Alumni News 2019, Vole. 1 Issue 3

ALUMNI NEWSÂ

Vol 1 Issue 21

February 2019, Vol. 1, Issue 3

FRIEL'92 MAKES HIS MARK ON THE ATLANTIC BRIDGE Alumnus Dennis Friel '92 is leaving his mark on the city of Pompano by beautifying the Atlantic Intracoastal Bridge, in his latest project "Atlantic Harmony." p. 02

DUBUC LEADS CHIEFS TO STATE TITLE

REITZE NAMED AAAS 2018 FELLOW

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS

Head football coach Matt Dubuc led the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs football team to their first-ever state title after a 48-10 rout of North Marion High School on Friday, Dec. 7. p. 03

David Howard Reitze '79 was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), on Tuesday, Nov. 27. p. 04

Nominees for the 2018-2019 Class of the Cardinal Gibbons Athletic Hall of Fame were inducted during a ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 12. p. 05

Cardinal Gibbons High School, 2900 NE 47th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL

January 2019, Issue 03

ALUMNI FEATURES FRIEL'92 MAKES HIS MARK ON THE ATLANTIC INTRACOASTAL BRIDGE

Cardinal Gibbons alumnus and marine life artist Dennis Friel '92 will be leaving an indelible mark on the city of Pompano Beach by adorning the Atlantic Blvd. Intracoastal bridge with his artwork.

The bridge project, which Friel has named "Atlantic Harmony," will feature six murals depicting various marine life. The bridge will not be hand-painted, but instead wrapped with digital renderings of Friel's art. The location and subject matter of the bridge inspired Friel to name it "Atlantic Harmony." He said, "I named the project 'Atlantic Harmony' not only due to the location of the bridge on the Atlantic Ocean, but also because there are a number of different fish species involved in this project which I had to make harmonize with one another." Friel continued, "The name is also symbolic for me; bridges not only connect two pieces of land together, but they also, in essence, connect people."

Though Friel has always harbored an appreciation and innate respect for marine life, his original career path took him far away from the sandy shores and choppy waters that he grew up on.

Friel began his professional career as an artist at Alliance Entertainment, after attending Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida, and worked his way up through the ranks of multiple artists, eventually becoming Creative Director. However, Friel couldn't stay away from the ocean for long. Despite finding great success in the music industry and producing creative content for renowned labels like Sony and Universal, Friel left the corporate world behind to pursue his true passion, and combined his loves of art and marine life into a thriving career.

In 2013, Friel made his dream a reality, opening Dennis Friel Art Studios, a fine art, illustration and design studio, and his work has since become a staple in the South Florida tournament fishing scene. Since shifting his career focus to marine life art, Friel has garnered a number of clients throughout the marine industry and has designed pieces for clients across the globe.

Friel is married to fellow artist Liz Friel, owner of Liz Friel Fine Arts, and has two children, who share his love of art, as well as the outdoors.

Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03

ALUMNI FEATURES

DUBUC '92 LEADS CHIEFS FOOTBALL TEAM TO FIRST-EVER STATE TITLE Head football coach Matt Dubuc led the Cardinal Gibbons Chiefs to their first-ever state football title after a 48-10 win over North Marion High School in the FHSAA 2018-2019 Football State Championship.

Despite this being the Chief's first state football title, it was not Dubuc's first trip to the state finals, as Dubuc was a member of the 1990 state runner-up team. Dubuc and the then-Redskins team fell 44-14 to Live Oak Suwannee in Cardinal Gibbons' firstever football state championship appearance. Despite the best efforts of hundreds of young, eager players and coaches Don Marino and Mike Morrill, the team was never able to recreate that magic season; until now, as the 2018 Chiefs squad offered Dubuc a shot at redemption. After a sluggish 0-2 start to the 2018-2019 season, the Chiefs buckled down and went to work, earning a 13-game win streak, the longest in program history. In the end, the team's focus and determination paid off, as the Chiefs earned their first-ever football state title, posting 45 unanswered points over three quarters against North Marion.

No one knew Dubuc's story better than assistant head coach of offense and scouting, John Chikerotis, who had coached Dubuc and the 1990 state runner-up team alongside head coach Don Marino. Chikerotis, one of the longest standing football coaches in Cardinal Gibbons history, described how earning the state title was so much more than just that 48-10 win over North Marion for both him and Dubuc. The entire season was symbolic for both coaches as they were finally able to "finish the job" and bring home a state title. Chikerotis said, "The game leading up to states was very emotional for me, and I had an emotional moment of my own at halftime. This season was the culmination of many years of ups and downs, and to win a state championship at the end of it all was truly fulfilling."Â While the fate of the Chiefs championship run seemed uncertain after University of Kentucky commit and quarterback Nik Scalzo suffered a torn ACL during the Chiefs 30-27 win over Orlando Jones in the Region 4-5A semifinals, Dubuc trusted in his players and believed they were well prepared to carry themselves through the remainder of the playoffs. Sophomore quarterback Brody Palhegyi and the rest of the Chiefs squad rose to the challenge to help Dubuc finish the job, with Palhegyi earning three wins in his first three career starts. Chikerotis mirrored Dubuc's confidence in the team and said, "All of the successes we saw this season were a result of a total team effort, not because of one or two individuals. It was all teamwork from the start of the season."

Dubuc wasn't the only member of the 1990 team relishing in this victory that was nearly 28 years in the making. Former Cardinal Gibbons players, such as Hector Lopez and Andy Anderson, packed the stands to watch as Dubuc and the Chiefs made history, while many others hosted watch parties of their own back home in Fort Lauderdale and even across the country, which Chikerotis described as "an immense outpouring of support."

Though Dubuc had to wait many years to stand on the field at Camping World Stadium and hoist a trophy in the air, Dubuc and his players can finally call themselves champions.

Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03

REITZE '79 NAMED AAAS 2018 FELLOW

SR. MARIE OVER THE YEARS

David Howard Reitze '79 was one of three University of Florida science professors to be named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

Each year, hundreds of scientists nationwide are given the distinction of AAAS Fellow to recognize their efforts toward the social and scientific advancement. The AAAS, which began naming Fellows in 1874, seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people," according to their mission statement.

Reitze, a physics professor at the University of Florida, was recognized as a Fellow for his outstanding work at Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory, where he discovered the first instance of gravitational waves.

Reitze and his colleagues, as well as the 416 other members who were honored as Fellows this year, will be presented with official certificates and rosette pins at the 2019 AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Feb. 16, according to a University of Florida press release. In addition to being formally honored at the AAAS Annual Meeting, the names of all 2018 Fellows were formally announced in AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science on Nov. 29.

WISHING SR. MARIE SCHRAMKO A VERY HAPPY 102ND BIRTHDAY! Sr. Marie Schramko is preparing to celebrate her 102nd birthday on Sunday, Feb. 10!

Though Sr. Marie does not expect anything, she does enjoy receiving notes, photos and updates from former students. If you would like to send birthday cards to Sr. Marie, please address them to: Sr. Marie Schramko Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home 1201 Wyoming Avenue Joliet, IL 60435 Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03

SEVEN INDIVIDUALS AND ONE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM INDUCTED INTO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

On Saturday, Jan. 12, seven individuals and one varsity team were inducted into the Cardinal Gibbons Athletic Hall of Fame.

Those inducted included: Eugene H. Morrison II joined the Cardinal Gibbons family in 1976, as a geometry teacher and coach of the boys and girls golf programs, as well as coach of the girls basketball team. Morrison led the Chiefs golf program to multiple district titles in 80s and was named "Coach of the Year" multiple times throughout his career.

Ellen Dunne was named the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald Golf Player of the Year three times throughout her high school career. After graduating from Cardinal Gibbons in 1996, she went on to play at Florida International University, and spent time playing professionally after winning the 2002 Broward Amateur Tournament.

Janie Velentzas was the first student-athlete in Cardinal Gibbons history to win four consecutive state titles. The 1996 Cardinal Gibbons graduate was named the Dairy Farmers Player of the year in 1994 and was the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995. During her collegiate career, Velentzas made three Final Four appearances with the University of Florida Gators.

Michael DiPierro was named Player of the Year and also won the Tri-County Championship during his senior year in 1999.

DiPierro was also a member of the USA Junior Olympic Beach Volleyball Team and has won over 200 Open level tournaments throughout his career.

Blair Walsh enjoyed a successful football career at the University of Georgia after graduating from Cardinal Gibbons in 2008. Walsh spent six years playing in the NFL with the Vikings and Seahawks, and holds multiple Vikings franchise records.

Joey Accardi, owner of three successful South Florida auto dealerships, is a proud alumnus and major supporter of Cardinal Gibbons. Accardi takes pride in giving back to the local community by supporting Cardinal Gibbons, St. Coleman and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.

Paul D. Ott has dedicated his life to Cardinal Gibbons, spending the past 48 years as teacher, assistant principal and principal.

The 2005 State Championship Boys Volleyball team was also inducted for winning the first-ever Boys Volleyball State Championship in Cardinal Gibbons history, while posting a perfect 31-0 season.

Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03

BASEBALL AND HOCKEY TEAMS HOST ANNUAL ALUMNI GAMES B The

STAY CONNECTED Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03

AVAILABLE NOW: 2018 FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPION SHIRTS B The

Show your Chiefs pride with a 2018 Football State Championship shirt, one of the hot new items available in our Campus Store! Shirts are available for $28 in the Cardinal Gibbons Campus Store, in sizes ranging from Youth Small through Adult 3XL. The Campus Store is located in A101 is open from 7:40-8:30 a.m. and 2:30-3:15 p.m. Shirts can also be ordered online via email. To place an online order, please send an email with the quantity of shirts that you would like to purchase and the size of each shirt to mdubuc@cghsfl.org. Local shipping to Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm counties is available for online orders for a $12 fee.

Get yours today to let everyone know that you're a part of the #ChiefNation!

Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03

SAVE THE DATE FOR FOR OUR ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION "EVENING IN PARIS"

HELP OUR MOCK SUBMIT YOUR TRIAL TEAM STORY IDEAS If you're a legal Want to beprofessional featured in in anthe Fort Lauderdale area, we encourage to upcoming issue of Alumni you News? comeSubmit mentoryour our news Mock to Trial team for the Cardinala day! Gibbons Alumni Association!

If you have exciting news about your career, family, educational endeavors or personal life, send an email with any relevant information or photos to alumni@cghsfl.org , so we can share your story with the community and our network of over 13,000 alumni.

HAVE A QUESTION?

The entire Cardinal Gibbons family joins us in inviting you to be a part of this year's annual dinner auction, "Evening in Paris!" The auction will be held on the Cardinal Gibbons campus on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

The annual dinner auction serves as our largest and most successful fundraiser each year, and your attendance and support are greatly appreciated. At the auction, you'll be able to bid on numerous items, experiences and vacations including home and garden equipment, electronics, golf lessons, stays at vacation homes and food and wine, while dining on a gourmet, multi-course meal, featuring French cuisine. This is an event you won't want to miss!

For more information please contact: Karla Lyons, development coordinator, at (954) 491-2900 Ext. 128.

Whether you have a question, exciting news about your career or family or want to see a certain topic covered in our next newsletter, we'd love to hear from you! Please send all questions, suggestions or story ideas to our Public Relations team.

Contact: Kristin Hanke: khanke@cghsfl.org Erin Herbert: eherbert@cghsfl.org The Alumni Newsletter is edited

by Erin Herbert.

DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR COPY OF THE 2018 ANNUAL FUND? Our 2018 Annual Fund Campaign has been mailed out! The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of all fundraising activities at Cardinal Gibbons, and allows us to provide our students with a quality Catholic education. Thanks to last year's Annual Fund supporters, we've been able to make a number of improvements around campus, such as completing classroom renovations, increasing campus security and enhancing the technology available to our students. To make a contribution to the Annual Fund, click here.

If you did not receive your copy, please contact the Development Office at (954) 491-2900 Ext. 155 or email eherbert@cghsfl.org.

Cardinal Gibbons High School

February 2019, Issue 03