BACK TO SCHOOL: Alumni return to Diocese of Gary to share the gift of education

Throughout the Diocese of Gary, and in education systems throughout the country, Bishop Noll alumni have gone from being students to serving as teachers and administrators, impacting the next generations throughout their professional journeys.

Dr. Joseph Majchrowicz, a 1973 graduate of BNI who is in his seventh and final year as the superintendent of schools, said the reason so many alumni return to the diocese is simple.

“Being raised and educated in this environment makes you want to give back or pay it forward. It becomes a part of your professional DNA. You cannot help but want to become involved in such a wonderful Catholic team effort experience.”

Majchrowicz’s own path to heading the education sector of the Diocese of Gary was set into motion during his formative years at St. John Bosco and Noll. As the youngest of five children, he said he could not wait to be part of the BNI Warrior Family tradition as a young teen in 1969. He now spreads that excitement throughout the diocese and is proud to be associated with so many caring and dedicated individuals. He admires their “sincere love for their students along with their caring attitude, dedication and perseverance in what they need to do to meet the needs of those they serve so well.”

Rich Radziwiecki ’84, Noll’s maintenance supervisor, appreciates the chance to maintain the building that shaped his formative years while working in the same place where his mom, Theresa Radziwiecki, worked for 20 years as a custodian.

“After spending four years at Noll as a student in a very nurturing and professional environment, it was a no-brainer to come back to Noll in 1998 when an opportunity to work there was available for me,” he said. Hannah Dominiak Lareau ’12, BNI digital design and photography teacher, graduated from college and began her professional career before finding herself led back to Noll to take on a teaching role.

“I think the reason so many alumni come back to Bishop Noll is because of the sense of family and community,” she said. “There’s something special in coming back to work at the place that shaped you and feeling so valued. I think it’s important to work at a place like BNI because you get to contribute to a place that makes a lasting difference in young lives and in the community.”

Lou Santellano ’99, BNI theology and engineering teacher, worked several years in the construction world before joining the faculty at his alma mater this school year.

“I came back for a number of reasons. I really can't imagine teaching at any other school. I always felt a connection to my Catholic faith through the Diocese of Gary. When I saw the opportunity to become part of Bishop Noll, I decided I'd apply and trust that God (through the team at BNI) would know what He was doing. Also, I know a lot of staff and faculty. I immediately felt safe being here. I was initially intimidated when thinking about taking positions that some of my favorite teachers held, but then I realized I could never be those teachers but I can be myself. I truly feel like I'm standing on the shoulders of giants walking on sacred ground. I pray every day that I am following the hopes and dreams of all the people who taught and worked here before me.”

Danielle Flores ’16 spent her first year and a half teaching at a nearby public school before hearing of an open English faculty position at Noll this winter.

“I was so excited at the thought of returning, not only because it is my alma mater, but also because I was excited to begin teaching in a

By the Numbers

6 Gary Diocesan elementary schools have principals who are BNI alumni.

2 additional elementary schools have principals who previously worked at BNI.

school like Noll, which is known for its rigor and proven track record of student success. Noll has such a high rate of alumni employees because of its unique sense of community and dedication to excellence. The culture is driven by Bishop Noll’s commitment to developing students’ mind, body and soul and creates an incredible environment where students are held to, and often exceed, high expectations in both academics and character.”

5 members of the BNI Class of 2012 began their teaching careers in the Diocese of Gary in recent years.

15 BNI alumni work at Bishop Noll.

Flores said making her former teachers proud, seeing old assignments of hers they have kept and experiencing the Noll community as a teacher has been a special experience.

“My mom, a single parent of three, sacrificed nearly everything to give my brothers and me the opportunity to attend Noll. Because of that sacrifice I appreciated my education when I was a student, but now, as a teacher, I feel even more grateful to have received a Bishop Noll education. Having the opportunity to provide that gift to a new generation of Warriors is truly a privilege.”

Kennedy Castro ’16 joined BNI as a chemistry teacher this school year after two years of teaching at a Catholic school in Chicago. She said she was most excited to rejoin her BNI family and be back “home.”

“I am excited to help spread my love of Noll to my students. I hope I become an influential part of my students’ time here at Noll, just as my teachers were to me,” she said.

Rosalie Hauter Schmidt ’70, a BNI science teacher who began her teaching career in the ‘90s, said she feels Noll has helped her be the best teacher she has ever been.

“Teaching the finest, and most promising students in the area certainly helps. I love our diversity, the differing backgrounds and experiences they bring to our school. Each student in our building has something special to offer the future. Our students, though different, share similar goals, and I hope that I can help them achieve their goals in some small way. We have the best kids!”

On the Cover

Bishop Noll alumni have continued to spread their love of education and Christ by working throughout the Diocese of Gary. Pete Doherty ’71/ Doherty Images captured this photo of BNI alumni in attendance at a diocesan professional development session held in February at BNI.

FRONT ROW: Pollyanna Lopez ’93, St. John Bosco; Candace Hass Wadas ’93, St. Mary Crown Point; Ana Gomez ’16, St. Casimir; Mirabel Perez Villarreal ’89, St. Mary Crown Point; Kaitlin Grubesic ’13, St. John Bosco; Hannah Dominiak Lareau ’12, BNI digital design and photography teacher; Mayra Quiroz ’93, BNI academic advisor; Katie Vlcek Jara ’04, St. Thomas More; Julia Fugger ’18, St. Paul; Danielle Flores ’16, BNI English teacher

SECOND ROW: Eileen Boyle Germek ’75, St. Michael; Juli Korem Sandoval ’82, BNI advancement office; Dr. Samantha Hofferth-Francis ’88, St. Thomas More principal; Zayra Salinas ’01, St. Stanislaus assistant principal; Nancy Kruzan Repay ’85, St. John Bosco principal; Linda Nelson Loera ’85, St. John Bosco

THIRD ROW: Eric Klocek ’15, St. Mary Griffith; Colleen Kennedy ’82, St. Mary Griffith; Dr. Joseph Majchrowicz ’73, superintendent of schools; Lou Santellano ’99, BNI theology teacher; Rachel Hurtig ’12, St. John Bosco; Lorenza Jara Pastrick ’01, BNI principal; Sara Kozlowski Marszalek ’05, St. John the Baptist assistant principal; Renata Gajardo ’00, Queen of All Saints assistant principal.

FOURTH ROW: Paul Szymkowski ’11, BNI IT specialist; Rich Radziwiecki ’84, BNI maintenance supervisor; Peggy Ryan McHugh ’88, St. Casimir; Matt Chico ’02, St. Casimir principal; Elena Sobilo ’12, St. John the Baptist

BACK ROW: Tom Ruiz ’90, St. Mary Crown Point principal; Jorge Gomez ’12, St. Casimir; Shannon Whelan ’12, St. Casimir; Rachel Grogan ’16, St. Casimir; Mary Morenz Stephenson ’84, Nativity of our Savior; Paul Mullaney ’77, BNI president; Eloy Melero ’14, BNI math teacher; Jose Arteaga ’13, BNI social studies teacher

BNI employees not pictured include Kennedy Castro ’16, science teacher; Grace Delli Colli ’88, main office staff; Rebecca Dostatni ’00, chairperson of Science Department and teacher; Rosalie Schmidt ’70, science teacher.

For more news about Warriors excelling in the education field, see Noll Notes on P. 14–16.