In This Issue - Detroit Catholic Central High School

USA
In This Issue
Annual Family Fest
Fr. Kazer ’71 Saves A Life
Stevenson, Hotz, Di Ponio & Bullock, L.L.P.
Attorneys and Counselors
29200 Southfield Road, Suite 210
Southfield, Michigan 48076
(248) 423-8200
Fax: (248) 423-8201
Tony F. Di Ponio, J.D., C.P.A. ’83
Charles D. Bullock, J.D. ’87
A full-service firm, specializing in Real Estate, Business Planning, Construction, Bankruptcy,
Estate Planning, Probate and Commercial Litigation
BAC K I S S U E S
Copies of yearbooks are
available — not all years.
Please call
Alumni Office
regarding availability.
(313) 534-0550
Vice President for Advancement
and Alumni Relations
Gregory Grabowski ’85
Director of Alumni & Development
Rev. Richard Elmer, C.S.B. ’46
Editor
Paula Bullington
Assistant Editor
Donna Shade
Contributing Writers
Ken Anderson
Kevin Atto ’98
kiss
da
cook
10
Mike DeBrincat ’77
21
12
Patty Fienup
Adam Murray ’98
pHOBiA
Nick Rost ’98
Bob Schikora ’65
Photographer
Features
Chatterbox
Mike Rossi
C.C. Profile – Fr. Michael T. Kazer
Designer
pHOBiA – Strikes Again!
C.O. & Company
Candes Orow
2
4
9
10
12
13
14
18
Letters To The Editor
C.C. Profile – Adam Borchert
Blue Bells
For Information or Admissions:
Principal – Rev. John H. Menner, C.S.B.
Assistant Principal – David Lewis ’79
(313) 534-0660
Alumni Association
In Memoriam
Fax (313) 534-2683
Alumni & Development Office.
School News
Articles should be addressed to:
Special
The Aluminator
Sports Schedule/Calendar of Events
The “Aluminator” is published three
times per year by the Catholic Central
Catholic Central High School
14200 Breakfast Drive
Center Pullout
21
School Bells
Redford, MI 48239
OOPS!
(313) 534-0550
Corrections from last issue...
Fax: (313) 534-2789
On the Cover:
C.C. Senior Erik Peterson with his
award-winning entry
In Memoriam:
Stanley Jankiewicz ’50 – served in the Korean War, not WWII.
Al Dittrich ’52 was dressed as Gen. Patton for his television commercials. He was
seen in a military tank driving over the competition and saying, “tanks but no tanks.”
School Bells:
Patty Fienup was shown with son Daniel ’96, not David ’98.
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TIM HENRY ’72
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
My compliments on the new look of
the Aluminator. It was very readable
and interesting — more so than the
publications I receive from my university
and fraternity.
Enjoyed the entire issue, especially the article by your
contributing writer, Jim Garner ’78, “How C.C. Made
Me P.C.” Thanks for the super “wholly revamped”
issue. Looking forward to the Spring publication.
LEO A. STEVENS ’48
JAMES F. GARNER ’78
I’ll have to say that all of the wonderful things that the
Alumni Association is doing are truly great. I am becoming
more and more involved with other alumni, and the benefits
are truly amazing! God Bless You!
Thanks for the note in the new look
“Aluminator.” I was happy to see the
Stanley Cup on the cover... I have
received several notes from former
students. Your periodical is well-read.
JOSEPH BORRELLI ’93
FR. JIM ENRIGHT, C.S.B.
Very nice — very professional.
Congratulations on the new look! Tom Grace’s
article is on top; liked the piece on Steve
Campbell, James Finn Garner’s cleverness...
DAVE LEWIS ’79
JOHN A. LYNCH ’40
“SPECTRUM” Editor
Congratulations on the new “Aluminator.”
It is attractive and quite an exciting change in
newsletters. Hope the new format accomplishes
what you want from it.
Congratulations - nice facelift - first class.
JOHN GIERAK ’70, Alumni President
FR. CARL BELISCH, C.S.B.
I thoroughly enjoy keeping up with the “Aluminator”
especially since my five-year reunion is this next
Thanksgiving. Keep up the great magazine!
2ND LT. BENJAMIN ROST ’93
The Winter ’98 issue of the “Aluminator” is by far the
best high school alumni report I have seen! You and
your staf f are to be commended.
JOE CURLEY ’51
I am writing to express my congratulations to you on the new look for the
“Aluminator”... The revamped design and new content, including features
and profiles, is a pleasure to read. The use of color on the cover and in
the inset pages really punches up the magazine, and I’m pleased to see an
advertiser helping to offset those extra costs. Wonderful work!
DEAN NORTON ’86
3
God Bless you all at C.C.;
our sons received a priceless
education for life.
ANN WHALL, wife of
ROBERT J. WHALL ’51, dec.
You did an outstanding job of chasing
down unique writers for the new glossy
“Aluminator.” Being an Olympic year,
may I be judgmental enough to award
the bronze to Tom Grace - the silver to
James Garner - and the gold to Phobia.
Somewhere through Phobia, the chuckles
progressed to out-loud laughing to belly
shaking moist eyes. Give them all gold.
Give yourself one too!
JOHN FARICY ’55
C H AT T ER BOX
Conroe Noon Lions Club and the Montgomery County
A&M Club. He is also a member of the Twelfth Man
Foundation and the Professional Insurance Agents
of Texas, a past board member of the Montgomery
County Insurance Agents, and a lifetime member of the
Montgomery County Fair Association. Dick serves on
the River Plantation Country Club board of directors;
is a past president of the River Plantation Men’s Golf
Association; past president of the Fairway Village
Community Association; past secretary of Conroe High
Soccer Booster Club; and was on the board of the River
Plantation Community Improvement Association.
The Swell ’40s
C H AT T E R B O X
1940 - JOSEPH CHRZANOWSKI now resides in Sun
City, AZ. He and his bride, Sally, recently celebrated
their 54th wedding anniversary. A retired retail executive from Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, he still finds time
to substitute teach high schoolers. He enjoys and has
become quite proficient at Skeet & Trap shooting. Joe
and Sally travel to California and Michigan to visit
their four children and boast of grandchildren ranging
in age from 1 to 25! The caption noted alongside his
senior-class picture is as accurate today as it was in 1940,
according to his daughter, Judy Bill. “Dad is vivacious,
social, always willing to help others. Likewise, he has
maintained his title as the Robert Taylor of ’40s to a tee!”
Congratulations, Dick, from the C.C. Family.
1958 - LAWRENCE ZUCAL, graduated from Wayne
State University in 1962 with a B.A. in Political Science,
as well as a commission in the Air Force, thanks to his
participation in one of the last classes of R.O.T.C. at WSU.
He spent 12 years on active duty as an Intelligence
Officer, serving at such locations as San Angelo and San
Antonio, TX, Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK, Tan Son
Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam and Fort Meade, MD.
He stayed in Maryland for five years, obtaining an Air
Force Reserve position. Returning to Michigan in 1979,
he has worked for the City of Southfield, taking care
of the City’s Burgh Historical Park grounds. His P&R
Director wanted him to “make this park the showplace
of the area,” and he feels he has done just that. Lawrence
was instrumental in setting up the decorating of the
Park buildings during the Christmas holidays, in a
joint venture of the City and the Southfield Historical
Society. He is also active in the City’s AFSCME union,
Local 329, where he has been the Secretary-Treasurer for
the last 7 years; the Southfield Historical Society, serving
as Treasurer; and is a member of Post 2645 of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Our thanks to Judy for “finding” Dad and getting him back
on our mailing list.
1943 - ANGELO LEMA, SR., a retiree, wonders, “How
did I have time to earn a living and support a family?”
On December 20, 1996, he survived a 35-mph head-on
collision, had two heart cauterizations the following
day, then triple-bypass heart surgery on April 2, 1997.
He is making a remarkable recovery. Angelo had his
first bypass surgery in 1981. His recovery time has
been spent researching fellow classmates on Catholic
Central’s “missing” list. With the help of a national
phone data base, the Alumni Office has been provided
with some Michigan possibilities. We wish Angelo a
complete and speedy recovery.
The Nifty ’50s
The Psychedelic ’60s
1956 - RICHARD GIUFFRE was selected as YMCA
Volunteer of the Year in Conroe, TX. Dick volunteered
his time during the years his two children were growing
up at the “Y.” He has continued to assist, serving on
the board of directors for six years, and is a former
chairman. He is currently serving his second term as
chairman of the building and grounds committee and
is planning a capital campaign for improvements on
the 100-acre Camp Owens, adjacent to the YMCA. In
addition to the “Y,” Dick has been active in community
affairs for many years. He is a past president of the
1961 - MICHAEL MADIGAN, Vice President and
Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch, writes:
About 30 some years ago, I was wrestling in the gym on
West Outer Drive. For what seemed like an eternity, I was
locked with the other boy, each of us trying for a take-down.
Fr. Clemens was somewhere out of sight saying slowly, but
loudly enough to be heard, “Come on, Mike boy. Come on,
Mike boy.” Something inside me solidified and I stepped
4
further into the business of being the wrestler wrestling,
and taking the boy to the mat and onto his back in one
unbroken motion. I’ve remembered that moment and those
careful words of encouragement many times since. I owe
him and all of you a great debt.
His overall record is 207-69-20, while posting a 139-45-17
record at Rice. While Rice lost its district-opening game,
1-0, to Catholic Central, the Warriors were three-time
regional champions, made three final-four appearances,
were Class A state runners-up in 1991, and state champions
in 1992 under Mike’s direction. Mike, who played hockey
at Western Michigan University for four years, was drafted
by the NHL’s New York Rangers and the WHA’s
Edmonton Oilers in 1977. He played in the International
Hockey League with Kalamazoo and Flint, and played
on the Flint team that won the Turner Cup in 1984.
“Come on,
Mike boy.
1976 - MICHAEL DUGGAN, Wayne County Deputy
Executive, was recently honored with the 1997 Major
General Anthony Wayne Leadership Award. He was
cited for his leadership qualities in the financial recovery of Wayne County, the creation of the on-premise
child care facility at the Wayne County Building, and the
agreement to build the twin stadiums and the Midfield
Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport.
1964 - JOHN CURTIN has been promoted to Senior
Vice President of The Stroh Brewery company. John’s
brothers include C.C. alumni, Mark ’68, Chris ’72, and
Brian ’76. A second generation has begun – Scot ’97
(Mark’s son).
1976 - JOHN ZIRALDO was recently promoted to
senior program officer at the Detroit-based Skillman
Foundation.
Disco-Down ’70s
1977 - JOHN KAUFMANN III ’77 and his family were
vacationing in South Padre Island, Texas, during Spring
Break 1997, when they decided to go bay fishing. John
overheard a conversation going on amongst a nearby
group of young men — who turned out to be members
of C.C.’s State Championship Hockey Team! They had
many conversations about the “then and now” during
the course of the day. John says, “It sure made a day
when the fish weren’t biting a lot more tolerable.”
1972 - ROURKE RUFFING is a tax attorney in Golden,
CO. Rourke, brother Ron ’73 and Jim Rennell ’73 often
ski together in Colorado.
1973 - RONALD RUFFING, MD, is an emergency
room physician in Boston, MA. Ron attended Catholic
Central’s 1997 State Football Championship game with
former classmates, Rick Haywood & Jim Hallman.
1977 - PATRICK BYRNES is an illustrator of color
covers, etc. He has collaborated with C.C. author
James Finn Garner ’78.
1975 - RICHARD RUFFING, MD, a family physician,
has been practicing medicine in Gaffney, SC for 11 years.
His wife, Sue, is also a physician in town. They are the
parents of four children: Christy, 7; Leslie, 5; Kelly, 18
months, and Daniel, 2 months. Daniel was God’s 40th
birthday gift to Richard. Between two careers and four
children, they live a very busy life and rarely get back
to Michigan. Richard says, “My mom, who lives in the
Detroit area, still keeps me filled in on all the C.C. news.”
1979 - WILLIAM (BILL) WILLIAMS is a stockbroker
for the Ohio Company, which is located in Plymouth,
MI. He works with his father, Bill ’45. When not
working, Bill is a competitor in the Ironman Triathlon.
Over the past 20 years, this international event has
evolved to more than 25,000 athletes trying to fill the
1,500 openings. Men and women, ranging from 18 to
78 years old from more than 50 countries, competed in
the October 18, 1997 event, which was held in KailuaKona, Hawaii.
1975 - MICHAEL BROWN has coached his last hockey
game. After twelve years of coaching, eight at Birmingham
Brother Rice, Mike said, “It’s just time. It’s hard to ask
my players to give 110 percent when I can’t anymore.”
5
C H AT T E R B O X
As he handed the award to Duggan, Ed McNamara,
County Executive, said, “Mike’s negotiating skills, tenacity
and instinct for what’s good for the County have been
instrumental in building an efficient government and
implementing programs that benefit all residents. We
are fortunate to have Mike as a part of our team.”
The Techno ’80s
1984 - CHARLES ZUCAL works for the City of
Southfield in the Parks & Recreation Department. He is
the Exposition Coordinator in both the new Centre for
the Arts Building for the Cultural Arts Division, as well
as the pavilion at the Civic Center. He also serves as
resident artist for many projects in other divisions of
P & R and the City. One of his art pieces won a national
contest with Columbia Pacific University and was featured
on the cover of the CPU Review magazine, Volume 3,
Number 2, October 1993. Charles will attend either
Walsh College or Oakland University in ’97-’98, and
major in Computer Science/Art.
C H AT T E R B O X
1980 - KEITH ZABORSKI is the senior program
coordinator for the Arizona State University College of
Business Honors Program. He has served in this capacity
since August, 1992, and has helped the program grow
from an enrollment of 35 students in 1989 to 170 students
in 1997. Keith has received many awards during his
5 years at ASU. He was recently honored as Detroit
College of Business’ 1997 Alumnus of the Year. Keith, a
1985 graduate of DCB, received his degree in marketing.
In 1986, he was appointed golf coach at DCB. As a
part-time employee in the Department of Special
Programs, he advised, motivated and encouraged
students to remain in college by eliminating the nonacademic barriers in their lives. Later, he became the
Assistant Director of the Student Development Center, a
post he held until January, 1991. A chance meeting with
an Arizona State University administrator led to applying for and ultimately receiving a position in the undergraduate advising office. At the same time, Keith began
work on his Master’s Degree. He earned a Master of
Higher and Adult Education Degree in December, 1994.
1985 - GREGORY GRABOWSKI, Vice President
for Advancement and Alumni Relations at Catholic
Central, recently served as Emcee for the National
Society of Fund Raising Executives’ “Winter Brew,”
held at the Atwater Brewery. Greg serves as the 1998
Development Committee Chair, Detroit Chapter.
1985 - MARK KRAMER, PE, Senior Project Engineer,
has been named a Senior Associate at Soil and Materials
Engineers, Inc., located in Plymouth, MI. He has 8
years of experience in performing geotechnical and
environmental evaluations for various types of projects,
including landfills, roadways, and large commercial and
industrial facilities. Mark holds a BSE in Civil Engineering
from Arizona State University. He is a licensed
Professional Engineer in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia.
Mark is an active member of ASCE, ASFE/Professional
Firms Practicing in the Geosciences, and ASTM D-18
Committee for Soil and Rock.
In his free time, Keith volunteers as a high-school basketball referee, officiating at both boys’ and girls’ varsity
games. He also golfs at least once a week.
1984 - DENNIS BEITING is currently working as a
video technician at the Raleigh, NC, branch of Vaughn
Communications, a national videotape duplication company. Dennis also works part-time as a freelance video
1985 - JAMES ZUCAL will graduate from Lawrence
Technological University with a degree in Mechanical
Engineering later this year. What is so remarkable
about this is the fact that he completed his degree
requirements on a part-time basis, without financial
aid from his parents. To top off this accomplishment,
he is currently ranked fifth in his graduating class, with
a GPA of 3.81. James has already obtained a job as a
Project Engineer with Key Plastics Company in Novi,
MI, where he works on interior trim products supplied
to Ford Motor Company. As part of his duties, he has
traveled to Chihuahua, Mexico several times in recent
months.
editor for New Leaf Media. He recently worked on
their series, “Computer Skills for the Classroom and
Beyond,” which was syndicated on various PBS stations
last year and is currently being used throughout the
North Carolina school system. He also runs a D.J.
business — Most Excellent D.J. Services, Inc. — for
weddings and private parties. Dennis lives in Chapel
Hill with his cat, Ariel.
1986 - GREGORY SCENDEN, a graduate of John Carroll
University, entered the Society of Jesus in August of
1996. He is now in the Jesuit Novitiate in Syracuse, NY.
Prior to this, Greg worked at the Entertainment
Company in Troy doing desk-top editing and then at
the National Academy of Science in Washington, D.C.
in the finance department.
6
1987 - JOHN ERIC CARLSON is currently a shareholder at the firm of Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C. of
Bloomfield Hills, MI. He concentrates his practice in
intellectual property law and prepares and prosecutes
patents in the U.S. and foreign patent offices in a variety
of technologies. John also specializes in the preparation
and prosecution of electrical, computer software and other
computer-related patents. He has litigated complex patent
infringement and other intellectual property matters.
John holds a B.S.E., Electrical Engineering degree, cum
laude, from the University of Michigan, and a J.D.
degree, cum laude, from
Wayne State University Law
School. He is a member of
the State Bar of Michigan
and is registered to practice
before the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.
He resides in Farmington
Hills, MI, with his wife,
Maureen, and two children.
1988 - MARK YIATRAS is a Geologist/Project
Manager with ARCADIS Geraghty and Miller, Inc., an
international corporation specializing in environmental
engineering, in Boston, MA. For the last 5 years, Mark
worked as an Environmental Geologist in Michigan.
1988 - JIM ACHO recently had a book published.
“The Foolish Club” is the historical account of the old
American Football League’s rise to power in the 1960s.
The book, which is published by GridIron Press of New
York, profiles men such as Al Davis and Joe Namath,
and was even endorsed by the late NFL Commissioner,
Pete Rozelle. Acho graduated in 1993 from St. Francis
College in Ft. Wayne, IN. A former walk-on basketball
player in 1989, Acho co-captained the Cougars his senior
year, though he claims to have harassed more refs from
the bench than opposing players with his defense.
From 1993-1996, Acho was associate head coach of men’s
basketball at Madonna University, and lectured at some
of the nations’ top camps and clinics. According to Jim
Acho, the book that he wrote probably comes as a shock
to his former teachers at C.C., who often questioned
whether he could read one. While Acho spent more
time cracking jokes than cracking the books, this book
has been well-received. Said former UCLA and Los
Angeles Rams head coach, Tommy Prothro, “Jimmy
Acho is one of the brightest young sports-minded guys
I’ve ever met. You would never guess he’s as young as he
is — talking to him is like talking to one of my peers.
This kid has the rare ability to spin a yarn with the comedy of Bill Cosby or the fire of Al Pacino.” The “Foolish
Club” is available at local bookstores and libraries.
7
C H AT T E R B O X
1988 - STEVE CAMPBELL “...proves he’s qualified to
start in main draw...” So reads the “Detroit Free Press,”
April 3, 1998 article by George Sipple. No more qualifiers. Since turning pro in 1993, Steve Campbell has
had to play qualifying rounds to gain entry into major
tennis tournaments. He would go in a few days before
the big names arrived, beat a couple of players ranked
in the 100 to 300 range, then face a highly ranked opponent in the main draw. “When your ranking isn’t as
high as others, you have to do it any way you can,” said
Steve, who moved up 26 spots to a career-high No. 79
in the world rankings recently. “The guys in the qualifiers are fighting for their lives.” Steve made the rankings jump with three victories over top players at the
Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne, FL. He was
ranked No. 105 entering the tournament, beat No. 16
Mark Philippoussis, No. 65 Todd Martin of Lansing and
No. 33 Wayne Ferreira before losing to seventh-ranked
Alex Corretja in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 6-1. Steve
became the only qualifier to reach the quarterfinals in
the events’ 14-year history. “It’s really a good feeling to
do something that someone’s never done before,” he
said. “I don’t think my game is the best it’s ever been.
I just feel a lot more comfortable now playing a big
name, and I know that I can break him down. Those
three wins are probably the three biggest of my career.”
Now that he’s in the top 100 — and ranks
ninth among Americans — Steve will
have an easier time getting into the
main draw. “I’ve been playing qualifiers for my whole career. It’s quite
a load off my back. I have to
make sure I don’t overplay
myself. There will be a
temptation to play all the
big tournaments I can.”
He was named a U.S.
Davis Cup practice
player, but had to
decline because had
an exhibition scheduled
in Houston and a tournament in Hong Kong.
After playing in Hong
Kong and Tokyo, Steve
will come back to the
States for some clay-court
tournaments before leaving
for his first French Open
appearance. “I had some good results
last year for the first time on clay,” he said.
“Hopefully, after last year, I’ll have more confidence
on it.” Starting in the main draw should help. Steve has
recently been featured in two national tennis publications.
Go get ‘em, Steve!
1989 - DARIN DAGUANNO and his University of
Michigan teammates recently ranked second in the
world among student teams entering an architectural
competition entitled “Bigfoot.” The team also took
7th place in the overall, international competition. The
competition was an open one-stage architectural design
for the proposal of a new football stadium. The site
location was Santa Monica State Beach on the shores of
Santa Monica Bay in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
This was a competition for the design of the ideal football stadium.
UPDATE!
Dear Friends:
I am eternally grateful for the concern, love and charity
extended by the Catholic Central Family in my time of
distress. I arrived back in Hermosa Beach, California
in January following a convalescent period in Florida
and am now in the process of getting back on my feet.
The doctors did an excellent job reconstructing my face
(it may even be an improvement). The only battle left
is the emotional reverberations of a trauma accident.
Darin is enrolled in the University’s Master of Architecture
program. The University will be displaying the team’s
winning entry in a permanent display which can be
viewed in the Art and Architecture Building beginning
at the end of February.
I have read every last letter sent to me (I hope the
delay in my response does not reflect too poorly on
my reading skills). Your beneficent words and support
have helped through this hardship. I know that I can
never fully repay such kindness, but I will never forget,
and you are always in my prayers.
C H AT T E R B O X
The Happening ’90s
Sincerely,
Nick Varajon ’86
1991 - CHRIS RIEPLE received a B.A. in Liberal Arts and
a minor in Economics from Colorado State University
in December of 1997. He is working for an industrial
electronics distributor in Loveland, Colorado, where he
has just purchased his first home. He tied the knot on
May 31st of this year.
1993 - ANDREW DETTORE is a member of Michigan
State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine
Class of 2001. He earned his B.A. degree in psychology
from the University of Michigan. Andrew previously
worked as hematology/oncology research assistant at
Childrens’ Hospital of Michigan and counseled many
children suffering with cancer. “As a former leukemia
patient, I am able to provide them with some muchneeded hope and answers to their many questions.”
He chose osteopathic medicine because, “I am most
interested in working with patients, and the osteopathic
‘whole-body’ approach to medicine stresses this interaction.” His decision to attend MSU was based on two
things: 1) the atmosphere at State; and 2) the program,
“which seemed more cutting edge and more relevant
to medicine’s modern needs than many of the other
schools,” said Andrew.
1992 - MARK GILBERT graduated magna cum laude
in April, 1997 from Western Michigan University with
a Bachelor’s Degree in both Computer Science and
Philosophy. In addition, he also graduated magna cum
laude from the Lee Honors College at WMU. During
his years at Western, Mark became involved with the
student government, philosophy, and computer science.
His honors thesis has been accepted for the next publication of Proceedings of the Heraclitean Society.
Mark has started his own company, called Gilbert
Software. He and a friend, Matt Mace, have a software
release, “Pyramid,” close to being ready for production,
and work has started on a second one which is called,
“Event Tracker.”
1995 - RYAN MATTHEWS, a student at John Carroll
University, Cleveland, Ohio, attended The American
University in Washington, DC, studying Political
Science and the Federal Judicial System this past fall.
His internship was spent working at the Republican
National Committee headquarters. Ryan has met many wellknown Republican leaders, and
has attended meetings with the
leaders of Sinn Fein. Ryan will
return to John Carrol University
for the winter term. He will
graduate with a degree in
Political Science in June, 1999. ■
In 1996, Mark married Christine Van Der Puy, or “CJ”
for short. Mark credits his success to Catholic Central,
as he writes: “Had it not been for my education and
growth at C.C., where the seeds of computer science
and philosophy, and most importantly, the quest for
excellence, had been planted, I would not be where I
am today. The future looks bright, indeed, and I thank
you, my alma mater, for the opportunity to attend an
excellent school.”
Ryan is pictured above with Sen. Robert Dole
8
C.C. P R O F I L E
F
R
. M
T. K
I C H A E L
A Z E R
’7 1
Citizen of the Month
The man told authorities he
considered his life a failure,
and wanted to die because of
family problems.
F
It all started with a 911 call at
8:12 a.m., December 9, 1997.
A man was straddling the
freeway overpass railing
at Van Dyke and I-696,
apparently preparing
to jump into rush-hour
traffic below. A Warren
Police Officer and
trained negotiator
responded immediately
to the call and, while
delaying any suicide
attempt, was unsuccessful in talking the man
off the overpass railing.
That’s when Fr. Kazer
was called to the scene,
and after over an hour of conversation with the man,
convinced him to climb back to safety.
In an apparently unrelated article months later, Fr.
Mike was featured in “The Detroit News,” praising him
for his “style” as Pastor of St. Anne’s Church in Warren.
“In conversation,” a Detroit News reporter wrote, “the
45-year-old priest is as forthright and crisp as he is at
the altar.” Asked if he tapes his homilies, he says, “No.
Hearing them once is bad enough!” However, that’s not
the way his parishioners view it. One parishioner says,
“Fr. Mike and Fr. Jerry (his Associate Pastor) probably
give the best sermons of all the priests we’ve had at
our parish.” ■
Fr. Kazer told a reporter, “I listened to him and
addressed some of his questions about his faith. I told
him his death was not a solution he was looking for.”
— Rev. Richard J. Elmer, C.S.B. ’46
9
PROFILE
The Michigan House of
Representatives presented
Fr. Kazer with a Resolution
which included the following
statement: “Resolved by the
House of Representatives that
this resolution be transmitted
to honor Father Michael
Kazer for his outstanding
assistance to the Warren
Police Department in helping
to safely resolve a lifethreatening situation. We are
indeed grateful for his many
contributions to the people of
this state and most pleased
that, of all places in the world,
he chose Michigan for his
heavenly mission.”
CC
r. Michael T. Kazer ’71,
Police Chaplain for the City
of Warren and pastor of
St. Anne’s in Warren, MI,
recently earned the honor
of “Citizen of the Month”
for saving the life of a man
attempting to commit suicide.
pHOBiA - STRiKES AGAiN!
Back Yard
BARBA-BOOM
Or – Ja, He’s Cookin’ by Tunder!
P HO B I A
T
hrough years of dilettante effort
(French for screwing around), I have
become quite proficient in the fine
art of outdoor Zen Cookery. I
have always done a remarkable job.
However, with practice over the
years, the nature of the remarks have
become more favorable. My classic
charred dogs and burned burgers eventually evolved into deep hickory smoking
and exotic marinades that actually proved
edible when applied to the traditional ribs,
chicken, and other meats. My smoked
Salmon is legendary. Yup, shot him through
the gills in mid-jump with my .45 auto while
fishing on the Green River. Yeah, not legal,
but a heckuva good ending to a frustrating
day of fishing.
kiss
da
cook
We were experiencing quite a stretch of
95-degree weather. Every day, the weatherman predicted “chance of severe thunder
storms.” Pooh, Pooh, I say! I had already figured out that promises of rain were only part of
a dark conspiracy to let all the lawns in the city
turn brown and die! Can’t fool this old bird.
You see, the city water department was
having problems keeping up with the
high demand during the heat wave.
So, they paid the weatherman to predict heavy rains everyday, knowing full
well that there wasn’t a snowball’s chance of
it. They successfully fooled people into NOT
watering their lawns, to conserve water.
Besides, this is Michigan, there is ALWAYS a
chance of severe thunderstorms, or snow for
that matter, so I guess that the weatherman
didn’t lie.
Well, it was near dinner time, 106 degrees,
90% Human-ditty, not a cloud in the sky. I’m
keeping track of my 2.3835-year-old son while
getting ready to start dinner. Mr. Bobby-QKang was running a big losing streak. I really
needed a win here to save my honor. Mom
would be home soon.
The scrap heap behind my garage is actually
a collection of several styles and sizes of grills,
blast furnaces and smokers, each for its own purpose. For
family gatherings, I would usually have several specialties
cooking at once. During those hot summer daze, it’s just
too hot to cook inside. Even in the dead of winter, old
diehard is out there turning ribs. With my array of various implements of destruction, no recipe is impossible on
the grill. Well, the Beef Wellington was kind of a flop.
I put the charcoal into the grill deJoure
and a slight haze appeared in the sky.
FWUMP! A column of charcoal and flames rose from
the grill as it jumped off of the ground with the application of a match. The clouds began to thicken and turn
gray. I went inside to dredge the meat out of the marinade. There is a dark line on the horizon. Go out,
spread the coals and toss on the grating to burn off yesterday’s crud. OOPS, need to take a moment to put out
the neighbor’s garage. My first week in the new house,
I managed to burn down his fence. “Welcome to the
neighborhood.”
Considering my past experiences, I never quite appreciated
how incredibly lucky I had been with the weather until I
was plagued by several severe thunderstorms during the
first two weeks of July, 1995. Yes, I had been drizzled on,
snowed upon, I’ve had the charcoal refuse to generate
heat in sub-zero frozen-flash in February, but had never
experienced the exhilaration of taking my life into my
hands, defying nature during a Tornado-generating
thunderstorm, all for the sake of a plate of barbecued
chicken. And Ooohhh, what a tow-er-ing feeeling! I had
not really intended to cook my way through a natural
blitzkrieg, it just sorta kinda came out that way.
“I thought I heard thunder... Naaah.” The coals were just
right, I’m standing there with the tongs and the basting
brush, welding gloves and goggles. Daddy was ready to
start blasting the meat! My son was tuggin’ at my pant
leg. “Daddy, I’m scared... let’s go inside.” Sure, I know,
Johnny needs to continue his “run to destruction” durability test on a favorite videotape. Yeah, it ain’t lookin’
too pretty out here, son, but a mentor once told me
“sometimes you must forge ahead, in spite of the facts.”
10
So... The meat goes on... yeah, the meat goes on... thunder
keeps poundin’ rhythm to my bray-ain... Ladda dadda
dee... Ladda gonna die. “Come daddy, c’mon daddy... it’s
a torm, a torm!” The kid has more sense than his daffy.
imperative that the large metal tongs not
touch the ground. Once again,
I dashed inside to safety.
Valhalla would have to wait.
Geez, I’m just getting started and the raindrops keep
falling on my head...”nah, just a sprinkle”...Come to think
of it, there was this kind of constant rumble. Things kept
getting darker, the windows were rattling. No way, it’ll
blow over. The wail of the tornado siren filled the air as
greenish black clouds boiled overhead...Phooey! Just then,
flashity flash - (2) - (3) - Keerak A-BOOOOM-BAAAA
Rumble-rumble-rumble...”YOWIE! TAAKE COVVERRRR!!!.” All the trees began a crazy flash
dance, complete with strobe lights. Ever
watch a crow fly backwards? All right, I
can take a hint.
Having cheated death, the
full realization finally set
in. I must
have been
shaking
severely
since it took me two tries
to hit the back of my throat
with a shot of bourbon. “To
Harold (Hal) with it! Let it burn!”
Although no stranger to sheer madness, I was
not about to venture out again. Maybe I could
pass it off as my new specialty. Yeah! Chicken
jerky! Yum!
Quickly, the cover goes on the kettle,
I scooped up the kid, not willing to
abandon him to the elephants, and dashed
inside. “Thar she blows!” No bout adoubt it,
it’s raining now. Guess there won’t be any standing there, sipping gin & tonic, while turning and
basting tonight. I suppose that I can turn off that
lawn sprinkler now.
About 10 minutes into the storm, the boy was hysterical: “Get me up! Get me up!” as he used my
ribs for a ladder to my shoulders. The intensity
of the wind and lightning was phenomeniminal!
Mom appeared behind me... “I suppose this means that
you didn’t start dinner.” She took the terrorized child
from my arms. “Sure I did, what kinda yutz do you
think I am?”... don’t answer that.
Well, that was quite a meal and quite an episode in backyard cookery. I thought that my success was just a fluke
until the exact same scene was repeated the next four
nights in a row. Cornish game hens stuffed with onions,
smoked salmon, marinated grilled pork chops, beef fajitas, yup, each time, the meat was perfect. Keeping the
meat juicy & tasty is all in the timing and meteorology.
BLINK! Kraka-BOOOOM, out went the lights. Yes, it
was the usual power outrage. Luckily, I had already lit
the kerosene lamps in anticipation. Just then, a terrible
dread came over me, daddy still had an important duty
to perform. GET OUT THERE, TURN AND BASTE!!!
“We’ll be hiding in the basement if you should need
anything dear (what a moron).”
Here’s how it works: Wait for a 95-degree, 90%-humidity
July day without a cloud in the sky. Start the fire.
Spread the coals and place the grill over them as clouds
form and small raindrops begin to fall. Place the meat
on the grill as the thunder intensifies and wind speed
increases. Cover the grill and run for cover as sirens blare.
Continue to cook during intense lightning, thunder and
torrential downpour, turning and basting occasionally if
you dare. As the storm passes and clears, remove meat
from the grill and serve. Only one problem. It’s difficult
to find someone to sell you an intense thunderstorm
in a jar these days. The really good sorcerers left town
in 1872.
The sideways blow relaxed somewhat and became a solid
curtain of rain. Being a real charcoal traditionalist, out I
went with rubber boots, covered in a poncho, tongs and
basting brush in hand. Carefully holding the lid in one
hand (to prevent the torrent from dousing the fire) and
the pot of sauce in the other, I basted and turned the
meat with my free hand.
One such excursion into the storm convinced me that I
may become a char-broiled statistic, should a stray bolt
find me. The symphony orchestra in my head was blaring “Ride of the Valkyries” as lightning flickered about
me. I realized that I really didn’t need to go through all
this trouble to cook outside, all I needed to do was put
the meat on the end of a long pole and hold it out the
upstairs window a few seconds. BANG!... done. It was
As a side light, my son now associates outdoor cooking
with thunderstorms. When he sees me getting everything ready, he’ll tug at my pantleg saying, “Please don’t
light the fire, daddy!” ■
—pHOBiA Veritas
11
P HO B I A
Thought that it would never happen, but
the storm backed off. The house was still
there. Taking the opportunity, I dashed
out to the grill, hastily snatched the
meat off and into a waiting platter, and
stepped back inside. Soon as the platter
hit the table, the sky cleared and the sun
came out. The boids was singin’ and da sun was
shinin’, a two-tiered rainbow appeared in the sky,
it was a mahvillus day. Imagine that. The timing
was uncanny. The meat was perfect! Who sez HE ain’t
watchin’?
C.C. P R O F I L E
ADA
CC
PROFILE
C
M
BORC
H E RT
’9 4
Former C.C. Kicker Tackles
Harvard Program!
an you picture Adam
Borchert ’94 in a scenario of
caustic commentary? Can
you picture former Senior
Class Vice President Adam
leading another organization to new heights? If you
answered “yes” to these
questions, then you are
pretty well on your way
to understanding the new
challenges Adam Borchert
has taken on when stepping
down from his football
career at Harvard.
This year, Adam will be
serving in the role of
Co-producer. Along with
a six-student Executive
Board, he will be
responsible for close to
a $300,000 budget.
“Balancing everyone’s
requests so that the production benefits and all
is fair,” Adam told me
is one of his greatest
challenges. His history
at Catholic Central as a
class officer proves that
Harvard will benefit well
from Adam.
When Adam decided that there
were “philosophical differences”
between him and the coach at
Harvard, he decided to fill his time with new endeavors.
Not one to sit still, Adam found himself in the midst of
a program that took much more time than the football
season. In his second year as a member of the “Hasty
Pudding Theatrical,” Adam is challenging his academic
discipline in new dimensions.
This year’s production is entitled “Paradise
Lost and Found,” a script written by two Harvard students selected from seven scripts submitted. Revolving
around an avant-garde Shakespearean troupe that is
shipwrecked on an island in Bermuda (an appropriate
site selection), the play centers around keeping the island
volcano, “Moan A Lot,” appeased for troupe survival.
Adam gave up his punting for Hasty Pudding’s traditional
“Pun Runs” in the play, and said that there will also
be the ongoing “Yale joke,” and references to current
events, etc.
Harvard’s “Hasty Pudding” is an all-male revue and the
oldest continuous running theatrical production in the
United States. In last year’s production, “Me and My
Galaxy,” Adam served his theatrical freshman year as
ticket manager. Considering this production runs four
days a week for four weeks, and later performs twice
in New York and five times in Bermuda, that is no
small task.
Adam finishes up this year with his degree in Business
Administration, and will be moving on to “the real world”
in May. Between the Hasty Pudding production and
his summer internship at New York banks, it looks like
Adam is taking full advantage of a Harvard education
to set great success for the future. ■
Yes, Bermuda! In place of spring break, the members
of the cast take their week off and perform in Bermuda.
Adam noted that the locals all look forward to the students
coming down each year and watch for clothing that says
“Harvard” or “Hasty Pudding” on them.
- Mike DeBrincat ’77
12
SPORTS
Schedule Pull-Out
and
1998 Calendar of Events
SPORT S S C H EDULE
(BOLD TYPE DENOTES HOME GAME)
Soccer
Edsel Ford
4:00 p.m.
Sat.
Sep. 5
Ann Arbor Pioneer - Silverdome
7:00 p.m.
Thurs. Aug. 27
Gabriel Richard
3:30 p.m.
Sat.
Sep. 12
7:00 p.m.
Fri.
Aug. 28
Livonia Churchill
7:00 p.m.
Windsor Holy Name - Redford
Union
Tues.
Sept. 1
Ann Arbor Pioneer
5:30 p.m.
Sat.
Sep. 19
Brother Rice - Birmingham Groves
2:00 p.m.
Thurs. Sept. 3
U of D
4:00 p.m.
Sun. Sep. 27
DePorres Boys’ Bowl Pontiac Wisner
1:00 p.m.
Tues.
Sept. 8
DeLaSalle
4:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 3
Sept. 12
Rochester Adams
1:00 p.m.
Pontiac Notre Dame - Redford
Union
7:00 p.m.
Sat.
Tues.
Sept. 15
Bishop Foley
7:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 10
Divine Child - Crestwood
1:30 p.m.
Thurs. Sept. 17
Divine Child
5:30 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 17
DeLaSalle - Roseville Memorial
7:00 p.m.
Sun.
Sept. 20
Brother Rice
1:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 24
U of D Jesuit - Redford Union
7:00 p.m.
Tues.
Sept. 22
U of D
4:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 31
Prep Bowl - Silverdome
TBA
Sun.
Sept. 27
DeLaSalle
1:00 p.m.
Mon.
Sept. 28
Ann Arbor Huron
5:30 p.m.
Fri.
Oct. 2
Bishop Foley
4:00 p.m.
Tues.
Oct. 6
Brother Rice
4:00 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 8
Toledo St. John
5:30 p.m.
Tues.
Oct. 13
CHSL Semi-Final
Sat.
Oct. 17
CHSL Semi-Final
Tues.
SPORTS
Football
Aug. 25
Golf
Cross Country
Mon.
Aug. 17
East Lansing Golf Classic at
Forest Akers G. C. (M.S.U.)
8:00 a.m.
Sept. 4
Time Trial
Fri.
Aug. 21
Pinckney Inv. (Rush Lake G. C.)
8:00 a.m.
Mon.
Aug. 24
Brighton Inv. (Oak Pointe G. C.)
8:00 a.m.
Mon.
Aug. 31
U of D Jesuit (Detroit G. C.)
4:00 p.m.
Thurs. Sept. 3
DeLaSalle (Cattails G. C.)
4:00 p.m.
Tues.
Sept. 8
Divine Child (Cattails G. C.)
Thurs.
Sept. 10
Brother Rice (Oakland Hills G. C.)
Mon.
Sept. 14
Open
Sat.
Sept. 12
West Bloomfield Invitational Kensington Park
Sat.
Sept. 19
Holly Invitational
Holly
Mon.
Sept. 21
C.C. vs. DeLaSalle
Away
Sat.
Sept. 26
Shamrock Invitational
Cass Benton Park
4:00 p.m.
Mon.
Sept. 28 C.C. vs. Notre Dame
Home
4:00 p.m.
Sat.
Oct. 3
Haslett Invitational
Haslett HS
Mon.
Oct. 5
C.C. vs. Brother Rice
Away
Mon.
Oct. 12
C.C. vs. U of D
Home
Sat.
Oct. 17
Sturgis Invitational
Sturgis HS
Sat.
Oct. 24
C.H.S.L. Championship
Sat.
Oct. 31
State Regional
Kimball HS,
Royal Oak
Sat.
Nov. 7
State Final
M.I.S.
Thurs. Sept. 17
U of D Jesuit (Cattails G. C.)
4:00 p.m.
Mon.
Sept. 21
DeLaSalle (Plumbrook G. C.)
4:00 p.m.
Thurs.
Sept. 24
Divine Child (Dearborn G. C.)
4:00 p.m.
Fri.
Sept. 25
Hartland Inv. (Hartland Glen)
8:00 a.m.
Sat.
Sept. 26
East Lansing Inv. at Forest
Akers G. C.
8:00 a.m.
Mon.
Sept. 28
Brother Rice (Cattails G. C.)
4:00 p.m.
Thurs.
Oct. 1
Open
Tues.
Oct. 6/13 Catholic League Tournament
(St. John’s Golf Club)
9:00 a.m.
Fri./Sat. Oct. 9/10 M.H.S.A.A. Regional (Pontiac G. C.) 9:00 a.m.
Fri./Sat. Oct. 16/17 M.H.S.A.A. Final (Forest Akers G. C.) 9:00 a.m.
Kensington Park
SPORTS
Fri.
C AT HOLIC C EN T R AL
1998 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June
5
School Year Ends
July
4
Fourth of July - Legal Holiday
August
17
School Year Begins - Staff Reports
18
Students Return
September
7
Labor Day - Legal Holiday
13
7th Annual Family Fest - 11:30 a.m. - Mass
12:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Silent Auction
1:00 - 3:30 p.m. - Taste Fest
27
Boys’ Bowl - 2:00 p.m. - Wisner Stadium - C.C. vs. DePorres
BLU E
BELLS
Wedding Bells
Kevin Merritt ’89 and Jennifer Hynes were joined
in marriage at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in
Farmington, MI on April 19, 1997. Kevin, an MSU
graduate, is employed by Ross Roy on the Dodge
Marketing Team at Chrysler Tech Center. Jennifer, a
U of M graduate, teaches first grade in Lake Orion.
The couple live in Royal Oak. The newlyweds were
surrounded by C.C. family and friends at Western
Charles L. Zucal, II ’84 and Tiffany Ann Fry were
united in marriage on June 21, 1997. The ceremony was
held at Burgh Historical Park, Southfield, MI. Following
Baby Bells
Janine and Judge Sean Cox ’75 - a boy, Patrick Francis,
September 25, 1997.
Suzann and Roger Trevisan ’87 - a daughter, Madeline
Kate, October 30, 1997.
Pamela and Todd Hoffman ’88 - a daughter, Alexa
Grace, July 14, 1997.
Shari and William Galvin, Jr. ’85 - a son, Brian
William, February 6, 1998.
Christina and Gregory Grabowski ’85 - a son,
Alexander Gregory, January 9, 1998. Greg is C.C.’s
Vice President for Advancement and Alumni
Relations.
Karen and Harlan (Lee) Minor - a daughter, Sarah
Therese, April 4, 1998. Lee is a member of C.C.’s Art
Department.
Julie and Charles Bullock ’87 - a son, Charles David, Jr.,
April 25, 1998.
13
BELLS
David Cloyd Hissong ’87 and Minta Elizabeth van
Reesema were married May 31, 1997 in Chelsea, MI.
The groom is a graduate of the University of Michigan
and a 1997 graduate of the Ohio State University
College of Law. He is employed as an attorney in the
law firm of Cox, Hodgeman and Giarmarco in Troy.
The bride, a graduate of both the University of
Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, is a training consultant at MSX International in Southfield.
Mark Grenier ’87 was best man with John Hissong,
Tim Hissong, Willem van Reesema, Heath Mielke and
Jason Thomas as groomsmen; Kevin Mayburn was
ringbearer. The couple honeymooned in Europe and
now make their home in Farmington Hills.
Jason Dunn ’91 and Denise
Ciuffetelli were married
March 10, 1998 on the Island
of St. Lucia, located in the
West Indies. A total of 33
of their closest friends and
family were in attendance.
The Best Man, Mitchell
MacDonald ’91, and the
Maid of Honor, Dawn
Ciuffetelli (see photo), were
witnesses to the event. A
reception was held April 3,
1998 in the metro-Detroit
area for those who could not
be in attendance.
THE
Golf and Country Club. Joining them were (Back Row):
Ed Loniewski ’80, Joe Loniewski ’81, John Mickus ’84,
Tom Loniewski ’84, Steve Sibina ’89, Bill Galvin ’55,
Tom Abraham ’78, (Front Row) Steve Merritt ’81,
Paul Weglarz ’80, Jennifer & Kevin Merritt ’89, Ken
Merritt ’84 and Gary Pippa ’89.
B
their honeymoon at San
Key in the Clearwater,
Florida area, Charles and
Tiffany took residence in
Southfield, MI. Tiffany is
a Placement Specialist for
developmentally disabled children and adults for the
Detroit/Wayne County area, as well as some surrounding communities.
A LU M N I A SS O C I AT I O N
S
FAMILY FEST
7th ANNUAL CATHOLIC CENTRAL FAMILY FEST - September 13, 1998
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
eptember seems a long time away, but it’s only a few short months till the Catholic Central Family Fest comes together
on Sunday, September 13, at the school. The Fest, celebrating its seventh year, has become a major autumn event. Its
main purpose is to bring together the entire Catholic Central Family for an afternoon of food, fun and friendship,
and to raise money for the Family Fest Scholarship Fund.
Like most events at C.C., the Family Fest requires a lot of volunteer effort to make it a success. This
year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 1998, and we’re looking for volunteers to help with
set-up, staffing, crowd control, etc. We’re also looking for donations to the Silent Auction. (See
below for suggestions.) If you can help with either or both, won’t you please call the Alumni Office
at (313) 534-0550 and volunteer? But most of all, please plan on attending. It’s a great way to
meet other members of the C.C. Family, and to enjoy one great Sunday afternoon party.
C A N YO U H EL P ?
Su g g e s t e d I t e m s f o r t h e S i l e n t Auc t i o n
Travel/Recreation/Leisure
Lessons
Entertainment
Airline Tickets
Condo/Timeshares
Hotel Stays/Weekend Getaways
Fishing & Golf Equipment
Computer
Art/Crafts/Music/Dance
Cooking
Golf/Tennis
Home
Theme Baskets
Movie/Theatre Tickets
Restaurant/Record Store Gift
Certificates
Children’s Toys/Games/Dolls
Game Table
Computers/Accessories/Software
Televisions/VCRs
Cameras/Camcorders
Stereo Equipment/Compact Discs
Small Appliances
Gourmet Tea/Coffee
New Home/Baby
Kitchen Gadgets
College/Campus Survival Kit
Gourmet Cuisine –
French/Italian/Mexican/Etc.
Schedule:
Family Mass
Taste Fest
Silent Auction
Please deliver/send your items to:
11:30 a.m.
1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
12:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Cost:
Services
Landscaping/Snow Removal
Painting/Wallpapering
Housecleaning
Furnace/AC Cleaning
Person 18 years
of age & over
$15.00
Under 18, accompanied
by a parent
Free
Alumni & Development Office
Catholic Central High School
14200 Breakfast Drive
Redford, MI 48239
For further information, please contact Joyce Kapp (734) 453-1539 or Fr. Richard Elmer (313) 534-0550.
14
CC Band Alums Go To
The Rose Bowl With The
Michigan Marching Band
F.Y.I.
FOR YOU R I N FOR M AT ION
O
VOLUNTEER NIGHT ON THE TOWN
The student volunteers are members of the two schools’
National Honor Society. The young men from C.C. were:
Brendan Burns, Chris Kenny, Kevin Nowak, Ken Barton,
Paul Garabelli, Miguel Verdejo, John Edwards, Adam
Murray, J.D. Shade, Liam Kelly, Konrad Kulacki, Nick Rost,
Frank Judd, and Brian Goebel. The young ladies from
Mercy were: Terri Schroeder, Nadia Zaman, Kristin
Gustafson, Alex Shade, Denise Hartsock, Theda Gibbs,
Christy Dabringhaus, Katy Lacroix, and Amy Meloche.
Greg Grabowski ’85, a member of the NSFRE, coordinated
the volunteers from both schools. The event gave the
students a first-hand glimpse of volunteerism in action,
and also afforded them the opportunity to meet some wellknown people. ■
- Adam Murray ’98 & Nick Rost ’98
M
ike Bishop ’92, Rob Schikora ’93, Jason Kieltyka
’95, Geoff Kandes ’93, Paul Deschamps ’94, and
Chad Petersen ’96 (see photo) are all members of
this year’s Michigan Marching Band. The C.C. Band
has been supplying the University of Michigan
with fine musicians for years, and this year is no
exception. The competition to make the “block”
band and to travel to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl
was fierce in every section. “It’s a tremendous
honor to play in this Band, especially in a year like
this,” the boys told Bob Schikora ’65, Rob’s Dad.
The experience is unique and, like their time at
C.C., the memories will be cherished forever. ■
- Bob Schikora ’65
Alumni Glee Club
W
e have a great group of approximately 25 C.C.
Alums who make up our Alumni Glee Club. We
sing our “Alma Mater” in harmony approximately
4 times a year at major C.C. functions. Our members are from ALL classes. If you sang in the C.C.
Glee Club, or if you just like to sing and would
like to join us, please call Bob Schikora ’65 at (734)
459-3854. We will supply you with music, teach
you a part if necessary, and have a great time.
Just ask the guys who sing with us now! ■
- Bob Schikora ’65
15
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
n November 11, 1997, 22 student volunteers from both
Detroit Catholic Central and Farmington Hills Mercy served
as escorts for the Greater Detroit Chapter of the National
Society of Fund-Raising Executives’ (NSFRE) National
Philanthropy Day awards dinner held at the International
Center in downtown Detroit. The dinner, hosted by Channel
4’s Emery King, recognized the many generous volunteers
from around the Detroit area. Some of the volunteers and
corporations recognized were: Marjorie Peebles-Meyers, M.D.;
Amyre Makupson (Channel 50); Dr. & Mrs. Donald C. Austin;
the Chrysler Corporation; and the Community Foundation
for Southeastern Michigan. John L. Gierak ’70, from Detroit
Catholic Central, was honored by the school for his years of
dedication to the Alumni Association. John currently serves
as Alumni Association President, Endowment Trustee, and
Advisory Board Trustee. He has been instrumental in the
development and implementation of the school’s Family Fest
celebration every year.
Donor/Student
Appreciation Luncheon
M
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
any students at Catholic Central, including myself,
appreciate the fact that we can attend C.C. due to the
generosity of alumni donors.
Recently, Mr. Greg Grabowski ’85, from the Alumni
& Development Office, approached me to help with
an interesting project. He asked me to write a letter
that would be sent to alumni donors all over the
country. My “assignment” was to tell about myself
and invite them to a special luncheon with myself
and some other C.C. students who receive financial
aid. These included Jesse Norman ’01, J.D. Shade ’00,
and Ryan Romanczuk ’00. I saw it as a great way to
thank some of the people who have made it possible
for me to attend C.C. It was very interesting and
exciting to see some of the letters I received from
alumni in different areas of the United States.
gift of a Catholic Central education that you give to
students in need is priceless, and on behalf of everyone who will never get to meet you in person, I thank
you. I only hope that, with what C.C. gives me, I will
be able to help students like myself in the future. ■
- Kevin Atto ’98
Accolades!
It turned out that only four of these letters were from
people who could make it to the luncheon, and on
Thursday, November 20, 1997, I got to meet with these
people at the Western Golf and Country Club in
Redford. The four men who attended were Mr. Regis
Bowers ’42, Mr. Stan Sheridan ’60, Mr. Vincent
Grainer ’61, and Mr. Gary Latendresse ’61. Also in
attendance (representing C.C.) were Fr. Richard Elmer
’46 and Mr. Greg Grabowski ’85. It was great meeting
these alumni and hearing about all of the interesting
things they have gone through to get to where they are
today. I was very happy to be able to thank these people
in person.
“
T
he Road to Success” Annual Giving piece received
the Award of Distinction in the Marketing/Nonprofit
Category from “The Communicator Awards” 1998 Print
Media competition. “The Communicator Awards” is a
national awards organization that recognizes outstanding
work in the communications field. Entries are judged
by a panel of professionals who look for companies,
organizations and individuals whose talent exceeds a
high standard of excellence and whose work serves
as a benchmark for the industry. There were 2,385
entries from 44 states and Canada in this year’s competition. The Award of Distinction is given for projects that exceed industry standards in conveying a
company’s or an organization’s message. ■
I would like to thank every alumnus who gives back
to Mary, Alma Mater. You may not realize it, but the
DEAN’S LIST RECIPIENTS - FALL 1997 SEMESTER
The following students were named to the Dean’s List at Michigan State University:
Jeffrey Gignac ’93
Kenneth Rys ’93
Ryan Chittaro ’94
Jeffrey Haithcock ’94
Robert Klemmer ’95
David Jackett ’96
Daniel Schoenborn ’96
The following student was named to the Dean’s List at Albion College:
Michael Topolewski ’95
16
P
Parents of Alumni Corner
am Wright, mother of Kevin Wright ’86, was recently honored before the Farmington Hills City Council by being named
outstanding employee of the year. She has worked for the City
of Farmington Hills as a secretary for 20 years. Her job allows
her to see the inside of what’s happening city wide. No matter
what the situation, Mrs. Wright has a simple formula: Be
friendly, helpful and always keep a smile. She firmly believes
the teachings of positive thinking, typically clipping an inspiring quote from political to religious to share with coworkers.
Her favorite is one from Mother Teresa who said, “We are not
asked to do great things; only small things with
great love.” ■
N
evin Murphy of Livonia, whose
four sons, Kevin ’72, Brian ’73,
Martin ’75, and Paul ’77, attended Catholic Central, was the
Grand Marshal of the 1998 St.
Patrick’s Day Parade. Murphy is
a member of St. Priscilla Parish
and a longtime member of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians. He
Detroit St. Patrick’s Day has also been athletic director for
the George F. Monaghan Council
Parade Grand Marshal
Kevin Murphy and Ed of the Knights of Columbus and
at Detroit’s St. Suzanne Parish,
Neubacher
President of the Catholic Central
High School Dads’ Club, and
captain of both the AOH and K of C Rosary Chains. Murphy
has served as state president of the AOH, where he is credited
as being the “driving force” behind the AOH Walsh Division’s
annual charity ball, the proceeds from which benefit various
inner-city parishes. Kevin’s response to leading this year’s
parade? “It’s a thrill. Believe me, it’s exciting. I think it’s the
highest honor that an Irishman can have bestowed on him
in Michigan.” ■
17
A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N
K
ancy Tressler, lobby concierge at the
Livonia Marriott, was honored for her
outstanding service to visitors in 1997 at
the Metropolitan Detroit Convention &
Visitors Bureau’s fourth annual Recognition
of Service Excellence luncheon. Candidates,
nominated by their supervisors, are
judged in key hospitality skills, including
initial contact with customers, expertise
in field, knowledge of metropolitan Detroit
and customer satisfaction. In addition to
the grand-prize winner, first-place winners
are awarded in the hotel, restaurant,
attraction and ground-transportation categories. As the grand-prize winner selected
from 68 nominees, she received two
round-trip airline tickets, four nights’ stay
at the Radisson Hotel New Orleans and
$500 cash. “Early in 1997, we determined
that we needed to focus more on servicing
the guest,” said Hadyn Kramer, General
Manager of the Livonia Marriott. “We
knew if we put Nancy in the lobby as the
concierge, that our attention to customers
would improve,” he said. “She is what I
can describe best as an ‘active concierge;’
she is not behind a desk or a counter,
she is right in the lobby at the door –
opening the door – for every guest at the
beginning or end of their day.” Nancy
and husband Wayne are the parents of
Brian ’85 and Kevin ’89. ■
In Memoriam
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
IN
MEMORIAM
The following members of the Catholic Central Family have passed from this life to the next.
Please remember them in your masses and other prayers. Our sincere condolences are extended to their loved ones.
REV. RAPHAEL O’LOUGHLIN, C.S.B. ’33 - March 19, 1998.
He died of prostate cancer. Fr. Raphael is survived by his sister
Margaret Shea, and several nieces and nephews. From the time
he was a little boy, the eighth
child in a Detroit family, Raphael
O’Loughlin knew he wanted to
be a priest. He never deviated
from that path, beginning his
religious studies at Catholic
Central High School. He was
ordained in 1942 after studies at
Assumption College in Windsor
and St. Basil’s Seminary in Toronto. Fr. Raphael was fluent in
Spanish, having spent two summers following his ordination
living with families in Mexico, and many of his 55 years in the
priesthood were spent working with Spanish-speaking families
in Detroit, Houston, Mexico and Colombia. At the time of his
death, he was continuing 15 years of research on the Basilian
Congregation’s Mexican missions. He published two books on
the subject. “He was wonderful with children,” said his sister,
Margaret Shea. He was 6-foot-5, and in the notes we have gotten,
so many people have said he was “our children’s personal giant.
He was a very loving pastor and very concerned about people.
He was more interested in pastoral work than in teaching.”
Fr. Raphael spent several years during the 1960s at historic Ste.
Anne’s Church in Detroit, where many of the parishioners were
Hispanic. During his time in Houston, he started the first
preschool for Hispanic children, a precursor of the Head Start
program. He also spent a year in Europe researching how children
are taught religion, and how families are involved in teaching
their children. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Basilian
Centre, Toronto, ON. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery,
Thornhill, ON. A Memorial Mass was held on May 2, 1998 at
St. Bede Church, Southfield, MI.
ROLAND PAGEAU ’37 - November 15, 1997. He is survived
by his wife Kathleen, and son Gary ’61. Roland retired from
Michigan Bell with over 35 years of service and moved to Delray
Beach, Florida, where he was known to play a round or two of
golf with Bill Watts ’40, former C.C. Band Director, and recount
the great times of his Catholic Central days on Belmont Street.
BROTHER DANIEL LYNCH ’39 - September 13, 1997. He died
after a brief illness. Brother Daniel is survived by sisters Mary
Holden and Martha Grimm, and his brother, John ’40.
Brother Daniel received his Bachelor’s Degree in English from
18
the University of Detroit, Master’s Degree from Michigan State
and, in 1952, his Doctorate in Botany from Washington State
University. He served in the Army Air Corps in Japan in 1945-46.
In 1953, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross and went
to St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX, in 1954. Brother Daniel
retired from St. Edward’s in 1996 and was named Professor
Emeritus of Biology in 1997.
He was best known for his fascination with the native plants of
Central Texas. His book, “Native and Naturalized Woody Plants
of Austin and the Hill Country,“ published in 1981, is used by
several local colleges and is a best-seller at the National Wildflower
Research Center. His interest in research led him to help
form the Texas System of Natural
Laboratories, publish one of the first
birding checklists for Central Texas,
and he was among the first to note
the sighting of the tiny and elusive
golden-cheeked warbler.
The endowed Brother Daniel Lynch
Scholarship Fund was created to
honor his commitment to excellence
and fairness by the doctors, dentists
and scientists he taught and advised.
Brother Daniel was a familiar face in
the Austin community, particularly among conservationists and
environmentalists. The winner of a Golden Oak Award from the
Austin Parks and Recreation Department, he chaired the Urban
Forestry Board and was a member of the Oak Wilt Task Force,
which was organized to battle the root disease that was plaguing
Austin in the early 1990s and was largely responsible for St.
Edward’s University serving as a test case for a new drug which
halts the disease. He also served on the Wild Basin Wilderness
Education Committee.
When the historic Treaty Oak was poisoned in 1989, he was
involved in efforts to save it. Brother Daniel later served on a
task force to distribute dead portions of the tree to local artists.
For more than 40 years, he observed and researched a virgin plot
of land, monitoring the progression of vegetation through all
cycles of weather and soil conditions. “He always approached
his work from a spiritual perspective and with a sense of mission
that he instilled in the many scientists and medical professionals
who counted him as a mentor. Their dedication to their work,
respect for the wonder of creation and commitment to service
will keep Brother Daniel’s spirit alive for years to come,” said
University President Patricia Hayes.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace
Chapel, Austin, TX. Burial was held at Assumption Cemetery,
Austin, TX.
JOSEPH POMASKI ’43 - January 4, 1998. He died of cancer.
Joseph was a car salesman having worked for Ted Ewald
Chevrolet for 40 years; when it was sold in the late 1980s, he
moved to Krajenke Buick. He retired in 1992. He is survived by
his wife of 47 years Alice, a daughter Eileen Couvreur, son Paul,
and three grandchildren. Two weeks after graduation from C.C.,
Joe began his service with the Navy Seabees, where he built
airstrips during World War II. He was a member of Our Lady
Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Harper Woods for the past 10
years and was active with the Notre Dame High School Dads’
Club and worked its Bingo fund-raisers for more than 25 years.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace
Catholic Church, Harper Woods, MI. Burial was at Mt. Olivet
Cemetery, Detroit, MI.
RICHARD DEAN ’44 - January 5, 1998.
HUGH McNICHOL, JR. ’44 - January 3, 1998. The Funeral Mass
was celebrated at St. Donald’s Church.
JOSEPH SZCZYGIEL ’69 - March 22, 1997.
ANTHONY CIMOLI ’91 - February 6, 1998. He died suddenly.
He is survived by his parents, Cheryl VanDyke and Michael
Cimoli, sisters Gina and Denise, brothers Bill, Scott and Ryan,
and grandparents Frances Gorczyca, Grace VanDyke, Genevieve
Tetrault and Edward Samolej.
Extended Family
AMALIA ARGENTA - March 8, 1998. She is survived by her sons
John ’58, Louis, MD ’61, & Robert, DDS ’62, grandsons Peter, MD
’87, Christopher ’88, Joseph, Michael, James, and John ’95, granddaughters Anne and Christine, sisters Flora, Sr. Agnese and Renato.
Amalia was predeceased by her husband, John. The Funeral
Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Church, Northville,
MI. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
LAWRENCE BRADY - February 15, 1998. He died of kidney
failure. He is survived by his sons Terry ’58, Jim, Larry and
John, daughters Mary Ellen Kirwan, Patricia Molloy and Katie
O’Connor, stepdaughter Janet Masterson, 15 grandchildren, and
four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wives
Helen and Virginia, his parents, and brothers John & James.
Larry, known for his storytelling, was a former bar owner and
Ford Motor Company employee. With partner Joe Cronyn,
Larry opened Brady & Cronyn Dry-Cleaning in the late 1930s on
12th Street in Detroit. Next came a bar called Brady’s on Dexter
Avenue; then, in the 1960s, Larry went to work at Ford Motor
Co.’s Livonia transmission plant. Upon retiring in 1978, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the St. Patrick Senior Center in
Detroit and a Knights of Columbus Christmas basket program
for the needy. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Priscilla
Catholic Church, Livonia, MI. Burial was held at Holy Sepulchre
Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
HAROLD AYOTTE ’49 - January 30, 1998. He died of cancer.
Harold is survived by his wife Marietta and 5 children. He was
a supervisor at Chrysler Corporation, where he worked for 40
years. Harold was a 4th Degree Knight at Msgr. Hunt Council,
Knights of Columbus, Dearborn, MI. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Hedwig Catholic Church, Dearborn. During his
years at Catholic Central, he was a Golden Gloves Champ under
Fr. French’s tutelage.
CATHERINE CALLAHAN - March 25, 1998. She was predeceased by her husband Peter. Catherine is survived by sons
Peter and Hon. John W. ’64, daughters Kathleen, Suzanne
Cleere, Marianne Rodemeyer and Peggy Radzwion, 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandson. She was a former employee of
J.L. Hudson Company. Catherine was a member of St. Michael
Catholic Church, Livonia for 40 years, the St. Michael Women’s
Guild, and St. Aidan Eldorado Seniors. The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church, Livonia, MI.
RICHARD BUTWILL ’50 - May 10, 1998. He died of respiratory
failure. Richard is survived by his wife Sharron, sons Mark ’75
and David ’78, three grandchildren and a sister. He retired as
a sergeant from the Detroit Police Department in 1987 after 33
LEONA CREPEAU - January 12, 1998. She is survived by sons
Joe ’67, Frank and Larry, daughters Laura Guarino and Mary
Dorosh, 12 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, three brothers,
19
MEMORIAM
ROBERT KOCZARA ’47 - March 5, 1998. He is survived by
his wife Marisha, sons Tom, James & John (twins), grandson
Christopher, and sister Virginia Kotowski. Robert enlisted in the
U.S. Air Force and served in Germany following his graduation from
Catholic Central. Upon discharge, he searched for a career which
he found at World Credit in Pontiac, MI, as a credit counselor. He
retired in 1996 due to illness. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Sterling Heights, MI.
CHARLES FELIS ’53 - February, 1998. Brother of John.
IN
EDWARD TOBIN ’45 - January 13, 1998. He died of cancer.
Edward is survived by his wife of 49 years Mary (Gleason),
daughters Connie Rundel Schwartz and Nancy Kiesgen, sons
Patrick and Michael, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was a World War II veteran. Edward retired from
Detroit Edison in 1988. He was a member of the American
Legion Groves-Walker Post #346 Farmington and the Redford
Township Senior Citizens Club. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at St. Agatha Catholic Church, Redford, MI. Burial was at
Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, MI. Memorial contributions
were made to Angela Hospice, Capuchin Soup Kitchen and the
Catholic Central Scholarship Fund.
years of service. Richard was very active in C.C.’s Dads’ Club.
He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. The Funeral
Mass was celebrated at St. Gemma Catholic Church, Redford,
MI. Burial was held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
IN
MEMORIAM
and two sisters. She was predeceased by her husband Bernard,
her parents, and a brother. The Funeral Mass was celebrated
at Holy Family Church, Novi, MI. Burial was held at Holy
Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
SABINA KONOPKA - March 8, 1998. She is survived by her
daughters Geraldine and Sybil, sons Ronald, Daniel and Michael
’72 and 5 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband
Alexander, her parents Stanley & Victoria Zieminski, son
Richard and brother Ted Zieminski. Sabina was a member of
Lambda Tau Delta, The Polish Women’s Alliance Group 418 and
The Polish Falcons. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our
Lady Queen of Peace, Harper Woods, MI. Burial was held at
Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Twp., MI.
ROY CUTCHER - March, 1998. He is survived by his wife
Ann, his daughter Marjorie Wielgosh, sons James ’48, Gerald ’50
and Daniel ’57, nine grandchildren, including Gregory ’75,
Christopher ’76, Douglas ’79 and Paul ’85, 19 great-grandchildren, and two sisters Sr. Margaret, IHM, and Dorothy
Lashbrook. The Liturgy of the Resurrection was celebrated at
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Plymouth, MI.
Burial was held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
ANDY SETHI - December 3, 1997. She is survived by her son
Ravi ’96. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Aidan’s
Catholic Church, Livonia, MI.
EDWARD FENECH - December 16, 1997. He died suddenly.
Edward is survived by his wife Yolanda, daughters Cyndy,
Barbara Bator, Sheri Rourke, sons Michael ’70 and Patrick ’73,
14 grandchildren, and four brothers. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Gerald Catholic Church, Farmington, MI. Frs. Ned
Donoher and Dick Elmer were concelebrants. Burial was held at
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
CLIFFORD SULLIVAN - February 19, 1998. He died following
a long illness. He is survived by his sons Kevin ’74, Brian and
Keith, daughters Rose Ann and Mary Cay, and brother Terrence
’57. Clifford was an active member of the C.C. Dads’ Club. The
Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at Sts. Peter & Paul
Church, Detroit, MI. Burial was held at Holy Sepulchre
Cemetery, Southfield, MI.
ROXIE GRINNELL - November 30, 1997. She died of liver failure. Roxie is survived by her husband of 49 years, Allan ’46,
daughter Jeanette Atkinson, sons Richard, John, Steven, Michael,
Jay, David and Brian, 19 grandchildren, a sister and three brothers. She was a sacristan at Catholic Church of the Resurrection,
Memphis, TN, a member of the Altar Society and an organist
and choir director. Roxie was a former soloist with the Dallas
Catholic Choir and Dallas Civic Chorus where she performed
in Salzburg, Austria, at the European presentation of Noel
Goehmabb’s “Missa Internationalis.” The Funeral Mass was
celebrated at Catholic Church of the Resurrection. Burial was
held at All Saints Cemetery, Memphis, TN.
MARGARET WILSON - December 4, 1997. She is survived by
daughters Dorothy MacDonald, Marie Blackett, and Margaret
Foerstner, sons Gordon ’51 and Paul, 21 grandchildren, 45 greatgrandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Gordon, former owner of Trumbull
Chevrolet; her parents, and 18 sisters and brothers. Margaret
was active in the League of Catholic Women, The Legion of
Mary, Catholic Central Mothers’ Club and Assumption Mothers’
Club. She received the key to the City of Detroit from former
Mayor Jerry Cavanaugh for her various volunteer works. A longtime member and board member of The Scarab Club, Detroit
Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, and the Palette and
Brush Club. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Dick Elmer
and concelebrated by Fr. Ned Donoher at O’Brien Chapel, Ted C.
Sullivan Funeral Home, Novi, MI. Burial was held at Holy
Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, MI. Memorial gifts were made
to Catholic Central High School and The Capuchin Monastery.
ROBERT ISOM - April 27, 1998. He is survived by his wife
Barbara, daughter Annette Ahern, sons Robert ’82, Patrick ’84,
Timothy ’86 and Philip ’88, two grandsons and a brother. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Catholic
Church, Northville. Memorial contributions were made to the
Catholic Central Scholarship Fund.
HELEN IVORY - May 9, 1997. She died suddenly, yet peacefully,
at home. Helen was predeceased by her husband John (’32).
She is survived by daughters Helen, Mary VanNorman and Janet,
five grandchildren and her sister Mary Jane Leonard. Her service was held at the Bell Chapel of William R. Hamilton Funeral
Home, Birmingham, MI. Burial was held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery,
Detroit, MI.
ROBERT KINGGO - January 21, 1998. He is survived by his
wife of 57 years Agnes, daughters Judy Zemke, Sharon Pesket,
Linda Forier, Mary Ellen Bonino, Kathy O’Neil and Alyson
Wilkins, son Robert, Jr. ’65, 19 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of
Sorrows Catholic Church, Farmington, MI.
20
ROLLAND (RON) WISKA - February 5, 1998. He died of complications from heart surgery. He is survived by his wife of 40
years Charlene, son Jeff ’77, daughter Jill Blome, five grandchildren and a brother. Ron was the owner/contractor of Ron Wiska
& Associates in Redford, MI. The company built countertops,
display tables, desks and other fixtures for building companies.
He also was co-owner of Lyons Book Den, South Lyon, MI. Ron
was a graduate of Detroit Mackenzie High School and attended
Lawrence Technological University. He was a member of Our
Lady of Sorrows Church and the Detroit Yacht Club. The
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Church,
Farmington, MI. Burial was held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery,
Southfield, MI. ■
SCHOOL
D
BELLS
Science Olympiad
etroit Catholic Central’s Science Olympiad Team placed 2nd at the Regional
competition — beating out 28 area high schools. The competition was held March
14th at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights. This qualified the team to compete
at the State level, on May 2, 1998 at Michigan State University. Our team placed 16th with
45 schools entered.
Some of the 30 events at the Science Olympiad are: Mission Possible - build a “Rube
Goldberg Machine”; Tower Building - build the lightest, but strongest tower; Cell Biology tough question & answer sessions; Polymer Detectives - identifying unknown substances
using accepted lab techniques. “The students spend the whole day moving from site to site,”
explains Jon Mayer, Head of the Science Department at C.C.
“Usually, each team member signs up for two or three events. Some
events are more physical, such as the triathlon, where competitors
must run through an obstacle course, answer questions in physics,
chemistry and biology at various stations during the race.”
SCHOOL
Team members include: Jeff Braziunas, Greg Braziunas,
Amadeo Sturla, Larry Harvilla, Jim Franko, Shaun Zmuda, Matt
Milas, Dave Nay, Philip Radlowski, Michael Bourgoise, Chris Price,
Joseph Gatt, Rick Hoeg, Tom Sirgedas, Tom Hoeg, and Jeff Shattock.
he 50th Annual Honors Convocation sponsored by the Detroit Association of Phi Beta Kappa was held
on May 1st at Cobo Convention Center. Nearly 3,000 graduating seniors in 164 public, private, and parochial
high schools in southeastern Michigan who maintained a 3.75-grade-point average in their academic classes
were invited to the convocation, and each received a certificate. Forty-two seniors from Catholic Central
were honored:
Kevin Atto
Jeffrey Braziunas
Michael Davidson
Brian Foley
Stephen Grikschat
Eric Hong
Matthew Kittle
Adam Murray
Nicholas Rost
Jason Sikorski
Riley Whately
Andrew Baker
Brendan Burns
Joseph Digirolamo
Paul Garabelli
Eric Habermas
Frank Judd
Konrad Kulacki
Kevin Nowak
Gary Schoenborn
Tomas Sirgedas
Ryan Wilmering
Jeremy Bauer
Eric Carlson
John Edwards
Matthew Gonzales
Lawrence Harvilla
Liam Kelly
Andrew Lendrum
Matthew Petersen
Joseph Sgroi
Nicholas Sosnowski
Michael Bauer
Michael Conklin
Jeremy Eppley
Michael Gould
Richard Hoeg
Christopher Kenny
Matthew Monnette
Kevin Pletzke
Marc Siciliano
Thomas Tarnacki
In addition, John Ewards received a scholarship from the Matilda Wilson Foundation. The Matilda
Wilson Foundation scholarships were awarded to over 150 students who earned a perfect 4.0 average. ■
21
BELLS
T
Phi Beta Kappa Keys Awarded To 42 Seniors
1998 Science &
Engineering Fair
Of Metro Detroit
T
hrough the 1997-98 school year, students at Catholic
Central High School raised $1,248, which will be donated
to Community Hospice & Home Care of Plymouth and
Westland. That total doubled last year’s contribution of
$621. Spearheaded by Janice Sharkey, Student Council
Moderator, C.C. has continued to assist the Community
in volunteerism and in financial contributions.
C
atholic Central sophomore students who received
honors at the 1998 Detroit Science & Engineering Fair are:
1st Place:
Evan Currie - Physics
Roy Chapman - Environmental Science
Dan Ayoub - Engineering
Chris LaFond - Medicine & Health
2nd Place:
Ben Dunne - Microbiology
F
BELLS
SCHOOL
Michigan Youth
Arts Festival
our students had their work judged worthy of exhibition
at the 1998 Michigan Youth Arts Festival. The festival
was held at Western Michigan University, May 7th - 9th.
The honored students were Mike Pope, Mike Swancutt,
Nick Short and Erik Peterson.
3rd Place:
Kyle Tinker - Engineering
Honorable Mention:
Joseph Gatt - Environmental Science
Greg Braziunas - Microbiology
Lodewijk van Holsbeeck - Biology
C
C.C. Raises Money For
Community Hospice
In addition to the above honors, Mike Swancutt, Nick Short
and Erik Peterson’s work has been selected as part of the
Governor’s Traveling Show to be displayed in Michigan cities
and towns from May of 1998 to May of 1999.
C.C. Tops In Math
Catholic Central is the only Catholic school to win either
distinction in the competition.
atholic Central students Thomas Sirgedas and Jeff
Braziunas, residents of Novi, have been named as award
winners by the Michigan Section of the Mathematical
Association of America for placing in the top 100 out of
15,749 high-school students who participated in the 41st
Annual Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition.
These students were honored at an Awards Program
at Michigan State University. Jeff earned Honorable
Mention, and Tom, who finished in the top 50, earned a
Bronze Award and $450 towards college.
I
A Perfect 36
t’s official!! Tomas Sirgedas has won the individual honors
in this year’s Michigan Math League. Tom earned a perfect
score of 36 out of 36 for the six contests held this year. He
is the only student in the state of Michigan from over 70
high schools to accomplish this task. Congratulations, Tom!
Catholic Central also participated in Mathfax 97/98, a
national mathematics competition. C.C. won the competition for Algebra 2, Division 8, with a total score of 189;
U of D High School was second at 178; and Saint John Prep
School, Collegeville, MN, third at 167. C.C. had five students
score in the top team to propel the Shamrocks to victory.
Fr. Menner, Principal, Tomas Sirgedas and Neal
Alpiner, Mathematics Department Chairman
22
Birmingham Bloomfield Art
Association 1998 High School
Arts Awards Competition
C.C. Student’s Stamp
Honored In Washington
S
enior Erik Peterson won 1st Place in the 1998 Federal
Junior Duck Stamp Competition. His work was judged
the best of the 50 state entries. Erik was a repeat State
Champion, winning the 1998 title with his Black Duck
entry and the 1997 title with his Bufflehead entry. As the
1998 National Competition 1st Place winner, Erik will
receive a $2,500 scholarship. He and his family will enjoy
an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, to accept
his award and view the display. As last year’s 2nd-Place
winner, Erik and family also enjoyed
a trip to Washington, DC.
The Scholastic Art Awards
D
erek Hackett, Miguel Martinez, Erik Peterson and Nick
Short were gold key winners at the regional Scholastic
Arts competition held in January.
R
Poetry Winner
yan Hatch, a sophomore, was awarded 2nd-place honors
in the annual Albion College High School Poetry Contest.
Ryan won 2nd-place honors in a field of 965 students
from 157 high schools, who among them submitted over
2,000 poems.
Irish Eyes May Be Smiling, But Irish Feet Are Dancing!
P
aul Cusick took 1st Place in the Junior Men’s Division of the World Irish Dance Championships held in Ennis, Ireland
in April. The competition is the highest and most prestigious competition. The competitors come from Ireland,
England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. Paul also won 1997’s All-Ireland
National Championship. Thanks to “Riverdance,” Irish dancers can now make a living doing what they love to do.
Paul plans on doing a year of the show, going to college, law school, the Senate or Congress, and plans to become
President of the United States. ■
23
BELLS
Regional gold key winners advance to the national level,
and Nick Short has been awarded a gold for his photographic entry. Nick’s work, as well as other select national
gold winners, will be on display at the Corcoran Gallery of
Art, Washington, DC, from June 20th through July 26th.
SCHOOL
Erik has also met with nationally
renowned wildlife artist Larry
Hayden to get an expert evaluation
from a five-time winner of the
Federal Duck Stamp
Competiton.
T
he following students had their work displayed at the
Birmingham Fine Arts Festival at Shaine Park on May 8th
and 9th: Freshman Alan Nicholls, Sophomore Ryan
Herberholz, and Juniors Brocc Naysmith, Dave Monroe
and George Converse. From those exhibited (an honor in
itself), monetary awards and scholarships will be selected.
National Honor Society
Induction
O
SCHOOL
BELLS
n Thursday, January 22, 1998, the annual induction
ceremony of the Detroit Catholic Central Chapter of the
National Honor Society was held in the school cafeteria.
This year, a record number of students — seventy-seven
junior and two seniors — were inducted into the NHS.
These students received the NHS membership certificate
and pin. In addition, the seventy-two senior NHS members,
dressed in their royal blue academic robes, were awarded the
double-gold honor cord, symbolic of their continuing good
standing in the NHS.
As an integral part of the program, seniors Matthew Petersen,
Matthew Kessler, John Kronk, and Kevin Nowak addressed
the gathering on the NHS attributes of scholarship, character,
leadership, and service, respectively. After the presentation
of the various awards, Fr. Menner, Catholic Central principal,
shared his thoughts on the evening’s proceedings with the
assembly. The program concluded with a wonderful reception
provided by the Catholic Central Mothers’ Club. All in all,
it was a most memorable night for the NHS members and
their parents.
Drive Reaches $223,377.00
1998 “DRIVE” WINNERS
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
4th Prize
5th Prize
$10,000
$ 2,500
$ 1,500
$ 500
$ 250
Esper Family
Pletzke Family
Bob Wider ’69
Frank Boguth
Kathy McDermott (Kevin ’82)
15 ADDITIONAL PRIZES $100 EACH
Terry Farida
Bonnie McGuire
Polly Shaffran
L. Junuski
Sharon Zmuda
Becky Kaczvinsky
John Peczynski
N. Charnley
Gordon Cooley
S. Gorman
Julie Butcher
Lewandowski Family
Al Emrick
Barbara Henn
Bob Carlson
— Ken Anderson,
Guidance Department Chairman
O
Drum Line Wins Honors
n December 6, 1997, fourteen members of the Catholic Central Marching Band Drum Line marched in the annual
Christmas parade in Berkley, MI. Looking festive in their C.C. blue Santa hats, handmade by parent Liz Reardon, were
Nick Pourcho, Mike Gould, Dan Carson, Pete MacFarlane, John LaRuffa, Josh Davis, Andy Hellenga, Nick Kittle, Pete
Reardon, Andy Fanco, Dan Finnigan, Matt Condron, Brian Wolter, and Jon Grad. At parade’s end, the drum line was
awarded the first-place trophy for drum corps. This year’s drum feature, written by Senior and Section Leader Nick
Pourcho, has been exceptionally well-received at each performance. Congratulations, guys! ■
— Patty Fienup
24
A Family Tradition
Catholic Central Since 1928
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