MIKE JEREMIAH begins his 50th year at BSM
A Catholic, college preparatory school
2501 Highway 100 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 952-927-4176 www.bsmschool.org info@bsmschool.org
President l Danielle Hermanny ‘03
Senior High Principal l Matt Weingartz
Junior High Principal l Rikki Mortl Chair, Board of Directors l Tom Lynch
Crown & Shield Managing Editor | David Lucs Contributors | Ife Adebola, Catie Scherer Brackin ‘99, Mary Fran O’Keefe
Hello from Benilde-St. Margaret’s!
Another school year has ended and members of the 50th graduating class of BSM are taking their first steps into the world as alums. The past year has been filled with meaningful achievements that reflect the high standards we have for students and the amazing talents of each Red Knight as they strive to be their best each day.
Dozens of students participated in this year’s EPIC internship program, learning real-world skills and the knowledge that will help them go further, faster. Our student-athletes achieved state titles this year in dance, soccer, basketball, golf, and lacrosse with dozens more reaching the state tournaments in their respective sport or activity. Our student artists were recognized for creating unique and beautiful works of art, receiving local and regional awards for excellence on canvas and on the stage. These successes affirm what can happen when you pair hard-working students with teachers, advisors, and coaches committed to helping them reach their highest potential.
All of these accomplishments are rooted in our Catholic foundation, which calls our students to use their God-given talents in service to the world. That is why, in addition to their academic and cocurricular endeavors, hundreds of BSM students across all grade levels provided thousands of volunteer hours in local communities across the Twin Cities and around the world.
The BSM crest: Veritas: Truth
Pietas: Holiness, Dutiful Conduct
Scientia: Knowledge
Crown: St. Margaret’s
Knight: Benilde
3 Benedictine Crosses
The Crown & Shield is published for graduates, students, families, and friends of BSM. Please send news and photos (at least 1 mb in size) to alumni@BSMschool.org.
Delivery Notice
As part of our continuing efforts to reduce waste, we have limited the delivery of the Crown & Shield to one per household. If you hear that we have inadvertently left someone off the list, please contact us at alumni@BSMschool.org.
Any parent, student, or alum will tell you that it is the staff and faculty at BSM that makes our community so special. They are compassionate, generous with their time, and fiercely committed to the holistic education of our students. No one exemplifies these characteristics more fully than Mike Jeremiah. “Mr. J.” is celebrating fifty years of service to BSM this year, having joined the community in 1975 and impacted the lives of thousands of students in the intervening years. We are grateful to Mr. J. for his steadfast commitment to BSM and the students we educate. This edition of Crown & Shield provides a glimpse into the impact Mr. J. has had on countless students over the past fifty years.
No doubt you have your own Mr. J. story, and we would love to hear it! I invite you to share your memory or kind words with us (stories@bsmschool.org) and please bring your family and classmates home to BSM to celebrate on Sunday, August 25, 2024, when we will inaugurate the 2024-2025 school year and honor Mike Jeremiah with a celebratory outdoor Mass beginning at 10 a.m. We hope you will join us and take the opportunity to see Mr. J. and let him know how he has made a difference in your own life.
I hope you will mark your calendar and join us for this memorable occasion. Until then, here’s to a restful and refreshing summer!
Once a Red Knight, always a Red Knight,
BSM President
On the Cover: Campus minister Mike Jeremiah with members of the Class of 2024
While Benilde-St. Margaret’s has evolved over the last fifty years, there remains a constant for those who identify as Red Knights – the heart of BSM beats strongly in the person of Mike Jeremiah. As campus minister – and so much more –he exemplifies the value of a face-to-face conversation, a kind word, a laugh, and the importance of compassion. Jeremiah lives what he preaches, treating all with the same respect, and encouraging them to do likewise with one another.
Mike Jeremiah began working at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in 1975. Barely a year had passed since the merger of the all-girls St. Margaret’s Academy and the all-boys Benilde High School to form Benilde-St. Margaret’s Catholic school. There was an opening in the theology department and the administration was looking for someone who could help build a foundation of community between the students in grades 10-12 who were still getting to know one another.
Now beginning his 50th year as campus minister at BSM, Mr. J., as he is lovingly called by students, remains actively engaged in building community for the school. He leads prayers before games for over 50 athletic teams, plans liturgical services with school staff and local clergy, is involved with the theology department program, helps with retreats and peer ministry programs, and avidly attends plays, concerts, and games of his beloved Red Knights. It’s a busy lifestyle, but for Mike Jeremiah, it’s always about the students.
In a school that feels like a family, Jeremiah is beloved by students from junior high to high school because he knows practically all of them by name. He meets them wherever they are in life and interacts always with compassion. He knows a lot of their parents because many are alums who remember their own time as students with Mr. J.
For Jason Beste, MD, MPH, a member of the Class of 1999, Mike J. impacted the career path he chose and now thrives in on a global scale. “Mike J. was an example of contemplation in action, he taught me how to be driven and value the importance of making positive changes in the world,” Beste explained, noting that Mike J. deeply affected his perspective on life, influencing his decision to combine his service as a physician with social justice opportunities in Liberia, Mozambique, Malawi and in Ukraine, prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Some alums return to BSM as members of the faculty and staff. Today, Joanie Sauer ‘88 teaches math at BSM, but when she was a student herself at BSM, like many teens, rebelled against her faith, yet she says the most meaningful, faith-filled, community building moments came at those retreats led by Mike Jeremiah. “I always left the retreats finding myself closer to Jesus and seeing the parts of Jesus in each and every one of my classmates.”
In 2003, when her brother was in an accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury, Mike Jeremiah was at the hospital before even Joanie. “His prayer that he offered was something along the lines of...’We are giving Joe to you God, we pray that Joe will come back to us as “Joe,” if Joe’s light is pulling him to YOU, we will accept your will and find comfort that Joe is with you.’ To this day my brother’s neurologist reminds Joe that he should be dead –his survival and the fact that he is still “Joe” is an absolute miracle.”
1978: The senior class dedicated “with great respect, admiration, and gratitude,” their section of the yearbook to Mike J. for his “loving concern who teaches more than religion.” Pictured, Mike J. at the freshman-senior bbq.
Regardless of whether it’s faculty or students, one of the thousands of BSM alums, or simply friends of the school, Mike Jeremiah is known for his caring and compassionate approach over nearly five decades at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
Mike Jeremiah grew up in Illinois, venturing to Minnesota after high school to complete his undergraduate studies and a Master’s at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Yet it was at BenildeSt. Margaret’s that Jeremiah discovered his true calling. In the classroom, at Mass, or after school, Jeremiah understands the importance of being present for students when they need someone to listen. And when the time is right, Mike knows that a kind word goes far in expressing compassion and encouragement in faith.
The friendships he encourages among students are lived out in various ways throughout the school year, most poignantly on the seniors’ last day of school each year. Surrounded by the graduating class in what looks like a mosh pit after Mass, Jeremiah sings an a cappella rendition of Michael W. Smith’s “Friends Forever” that brings the entire school to tears. Though it may be
their last day of classes together at BSM, the soon-to-be-graduates understand and have learned from Mr. J. that they are forever bonded by their shared experiences as classmates, teammates, performers, peer ministers, or simply as friends because once a Red Knight, always a Red Knight.
With the 2024-2025 school year, Jeremiah begins his own golden anniversary at BSM, he remembers those who have graduated, retired, or passed. He does so with the same joy that he shares with current students and teachers. Mike wants to ensure they feel connected to the community and to one another. He believes wholeheartedly in ensuring others do not feel alone in making the journey through life.
“As a student I took Mike’s Peer Ministry class,” said Megan Kern ’88 and current history teacher at BSM. “For my kids, he
was no longer teaching in a formal classroom, but his lessons of thoughtfulness and kindness were always evident. It’s been said, about the teaching profession, that students may not remember what we teach in our content, but they’ll forever remember how we made them feel. Mike makes students feel seen and heard and valued.”
Jeremiah reminds students that guests are part of the BSM family, to be welcomed as one of us, because that’s what a community blessed by God does. Ever grateful for all that others do for the school, he understands the value of living in the present, knowing that collectively, the community enjoys the benefits of those who came before us.
“Mike J. was an example of contemplation in action, he taught me how to be driven and value the importance of making positive changes in the world.”
Jason Beste ‘99, MD, MPH
When someone asks Mr. J. if he has plans for retirement, he jokes that he hasn’t decided if he wants to do this job full-time.
Of course, the real answer is that Jeremiah doesn’t view his role as a job, but as a vocation in service to others. Jeremiah has lived and continues to be an example reminding faculty, staff, and students of their shared responsibility to be kind, so that wherever they go in life, others will feel the compassion students feel at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.
Scan this QR code to read more about Mike Jeremiah and to see more photos from his 49 years at BSM.
Share your Mr. J. story or kind words with BSM to honor Mike Jeremiah’s 50th year at BSM by emailing us at: stories@bsmschool.org
Join fellow BSM alums, parents, students, past parents, and community members on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 10 a.m., for a celebratory outdoor Mass in honor of Mike Jeremiah. Watch the BSM website for more information.
Benilde-St. Margaret’s is pleased to announce it will expand to welcome sixth grade students for the first time in school history beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. “The addition of a sixth grade at BSM reflects a growing demand by families in the Twin Cities who want a Catholic education for their children,” said President Danielle Hermanny ’03
The expansion aligns with BSM’s mission to educate, empower, and inspire learners who will contribute meaningfully to a global society. “We are excited to introduce our school’s rich legacy and academically rigorous Catholic college prep experience to our newest Red Knights,” Hermanny said.
Applications for enrollment will be accepted beginning in October 2024.
Scan the QR code to read more.
Friday, October 4, 2024
2024 Inductees
Steve Berg ‘62
Jon Hanks
1997-1998 Boys’ Soccer Team
Jon Lynch ‘08
Johnny Mulvahill ‘12
Khadijah Shumpert ‘12
Haley Jerabek Liberty ‘13
Kelly Pannek ‘14
Jim Wander
Register for the luncheon and ceremony at BSMschool.org/athletichalloffame
Thanks to your generous support, this year we raised $513,064.38, making it BSM’s most successful Day of Giving!
We are very grateful for the support from students, faculty, staff, families, and especially our alums! Your financial support enables BSM to create memorable experiences and offer unparalleled educational experiences for our students.
Scan this QR code to support the ongoing work of BSM by making your tax-deductible donation today!
Anna Amaris is headed to the University of Notre Dame where she will study political science. During her time at BSM, Amaris loved “making relationships and friendships” and encourages younger Red Knights to have a sense of adventure when “Trying something new – join cross country!” She hopes to stay involved in many activities at college. “I plan to join the student council in college and hopefully join the cross country team. I want to get involved and join as many clubs as possible!” She is looking forward to studying in Spain as well.
Sabrina Bucaro has plans to study public health and premed service opportunities at Saint Louis University. “I want to also study abroad and shadow doctors, finding opportunities in hospital settings to build new friendships and challenge myself academically.” Bucaro is a firm believer in never procrastinating and always planning ahead. This aligns with her advice for next year’s seniors, “Deadlines come much faster than you think they will.”
Ellery Clark will be studying biomedical science on a pre-med track at Tufts University after graduation. “I will be continuing my volleyball career at the collegiate level, competing in the NESCAC for the Tufts Jumbos.” She also plans to get involved in undergraduate research/internship opportunities and immerse herself in the dynamic community at Tufts! Making it to the 2022 volleyball State Tournament and competing in the Class 3AAA State Championship was amazing for Clark, truly an unforgettable experience. She believes underclassmen need to “find a healthy balance between academic dedication and exploring/pursuing the things that you are passionate about because Benilde-St. Margaret’s allows students to be challenged academically while also offering an abundance of diverse extracurricular opportunities - both things that should be taken advantage of!
William Conner fondly remembers winning the state title in lacrosse as a sophomore at BSM. In the fall, he will begin studies in the mechanical engineering program at the University of Notre Dame. He encourages Red Knights in the lower grades to “do as many activities as you can while at BSM.”
Elena Jackson will study environmental studies and political science at Cornell University in the fall. Jackson credits her teachers with creating a meaningful experience for her while at BSM, “The teachers have played a huge part in my time here at BSM because
they genuinely care about teaching as well as their students as individuals.” Jackson made the most of the activities offered at BSM while creating lasting friendships. She hopes underclassmen will “Try hard in school because it will pay off and prepare you so well for college or whatever you want to do in the future.”
Julia Lealos will be heading to Gonzaga University in the fall. While at BSM, she was involved with tennis, theater, art, the EPIC marketing & communications internships, and the cooking club. “The highlight of my time at BSM is definitely meeting so many wonderful people,” Lealos said. “I am so happy to say that I am friends with students from all different grade levels and backgrounds, in addition to the professional connections I’ve made with many of the staff and faculty members.” Her suggestion for BSM underclassmen is, “Never turn something down because you are worried about how you will look. It will make you grow, and the best part is that the worst that could happen is you end up enjoying it!”
Shelby Loberg is heading to the University of Pennsylvania where she will study finance and accounting. The highlight of her time at BSM was going to sporting events with friends, in between being involved with the Ultimate Frisbee team and the Wharton Investment Club at BSM. Loberg says that ‘trying everything at least once’ is a great way to learn about the great things BSM has to offer students.
Elizabeth Long will be heading to sunny Southern California to attend USC where she will study human biology on the pre-med track. Before that, Long will attend the Operation Smile International Student Leadership Conference (ISLC) and the Surgical Program Training Workshop this summer. “After completing the surgical training, I plan to attend several mission trips where I can shadow surgeons in the OR when performing cleft lip/palate surgeries on children in underserved countries.” The highlight of her time at BSM was definitely getting a one-of-a-kind education and truly having teachers who care about me.
She encourages all of the BSM underclassmen to “say what you want to say, not what you think people want to hear. Speak your mind, even if it is scary. Stand up for yourself, advocate for yourself, be your own hero. Take advantage of everything BSM has to offer. Do not worry about what others think of you and be your own person.”
Emily Walsh is excited to be attending Brown University in the fall, focusing on English and Political Science. She also wants to get involved with Brown’s Daily Herald, Political Review, Undergraduate Law Review, intramural tennis, and continue working with the Innocence Project. Walsh credits her time on the BSM Mock Trial team as a definite highlight, especially going to state the past four years. “The team is incredibly close, and I’m still good friends with my former teammates even since they’ve graduated. BSM Mock Trial transformed my future and inspired me to want to go into law.”
The way Mock Trial opened doors for Walsh, she encourages rising Red Knights to “pursue their passions freely. It can feel overwhelming when you are the only one interested in a certain topic and without connections in that field, but I promise that if you care about it deeply, your drive will be recognized and opportunities will present themselves.” Being curious and seeking ways to grow one’s passions inside and outside of school has helped Walsh prepare for college.
Benjamin Waters is looking forward to studying finance and risk management & Insurance at Butler University. He was active at BSM with intramural sports, the sustainability club, service projects, and the investing club. A highlight for Waters was “Sharing my AP
Calculus AB final video project with the class. I wouldn’t say I’m a particularly naturally gifted student - meaning that something like my IQ score likely isn’t that high - but I dedicated myself to my schoolwork and balanced it with other activities like extracurriculars and hanging out with friends.” Waters encourages rising Red Knights to be positive, “Even if you don’t think you’re naturally super smart, if you commit yourself to your work and have a positive mindset, then you can truly reach your academic potential and find great success.”
Attending BSM has become a cherished tradition in my family, passed down through generations. Everyone who has gone there has raved about the incredible atmosphere and the valuable lessons learned. When it was finally my turn to enroll, I was not disappointed. BSM offered me the chance to delve deeper into my interests beyond just academics. I got involved in various activities like Vice President of Letters of Love, Link Crew, RKVC, Frisbee, and more. These opportunities allowed me to explore and enhance my community involvement while staying connected to my passions.
– Grace Hankey ‘24
A school like no other, Benilde-St. Margaret’s. A school where dreams are brought to life. Three years gone by too fast. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. From the classroom, to the rink, to the ball field it was an honor to don the Red and White. Once a Red Knight always a Red Knight!
– Mason McElroy ‘24
BSM has taught me many life skills that I will keep with me forever. I have made many friends and met new people playing football, basketball, & track. I couldn’t wish for a better place to be.
– Xavier Lumpkin ‘24
BSM has provided me with a good environment to showcase my talents on the court and fields as well as in the classroom. It has provided me with a great group of friends that I will cherish forever.
– Olivia Olson ‘24
Benilde-St. Margaret’s has guided me through all the hard times and has prepared me for every challenge that is thrown my way.
– Davis Puncochar ‘24
The close friendships and broad range of people at BSM make it welcoming for all and create a sense of belonging for every single person.
– Jack Anderson ‘24
Activities Director’s Award –
Emma Grniet
Al Blasing Award – Caleb Koskie
Al Reger Award – Lucia Halstrom, Michael McDonald
Amplifying Engineer of Excellence
Supreme – Harrison Fortney
AP Spanish Language – Elizabeth Brill
AP Spanish Literature –
Victoria Zamorano
Athena Award – Olivia Olson
Athletics Director’s Award –
Charles Gearen
Band – Andrew Benham
Best Lead Performance-Female –
Elizabeth Brill
Best Lead Performance-Male –Kevin Murnan
Best Supporting Actress –Sophia DeMars
BSM Scholar Athlete – Gus Bell, Grace Horejsi
Business Leadership Achievement Award – Allison Cachat, Andrew Walters
Catherine Harris Award
Knight-Errant – Madeline Kaltsas, Emily Walsh
Sangraal – Delaney Chapman, Margaret Mullin
Cone 05 Award – Madeline Kaltsas, Grace Ortizcazarin, Matilda Pihart
Da Vinci Award – Clara Lara-Mendez
Dan Bowler Award – Paige Parry
Daughters of the American Revolution – Zoe Kretchmer
English Department Award –
Siena Carver, Ellery Clark
Four Years of Excellence in English –
Emily Walsh, Benjamin Waters
French V – Emily Walsh
Henry David Thoreau –
Victoria Zamorano
Jerry Miller Faith in Action Award –
Lucian Gilliss, Julia Lealos
John Haider Mathematics Career
Achievement Award –
William Conner, Elizabeth Long
John Philip Sousa Award –
Harrison Fortney
Knight Errant Graphic Designer of the Year – Matilda Pihart
Knight Errant Writer of the Year –
Olivia Olson
Kopp Scholarship – Robert McGowan, Abigail Peterson, Steven Sibri Pina, Zharielle Singleton
Leonard and Joanne Rabatin
Scholarship – Genevieve DeCesare, Ben Dietzen, Lauren Hillins, Julia Lealos, Riley Murphy, Jack Puncochar
Lettering for Excellence –
Samuel Broglio, Keri Carlston, Drew Kessenich, Kaeli Koopman, Elisabeth Malrait, Brooklyn Miller, Charles Moen, Isabelle Saffert, Makayla Shiek, Anna Tangney, Katherine Walesch
Mathematics Department Award –
Sabrina Bucaro, Julia Lealos
National Honor Society Leadership Award – Lauren Hillins, Julia Lealos
National Merit Commended Scholar – Michael McDonald, Andrew Walters
Outstanding Senior Drama Award –
Elizabeth Brill, Michael McDonald
Patty Healy Award –
Delaney Chapman
Philip Steffen Memorial Award –
Lucia Halstrom, Nicholas Palmer
President’s Award – Jack Anderson, Grace Hankey, Xavier Lumpkin, Mason McElroy, Olivia Olson, and Davis Puncochar
Principal’s Leadership Award –
Gabriella Lenzmeier, John Robbins, and Niklaus Wahlstrom
Pro Lingua Award – Siena Carver
Radical Engineer of Excellence
Supreme – Jackson Hennen
Science Department – Ellery Clark, Niklaus Wahlstrom
Shutterbug Award – Zachary Moonan
Social Studies Department –
Elena Jackson, John Scallon
Sons of the American Revolution –
Adam Backman
Sundrum Social Studies Award –
Mitchell Buhl
Tenacious Engineer of Excellence
Supreme – Otto Fischbach
Theology Department – Emma Grniet, Jack Puncochar
Top 10 – Anna Amaris, Sabrina Bucaro, Ellery Clark, William Conner, Elena Jackson, Julia Lealos, Shelby Loberg, Elizabeth Long, Emily Walsh, Benjamin Waters
Triple ‘A’ Award – Madeline Kaltsas
William Haben History Award –
William Conner, Benjamin Waters
In 1970, Al Reger led the effort to save Benilde High School from possible closure. Dedicated to Catholic education, Reger helped find the solution and encouraged others to join him in supporting the work of our school and its mission to provide students with the best classroom experience possible. In recognition for his dedication to BSM and Catholic education, each year two members of the graduating class receive the Al Reger award for their leadership and service to the community.
From this year’s Class of 2024, the Al Reger award recipients are Lucia Halstrom and Michael McDonald. “Being here gave me an opportunity to grow and develop my leadership skills,” Halstrom said, while McDonald was humbled by the award, “It is an honor to have my work compared to the efforts of Al Reger.”
Both students were active in their own unique way at BSM, reflecting the diverse opportunities available to all students. For Halstrom, this meant serving as head manager of the boys’ hockey team and captain of the girls’ golf team while McDonald was passionately involved in the arts.
“The education at BSM has taught me to dive deeper into content, ask questions, and advocate for myself,” Halstrom explained, noting, “I was able to make connections, build relationships, and get involved!”
As her math teacher, Mary Seppala, saw first-hand how Halstrom engaged with others in school, “As a student, Lucia is well prepared, motivated, and engaged, while as a person she is a ball of sunshine - always has a smile and a friendly greeting or story to share,” Seppala said.
For Halstrom, her faith journey flourished at BSM. “The journey of learning not only enriches our understanding of the Catholic faith, but also provided me with the opportunity to serve others,” she explained, referencing the two years of volunteering as a tutor for students at Mobile Hope, an organization helping student excel in school.
McDonald feels strongly that BSM prepared him in ways he never thought possible. “I feel that every aspect of my BSM experience has in some way contributed to my leadership potential.” In class, McDonald caught the attention of his AP physics teacher, Tanner Stevens, “Michael is a great student, focused and wants to learn for learning’s sake. What makes him stand out is his commitment to his family and the community. Michael was intent on contributing to
BSM, working hard to not let challenges prevent him from being a positive role model for others. He made the classroom experience better by his presence,” Stevens said.
Both Halstrom and McDonald had certain moments stand out at BSM. “My favorite memories at BSM are centered around my involvement in the activities that I took part in,” Halstrom said, while McDonald remarked, “I had made an effort at the beginning of junior year to put myself out there and make new friends, and I felt a really strong sense of belonging in the BSM community, which was a massive change from previous years, and it assured me that everyone can find a place at BSM.”
Whether leading or supporting and encouraging one another, McDonald and Halstrom affirm Al Reger’s belief that Catholic education continues to provide the skills needed to open doors to wherever students want to go in life.
Highly skilled, extremely competitive, hard worker, honor student, leader, state champ – definite descriptions of the two seniors honored as the best athletes in their class. Olivia Olson received the 2024 Athena Award and Caleb Koskie was honored with the Al Blasing Award.
Miss Basketball 2024, Olivia is a highly decorated basketball player who led the Red Knights to back-to-back state championships in ’23 and ’24. Her list of high school honors includes multiple All-Conference, All-Metro, All-State, AllTournament, and MVP selections. But Olivia is much more than all of her accolades. Coach Tim Ellefson said, “Olivia showed daily that the desire to be the best version of herself is what led to her success. She took every weakness and made it a strength.”
Ranked in the top 15 nationally, Olivia was the Gatorade State Girls Basketball winner and a McDonald’s All-American, a gold medalist with the USA basketball u16 team. In June, she was named the AllMetro Sports Awards Female Athlete for 2024.
A multi-sport athlete, Olivia began her role as the starting goalkeeper on the soccer team in 8th grade. This past fall the Red Knights won the state championship with a 1-0 victory. She holds the BSM record for the best career save percentage and she has earned multiple honors from her play on the pitch.
Olivia and her mother, Rachel Kuzma Olson ’93, are the first mother/daughter Athena winners at BSM and believed to be one of only a few in the entire state. Basketball was the only sport they had in common. Rachel made her mark in volleyball, basketball, and softball.
Olivia will continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Michigan.
In the spring, you can find Caleb Koskie on the mound or in center field, and very often on base. A wily baserunner, Caleb considers his knowledge of the game one of his strongest assets. He adds that another plus is that he definitely does not like to lose. That knowledge and determination to win are evident in all aspects of his game.
As a sophomore, Caleb pitched in all three state tournament games, striking out 12 in the final contest, on the way to the state championship, BSM’s first in baseball. Multiple honors highlight his abilities: All-Conference, All-Section, All-State, All-Tournament, and three-time Section Champ. He was recently named to the Star Tribune’s All-Metro First Team and he was a finalist for the Mr. Baseball title.
According to coach Andy Judkins, “Caleb is a one-of-a-kind player both in our program and for high school baseball. He has the ability to change the game both in the box and on the mound. He is a true competitor and leader who makes others around him better. The Red Knight community and baseball program are very fortunate to have Caleb as a part of it.”
Caleb takes to the ice in the winter where he also collects multiple honors. His Canadian roots might contribute to his passion for hockey. Coach Ken Pauly added, “Caleb is an outstanding athlete but what makes him truly stand out is that he is such a fierce and determined competitor. When you combine these attributes with his leadership and genuine care for others you have something very special.”
Caleb will be wearing a baseball uniform for the Indiana Hoosiers and continuing his education in Bloomington.
“For those of you who are retiring, thank you. For your years of service, yes, but for your dedication during those years to building up this place and this community into the wonderful school it is today. We would not be who we are or where we are today without you, and this community has a long memory, so don’t doubt for a second we will be singing your praises for many years to come.”
- Danielle Hermanny ’03, BSM President
By John Sabol
Pat has been fantastic to work with over the years! In many ways our skills complement each other. His attention to detail balances with my lack-there-of and has kept the business department heading in the right direction.
Pat is one of those coworkers you’re always happy to see. As soon as you hear him warmly greet you, you can’t help but smile knowing you’re in for a good conversation or joke. Pat is an absolute professional whom you can count on to support his students and to exude excitement even on his lowest day. His professionalism, honesty, candor, humor, and joy have been a constant in my years of service at BSM and I’ll truly miss having him here as a coworker, mentor, and friend.
Pat is also known for his timing. As an example, he retired from his illustrious football coaching career after winning the MSHSL State Tournament. Once again Pat timed his exit well, leaving the business department stronger than he found it and having helped countless students find their direction and purpose both in the classroom and on the field.
Pat will always be welcomed back to BSM whether it’s to pick up a .4 position in the business department or to share a smile and laugh with some old friends. Pat, thanks for everything. We’ll miss you.
By Rikki Mortl
How do you summarize a person who has dedicated 32 years of her life to one organization? The true answer is that you can’t, and I know I won’t come close to encapsulating all that Carol is and has been to the BSM community. I want her to know how much she means to the students, faculty and staff, and me personally. In the short five years I have known Carol, I have always been impressed by her ability to bring people together and make everyone feel welcome and comfortable.
She is a great listener and always exudes kindness, a gentle and quiet soul leading with faith and empathy. Through the years, Carol has always been the one to step in and help. She is selfless and always puts others first.
For many years, Carol chaperoned the 8th grade trip to Wolf Ridge, an opportunity for her to be there, “in her element.” She became a pro at cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and cutting holes in the ice.
As the most distant member of the junior high faculty – residing far away in the Haben – she was not always seen by the other teachers, but her presence was always felt. Just knowing she was down the hall and a text away brought comfort to all of us. And now, we will carry that with us as Carol will still only be a text away. We wish Carol nothing but the best in her retirement and know that she will be the best grandma babysitter there is…she has been a gift to all of us, and know that Carol will be that for her grandson. Thank you, Carol!
By Stephanie Nitchals
For me, the thing I will remember most about Rob is how he is always dressing up at the oddest times. Imagine my surprise last year when I was reviewing Josten’s faculty pictures and looking at all of these great professional headshots only to come across a man in a Roman helmet. I thought that was some stock photo from Jostens that was mistakenly placed in our file. In looking closer I was like… wait that is Rob…
Rob has made an impact on our community because he has been a staunch supporter of languages, culture, and travel during his tenure at BSM. In addition to leading many international trips for students and parents, he has fostered a genuine love of all things Roman. He has mentored peers and made lasting friendships as part of the team here. For our students, Rob has been kind, patient, funny, and works to make the process of learning a language both easy and relevant. Rob brings his humor and enthusiasm to meetings and is insightful in conversations. His professionalism is seen in his thoughtful consideration given in what he says.
Colleagues note that he sets an example of what it means to foster a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. For this, Rob earned the respect of students and faculty alike.
Students of Rob represent BSM with integrity because of his passion for culture and history, encouraging respect and a thirst for learning. Rob’s passion and dedication for each student have made a lasting mark on our school and every Red Knight. Rob will always be the man in the Roman helmet, and he will also be the one with wisdom in the classroom. We wish you nothing but the best in your next endeavors.
Thank you, Rob!
By Betsy Van Cleve ‘06
As I reflected on how to properly honor Ted and his professional career, especially his 14 years of service here at BSM, I was reminded of the words of a great American poet:
“It’s something unpredictable but in the end, it’s right I hope you had the time of your life” as sung by the great punk rocker, Billie Joe Armstrong, of Green Day. Now, if you know Ted well, you know that he’s a big Green Day fan.
Ted and I have been fortunate enough to be colleagues in the admissions department for over eight years together, and while I knew that his retirement was imminent, I didn’t really want to believe it. In a world where people view their professional experiences as “jobs,” Ted has cemented his career here at BSM as a vocational home.
As an alum parent, Ted had the opportunity of watching his daughter Claudia and son Patrick flourish in red and white, a story that he would so lovingly share with visiting families. After joining BSM in 2010 to be part of the advancement team, Ted made an immediate impact. In 2015, Ted moved into his current role as our director of admissions. Ted has been part of the fabric of BSM’s community of students for over a decade now. Hundreds of students enrolled at BSM in our junior and senior high schools because of thousands of family phone calls and emails and tours and other visit experiences with Ted. And endless amounts of positive and unmatched connections that made families say YES to calling BSM home.
What Ted brings to the table for families
in the exploration process is, as his wife Mary would lovingly describe it, a calming presence. With a school decision to be made, there is Ted - cool, calm, reasonable, and collected - willing to talk through the process with heart and compassion. How lucky are WE because of his commitment and dedication to this process! Ted’s impact here at BSM will resonate long past his professional days here. I am so incredibly grateful for the time I’ve had with Ted as a colleague, mentor, confidant, and most importantly, as a good friendsomething I know that we can all agree he’s been to each and every one of us. So, as Ted’s forges ahead on this new journey, let’s wish him “fair winds and following seas” - I hope you had the time of your life! Thank you, Ted!
In mid-March 2024, it was announced that senior high principal Stephanie Nitchals would be stepping down from her position for health reasons. Nitchals has been senior high principal at BSM since July 2021.
President Danielle Hermanny ’03 thanked Nitchals for her focus on curriculum development, academic rigor, and student expectations relentlessly dedicated to making BSM the best it can be. “I cannot begin to express my gratitude for Stephanie and her expertise, her knowledge, her candor, her humor,” Hermanny said, noting “I have been so fortunate to work alongside her this year and will miss her deeply.”
For the past 22 years, Nitchals has been in Catholic education – 11 of them as a principal – in four different Catholic school communities across the country.
Beginning in July, assistant principal Matt Weingartz will serve as interim senior high principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Senior high Spanish teacher Matt McMerty-Brummer will be assuming the role of assistant principal to ensure continuity in the senior high administration for students and their families while a search is undertaken for a permanent senior high principal.
Each year, several awards are presented to outstanding faculty and staff, honoring them for going above and beyond in fulfilling the promises of BSM’s mission.
Amanda Anderson BSM’s Parents’ Choice Award
Amanda Anderson makes an impression on the students for whom she is counselor, and parents expressed their gratitude for all she does, noting she is an excellent resource and has formed supportive relationships with students that have been transformational. One parent noted with joy how far her child has advanced thanks to Anderson’s encouragement and guidance.
Anderson has been a positive voice in the BSM counseling department, stepping up to help answer lastminute college questions, going above and beyond with the right information. Thank you, Amanda!
Judy Koski is often seen on the bus or at athletic events, ensuring BSM student athletes get to where they need to go in a timely and safe manner. Judy’s work goes beyond that, and is usually behind the scenes.
“Having worked with her for close to three decades, I can say her work ethic is unmatched,” said Jerry Pettinger, BSM facilities director.
“Her commitment and support to the students of BSM is unwavering.”
Koski also keeps track of all games and activities and guarantees spaces are prepared and ready on campus. She also has developed amazing relationships with students and alums, and Red Knights truly love and appreciate her, not only for all that she does, but for the person she is. Thank you, Judy!
Paul Canavati Apple Polisher Award
This award celebrates outstanding dedication, passion, and commitment to students, and no one embodies these qualities more than Paul Canavati. In his first year as advisor for the Sangraal, BSM’s yearbook, Canavati invested a significant amount of his time to supporting the students to create a memorable publication for the school’s 50th anniversary.
He advocates for his students, encouraging them to learn in a classroom setting where students feel motivated and excited to be there every day. His ability to relate to students on a personal level and take a genuine interest in their lives creates an environment where learning is not only possible but enjoyable. He encourages students to have meaningful conversations and shows genuine care for each student.
As a member of the BSM faculty, Katherine has endless energy and compassion for the students. She does two full-time jobs and makes it look easy. Johnson is not only willing to always help out at BSM, she also a dedicated advocate for students, a strong leader and mentor, and a change maker in the community.
As a trusted colleague and friend, Johnson has an incredibly positive attitude and uses her photography skills to capture memorable moments of student life throughout the year. She is seen as the ultimate team player and makes a difference every day for our students. Thank you, Katherine!
We remember in prayer, these members of the BSM family who have died since the last issue of the Crown & Shield
To report the death of a classmate or family member, please email alumni@bsmschool.org
Jane Brady Anderson ‘57
- Sister of Sarah Brady Shaw ‘55
Eleanor Ayers
- Mother of Andrew ‘95, Douglas
Kathryn Bania
- Mother of Don ‘70, Susan Bania Talerico ‘72, Doug ‘86
William Barbeau, past faculty
- Brother of Rochelle Barbeau Husebo ‘58, Catherine Barbeau Boufford ’60 (deceased), Patty Boufford Walsh, Rich, Joe
Todd Barnes ’86
Teryll Ann Smith Beach ‘52
Jackie Demeules Beiring ‘56
- Sister of Marge Demeules Schultz ‘58, Gerry Demeules ‘63, Denise Demeules McCalla ’72, Michael, Steve
Margaret Binish
- Mother of Douglas (deceased), Robert, William, Joseph ‘85
Nancy Bishop
- Mother of Anne, Stephen, Katherine ‘86
Ron Bisson
- Father of Ron Jr. ‘85,
Stephanie Bisson Belseth ‘86, Mary ‘88, John ‘92, Katie ‘94
Sally Noonan Bjorklund ‘51
Vernon Boes
- Father of Karen Boes Oman (deceased), Cynthia ’75 (deceased), Sandra Boes O’Brien ‘78
Richard Brasket
- Father of Peter, David ‘81, Mary Brasket Brown, Catherine Brasket Taylor ‘84, Philip
Joseph Breimayer
- Father of Kate ‘88, Debi ‘90, Liz Breimayer Taylor ‘96
Scott Buchanan
- Husband of Renee (past staff), Father of Rob ‘00, Andy ‘01, Paul ‘04
Carol Butler Burch ‘57
Brian Chang
- Father of Melanie ‘21
Rob Cich ‘85
- Brother of John ‘75, Joel ‘76, Laura Cich Aulik ‘78, Greg ‘80, Geoff ‘80, Jane Cich King ‘87
Lauren Hickman Colwell ‘02
- Sister of Catherine, Jessica ‘01
Theresa Corbett
- Mother of Nanette ‘71, Paula ‘73, Richard ‘76, Ron ’76 (deceased), William ’80 (deceased), Patrick
Charles Corlett
- Father of Erik ‘98
Andy Cullen ‘95
- Brother of Patrick ‘92, Husband of Mandy Kyle Cullen ‘96
Matt Dill ‘83
- Brother of Sarah ‘79, Gretchen Dill Wiese ‘81, Amy Dill Tollefson
Greg Dolphin
- Brother of Tom ‘69, Kathleen
Patricia Doran
- Wife of William ‘60
Thomas Doran ‘62
- Husband of Sharon Burns Doran ‘61
Phil Dorholt
- Father of Guy ‘88, Dana Dorholt Fox ‘89, Kari Dorholt Malo ‘92
Jane Duffy
- Mother of Shannon Duffy Hendricks ‘78, Matt ‘80, Bart ‘81, Dana ‘82 (deceased), Tim ‘83
Mary Jo Born Ellis ‘55
- Sister of Patricia Born Dornfeld ’50 (deceased), Margaret ‘61
Larry Elsen ‘65
- Father of Julie Elsen Seymour ‘90, Amy Elsen Campbell ‘92, Mark
Gloria Essma
- Mother of Sam, Bill ‘80, Tony ‘84, Nick ‘86
Alvina Karst Feela ‘51
David Fitzgerald
- Father of John, Molly ‘83, Kevin
Maureen Fitzgerald
- Mother of Lisa Fitzgerald Miller ‘82, Eddie
Ashley Garvin
- Sister of Abby ‘23, Isabel ‘23, Nolan ‘27
Joseph Kenneth Halloran
- Father of Brian ‘89, Siobhan ‘90, Gavin
Cheri Buhl Hardwick ‘85
Pat Harrison
- Father of Timothy, Daniel, Brian, Richard ‘98
Adrienne Ouellette Harty ‘51
Eugene Hickok
- Father of Elizabeth ‘72, Allan ‘73, Stephen ‘76, Anne Hickok-Hanley ‘78, Mary Catherine (deceased), Chris ‘83, Matthew ’88 (deceased), Meaghan Hickok Dowden ‘00
Ron Hiller
- Husband of June Ess Hiller ‘50, Father of Kathleen ‘74, Jeanine ‘77, Joanne
Mary Ann Hoedeman
- Mother of Paul ‘73, George ‘74, Katherine Hoedeman Smith, Carla Hoedeman Hinkens, Thomas
Richard Husebo
- Husband of Rochelle Barbeau Husebo ‘58
Janice Behrendt Johnson ‘56
Donald Javurek
- Father of Ann Javurek Johnson ‘81, Linda ‘82, Teresa ‘84, John ‘86, Karen ‘91
Mike Karels ‘74
- Husband of Theresa Spartz Karels ‘73, Father of Sarah ‘15
Robert Katchmark ‘64
June Kattar
- Mother of John ‘75, Jeanne Kattar Winslow ‘76, James, Joan Kattar LeRoy ‘79 (deceased)
Emily Keane
- Daughter of Patrick D. Keane ’96, (deceased)
Roberta Kuerbs
- Mother of Kim ‘87, Kari, Kevin
Dr. Belinda Lawrence ‘73
Joe Leintz
- Father of Krista Leintz Gurevich, Jeffrey, Sean ‘07
Carole Heyer Lichliter ‘55
Terry Lydell ‘63
- Brother of Mike ‘61, Tim ‘63, Jeanne Lydell Olson, Father of Jennifer Lydell Besser ‘89, Jill Lydell Helman
Thomas McCarthy ‘59
Rowan McDeid
- Husband of Danette Deisher McDeid ‘89
Mary Anne Holland McNeil ‘55
John Marnell
- Husband of Carol Piazza Marnell ‘60, Father of Christopher ‘86, Jennifer Marnell Hawkins ‘86, Colleen Marnell Suhanosky, Timothy
Barbara Fixter Mickelson ‘54
Kevina Munnich
- Wife of Lee ‘63
Gertrude Palmer O’Brien ‘35
Mary White O’Shaughnessy ‘56
- Sister of Barb White Matos ‘57
Eileen Osterbauer
- Mother of Nancy Osterbauer Waters, John, Ann Osterbauer Bremer ‘82, Joe ‘83, Mary Osterbauer Bejar ‘87, Kate Osterbauer Miranda ‘89
Susan Colford Perrier ‘49
- Sister of Margaret Colford Perrier ‘45, Sally Colford Steffens ‘48
Richard Pouliot
- Father of Therese Pouliot Pelaez, Kathleen Pouliot McGuire, Steven, John, Joe ‘85
Michael Pyzdrowski ‘70
- Brother of Henry ‘66 (deceased), Jeanne Pyzdrowski Fraune ‘68 (deceased), Patricia Pyzdrowski Seeler ‘70, Bob ‘71, Paul ‘73, John ‘74, Mary Anne Pyzdrowski Pickering ‘76, Kate ‘78, Maggie ‘80, Caroline Pyzdrowski Gossen ‘84
Judy Richey
- Wife of John Richey ‘74
Maura Roby
- Wife of Fran (past faculty), Mother of Katie ‘03, Bridget ’06
Patrick Scanlan
- Father of Mark, Lynne Scanlan Dolan ‘75, Brian, Julie Scanlan Ornberg, Mary Scanlan Wineberg, Therese Scanlan Hurley, Molly Scanlan Wurst
James Scanlon
- Son of Pat Scanlon ‘70
Elmer Schumer
- Father of Luann Schumer Berg ’72, Russ ‘75, Bill ‘77, Kathy Schumer Mueller ‘78, Bonnie ‘80, Debbie ‘83
Mary Secord
- Sister of Megan Secord Milligan, Paul ‘94, Billy ‘95, Danh
Brian Seiwert
- Son of Michael Seiwert ’70 (deceased)
Bob Short ‘66
Geralda Bofferding Stanton ‘45
Mary Tadich
- Mother of Natalia Bauer Hudelson ‘04, Greta Bauer Wodarcyk, Anthony, Gabriel ‘18
Sean Turnquist
- Brother of Eric ‘75, Eddie, Peter, Tracy
Joan Burns Villella ‘57
- Mother of Lori Villella Martin ‘87, Jon ‘88, Marc ‘91, Michael ‘92, Linh Thuy Stanaway ‘98
Robert Wood ‘70
Frank Ziegler
- Husband of Desiree Rocheford Ziegler ‘80
Will Steger ‘62, polar explorer and environmental ambassador, won a Hubert H. Humphrey Public Leadership Award for educating and motivating generations of people to care for the earth and live their lives with a sense of exploration, curiosity, and adventure.
Joe Knapp, Benilde ‘73, was inducted into the barefoot waterskiing hall of fame on April 6, 2024. Joe first barefooted on June 6, 1976 on Lake Minnetonka. He competed in his first National Championships in 1978 and won for the first time in 1987. He continued winning in 1991, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2022! Congratulations, Joe!
Sloane Struse ‘87 graduated on 26 April 2024 at the Pentagon from the 28-month Defense Senior Leadership Development Program (DSLDP). His next assignment, which is a testament to his exceptional skills and leadership, is the Chief of Plans, Futures, Integration, and Posture Directorate, Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He continues to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve.
South Lyndale Liquors owner Dan Campo ‘89 has a new location (5516 Lyndale Ave S.) with a 62-door beer cooler, a 20,000-bottle wine cellar, and a 1,000-bottle tasting wall. Dan also offers Brooklyn-style sandwiches and a deli with cheeses, and charcuterie to complement its offerings. Visit Dan at his beautiful new space!
Dannah Shinder ‘02, is executive vice president for television at Berlanti Productions in Hollywood. She produced the new young adult show, “Dead Boy Detectives,” now available on Netflix. She also produced “The Girls on the Bus” on HBO Max.
Parker Brook ‘05 (pictured here with his daughters), started Lovebird, a grain-free cereal. Parker’s purpose is to help families eat better so we can all rise and fly with food from the earth, free of high-inflammatory ingredients, full of whole food nutrition, and lightly sweetened by nature. On top of that, 20% of net profit from the sale of all Lovebird products is given to nonprofits in support of charitable programming and research in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Dan Morin ‘06 and wife Rachel welcomed John Timothy Morin on February 6, 2024! His older sisters Maria (2) and Ellie (4) are thrilled. Rachel is a stay at home mom and Dan works in business development at Trexin Consulting.
Sevy Gondeck ‘12 joined Bell Bank Mortgage as a loan officer. Together with his mother, Norah Gondeck with 41 years of industry experience, and Kala Wilson with 13 years of experience, they offer consumers throughout the Twin Cities metro area residential home mortgage financing and refinancing.
Will Dunn ‘12 became an Assistant Coach for the Houston Rockets in 2023.
Sanjay Lumpkin ‘12 became an Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Hawks in 2023.
Spencer Shaver ‘13 was named Executive Director of Save Our Canyons, a non-profit organization in Utah dedicated to protecting the beauty and wilderness of the Wasatch Mountains.
Carter Burn ‘14 married Nicole Miller on August 5, 2023, in Minneapolis, MN. Carter is a Captain in the Marine Corps and Nicole is a marketing professional in power sports. The couple lives in Hanover, Maryland.
Kelly Pannek ’14 plays for and captains the brand new women’s professional hockey team here in Minnesota, which took home the inaugural Walter Cup in the PWHL. Kelly is BSM’s current girls’ hockey coach, and past BSM soccer, hockey, and lax player. PWHL Minnesota is the only women’s team to play on NHL ice.
Coleman Reis ‘17 is currently the director of media for a touring DJ –Disco Lines, where he specializes in event videography and photography. Alongside capturing moments from shows, he also creates side content for his TikTok and Instagram. Coleman is most known for his vlog-style content on Disco Lines’ YouTube, as well as his concert clips and photos.
Nick Peterson ‘20, senior quarterback for the St. John’s University Johnnies, was named to the 2024 National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society on Wednesday, April 10.
Zach Carden ‘20 graduated summa cum laude from Creighton university. He will be going to PT school at Madison in the fall.
Aidan Wahlstrom ‘22 and Brady Wine ‘22 are both in the Naval Academy and moving through the program.
The turnout was FANTASTIC at the first annual BSM Alumni Pickleball Jamboree in February 2024 with alums representing St. Margaret’s Academy, Benilde High School, and BSM from each decade. Lots of laughs, plenty of fun, and no injuries! Mark your calendar to join us in February 2025!
Our youngest and oldest alumni in attendance at the first annual BSM Alumni Pickleball Jamboree posed for a picture. Oscar Igel BSM ‘23, Andrea Anderson Sledz SMA ‘52, Tim Shields BEN ‘73, Riley Murphy BSM ‘24.
SMA Class of ‘63 friends Karen Jo Walter and Melanie Londo Pattee enjoyed time catching up.
These SMA Class of ‘63 classmates enjoyed an evening together celebrating 60 years since high school. (l-r): Beth Delmonico Gloppen, Nancy Hanily-Dolan, Colleen Tiffany Serenpa, Charlene Battaglia, Marta Bromschwig Galnick, and Mary Jennings.
SMA Class of ‘63 ladies are all smiles at their reunion. (l-r): Liz Hage Talley, Charlene Battaglia, Anita Schaap Hauck, Karen Jo Walter, Ann Ruff, Amy Casserly Ellis, and Colleen Tiffany Serenpa.
Reconnecting for 40 years: It was a great night with friends from the class of ‘83 BSM reunion at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park. (l-r): Donna Hoelscher Olson, Heather Albers Simonett, Jean Allenberg Henninger and Angie Cole Shannon.
Friends gather in celebration: BSM graduates celebrated their 40 year class reunion and had a great night with friends from the class of ‘83!
Wendy Regan Peterson, Diane Dornbach Shomion, Alison Regan Collins, Maureen O’Rielly Williams, and Donna Hoelscher Olson.
40th Birthday Bash in Kentucky: Andrew George ‘02 celebrated his 40th birthday in Louisville, KY. He was celebrating his 40th and also having traveled to all 50 states with Kentucky being the last one. There were quite a few Red Knights in attendance to share in this milestone with Andrew.
Back row (l-r): Dana Stack ‘02, Evan Carpenter ‘02, Mary Beth George Puder ‘95, Jackie Noack Hillman ‘02, Justine Chatterton ‘02, Maggie Martyn Kumbalek ‘02, Andrew George ‘02, and Emily Burt McGregor ‘03.
Front row (l-r): Lisa Lang ‘02, Annalise George ‘99, Shannon Diegel ‘03, Clare Diegel ‘02, Mandy LaBreche, Jill Periolat Kaster ‘02, and Luke Kaster ‘99.
Holiday Connections: There’s nothing like running into old friends at the Alumni Children’s Christmas Party! Emily Roberts Roane ‘10 with daughter Eloise and son Henry, Molly Monson Murphy ‘10 with son Louie, and Annalisa Huge ‘10 with daughter Charlotte, son Harry, and son Wesley.
Drinks at Bunnys: The Benilde class of ‘65 gathered for lunch at Bunny’s. Special guest, President Danielle Hermanny ‘03 stopped by to say hello.
Red Knights for Gophers & Badgers: A group of 2018 BSM grads tailgated before the Gopher vs. Badger game on Nov. 25th. Back row: Turner Wine, Carter Uphus, Quinn Ehlen, Joe Dunn & Tommy Anderson
Front row: Meg Olk, Brielle Baker, Johnny Brask, Sammy Deterding & Natalie Kroll
75 Lunches and Going Strong: SMA
Class of 1952 grads celebrating 75 years of monthly lunches: (l-r): Maxine Miles Prokop, Dorothy Buchanan Lodahl, Patricia Coulombe Thompson, and Anna Mrisch Glynn.
Hockey & Golf Buddies: Win Wood, John Wilhoit, and John Ryan, members of the 1961 Benilde hockey team, played golf last fall and talked about a possible 65th reunion in the summer of 2026.
Dance Champs Cheer-on BSM: Elle Mohs ‘09 and Nicole Kivo Nady ‘09, with future Red Knight Parker Briggs Nady ‘42, came back to BSM to cheer on the boys’ basketball team. During halftime they posed in front of their Dance Team State Champion banners.
Alum Creates Magic: Magician Matt Dunn ‘01 came back to school during Catholic Schools Week to entertain and wow the students with his
Annual Holiday Gathering: The Benilde Class of ‘64 had their annual holiday gathering at McCoy’s on December 1. (l-r): Joe Hanrahan, Bert Notermann, Mike Bailey, Bill Gorrill, Ted Colvin, Les Breuer, Pat Shaugnessy, Lee Saeugling, John Broback, Doug Barber, Bill Sweeney, Dan DuRose, Tom Adcox, Mickey Knight, Mike Sitek, Ron Cybyske, Jim Haymaker, Al Wilson, and Lee Cagley. Missing are Walt Hirschey, Dick Evans, Bill Gilbreath, Rick Lang, and Rick Jewett.
SMA Reunion: St. Margaret’s Academy Class of 1950 gathered for a reunion in September.
Front row: Claire Nagel Ready, Veronica Mortl Fashant, Marilyn Baron Zastrow, and Maxine Johnson Zappa.
Back row: Susie Erlougher Sicora, Donna Terlouw Wallander, June Ess Hiller, and Carol Wintheisr Archambo.
Whale Watching Alums: Several BSM alums vacationed together in January 2024 and went whale watching in Cabo San Lucas. Back row (l-r): Ann Jennings ‘74, Robbie Brouillard Heelan ‘71, Diane Battaglia Beddor ‘71, Therese Johnson Kienast ’71, Mary Jennings ‘73 , Bob Lindstrom, Sue Koelfgen Lano ‘79, Tom Lano, Mike Beddor ‘71, Jim O’Rourke. Front row (l-r): Pat McNeely, Joan Theisen McNeely’71,Gail O’Rourke ‘68 and Greg Comstock.
Mikey Koller ‘13, Anne Arneson ‘13, Elle Scott ‘13, and Katie Sisk Koller ‘13 cheered on the Fighting Irish on August 26 in Dublin, Ireland at the Notre Dame/Navy game.
Returning from ‘Orleans: Some of the Class of 1988 got together on February 8th at O’Shaugnessy Distillery when classmate Judge Lori Wilderson came home from New Orleans.
In this photo (l-r): Amy (Rhode) Pumarlo, Mary Tremmel Sellke, Lee Lira, Al Koole, Chris Cron (hidden in back), Dan Fazendin, Bill Sutherland, Lori Wilderson, Mark Tabery, John Rorke, Valerie Fazendin, Ann Winters, Tom Fournier, Meg Ryan, Barb (Keppel) Kingston, and her husband Tom Kingston.
Wedding Gathers Red Knights: Classmates from 2014, from (l-r): Wyatt Satre, Thomas Stone, Josh Werkmeister, Michael Lamb, Grant Anderson, Will Jarvis, Casey Hansen (their favorite BSM PE teacher and brother-in-law to Carter), Jacob Donlin, Eric Stanley, Michael Patton, and Michael McGill joined Carter Burn and his new wife Nicole to celebrate their marriage.
Zagaros Wedding: Ashley Zagaros married Colton Van Dorpe on Aug 19, 2023 in Minneapolis. Several BSM alumni were in attendance to celebrate with the happy new couple! Back row (l-r): Emily Zagaros ‘22, Dan Chevalier ‘85, Jack Qualen ‘16, Henry Witterschein ‘19, Natalie Chevalier ‘15, Steven Burke ‘68, and Jacob Zagaros ‘19. Front row (l-r): Lynn Chevalier ‘85, Sadie Witterschein ‘22, Lindsey Layton ‘22, Bailey Adams ‘16, Ashley Zagaros ‘16, Hannah Witterschein ‘16, Elleann Lowery ‘22, and Anna Luong ‘17.
Little 500 Gathering: BSM alums of the Class of 2022 reunited at Indiana University recently (l-r): Quin Schliesman, Gino Gatti, Elleann Lowery, Emily Zagaros, Conor Keady, Sam Monk, and Adam Olson. The grads took a break from studies at University of Saint Thomas, Indiana University, Creighton, Saint Louis University, and Villanova respectively for IU’s “Little 500.”
Girls’ Bball Repeats at State
BSM girls’ basketball took home the MSHSL Class AAA State Championship on Mar. 16, at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus, defeating DeLaSalle 81-58. The championship is the girls’ second in two years, and fourth overall (2024, 2023, 2010, and 2006).
The Class of 2024 celebrated their next step decisions with fellow Red Knights at the annual alumni/senior breakfast on May 1.
9th grader John Blomer competed in the 2024 National High School Chess Championship in Baltimore, Maryland. As the top-ranked K12 player in Minnesota, he’s making a name for himself in the chess scene with a remarkable 96th percentile national ranking!
The senior high drama department presented “Addams Family” in the Hamburge Theater May 2-5. They were awarded 11 Outstanding Honors from the Hennepin Theatre Trust along with several other accolades.
BSM celebrated our Closing School Mass on May 22 with a common basket collection for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, our talented choir, and a heartfelt thank you to Father Tim Wozniak ‘66 who celebrated his last all-school Mass at BSM as our chaplain.
The RED program provides students with opportunities to flex their creativity in engaging the world. The Red Expo in May showcased projects created through coursework, clubs, and personal activities embracing the mission and vision of BSM.
BSM junior Brynja Lockman placed sixth at the State AA Extemporaneous Speaking Championship at the MSHSL State Speech Tournament. Lockman represented BSM at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa June 16-21.
BSM Girls Lacrosse Athletes Honored Congratulations to Julia Evens ’24 who was named the most outstanding lacrosse player in the state of Minnesota, winning 2024 Ms. Lacrosse. Maggie Graczyk ’24 was Ms. Lacrosse runner-up, and Grace Ortizcazarin ‘24 was a runner-up for Ms. Lacrosse Goalie. Evens was also named to the All-Tournament team alongside teammate Bailey Gray ‘25
The boys’ golf team made school history with its first State title. Patrick Hastings ’26 sank a three-foot putt to clinch the one stroke win over Waconia at Bunker Hill Course. Alyssa Raghuveer ‘26 also represented BSM in the MSHSL Class AAA State Golf Tournament.
Both the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams advanced to the MSHSL State Tournament. The BSM boys’ lacrosse team played through rainswept conditions on Saturday, June 15 to defeat Lakeville North (18-10), capturing the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Class A state title. It’s the Red Knights’ third state championship in boys’ lacrosse over the past four years.
The girls finished their season defeating Stillwater to take third place in the 2024 MSHSL state tournament. Congratulations to all of our lacrosse players.
BSM’s baseball team made it to the MSHSL State Tournament and defeated St. Thomas Academy in the quarterfinal round. They lost 0-2 to Totino-Grace in the semifinal round.
To cap a busy spring athletics season, the girls’ softball team wrapped up a great season with a section championship title and trip to the State Tournament.
If you graduated in a year ending in 0 or 5, it is time to start planning your reunion for next year.
BSM ‘94 - July 27, 2024
BSM ‘89 - Aug. 3, 2024
The BSM alumni department is ready to partner with you, whether it’s 1965 (60-years), 1975 (50-years), 2000 (25-years), or 2020 (5-years) to plan specific events. We encourage other anniversary year classes to form a small reunion committee and plan an event as well.
Contact Catie Scherer Brackin ‘99 at cschererbrackin@BSMschool.org for more information on how to get started planning your reunion. Visit bsmschool.org/reunions for more information
Benilde ‘64 - Aug. 9, 2024
BSM ‘84 - Aug. 10, 2024
BSM ‘99 - Aug. 17, 2024
SMA ‘64 - Aug. 17, 2024
BSM ‘19 - Aug. 24, 2024
SMA ‘69 - Sept. 7, 2024
Benilde ‘74 - Sept. 13, 2024
SMA ‘74 - Sept. 15, 2024
Mass to celebrate Mr. J’s 50th year at BSM - Sunday Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.
Grandparents’ Day - Friday, Sept. 27 - 8-10 a.m.
Athletic Hall of Fame - Friday, Oct. 4
Homecoming - Saturday, Oct. 5 at noon
A Knight for all Seasons Gala - Saturday, Nov. 9
Alumni Children’s Christmas Party - Saturday, Dec. 7
Hall of Honor - Monday, Jan. 27
Alumni Mens’ Soccer - Thursday, Aug. 8
Alumni Mens’ Basketball - Tuesday, Dec. 24
Alumni Mens’ Hockey - Tuesday, Dec. 24
Alumnae Womens’ Hockey - Tuesday, Dec. 24
Want to organize an alum event for your team or sport?
Contact Catie Scherer Brackin ‘99 at cschererbrackin@bsmschool.org
BSM’s annual gala and auction will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9
Join us at The View, located at the Minneapolis Event Center beginning at 5 p.m. for an evening of fine dining and FRIEND-raising with our BSM community. The silent and live auctions will have plenty of amazing items, all to raise money for our students through our Fund-A-Need campaign.
Your support of BSM benefits current and future students making it possible for them to receive a premiere and formative Catholic education.
More details about the event COMING SOON at bsmschool.org/gala
Questions or to donate to the auctions: Contact Catie Scherer Brackin ‘99 at cschererbrackin@BSMschool.org
