B&G Alumni Magazine - Winter 2024

WINTER 2023 Bishop Verot Catholic High SchoolAlumni Magazine

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Cover Story: A Dream Come True Lisa (Stevens) Clark '07 Coach Gill Plaza Dedication Giving Guide Winter Athletic Guide

Table of Contents MISSION STATEMENT

editor

Patty Holmes patty.holmes@bvhs.org

Rooted in Catholic tradition, Bishop Verot educates the minds and hearts of all students in an innovative and community-centered learning environment, preparing them for lives of faithful service to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

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Letter from the Editor Patty Holmes

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Letter from the Principal Suzie O’Grady

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Letter from the Director Jordan Harmon

principal

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Suzie O'Grady suzie.ogrady@bvhs.org

Giving Guide

director of development

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Jordan Harmon jordan.harmon@bvhs.org

House News

asst. director of special events, donor & alumni relations

Coach Gill Plaza Dedication

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Crystal Melton crystal.melton@bvhs.org

A Dream Come True Lisa (Stevens) Clark '07

athletic director

Greg Coleman greg.coleman@bvhs.org

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Catholics in Action

sports editor

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Ryan Murphy ’10 mtxemurphy@gmail.com

Winter Athletic Guide

creative/art direction

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Alumni Sports

April Bordeaux

advertising information

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Patty Holmes patty.holmes@bvhs.org

Alumni Assocation Staying Connected

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UNDERWRITTEN BY

Alumni News

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School Notes

Black & Gold Magazine is published quarterly; fall, winter, spring, and summer by Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Inc. More than 6,500 copies are provided to alumni, parents, students, and friends.

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Verot Arts

Every effort is made to keep our database up to date and accurate. If you are a parent receiving this magazine at home in the name of your child, please contact us so we may update our database.

All address updates should be made by emailing Patty Holmes at communications@bvhs.org.

Copyright© 2023 Bishop Verot Catholic High School. All rights reserved.

Black & Gold Magazine • 239.274.6760 Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Inc. 5598 Sunrise Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33919

On the cover: Lisa (Stevens) Clark '07 Bishop Verot Theater Director Photo credit: Mr. Craig Davis, Bishop Verot Marketing Coordinator

Recognized by Apple as a distinguished school for continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and the school environment.

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Letter from the Editor

Welcome to another edition of your B&G Alumni Magazine. As we enter the second semester of another school year, we are deep in the season of enrolling the next class of freshmen. Families are interested in learning all they can about Verot and what it means to be a Viking. As alumni, you show by example what it means to be a Verot grad as you make a positive impact in our communities every day.

In this edition, learn how fellow alum Lisa (Stevens) Clark ’07 has made an impact with the growth of the Performing Arts Department at Bishop Verot.

Some of you may remember her days on stage as a student, playing the lead in Lil Abner, and how that has brought her full circle to where she is today.

Viking Creed As members of the Verot family, we will always support our fellow Vikings, defend our traditions, honor our legacy, and Bleed black and gold.

We are Verot!

On page 12, see how we celebrated another alum – Coach Mike Gill – with the dedication of Coach Gill Plaza this fall. This space not only commemorates Coach Gill’s long-standing career but also serves as a fabulous meeting space for families to gather as they cheer on current and future Vikings. This tremendous transformation of the entry to Viking Stadium would not have been possible without the generosity of the many benefactors who supported this project (page 13). Take a look at page 8-9 to learn how you too can be a supporter of Bishop Verot, insuring a future generation of Vikings.

As we conclude the winter season, take a look at the Athletic Guide, beginning on page 19, to see all the sports now offered, giving our athletes plenty of opportunity for team-building and competition. On page 42, you can see how your fellow alumni have continued on with their athletic success long after they have crossed the graduation stage. That includes welcoming back baseball players Dan Vogelbach and Thad Ward as they returned to campus to cheer on our Vikes (page 45).

Please know as members of the Verot family, we want you to always feel at home here. Please plan to join us this spring on the fields for a lacrosse or baseball game, in the Anderson Theater for Mary Poppins or the Spring Concert, or to celebrate another graduating class. And, as always, please share your news with us!

Enjoy this edition of your B&G Alumni Magazine!

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House meeting activities Worship Band

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Letter from the Principal

Mission Statement G Rooted in Catholic tradition, Bishop Verot educates the minds and hearts of all students in an innovative and community-centered learning environment, preparing them for lives of faithful service to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

As soon as you walk through the doors of Bishop Verot you are immediately met with signs from a variety of Saints such as St. Cecilia, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Ambrose, and St. Augustine. Of all the quotes posted throughout the halls, one from St. Francis de Sales has resonated with me over the years: Be who you are and be that well. Through these simple words, St. Francis de Sales reminds us we are all blessed with God-given talents and attributes. St. Francis challenges us to live a life in which we are true to who He has created us to be. Bishop Verot students, both past and present, have lived this mantra by sharing their talents in the classroom, on the athletic fields or courts, and on the stage. This issue of the Black and Gold magazine features an alumnus who openly shares her talents with her students, her colleagues, and the greater school community, embodying the words of St. Francis de Sales. Mrs. Lisa Clark, Class of 2007, joined the Bishop Verot Faculty in 2014 and has truly transformed the Performing Arts program since. If you have not had the opportunity to see a performance directed by Lisa, I encourage you to join her and the cast of Mary Poppins in the Anderson Theater March 21-24, 2024. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Another member of the Bishop Verot Faculty who shares his God-given talents with his students and the greater community is Graphic Art teacher Eric Riemenschneider. While you may not know Eric, you are likely familiar with his artwork which is on display throughout Lee County. From Lady Justice who is prominently displayed at the corner of Broadway and Victoria in downtown Fort Myers to a series of murals at the Lighthouse Restaurant, there is no denying the incredible talent of Mr. Riemenschneider. Over the recent Christmas holiday, he began painting a masterpiece on the back of the Santini Building. This mural highlights the various aspects of Bishop Verot, with a particular focus on the importance of our faith.

At the core of our mission lies a commitment to nurturing not just the academic and athletic growth of our students, but more importantly, their spiritual development. As we chart the course forward, we envision Bishop Verot as a place where faith and the arts converge to create a transformative educational experience. Our commitment to excellence in academics is paralleled by our dedication to providing a vibrant arts program that not only enriches the lives of our students, but also contributes to the cultural fabric of our community.

I invite you to join us in this vision. Your continued support and engagement play a pivotal role in the realization of our goals. Together, let us uphold the legacy of Bishop Verot, shaping the minds and hearts of future generations.

Blessings,

Mrs. Suzie O'Grady

Mrs. Suzie O’Grady, Principal

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Letter from the Director of Development

Viking Family, First and foremost, I hope you and yours are having a blessed start to 2024. It seems like just yesterday we started the school year, and here we are about to send another 180 Bishop Verot alumni out into the world. It is always the best time of the year!

With that said, we can look back on what an incredible year this has been, especially from a development standpoint. We have seen a year of people continuously blessing Bishop Verot with their time, talent, and treasure.

We have had incredible support with our annual fund, a very successful launch to the Champions Club, and many individuals going above and beyond to make an impact on our students, faculty, and staff. We have welcomed alumni at the annual golf tournament, alumni gatherings, and the ribbon cutting for Coach Gill Plaza. All of these are a great testament to the culture and support experienced each and every day at Verot.

“We will not fail.”

– St. Francis de Sales –

These words from our patron saint are a reminder that we are called to live and love like God. We, too, must never quit.

Never give up on one another or on ourselves. Above all, we must remember that God will never abandon us and His love never fails.

All of these celebrations help to create a lasting legacy for all of us forever Vikings. Your support doesn’t just make a difference today or tomorrow, but your generosity gives us the opportunity to impact this community for years to come.

As we look back on 2023 and all we have accomplished, let us remember the positive impact made. As we embark on 2024, I encourage you to consider how you may make an even bigger difference now. Join us on campus – cheer for the Vikings at more games, check out the tremendous talent on stage for the musical, re-connect with fellow alumni at the many special events, and make a lasting gift to the Annual Fund – the opportunities are endless, and we cannot thank you enough for any and all of your support.

We can’t wait to see you soon!

“Non-Excidet - We will not Fail”

scan code to make your gift today!

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T

his is an exciting time for Catholic education and Bishop Verot Catholic High School. We are seeing unprecedented growth in families making a Catholic education a priority. Applications for both incoming freshmen and transfer students are at an all-time high, bringing back the need for early applications and waiting lists. Families are looking for a high school where their students will be academically challenged, encouraged in their faith, excelling in athletic competition, offering extracurricular activities and elective options to explore, while maintaining a strong culture of community.

The growth we have seen through the years would not have been possible without the continued support of the many families who have given generously. The Santini Building, Anderson Theater, Swanson Baseball Field, and state of the art Media Center are just some of the additions through the years. However, one of our greatest hurdles currently is space; a hurdle we cannot jump without financial support.

There are many ways to support Bishop Verot including direct contributions, pledges over time, and bequests.

Your gift of a Catholic education impacts current students as well as generations of future Vikings.

Annual Fund The Bishop Verot Annual Fund is the foundation of the community support for our school, supporting such initiatives as technology enhancements, tuition assistance, and campus improvements. The campaign 8 | B&G Winter 2023/2024

asks for support from our Catholic community, alumni, current and former parents, and friends. Your gift of any amount may be designated to the area you are most passionate about or where it is needed most, the choice is yours. Every dollar donated to Bishop Verot is directly supporting our mission to build a community of faith and learning.

Endowed Scholarships The purpose of an endowment is to provide ongoing support for the current and future activities of Bishop Verot and its students. It is, therefore, a perpetual, self-sustaining source of permanent funding. Each year, a portion of the endowment’s earnings are paid out, while the principal is retained for future growth.

As a result, it is imperative the endowment grow its investment assets sufficient to support an annual spending stream of the endowment in perpetuity. The two key components required for the endowment to grow are new gifts and investment performance.

New funds are essential to the future of Verot. Please consider starting a fund in your alumni class.

Bishop Verot currently has 11 endowed scholarship funds valued at over $2.9 million, which provide over $100,000 in scholarships each year.

Carl Kistel Memorial Scholarship Fund - Est. 2000 Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS.

Rob Miller Memorial Scholarship Fund - Est. 2000 Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS. Jacob Alderman Memorial Scholarship Fund - Est. 2003 Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS. John and Mimi Hotchkiss Scholarship Fund - Est. 2004 Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS. Joseph Grabsch Scholarship Fund - Est. 2005

A Special Opportunity for Those 70 1/2 Years Old and Older You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as Bishop Verot, without having to pay income taxes on that money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference at Bishop Verot! This is a popular gift option and is commonly referred to as the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

Why Consider This Gift?

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Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference that your donation is making.

Dick Stahl Memorial Scholarship Fund - Est. 2008

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Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified incoming freshman from St. Francis Xavier Catholic School.

Beginning in the calendar year you turn 73, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD).

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You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.

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Since the gift does not count as income, it can reduce your annual income level! This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS.

Edward and Esther Kuss Memorial Scholarship Fund Est. 2010 Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS. Spirit of 1974 Scholarship Fund - Est. 2011 Income used to provide a scholarship for a well rounded, high performing qualified student.

Judy Springston Scholarship for the Arts - Est. 2014 A partial scholarship for a student wishing to focus on the Arts at BVHS. Diana D’Olica Scholarship Fund - Est. 2017 Income used to provide financial assistance for a qualified student to attend BVHS. Dr. Frederick W. Schaerf Neuroscience Scholarship Fund – Est. 2018 Income used to provide financial assistance for financially-needy students interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience.

A Tax-Saving Way to Help Bishop Verot See Your Generosity in Action Make a difference today and save on your taxes! It is possible when you support Bishop Verot through your IRA. “It is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving” - Mother Teresa

For Those 59 1/2 Years Old and Older If you’re at least 59 1/2 years old, you can take a distribution and then make a gift from your IRA without penalty. If you itemize your deductions, you can take a charitable deduction for the amount of your gift.

At Any Age No matter your age, you can designate Bishop Verot as the beneficiary of all or a percentage of your IRA, and it will pass to us tax-free after your lifetime. It is simple, just requiring youth contact your IRA administrator for a change-of-beneficiary form.

Next Steps 1.

Contact us at (239) 274-6788 or jordan.harmon@ bvhs.org and make us aware of your generous plans, so we can discuss supporting the mission of Bishop Verot!

2. Seek advice of your financial and/or legal advisor.

3. Let us know of the confirmation of your gift, so we can make sure to honor your intentions of the contribution.

4. Come back and see the impacts that your gift continues to make at Bishop Verot each and every day! BG BVHS.org | 9

House News

Bishop Verot’s Community – House System 6 Communities...

1 Family We are Verot!

“Community is at the heart of all Catholic education, not simply a concept to be taught, but as a reality to be lived.”

– St. John Paul II –

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Written by Mrs. Katie Schlotterbeck St. Cecilia Community Mentor

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uilding relationships and having fun, that’s what our Community/House system is all about! Relationships are integral to our lives, significantly impacting our emotional and our mental well-being. They provide us with support, love, and a sense of belonging. Our mission statement reminds us we are to educate the minds and hearts of all students in an innovative and communitycentered learning environment, preparing them for lives of faithful service to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Time together within our Community/House system allows us to do exactly that, creating space to build relationships through activities, friendly competition, and human connection.

Back in August, after a full day of Community/House Orientation, I sent the senior house leaders of St. Cecilia Houses the following note: “I know there is a learning curve and a lot of information right now, but I promise in no time at all, you will enjoy being a house leader, building lasting relationships, and most importantly, having fun! God picked us to work together to make your house and our community of

St. Cecilia the best. I am so excited for us. You all are amazing, and I am blessed to be on this journey with you.”

I received this quote shortly after, “The students in my House have developed a good chemistry within their group. There is strong participation in games and a good rapport between upper class leaders and the freshmen and sophomores.”

The Community of St. Clare celebrated their first Saint Feast Day on August 24th. Students in this community wore their green community shirts to recognize Saint Clare and to instill a sense of community among its members. Community gym days were introduced in September, where three games were rotated throughout the Houses. I’m not sure who had more fun, the students, the teacher mentors, or the senior leaders who led the games!

I think this quote says it best. “Our time in the gym was the best House time I think I have witnessed. Since I am a floater, I get to see different groups. The students were the most engaged in the games in the gym than I have seen in the classrooms.

It was much fun to watch them let loose and play with one another.”

House News Also in September, Juniors submitted leadership applications to be a leader in their respective houses. Speeches were given, elections were held, and now, our senior leaders have another person to help on house days. Sophomore and freshmen elections will be held in the second semester.

October brought trick or treating along with our annual Halloween parties. There was plenty of candy given out by the individual house and the students wore amazing costumes. The houses of the Community of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Teresa were able to spend time in the woodshop making weebles to give to others, demonstrating that a small gesture can make someone feel appreciated, cared for and loved.

November was a month that demonstrated service. Penny Wars was a way to raise money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Each community decorated a 5-gallon water bottle that represented their

community and in five days over $700 in change was collected. The Community of St. Augustine and the Community of St. Francis de Sales collected canned food for needy families in our area. Houses of St. Cecilia spent time in the chapel, led in a service of giving thanks by their senior community leader, Marissa Peck.

We couldn’t be more excited about our Community/House system and look forward to continuing to build relationships with one another and across our community. BG

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Coach Gill Plaza Dedication A

fter much anticipation (and a long construction process) the Coach Gill Plaza is complete!

In late October, a crowd of Coach Gill fans – including family, friends, Verot alumni, staff, and current students – gathered for the ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. Jeff Brown ’80, alum and previous Verot Director of Development served as Master of Ceremony, welcoming guests and sharing the vision and process of the project, which began under his leadership. Mrs. Suzie O’Grady also shared the impact Coach Gill has had on the Verot family for his more than 50 years as a teacher, coach, and mentor.

Looking across the crowd, Coach Gill shared stories of his time spent with many of the attendees – from old classroom stories to coaching on the football sidelines.

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Included in his expression of gratitude were the many people who had donated to the project, his two sons (also alums) with their families, and perhaps most touching, his wife, Pat, whom he met while at Verot.

“I don’t deserve this,” Gill said. “I don’t need my name up there. Bishop Verot has given me more in my tenure than I could ever repay. It is the people that make up the Viking nation; that’s what is impressive, all of you.”

The updated entry to Viking Stadium includes new lighting, signage, gates, and tables for fans to gather.

The project also included improvements to the drainage system and fencing for security. As our alumni return to campus for events in Viking Stadium please be sure to spend some time gathering in the Coach Gill Plaza.

Thank you so much to the many supporters who joined in the project’s vision and helped to make this possible.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams Mr. and Mrs. Alday Mr. and Mrs. Aloia Dr. and Mrs. John Ardesia Mrs. Christine Austin Mr. and Mrs. Avery Mrs. Joyce Barrentine Miss Skyler Bauer Dr. and Mrs. Jack Beaulieu Mr. and Mrs. Michael Beck Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Berlinger Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bobin Mr. and Mrs. Donald Boger Mr. Brian Bradley Mrs. Shannon Brander Ms. Erin Breen Mr. and Mrs. Donald Brooks Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Brown Mrs. Linda Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Lori Burton Mr. and Mrs. G. Keith Cary Mr. Charles and Mrs. Joanne Ciuni Dr. and Mrs. Michael Collier Mr. and Mrs. R. Cook Mr. Dustyn Corace Mr. and Mrs. Michael Corso Miss Mackenzie Crawford Dr. and Mrs. Robert Cross Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cull Mr. and Mrs. David Diamond Mr. Keith Durling and Ms. Elly Hagen Ms. Beth Durling Mr. and Mrs. Steve Dutton Mr. and Mrs. John Ebenger Mrs. Catherine Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Everett Mr. J. Michael Everett Ms. Tiffany Fairchild Ms. Alice Fletcher Mr. and Mrs. Steven Forbrick Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Gaines Mr. and Mrs. Robert Galloway Mr. John P. Gargano

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gill Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Gill Ms. Karen Globetti Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Gregg Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hafele Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hall Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hardin Mr. and Mrs. Greg Hartman Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Hatch Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Henry Dr. and Mrs. George Hoop Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hooper Mr. and Mrs. Charles Huether Mr. Mark Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Juan Iglesias Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Johnson Mr. Eugene Jones Mr. and Mrs. David Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Kiesel Mr. Jay Kilmartin Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kistel Mr. and Mrs. David Kistel Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knox Mr. and Mrs. Jon Lavender Ms. Abby J. Lavender Mrs. Anna Lavender Hall Dr. David Lind Mr. and Mrs. John Linden Ms. Regina Lombardo Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Luta Mr. and Mrs. Delano Mann Dr. and Mrs. Chris Marino Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Martin Mr. and Mrs. Tony Mast Ms.Elizabeth McNew Peters Mrs. Christina Mehta Mr. and Mrs. David Meyers Mr. and Mrs. Matt Miller Mrs. Cynthis Mitar Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Mark Muller Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nemeth

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Mr. David Neville Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Newman Mr. and Mrs. James Nolan Ms. Christine O'Brien Mr. and Mrs. Joan O'Connell Mr. and Mrs. David Owens Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Palmer Mr. Papp and Ms. Schreiber Mr. Mario Patrizi Ms. Frances Pioszak Mr. and Mrs. J. Terrence Porter Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pritchett Dr. and Mrs. Sharik Rathur Mr. Terence Ratican Mr. and Dr. Lawrence Rickert Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Roepstorff Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Roepstorff Mr. and Mrs. John Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Rose Mrs. Katie Schlotterbeck Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Schockling Mr. and Mrs. Grant Setzer Mrs. Amanda Smith Mr. and Mrs. Holly Smith Mr. and Mrs. Larry Snider Mr. and Mrs. August Sorenson Mr. and Mrs. Chris Speake Mr. and Mrs. William Stejskal Ms. Kimberly Stevens Drs. Douglas and Teresa Stevens Mr. John Stier

St. John XXIII Catholic Church

Fort Myers, FL | 239.561.2245 | www.johnxxiii.net

Showing our continued support of Catholic Education for

Bishop Verot High School The Parishioners at St. John XXIII are always praying for you. May God’s Word be the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path!

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Dr. Terry Sutton and Dr. Barry Hendon Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Strickland Mrs. Kathleen Suchora Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Suroski Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Sweeney Dr. and Mrs. TJ Tejera Mr. and Mrs. Gary Terwilliger Mr. and Mrs. George Thomson Mr. and Mrs. John Toggweiler Dr. and Mrs. William Truax Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Vecchie Mr. Ian Verhine Mr. and Mrs. Patric Verrone Mrs. Anna-Marie Waller Mr. and Mrs. Ross Webb Mrs. Sarah Whitaker Mr. and Mrs. Gordon White Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Zell Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Zielke Mr. and Mrs. David Zukin Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Estate Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance R.S. Walsh Landscaping Inc. Taylor Carpet One Coralwood Village Moble Home Park Owens Ames Kimball Company Zavada's Renegades Sportswear The Humann Family Foundation St. Columbkille Parish Edison National Bank

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A Dream Coe True “I am either going to be on Broadway or the Theater teacher at Bishop Verot”

Cinderella was Lisa’s most challenging show as a director but also happens to be one of her favorite shows along with The Addams Family.

– Lisa (Stevens) Clark ’07

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isa believes where she is now, as Theater Director, is the culmination of her whole life – she is doing exactly what she loves in the place that means so much to her family. Not only is Verot her alma mater, she shares the experience with her two sisters and her mom.

In high school there were two things Lisa loved – volleyball and performing. Her favorite production was Lil Abner, where she played a leading role her sophomore year, under the direction of her predecessor, Celeste Day. After graduation, Lisa set off for the University of Florida where she majored in Vocal Performance and minored in Music and Theater. When a position opened for a music teacher at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School during her senior year of college, she decided to give it a try. Her passion for theater was challenged with her first directing role for the Wizard of Oz. The cast was made up of 98 school children from 4th to 8th grades. The following year she also directed Annie, Jr. In 2014, she took another step closer to her goal of Verot Theater teacher as she joined the faculty as a Theology teacher. Not long after, Lisa found herself leading the Performing Arts Department. Her first production back on the Anderson Theater stage was Bye, Bye Birdie.

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Over the course of the past ten years, Lisa’s vision has come to life with the addition of Acting, Technical Theater, and Musical Theater classes. She also directs both the performing choir and church choir. In 2019, she started the International Thespians Honor Society, Troupe 6159, giving students more opportunities to perform. They compete both locally and state-wide with actors and actresses adjudicated on their monologues, skits, and

costume design. This spring, the troupe will travel to New York City for a working field trip on Broadway. Students will take back-stage tours, visit the Broadway Museum, spend two full days in Broadway workshops, and see two Broadway shows.

Sanibel Island • Ft. Myers Beach St. Pete Pier • Jungle Terrace St. Pete

�e Original Yucatan Shrimp

“For the sun-kissed & sun-desirous alike, a vacation on a plate.” www.DocFords.com “I want to create opportunities for students to perform while keeping a welcoming, family feel that’s inclusive of everyone.”

Building lasting relationships is important to Lisa. In addition to welcoming alumni back to the Verot for performances, she also holds an annual theater picnic for alumni to stay connected.

If you have not had a chance to check out a performance lately, please join is in March for Mary Poppins. It promises to be another fantastic show! BG

AN ORIGINAL

FLORIDA FISH HOUSE!

www.DixieFishFMB.com

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Catolics in Action C

atholics in Action Club or CIA continues to grow with each new school year. The mission of the club, much like the mission of Bishop Verot, is to strengthen relationships, both with one another and with Jesus Christ, through fellowship and service.

The club held their first Life Teen Night of the school year, inviting students to join together in the theater for movie night and discussion.

As we head into second semester, students are preparing for their annual trip to Washington D.C. to participate in the March for Life as well as the many events surrounding the march. A small group will also represent the Diocese of Venice and Bishop Catholic High School at Catholic Days at the Capitol in February. BG

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r e t n i W 2023

c i t e l h t A e d i Gu BVHS.org | 19

Basketball 2023 Boys Varsity Basketball Team

Varsity Head Coach

Matt Herting

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Matt Herting is in his 25th year as the Head Basketball Coach at Bishop Verot.

Prior to coming to Verot, Coach Herting was the head coach at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas for three years. Coach Herting has a career coaching record of 466-297. While at Bishop Verot, he has led the Vikings to nine District Championships, six Elite 8’s, and one Final Four. His 17 Play-off victories are the most by any coach in SW Florida history. Coach Herting is also the longest tenured and winningest active boys’ basketball coach in Southwest Florida. He has coached 42 college players including 19 at the NCAA Division One level. He is a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls (SD) and has a Master’s Degree from Mississippi State University. Coach Herting has two children, Kody (‘14) and Ali (‘17).

He is married to Jill Jansen and lives in Fort Myers.

Basketball Assistant Coach

Greg Coleman

Assistant Coach

Jeff Rehm

Not pictured: Arthur Cedeno, Assistant Coach

2023 Boys Varsity Basketball Team Roster Jerry Ashley Mark Brazely Bo Brooke Bryan Broomhead Alex Cameron – Senior Tony Cedeno

Brayden Fairchild – Senior Jack Janeway – Senior Grant Juda – Senior Ryan Peterson Tyler Reeder Grant Rockwell

Jake Rodriguez Owen Rodriguez – Senior Leroy Roker – Senior Dominic Torres Gavin Williams

SAINT COLUM)3KILLE , I

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Loovee Briings Peeoplee Toogether - Chariity Briings Chriisttians Toogether As Catholics, we are called to live our Christian faith every day.

Good education is an essential part of learning to live our faith.

Catholic churches and Catholic schools work together for the Kingdom of God.

Father Lorenzo Gonzalez For anyone looking for God, they are welcomed, accepted, loved and respected here at St. Columbkille Catholic Parish.

12171 Iona Road, Ft. Myers, FL- 239-489-3973 - www.stcolumbkille.com BVHS.org | 21

Basketball 2023 Boys Varsity Basketball Team Seniors Basketball

Alex Cameron

Basketball

Grant Juda

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Basketball

Brayden Fairchild

Basketball

Owen Rodriguez

Basketball

Jake Janeway

Basketball

Leroy Roker

Basketball 2023 Boys JV Basketball Team

JV Head Coach

Jeff Rehm

2023 Boys JV Basketball Team Roster Mark Brazley Cayden Clark Jude Farese Hugh Hyndman Deshon Jenkins Brayden Lurie Carson Ringsmuth Ricky Swift Macrae Thompson Andrew Torres Nick Tuffo Preston Wallace Mason Wells

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Basketball 2023 Freshman Basketball Team

Not pictured: Isreal Valentine, Head Coach

2023 Freshman Basketball Team Roster Lem Baptiste Bryson Colyer Liam Datz Robeson Duclona Cedric Francois Aaden George Devin German

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Gavin Kane Ricky Magallanes Ricky Swift Makhai Victor Mason Wells Ethan Yhlen

Basketball 2023 Girls Varsity Basketball Team

Alissa Schenk is in her second season as Head Coach for the Girls Basketball team. Last year, they finished the season 16-10 and were 3A District 12 Champions. She was also voted the FACA Coach of the Year in District 12. Prior to coaching at Verot, she worked as an Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Coach for four years at the professional level with the Las Vegas Aces, and at the collegiate level with Texas Christian University (TCU). Some of her other working stints include stops at Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Syracuse University, and Florida Atlantic Alissa Schenkis University. She was also the Athletic Trainer at Bishop Verot High School for the 2016-2017 school year. Currently, she is the Assistant Athletic Director and Director of Transportation at Bishop Verot. She was a four-year letterman in Basketball at Evansville Mater Dei and was a first team all-conference selection. She was also voted top 100 senior girls and one of the “Best Starting Five Since 2000” at her Alma Mater. Schenk is originally from St. Philip, Indiana.

Varsity Head Coach

JV Head Coach

Samantha Ramirez

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Basketball 2023 Girls Varsity Basketball Team Roster Ambrielle Calixte Josee Fry Cameron O’Halloran Gwen Pfleger Sofia Roman

2023 Girls Varsity Basketball Team Senior Basketball

Brynn Stambaugh Dayde Stambaugh Margaret Swift Desirae Wallace – Senior Caroline Ward

Desirae Wallace

2023 Girls JV Basketball Team

2023 Girls JV Basketball Team Roster Annabelle Calvo Sarah Engel Ryane Johnson Emma Kramer 26 | B&G Fall 2023/2024

Gwen Pfleger Dayde Stambaugh Savannah Truax

Soccer 2023 Boys Varsity Soccer Team

Varsity Head Coach

Coach Danny Vazquez is in his third season as Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Soccer team. Coach Danny Vazquez joins Verot Soccer after spending three years coaching in Northern California. During those three years, Danny worked with a variety of levels, ages U5 to U18, both boys and girls with organizations such as Livermore Fusion SC, Moreau Catholic HS, and CalNorth Olympic Development Program (ODP). He is excited to further the development of the Verot Boys soccer program.

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

Danny Vasquez

Not pictured: Acelya Aydogmus, Assistant Coach

Diego Barreto

Erik Gomez

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Soccer 2023 Boys Varsity Soccer Roster Anthony Becker Peyton Bender – Senior Raul Blandon Gabriel Cunha Jayden Danis Marcus Esposito Jack Fish Ryan Gadson – Senior Jack Helgemo – Senior Jeremy Huffman Tyler Kerr Ty Kolaczynski Logan Lampitt Dylan Lukosaitis Nathan Matias Andres Monge Von Schwierking Vincent Tarquino Brody Wilson

2023 Boys Varsity Soccer Team Seniors Soccer

Peyton Bender 28 | B&G Fall 2023/2024

Soccer

Jack Helgemo

Soccer 2023 Boys JV Soccer Team

JV Head Coach

Erik Gomez

2023 Boys JV Soccer Roster Brady Albrecht Vance Byrd Matthew Daquino Dylan Gonczy Nathan Hewitt Matthew Huff Jeremy Huffman Nicholas Jorgenson Colton Lamb Samuel Meyers Jayden Ramirez Vincent Tarquino Teagan Tracey

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Soccer 2023 Girls Varsity Soccer Team

2023 Girls Varsity Soccer Team Roster Lily Bobin – Senior Chloe Brown – Senior Alexis Crisman Lila Dinkel Kylie Dutton – Senior Gianna Fabrizi Jillian Haataja Ava Irion – Senior Piper Kelleher – Senior Jordan Mikolajski – Senior

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Alyvia Mueller Lillian Murnane – Senior Katherine Pelkofski Caroline Pelkofski Gianna Perry Ava Rogers Jaida Schwartz – Senior Lea Scotti Lindsey Walsh – Senior

Soccer Varsity Head Coach

Acelya Aydogmus

Assistant Coach

Robert Irion

Acelya Aydogmus is in her first season as Head Coach for the Varsity Girls Soccer team, after a season serving as an assistant coach for the boys soccer program. After serving as goalie for Mariner High School she went on to play collegiately at Division 1 Northwestern University and Troy University. She holds four records at NSU including most career shutouts, most consecutive shutouts, most shutouts in a single-season, and best goals against average. Coach Aydogmus has extensive coaching experience as well, including the Goalkeeper Director for the Cape Coral Cyclones, head coach for the Cyclones U18/19 Girls Soccer team, and assistant coach for the Cyclones U8 Girls team.

Assistant Coach

Lauren Lockard

Assistant Coach

Christine Mastandrea

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Soccer 2023 Girls Varsity Soccer Team Seniors Soccer

Soccer

Chloe Brown

Lily Bobin

Soccer

Ava Irion

Soccer

Lillian Murnane Not pictured: Kylie Dutton 32 | B&G Fall 2023/2024

Soccer

Piper Kelleher

Soccer

Jaida Schwartz

Soccer

Jordan Mikolajski

Soccer

Lindsey Walsh

Dance 2023 Varsity Dance Team

2023 Varsity Dance Team Roster Caylee Boeder Celia DeMartino Nora Drake Hailey Fischer Sophia Gebara Bailey Joslin Aliza Litvak – Senior

Makayla Mitchell Camilla Motley Janinalee Plancher Rebekah Porter Casey Sackman Isa Scala Kate Wilson

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Dance Varsity Head Coach

Kelly Metevia

Coach Kelly Metevia is in her fifth season as Head Coach of the Dance Program. Kelly grew up outside of Detroit and has been dancing since she was 7 years old at a local studio. From there, she was a member of her high school dance team and a 3-year varsity letter recipient. Her senior year, the team was ranked top 10 in the nation. After high school, she made the dance team at Central Michigan University and enjoyed cheering the Chippewas to victory at football and basketball games. The Verot Dance Team has had a great time performing at halftime of football games, basketball games and school events. The team also enters competitions and placed in the top 5 in the hip hop category in the 2022 regional competition. Kelly is excited to see the dance program at Verot grow each year.

2023 Varsity Dance Team Senior Competitive Dance

Aliza Litvak

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Varsity Assistant Coach

Kristi

Dance 2023 JV Dance Team

2023 JV Dance Team Roster McKenna Biehl Samantha Caraccia Dylan Cobian Amanda Dente Flavia Hernandez Dylan Kendrick Sophie Lewis Ela Vatthyam

BVHS.org | 35

Wrestling 2023 Boys Wrestling Team

2023 Boys Wrestling Team Roster Arya Agarwal Justin Antonelli Jack Benaitis Sean Cameron Alejandro Carbonell Peter Ciano Manuel Colon Gabriel Cruz Joseph Day Solomon Edwards Dashiell Fu – Senior Noah Hegi-Jones Cael Horton – Senior Renn Horton Mario Jacome 36 | B&G Fall 2023/2024

Mikhail Keenan Ty Martinez Preston Moyer Eddie Nolan – Senior Broderick Norris – Senior Javier Paredes Tiago Passos Daniel Perez Vincent Raphael – Senior Niko Richmond – Senior Ethan Swanson Bennett Sweitzer Hudson Sweitzer Abraham Vasquez Lorenzo Vasquez

Wrestling 2023 Girls Wrestling Team

2023 Girls Wrestling Team Roster Lainey Hooper Anna Lesniak Marison Manrique-Beltram Kenna Martinez – Senior Kendall Sullivan – Senior Isabella Tarquino Gabriella Vasquez – Senior Not pictured – Kenna Martinez

BVHS.org | 37

Wrestling Wrestling Head Coach Coach Gerry Braun is in his second year as Head Coach of the Wrestling program. He brings 17 years of coaching experience to Verot, having coached 97 state qualifiers, 44 state pacers, 6 state champions, and 5 AllAmericans. Coach Braun also started the wrestling program at Gateway HS and in its 1st year the team went 18-10 in duals, had 9 Regional qualifiers and 2 State qualifiers. Coach Braun began his coaching career in Georgia after graduating from Anderson College (SC), where he was a NCAA national Qualifier. Coach Braun has also been a 5-time national team coach for Team Georgia and Team Florida.

Gerry Braun

Wrestling Asst Coach

Dave Manzi

Not pictured: Assistant Coach Chris Latagne 38 | B&G Fall 2023/2024

Wrestling 2023 Wrestling Team Seniors Wrestling

Wrestling

Cael Horton

Eddie Nolan

Wrestling

Wrestling

Wrestling

Niko Richmond

Vincent Raphael

Broderick Norris

Wrestling

Kendall Sullivan

Wrestling

Gabriella Vasquez Not pictured: Dashiell Fu and Kenna Martinez BVHS.org | 39

Girls Weightlifting 2023 Girls Weightlifting Team

Head Coach

Kyle Harding

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Kyle Harding is in his first season as the Head Coach for Girls Weightlifting. Kyle has a diverse background, having worked in the medical field prior to transitioning to coaching and teaching. He is also in his second year on the Verot faculty as a member of the Science Department. He and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Cape Coral with their five-year old daughter.

Assistant Coach

Dave Villegas

Girls Weightlifting 2023 Girls Weightlifting Team Roster Sara Barrise – Senior Payton Breadmore Isabella Bruggeman-Munoz Abigail Goff Lainey Hooper Crimson Lawrence Anna Lesniak Kenna Martinez – Senior Melanie Moreno

Rosalie Riley Addison Slaybaugh Kendall Sullivan – Senior Shiloh Teeter Alexalys Torres Samntha Traiger – Senior Tianna Wolfson

2023 Girls Weightlifting Team Seniors Weightlifting

Sara Barrise

Weightlifting

Kendall Sullivan

Not pictured: Kenna Martinez and Samantha Traiger

BVHS.org | 41

Alumni Sports

DEAGLAN CAMRON ʼ23

KENDAL GARGIULA '22

Camron was the starting kicker during his freshman season at Mount Union, one of the best NCAA Division III programs in the nation. Camron made 12 field goals during his first season of college football, and helped the Purple Raiders to an undefeated regular season. Camron, who also handled kickoff duties for Mount Union, drilled a season-long 44 yard field goal to end the first half in a national tournament game against Alma.

FGCU’s women’s soccer program returned to the NCAA Tournament this season, and Gargiula was a major reason why. Gargiula scored eight goals during her sophomore season, including four game-winning goals during FGCU’s 12-5-5 campaign. Following the season, the sophomore was named a First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Region selection, as well as an ASUN AllTournament Team pick.

MADISON THOMAS ʼ22

JAELIN WILLIS ʼ21

Thomas’ first season running cross country at Ave Maria was a successful one, as the sophomore helped the Gyrenes to a conference runner-up finish in the NAIA Sun Conference. Thomas, who contributed to Ave Maria’s team score consistently throughout the season, ran the conference championship course in a personal record of 24:37.1, finishing in 15th place and nearly earning AllConference recognition.

In his three seasons at Keiser, Willis has been one of the best defensive players in all of NAIA football. The junior became the school's alltime leading tackler during the 2023 season, where he logged 77 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss. The 2021 Verot grad forced seven fumbles during the season, which saw Keiser win The Sun Conference title. Willis was selected as an All-American for the second season in a row, and helped the Seahawks to the national championship game.

mount union football

ave maria cross country

42 | B&G Winter 2023/2024

fgcu soccer

keiser football

Alumni Sports

JOSIE BRAVO ʼ21

MARC TAGLIERI ʼ20

Playing in her second season for the NCAA Division III member, Bravo appeared in eleven matches and 38 total sets for the Battling Bishops. Bravo ended the season with 82 total digs, averaging more than two per set. She had at least ten digs in each of her final four appearances, including 12 digs each, a career high, in matches against Southern Virginia, Brevard, and Methodist.

Taglieri had the best of his four seasons at Bryant, recording career highs in catches and receiving yards. The tight end pulled down touchdown receptions in games against Long Island and Charleston Southern, both of which were Bryant victories. The senior recorded at least one catch in more than half of the Bulldogs’ games, including three contests - against Rhode Island, Robert Morris, and Eastern Illinois - where he recorded multiple catches.

north carloina wesleyan volleyball

JOSLYN MIRA ʼ19

bryant football

JOE MERA ʼ18

tusculum football

samford football

Mira had an outstanding senior season at Tusculum, an NCAA Division II member in Tennessee. The defensive lineman ended the season with a career-high 42 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss and four sacks.

His best game of the season came in an October matchup with Emory & Henry, where he finished with six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass deflection. Mira helped the Pioneers to a conference championship game and a winning record in 2023.

Joe Mera concluded his college football career with an outstanding fifth season at Samford. The graduate student played all eleven games for the Bulldogs, ending the season with 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Mera had at least one tackle in nine of eleven games, and finished his Samford career with 116 total tackles. He also made an impact on special teams, helping to key a victory over VMI in October with a 35 yard run on a fake punt.

BVHS.org | 43

Alumni Association - Staying Connected

It was great to see a few alumni join us at Millennial Brewing for the annual Ugly Sweater Alumni Gathering in December.

We also had a couple of special alumni join us in Viking Stadium recently - Daniel Vogelbach ’11 of the New York Mets and Thad Ward ’15 of the Washington Nationals came out to support our current Viking athletes.

And finally, we are grateful for the alumni who continue to support Bishop Verot through the attendance at our many fundraising events. This fall, we welcomed some familiar faces joining the fun at the Champions Club Golf Tournament.

As classes begin planning for the 2024 Class Reunions, we would invite you to consider Homecoming Weekend for your events. It is a great way to reconnect with your high school and kick-off the weekend celebrations. The dates for next year will be set in late Spring.

Please also be sure to follow the new Bishop Verot Alumni Association Facebook page (even if you have already done so – the page has been updated). Our new Assistant Director of Special Events, Donor and Alumni Relations is working hard to connect with our alumni and Facebook is a great resource. Please also consider updating your contact information at bvhs.org. BG 44 | B&G Winter 2023/2024

Alumni News

ZACH RYAN '04 Zach has recently taken on the Executive Director role at the SL24 UnLocke the Light Foundation. Sean Locke, who wore #24, was a University of Delaware basketball player who took his own life in 2018. Since his death, his friends and family created SL24 UnLocke the Light to educate, assist, and support youth on their mental health journey. Zach, and his wife, Maggie, are expecting their first child in February. The family resides in Wilmington, Delaware.

MICHAEL MATTIA '07 Michael and Allison Weinstein were married on October 21, 2022 at Disney World’s Wedding Pavilion in Orlando, Florida. The couple currently resides in Rockville Centre, New York, where they are preparing for the arrival of their first child in April 2024.

ROBERT DEMATTIA '08 Robert was advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer on September 29th, 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany. Throughout his 14 years of service in the United States Navy, he has completed tours of duty in Honolulu, Hawaii, Tampa, Florida, two tours of duty in Manama, Bahrain, and Norfolk, Virginia and is currently assigned to US Special Operations Command, Africa, in Stuttgart, Germany. He completed a deployment to Shindand, Afghanistan in 2012 and a deployment aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) to the Middle East in 2019. Additionally, in April 2023, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Arts in History from American Military University graduating with Cum Laude honors.

AMANDA HIGGINS '16 Amanda graduated from Barry University School of Law in May 2023. After passing the bar, she has accepted a position with the State Attorney Office, working with Amira Fox.

BRENDA SANTAMARIA '16 Brenda and Michael Bastberg are excited to announce their engagement. The couple is planning a January 2025 wedding. Brenda recently accepted a position as Assistant Property Manager for Hudson Properties. The couple resides in Pennsylvania.

BVHS.org | 45

School News

Senior Athletic Signing Celebrations A number of our senior-athletes have signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Jason Bello - USF - baseball Morgan Franklin - Samford - golf Maddix Simpson - Ohio State - baseball Owen Rodriguez - Wingate - lacrosse Matthew Moreno - Barry University - baseball Curtis Couillard - Union College - baseball Marissa Peck - Spring Hill - beach volleyball Leroy Roker - The Ohio State - football Timmy Lawson - U of North Carolina - football/baseball Parker Turner - Air Force Academy - football

Football Team Serves at Nursing Home The Bishop Verot Football team took some time off from practice for an afternoon of service. Highpoint at Cape Coral, a senior living facility, recently held a tailgate for their residents with the Verot players serving up hotdogs, burgers, and smiles. It was a great opportunity to serve, share stories and bring lots of joy to the residents.

46 | B&G Winter 2023/2024

School News Vikings for Heroes Club With over 60,000 Veterans in Lee County, the goal of Vikings for Heroes is to serve the community of heroes in our area and beyond. They recognize the importance of their service to our country, and hope to inspire others through their support.

So far this school year, Vikings for Heroes have participated in events both honoring and serving our veteran community. In September, with the help of the National Honor Society, members welcomed home veterans from Honor Flight. Honor Flight is a national organization transporting veterans to Washington D.C.

to honor and celebrate their service and sacrifice to our great nation. NHS members were able to provide a letter for every veteran attending this flight during mail call and our members were waiting at RSW to welcome them home from their flight. Numerous times throughout the year, members visit the VA clinic to assist with the bi-monthly food bank. Members visit with veterans, help them gather needed supplies, and assist them to their vehicles. Finally, they held a fundraiser this fall, allowing them to donate over $1,000 to help fund the Holiday 4 Heroes project, the Brotherhood of Heroes, and Salty Pirate Charter. The Holiday 4 Heroes project provides care packages to the homeless veteran population in Lee County, Salty Pirate Charters offers veterans full-day excursions, and the Brotherhood of Heroes is committed to helping first responders, both active-duty and veteran military personnel, and their families in the Cape Coral area.

Special Populations Thanksgiving Celebration Members of the National Honor Society hosted young people from the City of Cape Coral Special Populations for a fun afternoon of Thanksgiving celebrations.

Participants enjoyed a game of pin the feather on the turkey, decorated their own turkeys, and enjoyed some holiday treats. These times together mean as much to our students as it does to the participants and we are thankful for the blessing of this program! BG

BVHS.org | 47

Verot Arts

Showcasing Artistic Talent Through COLLABORATION Written by Mrs. Stacey Elmeer

B

ishop Verot’s Performing Arts offers an opportunity for the actors, actresses, singers and musicians to shine. They can shine a little brighter with the help of Verot’s Fine Arts Department.

Collaboration is at the forefront of education, encouraging our students to work together and understand the value of teamwork. This year’s presentation of Little Women exemplified this, giving purpose to artists both on and off the stage.

Coach Mike Gill believes in the importance of building things with your hands. The sense of accomplishment, typically followed by a smile and the sharing of a gift, be it a tall wooden Christmas tree or a toy truck, is something that he has promoted in his woods class for fifty years. Not only does he encourage

48 | B&G Winter 2023/2024

his students to make portable gifts, but he also generously gives of his carpentry talents when he and his students collaborate with Mrs. Clark to craft her stage sets for all of the Verot plays and musicals. This Fall’s production of Little Women was no exception. The show involved over forty students, teachers, and alumni who pooled their talents in stagecraft, tech, lighting, photography, stage make-up, choreography, and graphic design to add even more professional polish to the burgeoning theater program led

by Mrs. Lisa Clark.

Based off of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868, autobiographical work, Little Women, the play highlighted the talents of eight seniors in the show, onstage and behind the scenes.

Former AP Art Student, Taylor Copeland, used her artistic abilities to create character posters after studying pages in Alcott’s book based on each family member.

Taylor also designed the t-shirts and posters for the play, as well as the paint detailing on the March home set. Photography teacher, Stephen Hayford photographed each character in costume so that their portraits could adorn the stage wall of the March family home. Lea Gusmano carefully planned makeup for Caycie Chitwood’s character, Marmee, so that she looked older in Act 2, and she worked to turn Sarah Burns into a convincing “hag.”

Livia Kiszka used her artistic talents

to apply the makeup for a range of characters in the cast, while Ellie Bonds followed the careful cues that gave the lighting a personality of its own. Andrew Pino and Ellianna Trunkett trained on a professional sound board to be able to mix the sound appropriately for each performance. Hannah Cruz and Nora Drake choreographed and taught some of the dancing scenes throughout the show, as did Carlyn Kelly and Hazel Tracey. The bonds built in the Verot Theater Program this fall strengthen our students’ understanding of what it means to truly collaborate, and even former graduates returned to offer their skills. Verot Alum, Grace Greco, Class of '23, returned to photograph her old friends and revisit the stage where she formed so many fond memories. BG

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