greetings from our president
Dear BNI Family,
I hope you had a chance to study some of the numbers that grace the cover of this edition of Noll Today. They provide a snapshot, an at-aglance summary of how our school is thriving in her 95th year.
Scholarship monies, graduation rates and enrollment increases are a few important categories that help quantify the story of Bishop Noll today. But you and I know the substance of the BNI success story delves so much deeper, beyond all these positive numbers.
For to truly measure the value of the BNI Experience, we must examine the impact of how we were inspired by our time at Noll. And that inspiration runs the gamut when you consider how it impacted more than 20,000 Noll and Catholic Central alumni.
Siblings Adam ’03 and Beth ’08 Mikolajczyk summed it up so well in their letter this past fall as chairpersons of our BNI Annual Fund. They wrote: “We are all members of a close-knit, culturally diverse family that gave us the tools to approach the problems of tomorrow and challenged us to grow stronger in our faith in God.”
In a project we’ve been conducting this past year, we have asked many of our alumni to share with us stories of how they were inspired by their time at BNI.
Said Jeff Kolbus ’79: “We were taught to pursue our dreams of college and career, but to frame all that in the Gospel message of love and service.”
In the testimonials we received, numerous alumni singled out teachers for the inspiration, challenges and mentoring they provided. It is astounding the impact our teachers have had in helping shape the lives, careers and ambitions of their former students.
One such testimonial was written by the Very Rev. John Kartje, BNI ’83, who last year was appointed by Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich as the rector/president of Mundelein Seminary. Father John was an astrophysicist before becoming a priest. His testimonial said so much:
“I fondly remember my years at BNI, especially for how they enabled me to form some great friendships and to receive an excellent—and broad—liberal arts education,” Father Kartje wrote. “Now that I have been a teacher for many years, I can appreciate just how uncommon that education was. While I always had a love of science as a kid, it was from Mr. Maurice O’Hern that I got my first taste of real physics, which awakened in me a love that would direct the rest of my life. And while I never developed a love of chemistry, Mr. Walter Pikul taught me better than ANY other teacher I ever had (right through my Ph.D) what it means to be a critical thinker and to do science with integrity and discipline.
“But I also developed a deep love of reading and learned the skill of effective writing through BNI’s English and literature departments. Mrs. Dorothy LaMere opened my eyes and broadened my world to the vast range of literary treasures in our rich Western tradition. There was little I encountered in my (University of Chicago) humanities courses that I had not at least been introduced to by her world literature class.”
Decades later, our BNI teachers continue to form young lives, in mind, body and soul. Their impact can’t be diminished.
As Father Kartje wrote: “Teachers and priests know, perhaps as well as anyone, that while we often interact with others for but a fleeting moment, the stamp of that moment can last a lifetime.”
That’s why BNI (or BNHS or CCHS) lives in us all!
God bless,
Paul B. Mullaney ’77 President, Bishop Noll Institute
2015-16 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Paul Mullaney ’77
President
Craig Stafford
Principal
Matthew Chico ’02
Dean of Students
Mary Ellen O’Neill
Director of Advancement
Renee Nagdeman
Director of Finance
Nancy Repay ’85
Director of Admissions
Michele Arnold Director of Guidance
Fred Reynolds Director of Technology
Tim Feddeler
Athletic Director
2015-16
BOARD OF LIMITED JURISDICTION
Most Reverend Donald J. Hying
Bishop
Dr. Barbara O’Block
Superintendent
Michael Whelan ’85
President
Michael Repay ’93
Vice President
Geoff Laciak ’96
Secretary
Jeffrey Cipowski ’83
Mark Cloghessy ’76
Adrienne Gomez ’70
Larry Kalina ’69
Colleen Kennedy ’82
Patrick McCloskey ’77
Rev. Kevin Scalf, C.P P.S.
Gregory Zagrocki ’82
2015-16 FOUNDATION MEMBERS
Stephen Ligda ’58, President
Marlene Vega Coulis ’79, Vice President
Rev. Dominic Bertino, Treasurer
Carole Hepner ’59, Secretary
Ray Garza
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.
E-Noll Today
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E-mail information to jsandoval@bishopnoll.org or mail to:
Bishop Noll Institute Advancement Office 1519 Hoffman Street Hammond, IN 46327 219-932-9058 ext. 1005 219-932-4733 (fax)
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Website
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Noll Today
Noll Today is written and published in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Contact Mary Ellen O’Neill, moneill@bishopnoll.org with questions.
a message from our principal
Greetings from 1519 Hoffman Street. I hope your corner of the world is full of joy and good health. As a Bishop Noll Institute stakeholder, I hope you enjoy this issue’s Noll by the Numbers. Our school is thriving and planning for a very bright future. The numbers you will see are great. They should make all of us proud of the work we do at BNI each and every day. As you examine these numbers, please understand that they represent real people. It is easy to forget that education is a not a business or an industry with a bottom line. Bishop Noll Institute does not produce cogs for a machine. We produce young men and women who are sound in mind, body, and soul. This formation process is complex, and should not be simplified into a test score or a letter grade. In recent times, politics and misguided policies have changed the paradigm in education. Test scores and other arbitrary numbers have become the standard for those who do not understand or respect the educational process. Education is not an exact equation, or a black or white science. The process cannot be directly aligned to a number or a measurement. Education is very grey, and requires us to meet students where they are and take them to new heights. The educational process is an academic and spiritual formation, exploration, and the opportunity to grapple with the challenges of our current reality. An ACT, SAT, or ECA test score is a minuscule snapshot of what takes places in a student’s K-12 education. It should never be the determining factor of success or nonsuccess in life.
I recently participated in a meeting that addressed my youngest son’s reading ability. Let me preface my commentary by saying that I appreciate everything educators do each and every day. It is a very difficult time to be a teacher and/or administrator. During
the meeting, my son was dehumanized into a 200 on this test, and 62 on another measure. He was ranked in a percentile, and given a number that would predict his achievement on the state test next year. Again, his teachers and administrators were only doing their job. I was drowning in numbers that did not recognize the kind, energetic, loving boy who enjoys playing outside with his brother. This was my son, not a number. We boiled down his traits, talents, and characteristics into numbers on a piece of paper. As principal, I refuse to simplify the educational process into testing and numbers. Data tells a story, but it does not tell the whole story. We will continue to offer unique educational experiences to all students. I will always respect the individuality of the sons and daughters that God has placed in our classrooms and hallways. Again, enjoy our numbers, but remember the students behind them. They represent people from Hammond, Munster, Calumet City, and beyond. They represent people who come from plenty, and others who make great sacrifices for a Bishop Noll education. They represent students who will become teachers, bishops, doctors, husbands, and wives. They represent athletes, thespians, and students who use their God given talents every day. They represent our past, our present, and our future. We are all Warriors. I thank you for your continued support of our beloved institution. May God bless you and your family. Go Warriors!
Mind, Body, and Soul,
Craig S. Stafford Principal, Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Golf Invitational
Monday July 18, 2016
Innsbrook Country Club—Merrillville
Scramble Format
11:30—lunch and registration
12:30—shot gun start
5:30—cocktails and dinner
Join us for a fun-filled day in support of the Bishop Noll Scholarship Fund!
$175 per person—includes lunch, golf & cart,drinks on the course, dinner and prizes.
$100 young alum rate (2006–2016)
Gather some classmates—make it a mini reunion—renew old friendships!
To make reservations online go to: www.bishopnoll.org/support-bni/events
2ND ANNUAL
At Bishop Noll Institute Friday, April 29, 6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
The Big Event—a new celebration, with the same purpose as our previous events—raising money to support student scholarships at Bishop Noll Institute. The Big Event is our largest, single-day fundraiser for BNI. A relaxed, casual evening filled with great food, drinks, music, dancing, several raffles, a live auction, and even a bags tournament. A new price that is more affordable for everyone! We hope that many alumni, friends and parents will join us for this fun-filled evening!
To make a reservation, become an event sponsor or donate an item for our raffle, please contact Juli Sandoval ’82 in the Advancement office at 219.932.9058 ext 1005. Tickets $50 per person
WARRIOR WINNINGS RAFFLE
1st Prize $5,000 ~ 2nd Prize $1,000 ~ 3rd Prize $500
Only 2,000 tickets will be sold!
OFFICIAL RULES: Your receipt will be mailed to you. Winners will be drawn announced at The Big Event on April 29, 2016. Winners need not be present and will be notified. Proceeds will benefit BNI Scholarship Fund. Cash prizes may be reduced based on number of tickets sold. Postmark by April 22, 2016. License # 139183. Winners must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license or state issued photo identification.
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Telephone Email April 29, 2016
I would like to purchase ________ raffle ticket(s) at $20 each or _______ groups of 3 tickets for $50 each. Enclosed is my check for $_______ for ________tickets.
Please make checks payable to BNI and return in envelope to: BNI Advancement Office 1519 Hoffman St. Hammond, IN 46327
school news
class of 2016—graduates with distinction named
Congratulations to the Class of 2016 top academic seniors! Graduating seniors with a 4.0 or above receive the title and honor of Bishop Noll Graduate with Distinction. This year, we have 12 seniors who have earned a cumulative 4.0 or higher after the first semester of senior year. These grades also determine the Valedictorian and Salutatorian.
The Bishop Noll Community is proud of their accomplishments, and looks forward to their future success!
Victoria Johnson—Valedictorian, of Hammond, attended St. Casimir School
Brendan Mulholland—Salutatorian, of Hammond, attended St. John Bosco School
Liliana Pinedo, of Burnham, attended Arnold Mireles Academy
Nancy Medrano, of South Holland, attended Calvary Academy
Erin Mullaney, of Hammond, attended Our Lady of Grace School
William Lami, of Hammond, attended St. Casimir School
Francesca Wisniewski, of Hammond, attended St. John the Baptist School
Shawn Haugh, of Munster, attended St. Thomas More School
Cynthia Melero, of Calumet City, attended St. Casimir School
Marcos Keefe, of Hammond, attended St. John Bosco School
Emily Cruz, of Hammond, attended St. Casimir School
Matthew Gordon, of Highland, attended Our Lady of Grace School
BNI Students Support St. Joseph Soup Kitchen through Thanksgiving Food Drive
Our students continue to impress! BNI's annual Thanksgiving Food Drive generated more than 4,400 food items that were donated by students, faculty and staff. Those items filled two Warrior Wagon buses and were delivered by our students to the St. Joseph's Soup Kitchen in downtown Hammond, in time to help feed those who were in need at Thanksgiving. We are thankful to have such caring and giving students, and teachers who are such meaningful role models.
Students Have A Date With Shakespeare In State Contest
On Valentine’s Day, Hailey DeWolf, senior, and Julia Fugger, sophomore, competed in the State ESU Shakespeare Contest. Hailey and Julia received first and second place respectively in the school Shakespeare monologue contest and moved on to state competition at Butler University in Indianapolis.
The ESU Shakespeare Contest is an international event that takes place every year in the spring semester. In Indiana, the contest has been held for 29 years. This was the first year Bishop Noll Institute participated. It is a particular honor to be going to state now as the ESU is one of many organizations celebrating 400 years of “The Legacy of Shakespeare” in 2016.
Both Julia and Hailey represented Noll well, and gave exemplary performances. The competition was tough, with some schools having been to the contest many years in a row and having populations in the thousands. However, Hailey DeWolf showed her Warrior Spirit and earned second place in the state competition. If the state winner is unable to go to the national competition, held at Lincoln Center in New York City, in May, Hailey will get the phone call. Congratulations, Hailey DeWolf!
BNI Accounting Students Gain Real World Experience Running Warrior Wear Store
Beginning this school year, the accounting class has taken full ownership of the Warrior Wear Shop. According to BNI business teacher Sara Davis ’09, the students manage everything from daily operations, including inventory and budget, to service and training. All other Business classes volunteer to work as needed.
“As part of the class, the accounting students are required to work the Warrior Wear Store 3 times per semester minimum as part of their semester grade (aside from regular restocking and recovery shifts,) said Davis. “After this they are welcomed to volunteer as often as they would like.” Other business and personal finance students also volunteer to run the WWS.
The accounting class, known as the "Warrior Wear Shop Money Team" has been involved in all aspects of purchasing and stocking, including designing product . The store is organized by gender, style, and size. Maintaining this organization makes it easy for the staff to manage inventory. When making purchasing and design decisions, the staff describes trends and fashion interests and incorporates these ideas into product that they think will best attract our diverse range of target markets (the student body,
Pictured standing from left, Victoria Johnson—Valedictorian, Francesca Wisniewski, William Lami, Brendan Mulholland—Salutatorian, Shawn Haugh, Marcos Keefe, Cynthia Melero, Emily Cruz, Seated from left, Liliana Pinedo, Nancy Medrano, Erin Mullaney, and Matthew Gordon.
BNI students load donated food into the BNI “Warrior Wagon” for delivery to the Saint Joseph Soup Kitchen in downtown Hammond.
Pictured, left Julia Fugger and Hailey DeWolf.
faculty & staff, parents, and alumni.)
“Pricing has been a huge opportunity for the Warrior Wear Shop,” said Davis. “ The staff has grasped the concept of gross margin and makes efforts to meet an equilibrium point that satisfies both our bank account and our customer.” While margins have remained low to accommodate a student body on a budget, they are aiming toward purchasing more affordable and trendy items in the near future that will increase margins while still providing a quality product for consumers.
Davis says her goal is to create a Warrior Wear Shop that is a part of the student body culture at Bishop Noll. The Warrior Wear Shop has engaged the students in a way that empowers them. Ina few short months they have achieved many short-term goals in building this business. Her long term goal is to create an ongoing profitable store that embraces true Warrior spirit and student involvement.
Through the management of the Warrior Wear Shop, students are exposed to concepts like marketing, inventory management, gross margin, profitability & revenue, break-even analysis, product life-cycle, etc. Students experience ownership, and develop a better understanding of money management. They are able to take these concepts and apply them to their lives now and in the future.
Choir News
BNI choir director David Herr and his talented students had a busy fall. In addition to the beautiful music they perform at our many school liturgies, the choir performed at several locations throughout the community. In September, over 50 members of the BNI Choir led the music at Sunday Mass at St. Mary of the Lake in Gary where Bishop Melczek is currently the pastor. This was done both as part of the revitalization of the parish, and to
The Bishop Noll National Honor Society partners with Heartland Blood Centers to host four blood drives during the school year. Students, faculty, staff as well as walk-in donors from the local community support these important blood drives.The NHS has been hosting these yearly blood drives for several years, providing lifesaving blood to those in need of transfusions. Being a blood donor helps to sustain lives all around the world.
show thanks and gratitude for everything the Bishop has done for Bishop Noll. The choir received a standing ovation from the congregation.
In addition, the choir performed at Hartsfield Village in Munster, Hegewisch Senior Living in Chicago, St. Michael's School in Schererville, St. Mary’s School in Griffith and St. Thomas More in Munster. They ended their season with a beautiful choir/band Christmas concert performed in front of a packed 500-seat auditorium.
Sara Davis ’09, BNI business teacher.
Pictured from left, NHS members Andrew Galgan, Max Perez, Marcos Keefe, Anastasia Gomez, Erin Mullaney and Jameel Nemri.
school news
Band News
In addition to performances at football and basketball games, as well as school Masses, the BNI band managed to squeeze in a few competitions, parades and a veterans dedication to their busy schedule.
In October, our band received a silver medal at the ISSMA field show competition for their Pirates of the Caribbean performance, as well as an appearance in the 63rd annual Chicago Columbus Day parade.
In November, the Bishop Noll Band had the opportunity to participate in the dedication of a war memorial in the Hegewisch neighborhood. Members of the American Legion South Shore Post 388 have been working together for the past 10 years to bring the Vietnam era M60 tank to Chicago to complete the Hegewisch Veterans Memorial. Local officials dedicated the M60 in front of a patriotic crowd of veterans from several conflicts, as well as many neighbors. The BNI Band supported the event by playing “America the Beautiful.” Later in the month the
Marching Warriors made their 4th appearance in the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The band looked spectacular on WGN TV, and made us proud by being named the official band of the 2015 McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade!
In February, 12 bands students from competed along with over 400 other high school students at the annual ISSMA state solo and ensemble competition. All 12 students from Bishop Noll received gold or silver medals for their performance. A woodwind quartet of Mya Harvey, Mary Lowry, Kalyna Wozny-Ramos and Heather Hernandez and a brass quartet of Dasiy Abuzead, Monica Magallanes, Emily Rojas and Valentina Pagan both received gold medals. Other medalists were, Andres Miranda-gold, Javier Miranda -silver, Mary Vargo- gold and Angel Martinez –gold.
The BNI band has grown to almost 60 members, which includes a concert band, a jazz band, and the extension of a string ensemble, a brass ensemble and a mariachi ensemble.
Stay tuned for more exciting performances from the band, including an invitation to perform at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN in January, 2017!
campus ministry
My first experience with the concept of vocations occurred when I was a child in the 1970s. I remember my Busia (that’s Polish for grandmother) would line up her youngest grandkids in the living room after many Sunday dinners, walk over to each of us, pinch our cheeks, and proclaim to all present her vision for our futures:
“Frank, you will be a famous doctor!” (One of my 30+ Bolakowski first cousins, he actually is just that.)
“Lisa, I see you flying in the skies as a pilot!” (Not even close, although my adventurous little sister did jump off of our barn roof once pretending to be an army paratrooper using a handmade parachute...I believe the phrase Do NOT try this at home! was born from that experiment.)
And when it was my turn: “Stacia Marie...you are going to be the nun in our family!” (What?!?)
I like to think Busia would be very pleased with my vocational journey after I realized as a young adult that the professed religious life was not a part of my calling, but that—over time—working for the Catholic Church in the field of education as a single person doing what I love every day is. Busia’s living room blessings from my childhood taught me a key life lesson: we each must honor and answer our own unique vocational call. God wants each of us to be the best person that he created us to be. His only desire for us is happiness and peace. How we will achieve that happiness and peace is our choice; however, it is a bit more complex than asking and answering the proverbial question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Each of us has to be open to all of the options that lie before us at all stages of our lives; that includes encouraging those we love to think seriously about the ordained or professed religious life.
I have re-learned over the past few weeks the importance of personal invitation in considering religious vocations. During Catholic Schools Week at the beginning of February, Campus Ministry sponsored two Vocation Open Houses during SRT period on February 2 and 4. Students could stop by the Campus Ministry room, enjoy some snacks, and engage in conversations with several sisters from three religious orders and our Diocesan Director of
Fr. Kevin Scalf C.PP.S. Appointed by Pope Francis as a Missionary of Mercy
A tremendous honor for our BNI chaplain, Father Kevin Scalf, who received this appointment. Father Kevin, a priest with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, is assistant to the President at Calumet College of St. Joseph. He remains as BNI's chaplain and is a member of our BNI School Board. He is one of 800 priests selected worldwide.
Of the 800 priests selected to be Missionaries of Mercy, 100 are from the United States.
Congratulations to Father Kevin!
Vocations, Father David Kime. Without fail, each of our guests shared with the 30+ students assembled over those two days that personal invitation highly influenced their vocational consideration. They each had at least one person in their lives that they loved and respected that said directly to them, “Have you ever thought about being a nun or a priest?” It is important to note that invitation does not mean commitment; rather, the invitation is a challenge to explore a side of oneself that may only be seen through the keen and loving observation of others. As Father Kime shared at the February 4 event: “A vocation [religious or non-religious] is really discovered through a life of prayer. Ask the question: ‘Jesus, what do you want from me?’ [And] make sure that it will be a life of mostly joy.”
So, my prayer for you is to seek joy in all that you do. Feel free to invite others in your life to do the same, and make that invitation with the loving and wonderful care that God our father does with us every day of our lives. God bless.
Stacia Bolakowski Campus Minister
Kairos in third year at BNI
“Kairos” is a Greek word which means “God’s time,” and is manifest religiously in the form of a 3-1/2 day retreat for juniors. Students are invited to discover God in all things within the contest of personal talks from peer and adult leaders, small and large group discussions, periods of silence and reflection, and the Sacraments. The real value of Kairos occurs in living out the values of the retreat in one’s everyday life.
BNI juniors attend Kairos 8 at LaSalle Manor Retreat Center in Plano, IL, in February.
BNI students listen to Sr. Joanne Marie, SSCM, Pastoral Associate at St. Mary, Crown Point, and Rev. David Kime ’88, Diocesan Director of Vocations speak at a recent vocations open house at BNI.
sports recap
Fall & Winter Sports Results
GSSC Conference Champions:
Girls Volleyball
Boys Basketball
IHSAA Class 2A Sectional Champions
Girls Volleyball
Girls Basketball
Boys Tennis
Boys Soccer
IHSAA Class 2A Regional Champions
Girls Volleyball
Girls Basketball—Regional Runner up
IHSAA Individual Regional Qualifiers
Ameer Lawrence—Bowling
Jailynn Thomas—Girls Golf
Julia Moroz—Cross Country
Isabel Vazquez—Cross Country
Marcos Keefe—Cross Country
Justin Powell—Cross Country
IHSAA Individual Semi-State Qualifier
Ameer Lawrence—Bowling
*as of this printing, Boys Basketball is still in their regular season. Tournament play has not begun.
Girls Volleyball—IHSAA Class 2A Regional Champs
Boys Soccer—IHSAA Class 2A Sectional Champs
Boys Tennis—IHSAA Class 2A Sectional Champs
Girls Basketball—IHSAA Class 2A Sectional Champs
Bishop Noll Receives NFL Golden Super Bowl Football
On Saturday, Dec. 5, former Bishop Noll football standout Mike McGill was on hand at BNI to present the school with a commemorative golden football from the NFL as the league celebrates the 50th Super Bowl this season.
McGill, a 1964 graduate of Noll, played for the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV. Due to his Super Bowl participation, Bishop Noll is being inducted into the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll.
The presentation was made at halftime of the boys basketball game between Bishop Noll and visiting Mount Carmel. Several of McGill’s classmates were on hand for the presentation, as well as his football coach, John Quinn, and baseball coach Bob Bradtke.
After graduating from BNI, McGill went to Notre Dame where he was an All-American linebacker for the Fighting Irish. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1968, when he also was drafted by the Vikings in the third round of the NFL draft.
He played linebacker the next three seasons with the Vikings under coach Bud Grant, then the following two years with the St. Louis Cardinals. An injury forced McGill to retire in 1974.
All three of his Vikings seasons ended with a Central Division championship, and the 1969 team—his second season—saw the Vikings reach the Super Bowl before falling 23-7.
Mike McGill, left, with his BNI football coach John Quinn, holding the golden football.
homecoming 2015
“Just Dance!” was the theme of this year’s homecoming, sponsored by Student Council. The highlights of the week were the Friday night football game and annual tailgate, followed on Saturday by the homecoming dance.
Spirit week led up to the Friday night football game and was marked by various dress up days such as class color day and the creative Superhero/Disney princess day. The classes engaged in the annual “Penny War” for charity. Each class got a jar. Any coins dropped in the jar counted as positive points and any bills counted as negative points, so the goal was to collect as much change for the class and then stuff bills in the jars of other classes. Friday was topped off by the Marching Warriors marching through the halls to preface the big pep rally.
During halftime of the game, the homecoming court was introduced: Christian Abascal, Shana Cooper, Anastacia Gomez, Andrew Breclaw, Alex Guadiana, Jordan Lomellin, Victoria Johnson, Gabriel Anguiano, Max Perez, and Erin Mullaney. The king and queen of Homecoming 2015 were then crowned: Max Perez and Erin Mullaney. The 2014 king and queen, Lenny Franciski and Yessenia Orta, were on hand to crown the new king and queen. Unfortunately, the football team lost a heartbreaker, but the tailgate was a rousing success.
The next day, Saturday, Student Council hosted the dance. Almost 400 students attended and pretty much danced the night away. One of the more memorable moments was after the homecoming court was introduced and “their” song was played: the chicken dance. All in all, it was a great homecoming week.
The 2015-16 Homecoming Court, Alex Guadiana, from left, Andrew Breclaw, Gabriel Anguiano, Christian Abascal, Homecoming King Max Perez, Homecoming Queen Erin Mullaney, Shana Cooper, Jordan Lomellin, Victoria Johnson and Anastasia Gomez.
The marching band kicks off the pep rally by playing the BNI fight song through the halls... When Bishop Noll goes marching down that line...
John Trafny or John Lennon? Teachers got into the action as well on Throwback Thursday.
It wouldn’t be Homecoming without a Warrior!
Students showed off their creativity on Wacky Tacky Day as well as Disney/Super Hero Day!
tailgate 2015
The BNI Homecoming Tailgate party—one of the most anticipated alumni events of the year! Tailgate 2015 didn’t disappoint! Over 600 alumni and friends gathered to party in the BNI fieldhouse after the football game. Friends enjoyed a buffet dinner of pulled pork, chicken and mac & cheese, a beer garden and a great DJ playing oldies from the 60s to the current hits. Most importantly, the evening was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends.
Many reunion classes kicked off their reunion weekend at the tailgate party. Reserved tables are set aside for those classes celebrating reunions so they have a place to gather and share old stories. Alums arrived early to decorate their tables with balloons, glitter and old photos!
Mark your calendars for Friday, September 16, 2016, for the next Tailgate Party. You won’t want to miss it!
annual fund update & giving opportunities
Annual Fund Update
In December, you received a letter from siblings Adam ’03 and Beth ’08 Mikolajczyk, asking you to support Bishop Noll through the Annual Fund. They spoke of their “BNI experience,” which continues to remain close to their hearts—that BNI was critical to helping them realize their potential and accomplish their goals.
In order to provide our students with the same outstanding education that Adam, Beth and each of you received, we need your help now more than ever. Alumni support mattered when you were a Bishop Noll student, and it matters to our students today.
$235,000
$187,000
Locker room renovation project completed!
A renovation of the boys’ locker room has been completed thanks to dozens of Bishop Noll alumni and donors who provided funding for the project the past three years.
Fifty-three-year-old lockers in both the varsity team room and the physical education locker area were replaced with new lockers, plus new paint, lighting, flooring and ductwork helped give a fresh look to a much-used area of the school.
The effort started in September 2012, at a homecoming pregame event honoring former football Coach Jerry Vlasic. Football players from the mid-’70s suggested the project after seeing that the locker room appeared virtually unchanged from their playing days. Efforts received a needed boost in 2015 when Vince Berta ’76 issued a $10,000 matching challenge to fellow alumni to push the project over the goal line.
As a Catholic institution, Bishop Noll is committed to educating the whole person—mind, body and soul. Bishop Noll has provided a quality education to more than 20,000 students for 95 years, in part, because of grateful alumni, like you, who give back. Alumni support helps provide vital funds that sustain the educational mission of inspiring academic achievement, building moral character, and nurturing spiritual growth.
To date, we have received gifts totaling over $187,000. These gifts were received from 610 donors. We are so very grateful for their generosity. However, this number represents a small fraction of more than 14,000 living alumni who were educated at Bishop Noll Institute. If all of our alumni could make a gift of any kind, we would more than triple our goal! Imagine the possibilities! We could offer more financial support to our many students in need, increase our teacher salaries and make many improvements to our aging school building. With three months to go in our fiscal year, we still need to raise $48,000. Won’t you give back as thanks for the great education that you received when you were at Noll?
If you have not had the opportunity to make your donation to our Annual Fund, we ask that you make yours today. There are a number of ways to send us your gift: Mail your gift to us in the envelope included with this edition of the Noll Today, go to our website, www.bishopnoll.org, and click on “Support BNI” to make your gift online, or call us; we would be happy to take your gift over the phone. Contact Mary Ellen O’Neill or Juli Sandoval in the Advancement Office at (219) 932-9058. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Check with your employer to see if your gift qualifies for a matching gift from the company. BNI receives more than $30,000 each year in matching gifts! Many retirees are also eligible to have their gifts matched through their former employers.
Also crucial to the efforts were Michael ’75 and Kevin ’77 Knight, whose individual communication with fellow Warriors helped raise the $10,000 match. Additionally, Karl Repay ’85 and his son Karl ’09 gave their own blood, sweat and tears to resurface the team locker room floor in a shiny gold finish that complements the new navy blue stadium style lockers.
A sincere thanks goes out to approximately 60 donors—the vast majority of whom were athletes at Bishop Noll—who raised the money for the project’s completion.
Alumni business directory coming to bishopnoll.org
The Bishop Noll Advancement Office is starting an alumni business directory to be housed on the school’s website, www.bishopnoll.org.
“We want to support our graduates, so we are inviting all alumni who own businesses, and those who provide specialized services, to participate in the directory,” BNI President Paul Mullaney said.
Alumni are encouraged to submit their business information via email to Nancy Bock ’76 at nbock@bishopnoll.org. Please include your full name, maiden name (if applicable), graduation year, name and description of business, and contact information—including address, phone, email and business website URL.
The directory will debut once we receive an ample number of submissions.
Federal Legislation Changes
Can Benefit you and BNI
A recent change to the Federal tax code passed at the end of 2015 may provide a way for you to continue your support of Bishop Noll while offering tax savings to you! Congress has passed, and President Obama has signed into law, legislation that permanently extends a tax break for those who are over the age of 70-1/2.
“Qualified Charitable Distributions” (QCDs) allow taxpayers over the age of 70-1/2 to make charitable contributions from their IRAs tax-free to a qualified charity. The amount donated also counts toward the Required Minimum Distribution that you are mandated by law to take from your IRA every year after turning 70-1/2. You are allowed to contribute up to $100,000 per year tax free to qualified charities such as BNI.
The distribution must be made directly from your IRA to Bishop Noll Institute. In other words, whatever financial institution holds your IRA must make out the check in the name of the charity in order for it to qualify as non-taxable. You will need to contact the financial institution that is the trustee for your account and let them know that you want to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution. They will be able to help you through the process.
This tax break only applies to IRA accounts, SIMPLE IRA accounts, or SEP IRAs. If you have a 401(k) account or other qualified retirement account, you first would need to roll this account over to an IRA before you could take advantage of this benefit.
For those of you who have been frustrated by being required to withdraw AND pay tax on your IRA savings, this is a great opportunity not only to help Bishop Noll but also to avoid the penalty of paying tax on your full withdrawal.
As always, we encourage you to contact your tax professional and financial adviser to make sure all rules are followed and to assist you in calculating how much you can save in taxes by using this tax provision. Our personnel at BNI are not in a position to provide tax, financial or investment advice.
If you wish to discuss the impact a donation would make at Bishop Noll, however, feel free to contact BNI Director of Advancement Mary Ellen O’Neill at (219) 932-9058, ext. 1002, or at moneill@ bishopnoll.org. We are grateful for any consideration you might give toward this method of donation.
Giving Back to BNI
For the past six years, BNI alumna and BNI Foundation board member Marlene Vega Coulis’ 79 has helped to support our Bishop Noll students in a very generous and creative way. Through her affiliation with USA Funds, Inc., Ms. Coulis has secured a $25,000 grant from USA Funds each year for the past four years for college scholarships for BNI students of Hispanic heritage. Each year five graduating seniors receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship to the college of their choice. These students are selected for the scholarship based on academic success, an essay and an interview. Thus far, 30 BNI students have received $150,000 in college scholarships thanks to the philanthropic generosity of Marlene and USA Funds.
Fall 2015 Fall Raffle Winners
Thank you to everyone who supported the Bishop Noll Raffle. Listed below are the winners, drawn at a student assembly on December 1, 2015.
GRAND PRIZE $ 20,000 Cash Perla Melgoza, Chicago, IL
2nd Prize $ 5,000 Cash Laura Marquez, Schererville, IN
3rd Prize $ 2,000 Cash Tara Walczak, Whiting, IN
4th Prize $ 500 Cash Tina Aures, Schererville, IN
5th Prize $ 500 Cash Raul Garcia, Chicago, IL
6th Prize $ 500 Cash Mary Jo Mazur, Hammond, IN
7th Prize $ 500 Cash Shlimon Makswd, Prospect Heights, IL
Fill the House
Bishop Noll Institute holds a special place in the hearts of its students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends. Through our Fill The House fund, you can make your mark at Bishop Noll Institute and leave a legacy that family, friends and future Warriors will enjoy. In the summer of 2012, our 50-year-old auditorium underwent a major renovation. New seating, paint, carpeting, tile, stage upgrades and handicap accessibility has transformed our auditorium into a more modern theater. When you purchase a seat, you will be honored with an individual brass name plate on the seat or seats you buy. Each seat is only $250. There are more than 500 seats! Want to buy a row of seats? There are six seats per side row and 13 down the center. Make payments to Bishop Noll Institute “Fill the House” fund, Office of Advancement, 1519 Hoffman St, Hammond, IN 46327. Be sure to include the name you want on it! If you would like to pay online, go to www.bishopnoll.org and click under “Support BNI.”
2015 USA Funds Scholarship recipients, (l-r) Yanira Vazquez, Lenny Franciski, Ana Mendez, Dalia Raya and Nathan Payonk.
noll notes
1942
Dorothy Jackson Smitley
Dorothy married Dr. Roger Smitley on 2-6-1954. All seven of their children graduated from Bishop Noll. The Class of 1942 built the grotto. Her father Samuel Jackson did the landscaping. Sr. Ian was the sponsor.
1947
Sylvia Helfen Webster
Sylvia has moved to Hot Springs, Ark., where four of her eight children have relocated. She has been very happy there. She has spent many fun filled days with her family and enjoys visitors.
1949
William Richter
William’s son Paul is beginning a second career as a nurse. He will receive his degree in nursing in May, 2016. They have 10 children—all of whom serve others.
1952
Sharon Magurany Mannion
Sharon and her husband Michael welcomed their first greatgrandchild, son of their grandson Michael and his wife, Elizabeth, on October 3, 2015. They thank Jesus for their special gift to them—their little angel, Emil Michael Mannion.
Helen McLaughlin Mills
Helen and her husband Norm moved to a retirement home, Villa St. Benedict in Lisle, Ill., in 2014. Helen fell and broke her back, and now uses a walker to get around.
1953
Suzanne Bucholz Reilly
Suzanne is still living in Texas, helping run a ranch with a few head of longhorns.
1956
Ann May Berge
Ann is a retired teacher, having spent 25 years in Hammond at A.L. Spohn Middle School. Her husband of 48 years, Robert, passed away in September 2013 from colon cancer. Her daughter Teresa and family live in Germany. Her son Will and his wife, Diane, live in Shorewood.
William T. Bosse
William is grateful to his parents Peter & Antonia Bosse for sending him, his brothers and sister to Bishop Noll. Also, God Bless Fr. Junk.
Joseph Sallak
Joseph and his wife are enjoying the winter, as usual, in Phoenix, Ariz.
Duane Stanek
Duane is enjoying life building homes in Lake Wylie, S.C. Time management allows Duane and his wife Sandy to travel as they wish.
where he was a computer operator for 10 years. Today he is single, retired, and caring for his 95-yearold mother. In July, 2005, Michael received a Cochlear Implant on his left ear. This was a life changing moment for Michael. Today he can hear very well, taking in all kinds of sounds from many different directions. If he had the opportunity he would love to come back to BNI as a student, to learn
The Class of 1956 enjoy a yearly mini-reunion luncheon in Florida. Last year the luncheon was held at the Marker 4 Restaurant in Venice, Fla. This was the sixth reunion. Any 1956 alums interested in joining in on the Florida festivities next year, please contact Pete Rodriguez at (941) 496-8252 or petebn56@aol.com. Pictured in the photo are: Frank & Rita Lesniak, Ron & Dee Zielaskowski, Pete & Rose Rodriguez, Jim & Donna Quinn, Ray & Kathy Modjeski, Jim & Melinda Mason.
1957
Robert J. Hirsh
Bob and Marilyn welcomed their first great-grandchild, Kinsley Marie Cole. She is named in honor of Marilyn’s maiden name. They also have four daughters and eight grandchildren. On a sad note, Bob lost his only sibling, brother John Hirsh ’54, in October. He was a retired Gary Police Officer and retired postal worker.
1959
Sylvia Cengel Komyatte
Sylvia and her husband, Richard, recently worked on a dinner for the Women’s Care Center in Hammond. This is a pro-life Catholic charity project. The dinner was the first for this center. The center is only three years old and has saved the lives of hundreds of babies.
1962
Anne Gornal McKeown
Anne and her husband, James, live in Falls Church, Va. They are both enjoying retirement. Anne retired from nursing, and Jim is a retired lawyer.
Lt. Col. Kenneth E. Nowlan, Jr. Denneth continues to do pro bono work as a certified genealogist (CG), specializing in genetic DNA genealogy.
1965
Lorraine Rojek
Lorraine retired from American Airlines at O’Hare Airport in July, 2015, after 18-1/2 years working in Hangar #1, Field Supply Dept. as staff support. She is so glad she was able to attend Bishop Noll!
1966—50th Reunion Year!
Alice Linders
Alice is retired from We-Energies in Milwaukee, Wis. She enjoys traveling, kayaking and golfing.
Michael Orr
Michael sends greetings to all his fellow classmates. After a recent visit to BNI, he was amazed at the many changes that have taken place. After graduating from BNI, Michael attended Hammond Business College, worked for Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, and eventually for Amoco Corp.,
all that he had missed out on with his old hearing aid. He is grateful to have had the opportunity to attend Bishop Noll. He is looking forward to working on the reunion committee, and to see many from the Class of 1966 at their reunion.
1971
Kevin & Dori Santare Doolin
Kevin and Dori, the Senior Class Couple in 1971, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in Ireland on an Irish Pilgrimage with Bishop Don Hying. They are the parents of three children, Colleen (Thomas) Lustina, Kerry (Brian) Devries and Kevin Doolin, Jr. They have four grandchildren, Reilly and Angelo Lustina, and Evelyn and Anna Devries.
1974
Mary Anne Pullen Neiner
Mary Anne is a track designer for the CN Railroad. However, she is most proud to be the president of Planting Possibilities, a non-profit whose mission is to job-train adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in Lake County, IN. Their website is www.plantingpossibilities.org.
1975
Ronald Saenz
John had a great time at the 40year reunion in October. He and a group of classmates are planning
a 45-year reunion. They hope to get the word out so it is a huge success!
1976
40th Annual Snowbowl
1994
Marcus & Lena Gonzales Smith
Marcus and Lena reside in Winter Garden, Fla., with their three children, Maya, Malayna and Julian.
2013
Breanna Banske
Breanna is a junior setter for the Hunter College volleyball team, helped the Hawks capture the City University of New York Athletic
A group of friends from the Class of 1976 began a friendly game of touch football 40 years ago. Since then the game has grown to include friends and relatives from other classes, including children! Held on the Saturday after Christmas at the south end of Knickerbocker Parkway in Hammond, the group plays a little football trying not to inflict any injury. After the game, they meet at a local watering hole to rehash the game. As their bodies age, the game gets a little shorter, and the after party a little longer!
1979
1995
Brian Lukich
Brian teaches math at Whiteland Community High School in Whiteland, Ind. In October, 2015, he was named Teacher of the Year in Mathematics in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program for Indiana. Brian was selected out of 82 math teachers in 30 high schools statewide. He resides in Whiteland with his wife, Bridget, and their two daughters.
Classmates from the Class of 1979 enjoy yearly get-togethers. Pictured at a recent gathering are: Nick Trgovich, Bob Rogan, Mark Dull, Mike O’Rourke, John Pressner, Martha Bacevich Tiede, Steve Fechalos, Elizabeth Babinec Merkley, Mary Ellen Boyle, Dave Greichunos and Cy Rangel
1986
Amy Stojak
Amy is a kindergarten teacher in Irving Independent School District in Irving, Texas. She also works seasonally for the Texas Rangers baseball team.
1999
Pamela Martin Otero
Pam gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, on May 1, 2015. Pam also has two other children, her oldest now a sophomore at BNI! She is a registered nurse.
Angela Pasyk
Angela is the Digital Marketing Manager for University of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, in Mundelein, Ill.
One BNI Family helps another BNI family at Christmas
Conference championship in November and advance to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball tournament. Breanna is a double-major in Chinese and Political Science.
2015
Hats off to five 2015 alums who volunteered their time to help out a former campus minister, now serving at St. Benedict School in Chicago. After having served as student leaders in the BNI Kairos program as Noll seniors, they were happy to give their own time to assist in leading a sophomore retreat at St. Ben’s. Thanks to our generous alums, (l-r) Krista Dietz, Ale Hernandez, Brad Hurtig, Emily Johnson and Clarissa Garcia.
Former Faculty
Sister Angelina Benz math faculty 1962–1967 Sister Angelina is retired, but still tutoring math students.
Louann Poi— English faculty 1978–2001 Louann is enjoying retirement in Tucson, Ariz.
Each Christmas the grandchildren of the Don Cipowski ’61 family do something special to brighten the holidays for another family. This year they chose the family of Orlando “Figg” Figueroa ’86. Figg lost his battle with cancer last year, leaving behind his wife, Renee Ramos ’96 and his four children, Joshua Valdivia ’19, Jake, Olivia, and Julia. The Cipowski’s had four blankets made out of Figg’s favorite t-shirts. With this gift, each child would be able to wrap themselves in a blanket filled with memories from their father’s life. The children, Kayla, Stephanie, Addison, Anastasia, Jacob, Joey, Kyle and Andrew Cipowski are the children of Jeff ’83, Karen ’85, Jason ’92, Liz ’92, Joel ’95, Gina ’95, DJ ’97.
Cloghessy Fieldhouse
As our highest bidders for the fieldhouse auction at the 2015 Big Event, Mark Cloghessy ’76 and the Cloghessy family have the privilege of having the BNI fieldhouse in their name for the next 12 months. Pictured are (l-r) Flo Cloghessy Anderson ’78, Quinn Cloghessy ’10, Nano Cloghessy Dubish ’59, Dick Dubish, Ryan Cloghessy ’14, Kevin Cloghessy ’79, Melanie Cloghessy ’68, Julie Cloghessy, Elizabeth Cloghessy, and David Cloghessy. Not pictured is Mark Cloghessy ’76.
save the date
The Big Event
Friday, April 29th, at Bishop Noll
Mary Whelan Golf Invitational
Monday, June 13th, at Briar Ridge Country Club
Annual Bishop Noll Alumni & Friends Golf Outing
Monday, July 18th, at Innsbrook Country Club
Homecoming Tailgate Party
Friday, September 16th, at Bishop Noll
in memoriam
Please remember those who have gone to their eternal rest.
1935 Irene Schmal Baker 1939 Rita Carlson Glazebrook 1939 Jeannette McHugh Seifert
1940 Joseph F. Bober 1940 Thomas “Bill” Enright
Rose Furman 1944 Anne Susic 1946 Teresa Ferrini Kugar 1946 Bernadette Dermody Hufford 1946 Donald Klassen 1948 Arthur Adams 1948 Ann Homan Pennington
1949 James D. Callahan, Jr.
1949 Gerard J. Grimmer 1949 Edward Jarosz
Joseph A. Nauracy
Betty Daniel Rochnowski 1951 Charles E. Pfister 1951 Ronald P. Pongracz
Patricia Blackman Appleton 1952 Joanne Ciardetti Kicho 1953 Jacqueline Murphy Bihlman
1954 Vivian Makowski Dick
John J. Hirsh, Jr. 1955 Thomas H. Harle
1955 John M. Tysall
1956 George Fedorko
1956 Rose Gruszka Hepburn
1957 Lorraine Kasza
1957 Gerald S. Locasto
1957 Celine Moss
1957 Jerry A. Owczarzak
1958 Ronald A. Czapla
1958 Donald Spring
1958 Cecilia Schiesser Tobias 1959 Kenneth Carroll 1959 Albert Ruzbasan, Jr. 1960 Louis Wojcik
Lucille Hegyes Dsida
Margo Fine 1962 Christina Schu Fladeland
1962 Fred Miklusak
1963 Bob Fabian
1963 Jim Lietzan
1965 Lucia Perez Castro
1967 Tony L. Engleton
1967 Patrick Gornal
1967 Thomas J. Pucalik
1968 Zbigniew “Casey” Cichy
1968 Gregory Gima
1968 Andrew Grodzicki
1968 Stanley Petrities, Jr.
1969 Patrick G. Ellis
1969 Jonathan D. Mantel
1969 Douglas E. Lightcap
1970 Larry Anthony
1970 Kenneth Haluska
1970 Lana Taneff
1971 Claudia Spebar Wachel
1972 John E. Lynn
1978 Vincent M. Boreczky
1980 Michael Bryan
1980 Gabriel Medina
1982 Douglas H. Verrill
1984 Lisa Rivich Vale
1986 Kelly Mallee
1987 Angela Nowaczyk Bair
planned giving
You can help support Bishop Noll Institute’s mission of Catholic education through your participation in our planned giving program by including the school in your estate planning. For information, contact the BNI Advancement Office at 219-932-9058 or email moneill@bishopnoll.org.
Dennis Koliboski
Current boys golf coach
Dennis Koliboski passed away suddenly on February 23, 2016. For 12 years Dennis coached the boys golf team, and previously both boys and girls golf teams at BNI. Dennis was a friend to many, inspiring students to become better golfers, and keeping in touch with many of his players long after they graduated from BNI. He will be missed.
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!
reunions reunion 2016
class of 1955
The Class of 1955 celebrated their 60th reunion on October 3, 2015. A dinner at The Patrician Banquets was enjoyed by several classmates. At the end of the evening the class presented a gift to Bishop Noll in the amount of $5,500!
class of 1965
The Class of 1965 marked their 50th reunion with a weekend celebration May 29-31. A pizza party on Friday, a dinner at Andorra Banquets on Saturday, and a picnic at Dyer Plum Creek Center on Sunday was a special weekend for all who attended. More than 100 guests enjoyed the reunion dinner. The reunion committee later presented a class gift to Bishop Noll in the amount of $25,200!
class of 1975
The Class of 1975 enjoyed celebrating their 40th reunion the weekend of October 2-3. Classmates began their celebration at the Alumni Tailgate party in the BNI fieldhouse on Friday night, and then enjoyed dinner and dancing at the Lost Marsh clubhouse on Saturday night.
class of 1985
The Class of 1985 celebrated their 30th reunion the weekend of October 2-3. They began their celebration at the Alumni Tailgate party in the BNI fieldhouse on Friday night, where many in this class gather every year. On Saturday night they enjoyed dinner and dancing at Lansing Country Club.
Does your graduation year end with a 6 or a 1? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to start planning your reunion! The first thing your reunion committee will need is a class list. The Advancement Office at Bishop Noll will gladly provide you with our most updated 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 Juli Sandoval, Advancement Assistant, jsandoval@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.
The following classes have announced plans for their reunions:
Class of 1991—25 year reunion
The BNI Class of 1991 is planning their 25 year reunion on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Bishop Noll, in the school cafeteria. Mark your calendars now! For more information, search “Bishop Noll Institute Class of 1991” on Facebook for updates.
Class of 1996—20 year reunion
Plans for the 20 year reunion for the class of 1996 are just beginning. The contact person is Cirsten Sechrest, cirstensechrest@gmail.com. Details to follow.
Class of 1986
The BNI Class of 1986 will hold their 30 year reunion on Saturday, September17, 2016 at the Skydeck (top of the Willis-Sears Tower.) The price is $125 per person, or $250 a couple. Mark your calendars now. Checks are payable to Bishop Noll Class of 1986. Mail payment to VS Financial, 1544 45th Street, Munster, IN, 46321. Please contact Dawn Klein-Pilota at 708-510-9120 or dklein-pilota@navg.com with questions.
Class of 1976
The BNI Class of 1976 is planning to celebrate their 40th reunion the weekend of September 16–18, 2016 to coincide with the BNI Homecoming Tailgate party on Friday, Sept. 16. A dinner will be held on Saturday evening at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, in Munster. Invitations announcing all weekend activities will be mailed. A Facebook page: BNI Class of 76 Reunion Planning, contains up to date information. Any questions please contact Lee Smolen, ljsmolen@aol.com.
Class of 1956
The Class of 1956 is planning their 60th reunion the weekend of September 16–18, 2016. For information please contact Jim Quinn, quinn46321@comcast.net
Reunion classes we have not heard from:
Class of 1966—50 year reunion
Several people have offered to help, but as of yet there is not committee formed. If there is a group that would like to form a reunion committee please contact the Advancement Office.
Class of 2006—10 year reunion
1519 Hoffman Street, Hammond, IN 46327 (219) 932-9058
Address Service Requested
More than 1,700 students, teachers, administrators, religious and other guests joined Bishop Donald Hying in the BNI fieldhouse on February 3rd to celebrate at our annual Catholic Schools Week Mass. Thanks to all our partner elementary school students, teachers and administrators from throughout the diocese who joined the BNI Family. And thanks to Pete Doherty for the wonderful photo.
