2012 Spring Currents

Currents

The Alumni Magazine of Carmel Catholic High School

Spring 2012

Plant. Feed. Nourish.

A Look Inside the Corsair Food Network

President Judith Mucheck, Ph.D. Office of Institutional Advancement Staff Director of Institutional Advancement Claress S. L. Pettengill

Currents Spring 2012, Volume 26, Issue 2

The Alumni Magazine of Carmel Catholic High School

Director of Planned, Major Giving and Corporate Relations Michael C. Looby ‘75 Publications Coordinator Sarah O'Donnell Alumni Relations Director Christine LeBrun

Table of Contents

Special Events Director Laurie Wienke Data Services Coordinator Grace Fong Administrative Assistant Jane Maciolek Editorial Board Margaret Ring Gillock ‘75 Margaret Nichols ‘69 Katherine O’Brien ‘83 Charmaine Smith Wright ‘95 Currents magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Please send address changes to: Carmel Catholic High School Office of Institutional Advancement One Carmel Parkway Mundelein, Illinois 60060 (847) 388-3362 gfong@carmelhs.org For verification purposes, please include the 9-digit ID number found in the magazine address area.

Send comments and suggestions about the magazine to: Christine LeBrun Alumni Relations Director One Carmel Parkway Mundelein, Illinois 60060 (847) 388-3382 clebrun@carmelhs.org

Features Plant. Feed. Nourish. A Look Inside the Corsair Food Network............................4-13 Corsairs Coupon Page.............................................................................................14 Carmel Catholic High School Annual Fund...........................................................17

In Every Issue President's Letter.....................................................................................................3 Advancement News................................................................................................16 Faculty Voice...........................................................................................................19 Alumni News..........................................................................................................20 Class Notes.............................................................................................................21 Engagements and Marriages...................................................................................22 Births and Adoptions..............................................................................................22 In Memoriam..........................................................................................................23 Calendar of Events.................................................................................. Back Cover

On the Cover This issue’s main course consists of a look at Corsairs devoted to the enterprise of food. Get a taste of what it’s like to work in growing, packaging and selling food…one bite at a time.

www.carmelhs.org/green CCHS going

www.carmelhs.org

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Green

Currents is now available online in an easy and fun way to view digital format as part of the school's green initiative.

To view Currents online, please visit www.carmelhs.org/green

President’s

L E T T E R

Dear Friends of Carmel Catholic,

C

all me naïve but I was only semi-aware that “food” could be an explosive political topic. The news occasionally reports that farm subsidies take up some space on the federal legislative agenda but outside of that, not much else. Over the past couple of years, we have been bombarded with LOTS of news reports about the rise of childhood obesity and the staggering number of Americans now affected by type 2 diabetes. As a result, the topic of food has come into much sharper focus for me, and perhaps for others as well.

Many major cities are faced with the existence of “food deserts” in their urban communities. The definition of a food desert is “a community with little or no access to healthy food, including fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products” (www.usda.gov). One author put it even more simply – food deserts are a reality for people with low incomes and low access. At the national level, this can be translated into a life challenge for 23.5 million Americans, 6.5 million of whom are children. It should come as no surprise that Chicago is ranked #2 as having the highest prevalence of food deserts – only a few steps behind New Orleans and just a few ahead of Atlanta.

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, food sits at the very bottom. This implies that the other levels of human development are somewhat predicated upon the fulfillment of this first, most basic requirement of human existence. In the field of education, we responded to this reality of poor urban children by offering free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs. Over time, these programs were extended into the summer months, recognizing that for many of these children, their ability to access food is dangerously limited without the structure of school.

The Book of Genesis chronicles a similar dilemma that occured after the diaspora of the Israelites. As they wandered through the desert, they chastised their leaders for taking them out of their homeland. Forced to wander through the desert, they pleaded for the food that they were familiar with and rebelled against the manna and quail that was provided for them each day. Their need for physical sustenance completely squelched their journey toward the promised land and their search for Yahweh.

Whatever a person’s quest in life, their pursuit is bound into a whole, which is intertwined with the ability to care for one’s physical being. According to Maslow, human beings cannot progress through healthy stages of safety, socialization, esteem, or self-actualization if they are in a perpetual state of disequilibrium in their ability to feed themselves.

This issue of Currents focuses on the impact of our alumni who engage in the enterprise of “food” in one form or another. They are to be commended for contributing to the life and health of the human community. As we read through their stories, perhaps we could all make a pledge to redouble our efforts at feeding the hungry.

Sincerely, Judith Mucheck, Ph.D. President

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store, and he loved it. The Cortesi family, the founders of Sunset Foods, had created a home-awayfrom-home for Frank. Fast forward nearly 40 years: this legacy continues as he has been a part of Sunset Foods since that summer of ‘73 and is now Vice President of General Managers, visiting 5 stores twice weekly – no longer relegated to the basement.

Frank Lomoro ‘75, left produce buyer Vince Mastromauro, right Frank Lomoro ‘75 began his lifelong passion for grocery retail during the summer of ‘73, his junior year at Carmel. Back then, before Information Technology and

Microsoft Excel made the job a little easier, prices were laboriously written on each product by hand, and stock was received and prepared in the basement of Sunset Food’s flagship Highland Park store. Frank spent all summer in that basement of the grocery

Grower rep from Dole Farm with cauliflower

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A typical day for Frank starts with staff meetings with other general managers, buyers, and distributors, where the source of stock and the pricing are decided. Just recently, he was instrumental in getting Grater’s ice cream, the nationally renowned, hand-packed ice cream that Oprah Winfrey proclaimed “the best ice cream I have ever tasted,” stocked at Sunset Foods stores, the first Chicago-area store to do so. The store’s success can be credited to initiatives like this one and with the long-term relationships that the Cortesi family nurtured with Sunset Food’s distributors, and it is one of the reasons he loves his job so much. He states, “These relationships ensure quality and fairness, with benefits that extend to Sunset Food’s many dedicated customers.”

Following the staff meetings, Frank finds himself on the road and in the stores, handling everything from where stock will go to how it will be displayed. Recently, the stores began using a deli-kiosk machine to decrease wait times and improve customer satisfaction. These customer-centered innovations are directly related to the fact that Frank constantly thinks about customer satisfaction, a lesson learned from the store’s founding family.

Yet what most prepared Frank for his many duties in grocery retail is that he has actually held most of the jobs he now oversees. Frank has worked in many capacities at Sunset Foods, including stock boy, manager and buyer, positions which entailed functions such as creating cost lists and staying within budget.

He attended the College of Lake County but says the Frank Lomoro ‘75 real training came on the job from mentors like the Cortesi brothers, who were active in the store when he first began. He says accounting classes helped him understand the involved spreadsheets needed to keep track Frank has many memories from Carmel, including the of buying and pricing, but that “growing up” in the store shared social space between the boys’ and girls’ school was an experience like no other. where groups of 20-30 students would sit and chat between classes and at lunch. The courtyard was open back then, and he remembers playing four-square. Many Carmel grads work at Sunset Foods, and they have a shared experience of working in a family-owned store that places a premium on providing great customer service and service to the community. Sunset’s reputation is wellearned. Frank hopes you celebrate with Sunset Foods in this their 75th year – the stores have many events planned to help “savor the past and celebrate the future.”

Vince Mastromauro, left Frank Lomoro ‘75, right

Pickers picking, trimming and bagging romaine lettuce hearts.

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Farming: A Living Art in Lake County

By Margaret Ring Gillock ‘75

The Titus farm at Peterson and Midlothian in Grayslake (then Libertyville), currently Lake County Fairgrounds, as of 2003

It’s true. Agriculture is alive and well right here in Lake County, Illinois.

It may seem that much of our food is imported from other states and other countries, but farmers still sow, harvest, and sell produce in this county. Alumnus Tony Titus ‘70 counts himself fortunate to have been born on a farm owned by his father and his uncle. Later, he was trusted to do farming on his own. Tony states, “I am blessed to do what I love to do and to make a living at it. I am living the dream.”

Produce Some of the types of produce that Tony has grown over the years include vegetables, fruits, and herbs.

Specifically, he grows sweet corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, basil, dill, and cilantro.

His farming plans vary each year-depending on last year’s demand and the apparent trends for the coming year.

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Tony especially loves to grow heirloom vegetables. “Without a doubt, they are the best vegetables,” he says with certainty; however, the popularity of these flavorful but sometimes strange looking foodstuffs was inconsistent. Tony says, “Customers weren’t sure if they wanted to pass up the perfectly shaped hot-house tomato for a purplish tomato with a crack on one side.” Yet just when Tony had tapered off his production of heirloom vegetables, American tastes changed. Why? Tony credits Martha Stewart and the March 1996 issue of the Martha Stewart Living magazine with the resurgence of the popularity of and demand for these treats. The cover photograph shows Martha standing in a garden. The words “Paths, Cutting Flowers, Heirloom Vegetables, Pots, Furniture” beckoned readers to discover more about items that could be part of their garden.

As a result, many different varieties of the heirloom vegetables became popular, but the Rouge vif d’Etampes, also called the Cinderella pumpkin because of its resemblance to the pumpkin in the famous fairy tale, is especially popular and prized. As fortune would have it, Tony already knew how to grow these “red pumpkins,” so when their popularity rose, they renewed the practice of farming them.

“I am living the dream.”

Tony with his wife, Debbie

Reflections On Farming Tony driving a cultivator

All of this makes farming sound easy, but that is far from the truth.

Farming demands hard work, long hours, and dedication. Tony’s regular wake-up time during the season is 5 a.m., but he always reminds himself that “there is always time to rest in the winter.” Comforted by that idea, Tony continues to put in long hours doing what he loves to do.

A plaque in the Titus house sums it up in these words: “Never Before Have So Few Fed So Many--For So Little…The American Farmer.”

A photograph of that plaque and many other representative items and people were compiled for a book called The Titus Farm. The friend who kindly prepared this book presented it to Tony and his family many years ago. Many of the pictures in this article come from this compilation.

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Lessons Learned At Carmel

Tony carrying a long board to allow repositioning of equipment

Tony has integrated many of the lessons that he learned at Carmel High School into his life and work.

Most importantly, he learned to have faith in God. Tony’s slogan is “Man plants, God grants.” That says it all – we can have everything going for us, but God’s blessing makes it happen.

Another lesson was an understanding of how to take the failures and setbacks in life and in farming and turn them into learning experiences. He added that he also learned the value of determination in school. “Having determination, the will not to give up, AND the will to go forward mean so much,” says Tony. Also, a solid idea of how to treat people in a Christian way has meant much to Tony and to his business.

Tony’s slogan is: “Man plants, God grants.”

In addition, a solid mathematics foundation helped a tremendous amount with working on a farm.

All of these life lessons have served him well over the years, and Tony plans to continue using them as time goes on. Even now, these lessons come in handy in his current work as a landlord supervisor of shares of farmland in central Illinois.

Farming In The Days To Come “We need more farmers,” Tony concluded. “The land in the United States is good, and enrollment in agriculture schools is high, so we should be able to turn this into a plus for our country and our import/ export ratio.

“Go Farmers!”

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Mailbox for the farmhouse

Dorie Hertel Roth, who graduated from Carmel Catholic in ’89, is no stranger to the hard work spring can entail. Gardening and farming are in her blood, and that has been apparent since she was a child. She says “where there was dirt, that’s where you’d find me. I recall my mother wasn’t always happy with what I dug up!”

And her love of farming and gardening has blossomed ever since.

Dorie, like many alumni, has continued to be involved with nature’s growth. She currently works for James Martin Associates, a landscaping firm in Vernon Hills, IL in Marketing/Communications, and prior to that she worked for Prairie Crossing Learning Farm in Grayslake, IL. “Yes,” she states, “there is still a farm in Grayslake…there are 90 acres in the heart of the Prairie Crossing community. Five of these acres are for the Learning Farm, where I worked, and our mission was to educate all people on their land, community, and the source of their food.” Within farming, Dorie explains, there are many more branches than just growing and harvesting. Classes that are offered at two local schools teach “hands-on experience working on a farm, growing one’s own food, and taking care of a flock of hens, where eggs are gathered daily.”

“{within farming} there are many more branches than just growing and harvesting.”

The Roth Family enjoying the outdoors: Steve, Dorie, Jake and Clare

Dorie, Jake and Clare on John Deere Tractor at family farm in central Illinois And she strongly believes that people growing their own food are making a comeback. She sees more and more people entering the industry. Dorie hopes that those newcomers continue to spread their involvement, as she does with her children and even her neighbors, whom she is thrilled to see planting gardens around the neighborhood, stating “it’s so cool!”

While her love for gardening and farming has grown, she recalls her high school friends also helped further her interest. “Vicki Dugo sent me my first subscription to Mother Earth News. And still, after so many years, I can’t wait to get my issue and read it front-to-back.”

She also fondly cherished other memories. “Carmel was a place that encouraged me to get actively involved in my interests and to not be afraid to explore and constantly ask questions – even at the age of 40, I still hold onto many of the values that Carmel has taught me and I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to attend such an amazing school.”

Dorie is genuine in her hope for people to better understand the gift of spring and the wonder that farming and gardening can give to those who are involved. She currently continues to further her love of farming through her family and surrounding community, and will always dream of a future where she can have a few extra acres of land to grow more of her own food and possibly even to raise a few chickens.

Dorie encourages those who are interested in learning more, or those wanting advice on gardening/farming, to visit www.prairiecrossing.com/farm/ and for more on the Prairie Crossing community, read the article on the next page. | |99 Spring 2012 Spring 2012

Prairie Crossing and the Prairie Crossing Farm

Prairie Crossing is a master-planned conservation community in Grayslake, one of the first modern developments in the country planned with a working organic farm. The initial vision for the community was generated by a group of neighboring landowners committed to the conservation of the rural character of the area east of Prairie Crossing, which included wetlands, woods, rolling farmland, and farmhouses.

Conservationists Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley bought the property in 1987. They formed Prairie Holdings Corporation with a group of neighbors and asked George and Vicky Ranney to develop the land, hoping to provide an alternative to the prevailing pattern of suburban sprawl. The Ranneys assembled a planning team and began developing the community in 1992, based on 10 guiding principles.

Native landscaping at Prairie Crossing is one of its defining features. Through careful planning by an expert ecologist, Prairie Crossing achieved an innovative solution for stormwater management and simultaneously created an attractive habitat for wildlife and human beings.

The stormwater collection system uses long-rooted native prairie plants to slow and purify rainwater and snowmelt on their way to the large centrally located Lake Aldo Leopold.

Prairie Crossing Learning Farm program participants

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One hundred acres of this land was reserved for the Prairie Crossing

organic farm, which is protected by a conservation easement. Eventually, ownership of the farmland was transferred from Prairie Holdings Corporation to the Liberty Prairie Foundation, a 503(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Liberty Prairie Foundation’s mission is to promote the integration of healthy ecosystems and the vibrant human communities they support. The Foundation is nationally recognized as a leader in developing and supporting enterprises that build and strengthen our local food system while enhancing the natural landscape. We envision a world where people of all ages are deeply connected to their food, land and community, and therefore make choices toward sustainable systems in nature and society.

How can you get involved? Support local farmers by purchasing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, shopping at local farmers markets, and frequenting businesses that purchase from and support local food. Advocate for provisions in the national Farm Bill that will be reauthorized in 2012 that support local food initiatives, as well as state and regional programs. Educate yourself about the benefits of locally grown, organic food – both for your health, and the health of the planet. Eat locally, improve your health, and enjoy your food.

Credit: Liberty Prairie Foundation

To The Ends of the Earth

By Margaret Ring Gillock ‘75

Lobster fishing boat on Spruce Head Island, ME

Tom Mazzetta ‘69 guessed that if there had been a “most likely to …” contest for his class at Carmel, he would have been voted “most likely not to amount to much.” Well, that self-assigned prediction turned out to be completely off-base. Tom recently returned from the largest seafood supplier convention, International Boston Seafood Show, held at the Conference & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA, where he represented Mazzetta Company. The company is a major seafood supplier, and Tom is the founder and CEO. He hopes that his two sons, who are also involved in the business, will represent Mazzetta Company at future trade shows.

“At Carmel, I would have been voted Most Likely Not To Amount To Much”

-Mazzetta Company CEO, Tom Mazzetta ‘69

When Tom was a student at Carmel High School, he had no idea that he would someday be a major player in the seafood industry, but a job with a local seafood supplier led to what is now a seafood dynasty. He

is at the helm of Mazzetta Company now but still recalls catching the bus at 6:30 a.m. each school day to travel from Highland Park to Mundelein. Today he is at his desk at 6:30 a.m. each business day to run the Mazzetta Company.

The Philosophy of Mazzetta Company, LLC As stated proudly in the company’s website, “WE GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH JUST TO PLEASE YOU.” And they do! In fact, the fishing fleets go from north of Canada to the Antarctic seas and then all around the world. Mazzetta Company started as a fish company and now, twenty five years later, thrives on the knowledge that two-thirds of the Earth is water. The company is a leading frozen seafood importer and distributor, serving the US and Canada.

Much of its fish and farmed shrimp come from the seas surrounding the United States, Greenland, Norway, France, Tristan de Cunha, South Africa, Chile, Canada, Holland, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Honduras, Ecuador, Indonesia and the Bahamas. The company was founded in 1987, is based in Highland Park, IL, and also has operations in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Mazzetta Company Spring 2012 |

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Lobster fishing boat

Lobster boats

Atwood Lobster’s Wharf in Spruce Head, ME

Atwood Lobster packing facility

distributes its seafood products to discount stores, warehouse clubs (such as Costco), and other retailers, including various supermarket chains, under the SeaMazz banner. It also serves food service establishments at restaurants such as Chili’s and TGI Friday’s.

The Seafood Market Mazzetta Company is affiliated with a number of seafood institutes including National Fisheries Institute (NFI), Ocean Trust, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). By keeping a close eye on the industry, Tom helps to ensure the continued health and growth of the seafood business.

Tom sees a bright future for the industry. Not only is the product a healthy choice, but it is also everavailable.

And this is a growth market! As shown in the article “Let Us Eat Fish” by Ray Hilborn (published: April 14, 2011), “The overall record of American fisheries management since the mid-1990s is one of improvement, not of decline. Perhaps the most spectacular recovery is that of bottom fish in New England, especially haddock and redfish; their abundance has grown six-fold from 1994 to 2007.

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Few if any fish species in the United States are now being harvested at too high a rate.”

The Future of Mazzetta Company Mazzetta Company has developed the resources to successfully manage all of the intricate steps involved in identifying, harvesting, processing, and delivering an uninterrupted supply of healthy, fresh tasting fish and shellfish from the finest sustainable resources worldwide to restaurants, retailers, distributors, hospitality, and foodservice organizations across North America. Another way that they describe themselves is “you’ll find we stand fin and claw above the competition!”

In mid-2010, Mazzetta Company began shipping iGPS pallets in place of wooden pallets to customers who would accept them. Among the advantages of that type of shipment is that the pallets are trackable and recyclable. By implementing iGPS pallets in the shipping practices, Mazzetta states, “We can address the pressing issues facing the future of our planet.”

Questions? Contact Alumni Relations at alumni@carmelhs.org.

Be A Sport, Corsairs! and join us for the first

CORSAIRS BREWERS baseball outing

On Sat, July 14, 2012 6:10 PM The Milwaukee Brewers take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Miller Park Stadium, Milwaukee, WI Great seats at a great price ONLY $55/person Register today at www.corsairalumni.org\corsairsbrewers2012

See you at Miller Park!

Brought to you by the Carmel Catholic High School Alumni Association Spring 2012| | 13 Spring 2012

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Where in the

W rld is the Corsair? er with h 8 8 ’ s ghter Kau endy halter, dau ree, W a n o Alum nnie Burk ards hon ifer w A A nn e i e c J n e i , n Alum d alumna 2 1 0 of 2 trator an 90. is alter ’ h k r admin u B

ue of Currents In the winter 2012 iss tly cited that rec or inc magazine, we pson ’09 was alumna Molly Thom Jesus College Boat standing outside the featured above.

House in the picture nding in front of Molly is actually sta Camera, which is the famous Radcliffe Library in Oxford, part of the Bodleian s studying at the wa e England, where sh last semester. We University of Oxford regret our error.

Cut out the Corsair and submit your photos today!

Staff mem ber ’84, staff m and alumna Rita Ta rpey ember Ly n and facult y member nea Heinrichs and alumn Calanca ’7 a Re 0h the 4th An ung out with the Co na nual Alum rsair at ni Awards 8, 2012 at on May White De er R Vernon H un golf club in ills, IL.

Administrator and 2011 Alumni Awards honoree Cathy Smolka, staff member Sr. Kathleen Sinclair BVM, staff member and 2010 Alumni Awards honoree Sr. Mary Sattgast BVM and administrator and 2012 Alumni Awards nominee, Sr. Joan Mehney, snapped a photo with the Corsair.

The Corsair loves to know what is happening in our Carmel Catholic family!

Are you traveling for a vacation or business? Are you graduating from college or celebrating an anniversary?

Take the Corsair with you on your travels, or bring him to parties, sporting events, weddings and special occasions! He is the perfect guest!

CCHS parents and students, email your Corsair photos to alumni@carmelhs.org. Alumni, please post your Corsair photos on corsairalumni.org as a general class note, or email photos to alumni@carmelhs.org.

All photos should include a caption with the names of the people photographed and the location of the photograph.

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Advancement

N E W S

D IRE C TOR ’ S N OT E

Over the past year or so, I’ve witnessed significant changes within Carmel Catholic High School. I have seen how these changes, these ambitious leaps into the new and exciting horizons, go hand in hand with the support we receive from alumni, parents, and friends. Our school is built on the remarkable generosity of our community and has philanthropic support running through its veins.

In the last quarter of 2010, we launched one of our most ambitious fundraising campaigns to date, the Carmel at the Threshold Campaign. This fundraising initiative heralds an exciting time in the history of Carmel Catholic.

We started from a strong position of support with $3.4M in gifts and pledges having already been raised as we moved into the public phase of the campaign last February.

The plans to repurpose the Library into a 21st century Information Commons and to renovate the monastery into fine arts instructional facilities are envisioned to provide a richer student experience, transform our academic programs, and help us make an even greater contribution to the communities we serve. The campaign aims to preserve and expand Carmel’s legacy for future generations as we continue to provide inspirational teaching and learning; vibrant activities and programs for our students; as well as opportunities for their personal growth and development.

On an equally important note, Carmel Catholic has recently embarked on Phase 1 of its Strategic Planning process. While engaging many of our stakeholders for this important visioning initiative, one thing has become evident: parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and students have many different expectations of our school. In the end, however, we can all agree that with every change we are presented comes a new possibility. We are listening to you. We appreciate your input as we draw our road map for the next five years.

We have recently caught up with a variety of alumni and friends who work with food and who find joy in what they do on a daily basis. As we were mulling over ideas for our Currents spring issue, we realized that Carmel

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Catholic alumni and friends are involved in all aspects of the food industry – farming, processing, manufacturing, and cooking.

As our feature stories show, Carmel Catholic alumni do not take food for granted. Many of our alumni mentioned returning to family farms; others about owning their restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, or even their own food processing companies; still others about traveling to food destinations. The collection of stories in this issue addresses some of the complex questions and innovative answers about food and its importance to each of us.

One of the markers of Carmel Catholic is the quality and heart of its alumni. We have a large community of successful alumni playing lead roles in their chosen fields around the globe. As a graduate, you have firsthand knowledge of Carmel Catholic experience. We think you’ll agree that this is a special place to learn, to grow, and to flourish. If Carmel Catholic has a place in your own history, I encourage you to visit the campus and get involved. Together, we can ensure that Carmel continues to serve future generations of Corsairs as it has you.

Here at Carmel Catholic, we continue to look to an extremely bright future – one that will present possibilities we have not even begun to imagine. I am grateful to all of you who have reached out and shared your thoughts about Carmel Catholic over the past year.

We take all of your feedback to heart as we share in your pride and passion for our school. Together we can raise the level of impact we have, collectively and individually, as we move into the next era of excellence at Carmel Catholic High School.

Thank you all for your generous hearts – your continued support of our work and belief in our mission to make Carmel Catholic vibrant and strong! I look forward to welcoming the Class of 2012 to our alumni community!

Sincerely, Claress S. L. Pettengill Director of Institutional Advancement

“

Mary Lou Callaghan ‘74 I think back on my years at Carmel and savor each memory. Thirty-eight years later I still can see those science classes in my mind and hear the voices of my teachers clearly. My classmates were challenging academically and absolutely enthralling socially – there were no slouches among my peers. I loved it all and miss it more than I miss college.

Through the generosity of a beloved great aunt (she paid for three great nieces and two great nephews to attend Carmel), I was able to experience Carmel and all it had to offer. Coming from a small town, I was awestruck over the opportunity to use a language lab, go on wilderness trips into Canada, and experience with my classmates camaraderie that I never knew could exist.

Through it all, as well as a strong, familiar foundation, faith and spirituality were woven into the fabric of our daily existence. How lucky we were!

And now, it is my turn to give back to Carmel Catholic High School. I have always felt that just because I was never blessed with children of my own to shepherd through some of the best opportunities of life, I should not turn my back on any child I can help. Carmel Catholic’s Annual Fund gives me an opportunity to do just that. No one expects anyone to go broke or to sacrifice monies needed to keep one’s family strong, but if everyone gives a little, it will result in a lot. Your Annual Fund gift will make a difference, and in my heart that is what I hope to do – to make a difference. So give!

Mary Lou Callaghan is the Director of Administration at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

“

Carmel Catholic’s Annual Fund Making A Difference Every Day!

Carmel Catholic’s Annual Fund invites you to give what you can every year – your generosity changes lives every day!

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Advancement

N E W S

PLA N N E D GIV ING

A Gift Annuity helps you and Carmel too As people prepare and reorganize for retirement, the bottom line is that they are creating a variety of income streams that will replace that which came with full time employment. In this low interest rate environment, coupled with a volatile stock market, retirement income planning is challenging now more than ever. In consultation with a financial professional, people nearing retirement need to find ways to maximize their financial assets to produce reliable income.

One way you can achieve your retirement financial goals and help Carmel at the same time is through the purchase of a Charitable Gift annuity*. You can receive guaranteed income for the rest of your life and give Carmel an income from the remainder of your gift in the future. If you feel that passing on the values and faith learned at Carmel is important to your legacy, then a gift annuity provides a perfect option for you. The Charitable Gift annuity can be a gift for the future of Carmel without sacrificing your income today. Income from forward-looking donors will greatly help Carmel to renew its facilities and programs, and to keep tuition low for future students.

A Charitable Gift Annuity can benefit both you and Carmel in the following ways: • Income rate for 60 year-old annuitants is currently at 4.4% and is higher for older annuitants.** This is an attractive rate when compared to other fixed rate investments.

• Your gift is tax deductible.*** • You can direct the income to your self or other beneficiaries.

• You can receive immediate payments or defer payments to increase the value of the annuity for higher income later in retirement.

• The income lasts for the rest of the annuitant’s life.

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• Converting low or no dividend securities, or other unproductive financial assets, can provide a productive income stream in your retirement.

• The minimum gift is $10,000, which is less than many other gift annuities.

Younger alums might just say this column is for the older folks. But that is not the case!

Solid financial planning in your 30s and 40s will pay off handsomely when you reach retirement age.

If you are in a position to purchase a deferred annuity now, you can realize a significant benefit in retirement and ultimately for Carmel.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to plan and consult with a financial professional if you are in your 30s or older. If you feel your Carmel experience has helped you achieve life successes, then giving back through a gift annuity makes not only good business sense but also good philanthropic sense. *Carmel’s gift annuity program is a partnership with the Chicago Community Trust. The Chicago Community Trust will manage the gift annuity and disburse annuity income generated to the annuitant. **Annuity rates are based on actuarial tables and vary with the age of the annuitant. ***The amount that is tax deductible will depend on your personal tax situation.

Michael Looby ‘75 Director of Planned, Major Gifts and Corporate Relations

School

N E W S

FAC U LTY VOIC E

One can’t help but look out the windows and see that spring is here. From the blossoming trees to the greening of the grass, it’s clear that spring has arrived. It’s not just the growth Brian Tekampe ‘95, taking place World Languages Teacher outside, but the growth in the classroom as well. Our students are clearly looking forward to the nicer weather and desire summer to hurry up. What many of the students don’t see is their personal growth as well. Much has changed in them since August, and not just academically. While they have certainly grown as individuals, they may not realize all they have learned in their classrooms, from new verb

1967

tenses to theories and equations.

They have much to process on a daily basis! I am continually amazed at how well they do and how they handle all they do.

Often it’s easy to forget what it was like to be a student at Carmel.

I also have taken a chance this spring to reflect on how I have grown. In just a few short weeks, I will finish my graduate program and graduate with a Master’s in Educational Administration. Finally! It has been a long journey, sometimes challenging, but a satisfying one as well. I feel blessed to be part of a community that has not only encouraged this personal growth but has also supported me every step of the journey.

My fellow teachers were always willing to help out, whether it was a simple request or perhaps something a little more time

consuming. The administration was always willing to share their experiences and mentor me through this process. And my wonderful wife never complained about the extra work taking care of three kids on days when I would leave at 7 am and not return home until after 9 pm.

It has been an incredible journey, as each year is. We grow every year, and sometimes we need to be reminded to reflect on that growth. As we wind down the school year, I encourage each of my colleagues to take some time to not just reflect on the year, but also reflect on how they have grown. I can’t think of a better time of year to consider how we’ve changed and developed as individuals. A look out the window reveals that nature is doing the same thing.

2012 reunions 1972 1977

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Saturday, August 25, 2012

1982

1987

1992

1997

2002

2007

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Saturday, June 23, 2012 Spring 2012| | 19 Spring 2012

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS | CLASS NOTES | ENGAGEMENTS | MARRIAGES | BIRTHS/ADOPTIONS | IN MEMORIAM CCH S A A B OA R D NE W S

Can you believe summer is around the corner?

Well, this year it isn’t too hard to believe because we hit record temperatures in March. With the warmer weather come barbeques, baseball games, fairs, and just the good outdoors.

One of the big events I look forward to during the summer is the Farmers’ Market. It seems as though every town has one. I actually just received my mailer stating that my town’s farmers’ market starts in June. One of the great things I love about the farmers’ market is seeing and meeting the people who grow the vegetables and fruit I am buying. I also enjoy meeting those who are selling handmade items and knick knacks. I love to see all the people supporting the local economy.

It wasn’t until last summer that I became particularly interested in where my food came from. On my way home from my family’s lake house in Wisconsin, I drove through Richmond, IL, and they had a farmers’ market going on. I decided to stop and see what they had and let my son run around for a little bit. In talking

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alumni association

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Nicole Covganka ‘01, CCHSAA Secretary

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to a local farmer who asked me what kind of foods I feed my son and if I ate organic, I told him that occasionally I buy organic and local, but sometimes I just buy what I need at my local grocery store. I was honest and told him I don’t pay much attention.

He asked if I had NetFlix and told me to check out the documentary “Food Inc.” and “Where My Food Comes From.”

I checked these documentaries out and was shocked at what I learned. I thought about what I put into my body along with what I feed my son. I made a commitment to try to make sure I was eating organic when possible, buying local, and staying close to my roots. With anything it is staying close to your roots that is important, whether it is the root of a vegetable or the roots of your family. I ask you to examine your roots. Look at what you fuel your body with, what you fuel your spirit with, and what has helped shape the person you are today.

Carmel Catholic High School Alumni Association is here to support you even after you graduate by offering opportunities for networking, participating in spiritual activities, and reconnecting with old classmates – that is what CCHSA is here for.

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Carmel Catholic High School Alumni Association Wants

YOU…

… to join our Executive Board We are looking for creative, enthusiastic, dedicated Corsairs from all grad years to fill the following positions for the 2012-2014 Executive Board term: President, CCHSAA Vice President, CCHSAA Secretary, CCHSAA Treasurer, CCHSAA For more information on these roles, contact Alumni Relations at alumni@carmelhs.org

Alumni

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CLASS N OTE S

1972

Elizabeth Lucas ’72 was appointed to CEO and Executive Director of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Soroptimist International of the Americas is an international volunteer organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

Lucas reflected on her appointment with the following comments: “I look forward to taking Soroptimist International of the Americas to its next stage…for women’s issues are important human rights issues. It’s time the rest of the world caught on to this fact.”

1981

Andy Bitto ‘81, was awarded the 2012 Sports Faith International: Hometown Hero Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Coaches. Andy was the only coach to receive the award this year. In this photo, Andy receives his much deserved Lifetime Achievement award from NFL Hall of Fame and four-time All Pro, five-time Pro Bowler, Dave “the Ghost” Casper, on behalf of Sports Faith International. Dave was inducted into the Sports Faith Hall of Fame in 2009.

Recognition for Coach Bitto’s achievements extends beyond our Carmel Catholic immediate family and is aptly summed up by Chicago Bears Owner Patrick McCaskey, who is the Chairman of Sports Faith International: “Coach Bitto’s outstanding and humble dedication to his players and the values they hold on and off the field is refreshing.

His winning seasons and successful men on the team are a tribute to his faith and commitment.”

1990

Jennifer Randle ‘90 received her MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Keller Graduate School in December 2011. She is currently working at Knaack, LLC in Crystal Lake, IL as the Marketing and eBusiness Manager.

1999

Eileen Looby ‘99 was nominated for and accepted a position as a director with the Purdue University Agriculture Alumni Board. The term is 3 years. She received a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Purdue University in 2003 and continues as Vice-President of Lake Forest Flowers in Lake Forest, IL.

2001

Jon Mikrut ’01 was inducted into the East Suburban Catholic Conference Hall of Fame on March 8, 2012. This accomplishment is one in a long list of Jon’s achievements in athletics. Some of his Carmel Catholic highlights include Carmel Catholic Senior Athlete of the Year, 2001 Daily Herald Athlete of the Year, and 2001 Lakeland Press Athlete of the Year. He lettered junior and senior year for football, soccer and baseball, and was the 2001 Daily Herald Baseball Player of the Year – to name a few. Jon is also the recipient of a Division I Baseball Scholarship to Northwestern University. And in June, 2005, Jon signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and played 4 years in the minors, eventually advancing to Double A Ball. In 2006, Jon was inducted into Carmel Catholic’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Since April, 2009, Jon works as the Baseball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Northwestern University.

2003

Sarah LoBue ‘03 has been accepted into Mayo Clinic’s Nurse Anesthesia Program for

2012. She had been working as an intensive care nurse at the Mayo Clinic and volunteering her time at a local ambulance service.

2008

Molly Fitzgibbons ’08 was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship.

She will be teaching/ studying in Spain next year.

2009

Viviana Gutierrez ‘09 was recently accepted to present her undergraduate research project at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research being held at Weber State University in Ogden, UT. She will be co-presenting “The Effects of Survival Processing and Retention Interval on Memory” in March, 2012, with one of her peers. Her abstract submission was accepted out of 3,500 applicants from around the country.

2010

Hilary Halford ‘10, University of St. Francis (Geneva, OH), sophomore, earned a pair of AllAmerica honors during the NAIA National Championships that took place on March 3, 2012.

Hilary also added to the historic showing by the University of St. Francis at the 2012 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships when she became the first-ever Saint to earn NAIA All-America honors in an individual event by placing in the finals of the 800 meter dash.

INCREDIBLE!

2011

Delaney Hunt ‘11, St. Ambrose College (Davenport, IA) freshman and golf scholarship recipient, made the Dean’s List her first semester, and she was the only freshman golfer to play in all tournaments this past year. And there’s more: she is the #2 golfer on a team of 13 girls!

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Alumni

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ENG AGE M E N TS

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4

Eileen Looby ‘99 to Brian Weber Jason Kwasigroch ‘04 to Samantha Stewart

1 Kevin Swiat ‘97 to Margherita Campagna.

2 Kristina Galla ‘06 to Chris Robinson 3 Claire Heid ‘06 to Kevin Dieterich 3 W ED DIN GS

4 Sarah Pavlus ‘97 to Adam Abrams Tyler Kivland ‘01 to Alanna Garvey BIRT HS /A DO P TIO N S

1 Gabriel Mitchell born to

Jason and Natalie (Mitchell ‘97) Sobolewski.

2 Kathryn Grace to Kelly

(Lazarus ’96) and Kevin Leah

2

1

3

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3 Andrew Jeffery to Liz

4 Penelope Rose to Sunny and John Pavlus ‘96

(Koenig ‘01) and Jeff Hein.

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Alumni

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IN M E M O R IA M

Father

Edward Bretzlauf, father of David ’66 and grandfather of Christopher ‘08 Patrick Kivland, father of Rhett ‘00, Tyler ‘01, and Brea ‘05 John Lucente, father of Phyllis (Lucente ’68) Argentari, Dominic’70 and Mary ’70; grandfather of Nicole (Lucente ’99) Snow and John Lucente ‘96 George Palaske, father of Gi Gi (Palaske ’70) Whitmore Jack Travis, father of Susan ‘81

Mother

Marilyn Durkee, mother of Thomas ’67, Mary (Durkee ’69) Lawrence ’69, James ’71, Joan ’74 and George ‘75 Helen Grom, mother of Rudolph Jr. ’71, Terrence ‘73 (Theresa Rafferty ‘73) and Lawrence ’74 (deceased)

Mary Ragen, mother of Tom ’79 (former Religion teacher) Elaine Schabell, mother of Raymond ’78, Therese (Schabell ’82) Duenas Sturm, and Mary (Schabell ’84) Hauser Phyllis Sulkowski, mother of Richard ’75 and Robert ‘78

Alumni

Sharon Ann (Killackey ’94) Berryhill, wife of Ken ’93 and sister of Brent ‘90 Jennifer (Doucette ‘87) Czosek, sister of Laurie (Doucette ’82) Gommel, Michael ’91 and Dale ‘79 Eugene Gruber ‘79, brother of Gregory ‘66, George Jr. ’71, Maryann ’73 (deceased) and Gerry ’74 (deceased).

James Halloran ‘68 John (Jack) Hauser ‘71, brother of James ’68, William ’74, Susan (Hauser ‘70) Glissendorf, Mary (Hauser ‘73) Clapp, Jane (Hauser

‘76) Ulfsrud, uncle of Nicole ’03, John ’06, Danielle ’01, Alexandra ’09, Michael ’01, Elizabeth ’09 and Daniel ’05 Eugene E. Sberna ’66 Mary Kay Tschanz ’69, sister of Charles ‘67 and Thomas ’72 and aunt of Steven ’00, Robert ’96, Mark ’97, James ’93, Brian ’06, Ann ’03, Kathleen (Tschanz ’94) Booker, Peter ’01, Matthew ’94, and Colleen ’97

Wife

Susan Roman, wife of Richard ’75 and brother-in-law of Jay ‘90

Grandmother

Anita Dowd, grandmother of Nicole ‘15 Catherine Kray, grandmother of Sean ’06 and Connor ’07 Murnane Helen M. Waggener, grandmother of Mary ’13 and MaryAnne ’15 Brinkman

Donna Zwolski, grandmother of Matthew ’03, Christy ’04 and Beth ’08 Zwolski, Molly (Halvey ’00) Kehrer and Bridget (Halvey ’04) Ariniello

Grandfather

Michael Campbell, M.D., grandfather of Jim ’96, Michael ’00 and Anne ’02 Kwiatt James Murphy, the grandfather of Tyler ’07 and Justin ’12 Gibbons

Brother

Blasé Cermak, brother of James ’69 and Susan ‘67

Stepbrother

James R. Withrow, stepbrother of Joel Cervantes ‘91

Former Faculty

Sr. Helen Warren; English/Latin teacher from 1968 – 1990

STAY IN TOUCH Do you have a new job or an addition to the family you would like to tell us about? Are you a newlywed or want to reconnect with former classmates and other alumni?

Currents welcomes news of accomplishments or changes in your professional or personal life for inclusion in class notes. Please include your graduate name and class year, your present name, and daytime phone number when you submit a class note. We publish photos as quality of photo and quantity of space allow. If available, include a photo caption listing the names of the people and the place where the photo was taken. Submissions to class notes are edited for space and clarity to adhere to the style and tone of the magazine.

Submit news and photos to: Alumni Relations, Carmel Catholic High School One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein, IL 60060 Fax: 847-388-3497, Email: alumni@carmelhs.org Online at: www.corsairalumni.org/classnote Obituaries: CCHS relies on family members to inform us of the deaths of alumni and friends. If a newspaper obituary is available, we would appreciate a copy. Send notices to the address above.

Deadlines for Submissions: Currents is published in the summer, winter and and spring. Class notes will be printed as space allows and when possible, in the order they are received. If you submit an item for the fall issue, for example, and it doesn’t appear, it most likely will be in the following issue. We encourage all alums to submit class notes online, where they are always available for alumni to view.

Submit items for: Fall: by 10/10/12 Winter: by 12/10/12

Spring 2012 |

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Non-Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Permit #54 Mundelein, IL

One Carmel Parkway | Mundelein, IL 60060

Register today. stay connected always.

Here’s how to register on the Corsair Alumni Community: • • • •

Go to www.corsairalumni.org Select First Time Login (top left of toolbar) Type your Last Name (try maiden name if married name does not appear) Type your Constituent ID (if you do not see your constituent ID located above your address on this issue, email alumni@carmelhs.org) • Select radio button with your name • Click Next You will now be directed to a page where you can enter information from current address to current employer, etc. On this page, please update your information and be sure to create a user name and password. Once you become a member, you can post a class note and/or a photo!

Join the CCHS Alumni Association groups online!

2012 MAY 25

Senior Honors Convocation Senior Brunch 28 Memorial Day—Offices Closed 29-31 Final Exams—Underclassmen 30 Baccalaureate Liturgy 31 Graduation

JUNE

6 Summer School Begins 8 Dallas Networking Social 11-12 Carmel Study Skills Program 14 Corsair Brewers Alumni Baseball Outing 29 Summer School Ends

Carmel Catholic

CALENDAR

OF EVENTS