Noll Today Fall 2020

FALL 2020

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE EMBRACING THE PAST IN THIS ISSUE:

2019-20 Annual Report The ‘new normal’ at Noll Taking STEM to the next level Celebrating 100 years & Gala preview

a letter from the principal Greetings BNI Alumni and Supporters, I pray this message finds you staying well and healthy during these uncertain times. I am thankful to report that Bishop Noll opened its doors for the first time during a global pandemic in August and has been working hard to ensure the health and safety of our staff and students, while also providing students with the education they deserve. We welcomed a freshman class of 147 students, our largest class in five years!

I am extremely thankful to the energies of my faculty and staff and all the work they did this summer to properly prepare for our opening day. My staff continues to amaze me with dedication and commitment to providing a college preparatory education to students regardless if they are in the building or opting for virtual education. We often refer to our students as the Warriors but this experience has taught me that our students are warriors because our teachers model that warrior spirit and energy daily.

As Warriors, we have found ways to keep moving forward during a challenging year, and that includes properly celebrating our historic 100th year of school! Students have brainstormed a variety of COVID-19 appropriate celebrations that kicked off just in time for Founder’s Day with a newly imagined all-school Mass during the day and an outdoor movie on the football field at night on the eve of the Centennial. All year we will pepper in monthly activities to further celebrate our school’s BIRTHDAY! All activities will follow COVID-19 guidelines while supporting students and providing them to break in fellowship. Pandemic

or not, we hope students will remember 2020-21 as a year they shared in the celebration of their school’s 100th birthday.

With everything happening with the pandemic and Centennial, it’s easy to forget to mention all the great changes throughout the last few years at BNI. We have fully launched our BNI STREAM program with the final piece of the original plan being added this school year with biomedical science. This program now offers courses in engineering, computer science and biomedical science. Our STREAM team will now evaluate to see what other courses we would like to add and how we can supplement our program with extracurriculars such as robotics, coding, and more. All of these courses are held in the brand new STREAM Lab that is in full service this school year. In addition, this summer brought fresh paint in the cafeteria and on the building's exterior. Our athletic facilities also received updates with a fieldhouse floor facelift and new uprights on the football field. These changes make a big difference for our studentathletes.

No global pandemic will stop our progress as we enter into our next century of education!

God Bless,

Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01 Principal

Students search for goodie bags on the bleachers during the Founder's Day celebration.

2020-21 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

Bishop Noll Institute, a diverse, Catholic college preparatory school, partners with local faith communities to empower young adults to live their faith in Christ through ministry, scholarship, and leadership.

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Contact us

Noll Today is written and published in the Advancement Office.

Contact Jennifer Florek at jflorek@bishopnoll.org with questions and story ideas.

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

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

2020-21 BOARD OF LIMITED JURISDICTION Most Reverend Robert J. McClory, Bishop Dr. Joseph Majchrowicz ’73 Director of Catholic Schools Jeff Cipowski ’83, Chairman Mark Cloghessy ’76, Vice Chairman Larry Kalina ’69 Dr. Jeffrey Kristoff ’63, Secretary Patrick McCloskey ’77 Dan Markovich ’98 Dr. Alexander Molina ’98 Rev. Kevin Scalf, C.PP.S. David Skibinski ’76 Wallene Swentko ’63 Gregory Zagrocki ’82

2020-21 FOUNDATION MEMBERS Marlene Vega Coulis ’79, President Terry Quinn, Vice President Rev. Dominic Bertino, Treasurer Courtney Hilbrich Markovich ’95, Secretary Kenneth Wilk ’66

Bishop Noll begins its 100th school year with a re-entry plan that brings faculty and students back to school in new ways

Freshmen learn new routes and social distancing rules on their first day of school Aug. 12.

Bishop Noll officially began its 100th school year Aug. 12, for the first time opening its doors with stringent pandemic precautions.

While the COVID-19 virus has thrown many unexpected and unprecedented challenges in the way of life and the education system, Bishop Noll has remained committed to its goals—to keep students safe, healthy and engaged in quality learning while providing a sense of normalcy and community during this difficult time.

While students and staff had to adjust to virtual learning and cancellations of spring sports and events, the Advancement Office had to pivot its biggest single-day fundraiser of the year into a virtual event.

As always, the Bishop Noll community came together to support each other in many amazing ways. “Education is not canceled” became a motto as students and teachers overcame obstacles to finish the school year strong, choosing to maintain the original academic calendar when other schools chose to end early. Students also continued to pray together via Zoom and meet with their clubs and coaches virtually to stay connected.

Members of the Class of 2020, which lost so many milestones at the end of their senior year, were celebrated in the most unusual graduation ceremony in Bishop Noll history.

The Big Event, which pivoted to become a virtual fundraiser, was renamed The Big Reinvent! and, thanks to alumni support, raised more money than the goal of the original in-person event.

In August, many freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors arrived at 1519 Hoffman Street ready to continue their journeys as Bishop Noll Warriors. Noll’s re-entry plan features an abundance of precautions and safety measures to make the in-school environment safe and effective. In addition, more than 100 students chose to remain home, having opted to receive their BNI education virtually for the first quarter. Things may look and feel different, but the quality, Christ-centered education promised by Bishop Noll is still intact.

While working and learning remotely this spring, Bishop Noll students and staff created encouraging video and photo messages to share with each other and encourage one another to keep moving forward.

It was a century ago when four Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ arrived in the Calumet Region of Northwest Indiana to open a Catholic high school. Today their legacy has been honored by the dedicated study body, faculty and administrators who are leading the school into its next century in the Region.

THE SECRET TO A SUCCESSFUL PIVOT Bishop Noll has been upgrading its technology infrastructure and was already two years into a 1-to-1 iPad program that allows every student to use his or her iPad to complete classwork in school and at home. Due to Noll’s vast technological resources, students and teachers were able to transition relatively seamlessly from classroom learning to remote e-Learning on a regular weekly schedule when the school building closed in mid-March.

TA I L G AT E C A

Bakori Jones was the first graduate of the class of 2020 to walk across the outdoor stage and receive his diploma.

Students arrived with their families and exited vehicles before walking through a lineup of teachers and staff with congratulatory messages. They then walked across the stage and received their diploma before walking back to their vehicle.

NCELED The annual Tailgate Party sch eduled for Homecoming night of October 2020 had to be cancele d due to the COVID-19 virus.

While the school worked dili gently to keep the facility clea n, safe and functional for the retu rn of students and faculty for the 100th school year, the unf ortunate reality of the COVID -19 pandemic forced administrat ors to make the difficult decisio n to not permit use of school faci lities for any functions or eve nts that do not involve Bishop Nol l students or faculty during the fall semester (through Decemb er). This allows the building to be kept as safe and as sanitized as possible in order to facilita te the highest level of efficient lear ning and teaching.

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Celebrating 100th school year

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In celebration of Bishop Noll’s first century, and recognizing its vision to thrive well into the second century, the “Forever Noll” Centennial celebration will highlight the school’s rich history throughout the 2020-21 school year. BNI’s 100th school year includes many events— social, liturgical, educational, athletic and more—to celebrate Lake County’s premier Catholic high school. Then, to culminate 100 actual years, a large dinner gala celebration 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.

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.

BNI students began celebrating in September to recognize Founders’ Day and to get in the birthday spirit. One of the first events was a student movie night, held at the BNI football field with students spread out to practice social distancing. Alumni also started celebrating at an outdoor concert (originally planned for the BNI auditorium) that was held in Highland featuring Adam Gawlikowski ’60 & Friends.

“The arrival of COVID-19 definitely forced us to pivot on a number of our plans for the fall of 2020, but it hasn’t dampened our spirits for the excitement that 100 years of excellence demands we recognize,” BNI President Paul Mullaney said.

Please watch bishopnoll.org and the Bishop Noll Institute Facebook page for additional details as they are announced.

How You Can Help

The following are some of the ways you can assist in BNI’s “Forever Noll” Centennial efforts with a generous offering of your time, talents or treasures: EVENT VOLUNTEER: If you have time to contribute, we can find the right fit on a committee or at an event to help make the effort successful. If interested and willing, please email centennial@bishopnoll.org.

CLASS AGENT: We are looking for alumni representatives from each of our graduating classes to serve as a primary communications liaison with your classmates. If you are an administrator of a class Facebook page or have coordinated class reunions, this may be up your alley.

If interested and willing, please email centennial@ bishopnoll.org.

DONATE: We currently are soliciting Centennial sponsorships from individuals and businesses starting at the $2,500 gala table sponsorship level (tables of 10) and ranging upward. Know that individual donations of any amount will help the cause greatly, including helping support in-school events for our students. To inquire about sponsorships, please email pmullaney@bishopnoll. org. Online donations can be made online at www. bishopnoll.org or by mailing a check to Bishop Noll with “Centennial Gift” in the memo line.

Tentative Centennial Events

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the closure of our school building to activities not central to the high school experience for our students, many originally planned events have been put on hold. Student events, starting with September’s studentonly movie night, continue within the guidelines of state and county COVID-19 regulations.

As events are scheduled or rescheduled, keep in touch with www.bishopnoll.org and the Bishop Noll Institute Facebook page for details. Among those future events (all subject to change) you will want to mark on your calendars: Friday, April 30, 2021: The Big Event, Centennial edition (BNI Fieldhouse, plus virtual auction) Sunday, July 18, 2021: Bishop Noll Day with the White Sox (1 p.m., Guaranteed Rate Field, White Sox vs. Houston Astros) Monday, July 19, 2021: Alumni Centennial Golf Outing (Innsbrook Country Club, Merrillville) Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021: Founders’ Day student Mass and lunch Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021: Centennial Gala Dinner (BNI Fieldhouse) Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021: All-Alumni Revue, musical variety show (evening, BNI Auditorium) Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021: Centennial Outdoor Mass (BNI Football Field, morning, time TBA)

Calling All Choir Alumni

We are forming the BNI Alumni Choir to perform in 2021 as part of our Centennial celebrations. The choir will be directed

by David Herr, former Bishop Noll choir director who now directs the Gary Diocesan Choir. All Bishop Noll or Catholic Central alumni who want to share their voices with this group are asked to email David at dherr@bishopnoll.org.

Please consider giving of your time and talents. Thank you.

History Committee works to tell stories of past 100 years

To prepare for the Centennial celebration, President Paul Mullaney ’77 put together a committee of Bishop Noll historians past and present to create a definitive history of the past 100 years. The history will be presented in various forms throughout the celebration, including a history book written and put together by the committee and a documentary currently in production. Both are to be released in the summer of 2021.

The committee, which began its work in early 2019, includes Terry McMahon Putz ’66, Tom Golden ’70, Mary Ann Necastro Golden, Wallene Swentko ’63, Rev. Dominic Bertino and former history teacher John Trafny. The committee is rounded out by current Bishop Noll employees Jen Florek, communications specialist for the Advancement Department, and Mullaney.

History committee member Terry McMahon Putz has enjoyed learning about Catholic Central/Bishop Noll’s early years and reuniting with past co-workers.

After graduating from Noll in 1966, Putz returned as an English teacher during the 1971-72 school year and taught until 1977-78 school year. After starting her family, she returned in the 1980s and then again in 2001 when BNI called and asked if she would take over the JourNoll. She retired from Noll in 2007. She has a passion for genealogy and taught Mullaney in journalism, so she seemed

a perfect fit for a committee that would research the BNI Family and tell its story. Putz has been the primary writer of the early decades of history and is now editing with her classmate, Mary Niemiec Bednarek, a professional editor.

“I am finding such interesting stories about the beginning years of Catholic Central High School that I had not been aware of before and meeting interesting alumni and hearing their stories: students going to school during the second year in The Barracks (shed), students building a huge lagoon in front of the school so they could have ice skating parties in the winter, and the orphans who lived at CCHS,” she said.

Putz is excited for present students to learn about the heritage of BNI and all obstacles that teachers and students overcame for BNI to become the school it is today.

“I hope they find it inspiring to be a part of BNI’s history and that they continue to strive to make themselves and BNI great,” she said.

The Rev. Dominic Bertino has also joined the History Committee.

Father Bertino taught theology at Bishop Noll and has been a past school board member.

He is currently a Bishop Noll Foundation board member.

Bertino authored “In the Presence of Angels: A History of the Diocese of Gary” published in 2006 and is considered an expert on Diocesan history. Bertino retired from an active parish ministry and has been helping the committee with writing and editing the Centennial history book.

How You Can Help

The History Committee would like to request any of the following items: • • • • • • • • • •

Thomas Golden ’70 and Mary Ann Necastro Golden also serve on the History Committee preparing the book for Noll’s 100th anniversary in 2021. Both are former English teachers at Noll (Tom for 10 1/2 years and Mary Ann for 12 years).

They were yearbook advisers, then co-chaired the English Department for three years. They also taught at Marian Catholic High School.

They joined the History Committee at the invitation of Putz and meet to research yearbooks and files to assist with writing and editing the school’s history.

“The more interesting facts we’ve learned include the ups and downs of the early years, the link to Notre Dame, and the personalities involved in the early decades of Catholic Central/BNI, especially area businessmen and people of the Calumet Region who became instrumental in the school’s success,” Tom Golden said. “It has been very interesting to see the school evolve over the years of its life.”

• • • • •

Any mementos from 1921 to 1940 Cosmos (any years) Hi-Lites (any years) Pennants (CCHS and BNI) Commencement/graduation programs esp. 1926, 1930, 1933, 1934 Pictures of class rings from 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s Prom programs (esp. 1925-1933) Names and ages of Catholic Central alums who died in World War II, the Korean Conflict or in Vietnam.

Senior Memory Books: 1927, 1928 and 1929 Catholic University exams given at end of school year: 1922 and later Gold basketball and football medals Any pictures of Sr. Gonzaga, Sr. Alvera or Sr. Lucilla Pictures of the 1934 class Junior Eye—(school paper from 1930s) Christmas photo cards (taken by Camera Club 1948-49)

The committee is able to scan the items and return to owners if requested or will happily accept any items for its Archive Room. Volunteers are also needed! Interested in joining the History Committee or contributing your story?

Email jflorek@bishopnoll.org.

Centennial Clean Out

The storage area for yearbooks, panoramic photos, graduation photos and more has boxes of items that were ordered but never picked up since the early 2000s. We will no longer be able to store these items for original owners. Please contact Juli Sandoval at jsandoval@bishopnoll.org to make arrangements to pick up items or if you would like to purchase an item from your class years.

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Class of 2020

Fast Stats

94

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Graduation Day:

June 4, 2020

8.7 million in college scholarship

$

graduates attending

31

offers received

different colleges and universities in

8

states

GRADUATION 97 TH CO M M EN CE M

EN T

“We have been prepared to take on any challenge that faces us, and we have what it takes to continue to be successful in our lives and to continue to make those around us proud, including ourselves.”

—salutatorian Elijah Carrasquillo

“Despite dealing with the worst pandemic this world has seen in over 100 years, you have been able to persevere, adapt and stay the course to graduate from this great institution.”

—commencement speaker Alexander Molina, MD, a member of the Bishop Noll Class of 1998

“We made the best of a horrible situation to finally be here at our commencement and now we are tasked with moving on from it for whatever life has in store for us....

We have to move on from everything we didn’t get this year and appreciate what we did.”

—valedictorian Giovanni Komyatte

Bishop Noll finds new ways to celebrate Class of 2020

stepped onto an outdoor stage and picked up his or her diploma while receiving a socially distanced congratulations from Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick. Students then returned to their cars and lined up for a Class of 2020 parade through Hammond, ending at Optimist Park.

Later that night, a pre-recorded formal commencement ceremony aired as students watched at home with their families. It included words and prayers from Principal Pastrick, Bishop Noll President Paul Mullaney, School Chaplain Rev. Kevin Scalf, C.PP.S, and Campus Minister Stacia Bolakowski. In addition, the salutatorian, valedictorian and commencement speaker gave speeches from the Bishop Noll auditorium. Two seniors also shared thank you messages to the families of the Class of 2020 for their support throughout the past four years.

In his speech, salutatorian Elijah Carrasquillo welcomed guests to Bishop Noll’s first virtual graduation.

“I know it is not the ideal situation, or the ceremony we wanted, but the world is just not a good place right now and being safe, smart, and healthy is important more than ever,” said Carrasquillo, who attends Purdue University West Lafayette.

His speech focused on all the class had to be thankful for including their families, Bishop Noll faculty and staff, and each other. Most important, he said, was thanking God for the seniors’ ability to share their gifts to make the world a better place.

“Bishop Noll has ingrained an everlasting Catholic identity in us, and it is one of the most important things we will take away from this school … We have learned to love and treat our neighbor as we would like to be loved and treated.

We have been taught to use the gifts and talents we have been blessed with to spread God’s love.”

Next, Mullaney introduced Alexander Molina, MD, a member of the Bishop Noll Class of 1998, as the commencement speaker, saying it was fitting to hear from him as the world battles through the COVID-19 pandemic. Molina is a specialist in family medicine in Chesterton and parishioner at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso.

“You’re held to a very high standard here, one that will serve you well as you continue in life,” Molina said. He told the students that one of the many lessons he learned in high school was how to deal with adversity, something they now understand more than most. He encouraged them to look for the positives even though it is OK to be upset when life is difficult.

“Despite dealing with the worst pandemic this world has seen in over 100 years, you have been able to persevere, adapt and stay the course to graduate from this great institution,” Molina said.

“You were able to do it despite the great adversity we have all faced recently. This says something both about you as a person and about your character. Now you know

Although graduation looked different for the Bishop Noll Institute Class of 2020, the spirit of joy and celebration remained.

On June 4, the school celebrated its 94 graduates with an outdoor ceremony, livestream Mass and pre-recorded commencement program.

After a tumultuous final few months of their high school careers, the students wanted to come together one final time to close this chapter of their lives.

The celebration included a full day of events starting in the morning when the Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, celebrated the Class of 2020 Baccalaureate Mass. McClory, co-celebrants and members of Bishop Noll’s administration team took part in the Mass, which was filmed at Holy Angels Cathedral and live streamed to the Bishop Noll community.

A few hours later, seniors and their families attended a festive diploma ceremony in the school parking lot. Families drove through a balloon arch and dropped off their seniors for a celebratory walk past faculty and staff members who have served them throughout their high school careers.

With music playing by DJ Mr. Carioto, each student For the first time in known Bishop Noll history, students were allowed to decorate their mortarboards.

Alexis Gonzalez showcases hers.

Bishop Noll graduates headed to Holy Cross College

Two Bishop Noll seniors began their freshman years this fall at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana, in part thanks to a special scholarship created for Bishop Noll Institute graduates.

The Tyson Award is named after Holy Cross College President Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., a 1966 Bishop Noll graduate. All applicants from Bishop Noll are considered, and there can be multiple winners each year. The award’s first recipient is Jacqueline Milkowski ’20, who said she felt blessed and grateful when she heard the news this winter.

“It really helped take away any of the nervousness or anxiety that I originally had about leaving home and starting college,” said Milkowski. “I am very excited to begin my first year at Holy Cross. I am confident that I will be prepared to succeed in my future.”

Milkowski also received the St. Andre Bessette Award, one of Holy Cross College’s prestigious signature scholarships.

Milkowski plans to study education and theology, and maybe even philosophy.

At Bishop Noll, Milkowski participated in band, theater, speech and debate and served as a spiritual retreat leader.

Bishop Noll is a family legacy for Milkowski whose mom, aunts, uncles, and cousins all attended Bishop Noll.

“It was almost pre-determined that this was to be my high school,” she said.

Milkowski’s mom, Joanne (Vetroczky) Hight, is a Bishop Noll alumna from the Class of 1984.

“Not only did I receive an excellent education at BNI, but I felt safe and a sense of family,” Hight said. The Bishop Noll faculty and staff were dedicated and caring and challenged Hight to believe in herself, others and God. She also made lifelong friends who shared her Catholic values instilled in them at Bishop Noll.

Like her daughter, she cherishes her high school years.

Leslie Munoz ’20 is the second Bishop Noll student to receive the Tyson Award and the St. Andre Bessette Award.

Munoz plans to study political science at Holy Cross and said she chose the college because of the people and atmosphere.

“I am looking forward to continuing my education and faith at Holy Cross,” she said. Munoz is the first person in her family to graduate from high school cum laude and will be the first one to go to college.

“My family did not have the same opportunities as I did, and I hope to make them proud by finishing my academic career.”

At Bishop Noll she was on the soccer team and in Campus Ministry for all four years. In addition, she was a member of the band, student council, yearbook and French Club. She served as a retreat leader, and at her parish was a Eucharistic minister and a lector.

To view more photos, read stories and watch videos from graduation, visit bishopnoll.org/graduation-2020

Mrs. Pastrick cheers for the graduates as they parade down Hoffman Street.

Troy Acree walks to the stage.

school news

going forward, when times get tough, when times get difficult you have what it takes to step up to the challenge, to adapt and to get the job done.”

Valedictorian Giovanni Komyatte recapped the class’ four years together and said that despite their different backgrounds, “We all came together, walked the same halls, attended the same classes …we all met friends and eventually became family.”

Komyatte, who attends the University of Notre Dame, continued.

“Our senior year has been a whirlwind, and all I can seem to remember about it has been these past few months,” noting that the last time they saw each other was in March when they thought they were getting an extended spring break.

“We made the best of a horrible situation to finally be here at our commencement, and now we are tasked with moving on from it for whatever life has in store for us....We have to move on from everything we didn’t get this year and appreciate what we did.

“Because of COVID, we did not get what we were expecting but that is OK. In life, not everything will always be what we expect and these past few months have really showed it.”

Komyatte encouraged his classmates to look to the future without forgetting the journey that brought them there.

“Don’t let your four years at Bishop Noll be clouded by these past few months…we have made it through all of this and came out on top,” he said. “Use it as a reminder of who you are so you know who you are becoming in the life ahead of you.”

Devin Padilla and Anthony Aguirre join the parade.

Caitlin Roberts receives her diploma.

Shantall Martinez and Nataly Salas pose with the graduation decorations.

Jessica Suarez drives up with her family.

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school news 6

Welcome to Bishop Noll Victoria Hibbler

Math Teacher Before coming to Bishop Noll, Victoria Hibbler taught eighth grade math at Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School in Gary.

She was the 2012 valedictorian of Thea Bowman Leadership Academy in Gary and went on to major in mathematics education at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

Ed Watrobka

English Teacher In his first year of teaching in Whiting, Ed Watrobka had to quickly adapt as schools switched to virtual learning.

Now as a second year teacher, he joins the Bishop Noll faculty teaching sophomore English.

Watrobka has a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University. His sister Mary Albrecht is Bishop Noll’s STEM teacher.

Elizabeth Hernandez School Secretary Elizabeth Hernandez comes to Bishop Noll with 16 years of experience as an administrative assistant in Chicago Public Schools.

Welcome Back to…

Rosalie Schmidt ’70, who returns this year to teach in the Science Department.

Farewell to …

May Velez ’70, who retired as Bishop Noll’s main office secretary this summer.

She worked at Noll for 22 years, half of them as the athletic secretary for Ed Hreha and the remainder as the main office receptionist.

“I could not be more grateful for each and every day at Noll,” she said. “Noll has been and will always be a special part of my life. I am always and forever grateful to have served working for my alma mater.” As for retirement, she plans to spend more time with her 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

“My plan for retirement first and foremost is to accept what God calls me to do next in life,” she said.

A Re-Entry Plan

Using the Lake County Health Department Re-entry Plan, and the CDC guidelines as blueprints, two task forces of Bishop Noll administrators and teachers worked through the summer to create a customized re-entry plan for the fall semester. One team looked at how to adjust the existing facilities to meet safety guidelines. For example, different grades now enter the building at staggered start times and the building is closed to students on Wednesdays for deep cleaning. The other team looked at how to evolve the academic process to meet Bishop Noll's standards and keep students and teachers safe. This included the implementation of student cohorts, designed to keep students on similar academic tracks with the same classmates throughout the day, minimizing movement throughout classrooms and the building. Instead of students moving throughout the day, teachers will move to different cohorts.

Ariana Ferreira ’21 chose to start the year in person because it is her senior year and “virtual school isn’t the same as in school,” she said. “It is a hard adjustment because everything is new and we are learning as we go. But Bishop Noll has done an excellent job of getting us back into our normal routine. They always put our health and safety first. That’s what makes us different from the rest of the other schools. They will go out of their way to make sure we have a ‘normal’ school year.”

Ferriera is a member of the Cheer Team and said they have been practicing and cheering at games.

Abigail Wojtaszek ’22 also chose in person. She is a member of the girls golf team this fall.

“Golf is already the ultimate social distancing sport, so not much had to be changed,” she said. Wojtaszek is also a part of the Drama Club. For the fall play, “Clue,” they will perform it as a radio play. They will stand still on the stage and recite their lines in place to make sure they are socially distant.

She looks forward to celebrating BNI's 100th anniversary and to continuing her legacy at Bishop Noll in the future.

“I want to be known for my acting, for my golfing, for my marching in the band. If I’m able, I’d love to donate to the school when I am an alum and able to do so.”

Mary Buksa ’21 is also an in school student and said it is easier to focus in a classroom setting.

“I think the administration did a great job with making the school safer.

Everyone has a lot of room to social distance. Bishop Noll has always and will always be a school that perseveres. No matter what is thrown at us, even a global pandemic, we get through it together as a family. ” Buksa is president of the National Honor Society, editor of the yearbook, and a leader for the virtual freshmen retreat.

She is also excited to be part of the 100th school year and is most looking forward to designing this year’s yearbook, which will include past yearbooks.

Q&A with Speech & Debate Coach Kevin Burgun

Congratulations to Bishop Noll principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01 and Speech and Debate Coach Kevin Burgun on being named National Speech and Debate Association Northwest Indiana District Administrator of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively.

What was the biggest accomplishment for the Speech & Debate team?

We had, by far, the best season since the speech and debate team was resurrected in 2015. (Note for alumni: The Noll speech and debate team existed for decades, then died out. We refer to that team as Bishop Noll Speech and Debate Volume 1, and

then the team that was resurrected in 2015 we refer to as Bishop Noll Speech and Debate Volume 2. We do this because the record keeping from the earlier iteration of the team is incomplete, so when we speak of accomplishments, especially “firsts” we usually qualify it with “Volume 2” or “according to our records.”)

Biomedical science course teaches real-life connections

Highlights of this record-setting season (all are “Volume 2” specific unless otherwise noted): • First time to have an alternate national Congressional Debate qualifier in Giovanni Komyatte • First time to have a finalist in the speech national qualifier final round • First time to send a team to nationals • Calumet Forensics League First Place • Eight regular season tournament trophies (top 5): a season record • Five state qualifiers (unfortunately state was canceled) • Lorenza Pastrick was named the National Speech and Debate Association Northwest Indiana District Administrator of the Year • Coach Burgun was named the National Speech and Debate Association Northwest Indiana Coach of the Year • Coach Burgun was awarded the National Speech and Debate Association Don Crabtree Distinguished Service Award • Angela Luna became the first Academic All-American for Noll in the National Speech and Debate Association, and became the all-time (Volume 1 and 2) overall points earner in Bishop Noll history What do you want alumni to know?

If any alumni were interested in judging for us, we would love that. Please reach out to Kevin Burgun (kburgun@ bishopnoll.org). Judging is imperative to the success of the program.

Alumni from Volume 1: We are continuing your tradition, and trying to rise to the reputation you enjoyed back in the day. Bishop Noll used to be a feared program in the state, especially in the ’80s. (I have gleaned this from the “old timers” still in the state organization.

Records suggest the ’60s and ’70s were good as well, but state champions were in the ’80s.)

If you have any other records, accomplishments or memorabilia, please reach out to Director of Advancement Mary Ellen O’Neill at moneill@ bishopnoll.org.

Students in Bishop Noll Institute’s Principles of Biomedical Science class take photos of a staged death scene as part of a lesson on crime scene investigation.

Bishop Noll sophomore Airyal Smith uses her iPad to take photos.

A lifeless body lay behind police tape as inquisitive investigators took photos on iPads and looked for clues.

“Look, there’s a bug on the body,” one said.

“I see some blood splatters,” said another.

The death scene was staged in the back of Bishop Noll Institute’s new STREAM Lab, and investigators were Bishop Noll students in a new course called Principles of Biomedical Science. This interactive learning experience is part of a unit on forensics and is the first of several cool activities in this course, said teacher Rebecca Dostatni ’00.

As part of its STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) initiative, Bishop Noll added the new course this semester to give students the chance to explore concepts of biology and medicine as they take on roles of different medical professionals to solve real-world problems.

Dostanti completed two weeks of professional development this summer to gain skills to teach the course. She learned how to challenge students in various scenarios, including investigating a crime scene to solve a mystery, diagnosing and proposing treatment to patients in a family medical practice, tracking down and containing a medical outbreak at a local hospital, stabilizing a patient during an emergency, and collaborating with others to design solutions to local and global medical problems.

The next unit will include a fake, but realistic, phlebotomy arm that will allow students to learn how to draw blood, Dostatni said. “We will also do microbiology lessons when studying the ‘outbreak’ unit, and students will learn

how to culture and analyze bacteria in petri dishes.”

“I’m looking forward to solving our first mystery, and finding out who or what killed the person,” said sophomore Maria Carbajal, who hopes to learn more about the nursing field and gain knowledge about how police officers investigate crimes. She is thinking of a career in nursing or immigration law.

Sophomore Airyal Smith chose to take the course because she wants to major in biomedical engineering/science in college and would potentially like to work in a hospital setting.

“I hope to learn about basic biomedical sciences to help me be ‘ahead of the game’ so to speak when I’m heading into my college life.”

Smith said, “I am interested in sciences of almost any kind. I come from a family that have all studied in some sort of science, math, and engineering and I intend to do the same. I’ve had a fascination with all sorts of STEM activities since a younger age and am really excited to have the chance to learn all about my favorite subjects.”

“I think this course is critical to those students interested in any career related to healthcare,” Dostatni said. “The students learn about real-life connections more so than in regular science courses.”

Upgrades

To kick off the 100th school year, Bishop Noll students were greeted by some exciting facility upgrades, including energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the building and a freshly painted cafeteria, complete with new ceiling and lighting as well.

Royalty Still Crowned

Real-life couple Jacqueline Milkowski and Angel Treviño received their Prom Queen and King crowns from Mrs. Pastrick and Mr. Cavazos May 21. Online voting was done by juniors and seniors to select the prom court, and each court nominee received a visit at home from Pastrick and Cavazos, who presented them with a sash and flower.

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campus ministry Welcoming New Bishop

Bishop Noll faculty, staff and students welcomed new Diocese of Gary Bishop Robert J. McClory as he celebrated Mass in the fieldhouse March 11. During the Mass, McClory addressed how grateful he is to be the new bishop of this “awesome diocese.”

Bishop McClory stayed to spend time with the BNI seniors, faculty and staff and to tour the building. Bishop McClory, previously a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit, was chosen as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Gary. The Diocese of Gary was established Dec. 17, 1956, by Pope Pius XII. The first bishop was Most Rev. Andrew Grutka (1956-1984). He was succeeded by the Most Revs.

Norbert Gaughan (1984-1996), Dale Melczek (1996-2014), and Donald Hying (2014-2019).

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Maria Krilich ’20 receives communion from Bishop McClory.

“My favorite part was definitely the engagement of all the people. It was obvious they all wanted to be there and the songs proved that. I loved how it sounded very angelic,” said Maldonado.

Mary Buksa ’21, Alejandro Magaña ’20 and Litzi Maldonado ’20 attend Bishop McClory’s Installation and Ordination Mass Feb. 11 at Cathedral of Holy Angels.

Bishop Noll’s Student Council and Intercessory Prayer Group continued to express the power of prayer even while social distancing. They held a virtual prayer service where students and faculty were invited to pray together via a teleconferencing app ZOOM. “This communal prayer was important to show everyone that they were not alone and that their intentions and their personal worries were being heard and prayed for. Even though we weren’t in school, we are still a school community and this was a great way to connect with each other and lift each other up through prayer. With the coronavirus I think a lot of people were feeling pretty helpless, but there is power in prayer and this was something we could do to help each other.”

—Carmelina Komyatte ’21

Meet this year’s Campus Ministry interns What motivated you to become a Campus Ministry intern for the 2020-21 school year?

“I thought it was really cool that Bishop Noll offers Campus Ministry as a class.

Watching what last year’s interns did made me want to be like them. I saw how they helped with organizing the Masses and retreats, volunteered at the Albertine Home, connected with feeder schools, and more. I thought this class would really help me with my leadership skills and working with others.

I hope that I can promote Campus Ministry, especially to the freshmen since they are the future of the school.”

—Mary Buksa ’21 “I wanted to help make a difference not only at Bishop Noll, but everywhere I go. I am so thankful that Ms. B is giving juniors the opportunity to become Campus Ministry interns this year. ...I hope that I will be able to help other students and maybe even staff get closer to God. I want to help make Bishop Noll feel more like a home, especially this year with the pandemic. But as a Campus Ministry intern this year I have no doubt that we will be able to make Bishop Noll feel safer than ever. After all, we are Warriors.”

—Jacqueline Garcia ’22 “What motivated me is the idea that I have the chance to strengthen my relationship with God and to help others. My goal is to strive to be more like Jesus, our prime example as devout Catholics, and what better way than to live it out by helping others on a daily basis? My three primary goals at Noll are focusing on Mind, Body, and Soul individually and in their own entirety. I’ve attended retreats, led retreats, been a part of Intercessory Prayer Group, and much more; but still I just felt like something just wasn’t right. I felt that God was calling me to do more in my faith life and being a Campus Ministry intern was the answer.”

—Noah Reid ’21 “The thing that motivated me the most was me wanting to change. My whole life I’ve been told to be nice, but what I was never told is that there is a line to being too nice.

Since I was little I have always wanted to make a difference and help the world be a better place and thought that should be through kindness, but now I don’t think that is the only answer. So I joined Campus Ministry to help my problem and find my answer.”

—Julieta Wedryk ’22

Bishop Noll’s Annual Golf Invitational Guests: More than 85 golfers Date: July 20, 2020 Location: Innsbrook Country Club, Merrillville With social distancing guidelines in place, Bishop Noll was blessed to host a safe and successful golf outing this summer. Thank you to all the players, dinner guests and sponsors who helped make the day possible and showed their support for BNI’s mission!

Golf outing sponsors

Area Sheet Metal Calumet City Plumbing Calumet College of St. Joseph Class of 1959 Class of 1963 Don Powers Agency Earles Architects & Associates Epic Popcorn FABSCO Corp/Kevin O’Neill ’76 Kusiak Construction/ Dave Kusiak ’87 Korellis Roofing Medical Decision Modeling Proven IT Rieth-Riley Construction Rodzina Properties/The Cipowski Family SEAATS Strack & Van Til Team Audi Volkswagon David Dolak ’76 Rob Hanrahan ’72 Kevin Knight ’77 Jerry & Marianne Kundich ‘68 Dan ’68 and Leah ’69 Marias Msgr. Joseph Semancik ’45 Tim Mertz ’63, Bob Vellutini ’63, Marty Tintari ’66, Jim Vellutini ’90 Bob & Bernie Vellutini ’63 Mark Webster ’80 The Cloghessy Family The Doherty Family/Phil Doherty ’74 The Hajduch Family The Tolin Family The Wichlinski Family In-Kind Gifts Giovanni’s Restaurant/Mary Leary ’82 Juli Korem Sandoval ’82 Doherty Images/Pete Doherty ’71 Ideations and Promotions/ Lisa Kusiak ’88 Innsbrook Country Club Jen Florek Commander Restaurant Mary Ellen O’Neill Jay Marie Salon & Spa Kristine Noce ’85 Thank you to golf outing committee member Pete Doherty ’74 for helping with photographing this event.

Jeff ’83 and Joel ’95 Cipowski Michael Sandoval ’09 and Lauren Czaja

Looking forward to next year: July 19, 2021 Innsbrook Country Club The Doherty Family

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Father and son team Brendan O'Neill '10, Kevin O'Neill '76, Lee Smolen '76 and Nick Smolen took First place at this year's outing.

Megan ’17 and Erin ’16 Mullaney

Dan Gross ’80 and Rich Gonzalez ’80

giving back

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Benefits of Planned Giving • A planned gift makes an important impact to Bishop Noll Institute that doesn’t cost you anything during your lifetime.

Guests: More than 80 golfers • A planned gift is a witness of your desire to be a good steward Date: July 15, 2019 of the gifts God has given you.

Location: Innsbrook Country in Merrillville Indiana residents and Club businesses can support • A planned gift may have some financial tax benefits for you and It was a beautiful day on receive the course.DOUBLE Alumni fromtax the classes of 1945 to 2019 Bishop Noll AND benefits can mingled add protection to your assets. and reunited.

BNI is proud to partner with the Sagamore Institute’s Scholarships • Regardless of your income level, there are several ways you you to all theprogram. players, This dinner guests andgranting sponsors who helped make daya significant contribution to Bishop Noll Institute forThank Education Choice scholarship canthe make possible and showed their support for BNI's mission! organization (SGO) allows donors to support private education through a planned gift including bequests/wills, a gift of real Looking forward to next year's golfaouting: Julytax 20,savings.

2020 through tuition assistance AND receive substantial estate, trusts and annuities and beneficiary designations naming Through Indiana’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program, Sagamore Bishop Noll on a life insurance policy, IRA, 401(k) or a savings is authorized to offer individuals and businesses state tax credits account. equal to 50% of the amount donated to secure funding for When you inform us of your planned gift intent, you become scholarships for income-eligible students attending Bishop Noll. a member of the 1921 Society, named for the year Catholic And, because the SGO is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, you might also Central High School was founded. The 1921 Society recognizes qualify for a federal tax benefit! If you itemize on your federal you among those who have a special commitment to Bishop tax return, be sure to include your SGO donation as a charitable Noll Institute’s mission of providing excellent academics in a deduction. community of Catholic values.

This means a donation of $1,000 with Bishop Noll Institute If you would like to know more about making a planned gift to as the beneficiary could ultimately only cost you $300 to $450, benefit Bishop Noll Institute, please contact Mary Ellen O’Neill at depending on your tax situation. And there is NO LIMIT to the (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002, or moneill@bishopnoll.org. amount you can give while still receiving the state tax credit.

Always consult your tax adviser for details.

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS This fiscal year, which started July 1, the state is allowing Whether making an Annual Fund donation or setting up special $15 million in Indiana Tax Credit funds to be awarded through the scholarships, our Bishop Noll alumni are always finding ways to SGO program. Once that total is reached, donations will not be help our current students. eligible for the tax credit until next fiscal year.

If you are inspired to recognize students through supporting How does it work? Instead of donating directly to BNI, you a scholarship, please email Mary Ellen O’Neill, director of make a gift to the Sagamore SGO and designate Bishop Noll advancement, at moneill@bishopnoll.org or call (219) 932-9058, Institute as the beneficiary. Sagamore distributes the money ext. 1002. to Bishop Noll to be used for tuition assistance to qualifying families.

FIRST MEAL Where do I donate? You can pay online at www.

DISTRIBUTION: The Big scholarshipsforeducationchoice.com or www.s4ec.com. If you Shoulders Fund and BNI wish to pay by check to the Sagamore Institute feel free to worked together to host contact the Sagamore Institute or BNI’s director of advancement, BNI’s first meal distribution.

Mary Ellen O’Neill, at (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002, or moneill@ More than 500 meals, bishopnoll.org, to obtain a form to accompany your check. which were served in honor of Father’s Day, were distributed to Northwest 1921 Society: Honor BNI with a bequest Indiana and BNI families!

Shown is the Class of 1927, a Bishop Noll administrators graduating class of Catholic Central and staff, along with High School, now known as Bishop Noll Institute. representatives from Big Bishop Noll alumni, even Shoulders, helped with the after their deaths, continue distribution. to honor the school that meant so much to them with SOLO FOOD DRIVE: generous gifts. These gifts Antonio Ramirez ’20 showed the Warrior spirit help us build an endowment of giving when he took it upon himself to help that will support the school those in need during the pandemic. Ramirez and its students in perpetuity, organized a neighborhood food drive to ensure giving Bishop Noll the residents in his community had food for their opportunity to provide families during challenging times. Through his more needed scholarships for our students and vastly broadening hard work and dedication to service, he was our school’s possibilities as we move into our next century of able to collect more than 200 nonperishable transforming students mind, body and soul. We are most grateful items that helped feed approximately 40 to 50 to those who have honored BNI through a bequest. May they rest families. in peace.

We invite you to become a partner in advancing our mission 2020 Big Reinvent Raffle Winners for the future by making a planned gift to Bishop Noll Institute.

Drawing: May 23, 2020 A planned gift gives you the opportunity to leave your legacy in 1st—Bob Homrich—San Antonio, TX 2nd—Dean Mantel—DeForest, WI the halls of BNI and in the hearts and minds of our students for 3rd—Robert Zommerman—Valparaiso, IN generations to come.

CHRISTMAS CARD ORDER FORM

Big Event pivots, finds success in virtual world

When the COVID-19 quarantine began in March, Bishop Noll’s biggest fundraiser of the year was less than six weeks away. The event, which is always scheduled for the third Friday in April, was first postponed until May but eventually had to be reimagined as a virtual event.

In order to showcase the many talented artists at Bishop Noll, art students have been asked to create submissions for a Christmas card to be printed and sold to Bishop Noll alumni and families. Bishop Noll Christmas cards will be sold in packs of 12 cards and include different designs done by students the past few years.

Cards will cost $15 for a dozen with proceeds going toward the Annual Fund. Shipping is available for an extra $5 per dozen.

Name Class Year Phone number Street Address City/State/Zip Email

Pivoting with a new plan and a new online fundraising site, the auction went online, allowing bidders to check out the available items and bid on them from the comfort of home.

On May 23, BNI president Paul Mullaney and a small team of staff members live-streamed the Big Reinvent from the Media Center, providing updates on the fundraising efforts as the auction progressed and bids were accepted. The event’s raffle was done live on the air, with Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick pulling the winning tickets. The Big Reinvent earned more than $70,000, exceeding its goal by more than $10,000. Thank you to all who sponsored this event, donated auction items and bid on items.

Interested in being a sponsor of the next Big Event? Contact Juli Sandoval in the Advancement Office at (219) 932-9058, ext.

1005, or jsandoval@bishopnoll.org.

How many sets of cards would you like (sets are sold by the dozen): How would you like to receive your cards? (choose one) Please ship to me (additional $5 per dozen) I will pick up at Bishop Noll main office.

Make checks payable to Bishop Noll Institute and return to: BNI Advancement Office, 1519 Hoffman St., Hammond, IN 46327 For questions regarding orders, please contact Juli Sandoval at jsandoval@bishopnoll.org.

These are some samples of past Christmas cards designs.

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To see the sponsors of this year’s Big Reinvent, see page 10 in the Annual Report.

GRAND PRIZE

$20,000 CASH

2ND PRIZE $5,000 CASH 3RD PRIZE $2,000 CASH 4TH - 7TH PRIZES $500 CASH

2020

Donation: $10.00

Drawing: December 1, 2020 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 #000575

Fill out the form to the right and return with payment.

Raffle stubs will be mailed back to you.

Call (219) 932-9058, ext. 1006, with questions.

RAFFLE TICKET ORDER FORM Name Street address City, State, Zip Phone Number

Enclosed is my check for $____ for ____ tickets.

Please make checks payable to BNI and return to: BNI Advancement Office— 1519 Hoffman St, Hammond, IN 46327 Postmark by 11/25/20. If ordering multiple tickets, please include enough address labels to be used on all of your ticket stubs.

sports news Getting back into the game

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Bishop Noll fall sports and the marching band began to hold outdoor practices this summer following a set of criteria and county, state and diocesan guidelines.

“Athletics resumed July 6 with time limitations and guidelines provided by the IHSAA,” said Athletic Director Eric Roldan ’12. “With the health and safety of our students being our highest priority, we have only allowed our fall sports to return at this time. We have continued to prescreen, mandate face coverings, enforce social distancing, sanitize equipment and facilities daily, and limit physical contact to strictly drills when necessary. Every week we evaluate the situation and make any changes necessary to these protocols.

Our coaches are leading the way in making sure these expectations are met.”

Ed Hreha retires after 40+ years at BNI Retiring director of facilities Ed Hreha receives recognition

by Principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick at the graduation ceremony June 4, 2020.

Ed Hreha, a well-known and respected leader in region athletics throughout his 40-plus year career at Bishop Noll Institute, retired as director of facilities this summer.

Hreha began at BNI in 1979 and throughout the years, served as a teacher, coach and athletic director. He coached Noll soccer, hockey and tennis. In the ’87-88 season he brought the Indiana State High School Hockey Class “A” championship to Noll. In 1999, he brought the boys soccer team to a Regional championship. That same year he took over the helm as athletic director from the retiring and legendary Jerry Vlasic.

Hreha excelled in this post through 2012, when he became the school’s director of facilities.

When Hreha first started working at Noll, he said he would often work for free.

“I would work there every day a week, 12 hours a day. I didn’t care. I loved it,” he said. “I had a degree in phys ed, health and safety and education. Back in the old days, you could specialize in all those fields. I applied for a health teaching job in Highland. If I had gotten that job, I probably would have stayed there. It didn’t happen and then next thing you know, I started volunteering to help out at Bishop Noll.” That role eventually led the Rev. Patrick Connolly, principal, to hire

Above left: Coach Hreha, center, with John Doherty, Sportsmanship Committee chairman, and Marc Zubeck ’83, a committee member who played for Hreha at Noll and present him with the Carl Traicoff Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Above right: Coach Hreha with his sisters Cynthia Cunningham ’67 and Pattie Hreha ’70.

Hreha as a teacher.

Hreha said that looking back at his career, “It all worked out. When I look back at the early days and all the days in between, I see all of the good times.”

“I was a quiet kid. I never complained about pay or anything. I was content. I liked what I was doing. I enjoyed helping Jerry Vlasic. I took pride in that,” Hreha

said. Later in his career, Hreha could often be seen driving the Warrior Wagon, taking RICHER program students to visit feeder schools, helping with Bishop Noll’s annual food drive and driving others for class field trips. Hreha often stopped to treat the students to lunch or ice cream on the trip back to BNI. “I’m going to miss the kids. That’s what it’s about. They were all good kids,” he said. “The students bring me good memories. It’s not just me. It’s every teacher.”

In his four decades of service, Hreha worked with 10 different principals and hundreds of teachers, with lots of different personalities, he said.

“We had a lot of successes throughout all the years. A lot of things were accomplished there by good, dedicated people,” he said.

In 2019, Hreha received the Carl Traicoff Lifetime Achievement Award.

He has consistently demonstrated the Warrior spirit through his love of sports and Bishop Noll. The Bishop Noll family wishes Coach Hreha a happy retirement!

Warrior hockey team wins Class 2A State Championship

Congratulations to the BNI hockey club team under Coach Rich Sobilo ’83 on winning the class 2A state championship in March.

The Warriors defeated Valparaiso 2-1 at the Indiana State High School Hockey Association State 2A finals at Midwest Training and Ice Center in St. John for the third state championship in the program’s history. The Warriors won the state championship in hockey in 1988 under Coach Ed Hreha, and in 2017 under Coach Sobilo. Bishop Noll students on the team were Joseph Vessely, Richard Bozek, Sam Repay, and Christian Figueroa.

John Dodson III, a member of Bishop Noll Institute’s 2011 state finalist basketball team and member of the 2016 Benedictine University NCAA Division III national runner-up team, has been named BNI’s head boys basketball coach.

Dodson served the past two seasons as assistant coach at NCAA Division III Milwaukee School of Engineering and worked as a Milwaukee-based account executive for a national logistics company.

He graduated in 2016 from Benedictine in Lisle, Ill., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing, earning dean’s list status as a junior and senior with a 3.5 grade-point average.

“I am excited for this opportunity,” Dodson said. “Having the chance to give knowledge back and teach young men the game of basketball has continued to be a passion of mine, and what better place to do it than at home? I’d like to truly thank Bishop Noll for allowing me this opportunity to come back. My goal is to develop and grow this group of young men and bring back the winning culture that Noll is accustomed to.”

Athletic Director Eric Roldan ’12 praised the leadership of Dodson, who was a starting guard on the Bishop Noll team that went 26-0 before losing by one point to Indianapolis Park Tudor in the 2011 Class 2A state championship game.

At Benedictine, Dodson was a two-year captain and started every game as a senior, logging more minutes than any other player on a team that went 31-0 before losing the national championship game to St. Thomas of Minnesota.

“John was a fierce competitor here at Bishop Noll and always highly respected among his coaches, peers and school community,” Roldan said. “We are excited to bring John back not only because of his success here, but also his success and leadership as a college player and coach, all of which will benefit the young men in Bishop Noll’s basketball program.”

Basketball teams work toward success on court Photo by Dave Blocher ’82 Bakori Jones ’20 goes for a basket on Jan. 20 vs.

Whiting High School.

This winter, the boys and girls basketball teams continued to practice and work hard.

The boys basketball team overcame coaching struggles this year and defeated several teams, including Gavit and Highland. In February, the team won the Catholic Cup, defeating the Andrean 59ers.

The girls team had several standout players including the only senior, Emily Sutton, and IBCA Week 12 Player of the Week Courtney Blakely. Junior Makayla “Rose” Fuentes received honorable mention for the 2020 Times All-Area basketball team.

At the Yard Line: Prior to the first

football game of the season, the field received some upgrades including the installation of new goal posts and a scoreboard.

Sportsmanship continues

sports

Noll selects 2012 grad Dodson as basketball coach

When spring sports were canceled, senior athletes shared their thoughts on missing final season.

“The thing I miss the most by far would be the postgame Wendy’s runs and most definitely the pre-practice/pre-game McDonald’s runs.”

—Jordan Kammer ’20, boys volleyball

“I was really looking forward to playing tennis this year especially since it was my last season. I will miss my teammates and coaches and eating with them after our games.”

—Shantall Martinez ’20, girls tennis “There are many things I miss about playing with my team, especially with the other seniors, as our team has very strong bonds and connections on and off the field.

I miss just being on the field and playing in general because I’ve been playing for 11 years. It’s very hard to think that last year’s season was possibly the last season of my softball career.”

—Skylar Davis ’20, softball

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noll notes 1943

Jack E. and Helene Doyle Wellman have moved to Columbus, Indiana. These Catholic Central classmates graduated in 1943 during World War II. Jack served in the U.S. Navy for three years. Both are now 95 years old and living in an independent living community.

1952, 1954

David and Helen Felicichia Halton will celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary in October 2020. “Life is good in Delaware,” they wrote.

1957

Robert and Marilyn Hirsh are Eucharistic ministers in their 13th year ministering to Catholics living in or in rehab at Tacoma Retirement Center. They give communion weekly in the chapel and in rooms to those who cannot attend chapel service.

1959

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LoAnn Bahleda Lux lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with her husband, Joseph R. Lux. She is a retired R.N. and earned her BFA in theater arts.

1963

2012

1974

After 30 years of service, Alice (Jackovich) Birlson retired as a Nutrition Service Coordinator at Aurora Public Schools (Aurora, Colorado). In 1999 Alice and her husband, Tom, became grandparents for the first time, when their grandson was born.

1974

Adrianne Sobilo Ansay is co-owner of the KUBE Sports Complex in Hammond, handling all the business functions.

1975

Wally Kasprzycki, an AllAmerican football player at Bishop Noll, starting tight end at Northwestern University and longtime BNI assistant coach, has been selected for induction next year into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

Kasprzycki’s election was confirmed by former BNI head coach Mark Peterson, who nominated Wally for the honor.

As a Noll senior, Kasprzycki earned Parade Magazine AllAmerican status in 1974, helping

James Pasierb felt nostalgia while looking through his spring Noll Today and dug out his school letter, which he shared with us via email. James said he and his wife, Barbara, recently celebrated their 51st anniversary. They have two boys—P.J., an air weapons engineer, and Jonny, who works in the State of Hawaii judiciary.

After high school, James went into the Air Force and a few years later, earned his bachelor’s at ISU where he met his wife and worked at WISH TV 6 years. He eventually rejoined the Air Force along with his wife. He retired as a major (wife retired as a colonel) in Fairfax Station, Virigina.

They have lived all over the world and worked on several Pentagon DoD contracts and as a historic interpreter at Mount Vernon for 6 years.

“I was from the Cedar Lake bunch,” he writes. “Sometimes I wonder where everyone has gone, especially all my good friends from the Cedar Lake area and the outlying little towns like Schererville, Hobart, Highland, Griffith, etc. I rode the bus every day for 4 years! I wonder if those towns still exist.

“I remember my senior year mostly as a rite of passage. So many memories, but I was ready to charge out into the world and felt all the teachers prepared me well for it.”

lead the Warriors to an 8-2 record in Coach Jerry Vlasic’s first of many winning seasons as Noll head coach.

Kasprzycki returned to Noll in 1981 to assist Vlasic on the Warriors’ coaching staff. He served as defensive coordinator on the Warriors’ 1989 state championship team and was a coach for 36 years, under eight BNI head coaches, before stepping down after the 2016 season to devote more time to his family’s restaurant business, the Cavalier Inn in Hammond.

“Even though he’s no longer coaching, he’s still giving and supporting BNI’s football program by providing Thursday team dinners to the team he loves,” current Noll coach Wayne Racine said. “He is the living example of what Bishop Noll stands for, a man that always gives out of the kindness of his heart.”

Kasprzycki’s previous recognitions include induction in 1996 to the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame and in 2010 to the Bishop Noll Hall of Honor.

Kasprzycki’s induction dinner is scheduled for Sunday, May 2, 2021, at the Avalon Manor banquet center in Hobart.

1988

BNI alum and St. Thomas More School principal Dr. Samantha Hofferth Francis recently graduated with a masters in educational leadership from the University of Notre Dame.

1999

Anthony Veneziano writes, “My wife, Kelly, and I went on a 1-year late honeymoon to Aruba around Christmas 2019. I continue to work in PR in the events and auto racing world.”

2006

Alison Rokosz Upchurch and her husband, Justin, welcomed a baby boy, Kipton Ray, in March 2019.

BNI’s 2012 valedictorian, Julie Fornaciari, is a chemical engineering PhD candidate at University of California Berkeley and a team leader and steering committee member for Bay Area Scientists in Schools.

After graduating from Bishop Noll, she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and co-oped at Lubrizol Corporation for a year.

She is currently a 4th year Ph.D. candidate, working on renewable energy technologies in the hope to alter the way we use and generate commodity chemicals (such as natural gas and hydrogen).

“With the direction of my interests, I hope to contribute technologies that can reduce our carbon footprint and have more energy reliability and resiliency,” she said. “Outside of research, I have been heavily involved with scientific outreach for STEM students for K-12. I mentored students in a variety of organizations at Pitt, both in and outside the lab and currently am a steering committee member for the Bay Area Scientists Inspiring Students. We are currently remaking our lessons to fit the virtual teaching style!”

Kody Alayon is a senior quality engineer for Baxter International in Round Lake, Ill. An electrical engineering major from RoseHulman in Terre Haute, where he also was MVP of the baseball team, Kody now lives in Streamwood, Ill. He is engaged with a wedding date in July of 2021. He enjoys playing golf with his fiancée and entertaining his 3-year-old Siberian husky.

2010-2019

Here are some updates on BNI alumni who have participated or currently are participating in the Business Opportunity Program at Purdue University. The program is a scholarship opportunity for high achieving (3.5+ GPA) AfricanAmerican/Black and Hispanic/ Latino seniors.

Eduardo Jimenez ’19 participated in BOP and is off to an excellent start at Purdue.

Sophia Aguirre ’18 and

Lesley Vizcarra ’18 completed a summer internship with Plante Moran, a public accounting firm in downtown Chicago.

Miguel Diaz ’17 finished his first corporate internship with the Big 4 accounting firm of PwC in downtown Chicago.

Ariana Diaz ’12 graduated with a job at Accenture’s Chicago office.

Antonia Collins ’10 graduated with a job at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis.

Scott Upshaw ’10 graduated with a job at Deloitte’s Chicago office.

LIFE IN KOREA English in Busan, South Korea, since 2019 and

Payonk has been teaching through May 2021. g will be working there full time the most challenging yet rewardin been has ad abro lish “Teaching Eng and the world around self your t abou lot a learn You experience of my life. to find that is very different and you have you. You are challenged in a way to overcome have you do only Not . lems creative solutions to various prob re understand and learn various cultu language barriers but you have to . said he os,” tabo traditions and different backgrounds and faith “At Bishop Noll I met people from work with them on projects or play to had I day the traditions. At the end of different teachers from South with work I y on the same sports teams. Toda countries. All these people r othe y man Africa, Ireland, South Korea and day we are fs and belie but at the end of the come from different backgrounds .” goal mon ther for a com his on the same team and come toge elf using some of the methods that As a teacher, Payonk finds hims ent. stud a was he n whe ents Bishop Noll teachers used elementary and middle school stud “Although I am teaching Korean .” room class my to y appl s ciple prin same had he and not high school, some of the m who .S, C.PP f, Scal in Father Kev His favorite teacher at Noll was . year r I for theology his junio looked at Catholicism and myself.

“It absolutely changed the way I context and I rical histo a from ch chur olic me and learned so much about the Cath faith. He demanded excellence from hard grew a deep appreciation for my y reall me ed push he back . Looking at the time I didn’t understand why though I saw something special in me even and I realized it was because he hers inspire and push teac best the think I . time the at didn’t see it in myself g the did just that. I had a lot of help alon students beyond their limits. He life.” my ged chan that say stly hone way and he is one teacher I can

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

2015

Global experiences help shape alum’s education, career path Nathan Payonk ’15 has worked around the world and said that his time at Bishop Noll helped him learn to work with people from different backgrounds and faith traditions. He was recently accepted into the master’s of public affair online program through the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University and looks forward to the challenge of attending the top program in the country.

“Being a first generation college student, I never thought a master’s degree would be possible,” he said. In addition, he was awarded the MPA Merit Award Fellowship, which will help him financially pursue his education goals. “It wouldn’t be possible without the help of my family, friends and mentors.”

His degree concentration will be in public management, learning the ins and outs of local, state and federal governments.

BISHOP

Payonk said NOLL DAYS so basketball ga me of his favorite m em looking forw mes vs. Andrean. “Eve ories at Noll were ryone at scho ar d to th os e every time.

My friends games and the gym w ol was as packed and I would skits to do on co a cow suit to the sidelines in the m me up with ridiculous id dl al l e th of e basketball the game. I time where games wore yo wouldn’t be u could act like a fool and it was just the on ly too mad at and the adm yo in u as a studen He said his istration m t.” os t im po has unexpe rtant lesson cted from Noll w as that life “With a stro challenges. ng fo undation in can overcom faith and ha e anything. rd work you think critical Noll challeng ly everyday ch and apply knowledg es its students to e from the cl allenges. Liv own, I am ch assroom to ing in a cult ur situations. A allenged every day at w e so foreign to my dd or life has take ing the Wuhan Coron k and in everyday n avirus situat connection unexpected turns this ion, my w ye thinking, I ith God and my strong ar. Without my deep am not sure fo un dation in cr If to stay and itical teach in Sou I would have been ab le th Korea.”

After his years at Bishop Noll, Payonk majored in law and public policy at Indiana University.

“During my time at IU, I worked part time, joined a fraternity, volunteered through a few organizations and I was a teacher assistant for a government finance course my senior year. During my four years at college, I completed two summer internships. One of the internships was in Washington, D.C., where I was a congressional intern for Republican Congressman Jason Smith from the 8th District of Missouri.”

Before his senior year of college, Payonk spent three months working in Barcelona, Spain, as an intern at an immigration/environmental law firm.

As an intern there he conducted research on the biomass industry throughout Europe and gave a presentation to local governments in Spain.

“A special moment for me was helping our legal team defend a 10-year-old from being wrongfully deported out of the country. Participating in a courtroom and successfully defending such an important case was surreal to me. Doing this in a foreign country and in language I didn’t know was a challenging yet humbling experience,” he said.

Payonk said he doesn’t believe in planning too far into the future, however he would potentially like to be a U.S. history teacher or work for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“I really enjoyed my time working in immigration law and I found the work extremely rewarding.

I’ve always had a passion for public service and assisting others so we shall see. Who knows, I may get involved in politics again.”

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memory lane We asked alumni to share their favorite Bishop Noll memory on social media.

Here are their responses.

Homerooms and classes with Mrs. Biel and English classes with Mrs. LaMere.

We learned so many interesting life lessons from them.

Best memory is the year we did the musical “Brigadoon.” It was amazing. Directed by Sister Miriam Edward, who also taught French.

The BNI orchestra was excellent also.

Linda LaPeer Matson ’61

The senior year play "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Anthony Salvatore as Joseph. He was a tour de force with his singing and the whole cast.

I swear I went to every performance.

It was that great.

Anna Maria Flores ’87

Kathy Mulhern Szala ’67

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My best memory was from my junior year when the softball team won sectionals against Whiting. There was so much going on that day from the game being postponed to the following day, then the day of the game being postponed by a few hours because of the rain, then Whiting having us switch dugouts because they got first pick. Through it all it was one of the best experiences of my life, and I love that group of girls more than anything.

Both attending and leading Kairos retreats.

The experience you receive from attending the Kairos retreat is something you take with you forever. I still smile and sing along whenever I hear the song “Say” and frequently listen to all the Kairos songs from my retreat. Leading the retreat is a whole other experience and one that makes you feel like how you would imagine the disciples felt teaching. Giving those kids this inside look at how God is truly working in your life and helping them see it on their own is such an amazing and beautiful experience. It’s one that I will never forget and never stop talking about.

Jazzie Encarnacion ’16

Marsela Mendoza ’18

We want yo u

r news!

Please take a few minu te s to let everyon Bishop Nol e in the l family kn ow how yo u are doing.

E-mail advancemen t@bishopn or mail to oll.org Bishop Nol l Advancem 1519 Hoffm ent office: an St., Ham mond, IN 4 6327

Reunions The Advancement Office at Bishop Noll will gladly provide any reunion planning committees with a class list.

If you would like to list your class reunion information on our website, we’re happy to do that as well. Just contact Mary Ellen O’Neill, Director of Institutional Advancement, moneill@bishopnoll. org or Jennifer Florek, communications specialist, at jflorek@bishopnoll.org.

We’ll do our best to provide you with the information you need to help make your class reunion a success. Remember to send pictures of your reunion so that we can share them in our Noll Today and here on our website.

The following classes have announced plans for their reunions:

Class of 1961

The Bishop Noll Class of 1961 has planned a 60-year reunion from 1 to 4 p.m.

April 14, 2021, at Gamba Restaurant in Merillville.

For more information, contact Stu Seaman at bnhs61@gmail.com.

Class of 1970

The Bishop Noll Class of 1970 has planned a 50+1 reunion Sept. 11, 2021, at Cloister in the Woods in Munster. The original reunion scheduled for 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19. For more information, contact Diane M. (Danko) Gora, 13102 Pierce Court, Crown Point, IN 46307, (219) 308-4407, diane.gora@gmail.com.

in memoriam 1938 1942 1942 1945 1945 1947 1948 1948 1949 1952 1952 1952 1953 1953 1954 1954 1955 1955 1955 1955 1956 1957 1957

Ruth Barrett Mulhern Albert La Mere Mary Polito Toth Rita Johann Berg Richard La Mere Patricia Reinert Homrich Eugene J. Anderson John Berg John G. Pastrick Marie Moss Bugajski Thomas Lynch Thomas J. Maloney Gloria Hower Bernal Lawrence Grodzicki Dorothy Peters Dybel Hon. Raymond S. Robak John P. Manoni Dolores Zaleski Medwetz Donald Meyer Judy Muschelewicz Sikora James M. Melton Roy G. Angus Douglas P. Dye

1957 1957 1957 1957 1957 1958 1959 1959 1960 1964 1966 1967 1967 1968 1969 1969 1970 1970 1973 1975 1977 1981 1985

Donald D. Fine Gwen A. Craven Joseph A. Military Margaret Lasics Stadler Eleanor Busanic Kapitan Thomas Petrites Edward Vargo Donald Weber Delphine Tamborski Coupal James P. Austgen Stanley Wohadlo Richard Howell James Pieniazek Donald Camp Thomas Stahura Harry T. Szafranski Kathleen La Mere Fritz Donald A. Waechter Gerald Kray Judy Ardelean Berkowitz Pauline Ziller Sullivan Karl Cid Paul Malatestinic

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!

Former Teacher: Sister Alma Peters, CSC, former science teacher from 1944-1950.

Former Media Center Director: Rita Johann Berg ’45 from 1980-1992.

Former girls softball coach: Stella Sobilo Correction: In the April, 2020 Noll Today Dorothy Hebard Biwer ’52 and James Pupillo ’52 were listed incorrectly in the In Memoriam as being in the Class of 1951. We apologize for the error.

Sadly, Ruth Barret Mulhern, believed to be the school’s oldest living alum, passed away in July. Ruth had become quite famous around Bishop Noll the past year as she was featured on the cover of the Fall 2019 Noll Today magazine and on social media. For her 100th birthday in December, Ruth visited Bishop Noll for a celebration in her honor and several BNI seniors sang happy birthday to her. Having spent her days at Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1938, Ruth had many happy memories of her high school days and we are thankful she was able to share them with us.

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To kick off the Centennial school year, Bishop Noll students were welcomed back to school by some exciting facility upgrades, including a refinished fieldhouse floor. The new surface, which is home to BNI’s volleyball and basketball teams, now proudly showcases the “Forever Noll” Centennial logo at each end.