STUDENTS TAKE THE STAGE

The winter play production of Puss ‘N Boots was presented for the DCHS community on December 2-3 with a special matinee performance for parochial school fourth graders prior to opening night. The story tells the classic tale of how kindness, and a little bit of bravery, help save the day.

The winter play is performed by the Acting + class which is taught by Sarah Raymond and includes students at the sophomore level and higher who have completed Acting I and II. These students dedicate a tremendous amount of time to the production and are typically involved in the performing arts at DCHS in a variety of ways.

“Winter play is a unique experience for students because we work to build a children’s theater production as a part of our coursework,” said Raymond. “The final for the course is the actual show, so students are invested in building the best production possible from the very start! The idea that theater is accessible to everyone is important to the Performing Arts Department here, and children’s theater is the perfect way to share this sentiment with the school and community overall.”

The cast included Abby Eischied, Maggi Doud, Jacqueline Koger, Eva Ruggeri, Parker Ryther and Rachel Talley. Oliver

Sheaff, Lilly Pertzborn, Savannah Givens and Hannah Harclerode were on the production team, and Raymond served as director with assistance in costume design from the cast and crew. In addition to performing on stage, Eva Ruggeri served as dance lead on the production team.

As part of their continued effort to give back to the community, the cast and crew partnered with the Iowa Animal Rescue League (ARL) in effort to raise awareness about cat adoptions in Des Moines and to spread their message. The ARL’s mission is to promote animal welfare, strengthen the human-animal bond and prevent the overpopulation of pets.

The DCHS community came together for an All Souls Day prayer service at the Maroon Memorial where the names of the deceased were read aloud, including prayer intentions for 123 alumni from the old Dowling, SJA and DCHS. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Stories from Buffalo Road

DCHS has launched a new podcast featuring guests with a special place in school history. Episodes one and two feature Coach Ron Gray ‘73, a former teacher with a history at DCHS dating back more than five decades, and Howard Kerr ‘53, a veteran whose distinguished career includes service in the White House under President Gerald Ford. Search “Stories From Buffalo Road” on Spotify and YouTube to find the episodes streaming now!

Mr. Tim Sheaff ‘86, Director of Drama and Debate at DCHS, has been inducted into the Iowa High School Speech Association Hall of Fame, the highest honor the association may confer on an individual. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

The school community was blessed to have Bishop Joensen on campus to celebrate Mass of the Holy Spirit at DCHS and to provide a blessing to welcome new faculty and staff. A special thanks to the alumni priests who were able to join us. Pictured L to R: Fr. Christopher Pisut ‘87, Msgr. Steve Orr ‘66, Fr. Alex Kramer ‘14, Fr. Greg Leach ‘67, Fr. David Polich ‘68, Fr. Ryan Andrew ‘04, Fr. Mark Neal ‘81, Fr. P.J. McManus ‘01, Fr. Scott Frost ‘79, Fr. Reed Flood ‘13, Fr. Nick Smith ‘14, Fr. Michael Amadeo ‘82, Fr. Joe Pins ‘87, Fr. Chris Fontanini ‘80, Fr. Dan Kirby ‘84, Fr. Brad Robey ‘13 and Fr. Ray McHenry ‘70

Fr. Reed Flood ‘13 and Fr. James Downey ‘11 joined the DCHS faculty at the start of the year after being appointed by Bishop Joensen to serve at the school. Fr. Flood is the chaplain, and Fr. Downey is primarily focused on teaching. The school community is blessed to have them back at DCHS!

Congratulations to Coach Mark Crouch who will be inducted into the Iowa High School Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame and recognized during the boys state meet on February 11 at the University of Iowa.

Crouch began his coaching career at Williamsburg High School in 1975. In 1987 he and his wife Jacque took a leap of faith and relocated to Des Moines where he became the head swimming coach at Dowling Catholic, a position he held for 30 years.

He is a two-time State Coach of the Year and eighteen-time District Coach of the Year. He holds a 229-28 career record and has coached numerous All-Americans, state champions and swimmers who advanced to the collegiate level. He led his teams to 22 conference championships, 20 district championships and four state championships during his tenure.

In 2016 Crouch was inducted into the DCHS Athletic Hall of Fame, the same year the pool was dedicated and renamed the Mark Crouch Pool. He retired from teaching and coaching in 2017, but his expertise, outstanding leadership and dedication to developing student-athletes have had a lasting impact at DCHS.

He has also worked with the Special Olympics in Iowa for 30 years and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2011. In 2019 he was awarded the prestigious Distinctive Service Award by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. In 2020 he was inducted into the hall of fame for his alma mater, Hoover High School.

He and his wife Jacque of 45 years have four children and four grandchildren. He has many wonderful memories of high school swimming, but none better than watching his son, Coach Justin Crouch, lead the Ankeny boys swim team to a state championship title in 2019.

Coach Crouch believes all he has accomplished throughout his career has only been possible because former athletic director John Hayes and DCHS took a chance on him. For that he will always be thankful.

Alumni Awards

Dowling Catholic proudly honors deserving alumni of St. Joseph Academy and DCHS with Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Young Alumni awards. Any member or friend of the DCHS/SJA community may nominate a graduate. The deadline to submit is February 15, 2023. Please visit our website to learn more or submit a nomination: dowlingcatholic.org/distinguished-alumni

Dowling Catholic’s 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were recognized during a ceremony at DCHS and at the Homecoming football game. Congratulations to Cole Decker ‘12 , Lizzy (Stachon) Delaney ‘11 , Curt Engler ‘88 , Rico Gafford ‘14 , Anne Gradoville ‘17 and Ryan Schweizer ‘16 !

To update your information or share alumni news, please visit: dowlingcatholic.org/alumni or contact Kathy Kirby Power ‘80, alumni manager, at kkirbypower@dowlingcatholic.org.