2022 ALUMNI AND FRIENDS AWARDS CEREMONY

Six alumnae and friends were recognized during the 2022 Come Home to Hoban alumni weekend. The award recipients were recognized during the Iona Prep vs. Hoban football game and celebrated at the alumni and friends award ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 4.

PATTY (BRALEK ’77) WARTKO DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

As the youngest in her family, with seven older siblings, it is no wonder how Patty (Bralek ’77) Wartko has such abundant energy, work ethic, perseverance and determination. Those qualities have served her throughout her own life and given her the strength to be an advocate for others.

Wartko, Class of 1977, former Hoban parent and current board member, is a core, instrumental member of the Hoban community. She has worked, volunteered and led fundraising efforts to create a better learning environment for students. As one of the first females to graduate from Hoban after attending all four years, Wartko and her classmates helped create a welcoming culture and environment at Hoban for the female students who walk Hoban’s hallways today.

She and her husband Dave ’75 have two sons–Nicholas and David. When the boys were young, Wartko immersed herself in the boys’ schools in Lake School District. When David enrolled at Hoban as a freshman, the Wartko’s connection to Hoban was renewed. As parents, they witnessed the impact of Hoban’s Holy Cross education.

Wartko's generosity and volunteerism certainly do not stop with Hoban. After being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer at Summa Health Center, she was asked to join the Cancer Leadership Council and joined the board of the Summa Foundation in 2019, where she serves on the Summa Foundation fundraising committee. She and Dave are active members of their parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Uniontown. Patty is a member of the parish council and served on the fundraising committee to build the PSR classrooms for children in the church.

Patty has consistently been one of Hoban’s biggest supporters for more than 40 years. Her humor, vision, generous spirit and faith have been excessively impactful to those around her.

Mary Anne Decenzo Friend Of Hoban Award

During the course of her 20-year career at Hoban, Mary Anne DeCenzo poured herself into the development of the school, sharing the “good news” of Hoban while keeping the Holy Cross values at the center of her work.

DeCenzo was first introduced to Hoban by her brother, the Rev. Paul Rosing, who suggested her oldest son take the entrance exam. While waiting in the parking lot with three younger children, former Principal Mary Anne Beiting came out, introduced herself and spoke to the DeCenzo kids. DeCenzo knew this was where she wanted her children to be.

By the time her oldest started as a freshman, DeCenzo quickly became involved, and in July 1997, Brother Peter Graham hired her to work in the Advancement Office. Among many instrumental projects that DeCenzo spearheaded, she designed the Holy Cross Room and started the Endowed Scholarship Luncheon. Additionally, DeCenzo created more than 40 Hoban Highlights Magazines, 15 annual reports, numerous admissions brochures, ads and mailings. She contributed to the Blue Ribbon Award editing committee in 1998 and supported two capital campaigns through marketing and grantwriting. As a contributor to the first Hoban website, she coordinated three redesigns as well as the rebranding of Hoban with the True to You logo and language.

DeCenzo has been married for 47 years to her husband Chris and is blessed with four children Matt ’96, Theresa ’98, Brian ’00 and Emily ’04, their spouses and 13 grandchildren. She is a member of St. Francis de Sales Parish and has become more involved in the parish during retirement by serving on the Memorare Center building campaign committee and as a member of the St. Vincent dePaul Society. She continues to be involved with the Congregation of Holy Cross, Midwest Province by creating and producing the quarterly Brother’s newsletter.

DeCenzo's faith, kindness and commitment to Hoban’s mission transcend all. If living out the Hoban mission could be personified, she would truly be the example.

Marilyn Stripe Friend Of Hoban Award

From her early years at St. Matthew’s parish, through her working years, marriage, motherhood and beyond, Marilyn Stripe has always had a servant heart and a passion for helping others. Hoban employees, students and the community at large are privileged to have been on the receiving end of her service and dedication for more than 15 years.

Stripe and her late husband, Dr. Glenn Stripe, chose Hoban for their two sons, Scott ’98 and Brett ’01, because Hoban matched their family values, had a down-to-earth feel, and education was a top priority. Little did she know that soon after enrolling her children at Hoban, she herself would become an integral contributor to the Hoban family and values she so loved.

After many years of steadfast volunteering with the Portage Lakes Kiwanis, various community dental programs through her husband’s dental practice, and her son’s elementary schools, Stripe turned her focus to Hoban in 1994 to volunteer with the Student Raffle, Mother’s Club and other school initiatives. Not long after, Brother Ken Haders offered her the role of Extravaganza coordinator and she spent the next 16 years working to improve Hoban.

In 2002, she took on the position of cheer advisor, which became one of her favorite roles at Hoban. Marilyn looks back fondly on her time not just coaching, but interacting with the student body as a whole. She still hears from many students and continues to stay connected in the big milestones of their lives long after graduation.

Currently, Stripe is enjoying her time in South Carolina as a mother and grandmother. Even though her roles have evolved and changed over the years, it’s no surprise that her home is now one where family and friends frequently come to gather and celebrate. Stripe's dedication to Hoban has deeply impacted students, colleagues and the entire Hoban community.

Lucille Esposito Hoban Knight Award

Since Lucille Esposito was 10 years old, she knew she was meant to be an educator. God has placed her in positions to impact students’ education and she has faithfully carried out her mission for nearly 60 years.

Amid her teaching career of 50 years, Esposito has worked at Catholic and public primary schools, high schools and at the collegiate level, teaching English and theatre. While working at Hubbard, near the end of her teaching career, Esposito was appointed assistant superintendent and then named interim superintendent for a year. Regardless of the location or job title, Esposito's mission never wavers–putting children and their education first.

In 2014, Esposito accepted a position at the GAR Foundation of Summit County as the EIG program manager. In her role, she manages $350,000 in educator grants for Summit County. Esposito works hand-in-hand with educators through the grant process to help bring their ideas to life. Her passion for teaching is still just as vibrant today as it was when she taught in the classroom. And now, she has the pleasure of supporting and collaborating with educators to make teaching and learning more dynamic and impactful.

Esposito became a member of the Hoban community as a grandmother when her oldest grandson enrolled as a student. Since 2009, the Esposito's have hosted an annual dinner for eight people in their home as an Extravaganza auction item. Through this annual donation, they have contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Hoban and Hoban students. Volunteerism is a major family focus as they have served monthly meals at the Ronald McDonald House for the past 10 years, she and Ralph went on a mission trip to El Salvador, they volunteer at the Good Samaritan Center, at church and for Girls on the Run, Northeast Ohio.

Lucille’s energy quite literally has no limits. She has spent her entire life serving others, sharing the gifts with which God blessed her. She is a pillar in the Hoban and Akron communities.

PATRICIA MCINTYRE ’78 HOBAN KNIGHT AWARD

Hoban was a part of Patricia McIntyre’s ’78 life long before she stepped foot in the building as a student. When her brother was a student at Hoban in 1971, she made distinct memories of her mother volunteering for Hoban. Little did she know that she would one day volunteer and give back to the Hoban community in many of the same ways.

Although her brother started the family journey at Hoban, McIntyre blazed her own trail. As a Hoban student, she participated in some of the first female athletic teams at the school. She fondly remembers being on the first gymnastics team as well as attending many sporting events with her friends and family.

In 1977, when Hoban was in danger of closing, her father was one of the attorneys who drew up the original Hoban Trust Fund documents to help save the school. She received an accounting degree from Walsh University and then went onto the University of Akron Law School. She credits much of her success to the solid education she received at Hoban and the people who kept her on track.

McIntyre worked in the 9th District Court of Appeals, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, spent time raising her two sons John ’09 and Joseph ’10 Walsh and is currently an attorney at Buckingham Doolittle and Burrows working in business and finance.

Since 2007, Patricia has volunteered with decorating for Extravaganza, Reverse Raffle, Phonathon, Moot Court and 50/50 raffle at the football games. She and her sister are familiar faces at many sporting events and love supporting Hoban student-athletes.

Her family leaves a lasting legacy at Hoban through the McIntyre Family Scholarship, created to honor her brother who passed away in 1993. Her roots at Hoban are deep, as she knows the value of keeping Hoban's Holy Cross education accessible. Her Hoban experience shaped her, her children and her entire family.

MARY MCINTYRE ’77 FRIEND OF HOBAN AWARD

Very few people in the Hoban community have been to as many Hoban athletic events as Mary McIntyre, Class of 1977. It’s likely that her sister Patty is the only other contender. As a young girl, McIntyre fondly remembers attending Hoban games with her parents, sister and older brother John, Class of 1975. For more than 60 years, she has continued the family tradition to cheer on the Knights.

As a lifelong resident of Akron, she and her sister were to attend The Elms, but those plans changed when Hoban became co-ed in 1973. McIntyre enjoyed Hoban’s atmosphere and her teachers, many of whom were Brothers of Holy Cross.

After graduating from Hoban, she enrolled in college for two years. When she couldn’t decide on a specific major, she entered the workforce and has been working for the court system for 40 years. As clerk of court for the Fairlawn Mayor’s Court, McIntyre upholds the Holy Cross values of discipline, hope and integrity.

Throughout her life, McIntyre has stayed in close connection with Hoban. She supported her nephews Thomas ’08 and Matthew ’10 McIntyre and John ’09 and Joe ’10 Walsh and their friends. More than 10 years later, she continues to cheer on student-athletes she doesn’t know and has made countless connections and friendships within Hoban’s community in doing so.

In 2021, McIntyre attended the Scholarship Luncheon on behalf of the McIntyre Family Scholarship. She recognized the student from watching him play soccer. He was shocked to learn that she attended his games without knowing anyone on the team. Her presence means a great deal to students. While it predominantly flies under the radar, her support is a remarkable gift to the Hoban community.

McIntyre regularly volunteers for the school. She decorates for Extravaganza, volunteers at Reverse Raffle, has sold countless 50/50 tickets. Her commitment is truly admirable. It’s often said that the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. McIntyre is a true illustration of that sentiment.