asst. director of special eventsdonor & alumni relations
Crystal Melton crystal.melton@bvhs.org
athletic director
Greg Coleman greg.coleman@bvhs.org
sports editor
Ryan Murphy ’10 mtxemurphy@gmail.com
creative director
April Bordeaux april@ABdesignerd.com
advertising information
Patty Holmes patty.holmes@bvhs.org
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.
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.
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.
Recognized by Apple
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!
We welcomed a record 225 freshmen into the Verot family this fall with all the expected traditions – FISH Camp, Freshman Retreat, and an exciting fall season filled with plenty of opportunities to get involved. The Fall Athletic season has also kicked off strong with several teams having regional and even state competitions in their sights. Check out all our fall athletes beginning on page 17. Celebrating our alumni is as important as celebrating our current students. That includes Ryan Murphy ’10 on the cover. Ryan began announcing at games and events while a student here and has continued for the past 14 years. Read about how he has impacted the Verot family with his talents on page 10. Along with Ryan, you can also see how some of alumni athletes are doing on page 49 (also written by Ryan).
The Catholics in Action Club members spent some time growing their faith at a Catholic summer camp, Camp Veritas, and encountered some Verot alums who volunteered their time at the camp (page 12). This very active club is busy welcoming new members and planning for the school year ahead.
The Community/House System has kicked off the school year strong, introducing a larger leadership team. On page 8 you can meet this year’s team as well as learn some of the plans they have to make a difference in our community. This fall, juniors will begin the application and voting process for a house leadership role. Junior leaders then join their senior leader mentors for the remainder of the year preparing for them for a smooth transition for the next school year.
As always, we invite you to join us for one of the many events we have on campus. The fall play, Christmas concert, or any of the sporting events are a great way to experience the Verot of today. The sense of community you remember remains strong – it is just different here!
Enjoy this edition,
Missio n 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 we begin this new school year, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the record enrollment we are experiencing at Bishop Verot and the hope of another great year ahead. Your continued support and commitment to our school community have made this possible, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our alumni and returning families, as well as a welcome to all our new families.
As with any year where we have experienced a growth in our student population, we have been blessed to welcome several new members to the Bishop Verot Faculty and Staff. One new member I am especially pleased to introduce is our new Director of Advancement, Jeff Blair. Jeff joins us with a wealth of experience and a vision for leading Verot into the future. His leadership will be instrumental in strengthening our community and enhancing our campus facilities and the programs we offer.
Faith continues to be a cornerstone of our community, and we are proud to share that nearly 60 students attended Live Jesus 60, the first Live Jesus Retreat of the school year. Like many of our alumni who attended Live Jesus during their time at Verot, this experience deepens our students’ faith and brings them closer to their classmates and most importantly, closer to God. We have once again kicked off the school year with great enthusiasm through the success of our fall athletic programs. It has been wonderful to see our student-athletes competing with spirit and determination, embodying the values we hold dear.
On the academic front, our students continue to outscore their public school counterparts on their AP Exams and other standardized tests, which is evidenced with the 10 Vikings in the Class of 2025 being recognized as National Merit Scholars this year. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments!
Lastly, I invite you to join us for our upcoming Fall Play, Peter and the Starcatcher, in the Anderson Theater November 14-19, 2024 where Lisa (Stevens) Clark ’07 will lead a talented group of students who have been working diligently to bring this production to life.
As we embark on another school year together, we are committed to remaining focused on our mission: 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.
Thank you for being a vital part of the Bishop Verot family. I look forward to a fantastic year ahead!
Blessings,
Mrs. Suzie O'Grady
Mrs. Suzie O’Grady Principal
Original Yucatan Shrimp
“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.
Letter from the Director of Development
Dear Bishop Verot Community,
It is with great enthusiasm that I begin this incredible journey with Bishop Verot Catholic High School as the new Director of Advancement. With 10+ years of leadership experience in the non- profit sector, I have taken pride in dedicating my time to fostering a culture of giving and creating an environment where growth and stability thrive. My commitment to developing a clear vision and investing in the community have been the building blocks that have helped shape my career, particularly during my decade-long tenure as the former Director of Advancement at Evangelical Christian School (Fort Myers, FL).
My leadership philosophy will continue to be grounded in my faith and cultivating strong relationships, which has proven to inspire generosity and advance long-term sustainability. As I continue to embrace the vision of Bishop Verot, my priority will be to create an engaging and infectious environment that will support our mission of providing an exceptional faithbased education.
Along with my wife Deborah, I reside in Fort Myers with my two children, MacKenzie, a recent graduate of West Virginia University, and Logan, a junior at FGCU. When not working, I enjoy playing pickleball and spending time outdoors.
As we move forward, united in faith and purpose, I want to express my gratitude for this opportunity to be part of the Bishop Verot family.
For the VIKINGS!
Jeff Blair
Jeff Blair Director of Advancement
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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 –
Anew school year always starts out with great excitement and this includes the introduction of the new leadership team for the communities. As with all things at Verot, the Community/House System is evolving and improving each year as we continue to look for fresh ideas to continue to make the program the best it can be. This year, that means the leadership team, or Core 8 as they were called, has grown to the Core 14 – 2 leaders per community and 2 heads of family. These 14 seniors are charged with leading their community under the guidance of their community mentor staff member. Their leadership responsibilities include mentoring house leaders, making the most out of their weekly house meetings, organizing service projects, implementing plans to compete in the Community Competitions, and creating bonds of friendship throughout their communities.
Ty Kolaczynski
mentor Denise York, St. Francis DeSales
Czesty Ambroise with mentor Amy Furrer, and Head of Family Maddon McDonald.
Ana
The school year will end with the awarding of the Viking Cup – the coveted award for the community with the most points. Competitions include sporting community shirts on assigned days, coming out in force for sporting events in a show of support of fellow community members, service projects, and other competitions designed to encourage group participation and pride in community. This fall, each house was charged with decorating the door of their meeting space – identifying patron saints and house members – all in their community color. Students really stepped up showing great creativity in their design and implementation. We look forward to seeing what’s up next!
Some of the goals of the leadership team for this school year include increased student participation, an increase in leadership applications, and winning competitions! Many communities have also begun plans for service projects including a repeat performance of the Penny Wars and a shoe drive. BG
Head of Family Sonny Tokohama, St. Cecilia leaders Ryan Peterson and Anna Lesniak with mentor Katie Schlotterbeck, St. Augustine leaders Bobby Leckler and Charlotte Hildebrand with mentor Alessandra Giordano, St. Francis of Assisi leader Kayla Nichols (not pictured - leader Lainey Hooper and mentor Stuart Westran), St. Clare leaders Aubrey White and Sofia Roman with mentor Anna Benitiez, St. Teresa leaders Harrison Kaminsky and
with
leaders
Cerna and
Spotlight on Ryan “Murph" Murphy, Class of 2010: A TRUE VIKING AT HEART
Since his graduation in 2010, Ryan “Murph” Murphy has remained a staple of Bishop Verot athletics, embodying dedication and loyalty to his alma mater. While balancing his demanding role as the Assistant Commissioner of the River States NAIA Conference, Murph selflessly volunteers his time as the “defacto” Sports Information Director for Bishop Verot. His passion for Verot athletics has made him an integral part of our community, from the press box to the sidelines.
Murph wears many hats within our athletic department. He serves as the public address announcer for volleyball, basketball, and baseball games, and he keeps track of every moment as a statistician for both football and baseball. His deep connection to Verot is unmatched, and he truly is the Vikings’ biggest fan. When asked what motivates him to stay so involved with Verot, Ryan shares, “My time at Bishop Verot gave me so many opportunities and experiences that helped to propel me forward in my life and my career. I feel an obligation, as long as I have the ability, to give as many Verot students that same experience. I want them to leave this place feeling the same way I do - that no matter how much time passes or how far they go, Verot will always be home.”
A proud graduate of the University of Iowa, where he earned a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Murph’s love for sports and storytelling shines through in his commitment to Verot. His involvement extends beyond the field—he’s an active member of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, even serving as the master of ceremonies for the event. He also serves as our athletics historian – keeping track of all the Verot alumni who have continued their athletic careers far beyond Bishop Verot, as contributor for the Alumni Sports News article in this magazine. Around campus, you can find him contributing to graduation and Spellamania planning, DJing pep rallies, and lending a hand as the Assistant Director of the annual Holiday Hoopfest boys’ basketball tournament. While Ryan has been part of so many monumental moments, his greatest memory is from his time as a student. “The defining moment had to be Verot’s trip to the Final Four in boys basketball in 2009, my junior year. It was, and still is, Verot’s only ever regional
championship in boys basketball. What made it so special was that nearly 600 students got on buses and travelled to Lakeland for the Final Four game. It blew away everyone from the FHSAA, and was truly a testament to the Verot community.”
Murph’s dedication is an inspiration to all. His tireless work and unwavering love for Verot remind us all of what it means to be a Viking for life. Thank you, Murph, for being the heart of Bishop Verot athletics and for your endless contributions to our school community. We are forever grateful. BG
Catholics in Action
The mission of the Catholics in Action Club, much like the mission of Bishop Verot, is to strengthen relationships, both with one another and with Jesus Christ, through fellowship and service.
After last summer’s very successful experience at a Catholic summer camp, many students were looking for another opportunity. Camp Veritas is a week-long Catholic summer camp for students in grades 7-12 and
is held in Lake Placid, Florida. Accompanied by CIA Moderator and Director of Religious Activities, Mark Latell, 25 students made their way to the center of the state for an action and faith-filled adventure. They were met by a number of alumni who serve as volunteers at the camp, including John, Nick and Vinnie Gargano and Gabby Vasquez. BG
Plans for this school year include movie nights on campus, attending the
and fundraising for their annual pilgrimage to Washington D.C. for the March for Life.
This fall, a group of students traveled to Ave Maria University for the Ave Maria Experience. This one-day event included sitting in on a class, talking with students about their experience, a campus tour, and the celebration of Mass in the Oratory.
Diocesan Youth Rally,
New Faculty & Staff
2024-2025 Welcome5
Adam Childs
Adam Childs joins the Verot staff this year after teaching the last 18 years in the public school system. Adam began his career in Indiana teaching both middle school and high school for five years. He then moved to Tennessee where he taught and served as the Head Baseball Coach at Warren County High School for six years. Adam and his family continued their way south, moving to Florida in 2017. He taught at South Fort Myers High School for four years before moving to Cape Coral for the last three. Adam earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Defiance College in Ohio followed by a Master’s Degree from Arkansas State University. Adam, and his wife of 16 years,
Becky, share two sons, Aiden (13) and Camden (11).
Ashton Crawford
Ashton Crawford is joining the Bishop Verot family this year in the role of Administrative Assistant for Attendance. Ashton spent the last three school years at St. Andrew Catholic School as a teaching assistant. This is her second year as the middle school volleyball coach at St. Andrew Catholic School. Ashton has been married for 17 years and has two children, Colt ’26 and Emma ’30.
Sarah Geary
Sarah Geary joined the Bishop Verot family this year in the Science Separtment, teaching Biology and Environmental Science. She
enters her 18th year of teaching with experience from many levels including high school, elementary, and the collegiate level. Sarah attended both the University of Miami, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, and the University of Central Florida, as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer with the Cross Country and Track teams while earning her Masters. After graduation she returned home to Lee County and began teaching in the School District of Lee County. She recently went back to school to earn a specialist degree from Arkansas State University in Educational Leadership. She has been married for 14 years and has
two children who are very active in theater and sports. She is very excited to be here at Bishop Verot.
Larry (Lac) Overstreet
Lac is excited to begin his teaching career at Bishop Verot as a Physical Education teacher. Originally a local student/athlete star from Ft. Myers, Lac would go on to graduate with his AA from Fresno City College in Fresno, California. He continued his education, graduating from Minot State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Fitness and Wellness Management. Lac is currently enrolled at The University of Oregon seeking his Master’s Degree in Sports Management. He also enters his
seventh year as a high school coach, coaching both football and track & field. Before coming to Verot, Lac spent two years coaching at Kentridge High in the outskirts of Seattle, Washington. Lac is excited to be here at Bishop Verot, is ready to get to work, and glad to be a Viking!
Brian Ray
Brian joins Bishop Verot leading the Technology Department. He will also serve as the Head Coach of the Boys Lacrosse Program. Brian attended Wingate University, where he also played Lacrosse. For the past two years, he has served as the Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach at Bishop Verot, significantly
Pictured Back Row: Antonio Castillo, Larry Overstreet, Adam Childs, Dan Tufariello, Todd Smrekar, Brian Ray. Front Row: Ashton Crawford, Jen Webber, Alice Matteucci, Sarah Geary, Julie Sulak, Hartley Robinson, Savannah Arcas.
contributing to the team’s success. In 2022, Brian stepped in as the Interim Head Coach for the Bishop Verot Girls Varsity Lacrosse team, leading them to a district championship. Brian resides in Cape Coral with his wife, Stacey, and their two children, Brianna ’25 and Connor ’28.
Hartley Robinson
Hartley Robinson was welcomed into Bishop Verot this school year to teach English and coach cheerleading. Although she is new to Bishop Verot, she is not new to Catholic education. She recently moved from South Florida where she taught English at Archbishop McCarthy High School. While at Archbishop McCarthy, Hartley became the head coach of the McCarthy cheerleading program, taking her teams to states each year. Prior to teaching, Hartley received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Florida State University and received her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida State University. Hartley is excited to be a part of the Bishop Verot family.
Todd Smrekar
Todd Smrekar has joined the Verot family as a teacher in the Social Studies Department. Originally from Cambridge, Minnesota, Todd earned his BS from St. Cloud University and a Master’s Degree from Saint Mary’s University. He returned to his Alma Mater, teaching at Cambridge High School for 27 years. During that time, he also served as an assistant football coach, head coach for the baseball program, and the National Honor Society moderator. He also served as the President of Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association and the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association. Since moving to Florida in 2021, he
has taught at Gateway High School. He and his wife, Aaron, have been married for 27 years and have two daughters, Addie and Finnleigh. He is thrilled to be part of the Verot community!
Dan Tufariello
Dan joins the Verot faculty teaching Economics and Entrepreneurship and Small Business. Dan earned his degree in Finance from Troy University in Alabama and has spent the past 30 years in the corporate world as Sales Leader for an HCM company. He is looking forward to sharing his real-world experiences with students in the classroom. Dan and his wife, Jennifer, have been a part of the Verot family for over a decade, as involved parents of Dan ’14 and Gianna ’25.
Jennifer Webber
Jennifer Webber joined the Bishop Verot family from Mars, Pennsylvania. She brings with her 18 years of teaching experience; specializing in the areas of English and Social Studies. Attending Penn State University, Jennifer received a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice, her Education Certification, and completed Marine Corps Officer Candidate School; bringing a unique educational background. Most of her teaching experience occurred in Pennsylvania, within the State College Area School District and more recently in Mars Area School District. Jennifer is not new to the Fort Myers area having spent her summers in Cape Coral for the past 11 years. She is an avid runner and eager to share her passion for racing and training through coaching Bishop Verot Track and Field athletes. Jennifer is excited to integrate her Catholic faith, and passion for education into the black-and-gold classrooms for years to come. BG
Athletic Guide Fall 2024
State Championships
Regional Championships
FOOTBALL
District Championships GIRLS
Football
2024 Varsity Football Team
Coach Richie Rode is in his fourth season leading the Verot Football program serving as the Varsity Football Head Coach. He began his coaching career in 2003 as the Offensive Coordinator at Fort Myers High School. Coach Rode served as the Head Coach of Varsity Football at Cypress Lake High School beginning with the 2016 season, where he was able to turn the struggling Panthers into a district championship winning program. Coach Rode earned his degree from Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia where he was a triple major (Business, Accounting and Economics). Coach Rode and his wife, Bishop Verot alum, Stephanie (Healy) Rode ‘97, reside in Fort Myers and have three children, Charles, Justin ’26, and Brooklyn ’28, and three grandchildren; Jocelynn, Jaiden, and Jasmine.
Varsity Head Coach
Richie Rode
Not pictured: Assistant Coach Viktor Beach - Offensive Line
Backs
Brett Barry
Craig Crouthamel
Doug Chase
Tim Camron
Jarod Maier
Martin Byrd
Brent Stevens
David Villegas
Josh Vogelbach
Jackson Markert
Mike Meunier
Larry Overstreet
Mason
Football
2024 Varsity Football Roster
Football
2024 Varsity Football Seniors
Not pictured: Senior Dax Porter
Mason Alleva
Bobby Leckler
Sonny Tokotaha
Jack Benaitis
Ryan Peterson
Totch Turner
Jerry Ashley
James Little IV
Dominic Torres
Leo Berman
Brody Seglem
Aydan Vannarath
Tony Cedeno
Carter Smith
Mason Zehnder
Football
Athletic Department
Sports Medicine Seniors
Not pictured: Athletic Trainer Peter Lecius
Alexa Coleman Lainey Hooper
Anna Lesniak Tyra Voltaire
Asst. Athletic Director
Athletic Director
Alissa Schenk
Greg Coleman
Football
2024 JV Football Team
2024 JV Football Roster
Hudson Albrecht
Luke Bauer
Marcus Bock
Gavin Boddison
Cooper Brist
Greg Bryant
Bryce Buell
Sean Cameron
Cameron Campanella
Dominic Chapman
Carter Chitwood
Austaan Cristiaan
Manuel Colon
Brady Conti
Sawyer Crowther
Irell Dale
Kharl Desir
Peyton Frederic
Clayton Graves
Chase Grubb
Brayden Heckman
Bo Hill
Lem Jean-Baptiste
Vincent Jenkins
Josh Little
Aydan Lopez
Nolan MacNeil
Landon Melton
Mason Morley
Ben Muriel
Joey Naples
Bobby Nolan
Javier Parades
Tiago Passos
Hudson Peak
Connor Pierre Will Reese
Jaxon Reese
Jayden Reichard
Cole Rigney
Lucas Santiago
Alec Sergi
Jed Speake
Zach Sullivan
Luke Varnell
Carson Webber
Football
Not pictured: Assistant Coaches Joe Barrise, Offensive Line and Steve Morse, Defense
JV Head Coach
Doug Chase
Freshman Offensive
Offensive Asst
Offensive Line / Coord
Defensive Backs
Joe Fair
Darius Judge
Jackson Markert
Jeffrey Richards
Cross Country
2024 Boys Cross Country Roster
Ethan Alexander
Rafael Casillas – Senior
Charles Cox
Thomas Eichten
Zachary Engel – Senior
Ryan Engelbrecht
Christian Ginart
Andrew Marino – Senior
Logan Meyer
Dennis Olsen – Senior
Griffin Pipkins – Senior
Joseph Polsinelli
Ethan Swanson – Senior
Zachary Zielke – Senior
Cross Country
2024 Girls Cross Country Team
2024 Girls Cross Country Roster
Devin Archibald – Senior
Mackenzie DeLisle – Senior
Gianna Gyurich
Jenna Hoffman
Taylor Hoffman
Zoe McCurry
Mia McMasters
Caroline Muddell
Denise Ramirez – Senior
Lana Schmidt
Lea Scotti
Jocelyn Sweeney – Senior
Morgan Wilson
Cross Country
Coach Stowell is in his third season as the Head Coach for the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams. In his 10 plus years coaching, Coach Stowell has guided his athletes to Junior Olympic Track Titles, National Level All-American Status in Track and State Titles both individually and as a team for Cross Country with ERYRC. He believes the titles are a blessing but feels changing an athlete’s life is more rewarding. Coach Stowell, and his wife, Ashley, a teacher at Fort Myers High School, have four children, Gryffin, Emelyn, Nolan, and Brayden.
Head Coach
Tyler Stowell
Defensive Backs
Michelle Weitlauf
Cross Country
2024 Cross Country Seniors
Not pictured: Seniors Griffin Pipkins, Rafael Casillas
Dennis Olsen
Ethan Swanson
Mackenzie DeLisle
Jocelyn Sweeney
Zachary Engel
Zachary Zielke
Devin Archibald
Andrew Marino
Denise Ramirez
Swimming
2024 Swim Team
2024 Boys Swim Roster
Jacob Andrews
Riley Daubmann
Raul Egri-Martin – Senior
Nicholas Faella-Pertesis
Alejandro Goizueta
Tobias Gomez
Renn Horton – Senior
Jacob Kurian
Jaxon Kurio
Matthew Latell
Gavin Mann
Chad Oake
Daniel Perez – Senior
Alexander Price – Senior
Jonathan Ruiz
Damian Snyder
Brooks Warton
2024 Girls Swim Roster
Alexis Bulawan
Sarah Flannery
Lainey Hooper – Senior
Grace Illum – Senior
Ryane Johnson
Leah Kowal
Celina Luciano
Samantha Mitchell – Senior
Addyson Morris
Sofia Roman – Senior
Swimming
Coach Egri-Martin is in her third year as Head Coach of both the Boys and Girls Swim and Dive teams. Coach EgriMartin joined the Verot family in 2003, teaching Spanish and dance. She was certified by USA Swimming and began her coaching career with Swim Florida in 2013. In 2018 she was certified as a USA Swimming Official and joined the Verot Swim and Dive team as an assistant coach.
2024 Swim Team Seniors
Head Coach
Hajnalka Egri-Martin
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Layla Glover
Roger Shockey
Raul Egri-Martin
Grace Illum
Samantha Mitchell
Daniel Perez
Alexander Price
Lainey Hooper
Renn Horton
Sofia Roman
Golf
2024 Boys Golf Team
2024 Boys Golf Roster
Adrian Bahnam
Brody Evanoski
Braden Grable
Easton Green
Griffin Henry – Senior
Jack Henry
JC Iglesias
Caden Kellum
Andrew Kennedy
Matthew Matta – Senior
Wade Swartz – Senior
Tyler Wyman – Senior
Golf
Andy Scott is entering his 12th year coaching the Boys Golf Team. He originally hails from Kentucky and has trained with world renowned golf teachers such as Hank Haney, Bob Toski, Jim McLean, Phil Ritson, and Mac O’Grady. He has been acknowledged amongst his peers and students alike as one of the top golf instructors in South Florida. His positive, simplistic approach to golf lessons has helped many players improve their games. Andy has a strong junior golf program which has produced 23 juniors to NCAA Collegiate Golf Scholarships.
2024 Boys Golf Seniors
Not pictured: Assistant Coach Brandon Rice
Head Coach
Andy Scott
Griffin Henry Matthew Matta Wade Swartz Tyler Wyman
Golf
2024 Girls Golf Team
2024 Girls Golf Roster
Isabella Bruggeman-Munoz
Raleigh Currin
Leah Friedman
Simone Henry
Katherine Johnson
Chaya Kroll
JasLynne-Marie Leo
Maddon McDonald – Senior
Zoe Vanderbrook
2024 Girls Golf Senior
Maddon McDonald
Golf
Jeff enters his ninth year as the Girls Golf Coach. Jeff is a graduate of Cape Coral High School and is a Class A member with the PGA of America. He has won multiple awards including the 2006 Teacher of the Year and the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Presidents Award for growth of the game. Nixon was also named the 2012, 2013, and 2014 PGA Player Development Award recipient for the South Florida PGA. Jeff has coached over a thousand students ranging from scratch players, beginners, juniors and the disabled. Jeff’s unique ability is to be able to adapt to each student has served him well in the 10,000 plus lessons that he has given over the past twenty years. Jeff enjoys sharing his past experience with the Verot Golf program.
Not pictured: Assistant Coaches Bobby Conway and Tyler Renaud
Head Coach
Jeff Nixon Assistant Coach
Lauren Lockard
Sideline Cheer
2024 Varsity Sideline Cheer Team
2024 Varsity Sideline Cheer Roster
Samantha Albert
Amelie Ariza
Madelyn Brian
Charlotte Cartee
Madison Cook
Kara Cross – Senior
Alyson Dilling – Senior
Sophia Evangelista – Senior
Ava Gabor
Mallory Gay – Senior
Taylor Hansen
Isabella Hayes – Senior
Bridget Johnston
Sawyer Junghans
Kaitlyn King – Senior
Camryn Korpi
Scarlett Lyons – Senior
Addison Mangold
Alexus McMahon
Olivia Neail – Senior
Kayce Nette – Senior
Kayla Nichols – Senior
Betty Nolan
Mikaela Perkins – Senior
Emma Reitler
Daniella Rodriguez
Sophie Sepulveda
Jordan Speake – Senior
Lillia Speas – Senior
Caroline Warner
Makayla Wetmore – Senior
Morgan Wilson
Sideline Cheer
Coach Wetmore is in her second season as Head Coach of the Sideline Cheer Program. She has coached cheer for over 25 years at the recreational and high school level, including Pop Warner and All-Stars. She has led her teams to numerous local, state, and national championships. Coach Wetmore is excited to continue to build a great program.
Not pictured: Assistant Coach Oscar Bustillo
Head Coach
Michelle Wetmore
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Megan Brister Jill Panio Hartley Robinson
Sideline Cheer
2024 Varsity Sideline Cheer Seniors
Kara Cross
Sophia Evangelista
Isabella Hayes Mallory Gay Alyson Dilling
Kaitlyn King
Olivia Neail
Kayla Nichols Kayce Nette Scarlett Lyons
Mikaela Perkins
Lillia Speas
Makayla Wetmore
Jordan Speake
Sideline Cheer
2024 JV Sideline Cheer Team
2024 JV Sideline Cheer Roster
Riley Biada
Carley Balliet
Annabella Balyeat
Ally Buckley
Lauren Chlumsky
Dylan Cobian
Brooke Daubmann
Isabella Epperson
Chloe Hall
Anna Harkness
Norah Kaminsky
Madison Knight
Emme Lamb
Kyleigh Larmer
Sophie Lewis
Ava McNamara
Aubrey Murnane
Naomi Porter
Brooklyn Rode
Isabella Torres
Alli West
Bowling
2024 Boys Bowling Team
2024 Boys Bowling Roster
Chris Carranza – Senior
Diego Castilla-Fredes
Jordan Downey – Senior
Aaron Fountain
Matthew Franchi
Zach Hendra
Nathan Jordan
Benjamin Kidd
Seamus Murray – Senior
Ryan Nanda
Nolan Wagner – Senior
Bowling
2024 Girls Bowling Team
2024 Girls Bowling Roster
Mia Brooks
Mia Gasperini – Senior
Sienna Gasperini – Senior
Isabella Lentz – Senior
Brianna Rodriguez-Merlo
Sophia Smith – Senior
Bowling
Coach David Zukin is in his eighth season as Head Coach of the Boys and Girls Bowling teams after starting the program in 2017. Coach Zukin started bowling when he was seven years old and bowled in leagues for 35 years. He has bowled two perfect games. Coach Zukin is in his 31st year in education, teaching Algebra 2 Honors, AP Calculus BC, and the PSAT Merit Program at Bishop Verot. The Boys Bowling team qualified for the State Championships three separate times since 2019, including as District Champions in 2021. He accompanied the first ever girls state qualifier in 2018.
Coach Zukin has previously assisted with the baseball and softball programs at Verot as well. Coach Zukin has been a high school coach for over 30 years. He moved to Florida in 2016 and currently resides in Cape Coral with his beautiful wife, Chris. He is truly grateful for the students, families, and staff at Bishop Verot and looks forward to continuing building the program for many years to come!
2024 Bowling Team Seniors
Sienna Gasperini
Nolan Wagner
Chris Carranza
Isabella Lentz
Jordan Downey
Seamus Murray
Mia Gasperini
Sophia Smith
Head Coach
David Zukin
Assistant Coach
Mitchell Moscowitz
Volleyball
2024 Varsity Volleyball Team
2024 Varsity Volleyball Roster
Kaitlyn Anderson – Senior
Sidney Blackwood
Sydney Davis
Chyna Fain
Sophia Fay – Senior
Caroline Hathaway
Chase Hathaway
Camryn Hedge
Madeline Knaak – Senior
Haylee Maseiro – Senior
Stella Robinson – Senior
Samantha Till
Gianna Tufariello – Senior
Madelyn Wells
Julia Wysseier
Volleyball
Christy Curtis is in her second year as the Varsity Volleyball Head Coach. Prior to Bishop Verot, Christy has taught and coached for the past 20 years. Christy attended Colorado State University and Crossland Christian University and is nationally certified through the Association of Christian Schools International. She is also the Assistant Club Director and coach at Florida Conquer, a local travel volleyball club. Christy has been married to Michael for 27 years and together they have three adult children, Kory, Kortney, and Katelyn.
2024 Varsity Volleyball Seniors
Not pictured: Assistant Coach Mindy Mabry
Haylee Maseiro
Madeline Knaak
Gianna Tufariello
Sophia Fay Kaitlyn Anderson
Stella Robinson
Head Coach
Christy Curtis Assistant Coach
Mike Curtis
Volleyball
2024 JV Volleyball Team
2024 JV Volleyball Roster
Addison Aloia
Peyton Barry
Maya Dix
Abigail Goff
Carley Himschoot
Dakotah McClaran
Sophie Mercado
Lily Miller
Berkley Parker
Kelsey Parker
Hailey Printz
Cayla Rhodes
Head Coach
Mike Curtis
Dance
2024 Varsity Dance Team
2024 Varsity Dance Roster
Caylee Boeder
Celia DeMartino
Nora Drake
Hailey Fischer – Senior
Bailey Joslin
Camilla Motley – Senior
Isa Scala
Kate Wilson
Dance
Coach Kelly Metevia is in her sixth 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 placed 13th in the nation for hip hop at the 2023-2024 Dance Team Union National Championships in Orlando.
2024 Varsity Dance Seniors
Assistant Coach
Kristi Davis
Head Coach
Kelly Metevia
Assistant Coach
Alessandra Boeder
Camilla Motley
Hailey Fischer
Dance
2024 JV Dance Team
2024 JV Dance Roster
McKenna Biehl
Alexa Carrecia
Ariana Casillas
Brooke Davis
Amanda Dente
Flavia Hernandez
Eleni Kaklamanis
Valentina Mazzeo
Kennedy Newhouse
Kaiya Sundaran
Emily Tracey
Alumni Sports
AIDAN KNAAK '23
Clemson University baseball
After a sterling career at Bishop Verot, Knaak became one of the best pitchers in college baseball as a freshman. Knaak was named the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by the NCBWA, and earned All-American honors by Baseball America, D1Baseball and NCBWA. As a freshman, the righthander went 5-1 with a 3.35 earned run average across 83.1 innings of work. Knaak allowed just 67 hits for the Tigers, who advanced to the Super Regional round, and struck out 108 hitters while walking just 29.
BRADY LOUGHREN '21
augusta university baseball
Loughren earned a scholarship to NCAA Division II Augusta University after two seasons at Lawson State Community College, and continued his success with the Jaguars. In 39 games, the junior logged a .341 batting average, driving in 47 runs and scoring 33. He logged six doubles, three triples, and four home runs during the season, and drove in nine runs in a game against USC Aiken. He hit safely in eleven straight games at one point, Augusta’s longest such streak.
SARAH YAMRICK '23
Bloomsburg university softball
Yamrick was an immediate impact player in her first season at NCAA Division II Bloomsburg University, playing in 56 games during her freshman season as both a hitter and a pitcher. The Husky tossed 33.1 innings in the circle, but was at her best at the plate, hitting .312 with 28 runs batted in and 23 runs scored. She was among Bloomsburg’s leaders in both RBIs and extra base hits. For her efforts, Yamrick was named an All-PSAC East Second Team selection as a utility player.
JADE SOTO '19
oregon state university softball
Soto completed her five-year collegiate softball career with a final season at Oregon State. Playing in one of the best softball conferences in the nation, the Pac-12, Soto appeared in 14 games, taking on the role as one of the Beavers’ top pinch runners. She scored six runs during her senior season, including the game-tying run in a conference victory over Stanford. She also stole a base in a February game against Saint Mary’s.
KOLTON CURTIS '22
texas rangers organization
Curtis’ second season in professional baseball was a successful one, as he impressed with the Rangers’ single-A affiliate, the Down East Wood Ducks. Across 82 innings on the mound, Curtis recorded a 2.85 earned run average, striking out 80 hitters with just 42 walks. He proved to be difficult for opposing hitters to manage, logging a batting average against of .194 while earning a position as a starter 15 times for the Wood Ducks, located in North Carolina.
MATT CEDARBURG '18
university of central florida baseball
Cedarburg ended his six years of college baseball with a solid season at UCF in the Knight’s first season in the Big 12. The redshirt senior slashed .317/.385/.537 with five home runs, three doubles, 12 RBIs, and 13 runs scored on the season, playing in 33 games. Cedarburg ended his career on a high note, logging a double, two runs scored, and two runs batted in during a win over Alabama in the NCAA Tournament.
CJ ALEXANDER '15
oakland athletics organization
Alexander became the sixth Bishop Verot alum to play Major League Baseball this past summer, making his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in June. He recorded his first big league hit on July 2 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays. Alexander, whose younger brother Blaze also made his MLB debut in 2024, also spent time with Kansas City’s triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers, before finishing the season with the triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, the Las Vegas Aviators.
THAD WARD '15
washington nationals organization
The fifth Verot alum to play in the big leagues, Ward spent the 2024 season pitching for the Nationals’ triple-A team, the Rochester Red Wings. Ward made 28 starts for the Red Wings in 2024, striking out 107 hitters across 119.2 innings of work. His 28 starts were the most he has made in a single season since his professional debut in 2018. The righthander tied a career high with eight wins in Rochester, and Ward ended the season allowing less than one hit per inning.
Alumni
MEGAN O'GRADY '20
Megan was recently named the New York City Police Benevolent Association’s 2024 Person of the Year. She received this honor for her contributions to the families of law enforcement. Megan is the founder and president of the non-profit Blue Line Bears, creating handmade bears from fallen officer’s uniform shirts to console the children suffering the loss. Her organization has made and delivered over 1600 bears across 46 states as well as overseas since its inception in 2016.
Verot Arts
AP Art Students Develop Perspective
Art is hard. It takes time, commitment, and thought. When students sign up for AP Studio Art, they do not always consider the time they will need to invest in building a portfolio of fifteen substantial works. They struggle to choose a concentration that they will study and investigate throughout the year, and they change their concentration focus several times before they commit to one idea. The term “concentration” is a college board term for a series of related artworks that explore a specific visual idea. Sometimes a young Viking artist will initially find inspiration in a particular idea and later run into a dead end or unexpected limitation. This is typical in the first quarter of AP Art. It is an uncomfortable time of change, exploring, and realizing that art is hard and that practice, time, and commitment are even a part of art.
This school year a recordbreaking 27 students signed up for this daunting task, and their concentrations cast a wide net ranging from the humorous exploration of idiomatic expressions to social concerns about vices, family upheaval, technology and drug addiction. Encouraged to conceptualize and imagine what the world needs to improve and heal itself, AP Art students use humor and perspective to offer suggestions, perspective, or escape from the troubled and beautiful landscape that is earth. Photographer Corey Motto brings his sense of humor to the rescue with collaged images of flowers in unexpected places while senior Ethan Swanson has spent a month trying to capture what raining
cats and dogs actually looks like. Using his perspective and drawing skills, he has cast many cats and dogs up in the air; whereas, Isabella Baez is exploring displaced animals in urban settings. Cats and dogs make a more ethereal appearance in the works of senior Skye Dunn who is exploring fanciful dog day dreams of grandeur and junior Sophia Perez who has cast her kittens in neon light and in familiar scenes from home that merge fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and memory. Students tackling social issues are focusing on the false promises of drugs and the harsh realities associated with them. Seniors Sophia Fay, Sofia Fabrizi, and Colin O’Grady juxtapose vibrant colors with the dark outcome of addiction. Senior Lauren Lyons has deconstructed the perfectionism of aspiring ballerinas in one of her pieces which is one small part of her larger concentration dealing with body language and body image. Hannah Manibo’s images deal with reflections of the past and different time periods looking back on what came before the present day. Over the summer, Daphne Dalton explored symbols of the heart and mind which later lead to this fall’s investigation of family dynamics for her concentration. Leo Greco continues to refine his singular cartooning skills to explore human beings and regret. Though Grace Breen often paints beautiful images, she has been expanding her horizons by looking at both vice and virtue with a dark and light color palette respectively. Samantha Mitchell records her family’s trips and memories through the nation’s parks, stamping them with her family
stories and personal style to make them her own. Though these young artists have only just begun, by the time spring rolls around, they will have an entire collection of works. They will submit these works to the college board with the hopes of achieving college credit in art. Most importantly, however, they will spend several hours refining their vision and ideas to visually make a statement about the society and world they inhabit. BG
Skye Dunn
Lauren Lyons
Isabella Baez
Ethan Swanson
Kiley Lebid
Colin O'Grady
Grace Breen
Corey Motto
Daphne Dalton
Alumni Association - Staying Connected
Traditions are a big deal at Verot, and the Annual Alumni Homecoming Tailgate is no exception! We hope you were able to attend this year, despite the rescheduling due to Hurricane Milton. We look forward to sharing pictures from the event, as well as pictures from the two reunions taking place, in the next edition of the B&G.
If you missed this alumni event – don’t worry –we have another planned soon! Please plan to join us for the Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Alumni Gathering to be held on Thursday, December 5th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the new Bruno’s of Brooklyn.
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, Crystal Melton is working hard to connect with our alumni and Facebook is a great resource. Contact her anytime at crystal.melton@bvhs.org. Please also consider updating your contact information at bvhs.org under the Alumni tab. BG
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Once a month, our theology classes gather together for a prayer service. Recently, students and teachers gathered for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. After hearing a reading of Sacred Scripture, the group processed around the main building, being led by the cross, while praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Students and teachers pray while they process in order to be a public witness to our Faith and to pray for a blessing over our campus.
College Fair
Each fall, Verot hosts over 65 colleges and universities from throughout the country for the annual College Fair. This offers our students the unique opportunity to visit with college admissions representatives during the school day and right on our campus. Prior to the visit, the School Counseling Department works with students offering them insightful questions and goals for the event. Our students gained insights into various programs, learned about financial aid, and made meaningful connections that will help guide their future decisions.
Remembering September 11
In remembrance of 9/11, students in Ms. Webber’s class took part in a deeply meaningful project that went beyond the classroom walls. Each student visited the 9/11 memorial website to learn about and connect with the story of one survivor, bringing a personal understanding to the tragedy. Following this reflective online journey, they participated in a visual tribute, placing 2977 toothpick flags into styrofoam spheres—one for each life lost on that fateful day. This act of remembrance served not only as a history lesson but as a profound connection to the human stories of 9/11.
These activities help ensure the significance of the events is both understood and felt, bridging past and present in our continued commitment to never forget.
National Merit Scholarship Program – Commended Students
Six seniors were named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholars Program. These exceptional students were among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of 2023. Congratulations to Justin Davis, Isabella Lentz, Isabella Tarquino, Grace Breen, Cabot Brooke, and Victor Luna.
National Merit Program Semifinalists
We are excited to share four seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship program. They are among an elite group of 16,000 students nationwide who achieve this recognition. Congratulations to Andrew Marino, Tyler Wyman, Samantha Mitchell and Sophia Smith.
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