Noll Today: Bishop Noll Institute Alumni Magazine

WARRIORS CELEBRATE A CENTURY

FOREVER NOLL Celebrating the past 100 years

As Bishop Noll Institute prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday in 2021, two alumni and classmates prepared this year to celebrate turning 100. Francis “Cy” O’Malley and Ruth Barrett Mulhern, members of the Catholic Central High School Class of 1938, reminisced about the past century and their years at a place that would go on to become Bishop Noll Institute.

Ruth Barrett Mulhern ’38

Messages like “Lots of Luck,” “Best wishes to a swell girl,” and “Never forget our swell times in Latin” adorn the end pages of Ruth Barrett’s 1938 yearbook. Ready to celebrate her 100th birthday in December, Ruth has not forgotten those days.

Ruth grew up in the Indiana Harbor section of East Chicago and attended St. Mary’s and then St. Patrick’s before being “privileged” enough to be the first one in her family to attend Catholic Central, she said. Her graduating class of 73 students learned in classrooms in a large building on Hoffman Street from the nuns and priests, and though

she “didn’t really care for school that much,” shorthand was probably her favorite class.

Father Alfred Junk and Father James Conway, the school leaders, were quite popular, she said.

Most mornings, her parents gave her $0.25, which included $0.15 for a full plated lunch and $0.10 for roundtrip bus fare. Tuition was about $60 a year, she recalled.

During high school, Ruth was a member of the Drama Department and acted in many plays. She enjoyed dances and remembers attending prom in the school gym before having dinner at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

Girls and boys attended class together but weren’t allowed to socialize with each other much. “They want you to marry a nice Catholic boy, but they separate you,” Ruth joked.

Ruth met her late husband, Robert, after high school when he and one of her Catholic Central classmates pulled up next to her as she was

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walking home from a movie at the Paramount Theater. They invited her to go out to Calumet City with them, and the pair soon began dating.

Ruth, who still wears her wedding band, said Robert went into the Army and on March 18, 1944, they were married in Maryland where he was stationed. Laurann Engleton, her best friend from Catholic Central, served as her maid of her honor. Laurann’s son, Michael Engleton ’64, remains one of Ruth’s best friends, she said.

After putting her shorthand and stenography lessons to work at Catholic Charities in Hammond and as a secretary to the assistant work auditor at American Steel, Ruth focused on her family. She raised a son who has passed away and daughter Kathy Mulhern Szala ’67, with whom she is extremely close.

She said the best part of her life has been having a wonderful daughter and that she has seen the world change a lot in her lifetime.

“A lot of things have changed for the good,” she said. “I think we are getting too smart for our britches, but the Lord must want us to do all of this.”

As for her longevity, Ruth says no one else in her family lived to 99.

“God’s keeping me here for some reason,” she said. “I wish he would tell me what it is.”

2019-20 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Paul Mullaney ’77, President

Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01, Principal

Jaime Cavazos ’94, Assistant Principal

Mary Ellen O’Neill, Director of Advancement

Renee Nagdeman, Director of Finance

Jeff Stur ’98, Director of Admissions

Marisa Renwald, Technology

Instructional Coach

Stacia Bolakowski, Campus Minister

Eric Roldan ’12, Athletic Director

2019-20 BOARD OF LIMITED JURISDICTION

Dr. Joseph Majchrowicz ’73, Director of Catholic Schools

Jeff Cipowski ’83, Chairman

Mark Cloghessy ’76, Vice Chairman

Larry Kalina ’69

Dr. Jeffrey Kristoff ’63

Patrick McCloskey ’77

Dan Markovich ’98

Rev. Kevin Scalf, C.PP.S.

Director of Advancement

Mary Ellen O’Neill

Bishop Noll Advancement Office 1519 Hoffman St. Hammond, IN 46327 (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002 moneill@bishopnoll.org www.bishopnoll.org

David Skibinski ’76

Wallene Swentko ’63

Gregory Zagrocki ’82, Secretary

2019-20 FOUNDATION MEMBERS

Marlene Vega Coulis ’79, President

Terry Quinn, Vice President

Rev. Dominic Bertino, Treasurer

Courtney Hilbrich Markovich ’95, Secretary

Kenneth Wilk ’66

Francis “Cy” O’Malley ’38

Cy O’Malley celebrated his 100th birthday in May, surrounded by dozens of family members and friends. Pictures of his party, along with Notre Dame signs and memorabilia, adorned his room as he chatted about Bishop Noll, or Catholic Central as he called it, also turning 100.

“I got good memories of the school,” he said. “I enjoyed going to school as much as I hate to admit it.

When I was going, I wasn’t in love with it.”

Cy didn’t have a best friend in high school, instead remembering “We were all friends. We didn’t buddy up like you do nowadays.”

He remembers taking religion, Latin and geometry classes.

“They were all good,” he said of the nuns and priests who taught them. Cy, who prays the rosary and receives communion five days a week, said he still cherishes his Catholic faith.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL IN 1934-1938

“My mother wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Cy was born on his family farm in Dixon, Ill., though his parents moved their eight children to Indiana Harbor when he was 6 years old. The family established itself at St. Pat’s and then Catholic Central, with Cy being the first in his family to spend all four high school years there. Two older siblings finished high school in Dixon but Cy and his siblings Harold, Peg, Jack, Cecilia and Bob all graduated from Noll. Throughout the years, many of Cy’s 25 nieces and nephews also called Noll their home.

During his sophomore year, Cy started working in one of Inland Steel’s clock houses, sorting time cards before and after shift changes. This began a nearly 50-year career at Inland.

Cy did not attend college after Catholic Central, saying, “that was enough for me.” He continued his job at Inland Steel until 1941 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. By the end of December, he had enlisted in the Army Air Corps. At Deopham Green air base in England, he repaired and armed B17 bombers. In 1945, he returned home for a 30-day furlough.

“I give the sargeant my papers and he said ‘wait here a couple minutes’. He came out and says, ‘You’re going to be discharged’. That was the best news I ever heard.”

Cy returned to Inland Steel and worked as a payroll clerk, then a senior accountant. He retired in 1982 and was excited “to do whatever I want to do, whenever I feel like doing it.”

That included attending many Notre Dame football games. Cy’s No. 1 hobby in life has been following the Fighting Irish, his niece said. The year Cy was born, Notre Dame was 9-0 under Knute Rockne. Cy became a season ticket holder in 1956. Throughout the decades, he walked the Notre Dame campus on game days with his siblings, nieces and nephews.

Although Cy has never been in a classroom in the “new” Bishop Noll building, he attended football games at his alma mater until about 10 years ago and has been to basketball games in the fieldhouse. He also enjoyed attending his 50-year class reunion in 1988 in Munster.

“Some of the old guys and just about everybody came back,” he said.

This past May, he celebrated his 100th birthday with family members. “That’s my big memory now,” Cy said, adding that he isn’t sure how he lived to be 100.

Cy’s niece chimed in that it definitely wasn’t from eating all his veggies. “Right,” he said. “Not very many vegetables.”

By the time Ruth and Cy began their senior years at Catholic Central, the high school had already been educating students for 16 years, the Marquette yearbook was in its fourth year of publication, and their class celebrated being the first to have completed their entire four years under the supervision of Father James Conway. There was a variety of clubs for students to join, most of which no longer exist in 2019. The Camera Club made its debut, equipping the school with a darkroom and photography services. Central’s

oldest organizations at the time—The Catholic Students’ Mission Crusade and The Sacred Heart Guild—had successful years. The Mission Crusade group was dedicated to the service of the missions through prayers and almsgiving. The Sacred Heart Guild consisted of boys who desired information on work for which they had the greatest aptitude. Our Lady of Good Counsel Guild was organized to instruct and help girls decide on their future lives including discussions on vocations and a guest speaker on nursing.

Cy and Ruth’s senior year was filled with dances and parties including a Mardi Gras dance, Spring Festival, Western Round-Up, Senior Dance and, of course, prom.

Choir and Band, which were just clubs at the time, have remained throughout Noll’s history and have both morphed into classes. The Choral Club, an innovation of 1937, became more popular in 1938, singing at Masses and making appearances with the Dramatic Club. The Central Band gained new spirit thanks to “clever” new uniforms complete with capes and hats. Several new “Centralites” joined its ranks. There were only three sports teams in 1938: football, boys basketball and girls basketball, much different than the Noll Athletics Department in existence today with 21 varsity sports.

The Dramatic Club, one of the largest clubs at the time, presented five productions that year.

Father James Conway

Dramatic Club’s production of “Annie Laurie”

a letter from the principal

Dear BNI Supporters,

As an alumna and principal, I want to take this opportunity to inform you that year 99 is off to a great start! This year we opened our doors to 150 new students, new families and new opportunities. As our year kicks off with much excitement and as we inch closer to Forever Noll, our centennial celebration, it is important for us to reflect on education and how it has evolved throughout the past 100 years.

When Catholic Central High School was founded in 1921, the education model was one teacher in a room with 60 students. The only information students had access to was what was in their teacher’s brain or a few printed pieces of material. Homework consisted of memorizing facts, practicing spelling words, and reciting times tables. Sure, there was value in these practices, but today’s technology and information accessibility provides students with immeasurable opportunities.

As education has evolved, students have access to more information than any of us ever had! Their iPads and Chromebooks can give them more information than we dreamed of during our days of research in the library. The days of memorizing and reciting information are long gone, and the importance of teaching our students how to use technology, problem solve and think critically and creatively are more important than ever.

In an effort to meet the changing needs of our students, our BNI teachers have to evolve their methods of instruction by providing more project-based learning and incorporating more STEM education into students’ daily lives. I believe these efforts will assist us in creating a more challenging and rigorous curriculum to better prepare our students for their future careers in a changing world.

Although the mission of creating disciples remains the same as it was nearly 100 years ago when we began, the way we teach them has to continue to evolve. This school year began with a huge facelift, the unveiling of new BNI navy lockers replacing the smaller brown lockers we alumni used to use. Students will finally be able to fit those letterman jackets and school/sports equipment! In addition, our school’s renovation of the new STREAM Lab and Innovation Center is nearing completion with plans for a November opening.

Though these enhancements give a fresh appearance to our BNI facilities, our BNI vision also has received a makeover.

Our vision now proudly reads:

Bishop Noll Institute is a welcoming Catholic family committed to creating a transformative learning environment, which fosters innovative, critical, and creative disciples who live their faith through action.

This vision is what students, staff and I will use as a guide to set up our learning environment, extracurricular activities, and ministries at BNI.

Thanks to our alumni, BNI leadership, staff, and families, BNI has served Northwest Indiana for 99 years and will continue to serve for many more!

God Bless,

Lorenza Jara Pastrick Principal

Ignite & Inspire update

Campaign approaches $2.3 million mark heading into home stretch

Bishop Noll’s Ignite & Inspire capital campaign, in its final year, was nearing the $2.3 million pledge total in September as hundreds of BNI stakeholders have made gifts to the school’s inaugural capital campaign, which has a goal of $3.5 million.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our alumni, our faculty, staff, parents and friends who have so generously given so that the tradition of BNI excellence, now in its 99th year, will continue to make a difference for generations of students to follow,”

Bishop Noll President Paul Mullaney said.

“But we have a way to go yet. I ask all of those who haven’t yet been able to invest with us in our Ignite & Inspire campaign to prayerfully consider doing so as we head down the campaign’s home stretch. This is an important time in our school’s history.”

Work has begun on the first campaign objective— creation of a state-of-the-art STREAM Lab to benefit BNI students in what is Indiana’s first fully integrated high school STREAM program. That program highlights the areas of science, technology, religion, engineering, art and math. The Ignite & Inspire campaign’s other objectives are to renovate the school’s outdoor athletic facilities and create an endowment to provide secondary degree assistance to BNI teachers.

Mullaney said the campaign’s title is part and parcel to what takes place every day at BNI—and has for nearly a century.

“Our faculty and staff ignite a passion for learning within our students, and as women and men of faith they inspire our students to live up to the ideals for which we stand,” Mullaney said.

“Yet the students ignite and inspire us as well, as we see them explore, investigate, experiment, evolve and achieve. They remind us that their experiences here at Bishop Noll are setting the stage for a lifetime of commitment. Today’s BNI students will one day lead our communities, our church, our world. We want to make sure we provide them the best tools to allow them to thrive.”

Mullaney wants Noll stakeholders to know that BNI’s Annual Fund—which is separate from the Ignite & Inspire campaign—remains crucial to the school’s annual operations, which it supports.

“We have grown our Annual Fund consistently in recent years, and it is important for that to continue,” he said. “We ask our stakeholders to invest above and beyond what they do for the Annual Fund when they make a gift to Ignite & Inspire.”

1. STREAM Lab To create Indiana’s first fully integrated STREAM Lab, a learning space and innovation center unlike any other. This BNI facility will be a state-of-the-art facility intended to increase student proficiency in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math—often with the influences of religion and the arts—while developing the vitally important 21st century learning skills that today’s employers say are crucial.

FUNDING GOAL: $1 million

2. INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE Creation of an endowment, the interest from which will assist Bishop Noll teachers with tuition support as they achieve advanced degrees, and to assist with professional development for faculty members in prioritized areas identified by the BNI administration.

FUNDING GOAL: $1 million

3. OUTDOOR FACILITIES Upgrades for outdoor facilities, intended to update BNI’s football/soccer field; add an eightlane, all-weather track; plus new bleachers, lighting and other accommodations that will enhance the student and spectator experience.

FUNDING GOAL: $1.5 million

How you can invest

To make a gift to Bishop Noll’s Ignite & Inspire capital campaign, you can:

1. Mail a check to Bishop Noll, marking Ignite & Inspire on the check memo line.

2. Pay online at www.bishopnoll.org, selecting the “Donate— Ignite & Inspire” option under the “Support BNI” tab.

3. Contact BNI President Paul Mullaney at pmullaney@bishopnoll.org to arrange a meeting and discuss campaign gifting options.

STREAM Dreams Turning To Reality Lab Groundbreaking

STEM and engineering students mingled with alumni during the STREAM Lab & Innovation Center

groundbreaking held in March. Students brought their class projects with them to help demonstrate the importance of STEM.

Bishop Noll Junior Explores STEM At IU Summer Camps

Bishop Noll Institute’s mission to become the first elite, fully integrated STREAM high school in Indiana starts with its students, one of whom experienced what it is like to work in a science research lab at a major university.

Jacqueline Vazquez ’21 attended her second year of the Jim Holland Summer Science programs at Indiana University Bloomington.

Forever Noll to mark 100 years… and beyond

In celebration of Bishop Noll Institute’s first century, and recognizing its vision to thrive well into the second century, “Forever Noll” will be the theme of BNI’s centennial celebration.

Announced during Bishop Noll’s inaugural Founders Day celebration on Sept. 16, “Forever Noll” will highlight the school’s rich history from now until the culmination of the centennial celebration on Sept. 16, 2021.

“We want to thank our committee members who have been working hard to advance celebration plans for ‘Forever Noll,’ and we invite other alumni who want to be involved to join us,” said Paul Mullaney, Bishop Noll president.

“The committee started working on this in early 2019, and the events coming up promise to be a proper tribute to the school and the people who made it what it is. It is amazing to consider the impact our school has had on the tens of thousands of students who have been blessed to attend and to the community at large.”

The 2020-21 school year, BNI’s 100th year, will feature a year’s worth of events—social, liturgical, educational, athletic and more—to celebrate Lake County’s premier Catholic high school. Then, to culminate 100 actual years, a big celebration dinner gala will take place in the BNI fieldhouse on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021.

That date is the actual anniversary of the first day of classes at what was then called Catholic Central High School. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ religious order started the school in two classrooms at St. Mary School in East Chicago in 1921.

BNI’s centennial committee and subcommittees meet monthly. If you are interested in participating or would like to offer any celebration suggestions, please send an email to centennial@bishopnoll.org.

The programs are specifically designed to address the ethnic and racial disparities that exist in STEM fields and focus on increasing participation for highachieving, underrepresented students.

For the second-year program, Vazquez spent a week at IU researching nematode worm polyphenism. Vazquez plans to continue pursuing STEM studies at Bishop Noll and apply to the thirdyear program of the Jim Holland Summer Science Programs.

“These programs have helped

me confirm that science is what I want to do as an adult. I just have to figure out specifically what,” she said. “I learned that I'm insanely lucky to have been given this opportunity.”

At Noll, Vazquez has been a member of Bishop Noll's speech team since her freshman year and has played on the golf team the past two years.

“She is very studious and would work ahead, but she also cared about what the others knew and did not know. She would help other students understand the material,” Vazquez’s dual credit chemistry teacher, Mary Koster, said.

GRADUATION

BNI NINETY-SIXTH COMMENCEMENT

Class of 2019 Fast Stats

Graduation Day: May 30, 2019 133 46 graduates attending different colleges and universities $9.49 million

This year’s senior class will be attending schools all over the country, including the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, University of Chicago in Illinois, Grand Valley State University in Michigan, Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, Palm Beach State College in Florida, Hawaii Pacific University, University of Kansas, Prairie View A&M University in Texas, Howard University in Washington, D.C., Marquette University in Wisconsin, and the University of Arizona. in college scholarship offers received

Valedictorian admitted into elite program

The Class of 2019 valedictorian

Franco Komyatte is looking forward to college and putting his passion for helping others to work.

Komyatte, an Our Lady of Grace alum, now attends the University of Evansville, where he was a direct admit into a six-year doctor of physical therapy program. He was also offered a spot in Marquette University’s physical therapy program (there are only 62 spots for 900 applicants, and Noll had two students accepted—Komyatte and Elysa Roldan).

“I’d love to be a traveling physical therapist,” he said. He looks forward to earning a living while helping others and traveling the nation in the process. “I definitely have a passion for helping others, and I think my career choice of physical therapy goes hand-in-hand with that.... Serving others and taking the time to have a positive, lasting impact on those around me are the two most significant pillars of my faith. I hope to continue to live out these principles through the remainder of my life.”

At Noll, Komyatte was involved in Science Olympiad and participated in track, soccer, tennis and recreational league volleyball.

Komyatte’s proudest accomplishment thus far was earning the title of valedictorian.

“It has taken serious dedication and work ethic over an extended period of time to become valedictorian. I’m even more proud to have the privilege of being able to lead my siblings down the same path. Both are highly driven and intelligent human beings who quite conceivably both could become valedictorians themselves in the coming years.”

To view more photos, read stories and watch videos from graduation, visit bishopnoll.org/classof2019.

Eric Aceves and Alexis Aguirre hold their diplomas after walking across the stage.

Bishop Donald J. Hying celebrates the Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral of Holy Angels.

Salutatorian Jake Fuehrmeyer addresses the crowd.

Henry Smith listens during the baccalaureate Mass.

Sebastian Valdes and Alondra Diaz celebrate after graduation.

Lillian Kopaczewski, Litzy Cuevas and Kamari Belcher pose for a selfie after the ceremony.

Q&A With New Assistant Principal Jaime Cavazos ’94

Congratulations to Jaime Cavazos, Bishop Noll class of 1994, on his new role as assistant principal. Cavazos, now in his fifth year working at Noll, previously served as chair of the Social Studies Department and taught U.S. history, government and AP government. He stepped into his new role after previous assistant principal Jessica Omelanczuk Gonzalez left Noll to serve as principal of St. John the Baptist School in the Robertsdale section of Hammond. Cavazos received a bachelor of arts degree from Purdue University Calumet and a masters of arts degree from Loyola University of Chicago.

Q: What is your best memory of Bishop Noll as a student? As a teacher?

A: As a student, that was such a long time ago....I will just say I have always been appreciative of the solid foundation Noll created for me. All of the success I have experienced in life, both personal and professional, I owe to how Noll helped to shape me as a person. As a teacher, it would have to be those "aha" moments with students. When you are trying to explain something and you see all of their eyes light up in understanding.

Q: Has being an alumnus helped you in your new role?

A: Yes it has. I understand not just the current culture but have an appreciation for the tradition. I not only look at it as a place to work, but as a part of who I am and that serves as extra motivation to see the school succeed.

Q: What are you looking forward to about your assistant principal role?

A: I am looking forward to helping Noll take that next step. I feel we are about to turn a corner and I am looking forward to being a part of its continued success and growth.

Q: What are your goals for this year and beyond?

A: I want to build on what was set by Mrs. Gonzalez. I want to continue to hold the students to high standards and help them achieve their fullest potential.

Q: What will you miss about teaching?

A: To teach social studies, you need to love the topics you are teaching and what better way to earn a living than talking about the thing you love all day? I will miss being able to do that.

Q: Anything else we should know about you?

A: When not at BNI, I enjoy visiting with friends and family. However, most days I enjoy a quiet evening at home either watching TV or reading. I am a huge nerd. Anything Star Wars or Marvel, you will see me getting super excited about.

Welcome, Class of 2023

FAST STATS

131 freshman students from 21 different zip codes in Indiana and Illinois officially became Warriors in August. We have 103 Catholic freshmen and 9 legacies in the class.

New Faculty and Staff Welcomed to Noll

Hallway Upgrade

Brand new lockers were installed throughout the school this summer, replacing the original lockers in the circa 1962 school building. The new lockers are larger and better able to accommodate students’ needs.

“I like this year’s lockers much better than previous years,” said Abigail Kawalec ’21. “They are much more spacious, and I can fit all of my bags and books easily. The new lockers have improved the look of the hallways as well.”

Several new faculty and staff members have joined the Noll family. They are Robert Brooks, French and choir; Kevin Driscoll, sophomore theology; Alec Haines, economics, world history and U.S. government; Klara Huss, Spanish; Christian Laird, pre-calculus honors, geometry, geometry honors, weight training; Landy Marasas, biology, AP environmental science, forensics and human anatomy; Eloy Melero ’14, algebra and finite math; Annjanette Ortega, psychology and world history; Todd Peters, geometry, algebra and precalculus. Luz Trevino has joined the main office staff as the attendance secretary. Eric Roldan has been named the new athletic director. Read more about him on P. 9-10.

Google It

Bishop Noll engineering students attended the 2019 HACE STEM Career Conference at Google’s Chicago headquarters this summer. Bishop Noll was the only Indiana school invited to the conference by HACE, the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement.

Shown, in back from left, are Todd Peters, Kevin Driscoll, Alec Haines and Eloy Melero. Shown, in front from left, are Christian Laird, Klara Huss, Landy Marasas, Annjanette Ortega and Luz Trevino. Not pictured: Robert Brooks.

Richelle Mallory ’22 was photographed last year with her locker and again in August with her new locker to show the difference.

school news

Spring musical takes its cue from 1950s

The BNI Drama Department presented “Zombie Prom” as its spring musical. Set in the atomic ’50s, Toffee, played by Jilsuri Hernandez, is a sweet senior who falls head over heels for Jonny, played by Michael Gee, who is known as the “class bad boy.”

“My favorite part of being in the musical was getting the chance to perform. I also loved meeting and spending time with people I hadn't met before.”

—cast member Ruby Meza

Save the Date: Fall Play

“Fools” by Neil Simon 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17

Band Visits Big Apple

A concert tour of the Big Apple was a dream come true for Bishop Noll concert band members. During their New York City visit, the band performed concerts at the Carnegie Hall complex, on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid and in historic Rockefeller Center. The students also saw a performance of “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway and took in other musical sites such as the statue of George M. Cohen, father of the Broadway musical,

and John Lennon’s memorial in Central Park. They toured the 9/11 museum and reflecting pools at the footprints of the old World Trade Center buildings and toured historic Radio City Music Hall.

“The band trip to New York City will easily be one of the most memorable parts of my freshman year,” said band member Abigail Wojtaszek. “I loved going to see ‘Phantom of the Opera’ on Broadway. It was a dream come true. Seeing Radio City Music Hall was astounding, and I was thrilled to sit in that theater. The trip may have been a bit exhausting but it was truly worth it all in the end.”

Jazz Band Earns Trophies

The BNI Jazz Band won first place at the Robert Morris University Chicago Jazz Festival. Band members Andres Miranda, trumpet, and guitarist Catherine Menge also took home individual awards.

Marching Band News

This year’s band competition show is called “Band Games,” a take on the Avengers’ “End Games” movie. The show features music and formations based on the movie and premiered September during the first football game performance. In September, the band marched in East Chicago’s Mexican Independence Day Parade, and Oct. 14 it will again take part in the Chicago Columbus Day Parade. Look for the Bishop Noll band on WGN Channel 9.

Band Alumni

Plans are in the works for an all-band reunion with the opportunity to play music, eat pizza and reminisce about your time in the band. For more information, email Mr. Carioto at rcarioto@bishopnoll.org.

Biology Club Turns DNA Day Into School-Wide Event

April 25 might seem like a regular day to most, but not for BNI students who know it as DNA Day. For the past few years, the Biology Club has taken great pride in advocating DNA Day to the entire school.

This year, the club frosted DNA cookies, made and sold T-shirts to wear on the national holiday and held a chromosome scavenger hunt.

Science Olympiad Places At Sectionals

The BNI Science Olympiad Team had quite the successful season, with it only being its second year in existence. At sectionals, the team placed in the following events: Dynamic Planet (4th), Experimental Design (5th), Designer Games (5th), Herpetology (6th), and Astronomy (6th). Abigail Kawalec, Carmelina Komyatte, Giovanni Komyatte, Franco Komyatte, Chantale Leavell, Jesus Olages, and Alejandro Rodriguez placed in their respective events. The team hopes to qualify for state this year.

Speech Team Succeeds At State Championship

The Bishop Noll Speech Team attended the inaugural Indiana State Catholic School Championship at Marian University. Abigail Kawalec, Kiara Rivera and Jackie Vazquez ’21; Angela Luna ’20; and Becky Vazquez ’19 won second place overall for the team sweepstakes. Luna was the Indiana Catholic state champion in Informative Speaking and also was named the overall individual state champion of the entire tournament.

BNI celebrates St. Joseph

In honor of St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of the new STREAM Lab and Innovation Center, a new Noll tradition began this year on St. Joseph’s Day. Students practiced the custom that many Catholics around the world practice by celebrating St. Joseph’s table during lunch.

Band students perform on the USS Intrepid.

Michael Adelson, conductor for the New York Philharmonic, leads students in a one-on-one clinic.

From The Classroom

“My favorite class this year would be Engineering. I love learning the mechanics and or electronics of things and how they work. We had a project where we had to reverse engineer something so we took it apart, made something about it better, and put it back together. For my project, I reverse engineered my remote control car and made a two-speed transmission for it!” —Ian Meza ’20

Making Prom Memories

Prom took place on a rainy day at Dream Palace in Lynwood, IL. This year’s theme was Met Gala: Shanghai Sunset, and the prom committee incorporated the red carpet and celebrity style of the gala with cherry blossoms and Asian decor.

was Chase Aguirre ’20, who brought the Bishop Noll Mariachi Band, large letter balloons, confetti, a red carpet and dozens of passerbys to ask Daniela Nunez ’19 to be his prom date.

Yoga Club Benefits Students

The newly formed Yoga Club met on Friday mornings during the 2018-19 school year and plans to continue this year as well. Students are invited to attend as they are guided through a physical and meditative practice of yoga. Through yoga, students gain benefits such as strength, flexibility, better focus, confidence, peace and overall wellness. Some athletes have participated in yoga to help them perform better in various sports. Club sponsor Ms. Rebecca Dostatni ’00 is a registered yoga teacher.

campus ministry

Retreat Prepares Staff for New School Year

Promposals

Seniors and juniors competed to win free tickets to prom by asking their date in creative ways— these “asks” are called promposals. The winner of the contest

A few days before Bishop Noll faculty and staff began a new school year, they spent time together at a retreat designed to refocus their minds, reinvigorate their souls and relax their bodies. While on retreat at Lourdes Friary in Cedar Lake, Ind., the adult leaders of Noll had the chance to pray in the chapel, discuss goals for the next year and learn Lovingkindness meditation techniques designed to help them and their students de-stress.

In the morning, attendees spent quiet time reading a book titled “One Word that will change your life.” The concept entails choosing a word for the year that will simplify and shape your life. Working in small groups, staff members then discussed what ONE WORD they felt would benefit Bishop Noll for the next school year.

The staff chose the word EMBRACE as its word of the year.

Best Wishes

During the baccalaureate Mass, the Bishop Noll Institute Family offered one final message of gratitude to Bishop Donald J. Hying for his leadership and pastorship these past four and a half years in the Diocese of Gary. Bishop Hying was made a bishop of the diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. We pray that the Holy Spirit

continues to kindle in Bishop Hying the fire of God's love in all he does.

Seminarian Visit

Mundelein seminarians from the Diocese of Gary came to Bishop Noll to speak to junior theology students. In the photo, Zach Glick (Our Lady of Grace Parish, Highland) explains his discernment journey as Steven Caraher (St. Thomas More, Munster), left, and Ryan Wilson (Ss. Peter & Paul, Merrillville) listen.

Prom king and queen were seniors Chris Juarez and Athena Rojas.

sports news

6 quick facts about Bishop

Noll’s new athletic director Eric Roldan ’12

“I am extremely grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to serve the Bishop Noll community,” Roldan said. “As a product of the first-class academics and athletics here at Bishop Noll, I am honored and excited to come back home and work with the entire Noll family in leading athletics for many successful years.”

Was a member of Noll’s 2011 state finalist basketball team. The 2010-11 Warriors were 26-0 before losing by one point to Indianapolis Park Tudor in the Class 2A state final.

Earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management and marketing from Trine University and a master’s degree in business administration from IU Northwest. At IUN, he served as head assistant basketball coach.

In addition to basketball, he played soccer and baseball while at Noll.

Held multiple leadership roles at Trine, including serving as president of the school’s international business honor society chapter. He received Trine’s 2016 Outstanding Student Leadership Award. Roldan also served an internship with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, an NBA G-League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers.

Taught for two years at St. Thomas More School in Munster while working on his MBA at IU Northwest. In his three years on the IUN men’s basketball coaching staff, the Redhawks posted 63 wins, including a school-record 24 victories last season, and achieved the first national ranking in the program’s history.

At Bishop Noll, Roldan will oversee 21 sports programs for student-athletes.

Getting to know new boys basketball coach John Boyd

Boyd comes to Bishop Noll with 273 victories as a varsity head coach. In those 20 seasons, he has posted double-figure victory totals every year but once. In addition to his 2002 state title, his 2005 West Side Cougars won the 4A regional.

A graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington with a master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan, Boyd also is a school safety specialist. In 14 years at West Side, his alma mater, Boyd taught English and coached basketball, the final 10 years as head coach.

At Bishop Noll, Boyd inherits a basketball program that has won four sectional titles, two regional titles and one semistate championship in the past nine years.

In the second year of a 2-year rebuild playing a JV schedule, the transition back to varsity begins the second half of the season. There were four games against JV or non-IHSAA opponents, and four games will be played against varsity teams from Noll’s conference. There are 40 players now on the roster, but only six upperclassmen. Next year, Noll will return to a full varsity schedule. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Veteran basketball coach and educator John Boyd, a state championship coach known for producing successful graduates, has been hired as the varsity boys basketball coach at Bishop Noll Institute.

“Being a part of Bishop Noll’s tradition of excellence was intriguing to me and to my family,” Boyd said. “I feel it would be the right place to join an extended family that believes in achieving excellence. We’ve always incorporated into our beliefs to be the best you can be.”

Boyd was head coach the past 10 seasons at Michigan City High School and for 10 seasons before that at Gary’s West Side High School, where his 2002 team won the Indiana Class 4A championship. He currently serves as assistant principal at Krueger Middle School in Michigan City.

Boyd’s first game as Noll coach will be Wednesday, Nov. 27, at home against Munster in the traditional Thanksgiving Eve season tipoff.

Basketball Reunion

Bishop Noll basketball alumni gathered together this past April to share some great memories and laughs as former boys basketball head coach Drew Trost was back in town. Trost is now the head basketball coach at Juan Diego Catholic High School in his home state of Utah. Standing, from left, are Kevin Mullaney ’10, Matt Sandoval ’13, Larry Crisler ’14, Jose Rosario ’12, Jorge Lopez ’08, Drew Trost, Eric Roldan ’12, Xavier Santos ’08 and Javier Heridia (former assistant to Trost). Sitting is Adonis Filer ’11.

Football

Softball

The BNI varsity softball team was led by seniors Hailey Pierce (1B), Elysa Roldan (2B), Kalie Zvonar (SS) and Lexi Fortuna (C/CF). These four girls played for Noll all four years and led the team to a 7-7 record. Unfortunately, their season was cut short in the sectional final.

Track & Field

At sectionals, senior Eris Harris placed first in the high jump. Chyna Davis (100m H) also qualified for regionals. Both Josh Smith (LJ) and Joel Montenegro (110m H) qualified for regionals.

Harris competed in the State Finals—this was the 8th straight year Noll had a girls track athlete make it to state.

Tennis

The boys tennis team finished with an overall record of 10-6. BNI defeated Hammond Morton 4-1 in first round of sectionals and 5-0 over East Chicago Central to win the sectional championship for a fourth consecutive year (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018). Senior captains Franco Komyatte and John Wea were named GSSC Boys Tennis All Conference-1st Team and senior Joey Gruszkowski and junior Giovanni Komyatte received Honorable Mention. Also, Senior captains Franco Komyatte and Wea were named IHSAA Academic AllState Tennis Team.

sports

Lexi Fortuna

Mary

Catia Salazar

Alley Traciak Volleyball

Bishop Noll’s annual golf invitational

Guests: More than 80 golfers

Date: July 15, 2019

Location: Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville

It was a beautiful day on the course. Alumni from the classes of 1945 to 2019 mingled and reunited.

Thank you to all the players, dinner guests and sponsors who helped make the day possible and showed their support for BNI's mission!

Looking forward to next year's golf outing: July 20, 2020

big event mixes fun and games to raise funds for scholars

Golf outing sponsors

Community Healthcare Systems

Calumet City Plumbing

Area Sheet Metal

Tim Mertz ’63, Bob Vellutini ’63, Marty Tintari ’66, Jim Vellutini ’90

FACTS renweb

DLZ/Craig Nagdeman

Kusiak Construction/ Dave Kusiak ’87

Ideations and Promotions/ Lisa Kusiak ’88

Calumet Bakery

Korellis Roofing

Class of 1959

Proven IT

Doherty Images/Pete Doherty ’71

Cavalier Inn/Wally Kasprzycki ’75

Tolin Family

FABSCO Corp/Kevin O’Neill ’76

McDonald’s

Lithographic Communications

Rieth-Riley Construction

St. John the Baptist School

Dan Marias ’68

Team Audi Volkswagon

Rodzina Properties/The Cipowski Family

North Township/ Frank J. Mrvan, North Township Trustee

Strack & Van Til

The Doherty Family/Phil Doherty ’74

Hammond Machine Works/Peter Nau ’75

First Midwest Bank

BSN Sports

Calumet College of St. Joseph

Dixon Florist

Guests: More than 300

Date: April 26, 2019

Location: BNI Fieldhouse

Bishop Noll’s premier annual fundraising event, benefitting the Principal’s Scholarship Fund, raised more than $60,000 this year. The next Big Event will take place April 24, 2020. Interested in being a sponsor or purchasing tickets? Contact Juli Sandoval in the advancement office at (219) 932-9058, ext. 1005, or jsandoval@bishopnoll.org.

Dan Marias ’68, Paul Mullaney ’77, Larry Kalina ’69, Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01

Eric Roldan ’12, Matthew Sandoval ’13, Chris McCormack, David Bock, Nick Skurka ’12

The Class of 1959 enjoys attending the golf outing each year.

Teams chat during lunch at Innsbrook Country Club.

Adam Gawlikowski ’60, Jeff Kristoff ’63 and Paul Mullaney ’77

Mary M. Whelan Memorial Golf Outing

Golfers: 135

Location: Briar Ridge Country Club

Raised: $102,000

Total raised in 8 years: Approximately $750,000

What made the outing special? The weather was spectacular. It rained for most of the month of June—not on golf day, though. What really makes this event special are the people. A good number of people have been supporters of the outing for 8 years. The golf outing started as a way to pay for the auditorium renovation and has continued to raise funds for building projects and the Ignite & Inspire Campaign

Special Thanks: Special thanks to Jason Cipowski ’92. Jason is a bulldog in chasing down golfers and helping everyone stay organized. The outing has become a family affair for the Whelan and Cipowski families. Jason, his brothers and their wives have taken part in the golf outing in some way.

Shannon ’12 and Megan ’17 Whelan are also very much involved in the planning of the golf event.

Mike ’85 and Lori ’85 Whelan, golf outing co-chairs

Join us for our upcoming events!

Fall Raffle Drawing Dec. 3, 2019

Big Event April 24, 2020

Alumni Golf Invitational July 20, 2020

Founders Day Sept. 16, 2020

Centennial Celebration Sept. 16, 2021

visit vatican city... in northwest indiana

Sunday, October 27, 2019, 4 p.m. St. John the Evangelist Church in St. John

Visit Vatican City, the seat of Catholicism and the top tour destination in the world, through the lens and descriptions of degreed and certified Vatican guides. Explore Vatican City's history, world famous gardens, monuments, museums and St. Peter's Basilica.

A reception at 3 p.m. with the guides will precede the pictorial lecture. Admission is $25 per person. Proceeds will benefit Bishop Noll’s Ignite & Inspire Campaign. Tickets are on sale at Bishop Noll in the Main Office and at bishopnoll.org.

For more information on tickets, contact Juli Sandoval at jsandoval@bishopnoll.org or (219) 932-9058, ext. 1005.

Learn more about the Ignite & Inspire Campaign on pages 2 and 3 of this issue.

giving back

School counselor has life-changing experience helping refugees this summer

Bishop Noll school counselor Ashley Comer spent part of her summer working with refugees in Texas, and says the lifechanging experience revealed her strengths and allowed her to share the love of God with others.

Comer learned of the opportunity this spring when she attended a service retreat with Bishop Noll seniors and met Sister Connie Bach, a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ. Sister Connie talked about going to El Paso in the summer to help refugees coming from Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Honduras and more.

“The Holy Spirit encouraged me to go,” Comer said. “I was so excited to serve because I wanted the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet. I was able to talk to the refugees and encourage them.”

Comer, Sister Connie and other volunteers worked at a warehouse that services refugees after their release from border patrol custody. The facility provides them with a place to sleep, food, clothing, hygiene needs and other basic supplies. Comer and her group stayed on the premises for two weeks sleeping on a Red Cross cot with little access to indoor plumbing. She averaged 18,000 steps a day.

“We did a little bit of everything,” she said, which included helping serve meals, do laundry and cleaning.

While this was her first solo mission trip—having only been on Bishop Noll sponsored service retreats, “this is not my last experience. You learn so much personally about yourself. When I first got there, it was not a place where I was comfortable and I initially had a meltdown. As I found out what my strengths were, I was able to grow.”

Although Comer does not speak Spanish, she said the language of love was able to transcend any language boundaries. “They felt loved and cared for,” she said. “It was a blessing to share the love of God.”

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

Whether making an annual fund donation or setting up special scholarships, our Bishop Noll alumni are always finding ways to help our current students.

If you are inspired to recognize students through supporting a scholarship, please email Mary Ellen O’Neill, director of advancement, at moneill@bishopnoll.org or call (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002.

Strada Education Network Hispanic Student Scholarship

Each year Strada Education Network presents the Hispanic Student Scholarship to deserving Bishop Noll seniors. This year’s recipients were Brisa Garcia, Indiana University Northwest; Elysa Roldan, Marquette University; Brandon Fuentes, University of Arizona; Angelica Figueroa, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis; and Daniel Salazar, Valparaiso University.

Warrior Spirit Scholarship

To express his gratitude for the influence BNI had on his life and that of his family, Terry Murphy ’75 started the Warrior Spirit Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarships are given to the freshman, sophomore and junior who overcome the most obstacles to succeed. The recipients of the Warrior Spirit Scholarship for the 19-20 school year were: Ryan Paliga, freshman; Natalie Ramirez, sophomore; Joey Minor, junior. In addition, Murphy also renewed the scholarship for Philip Reyes-Brown, senior.

Purdue University West Lafayette—Bishop Noll Institute Scholarship Endowment

The Purdue West Lafayette—Bishop Noll Institute Scholarship Endowment was established in 2016 and generated by 1963 classmates, Dr. Jeffrey Kristoff, Dr. Richard Schreiner and Ms. Wallene Swentko. The endowment supports BNI students in need of financial aid who pursue a STEM discipline at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. To date there have been six awards. The

2019-2020 recipients are Nathaniel Adams ’16, who is majoring in computer science at Purdue, and Chyna Davis ’19, who will major in biology at Purdue.

“I would like to say thank you to the class of 1963 for making me a recipient of the Purdue Endowment Scholarship. It is truly a blessing to be a part of the Bishop Noll family.”

—Nathaniel Adams ’16, pictured standing in front of Knoy Hall of Technology at Purdue University

They will receive a total of $9,900 from the endowment. The endowment, available only to Noll students, complements BNI’s STREAM program and new facilities to encourage students to pursue technical excellence. The scholarship is to insure that recipients have an opportunity for an excellent education and successful career, and that in their future they will likewise assist others in pursuit of their dreams. Those wishing to make a donation to the BNI Endowment Scholarship Fund may contact Mary Ellen O’Neill, Director of Advancement at BNI, moneill@bishopnoll.org, or Dr. Jeffrey Kristoff at jsk1sc@gmail.com.

Indiana residents and businesses can support Bishop Noll AND receive DOUBLE tax benefits

BNI is proud to partner with the Sagamore Institute’s Scholarships for Education Choice program. This scholarship granting organization (SGO) allows donors to support private education through tuition assistance AND receive a substantial tax savings. Through Indiana’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program, Sagamore is authorized to offer individuals and businesses state tax credits equal to 50% of the amount donated to secure funding for scholarships for income-eligible students attending Bishop Noll. And, because the SGO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, you might also qualify for a federal tax benefit! If you itemize on your federal tax return, be sure to include your SGO donation as a charitable deduction.

Chyna Davis

This means a donation of $1,000 with Bishop Noll Institute as the beneficiary could ultimately only cost you $300 to $450, depending on your tax situation. And there is NO LIMIT to the amount you can give while still receiving the state tax credit. Please remember to always consult your tax adviser for details.

This fiscal year, which started July 1, the state is allowing $15 million in Indiana Tax Credit funds to be awarded through the SGO program. Once that total is reached, donations will not be eligible for the tax credit until next fiscal year. Last fiscal year, the allowed funds were depleted in December 2018.

How does it work? Instead of donating directly to BNI, you make a gift to the Sagamore SGO and designate Bishop Noll Institute as the beneficiary. Sagamore distributes the money to Bishop Noll to be used for tuition assistance to qualifying families.

Where do I donate?

You can pay online at www. scholarshipsforeducationchoice.com or www.s4ec.com. If you wish to pay by check to the Sagamore Institute feel free to contact the Sagamore Institute or BNI’s director of advancement, Mary Ellen O’Neill, at (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002, or moneill@bishopnoll.org, to obtain a form to accompany your check.

1921 Society—Honor Bishop

Noll with a generous bequest Bishop Noll alumni, even after their deaths, continue to honor the school that meant so much to them with generous gifts that help us build an endowment that will support the school and its students in perpetuity, giving Bishop Noll the opportunity to provide more needed scholarships for our students and vastly broadening our school’s possibilities as we move into our next century of transforming students mind, body and soul. We are most grateful to those who have honored BNI through a bequest. May they rest in peace.

We invite you to become a partner in advancing our mission for the future by making a planned gift to Bishop Noll Institute. A planned gift gives you the opportunity to leave your legacy in the halls of BNI and in the hearts and minds of our students for generations to come.

Check in with Noll

Bishop Noll has Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to keep you up to date on all the latest Warrior news and events. You can also visit bishopnoll.org for updated stories and photos.

Benefits of Planned Giving

• A planned gift makes an important impact to Bishop Noll Institute that doesn't cost you anything during your lifetime.

• A planned gift is a witness of your desire to be a good steward of the gifts God has given you.

• A planned gift may have some financial tax benefits for you and can add protection to your assets.

• Regardless of your income level, there are several ways you can make a significant contribution to Bishop Noll Institute through a planned gift including bequests/wills, a gift of real estate, trusts and annuities and beneficiary designations naming Bishop Noll on a life insurance policy, IRA, 401 (k) or a savings account.

When you inform us of your planned gift intent, you become a member of the 1921 Society, named for the year Catholic Central High School was founded. The 1921 Society recognizes you among those who have a special commitment to Bishop Noll Institute’s mission of providing excellent academics in a community of Catholic values.

If you would like to know more about making a planned gift to benefit Bishop Noll Institute, please contact Mary Ellen O’Neill at (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002, or moneill@bishopnoll.org.

Teams test their brains at first Young Alumni Trivia Night

Bishop Noll Young Alumni Committee's first Trivia Night took place in March in the BNI Cafeteria. The event was a huge success, raising more than $1,200, which included a $500 gift from an alum in attendance. Thank you to the Young

Alumni Committee for putting this event together and to Kerri from QQ Trivia for serving as Trivia Master for the night.

Alumni have fun reuniting at Bishop Noll White Sox Night

The second Bishop Noll Night with the White Sox, which took place in July, was a success with nearly 200 Warriors in attendance. A portion of each ticket sold in the special Noll section is donated by the White Sox to Bishop Noll’s annual fund. Stay tuned for the date of next year’s Bishop Noll White Sox Night.

GRAND PRIZE

$20,000 CASH

2ND PRIZE $5,000 CASH

3RD PRIZE $2,000 CASH

4TH - 7TH PRIZES $500 CASH

2019

Donation: $10.00

Drawing: December 3, 2019 at Bishop Noll Institute

All proceeds to benefit Bishop Noll Institute

Winner need not be present. Winner must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver's license or state issued I.D. Raffle license # 148476

Shown are the winning team of Ty Henry, Jianna Bull, Brian Lawson, Jose Arteaga ’12 and Zach Aring.

noll notes

1950

Irene A. Prokocki Tuohy writes she is very proud of the teaching and learning at Noll.

“Among our many alumni, one I recall is Frank Reynolds. He announced and described our Noll basketball games on radio station WJOB—Hammond. This was in the late 1940s and 1950 when he graduated. He rose to an international news reporter on TV. His son is following in his dad’s footsteps, which is excellent.”

1964

Brad Smith retired in 2003 from AT&T. He now lives in Cape Coral, FL.

1966

Tom Pancheri writes that his daughter Emily received her MBA from Indiana University Kelley School of Business in May 2019 and his daughter Elyse, a graduate of Loyola University, has her own yoga show on YouTube called Yogma.

Rita C. Dziadowicz Strossner is enjoying retirement and traveling the world.

1967

Paul Fotia honored for 50 years of police service

This past April marked 50 years of service to the Indiana State Police for Paul Fotia ’67. Paul began his career as a radio dispatcher at the former Indiana State Police Schererville Post and served there until 1972. He then became a trooper stationed at Indiana State Police Dunes Park Post in

Chesterton. He transferred back to Schererville in 1974 where he served until August 1977 when Dunes Park and Schererville posts were closed and a new Lowell Post opened. In 1978, Paul was assigned as an Area 1 detective and in August 1983, three days after his second son was born, he began attending Indiana University Northwest part time for 9 ½ years. By the time he earned a bachelor’s degree in management and administration, he and his wife, Debbie, had three more children.

Shortly after graduation, he was promoted to sergeant as a firearms examiner and assigned to the Lowell Regional Laboratory.

After retiring from the Indiana State Police as an officer, Paul was selected as the Lowell Regional Laboratory Manager, a position he held until April 26, 2019.

During Paul’s tenure, he earned a Million Mile Award, served on the Tactical Intervention Platoon, was involved in various federal and local task forces, and is a member of the Association of Crime Laboratory Directors. He was also awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash Award--not once, but twice. Governor Otis Bowen presented it to him, along with the Silver Star Award, in 1975. More recently, he received the award from Governor Eric Holcomb, presented by Superintendent Doug Carter on April 15. At that time, he was also given a certificate marking 50 years of service.

Retirement is looking pretty good as Paul plans to spend more time with family, maintaining the house, and getting much deserved rest. He and his wife of 43 years live in Schererville.

1968

Tony Kolodziej, a petroleum engineer, spoke to Bishop Noll AP Environmental Science students about his career in fracking. Kolodziej brought maps and a slideshow about the fracking operations that he worked on over the years since he left Noll. Fracking is one method of releasing natural gas from underground rock formations. It is a highly specialized field that requires drilling machinery, water pressure and retrieval equipment. Natural gas is much cleaner burning than coal and is being used around the country.

1974

Mary K. Kaczka is a real estate broker with RE/MAX Lifestyles in Valparaiso, serving Northwest Indiana.

Class of 1974 alumnus receives distinguished service award from Boy Scouts of America

Paul R. Liszewski was recently awarded the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. This distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America is awarded to an Eagle Scout by the National Eagle Scout Association for distinguished service to his profession and community upon the recommendation of his local council, NESA committee, Scout executive and council president. He received the award through the Pathway to Adventure Council, which spans Lake County, Indiana, all of Cook County, Illinois and parts of DuPage and Will counties.

“I’ve been a Scout almost my entire life, and continue to contribute to the youth in the program and to my community. I was very surprised and humbled

when I was notified as being a recipient this year. Overall, being a ‘Good Scout’ is like being a ‘Good Catholic’: Service to others.”

Paul was in Scouts at Noll and attained the Rank of the Eagle during his junior year in 1973. His favorite Noll teachers were Mr. Joyce and Mr. Queyquep.

“I do recall the religious teachings. They weren’t instructive teachings, but teachings that made you think.”

Paul and his wife, Janice, live in Schererville. He hopes to retire soon.

1975

Terry Murphy is president and CEO of the Hammond Group, which specializes in the advancement of battery chemistries for enhanced energy storage. Terry received his astronautical engineering degree from Purdue and an MS from USC. This graduate worked on rocket engines and deep space power systems for over 25 years before leveraging that experience into the renewable energy sector.

1976

Debra Bolanos receives Indiana Heritage Fellowship Award

Debra Bolanos was one of two Hoosiers selected to receive the inaugural Indiana Heritage Fellowship Award this spring at Mathers Museum of World Culture on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington. Bolanos is director at Ballet Folklorico Las Villistas, which is home to Xel-Ha Escuela de Danza of which she is founder and director. She is president of Societad Cultural y Civica la Reforma, as well a former board member for Northwest Indiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Women's Forum of Northwest Indiana. She is owner and manager of Galaxy Travel Inc. in East Chicago.

Paul (second from right) is shown with his wife, Debbie, son-in-law Brandon Wadas and Paul and Debbie’s children: Catherine, Christine, Patrick, John and Michael.

“When I was told that I was being recognized for my work I couldn't believe it! I had never been recognized not even by my city or city leaders. It was a very humbling moment and emotional for me. My kids were in the audience along with my students who performed for the event. My mom couldn't be there due to her health. My mom was the inspiration in my life that started me into Mexican folkloric dance when I was 7 years old.”

Later in May, Debra was recognized by State Representatives Mara Candelaria Reardon and Earl Harris Jr. for her contribution to folk arts in Indiana.

1978

Father Frank Stodola currently serves as pastor of Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church in Laredo, Texas. He is retiring this year from the Texas Army National Guard, having served as a chaplain in the Army both on active duty and in the National Guard for 22 years. He has deployed both to Iraq and Afghanistan and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.

His BNI classmate Sylvia Palos de Treviño is a licensed social worker who has completed 25 years as a counselor at Laredo College. She has been happily married to her husband, Arnold, for 33 years, has two grown children and an 11-year-old granddaughter.

1983

Greg and Doreen Mahoney are both retired military officers with over 20 years of active federal service. They moved to Washington State with their two boys, Sean and Clifton, in 2010. Greg is a parish administrator in the Archdiocese of Seattle and the state advocate and membership director for Knights of Columbus in Washington. Doreen is a specialist teaching robotics at their parish school.

1991

The PGA Tour has signed a multiyear partnership with Jeff King’s Kingmade Jerky, naming it as its official jerky and meat snack. A successful professional golf caddie, Jeff now has really expanded his brand and his product reach.

1999

Anthony Veneziano married

Kelly Brown Nov. 17, 2018, at St. Christopher Church in Speedway, IN, down the street from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Anthony also started a new job as a PR manager for Bonnier Events.

2000

What accomplishment in life are you most proud of so far?

there is no singular “right way” to solve problems. It is up to me to determine what solution is best for our team and business. Lastly, we are ultimately accountable for the efficiency of the product lifecycle and the delivery of our products. This is a neat responsibility to have and ensures I am never bored at the office.

Joaquin Jara graduated from Indiana University. He currently resides in St. John and is married (Jennifer) with two beautiful children (Olivia, 4; Joaquin, Jr., 2). He is executive vice president for Intercontinental Growth Strategies, a Trade Credit Insurance brokerage. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball with the boys, and passionately follows Indiana University athletics and Da Bears!

2006

Dr. Jasmine Saavedra Garcia, a pediatrician at Esperanza Health Center in Brighton Park, Ill., has been nominated as UI Health Resident of the Year. Prior to Esperanza, she was a pediatric chief resident at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She attended medical school at Western University of Health Sciences in Ponoma, CA.

2012

Omar Solis enjoys IT career

Where did you go to college and what did you study?

DePaul University, bachelor's in information technology

What do you do now?

IT Specialist at Boston Consulting Group in the Chicago Loop and landlord in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood

Have you had any noteworthy experiences since graduation? Since graduating, I've traveled to Europe, Japan, Peru, Central America, Mexico, Canada, and a few other cities in the U.S.

Becoming a landlord at 23. I was fortunate enough to have been able to accomplish this with the support of my family and friends. Their help and support during and after my undergrad allowed to be able to ultimately afford and be ready for such a large responsibility.

Best high school memory?

Being in Ms. Renwald's mass media class and starting the BNI news program. I met some really great friends and it helped me explore my creativity and imagination.

Anything else you would like fellow alumni to know?

It's OK if you don't know what you want to do with your life in regards to work/school. What matters is that you try and figure out what you don't want to do, eventually, you'll find your way.

2014 Kevin Toney succeeds in digital health world

Where did you go to college and what is your degree?

I graduated from DePaul University in 2018 with a BS in computer game development and a minor in international politics. Can you tell us about your current job and what you do? What's your favorite part of the job?

Currently, I’m a project manager for Rally Health. We build digital health products that not only empower our users to make strong wellness decisions but also better health care decisions. As a project manager, I help our software teams deliver features on time, efficiently.

The best part of being a project manager at Rally is the autonomy and responsibility I have in my role. (It) is a broad discipline so

What were some other notable career accomplishments since high school?

I spent most of my spare time in college making indie games with my friends. The games we built took us across the country to various festivals and conventions such as Pocket Gamer Connects in San Francisco and PixelPop in St. Louis. My team and I even traveled overseas to the Radius Festival in Vienna, Austria. While making video games is rarely glamorous, having the tools and skillset to take an idea and bring it to reality alongside a team of my best friends was incredible. I owe the opportunities I have today to that experience.

Anything else you would like classmates and other alumni to know about you?

On the weekends, I am a competitive pistol shooter. I spend most of my time training on the range and strive to compete at least once a month. The rest of my time is spent running and cycling. I pretty much enjoy anything that gets me outside.

Best BNI memory?

While not a singular memory, meeting my best friend in 7th grade was my favorite part of my time in BNI. This was back when the prep academy still existed, so from 7th to 12th grade, we were able to forge a friendship that lasts to this day.

How did Bishop Noll help prepare you for your future? Looking back, it was Bishop Noll’s English department that helped prepare me for college and beyond. Being able to

Father Stodola ’78 and Mrs. Treviño ’78 at a luncheon with parishioners in Laredo, Texas.

communicate effectively through writing is a critical life skill and I appreciated the rigor of the BNI English department when I went through college. From research papers to cover letters, BNI gave me the tools to succeed.

2017

Amelia Chavez, who is majoring in theatre at Monmouth College, was part of the college Chorale's annual spring break tour, which this year included major cities in Texas. The highly selective, 33-member Chorale maintains an active and demanding rehearsal and performance schedule.

We want your news!

Please take a few minutes to let everyone in the Bishop Noll family know how you are doing. E-mail advancement@bishopnoll.org or mail to Bishop Noll Advancement office: 1519 Hoffman St. Hammond, IN 46327

Alumni turned principals

Seven alumni of Bishop Noll serve as school principals at the elementary level in the Diocese of Gary. Shown at last year’s Tailgate are St. Thomas More Principal Samantha Hofferth Francis ’88, Bishop Noll Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01, and St. Casimir Principal Matt Chico ’02.

in memoriam

1944 Mary Ellen Rodman Gallagher

1944 Cecelia Pszczola Gross

1944 Genevieve Dixon O’Connor

1948 Alex C. Magiera

1949 Dolores Kulik Angyus

1949 Hugh A. Huss

1949 Ronald Simon

1951 Donald L. Smulski

1952 Irene Cherven Nagy

1952 Donald J. Tarney

1953 Thomas Brosseau

1953 John A. Meyer

1954 David Mayer

1954 Mayre Kantz Meyer

1954 Kathleen Kulik Michelin

1955 Lyn Hughes Horwith

1955 Rousche Klonowski Olah

1955 Gloria Smokvina

1956 John Popp

1956 Mary Leeney Tobin

1956 Ron E. Ziel

1957 George “Al” Adzia

1957 Marilyn Pelczar Morenz

1958 Dr. Andrew J. Chmiel

1960 James J. Plemich

1960 Leonora Groff Wrona

1961 David Koontz

1961 Jane Semancik Wingle

1961 Julianne Pardinek Witczak

1964 Susan “Suzi” Murphy Morris

1967 Mary Ann Schaeffer Biancotti

1967 Thompson Horde

1967 Janet Klapak Lowry

1967 Nathaniel Pappalardo

1968 George Courtis

1969 Gloria Greslo Russ

1969 Marilyn Murzyn Warda

1973 Jack Boyle

1973 Peter Stofcik

1973 Michael J. Suty

1974 Vanessa Banks

1988 Anne Marie Guiden Heusinkveld

Former long serving staff member

Teresa Tomczyk

Staff member

Deborah Ackerman

Other alumni serving as principals are Colleen Kennedy ’82, St. Michael in Schererville; Nancy Kruzan Repay ’85, principal of St. John Bosco in Hammond; Tom Ruiz ’90, St. Mary’s in Crown Point; Jackie Ruiz ’90, St. Stan’s in East Chicago; Sally Skowronski ’98 Nativity of our Saviour in Portage. Former Bishop Noll assistant principal Jessica Omelanczuk Gonzalez is the new principal at St. John the Baptist in Whiting.

Debbie, who worked the past 22 years in Bishop Noll's dean's and attendance offices, was well known and well liked by many Noll alumni.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

A note from the Advancement Office: If there is someone that has passed away who is part of the Bishop Noll family, we appreciate you letting us know. You can call Mary Ellen O’Neill at 219-932-9058, ext. 1002 or e-mail at moneill@bishopnoll.org. Thank You!

Noll alumna Megan Whelan ’17, second from left, congratulates Bishop Noll scholarship recipients Brianna Gonzalez ’23, Luke Buksa ’23 and Maria Quiroga ’23 during St. Thomas More’s 8th Grade Awards Dinner. These students joined the rest of the Bishop Noll Class of 2023 for their freshman year at Noll this August.

Reunions

1949

The Bishop Noll Class of 1949 celebrated its 70th reunion in May at Cavalier Inn in Hammond. Classmates shared many laughs and hugs and had many great conversations about their high school days.

1961

Members of the class of 1961 attended a Lenten Fish Fry at Bishop Noll this winter. The alumni and their spouses pictured in front are the following: Ken Tanis, Yvonne Roy Peterson, Helen Maver, Kathy Shatkowski Pacholski, Sharon Zellers Gall, Kathy Bogner Cleve, Livia Dona Centofanti, Mary Knutson Tanis, Emily Schulte Reichett. In back are Herb Cleve, Stu Seman, Mary Seman, Jack Bogner, Rich Pacholski, Dave Fagel, Emily Watroba, Carl Watroba, Bill Gall, Joanne Miller Bigda and Ron Reichelt.

1976

The Class of 1976 enjoyed reuniting during the Big Event in April.

1979

The Class of 1979 held its reunion Labor Day Weekend. About 70 classmates and their spouses attended the events, which included a mixer and a formal dinner. Fr. Bertino officiated the reunion Mass.

Faculty

It was “Institution Night” at Bishop Noll as these six—representing 151 years of revered instruction at The Institute—closed out the final Lenten Fish Fry before taking in the opening night of “Zombie Prom,” the spring musical. Shown are Rich Nowak, Fredi Conley, Sue Bates, Mark Werkowski, David Tutacko and MaryBeth Johnsen.

Class of 1969 celebrates 50-year reunion and breaks class gift record through class challenge with a gift of $26,200! The class of 1969 celebrated a milestone reunion on June 28-29. The weekend started at the Cavalier Inn in Hammond with dinner, fellowship and many hugs and handshakes. On Saturday classmates took a trip down memory lane with a tour of Bishop Noll followed by an overflowing mass in the school chapel, celebrated by fellow classmate Fr. Wally Rakoczy with classmates

Deacon John Bacon as well as Robert Wolf providing the liturgical music. A dinner and reunion program was held at Centennial Park in Munster, where 145 classmates (188 guests) shared old memories and rekindled old friendships. As part of their reunion celebration, they took on the class reunion gift challenge. Started by the Class of 1963 in 2013, where they raised over $23,000, 50-year class reunions are challenged to beat the highest gift to date which was the $25,200 set by the Class of 1965 back in 2015. With a gift to BNI of $26,200, the Class of 1969 now holds the record!

Class of 1970—are you up for the challenge?

Val Taneff Masters, left, and reunion committee member Micki Sector Kwasny their reunion.