreography
of Mrs. Lynch.
continued on page 11
8
MPS Reunions
2015 GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON ATTENDEES
Class of 1955
Class of 1953
Class of 1958
(Standing): Mary Lou Miller Scully, Nan
Theuerkauf Held, Pat Cooney Brownell,
Geraldine Smith Gromacki and (seated)
Mary Ann Stupek Brugger
(L to r): Sally Suss Murphy, Norma Nientimp Desser,
Mary Ellen Hausmann Ferrick, Geraldine Smith
Gromacki, and Carol Veihdeffer Drongosky
Class of 1952
(L to r): Rita Wurst Dieter, Patricia
Przychodzien Pedano, and Jeannie
Jackson McGinley
Class of 1960 and 1961
(L to r): Janet Ott Kalvelage, Nancy Meagher Genck, Sally Schnatter
Schuster, Joan Szymanski Mancuso, Edith Alo Coccarelli, Sister Mary
Felice Duska, RSM, and Barbara Cruise Weaver
(L to r): Marilyn Reiser, Suzanne Liotta Pastorini, Norma Cesnick
Ryen, Jean Liebler Vickey, Elizabeth Huster Tomczak, and Ann
Dwyer Vinca
Class of 1965
Class of 1956
(L to r): Donna Volk, Jeanne
Wurst Kidder, and Barbara Byrne
Baumann
(L to r back row): Mary Ann Morton-Bliley, Sheryl Wagner D’Amico,
Eunice Greiner Dovey, Natala Reyburn Goodman, Heidi Williams
McCloskey, Maureen McCallion Gulnac, and Ann Schoeller; Front row:
Christine Kempisty Moles, Roberta Glowacki Palmisano, Penny Hanes,
Susan Veihdeffer Vogt and Brenda Lechner Bigelow
Heidi Williams McCloskey and
Mary Helen Quinn Albright, both
members of the class of 1965
and attendees at the Golden
Anniversary Luncheon, sported
their purses made by late
classmate, Susan Sonoga Moore.
9
ALUMNI WITH GRADUATING SENIORS FROM THE CLASS OF 2015
Alexandra Ferretti and Jennifer Malovich Ferretti ‘85
Erica Tomporowski Jones ’91 and Brandon Jones
Noelle Estes and Sandra Reynard Estes ‘83
Gayle Schillinger Werner ’79 and Jeffrey Werner
Julie Laniewicz Zamiroski ’82 and Olivia Zamiroski
Allison Clement and Lynne Bielanin Clement ‘83
10
ALUMNI WITH GRADUATING SENIORS FROM THE CLASS OF 2015
Michele Matczak Lombard ’89 and Alexandra Lombard
Jennifer Zuba McHenry ’92 and Nicholas McHenry
Kirsten Miller Kneidinger ’88, Karly Kneidinger and
Kirk Kneidinger ‘87
Daniel Burger ’94, Kara Burger and Amy Wilkosz Burger ‘94
Emma Weisenfluh ’13, Darla Heidt Weisenfluh ’83 and
Clare Weisenfluh
Mary Lukjanczuk ’15 and Paul Lukjanczuk ‘92
11
ALUMNI WITH GRADUATING SENIORS FROM THE CLASS OF 2015
Sarah Bressan Glennon ’87 and Mary Glennon
Chris Vallimont ’93 and Christopher Vallimont
Kimberly Dahlkemper Zimmer ’87 and Cassandra Zimmer
Claire Lichtenwalter and Suzanne Schaaf Lichtenwalter ‘87
Missing from photos:
Susan Donofrio Coverdale ’81 and Alyssa Coverdale, Dr. Frank Pregler ’80 and
Rose Pregler, Linda Manucci Wagner ’77 and Cassandra Wagner.
continued from page 7
Eileen, Elaine and Jan: We came to appreciate the small school,
small town experiences we had. We benefitted from the standards
established by the Mercy Sisters and feel our education prepared us well
for the challenges ahead.
Taylor Levinson and Leslie Laughlin Levinson ‘85
Jan Alexiou lives in North Carolina with her husband and enjoys
teaching yoga. Elaine Frank and her husband reside in New York
State. She retired after a fulfilling career in business and finance. Eileen
Rappaport, after a successful career in medical sales, recently relocated
to Orlando near Disneyworld.
12
ANNIVERSARY ALUMNI
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Celebration!
Team members, coaches and friends
returned to MPS in January to
celebrate the anniversaries of
the 1986 girls PIAA AAA state
champions (30th Anniversary),
the 1991 boys PIAA AA state
winners and the 1991 girls PIAA
AAA state champs – (both 25th
Anniversaries).
Players & Coaches from the three teams:
(front row): Denise Clement McCall ‘91, Danielle Baginski
Borokoski ‘91, Lisa Stroup Heigel ’87 and Coach Mary Ann King;
(middle row): Coach Jack Ziacek, Mike (Mad Dog) Modzelewski
‘92, Teresa Szumigala ‘91, Amber Gonser Lutterbaugh ‘92,
Tina Fomich ’92, Coach Bill Bengel; (last row): Brian Dahlkemper
’91, Angie Potthoff ‘92, Khyl Horton ‘92, Lisa Maxon Holman ‘86,
Lisa Kaczenski-Cope ‘88, and Coach Jon Sedelmyer.
Coach Mary Ann King wearing her
championship jacket and displaying the
pennant and news article from the 1986
state title.
13
MPS
REUNIONS 2016
MPS
reunion
WEEKEND
MPS REUNION WEEKEND –
ALL CLASSES ARE INVITED!
AUGUST 5, 6 & 7.
You are invited to our Golden Anniversary Luncheon on Friday, August 5 at noon
at the Erie Yacht Club. The classes of 1930-1966 are our guests. All other guests
pay $14. We suggest you plan a gathering with your classmates on this weekend.
Saturday, August 6
Bayfront Convention Center
6 p.m.
Music-Food-2 Drink Tokens
$47 per person / $84 couple
Must be 21 to attend
Go to mpslakers.com/reunionweekend
to reserve your spot.
Sunday, August 7
Mass at 9 a.m. at MPS,
Celebrant – Fr. Steve Schreiber
Light breakfast
Tour the school to see our
Next 90 Renovations
NO FEE – ALL WELCOME
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
LUNCHEON – CLASS OF
1966 - 50TH REUNION
Friday, August 5 @ Noon
Lunch at the Erie Yacht Club
Hosted by MPS president, Ed Curtin
Saturday and Sunday, August 6 & 7
Participating in the MPS Reunion
Weekend plans (see left)
CLASS OF 1971 – 45TH
REUNION
Friday, August 5 @ 7 p.m.
Informal gathering at Calamari’s
Saturday and Sunday, August 6 & 7
Participating in the MPS Reunion
Weekend plans (see left)
Contact Marcia Izbicki Gensheimer
if you have questions: mgensheimer@
mpslakers.com or 814-824-2067
CLASS OF 1976 – 40TH
REUNION
Friday, August 12 @ 7 p.m.
Casual gathering at the Cove in Erie
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Erie Maennerchor @ 6 p.m.
Lynne Karle Wright
CLASS OF 1994 – 22ND
REUNION
June 11th, 2016
Tour MPS @ 1:00 p.m.
Erie Brewerie at Union Station @ 5 p.m.
The class of 1995 celebrated their 20th reunion this summer. Part of their reunion included
a tour of MPS where attendees took a moment to pose for a photo near the courtyard
Mercy Cross.
There will be events Friday through
Sunday. For tickets, information,
reservations, etc, the email info is
[email protected] or call
or text Lisa Nadolny Lewis at
704-661-0846. 14
NEXT 90
THE TRANSFORMATION
CONTINUES
(
To celebrate Mercyhurst Prep’s 90th anniversary and
prepare for the next 90, the “Next 90” projects are creating
tremendous new learning spaces as well as renovating some
critical existing areas of your school.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE WONDERFUL
CHANGES TO YOUR SCHOOL YET? IF NOT,
PLEASE CALL TO ARRANGE A TOUR OR SIMPLY
STOP BY THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN THE AREA.
YOU WILL BE PLEASED – WE ARE SURE OF IT!
We are grateful to members of the Mercyhurst Prep family for creating their legacy by sponsoring
some of these areas. Naming sponsorships are available for some of the rooms and many areas within
each. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated to help complete the projects for our current and future Lakers.
Here’s a look back and a look ahead.
Phase 1: 2014 - COMPLETED
• Dr. Hershey Bell Family Faculty Suite
• Our Lady of Mercy Chapel & McAuley
Campus Ministry-thanks to an anonymous
alumna
PHASE 2: 2015 - COMPLETED
• Betsy & Bill Vorscheck Library/Research Center
• Bill & Audrey Hirt DREAM Labs
• Dining Hall/Community Room-Naming sponsor
is needed!
• Martha & William Hilbert Entryway to Mission
PHASE 3: 2016 PLAN
•
Performing Arts Center-Auditorium area
Look for a grand alumni fundraising performance –
an evening of Broadway favorites at MPS on
October 15, 2016, featuring invited alumni soloists,
including Nick Adams ’01 and Eric Sciotto '93.
PHASE 4: 2017 PLAN
• Performing Arts Center-Stage and backstage area
• New Fitness Center
• Outdoor Patio
)
15
Projects completed in the summer of 2015 transformed
the building’s interior appearance and functionality.
Our entryway to mission project recreates your first
impression of Mercyhurst Prep with a welcoming new
attendance office, front foyer and upstairs entry hall, which
are now beautifully appointed and lead directly to the new
Betsy & Bill Vorsheck Library & Research Center. It’s a warm
and exciting space that includes a classroom area with
large touch screens, two collaboration rooms with wall size
whiteboards, café style booths and other areas for quiet
work or small group collaboration, and a lounge/reading
area with expanded print and digital book collections.
Librarian Mr. Hank
Barbour ’03 has
a most credible
background in
research, archival
processing, grant
writing, editing
and teaching. Mr.
Barbour’s research
background includes
serving as a research
assistant at Boston
University, an archives
reference intern at the
John F. Kennedy Museum and Library and a grants
and contract intern at the Smithsonian Institution,
among other experiences.
The newly appointed Campus Ministry and chaplain’s
offices issue a hospitable invitation to spiritual
development and support. Fr. Steve Schreiber (chaplain)
and Mrs. Hannah Tatar (campus minister) have plans to
augment our already healthy program of retreats, adoration
of the Eucharist, Bible study, participation in faith-based
conferences and other activities.
The attractive cafeteria space offers a reconfigured serving
area that will allow students to move more quickly through
the lines. Compatible with the Mercy critical concern of
reverence for the earth, we have a new dish room where
dishes are washed instead of wasting disposable plates.
The new Spirit Store is located between the cafeteria and
the DREAM Labs.
Faculty members are enjoying the new amenities of the
Dr. Hershey Bell Family Faculty Suite. The entire
space has been renovated with new carpeting, furniture,
mailboxes and an updated kitchenette.
(
Please consider stopping in to see the changes!
)
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE
FOR SEVERAL OF THE RENOVATED AREAS
AND FOR SPECIFIC ITEMS WITHIN ALL OF THE AREAS.
PLEASE CONTACT LISA NIETUPSKI
AT [email protected] OR
814-824-2408.
On the lower level is the Bill & Audrey Hirt
DREAM (design, research, engineering, arts
and math) Labs. They boast a truly state-ofthe-art maker space and collaborative work
area along with the technology to support
3D printing and scanning, large screen
video display, and CAD software.
These labs compare with those you
would find in large universities!
Barbour says, “The mission of the new library is to
assist students to be scholars and critical consumers
of information. It is our hope that the library becomes
a place where scholarship and creativity meet.
Mercyhurst Prep students will leave high school
knowing the tenets of research and writing.”
16
CLASS NOTES:
1950S
Louise Courtelis ’50, along with her
daughter Kiki, won the Breeders’ Cup
Distaff, an opening day race for fillies
and mares 3 years old and up. Their
horse, Stopchargingmaria, is one of
the stars of Courtelis’ Town & Country
Farms Stables. Louise, pictured far
right, is seen here celebrating with
Kiki and jockey Javier Castellano.
Virginia Arbuckle Gilmore ’52 was
named an Associate in Mission for the
Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.
1960S
MPS alumni pose on a hilltop that overlooks Rome near Tivoli, Italy. The tour
included Venice, Verona, Florence, San Gimignano, Orvieto, Rome. Assisi and
Tivoli. Pictured here are Roselle Randazzo Walkiewicz ’75, June Pozzutti
Johnson ’69, Nina Halupczynski ‘12 and Mary Ryan Harsh ’69.
Marsha St. George Fronzaglia
’62 and husband Deacon Ronald
Fronzaglia recently celebrated their
Golden Anniversary.
Monica Mauer Capabianco ’69 has
spent 35 years working in the Pasco
County School District in different
positions. She will retire this year
as a guidance counselor at Gulfside
Elementary School in Florida.
Rita Cipalla ‘69, visited Mercy Centre
International in Dublin, Ireland last fall.
Rita Cipalla ’69 spent October
in Italy, where she studied and
immersed herself in Italian culture
as she has done many times over
the years. She is a board member
of the Seattle-Perugia Sister City
Association, one of the official sister
city relationships sponsored by the
city of Seattle, which is involved
in arranging artist exchanges,
sponsoring an annual Italian film
festival, welcoming dignitaries from
Italy, and awarding four scholarships
each year to study Italian at the
University in Perugia. She personally
updates the group’s website
and produces the membership
newsletter. Rita is a contributing
writer to a newspaper called
“L’Italo-Americano,” which is
published twice a month out of
Los Angeles for Italians and ItalianAmericans living on the west coast.
It has about 35,000 subscribers and
about 100,000 online readers.
17
1970S
from mainstreetrag.com, and some
of her other books can be purchased
through Amazon.
Laurie Root ’75 was named Woman of
the Year by the Woman’s Roundtable.
The award recognized women who
have had a positive effect on their
community and go above and beyond
to help other women.
Mary Ellen Dahlkemper ‘69 &
Maureen O’Connor Plunkett ’69
traveled to Athens & the Greek
Isles with a group from Erie last
September. They fondly remembered
Sr. Mary Alice Schultz RSM and her
remarkable course in world cultures,
especially Greek history, as they toured
the Acropolis.
Jane Ignaczak Crawford ’70, SVP
Chief Compliance & Risk Officer of
Indiana First Bank in Indiana, PA,
addressed the Senate Banking and
Insurance Committee in Harrisburg,
PA last summer. She testified on the
Roseanne “Kari” Infantino ’69 retired
competitiveness of the industry as well
with 30 years of teaching high school
as other legislative concerns of the
English for the state of Arizona. She
community banking industry. Jane
headed the Anti-Bullying Program,
has been involved with community
sponsored the GSA (Gay Straight
banking for 44 years. She started her
Alliance) and chaired the PBIS Positive
career as a teller at Marquette Building
Behavior Intervention Programs. She
and Loan and has spent 25 years in
also worked as assistant sponsor of the
compliance and 10 years overseeing
drama program and organized district
bank operations for small and mid-size
poetry events. She loves spending time
community banks in Pennsylvania and
with her two grandsons Zayd, 2 years
Ohio. Earlier in her career her duties
and Troy, 4 months. She also enjoys
included internal auditing, branch
part-time work as a mystery shopper
management, consumer lending and
for hotels and restaurants.
being a subject matter expert for
mergers and acquisitions. She joined
Jan Rewers McMillan ’69 spent six
Indiana First Bank in 2013.
weeks last spring in Florence with
the Road Scholar group. She studied
Maureen Ryan
Italian everyday with the group. She
Griffin’s ’74 had a
also spent time traveling on weekend
poem from her book,
train trips throughout the area.
Ten Thousand Cicadas
Can’t Be Wrong,
featured on Garrison
Keillor’s “The Writer’s
Almanac” on July
8, 2015: http://
writersalmanac.org/
episodes/20150708/.
Maureen donated a signed copy of her
book to the Vorsheck Library/Research
Center at MPS. The book is available
Rev. Jamie S. Samilio ’78, was
ordained a priest in the Episcopal
Church on December 12, 2015. Jamie is
the Associate Rector of The Church of
the Holy Cross, in Dunn Loring, VA.
1980S
Solitaire Miles ‘85 and band members’
Western Swing album, “Susie Blue
and the Lonesome Fellas” is getting
a lot of attention. They have been
featured on BBC Radio and in Ireland,
Scotland, Sweden, Spain, Germany,
France, Poland, Argentina, Brazil, New
Zealand, Australia and Denmark. They
were recently mentioned in The Wall
Street Journal and the album was
listed in the first round of Grammy
nominations in the Americana/Roots
category. This album, as well as others
with Solitaire, is available through
Amazon.com.
Kevin Major ’88 accepted a new
job with IBM as a senior consultant
in the Watson Health Group. He
works with various states as they
continue to upgrade their social
services management systems for the
Affordable Care Act compliance and
other social programs like Medicaid.
1990S
Geoff Glover ‘90, Ph.D. is a lecturer
in the English Department at the
University of Pittsburgh.
Sarah Glover ’92 was recently elected
to the presidency of NABJ (National
Association of Black Journalists.) View
www.nabj.org for details.
18
Craig Woodard ’92 wrote his first
book, an autobiography titled, Sharing
Life, Sharing Moments. It is available
on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.
com.
2000S
classes in both dance and vocals to
the performing arts students. Before
his MPS visit, he was in LA, the last
stop where he performed in the
starring role as Fiyero in the National
Tour of Wicked. He previously starred
in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, La
Cage Aux Folles, Guys and Dolls, and A
Chorus Line, among others. In 2011
Adams won two Broadway.com
Audience Choice awards for “Favorite
Breakthrough Performance” and
“Favorite Diva” for his part in Priscilla,
Queen of the Desert.
Katina Boetger Hunter at a speaking
Amy Bauschard ’01 has been named
“Afterschool Champion” by the
Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/
Youth Development Network. She
is the director of the Carpe Diem
Academy of Mercyhurst University.
She holds a Master’s in curriculum and
instruction with principal and reading
specialist certifications.
Michael Fabin ’94 and wife Kerri
LeFaiver Fabin ’95 have a franchise
business called Bricks 4 Kidz in Erie.
The program uses Lego bricks to
teach S.T.E.M (science, technology,
engineering and math) skills in a
creative way. Visit www.bricks4kidz.
com for more information.
April Williams McCracken ‘94 has
been married since 2006 to Harold
McCracken. She has five children:
Kirk Williams, 17, Harold Junior, 14,
Dakota, 13, Kon, 9, and Lily, 8.
Ed Razanauskas ’94, a Mercyhurst
University grad, is a computer
programmer for Forensic Technology
International in Pittsburgh, PA.
Atty. Raquel Taylor ’97 designed a
pacifier attached to various plush toy
animals called Bobo Buddy. Her award
winning design helps to keep the
pacifier in place.
Philip Razanauskas ’97 received
his nursing degree and will pursue a
nursing specialty while working in
the field.
Katie Neubert Lechner ’98 is the
Youththeatre Education Director at the
Erie Playhouse.
David Jones ‘99 graduated from
Penn State and earned a Master’s
degree. He is nationally certified and
is presently working on his Doctorate.
David teaches in Wake County School
District in North Carolina, which
is the largest school District in the
state and the16th largest in the US.
There are 171 schools in his district
and each school chose a teacher of
the year. David was chosen for his
school, became a semi-finalist for the
district and is now a finalist. They will
announce the school district Teacher
of the Year in May.
engagement
Katina Boetger Hunter ’00, a
member of Toastmasters International,
has been traveling all around
Pennsylvania speaking to audiences
that have spanned the generation
spectrum. Her experiences include
advancing to the final competition
in the 2014 Toastmaster Humorous
Speech Contest and earning 2nd place
over 400 contestants and speaking to
over 500 teenagers at the 2015 4-H
State Leadership Conference. She
also spoke at Capitol Day to respected
legislators in Harrisburg about youth
programs. Additionally, she shared her
faith story and the medical miracle
she personally experienced with her
church group. Katina credits MPS
with the techniques she learned
in a supportive atmosphere that
has shaped the way she relays her
speaking messages.
Nicole DiTullio ’01 and husband Dave
Weschler
Nick Adams ‘01and MPS Performing Arts
chair, Arthur Martone ‘80
Nick Adams ‘01, a well-known and
respected Broadway star, revisited
his alma mater to give several master
Nicole DiTullio ’01 married Dave
Weschler in October in Riviera Maya,
Mexico. Her brothers Jeremy ‘95 and
Matthew ‘06 and sister Danielle
‘98 were in her bridal party. Nicole
is Finance Manager at New Motors,
Inc. and Dave is owner of Empire
Snow Management Inc. and Empire
Landscaping and Snow Services.
19
Katherine Lund, D.O. ’01 married
Cody Foust last August. The couple
was married at the Lund residence
in a lakefront ceremony, which was
officiated by MPS past parents,
Judge Susan Paradise Baxter and
her husband, Rev. Dr. Donald Baxter.
Katherine is an emergency room
physician at St. Vincent Hospital. Cody
is a biomedical technician at Davita
Dialysis in Erie.
Annie Rosenthal ’01 is the public
relations coordinator of Chautauqua
Tapestry in Mayville, NY.
Jovon Johnson ’02 was recently
inducted into the Metropolitan Erie
Chapter Pennsylvania Hall of Fame. In
his career at MPS he rushed for 2,348
yards and 30 touchdowns. He was the
Metro League Offensive Player of the
Year as a junior and was a standout
in basketball and track as well. He
played college ball at the University
of Iowa and now plays for the Ottawa
Redblacks in the Canadian Football
League. Jovon was named to the All
CFL team after he had 54 tackles and
5 interceptions in the Grey Cup, the
super bowl of the CFL.
James Razanauskas ‘01, received his
degree in psychology with a minor in
criminal justice psychology. James
completed college as part of the
Yellow Ribbon Program in recognition
of his 10 years of service in the Navy.
He is currently working with Penn
State Behrend’s CORE Healthy Youth
Development initiative.
Rebecca Brockman ’04 played the
secretary who hands a letter from a
spy’s wife to Tom Hanks in the Stephen
Spielberg film Bridge of Spies.
Claire Natale ’04 married Elijah Visbal
on May 30 at St. Andrew’s Church,
where her parents were wed. Claire
is a New York based actress whose
credits include “Body of Proof” and
“The Michael J. Fox Show.” She also
works for Iron Chef, Alex Guarnaschelli,
at Butter Midtown in NYC. Her
husband is a theoretical astrophysicist
who earned a Ph.D. from Harvard and
is currently a postdoctoral fellow at
Columbia University.
Major David Matteson, MD’01 recently
visited with MPS president Ed Curtin and
Principal Deborah Laughlin.
While at MPS David toured the newly
renovated areas including the DREAM
labs, cafeteria, library and lobby. He
credits the MPS science department
with setting him on his career path. As an anesthesiologist with the US Air
Force, David has travelled the world
helping to turn cargo planes into
intensive care units wherever they are
needed. He is currently living in San
Antonio, Texas.
Ed Curtin, Steve Walkiewicz and Debbie
Laughlin
Michele Pulliman Reichel ’02 and
daughter Addie Lynn pictured here
with MPS president, Ed Curtin.
Beth Gensheimer Newman ’03 was
named Campus Teacher of the Year at
Coppell Middle School North in Texas.
She is a special education teacher
there and has been teaching at the
school since 2009.
Steve Walkiewicz ’03 is a lighting
technician in Florida working with
Atmospherics. He has designed lights
for Cirque du Soleil and Orlando Ballet.
In his free time, Steve writes plays and
performs in a band.
Claire Natale and husband Elijah Visbal
20
Ellen Fisher ’05 graduated in May
from the University of Saint Joseph
with her Master’s in Nutrition and
Health Coaching Certification. She
currently works for UPMC health plan
in Pittsburgh, PA as a Lifestyle Health
Coach RD.
Matt Livingston and MPS president, Ed Curtin
touring the remodeled MPS cafeteria.
Matt Livingston ’07 graduated
from Dickinson College in 2011 and
Columbia Law School in 2015. He
returned from travels in Southeast
Asia including Thailand, Vietnam,
Cambodia and Laos and is practicing
law with the Clearly Gottlieb Law Firm
in Manhattan.
Patrick McGuire as Bob Cratchit
Patrick McGuire ’05 recently
performed in two Christmas shows
(“Scrooge” and “Sanders Family
Christmas”) at the Cumberland County
Playhouse in Tennessee.
Brittany Paterniti ’09 graduated from
Duquesne University as an athletic
trainer. She will graduate in December
from the University of Pittsburgh as a
Physician’s Assistant.
Megan Hodges Peck ’05 was married
on October 10, 2015 to Brian Peck.
Kate Littlefield poses with MPS president,
Ed Curtin while visiting MPS.
Kate Campbell Littlefield ’07 is a
labor and delivery nurse living in
Asheville, NC. She and her husband
just spent three months traveling the
country.
Maria Brzozowski sharing her knowledge
with an MPS science class.
Maria Brzozowski ’10, visited MPS
last May to talk to our anatomy
and physiology students about the
various ways they could pursue
science and other health-related
fields beyond high school. She gave
a description of her undergraduate
coursework as a biology major at
Georgetown University as well as a
description of her coursework and
research thesis she is completing for
her Master of Science in Physiology
at the University of Michigan. She
additionally talked about the variety
of career options that can be pursued
by having a background in science.
Maria is working on her degree at the
University of Michigan.
Colleen Haller ’10 was accepted to
the Chicago College of Osteopathic
Medicine starting next fall. CCOM is
part of Midwestern University, where
she earned her master’s in biomedical
science.
PA State Trooper Nick Stolar
Nicholas Stolar ’09 graduated
last May from the PA State Trooper
Academy. He is stationed with Troop E,
Girard Barracks.
Natalie Pertz ’10 was recently promoted from being a teaching fellow
in the Syracuse NY public schools
grades K-5 to being a Building Lead at
Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary. As
building lead, she supervises a team
of teaching fellows and assists them
with classroom management and curriculum strategies. Their curriculum is
STEAM based, meaning students have
STEM curriculum reinforced through
the arts. Natalie's employer in these
positions has been the Redhouse Arts
Center. In addition to her daytime
school teaching and supervisory
21
duties, she has acted in their
productions of "Oliver", "Big Fish"
and "Dreamgirls", and will act in "A
Midsummer Night’s Dream" and Into
The Woods in February there. In
January she began a graduate program at LeMoyne College to obtain a
Masters in science in teaching while
continuing to be the building lead in
the Syracuse public school system.
Molly Peterson ’10 will graduate this
May with a Master’s in public health
for Cleveland State University. She is
an intern for the Centers for Disease
Control in Cleveland and works as a
graduate assistant in the admissions
office of CSU.
Julia Bensur ’11 was awarded the Erie
County Bar Association scholarship
for the fall of 2015. The scholarship
can be renewed for three years if the
recipient does well during their law
school terms.
Courtney Coover ’11 founded Mouse
to Your House, a concierge service that
allows fellow Disney fans to receive
Disney Parks exclusive merchandise
without making a trip to Orlando.
Courtney also serves on the board
of The Dog Liberator, a deaf/blind
focused rescue group.
Hannah Cross ‘11 graduated Cum
Laude from Allegheny College
in May 2015 with dual majors in
environmental studies and English.
She is currently studying at Tufts
University in Boston for a master’s
degree in Urban and Environmental
Policy and Planning.
Andrea Mazzocchi ’11 was awarded
the 2015 Undergraduate Extended
Abstract Design and Research Award
at the Biomedical Engineering
Society’s conference in Tampa, FL
in October. She worked as part of
a Rochester Institute of Technology
campus research team on a new
biomedical membrane that could
become the basis for improvements
in tissue engineering. Andrea was
recognized with the society’s top
student award for the abstract titled
“Fabrication and characterization of
ultrathin transparent glass membranes
for cell culture.”
Nora Pertz ‘11 graduated Summa
Cum Laude from Vanderbilt last
May with a double major in Piano
Performance and Interdisciplinary
European Studies. She was the
valedictorian of the Blair Music School
(one of ten schools graduating,
including nursing, engineering, law
and medicine) and received the
Founders Medal Award, as well as the
Michelson Award in Collaborative
Arts, and a cash award of $500. As a
campus leader, Nora was a guide for
prospective Blair music students, a
SEGUE leader for first year students
and also served on the University’s
Strategic Plan Advisory Committee.
She was vice president of Go
Figure and an IES Abroad Student
Ambassador. She was a member of
Kappa Delta sorority, where she served
as the academic excellence chair. She
studied abroad three times in her
college career, including two stays in
Vienna, Austria. While in Vienna in
2014, Nora was the first American to
be accepted as an intern to the casting
director and head of musical studies
of the Vienna State Opera. In Italy she
studied Art History for a Maymester
after her freshman year. Nora became
fluent in German after attending the
Middlebury College German Language
School and, consequently, took all
her Austrian classes in German. She
also taught English in Vienna to high
school students. In addition, Nora had
six private piano students, all of them
children, and was the accompanist for
Blair vocal majors on a weekly basis.
She received an arts administration
internship this past summer at the
Washington National Opera in DC. She
is currently working on her master’s
at the Vienna Conservatory of Music
in collaborative piano. Nora is taking
lessons from the head of music
studies at the Vienna State Opera; is an
assistant to Helmut Deutsch, a world
famous collaborative pianist; and has
six young private piano students. She
was recently accepted into a summer
program at the Schubert institute in
Austria for the summer of 2016.
Emily Schultz ’12 will be graduating
in the spring with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Educational Studies from
Denison University. She spent this past
fall semester studying comparative
education at New College, Oxford
University. Her work primarily focused
on the disciplinary foundations of
educational studies, as well as the
adequacy of a variety of pedagogical
theories in relation to the nature
of cognition and learning. Her
time abroad served as an excellent
supplement to the completion of
her undergraduate degree. Emily will
head back to Denison in January to
complete a senior research project in
the realm of Higher Education. While
abroad, Emily managed to make a trip
to Dublin, where she visited the Mercy
International Centre. As a present MPS
Alumni Board of Governors member
and a 2012 recipient of the McAuley
Award at graduation, Emily has a
special appreciation for the Mercy
Charism, and was delighted to make
this trip.
Emily Schultz ‘12 at the Mercy International
Centre in Dublin, Ireland, next to a statue
of Sisters of Mercy foundress, Catherine
McAuley.
Lauren Elia ’12 was named to the Big
East Conference All-Academic Team
for Providence.
Marie Georger ’12 was the first
swimmer to complete the one-mile
swim across Presque Isle Bay this
summer. She is a senior at the University
of Michigan on athletic scholarship.
22
Olivia Augustyniak ’13 was named
to the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America (NSCAA) NCAA
Division II All-America first team.
Maggie Cavanaugh ’13 is a coxswain
with the Villanova women’s varsity
eight team. She was instrumental in
helping the Wildcats advance to the
Henley Women’s Regatta in England.
Sam Cross ‘13 is a third year student
at Duquesne University studying
business finance. He was nominated
and served as Ambassador of the
Duquesne class in Rome while
studying in Italy in the fall 2014 term.
He participated in the Erie Insurance
summer internship program and the
men’s rowing team at Duquesne.
Katie Conti ’14 studied at Syracuse’s
campus in Florence, Italy during her
first semester of college. Later, she
had the opportunity to work under
the auspices of the U.S. Department
of State as a Student Ambassador for
the USA Pavilion at EXPO 2015, the
universal exposition held this year
in Milan, Italy from mid-July through
October. One of her main duties was
leading tours in French, Italian, and
English for VIP guests to the USA
pavilion including foreign dignitaries, heads of state, US government
officials, and international business executives, including Nancy
Pelosi, Her Royal Highness Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand,
and U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry. She headed back to Syracuse
in January to resume her studies but
will still graduate on time in 2018
thanks to credits earned from the
MPS International Baccalaureate
program.
Dan Fitzgerald ’15 was invited
to play his guitar as part of an
ensemble providing music to
supplement an address by the
renowned Peter Cardinal Turkson of
Ghana at Boston College this fall. The
song and the address focus on Pope
Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si.
Katie at Milan Landmark, Galleria di Vittoria
Emmanuele II
Alex Kruszewski ’15 is double
majoring in international economics
with a language focus in Spanish
and French and business science
at the University of Notre Dame.
He earned enough International
Baccalaureate credits to begin
college as a sophomore.
Amanda Simmons ’15 received
the $1000 Toni Dillon Memorial
Scholarship from Linked by Pink.
The award will go toward her
tuition
Sympathy
The Mercyhurst Prep community of alumni,
students, faculty, staff and parents extends
sympathy to the following members of our
extended family:
Alumni:
Ruth Burkhart Plyler ‘39
Irene Mszanowski Ropski ‘43
Louise Kennedy Loesel ‘46
Dolores Bochniak Staszewski ‘47
Mildred Dombrowski Ferretti ‘48
Margaret Rydzewski Uplinger ‘49
Sally “Lois” Lorei ‘51
Nancy “Nan” Theuerkauf Held ‘53
Rosemary Aquino Bihler ‘60
Betty Jan (BJ) Zonna-Serrins ‘60
Roxanne Nunes Swanson’78
Jared Farr Lawrie ‘92
Maria DeSarro ‘02
Father of:
Dr. Denise Finazzo Gaines ‘68
George Ehren Trost ‘90
Monica Ann Igras ‘98
Julie Mobilia Mehlenbacher ‘99
Natalie Lee Loucks ‘02
Ashley Faipler Phillips ‘06
Dana Macrino ‘08
Sarah Kupniewski ‘13
Chris Theriault ‘14
Briana Ianiro ’14 and Gianluca Ianiro ‘17
Mother of:
Cathie Kozlowski Ambron ‘67
Judy Staszewski Marton ‘67
Mary Christine Walker ’67, Susan Walker
Scott ’70, Patricia Walker ’72 and Nancy
Walker Macklin ‘78
Karen LaPaglia ’69 and Gayla LaPaglia
DeMarco ‘71
Linda Hornyak Geiger ’71 and
Debra Hornyak ‘72
Denise Slagter Kramer ‘74
Tom Rinke '81, MPS Asst. Principal,
and Randy Rinke '84
David Olverson ‘91
Stephen Bagnoni ’93 and Kerry Bagnoni
Ohlers ‘97
Husband of:
Kathe Weschler Rafferty ‘60
Son of:
Shelby Wiley ’92 and Amy Cahill ‘93
Brother of:
Katie Conti (center) with Student
Ambassador A Cappella Group inside of
the USA Pavilion at EXPO 2015 (Photo
Credit- Facebook, USA Pavilion at EXPO
2015.)
Dave Geiger ‘87
Derek Lawrie ‘94
Sister of:
Mary Ree Theuerkauf Travers ‘51
23
Sisters of Mercy:
Sr. Marcia McDonald, RSM
Sr. Maura Smith, RSM
Sr. M. Judith Uzzo, RSM
Other:
Father of assistant principal, Paul Cancilla
Sister of English teacher, Kathy Pirrello
Brother of Jon Husted, our supervisor
of physical properties
Mother of former MPS chaplain,
Fr. Mike Allison ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
moved to Erie when her father took a
job as a professor of military science,
teaching at NWPA colleges that were
involved with ROTC. Parents Craig
and Monica visited about 10 different
schools in the area and chose
Mercyhurst Prep for son Craig, who
entered as a sophomore in 1994 and
daughter Sarah, as a freshman in 1997.
For Sarah, the fact that MPS had a
rowing team was an added benefit to
attending school here.
In addition, Mercyhurst Prep was the
only high school in Northwestern
Pennsylvania to offer the International
Baccalaureate program. “That was a
golden ticket for me,” said Sarah. She
took advantage of the program and
obtained college credits by earning
certificates.
As a student at MPS, Sarah dug in
her heels and became involved in
leaderships roles as well as numerous
clubs and activities, including rowing
all four years. Even with this intense
schedule, she consistently maintaining
honor-roll status.
Principal Debbie Laughlin with
Sarah Schwegman '00.
Sarah Schwegman
Mercyhurst Prep ‘00
Georgia Institute of Technology ‘05
BS in management
Vice president of Georgia Tech Rowing
Currently Head Coach of HarvardRadcliffe lightweight women’s rowing
It takes dedication, perseverance,
hard work and love of the sport along
with the ability to rouse yourself out
of bed in the early morning hours to
participate in rowing. This challenging
sport originated in ancient Egypt and
is one of the oldest in existence.
Sarah Schwegman first discovered
rowing as a youngster when her family
lived in Austin, TX. She said, “It looked
like a cool sport!" Since her dad was in
the military, the family moved about
every four years or so. They eventually
Being part of a rowing team is a
challenging and demanding
commitment. Team members and
their coaches would meet at the
Boathouse at the foot of Sommerheim
Dr. in the wee morning hours for
practice before school began.The
team would return to school, shower
and prepare to participate in a
full day of classes. Sarah laughed
when relaying the story of how she
would make a pot of coffee in the
MPS girls locker room (unbeknown
to supervisors) to give her and her
teammates a little boost to maintain
alertness. Even though practices filled
with strengthening and conditioning
exercises were hard work, the intrinsic
benefits along with experiencing the
beauty of the water and watching the
splendor of the Erie morning sunrise
make this activity irresistible to
dedicated rowers.
After high school graduation,
Sarah attended Georgia Institute of
Technology, where she was the vice
president of Georgia Tech Rowing and
began her college career in engineering, switched to architecture, then
to management, graduating in 2005.
While at Georgia Tech, Sarah's boat
was the National Champion, Women's
Varsity Lightweight.
After graduation, she built her resume
in the Boston MA area in various ways:
training for the U.S. National Team,
working as an internal wholesaler for
Putnam Investments, and laboring
as a rowing coach and varsity rowing
coach. Between 2007-2013, Sarah
competed in World Championship
Trials, National Selection Regattas,
National Championships, the Canadian
Henley and Head of the Charles. While
rowing for the Riverside Boat Club in
Boston, Sarah was the Women's Club
Single Champion for the Head of the
Charles
Regatta in
2010. From
2008-15 she
also served
as a faculty
assistant at
the Harvard
Business
Sarah (front)
School.
This past summer, Sarah was named
Head Coach of Harvard-Radcliffe
lightweight women’s rowing, bringing
with her a wealth of knowledge and
experience to this competitive
coaching position.
The college team posted strong results
throughout the fall season, leading
off with 2nd and 7th place finishes at
Head of the Charles in the Lightweight
Eight and a 3rd place finish in the
Lightweight Four event. One of the
best parts of the season was the Weld
Boathouse Triathlon, where Radcliffe
Varsity Lightweights claimed seven of
the top ten finishes.
Sarah said, “The experience is what
I expected and more. I have the
pleasure of coaching strong,
intelligent young women.” And
we have the pleasure of calling
Sarah an MPS graduate.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAI D
Erie PA
Permit No. 22
A Sponsored Ministry of the Sisters of Mercy
538 East Grandview Blvd.
Erie, Pennsylvania 16504
mpslakers.com / 814.824.2210
little lakers
Send us a birth notice and we will send your baby a special MPS tee. [email protected]
Art teacher Mr. Dave Schroeck and
wife Rachel Pytlarz Schroeck ’94
welcomed Hudson Thomas Schroeck
into the world in August. He joins big
brother August.
Jackie Kozak Thiel ’98 and husband
Mark on the September birth of
daughter Istria. Julie Byrne ’00 and husband Ben on
the July birth of their third daughter.
Margaret (Maggie) Grace joins siblings
Katie, 4, and Lexie, 3.
Jaclyn Belczyk '01 and husband
Taejas Kudva welcomed their first
child, Vidya Rose Kudva, in June. Jaclyn
is the Research Director for JURIST, the
web-based legal news and research
service housed at Pitt Law, and Taejas
is an elementary school teacher in
Pittsburgh’s North Hills School District.
The couple resides in Pittsburgh’s
Northside.
Stephanie Kooser Travers ’01 and
husband Jim on the December birth of
Jack Michael. He joins big brother Will,
14 months.
Tyler Stanley Lueck
Tammy Rettger Lueck ’02 and
husband Josh on the September birth
of Tyler Stanley, who joins two-year
old brother Noah.
The Famageltto Family
Barbara Fries Famageltto ‘01 and
husband Anthony welcomed their
first child, Anna Sophia Famageltto,
Mrs. Paula Dworakowski "shines" with the MPS umbrella.
in August.
Jaclyn Belczyk, husband Taejas Kudva and
Vidya Rose
Lea Yadeski O’Connell ’04 and
husband Christopher on the August
birth of Aubrey Rose.
Amanda Stevenson Hill ’05 and
husband Greg on the December birth
of Eva Susan. She joins big sister Bella.
Ryan Grove ’06 and wife Jillian on the
October birth of son Jude Monroe.