The Mustang Tradition
Spring 2019
Immaculate High School
Tradition Never Graduates
Al Lupenski ‘80 Major General U.S. Air Force Career Day 2019 Keynote Speaker
COMING HOME
RECONNECTING
GIVING
Letter from the Alumni Office IHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
President – Joe Sullivan ‘83 Secretary – Erin Maguire ‘93 1960’s ’66 – Jo-Anne (Tomanio) Price & Doris (Fontaine) Peterson ’68 – Pat (Stankaitis) O’Neil & Ellen Grana 1970’s ’71 – Jan Maria Jagush & Kevin Durkin ’72 – Greg Horan ’75 – Kate Jordan ’77 – Kathy (Mahoney) Wakeford ’79 – Deirdre Dolan-Nesline 1980’s ’80 – Meg (Losee) Riefberg ’81 – Marianne (Urkiel) Mitchell ’84 – Martin Tuite ’86 – Ron Gleissner ’87 – Carolyn (Sullivan) Schlichtig ’88 – Val Anderson 1990’s ’91 – Andrew Barry ’93 – Jack Bouffard & Erin Maguire ’94 – Jennifer (Goeller) Morsey 2000’s ’02 – Melissa (Lopes) Haynes ’03 – Kevin Hudak ’07 – Samantha (Mingione) Murtha & Courtney Fuller ’09 – Ryan Nolan ’14 – Emily Burke ’15 – Meghan Rudolf ’16 – Katie Girardot ’17 – Katie McAdams & Isabel Kent ’18 – Isabella Cipollone, Helena Sabo & Maddie Werdann
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE!
Graduation, promotion, marriage, baby, alumni gatherings, award/honor? Submit to: immaculatehs.org/alumninews We love to hear from you! Your notes will appear in the next Traditions magazine.
Each day I am reminded of what it means to be a Mustang alumnus. I could write a book about the many experiences and stories of alumni who live out our school’s motto of Respect, Responsibility and Reverence long after graduation. In recent weeks alone, three unsolicited alumni have reached out seeking information on how to fund a scholarship to help students receive the gift of an Immaculate education, the Class of ‘87 raised over $2,000 in a matter of days to support a veteran and former classmate in need of a specialized piece of equipment, and a 2018 graduate was offered the opportunity to connect with an alumnus to provide mentorship in her field of interest. Time and time again our alumni are making a difference in each other’s lives and in the life of our school. Take a look through the pages of this magazine to see the many ways you can come home, reconnect and support your alma mater. Immaculate is on the move, with an inspiring mission and vision for the future. Stop in for a visit and see the impact your support is making. I am confident you would be proud of what the students of today are accomplishing in the classroom and on the fields and stage, as well as what they are doing to serve the greater good. Please be sure we have your updated email address by visiting www.immaculatehs.org/ alumniupdate so that we can continue to share the stories that unite us all. Together, WE are Immaculate! Denise (Henry) Suarez ‘87 Director of Alumni Relations
We Congratulate Our 2019 Gala Honorees Denis R. Bouffard (posthumous) IHS Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Carl ‘71 and Lauren Bailey IHS Distinguished Service Award Recipients
HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
The Athletic Hall of Fame exemplifies the rich tradition of Immaculate athletics by recognizing those who have brought honor and distinction to our school. Immaculate looks forward to gathering in the Fall of 2020 as we recognize a new class of Hall of Fame inductees. Please see the bylaws and nomination process by visiting immaculatehs.org/hof. All nominations for the 2020 class of inductees must be made by August 1, 2019. Please review the bylaws and then click on the nomination form box to submit your nomination of an Immaculate athlete, team, coach or supporter. If you have questions, please contact Denise Suarez, Director of Alumni Relations at (203) 744-1510 x158 or dsuarez@myimmaculatehs.org.
Coming Home
Alumni across the generations return to relive fond memories and reconnect with old friends!
Alumni College Panel
Alumni Football Game
Alumni Hockey Game
Alumni Basketball Game
Homecoming
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Visit www.immaculatehs.org/reunions for information on 2019 reunion events
Reconnecting
Honoring the past. Celebrating the present. Embracing the future! ALUMNI PORTAL HAS LAUNCHED! Over 250 alumni have already registered in our new private, password-protected alumni portal, which houses an alumni directory! YOU get to choose what is included in the directory, which is only accessible to IHS alumni. Power-up your Mustang connections and join today by visiting www.immaculatehs.org/login. Stay tuned for new features to be added to the portal!
FOREVER MUSTANGS
Friendships that stand the test of time…
Immaculate High School
Alumni Portal
Patty (Bongo) Gustavson, Marianne (Urkie) Mitchell, Kathleen O’Rourke and Laurie (McKenzie) White reunite in Scottsdale! Laurie’s husband Chris surprised them with this wonderful keepsake pictured below which was waiting for them upon their arrival.
Class of 1983 Reunion
Class of 1988 Reunion
Class of 1993 Reunion
Class of 2013 Reunion
“The friendships I created at Immaculate High School have stood the test of time and they are my friends for life. From the minute we met at Fall training in 1977 to Graduation in 1981 to our AZ trip in 2018, we have bonded together with laughs, travels, reunions, love and loss. I will be forever grateful to the foundation Immaculate provided bringing together these amazing friends.” - Kathleen O’Rourke ‘81
ALUMNI NEWS
1960’s
The Class of ‘68 didn’t want to wait another 5 years, so gathered for lunch in Danbury just months after their 50th reunion.
Jennifer, Patty, Laura and Gina gather to surprise a former classmate with a gift from the Class of ‘87!
1970’s
DeeDee (Vosswinkel) Ferguson ‘91 launched a website where you can read inspirational stories of people around the world who have “beaten the odds” - www.connect4hope.com.
2000’s
The Greater Danbury Old Timers Athletic Association honored Bob Gerwien, Jim Pacific ‘72 and Don McGran ‘76 at its annual awards banquet in September.
The IHS family came out to support Ian Smith ‘87 as he unveiled his book, “The Ancient Nine” at Danbury Public Library.
Chelsie (Rizzo) Kaptein ’08 and Mike Kaptein welcomed their son Michael on March 5!
2010’s Melissa (Lopes) Haynes ‘02 and her husband Greg welcomed Grayson Anthony on July 25, 2018.
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Capilli, Loya, Stevens and Wojnicki alums meet up during the holidays!
as Deirdre Dolan Nesline ‘79 and Tracy (Peterson) Brady ‘79 team up and walk to end Alzheimer’s.
Chris Detje ‘89 was recently selected as the Command Master Chief for all Naval Forces in Korea, based in Busan South Korea. He recently completed his 29th year of Naval Service. Congratulations!
1990’s Elaine (Dominach) Bologna ‘79 and Tracy (Clifton) Wackelin ‘79 catch up in Florida!
Kevin Hudak ‘03 and John Gregory ‘03 meet up on Christmas Eve.
Class of 2018 alumni visit IHS.
1980’s Former IHS Field Hockey players, Kim Sands ‘14 and Joanna Vodola ‘16, pose with Coach Shannon and Coach Matt post-game.
Erin Melody ‘90 joined the Admissions Team at Xavier University!
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Matt Westervelt ‘07 recently joined IBERIABANK Mortgages as Vice President in the Houston, TX Private Banking Office.
Jim Buzaid ‘80, Greg Mango ‘80 and Mike Dekker ‘80 meet up for a game in Mustang Valley.
Welcome to the world Madeline, daughter of Julian ‘07 and Sarah Christe! Sarah Baker ‘15 completes her first half marathon!
Giving Back Why give back? The reasons are as personal as they are varied. Whether it is serving as a volunteer to supporting the Immaculate Fund, our alumni remain dedicated to the school that means so much to them.
RENOVATING THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR SCHOOL...
Immaculate’s Chapel will be undergoing a renovation this spring, followed by a dedication on Sunday, May 19 as it is named in memory of Monsignor John B. Hossan, Immaculate’s founding principal who passed away last year. Monsignor’s deep faith, combined with his dedication to Immaculate High School’s formative years, make this the perfect way to forever remember him and his legacy. Jo-Anne (Price) Tomanio ’66 made a heartfelt gift to fund two new beautiful stained glass windows of Mary and Joseph which will be behind the altar and will be visible to all those who enter the front of our school. In addition, Kamil Salame ’86 has made a very generous gift to further renovate much needed updates to the aging Chapel, thus enhancing its functionality and beauty. We are incredibly grateful to Jo-Anne and Kamil for their sacrificial gifts, as well as to the many donors for their contributions, including those who supported reunion class gifts earmarked for the Chapel renovation. A Giving Tree in the Chapel will include the names of the reunion classes who supported the Chapel renovation with their gifts and any donations of $250+ which have made this renovation possible. We joyfully offer our alumni the opportunity to dedicate a leaf to a lovedone. If you would like to contribute and have your or your family’s name forever in our Chapel, please visit immaculatehs.org/chapelgift.
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Are You True Blue?
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The True Blue Society recognizes Immaculate’s most loyal donors. Membership in this special community begins with a donor’s fifth consecutive annual fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) gift, at any level, and continues with ongoing yearly support. Thank you to the alumni listed below who not only sustain Immaculate but help it thrive. Many more alumni will be added to this list with their 2018/19 annual gift!
PROUD TO BE A TRUE BLUE MUSTANG 1960’s Joseph Abdella ‘66 Denise Sullivan-Butkowsky ‘66 John Butkowsky ‘66 Victoria Hickey ‘66 Jo-Anne (Tomanio) Price ‘66 Michael Sturges ‘67 Patricia (Curran) Ellsworth ‘67 Donna (Begg) Palmer ‘67 Chris Palmer ‘68 Paul Hiro ‘68 Cathleen Kowalski ‘68 Lockwood Lyons ‘68 Maureen (Brew) Arsenault ‘69 F. Michael Palmer ‘69 Nancy (Buzaid) Palmer ‘69 Catherine (Richardson) Murdoch ‘69 Robert Brunetti ‘69 Devin Stilson ‘69 1970’s Ramona (Lariccia) Brunetti ‘70 Mary Ann (Grandieri) Foncello ‘70 Barbara (Pawlisak) Mahoney ‘70 Carl Bailey ‘71 Paulette (Levesque) Hart ‘71 James Purcell ‘71 Mark Vaghi ‘71 Margaret (Reese) Williamson ‘71 Edward Durkin ‘72 Michael Frank ‘72 Kathleen (Flanagan) Grabert ‘72 William Grabert ‘72 Gary Gramling ‘72 Marta Keane ‘72 Robert Mahoney ‘72 Mary Quinlan ‘72 Robert Van Houten ‘72 Alice (Motta) Wells ‘72 Patricia (McGrath) Palmer ‘73
Eleanor Staib ‘73 James Vaccarelli ‘73 Steve Palmer ‘74 James Foley ‘75 Claire (Mahoney) Anderson ‘75 Anonymous Laurie Albano ‘76 Lori (Dennehy) Burns ‘76 Cynthia Clarke ‘76 Anne (DelSignore) DiMauro ‘76 Cathy (Gerwien) Pinto ‘76 Maureen (Elston) Kerins ‘77 Joan Pryde ‘77 Gary Raymond ‘77 Mary (Briscoe) Raymond ‘77 Kathy (Mahoney) Wakeford ‘77 Mark DePaul ‘78 Thomas Hefferon ‘78 Joan (Wixted) Kiely ‘78 Jennifer (Brockelman) Lynch ‘79 Martin Lynch ‘79 Catherine (Spak) Amodeo ‘79 1980’s Cynthia (Campbell) McHugh ‘80 Meg (Losee) Riefberg ‘80 Lisa (Broadbridge) Coyle ‘81 Jean Garavel ‘81 Patricia (Foley) McFarlin ‘81 Rebecca (Dzubak) Mercaldo ‘81 Marianne (Urkiel) Mitchell ‘81 Scott Mitchell ‘81 Jennifer Boyce ‘82 Christopher Coyle ‘82 Joseph Draper ‘82 Elisabeth (Guenther) Foley ‘82 Daniel Hall ‘82 James Hawk ‘82 Kathleen LiVolsi ‘82 Christopher Mango ‘82
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Immaculate High School True Blue Society
Denis O’Hara ‘82 Peter Ruppert ‘82 Dennis Fulling ‘83 Christopher Setaro ‘83 Andrea Dolan ‘84 Mike Halas ‘84 William Dolan ‘85 Rebecca (Gage) Johnston ‘85 David Cappiello ‘86 Brendan Deakin ‘86 Joleen (Garofalo) Dennison ‘86 Paul Myott ‘86 Debra (Drury) McCoy ‘87 Dana (Henry) Saidman ‘87 Denise (Henry) Suarez ‘87 Maureen (Mango) Austin ‘88 Kathleen (Gribbin) DeMarco ‘88 Faith Hickey ‘88 Barbara (Dominakus) Braatz ‘89 Nicole (Randazzo) Cipriani ‘89 Beth Anne LiVolsi ‘89 Brian McGovern ‘89 Nelson Mingachos ‘89 Bernie Reidy ‘89 Bob Schlichtig ‘89 1990’s James Cipriani ‘90 Patrick Gribbin ‘90 Chris Hogan ‘90 Monika (Gronlund) Shubert ‘90 Maggie (Bierwirth) Kent ‘91 Teresa (LiVolsi) Poulos ‘94 Megan LiVolsi ‘97 Edward Kilian ‘99 2000’s Stephanie (Rebeiro) Mastrogiannis ‘05 Ryan Nolan ‘09
Immaculate makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of this donor listing. However, unintentional errors do occur. Please accept our apologies and contact (203) 744-1510 x158. To make your gift before June 30, please visit immaculatehs.org/give.
2019 Career Day Presenters
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Immaculate
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73 Southern Blvd • Danbury, CT 06810 www.immaculatehs.org
SPRING 2019 - ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
ONCE A MUSTANG
ALWAYS A MUSTANG IMMACULATE HIGH SCHOOL
UPDATE YOUR EMAIL AT immaculatehs.org/alumniupdate