9 minute read
Alumni Notes
a letter to alumni...
We can't predict all of life's problems or the severity of the catalyst that makes our journey difficult, but we should have resolute optimism that Chaminade has an administration, faculty, alumni, and student body that is ready for the challenge. The Alumni Board would like to applaud the entire Chaminade family for dealing with the many challenges presented this year while still enjoying a terrific start to another school year.
With unpredictability becoming the new normal, the 20202021 school year has required a great deal of adaptation and change. Our first Alumni Board meeting was held via Zoom and we plan to do so for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, cancelled events include Celebrate Chaminade, the All-Alumni Mass, and all class reunion gatherings. On the other hand, we were able to host another successful, and safe, Alumni Golf Classic at Forest Park! The weather was perfect, and we received positive feedback from the participants who welcomed the comradery, albeit physically distanced. There has not been a final decision made for all the events that normally take place during the second half of the year…so, please stay tuned.
On another note, it is a main goal of the Alumni Board to keep alumni active and enthused with the happenings at Chaminade. One important way to stay informed is by subscribing to the Alumni News & Notes emailed out biweekly. If you are not receiving this distribution, please update your contact information at www.chaminade-stl. org/updateinfo. Additionally, if you have the will and desire to volunteer at any future Chaminade event, please do not hesitate to contact any Board member, including myself, or Dave Nolda, Director of Alumni Relations. There is always something to do and ways to get involved!
God bless you all and the 2020-2021 school year as we remember to give all glory and honor to our Almighty Father.
Esto Vir,
AARON THOMPSON '03
Alumni Board President
Wright '01 Releases Book, Gets Promotion
John Wright '01 recently published Deep Space Warfare: Military Strategy Beyond Orbit. John was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the US Air Force in April. He is currently director of operations for the Global Hawk on the island of Guam.
Van Gels '02 Hockey Journey Premiered at The Skip
Keith Van Gels '02 film "Hockey Journey" premiered at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade in January 2020.
Kelly '83 and Dr. K Receive Alumni Awards
Tim Kelly '83 was named Alumnus of the Year, and Dr. Stephanie A. Kralemann, was named as Chaminade's first Honorary Alumna! Fr. Ralph presented the awards at the annual Blessed Chaminade Day Mass.
Aegerter '16 Commissioned at Chaminade
Anthony Aegerter '16 held his Marine Officer Commissioning Ceremony at Chaminade. He transitioned from a Candidate to a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp. Anthony was joined by members of his family and fellow Chaminade classmate, Jack Bellon '16.
Tkachuk '16 – NHL All-Star Visits Campus
Matthew Tkachuk '16 spent a few hours at Chaminade signing autographs and taking photos with the students, faculty and staff during his visit to St. Louis for the NHL All-Star Game in January 2020.
Chaminade All-Stars
Jayson Tatum '16 (NBA – Boston Celtics), Brady Tkachuk '18 (NHL – Ottawa Senators), and Matthew Tkachuk '16 (NHL – Calgary Flames), were named NBA and NHL All-Stars, respectively this year.
Behm '12 Lights Up Oscars
Jeff Behm '12, who works at Full Flood: A Lighting Design Firm, served as the Assistant Lighting Director for The Oscars telecast.
Willis '06 Starts in Nashville FC Debut
Joe Willis '06 was the starting goalie for Nashville FC for their MLS debut in front of 59,069 fans!
Bennett '01 Named Coach of the Year
Frank Bennett '01 was named the 2020 MBCA Class 5 Richard Fairchild Coach of the Year. He is a true example of Esto Vir on the court and in the classroom.
Colombo '02 Used Distillery for Hand Sanitizer
Nick Colombo '02 showed the spirit of Esto Vir during these trying Covid times. Even though Switchgrass Spirits had been selling for just a month, production was halted. "We just stopped making whiskey and started making hand sanitizer."
Stokes '03: The Ghost Who Walks in Netflix Top 10
Cody Stokes '03 film, The Ghost Who Walks, was a Top 10 on Netflix earlier this year. Cody wrote and directed the movie, which was filmed entirely in St. Louis.
Beal '11 and Tatum '16 Team Up
Thank you to Bradley Beal '11 and Jayson Tatum '16, who teamed up to fight the coronavirus pandemic. They partnered with Lineage Logistics on its Share-A-Meal program to donate $250,000 to the St. Louis Area Foodbank. For every $25 donated, the foodbank was able to provide 200 meals to children, families and seniors in the bi-state region.
Brad Davis '00 was appointed Club Director of the Missouri Boys Division of the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club.
Hennessey '05 and Lux Living Step Up to Help
Kyle Hennessey '05, and his company, Lux Living, stepped up to help in these challenging times. Lux Living offered 21 area restaurants $30,000 in cash grants, donated $50,000 to Saint Louis University for vaccine research, and donated $20,000 to local food pantries.
From left to right: Ward 26 alderwoman Shameem Clark Hibbard, Jonathan Wiltse of Sysco, Kyle Hennessey '05, Cheryl Baehr, John Dalton
Stokes '10 Featured in Guitar Player Magazine
Bandi '08 Releases Debut EP
Chris Bandi '08 released his self-titled, seven-song, country music debut EP.
Lewis '16 Goes Pro
Mike Lewis II '16 signed a professional contract to play basketball for Pécsi VSK-VEOLIA men's basketball club based in Pécs, Hungary.
Beal '11 Surprises DC Students
Bradley Beal '11 connected with his little brothers at Ron Brown College Preparatory High School in DC. Bradley won the 2018-19 NBA Cares Community Assist Award for his work with RBHS. In May, members of the Wizards organization and Ron Brown HS traveled the D.C. area to give four graduating students gifts from Beal. Bradley also used money from his Community Assist Award $25,000 fund from the NBA, to grant $3,000 in scholarships to each student.
Zimmermann '16 Goes Pro
Peter Zimmermann '16 signed a minor league contract with Houston Astros.
Luechtefeld '20 Inducted into US Naval Academy
Braden Luechtefeld '20 was inducted the US Naval Academy Class of 2024.
SakellariouThompson '09 Graduates
Donastas SakellariouThompson '09 graduated from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. position with the Immunology Department at MD Anderson Cancer Center where he will continue his research in the areas of pancreatic and ovarian cancer treatments.
Allen '12 Makes A's Roster & Hits 1st Home Run
Chaminade baseball alum, Austin Allen '12, made the Oakland A's 40-man roster this season and hit his first major league home run.
Sansone '12 Interviewed by Courageous Nerd
Hunter Sansone '12 portrays Cameron Mahkent, a major character on DC's Stargirl, which premiered in May on the CW. He was recently interviewed by Courageous Nerd about his experience in Stargirl as well as an upcoming role in a Disney+ film.
Powell '15 Takes Position at Simon
Tommy Powell '15 accepted a clerk position at the Simon Law Firm. Tommy graduated from the University of Kansas, majored in Journalism, and is a rising 2L at the Saint Louis University School of Law.
Vrucinic '17 Signs Pro Basketball Deal
Marin Vrucinic '17 signed a professional basketball contract to play for BC Sonik Puntamik in Croatia.
McLaughlin '85 Comes Back from Covid
Jim McLaughlin '85 was hospitalized in March for 15 days due to Covid-19. He is still recovering and reclaiming some of his life before Covid.
"From classmates, to alumni, to faculty…all the hundreds, if not thousands, of prayers sent on my behalf was truly my saving grace. Thank you so much! I am a living testament that the power of prayer is so important in our lives and we need to encourage each other to engage in prayer often selflessly! Things are far from normal for me, as I still have some health struggles, but there is light ahead that my health is returning as I won a golf Club Championship in July and accepted an invitation to play in the 2021 PGA National Club Championship at Pinehurst Resort next March, one year post-Covid. I am truly blessed and ask everyone to keep all those suffering in their prayers!"
Simon '08 Recognized with Up and Coming Award
Johnny Simon '08 was recognized by Missouri Lawyers Media with the Up and Coming Award. Johnny is one of 50 Missouri attorneys under the age of 40, who has made tremendous strides in his first 10 years of practicing. Johnny was selected for the Law Firm Leaders category, which recognizes early-career professionals who hold important leadership positions at their firms.
Gabrawy '87 Joins New Venture
Mike Gabrawy '87 joined John Wick producer, Basil Iwanyk, to form Asbury Park Pictures, a production label created to leverage the global appetite for moderately-budgeted high-concept action and thriller films.
Tatum '16 in Elite Company
Jayson Tatum '16 joined some elite company during the NBA playoffs:
Joined Larry Bird as the only players with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in 3 straight playoff games in Celtics franchise history.
Youngest player in Celtics history with 30+ PTS and 10+ REB in a playoff game. Jayson is the 3rd player in NBA history to lead both teams outright in points, rebounds and assists in a Game 7, joining LeBron James (2018 Conference Finals) and Larry Bird (1984 Conference Semis).
Youngest player in NBA history to average 25 points, 10 rebounds & 5 assists in the playoffs.
Ranks third on the list of most playoff games scoring 20+ points at age 22 or younger. With 25, he ranks behind Kobe (32) and LeBron (29).
Meyer '87 Elected to National Space Society Board
Bryce Meyer '87 was elected to the National Space Society Board of Directors (Region 4). Bryce will be a part of several presentations and panels in the next few months on the topics of Space Settlement, Space Agriculture, and Space Tourism.
Barlow '14 Scores Twice in Victory Over Montreal
Tom Barlow '14, of the New York Red Bulls of the MLS, scored twice (his first two goals of the season) in their victory over the Montreal Impact.
