highlights of 2022–23

Bishop Noll Institute made history during the 2022–23 school year. The school welcomed its largest enrollment of students in more than 20 years including 186 freshmen and 550 total students. Ayanna Wash, the Class of 2023 valedictorian, was proud to learn she was Noll’s first Black valedictorian. The Class of 2023, Noll’s 100th graduating class, also broke records, earning $23.2 million in college scholarship offers.

A growing student population meant a need for additional teachers with new faces Aibel Joseph, Maria Elena Patino, Jeff Smolinski and Elizabeth Unzueta joining the faculty, along with alumni Jose Arteaga ’13, Kennedy Castro ’16 and Louis Santellano ’99 returning to their alma mater as teachers. Anna Cervantes joined the athletic department as athletic assistant.

The administration welcomed new leaders, including Matthew Pysh as campus minister, Carmen Ontiveros as director of admissions, Lisa Melendez as assistant principal and Michael Roggenkamp as director of student services. The advancement department said farewell to director of advancement Mary Ellen O’Neill, who retired after 11 years in the role, and welcomed Ryan Julian, who had taught and coached at Bishop Noll for six years.

Academic Success

Bishop Noll continued to excel in academics, offering an advanced curriculum that included 10 AP/DC classes and more than a dozen honors courses. Twenty-four seniors received the graduates with distinction ranking, achieving a GPA of 4.0 and above.

The school also continued its commitment to be the only STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math) high school in Northwest Indiana. Students studied and explored the fields of STEM in the $1.45 million STREAM Lab, opened in 2020. Other building improvements included updated science labs and air purification systems that also provided cool air.

Excelling In Extracurriculars

The Marching Warriors kicked off the new year with adventure and education by performing at the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. The students learned through professional music clinics and won several awards for their performances.

Students chose from more than 20 extracurriculars including academic teams such as Speech and Science Olympiad and groups like Band, Color Guard, National Honor Society and Art Club. Participation soared in several of the school’s clubs including Guitar Club, Women’s Empowerment Club, the Black Student Union and the Hispanic Student Union.

Noll’s Drama Department showcased student talents on stage and behind the scenes with productions of “Eurydice” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Disciples Of Christ

Bishop Noll focused on its mission to educate and grow disciples of Christ. The Campus Ministry program, which facilitates spiritual retreats and all-school Masses, helped students build upon their Catholic faith. Students participated in daily prayer, monthly Masses and each grade was required to take a theology class.

For the first time in recent school history, students organized a special Mass to celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Most Rev. Robert J. McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary, celebrated Mass at BNI on Thanksgiving and at the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass in February.

Living their lives as true Disciples of Christ, students also completed many service projects throughout the year. The annual food drive took place in November. In January, students collected more than 1,400 jars of peanut butter to help replenish the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana with a staple item. In addition, Noll’s National Honor Society hosted and organized multiple blood drives during the year, collecting 114 units of whole blood and 8 units of double red blood.

Thriving In Athletics

Warrior athletic teams had lots to celebrate with the hockey team named 3A state champs, the girls’ volleyball team winning conference and boys’ soccer winning sectionals. A boys’ volleyball team also formed and won the sectional championship.

On Feb. 10, Francisco Rodriguez, weighing in at 106 pounds, competed in the semi-state tournament in the wrestling competition at EC Central. Track and field star Precious Knight was a state qualifier in high jump.

Several seniors will continue their athletic careers in college. Xavier Zukley and Hannah Evenson will play volleyball at Aurora University. Zukley will be playing as an outside hitter for the men’s volleyball team, while Evenson will be playing for the women’s volleyball team. Melina Hanes will play volleyball at Siena Heights University. Mariah Robinson will join the womens’ basketball team at Triton College. Jackson Montgomery will play baseball at Coppin State University as a pitcher. Matt Bonadurer will play football at St. Norbert College.

Support For The Present And Future

Thanks to the help of generous alumni and friends, Bishop Noll fundraisers helped raise vital dollars for the Annual Fund and student scholarships.

In July 2022, the Advancement Department held its annual golf outing. The 130 golfers helped raise more than $20,000.

The alumni Homecoming Tailgate Party took place Sept. 16 in the fieldhouse with more than 150 Warriors attending.

New Bishop Noll geographic based alumni associations began in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota this year, with an additional group in Indianapolis starting the same process as summer approached.

At Alumni Watch Parties, new this year, alumni reunited on the fieldhouse balcony to watch the Warrior basketball team play. With a $10 ticket, alumni gained access to reserved seating in the balcony, pizza, drinks and a chance catch up with former classmates and their extended BNI family.

The Big Event took place April 28, raising more than $64,000 for student scholarships. Keeping the successful components of a virtual auction, alumni and supporters gathered together in the BNI Fieldhouse or bid on auction items from their own homes. Top auction items included an Orlando vacation rental, one-of-a-kind intarsia (wood) artwork, a Swan Lake golf package and golf at North Shore Country Club.