Derf Maitland leads in the classroom and on the field.
Dear Alumni, Parents, & Friends of Delone Catholic High School,
Shortly before New Year’s Day, I received an email from the front desk manager at the Holiday Inn Express in Reedsville, Pa. The girls’ varsity basketball team had been staying there while the girls were participating in a holiday tournament hosted by Mifflin County High School. The team would go on to win each of its contests and return home with the tournament’s laurels. The front desk manager, however, did not email me a congratulatory note on the girls’ winning performance. Instead, out of a sense of gratitude, she wrote to me “that, to a girl, [the team was] polite, friendly, and appreciative.” She went on to say that the hotel hosts “school teams all year long and from all states. I only wish they were all as well-behaved as these girls were.”
My reaction, upon reading this email, can be best described as a swollen heart. I was proud of the girls and grateful for the gracious witness that they provided to someone in the service industry, whose work is probably often thankless. And while their deportment at the hotel is invariably a reflection of the strong influence of their parents, coaches, and other mentors, I believe that Delone Catholic also had an important role in forming them in the virtues they demonstrated to that front desk manager that day.
When school resumed in January, I shared with the girls the contents of the email just before afternoon basketball practice. They were both humbled and, as is often characteristic of adolescence, a bit sheepish about the attention given to their behavior in Reedsville. In other words, their response was itself an expression of the same virtue they demonstrated that day at the Holiday Inn Express, the habit of being respectful and unassuming: they simply thanked me for sharing the email.
The varsity girls’ basketball team went on to enjoy a winning regular season. And while their goals of district and state titles did not materialize as they had hoped, the girls demonstrated that they are already champions in the infinitely more important contest of life. Walking as “Doers of the Word” (James 1:22) that late December day, their behavior gave evidence to their unspoken recognition that everyone, regardless of station in life, is worthy of respect and that the success of our society’s common life requires the appreciation of each person’s contribution to it, including that of the front desk manager at the Holiday Inn Express in Reedsville.
A virtue of this sort occurs regularly amongst our students, but it is often hidden or simply goes unobserved. It speaks to the cumulative, formative influence exerted in their lives by, amongst others, Delone Catholic High School and those who, like you, have, throughout the years, faithfully supported the School through your prayers. May God bless you and our students in the common effort of being Doers of the Word.
With every good wish for a Blessed Eastertide,
William Lippe P ‘25, EdM Principal
Delone Catholic High School educates and challenges students spiritually, academically, physically, socially, and aesthetically within the traditions and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. This challenge will inspire students to encounter Jesus Christ personally and to “Be Doers of the Word”
(James 1:22)
Credits
Executive Editor: Managing Editor: Design/Printing:
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Photos:
William J. Lippe P’25
Stephanie R. Leader
Proforma Graphic Concepts
Dan Badolato P’03 & Dave Badolato
Eric T. Lawrence ’98
Julia T. Fuhrman
Nancy J. Duffy P’13, P’19
Delone Catholic High School Archive
Brienna Richelle Photography
The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Derf Maitland, English teacher and former girls’ soccer coach of Delone Catholic, stepped in as the first head coach of both the girls’ and boys’ soccer programs at Delone Catholic High School in 2012. He was also recently honored as one of the 2022 Educators of the Year by the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce during the Annual Business Awards Ceremony. Maitland has recently announced his retirement from coaching after an 11-year tenure. He was able to coach both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at the outset because they played in opposite seasons. He opted to stay with the girls’ team when their season moved to the fall for the 2012-13 academic year. Maitland claims to have stepped in as coach out of necessity rather than desire, just as he had previously done when he took charge of his children’s youth soccer program. “They needed a coach, so I became the coach,” Maitland said, adding that while he did not take the position out of inspiration, he aspired to be the best coach possible.
It was in the 2015-16 school year that Maitland became a teacher as well. With a degree and a passion for English and the written word, Maitland stepped into a vacant position mid-year and transitioned into his new role with ease. “[Maitland’s] creativity in his instruction inspires his students, who respond with active engagement in class,” said Principal William Lippe. “He listens to his students and strives to expand their opportunities, even creating two new classes on ‘How to Read Film.’”
Maitland views the balance between teaching and coaching as tedious and stressful, yet simultaneously rewarding. “Coaching allows your students to get to know you better,” he remarked, indicating that having involvement with student activities and programs can yield growth as an educator and develop closer bonds with students. While Maitland feels triumphant over many of the on-field achievements that his girls have accomplished, including winning their first playoff game, he believes that his greatest accomplishment as coach was to administer the development of his athletes, primarily in their academic life.
He advises students considering partaking in extracurricular activities or sports to sign up, as it will strengthen organizational skills and help students stay on top of their work. “Get involved… If you’re committed to something and have to be organized, you get organized. You don’t have a choice.” Maitland also offers insight into how hard work in the classroom can assist students in reaching their athletic goals. “Unless you’re LeBron James, colleges are not looking specifically at athletics; they’re looking at academics.” He strives for his athletes to be sharp both on the field and in the classroom, later adding “You’ve got to be good in the books… If you want to take this soccer thing to [college], they’re going to demand it.”
In addition to Maitland’s work at Delone Catholic as an educator, he and his wife, Mary Ann (Groft) Maitland ‘82, own The Readers’ Cafe, a bookstore and cafe, in downtown Hanover. Despite retiring as the girls’ soccer coach, Maitland will continue his teaching career at Delone Catholic and will continue to offer a classroom environment that will foster success at the highest level.
“Get involved… If you’re committed to something and have to be organized, you get organized. You don’t have a choice.”
Patrick Heagey ‘03 fondly remembers his time at Delone Catholic High School. He participated in Spiritual Life by leading retreats, became involved in sports and the Athletic Training Club, and he particularly enjoyed his upper-level science courses; chemistry, and anatomy and physiology.
Nearly 20 years later, Heagey thanks his Delone Catholic education for his preparation in what has not only become his career but his life’s passion and calling. He has become a professor in the Physician Assistant Program at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa., and a physician assistant at Paoli Hospital in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Heagey says that it all started when he was prompted to pick a club to join as a freshman at Delone Catholic High School.
“I remember seeing the Athletic Training Club. I thought, ‘I like sports, and medicine and healthcare interest me. I’m going to check this out,’” Heagey recalled. He credits Tony Smith ’86 and Matt Lawrence ’93, two former Delone Catholic athletic trainers as being a vital part of his blossoming interest in medicine, and showing him the ropes of athletic training as a high school student. In addition to involvement in sports and athletic training, Heagey remembers his involvement in Peer Ministry, leading retreats and helping his fellow classmates strengthen their relationship with God.
Following graduation in 2003, Heagey went on to study at Lock Haven University and graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in health science and a concentration in athletic training. Heagey anticipated becoming an athletic trainer after college, but his goals changed when he was introduced to an athletic trainer who went back to school to become a physician assistant. When Heagey learned of all the different responsibilities you take on in that line of medicine, he was sold. “As a physician assistant, not only can you do orthopedics and sports medicine, but you can take care of patients, assist in the OR, read X-rays, and prescribe medication. There are a lot more possibilities than solely a focus on orthopedics.”
Following Heagey’s time at Lock Haven University, he applied to several PA programs and went on to enroll at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and graduated with his master’s degree in physician assistant studies. It was from there that Heagey worked in emergency medicine, then discovered an interest in trauma and surgical care, advancing his specialties in medicine and ultimately inspiring Heagey to teach. He got his start as an adjunct professor in the physician assistant program at Arcadia University and then applied to West Chester University, where the physician assistant program was just starting out. “I aspired to teach in a program that was up and coming so I could build the program from scratch,” he said. “I knew what it was like to work in an established program and was excited to come on board and work for a university that was very excited and supportive of a brand-new program.”
When Heagey thinks back to his days at Delone Catholic High School, he remembers his science classes as laying the foundation for his knowledge in healthcare. “Miss Ruthann Pinkos definitely influenced me. In medicine, you have to have a strong background in science. She holds her students to very high standards. As a teenager, you need someone who is going to hold you accountable,” Heagey recalled. Heagey also fondly remembers Miss Anne Kerr, who taught Heagey at St. Joseph School in Hanover, Pa.
Now that Heagey is teaching his own students, he is inspired when a student who is struggling finally grasps a concept. “There was a student who was struggling academically and was worried about being successful, but when they started their clinical training they shined. I received a note thanking me for a job well done, and that they appreciated what I had taught them.”
Both student success and faith guide Heagey daily, “In the road of life there are going to be hills and valleys and a lot of things that are unexpected. You can turn to God and prayer as a way to form a connection that is going to move you forward in a positive direction,” he said. While not Catholic himself, Heagey says the Catholic faith and being a part of a community of believers motivates him.
“I am grateful for the Delone Catholic community and the fond memories I have looking back that shaped my future,” he said.
“I aspired to teach in a program that was up and coming so I could build the program from scratch.”
Patrick Heagey ‘03Photos courtesy of Patrick Heagey
Jacob Blackwell ’17, like most seniors in high school, struggled to discern what his future looked like or what he might want to do with the rest of his life. In addition, the concept of faith and love of Christ was somewhat unfamiliar to him.
Everything changed when he went on his first Kairos retreat at Delone Catholic High School, with a core team of Kairos leaders, under the guidance of Campus Minister Mrs. Kate Phenicie. It was this experience that inspired Jacob to know the Lord in a deeper way and made him want to help other young people do the same.
Following graduation from Delone Catholic in 2017, Jacob studied psychology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During his studies, he developed a love of service which included working with Habitat for Humanity and delivering meals to the homeless population in D.C. When it became time to search for employment upon his graduation, he did not know where to begin. He knew his passions were in service to others but was unsure of what that looked like. “I was looking in a million different places, and nothing was really calling out to me. I began to give up,” recalled Blackwell.
During some downtime that he had, Blackwell was browsing YouTube and saw a recommended video for NET Ministries (National Evangelization Teams), a Catholic organization that seeks to evangelize young people in grades 6-12 by leading retreats and events.
Delone Catholic also enlists the services of NET in its own retreat planning, and Blackwell attended one of their retreats during his time at Delone Catholic as a sophomore. Blackwell, thinking of his background in service, was immediately drawn in. He decided to attend a discernment weekend with NET, which gave the full overview of what life would look like as a part of that ministry. He remembers one slide in particular during a workshop that gave an honest examination of what the job of a minister is. “They tell you that it is little pay and long hours, long nights, and a lot of youth. Do not expect to get rewarded. I thought about it, applied, and got accepted,” said Blackwell.
From there, Blackwell answered the call and became a member of Team 9 of NET. There are currently 15 teams, 14 in the United States and one team in Scotland. Leading each team is one male leader and one female, Blackwell is the male leader of his team. His team travels as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Miami, spending anywhere from a few hours to a few days with young people, leading Kairos-like retreats, playing games, working on activities, and giving talks. “The best part of our retreats is what we call Prayer Ministry, which is the last hour,” he said. “We go to Church; I give an exhortation about who Jesus is and why He died for us. We give them time to pray, and we pray over them. That is when a lot of lives are changed, and it is beautiful.”
Blackwell says that without Delone Catholic and Mrs. Phenicie, he would not be who he is today. “When I was 17, I was really, really lost. I didn’t understand my fate,” he said. “When I went on a Kairos retreat, that is when my life changed and I embraced my faith as my own. I really credit that core Kairos team and Mrs. Phenicie.”
After Blackwell graduated from Delone Catholic, he got in touch with Mrs. Phenicie to update her on his classes and how life was progressing following high school, and he regularly stayed in touch. When Blackwell joined NET, he let her know the news and asked for support and prayers. “It was so cool to hear that was the direction he had chosen to take,” remarked Mrs. Phenicie. “I knew him as a leader in Peer Ministry, and at the Kairos retreats. The one thing that is frustrating sometimes as a Campus Minister is that you don’t always get to see the fruit that is born from the work you do with students. To know that this is the path he took is so awesome.”
Blackwell also says that through NET he has not only built upon his relationship with Christ but his relationship with others. “One thing I love about NET is the emphasis on brotherhood and sisterhood. Those nine people on my team, I don’t just do ministry with them, they are like my brothers and sisters. The four fundamentals of our faith in which I’ve grown so much are prayer, sacraments, community, and service. All this stemmed from this love of Christ, and overflowed into my relationships with others.”
To learn more about NET Ministries, visit netusa.org.
At right: Jacob speaking as a NET Minister
Below: Jacob (at far right) and his NET Ministries Team
“They tell you that it is little pay and long hours, long nights, and a lot of youth. Do not expect to get rewarded. I thought about it, applied, and got accepted.”
To create change, one must do, and Lily Shriner ’23 is on the move. Growing up near lakes and creeks, Shriner enjoyed the great outdoors, yet started to see changes in the “small biological communities on the shores and under rocks” and knew she had to do something about it.
“It was important to reverse this damage,” she explains, “so that future generations could have the privilege to participate in the same ecosystems that I had” growing up around Lake Heritage.
Shriner took her biodiversity research from science fairs to symposiums, from Boston to Ireland, in search of solutions. “The knowledge that I gained and the people that I met,” she reflects, “led me to the advocacy side of environmental science.” From these experiences, Shriner was inspired to plant more trees, participate in more stream clean-ups, and launch projects like the storm water drain murals with the Interact Club [See Q&A].
While Shriner is self-motivating, she has been inspired by the various programs in which she has participated. Although she has been involved with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Leadership Program for quite some time, it was her trip to Alaska this past summer that sparked an interest in environmental justice. Shriner spent two weeks before her senior year learning about Native Alaskan peoples through Brown University’s Pre-College Program. Their “deep connections to nature and their subsistence way of life are threatened,” she explains, “because of the changing climate conditions and infrastructure encroaching on natural habitats.” Shriner has also had some motivating experiences closer to home: Interact Club.
Under the guidance of Miss Jennifer Noel ’05, English teacher and Interact Club moderator, Shriner – as well as others – have had opportunities to plant trees, recycle plastic bottles weekly, clean up trash through Adopt-a-Highway, and create and tend to the new pollinator garden located on the Delone Avenue side of the school. Miss Noel works tirelessly to make things happen, from finding grants and organizing volunteers to helping develop action plans and listening to ideas. “Miss Noel’s mentorship,” Shriner shares, “and our shared dedication to the environment has been a highlight of my time at Delone.”
Post-graduation, Shriner plans to major in Environmental Science with minors in Marine Science and statistics. “My dream is to be a researcher,” Shriner confirms, “looking into whatever phenomena lets me be on a boat and stay near the water.”
Whatever Shriner decides to do, we will all be better for it.
“My dream is to be a researcher... looking into whatever phenomena lets me be on a boat and stay near the water.”Shriner in Alaska Photos courtesy of Lily Shriner
Q: Anyone familiar with you knows you’ve done a lot of environmental fieldwork in the past. Are there any major projects you’re working on right now?
A: Right now I am working on a project with our Interact Club. We are painting sidewalk murals throughout McSherrystown to promote awareness of storm water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Q: What goal do you hope to accomplish by showcasing these murals?
A: I’m just hoping that residents of the local area gain more awareness of the individual impacts they have on the Chesapeake Watershed and what happens to the chemicals and trash they dump into their yards.
Q: Would you like to see other schools in the watershed pursue similar projects?
A: I would love to see other schools and towns participate in this! It would spread a lot of awareness in a fun, creative manner. Statistical information is not always the most effective way to promote knowledge, so I hope this project will be able to easily connect with people.
Q: Is there a way for outside members of the community to come out and get involved?
A: Of course! You can definitely work on your own sidewalks with permission from the borough, or you can come and help us out at the school. [With the support of Interact Club Moderator Miss Jennifer Noel,] we are hoping to host a community event with guest speakers from across the watershed that will talk about our project and storm water pollution so that we can all learn how to minimize our impact and make a difference.
Is it Col. Mustard with the candlestick in the library? Or, is it Mrs. Peacock with a rope in the dining room? Or, is it Miss Scarlet with a lead pipe in the lounge? It has to be Professor Plum with a wrench in the kitchen, doesn’t it? These are the very questions that kept the audience guessing the weekend of Nov. 4-6 during Delone Catholic’s production of the murder-mystery board game “Clue.”
Directed by Gabi Cranga ’17, the dramedy captured the imagination of the audience of what it meant to succeed in 1954 America at the height of McCarthyism, the rising popularity of Elvis, and the beginning of desegregation.
The Parker Brothers game of the late 1940s came alive with the true elements of theater: colorful costumes, intricate sets, and extraordinary characters who were all suspects in the murder of the manor’s owner, Mr. Boddy. However, for the Delone Catholic Players, with multiple murders and multiple suspects, “everything was bigger,” according to Riley Slee ’24, who played Mrs. Peacock, “the sets, the costumes, the props, the comedy.” For Emily Flynn ’24, in the role of Miss Scarlett, it was also personal. “Growing up in a board game-loving family,” explains Flynn, “‘Clue’ was something that became very important.” And for Slee, it was “nostalgic to revisit some childhood memories” in bringing her favorite game piece to life.
Most of the characters took to the stage one by one through their arrival at Boddy Manor. The singular introduction brought so much “confidence and power” for the actors according to Flynn, and allowed each character’s personality to be scrutinized by the audience and be assessed as to their capability of murder.
Justin Smith ’23 delighted as the colorful, witty Mr. Green while Maggie Murray ’24, cleverly dressed in all black, surprised as the condescending Mrs. White. Josie Schussler ’25 tried to keep order as the no-nonsense Cop along with Col. Mustard played perfectly by Jacob Fleming ’23. Junior Laurence Derkasch’s portrayal of the puzzled Prof. Plum humored the audience while Aubrey Dittmar ’23 personified chaos and comedy as Yvette, the French maid. Rowan Dorsey ’23 was captivating as the mysterious and maniacal Wadsworth, the Manor’s butler. The fast pace, witty jokes, and interactions among characters were natural which comes only from a commitment to hours of rehearsal, marking places, and running lines.
Behind every great stage performance is an even greater tech crew and the production of “Clue” was no exception. With the largest cast and crew in recent Delone history, sound director Joey Chirillo ’23, was met with some interesting problems of his own to solve. A sizeable, moving cast can cause “harder-to-track feedback,” explains Chirillo, and “Clue” introduced the crew to sound cues, just a week before opening night, which was the most “challenging aspect” of the fall production. Under the general guidance of Keefer Stiles ’23, the technical director, all the audience saw was well-run production. With his extensive experience at The Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, Stiles’ leadership extends to all aspects of a performance: sight, sound, and stage. Paige Bruton ’26 understands that the stage crew has to “make sure everything goes how it should, that actors don’t forget their lines, and set pieces are in the exact right spot.” Even though it was her first production, there is nothing like teamwork to make a job run smoothly. Bruton and Lily Shriner ’23 worked tirelessly backstage to make sure all pieces and props were perfectly in place.
Teamwork is a Delone Catholic tradition. Even with Stiles, Shriner, and Chirillo graduating, the excellence of the tech team will continue. Chirillo learned from his predecessor, Griff Kotlinkski ’22, and is extending the mentoring to Keira Slonaker ’26, who has been invaluable to the sound team during her first production. Learning how to operate new equipment, training new members, and working with a large cast is all part of the theatrical experience; however, for Chirillo, it has taught the “values of persistence and patience” and an experience of working with “technology and design,” and memories that will last long after the final curtain.
The cast of characters revealed the risks people took to get ahead in this perfect blend of terror and comedy. Whether it was Mrs. Peacock with the rope in the dining room or Prof. Plum with the wrench in the kitchen, without a doubt it was the Squire Players on stage in the Delone Gym, with an abundance of talent.
After a hiatus from in-person competitions, Delone Catholic’s Speech and Debate Team is up and running - toward success. Under the guidance and mentorship of Social Studies teacher, Mrs. Jennifer Knechtmann, the team of 18 active members has been excelling in the areas of oral interpretation, duo interpretation, humorous interpretation, informative, and congressional debate.
The biggest tournament to date was the Pennsbury Invitational near Philadelphia. The students competed against some of the top speakers and debaters in the nation. And they learned so much.
For Victoria Staub ’24, Pennsbury was an “eye opener for our whole team” and a bit intimidating; however, one of the biggest takeaways from the day was learning that success comes from “being pushed out of your comfort zone.”
The benefits of Speech and Debate far outweigh the long drives to out-of-state competitions and the long hours of practice. Whether “speaking in front of a crowd, persuasion, or even writing a speech,” explains Kali Hilfiger ’26, “all of these skills are learned on this team.” Classmate Collin Kuhn ’26 concurs. Speech and debate “help improve your diction and [overcome] the fear to perform in front of others.”
The DCHS Speech and Debate Team are members of the National Catholic Forensics League (NCFL), the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA), and the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL). The team currently has seven members of the NSDA Honor Society and a few more who are close to earning membership in the next few tournaments.
Friday Night Lights would not be complete without the sounds of Delone Catholic’s Marching Band. Under the guidance of Mr. Brian Yealy ’79, the members performed this year’s theme ‘Into the Light,” featuring “Shine Bright,” “Chant,” and “Into the Clouds” with precision and enthusiasm. Preparation takes place completely outside of the regular school day including twiceweekly rehearsals in June, a five-day band camp in July, then continuing once-weekly practices in the fall.
“Students must master both the music and the drill (marching maneuvers) for a field show,” explains Yealy. “A larger staff is involved to assist with creating, teaching, and perfecting the show.”
Whether providing music throughout the quarters to supporting the cheer team’s routines and chants, the Delone Catholic marching band is essential to the overall spectator experience. Similarly, Advent would not be as spirited without the Christmas Concert performed on Dec. 19 with an abridged performance for the student body on Monday, Dec. 20. Yealy and his wife, Lynn ’84, work tirelessly to find music that their respective ensembles have not yet performed, delighting audiences with fresh music year after year.
Some of Yealy’s favorite pieces from this year’s concert included “Groovin’ Kings Three” by the Junior Band, “Christmas With You,” by the chorus, and “I Saw Three Ships With Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” featuring the senior high percussion section.
“To me,” reflects Yealy, “the whole Christmas season, and the Christmas Concert in particular, is a magical time and the music is a big part of the magic.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Dr. Leo White joins Delone Catholic High School in the Social Studies Department with an entire career’s worth of experience teaching at the university and college levels. Born in Massachusetts and raised in California, Dr. White attended Christendom College for his undergraduate degree and later attended the Catholic University of America where he earned his doctorate in philosophy. Since earning his doctorate, Dr. White has taught philosophy at many different schools including Mount St. Mary’s University, La Salle University, and the University of Baltimore. He also spent 18 years at Morgan State University.
Dr. White originally chose philosophy as his specialty because of his interest in St. Thomas Aquinas and his philosophical teachings. Dr. White’s expertise in philosophy opened him up to teaching law at almost every school he has been at, and he now brings that knowledge to his American Government students at Delone Catholic.
Ironically, Dr. White says social studies was never his best subject when he was a student. However, asking “why” to many questions (as most philosophers do) regarding government and law, led Dr. White to appreciate the subject in a way he never anticipated. For nine years, Dr. White taught a course in Constitutional Law. Coming from a Catholic point of view and teaching law, he often found ways to raise discussions with disputing parties in a way that was both fair and thought-provoking.
At Delone Catholic, Dr. White sees himself as a “Catholic thinker,” using his knowledge of philosophy and the Catholic faith to challenge his students. “Catholics have a lot of resources available when it comes to teaching social justice, the common good, and responsibility,” said Dr. White. He based his American Government syllabus on teaching four points of Catholic Social Teaching. While this is Dr. White’s first time teaching high school, he already has big plans for the direction he would like to go, including the potential formation of a Philosophy elective class. “What I would like to present to the students would be philosophical approaches to the questions of God and human freedom. These are great things to know when you move on to a university.”
This year, Dr. White hopes to build connections with his students and develop their understanding of government and law, while also helping to strengthen their faith. Dr. White currently lives in Towson, Md., with his wife. He has grown children, and he and his wife are looking to possibly move closer to the Hanover area.
“What I would like to present to the students would be philosophical approaches to the questions of God and human freedom. These are great things to know when you move on to a university.”
Rev. John Rudolph joined the Mathematics Department at the start of the 2022-23 academic year as a full-time teacher and as of Feb. 2023 has accepted an offer to be Delone Catholic High School’s next Athletic Director, beginning at the conclusion of the academic year. Rev. Rudolph was chosen from among more than 50 candidates for the Athletic Director position. He joined Delone Catholic in 2018 as a basketball coach, and then as a substitute teacher. Rev. Rudolph has taught various mathematics and business courses while coaching basketball, football, and baseball throughout his career, before getting his master’s degree in Educational Supervision and Leadership from the University of Virginia and becoming an assistant principal.
In 2005, Rev. Rudolph received his call to ministry and entered seminary to become a pastor in the Methodist faith. Rev. Rudolph resigned from the school system to focus on ministry full-time. “Sometimes I get asked why I left my teaching career in the first place for ministry, and I simply reply that I am still teaching, but just teaching in a different way,” he remarked.
When his son Asher Rudolph ‘22 began looking for a private school to attend after his eighth-grade year, through tours and shadow days at Delone Catholic, the entire Rudolph family fell in love not only with the School itself but with the faith community found within. When Asher joined Delone Catholic his freshman year, Rev. Rudolph quickly noticed the unequivocal difference between Delone Catholic and the schools he was a part of in the past. He originally joined the school as a basketball coach, but then reached out to see if his expertise could be of use as a substitute teacher in the Mathematics Department. That eventually led to his acceptance of a full-time mathematics teaching position.
In Jan. 2023, the position of Athletic Director was advertised by the School. After a thorough interview process, it was evident that Rev. Rudolph was the top choice candidate for the position. “Rev. Rudolph brings to the position a former career in educational administration, a passion for interscholastic team coaching and competition, and, no less importantly, a heart for ministry,” said Principal William Lippe upon the announcement of the decision.
“I feel like everything that I have done in my life and been exposed to has prepared me for this role. I grew up in a family where faith, athletics, and academics were the most important things in life. Five years ago, I had no intention of getting back into academia, but I was drawn into the school and have heeded the call to serve in a variety of ways.” said Rev. Rudolph.
In the coming year as Athletic Director, Rev. Rudolph plans to build upon an already successful athletic program. As a Methodist pastor, Rev. Rudolph notes that his faith has many similarities with Catholicism and he has always had an appreciation for the faith. “I have always felt drawn to the tradition, consistency, and discipline of the Catholic Church,” he said. “I look forward to being the shepherd or servant leader of the Athletic Department. I will be in constant prayer that we can bring together faith, academics, and athletics in a healthy and victorious way.”
“I feel like everything that I have done in my life and been exposed to has prepared me for this role. I grew up in a family where faith, athletics, and academics were the most important things in life.”
The Squires and Squirettes both finished 5-1 in YAIAA Division III competition to earn second place. The boys were 11-9 overall, while the girls 8-12. In the District 3 Class 1A championship meet at Big Spring High School in Newville, Aden Davis ’23 finished eighth, and Ryan Young ’25 placed 15th with both earning spots in the PIAA championship meet. Kaylie Brown ’26 paced the Squirettes at the District meet. All three were selected to the YAIAA Division III all-star teams, along with Liam Allen ’23, Samantha Smith ’24, and Samantha Bealmear ’26.
The Squirettes finished the season 7-8 overall and 3-7 in YAIAA Division III. Sabrina Harriett ’23 and Gracie Wildasin ’23 earned first-team allleague recognition, while Reagan Arigo ’23, Kaitlyn Baumgardner ’23, and Campbell Zortman ’23 received honorable mentions.
In every possible way, the Squires authored the most successful golf season in program history. The squad finished 29-1 to capture its third-straight YAIAA Division III championship (two outright, one shared). The squad was far from finished though, as a program-record nine players qualified for the YAIAA championships. As a team, the Squires captured their first District 3 championship and first regional crown en route to qualifying for the PIAA Class 2A championships for the first time. There, the quintet of Tim Burke ’23, Camdyn Keller ’24, Bryson Kopp ’23, Evan Glass ’23, and Kat Keller ’23 closed out the storybook season with a fifth-place 333. Burke, Glass, Kat Keller, and Kopp were all named to the YAIAA all-star team, while Chuck Minchik was lauded as the Coach of the Year.
The Squires won their third YAIAA Division III championship in four seasons, capping a successful career for the Class of 2023. The senior members of the squad contributed to an overall record of 27-13, 26-1 in division play, and helped Delone Catholic increase its streak of District 3 playoff appearances to five. Brady Dettinburn ’24 (Offensive Co-Player of the Year, first team running back, first team outside linebacker), Ryder Noel ’23 (Defensive Player of the Year, first team running back, second team athlete, first team safety, first team returner), and Corey Zortman ’95 (Coach of the Year) led a massive contingent of Squires among the YAIAA Division III All-Star Teams. Noah Crawford ’23 (first team tight end), J.D. Sieg ’25 (first team offensive tackle, first team defensive end), Alex Timmins ’23 (first team guard, first team defensive end), Won Stewart ’23 (first team guard, first team defensive tackle), Trent Giraffa ’23 (first team center, first team outside linebacker), Josh Kramer ’23 (first team defensive tackle), Domonic Giraffa ’24 (first team inside linebacker), Logan Ford ’25 (first team cornerback), Gage Zimmerman ’24 (second team running back, first team cornerback), Nolan Kruse ’25 (second team kicker), and Denver Ostrum ‘24 (honorable mention quarterback) all garnered recognition for their play on the gridiron.
Additionally, Noel etched his name in the record book with a nearly unprecedented performance to lead the Squires to a 42-7 victory at Fairfield in the division championship clincher. He scored five touchdowns, tying the school record set by Ray “Punior” Small ’49 at York Catholic on Thanksgiving Day 1948. Noel scored his five touchdowns in four different ways (2 rushing, 1 receiving, 1 kick return, 1 punt return), becoming the first Squire ever to accomplish that feat.
The Squires started the year on a promising 3-1-2 run, but injuries began to mount, with the squad finishing 5-9-3 overall and 2-8-2 in YAIAA Division III. The program has been building over the past several years and developed a more cohesive attack. The number of players allowed for a junior varsity squad, which provides more game experience to add to seven returning starters. Nolan Kruse ’25 and Angello Salazar ’25 tied for the team lead with seven goals each. Aidan Groves ’23 and Aaron Ocampo ’23 were named to the YAIAA Division III All-Star first team, with Salazar and Michael Carter ’25 gaining second-team accolades.
The Squirettes posted their best season ever in what turns out to be the swan song for Derf Maitland, the only head coach the program has ever known. The squad finished 15-4-1 overall, besting the previous single-season wins record by three, and went 10-1-1 in YAIAA Division III to finish in a tie for the program’s second division title. In the District 3 Class 1A playoffs, the Squirettes dropped Brandywine Heights, 4-3, in overtime to mark the first district win in program history before falling 2-1 to Harrisburg Christian in the semifinals. All of this was enough to earn YAIAA Division III Coach of Year honors for Maitland, who finishes with a 94-82-6 overall record in 11 seasons.
Maddie O’Brien ’23 netted 41 goals and added 10 assists to earn YAIAA Division III Player of the Year honors. The goal total destroyed her previous single-season program record of 25, and she will graduate with 90 career markers to stand atop the program’s scoring list. She also became the first player in school history named to a girls’ soccer all-state team. Fina Mochi ’23 was also named to the YAIAA Division III first team. Molly Fleming ’25, Jocelyn Robinson ’26, and Katie Norris ’23 were second-team all-stars.
The Squirettes regained their throne, earning the YAIAA Division II title for the first time since taking four in a row from 2015-2018. With an overall slate of 13-2 and 7-0 in the division, the squad qualified for the District 3 Class 2A team tournament, where it dropped a 4-1 decision to Conrad Weiser.
The team success was built on outstanding campaigns from numerous players and doubles tandems. Notably, Olivia Roth ’23 and Ella Knox ’24 paired to capture the YAIAA Class 2A doubles title, third place in the District 3 tournament, and a qualifying spot in the PIAA tournament. Teammates Brielle Baughman ’24 and Gabby Erdman ’24 put together a strong showing in the YAIAA tournament – until they ran into Roth and Knox in the quarterfinals. In singles, Roth upset the top overall seed to reach the finals before dropping a 7-5, 6-1 decision. Baughman and Knox were both quarterfinalists.
Following the season, Baughman, Knox, and Roth were all named to the YAIAA Division II singles first team. Michalina Miller ’25 nabbed a second-team nod. A total of four doubles teams earned postseason accolades. Baughman/Erdman and Roth/Knox were first-team honorees, while Kali Hilfiger ’26/Miller (second team) and Emily Flynn ’24/Mary Berman ’25 (honorable mention) were also acknowledged.
After a two-year absence, the Squirettes returned to the top of YAIAA Division III, splitting the regular season series and the title with Diocesan rival York Catholic. They then swept Lancaster Catholic in the District 3 quarterfinals before dropping a 3-0 decision to Trinity.
Campbell Chronister ’24 led the way in postseason laurels, grabbing YAIAA Division III Player of the Year, first-team All-District 3, and all-state honors. Meredith Keefer ’25 was first-team in the league and district, and an all-state honoree. Emma Anderson ’23 and Denae Bello ’25 each received first-team all-league and second-team all-district notice, while Kaitlyn Schwarz ’24 was an honorable mention for the YAIAA.
In addition to the butterfly project, the Interact Club continued its participation in the Adopt-A-Highway project along their assigned stretch of Route 194 between Hanover and Mount Pleasant, with 24 members collecting 30 bags of trash during the fall clean-up. Then on Saturday, Nov. 19, 17 Interact Club members participated in a tree planting event at Plum Creek Community Park sponsored by the Adams County Conservation District and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
In the fall of 2022, the Delone Catholic Interact Club participated in the Symbolic Migration Ambassador Butterfly program through Journey North and the Environmental Education Alliance. Through the program, youth in the U.S. and Canada create symbolic butterflies and send them to Mexico for the winter. Students in schools near the Mexican monarch sanctuaries protect the butterflies and send them north in the spring.
Delone Catholic’s butterflies were received at Emiliano Zapata Elementary, El Rosario Sanctuary in Mexico.
Students from Doctora Carmen Brown’s upper-level Spanish classes continued a long-standing tradition of visiting elementary students in the Bermudian Springs school district to read holiday stories they wrote and illustrated in class.
It is not unusual for our sports teams to bond as teammates through service, as the cross country teams did when they cleaned up Codorus State Park, the site of their home course.
On Feb. 7, 2023, the Class of 2023 brought back the annual American Red Cross Blood Drive, which Delone Catholic had not hosted since before the coronavirus pandemic limited the use of the school by outside organizations.
Delone Catholic High School inducted its Hall of Honor Class of 2023 during a joyful day-long celebration on Friday, Feb. 10. The five-member class brings the total number of inductees to 40 in eight induction classes. The event began with a schoolwide Mass in the Delone Gym at which the class’s plaques were blessed. A dinner and induction ceremony was held in the Sheppard Gym Lobby in the evening.
Mr. Kale and Mr. Weaver and members of their families were in attendance. Mr. Grandia, Mrs. Keffer, and Mrs. Wolff, all posthumous inductees, were represented by members of their families.
The Hall of Honor inducted its inaugural class in conjunction with the celebration of the school’s 75th Anniversary in 2015. The Hall of Honor recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the school through consistent contribution of time, effort, and/or financial resources or who have improved the school and its reputation through significant professional or community achievements.
The Hall of Honor Nomination Committee invites nominations for the Delone Catholic Hall of Honor Class of 2024. For eligibility requirements, nomination forms, and biographies of previous inductees, please visit DeloneCatholic.org > About > Hall of Honor. Anyone without access to a computer who wishes to make a nomination may contact the Office of Advancement. Any nominees who were not selected for the Class of 2023 will be considered by the committee for the Class of 2024. Nominations must be received by Sept. 1, 2023 in order to be considered for the Class of 2024. Any nominations received after that date will be considered for the Class of 2025.
Affectionately known to his students and colleagues as Mr. G., William M. Grandia II taught technology education at Delone Catholic from 1991 until his retirement in 2017, and he was still a driver education instructor at the time of his sudden passing on Dec. 23, 2021. Mr. G. was an outstanding educator who needed no public validation, but he received it as a winner of the WGAL Teacher Impact Award during his tenure. He had a unique sense of humor and an ability to connect with students, whether they took his classes or not. He was known as much for his work outside the classroom as in it. Mr. G. was the unofficial locksmith of Delone Catholic, which was fitting for a man who had the biggest key ring most people will ever see. He also had an incredible ability to always have just the right parts on hand to refurbish, rebuild, recycle, or otherwise reuse technology that, to the less-trained eye, had no discernable value remaining. In addition to his unwavering dedication to Delone Catholic and his students, Mr. G. spent his entire life in Scouting. He was an adult leader, and served on the staff at Camp Tuckahoe in Dillsburg for nearly four decades.
In recognition of OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT and
Exemplary Acts as a Doer of the Word
The Class of 2023
is inducted into the DELONE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF HONOR
as a member of the Class of 2023
February 10, 2023
A long-standing member of the Delone Catholic Board of Directors who played a prominent role in most of the physical improvements to the campus over the past 25 years. He served on the Board from 1998-2021, including as the body’s president for his last two years. He was the chair of the building and grounds committee for most of that time, during which the school replaced the roof on the entire campus, the bleachers in the Sheppard Gym, the lights, bleachers, scoreboard, and goalposts on J.T. Flaherty Field, made countless improvements to administrative and academic facilities, and ultimately, he served on the campaign cabinets for both phases of Delone’s Diamond Decade Initiative, a comprehensive renovation of most of the campus. While serving in those capacities, he and his wife, a classmate at Delone Catholic, saw their three children graduate from Delone Catholic. Serving the school has been and continues to be a family affair. He has at various times also served as a member of the Athletic Association, the finance committee, and the Alumni Association. He has done it all with high energy and ambition to find the right people to accomplish whatever is needed for Delone Catholic to be its best.
A beloved educator whose impact on her students has been felt for decades after they left her classroom. After a brief time teaching in Connecticut, she returned home to become a fixture, first as a third grade and kindergarten teacher at Annunciation B.V.M. School in McSherrystown. In the mid1980s, she moved on to begin a program which served as a bridge year between kindergarten and first grade at Rolling Acres Elementary School in Littlestown. Her husband said in his eulogy for her that this program gave her students the “gift of time” to make sure they were ready to move on to the next level. In addition to time, her gift to her students was kindness and patience, providing a strong foundation on which hundreds of students built successful academic careers and prepared for their lives beyond school. Each year, she and her husband made Christmas ornaments for her students, and as she battled illness in her last few Christmas seasons, dozens of her former students shared photos with her on social media of those ornaments hanging on their trees as many as 40 years after they were given as gifts to eager young students.
A Delone Catholic graduate who has spent his life, personal and professional, exemplifying what it means to “Be Doers of the Word.” He was a police officer from 1975-2004, serving all but two of those years in the Borough of McSherrystown. He was a certified child abuse investigator and received several commendations over the years for his role in preventing a suicide, arresting barricaded gunmen, and recovering stolen property. Following his retirement from the police force, he continued to serve McSherrystown, first as president of the borough council and from 2013-2020 as mayor. Additionally, he has been a dedicated coach and volunteer at Delone Catholic. During two tenures from 1980-1996 and again from 2005-2010, he was a member of the Squires football coaching staff at the junior high, freshman, JV, and varsity levels, helping the varsity team to four district titles. He was also a member of the softball staff in the 1980s. Since 2011, he has tirelessly volunteered to bring Delone Catholic activities to alumni, family, and friends around the world through the Delone Catholic Broadcast Network (DCBN), preparing for and participating in dozens of broadcasts per year, and travelling around the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, often at his own expense, to broadcast district and state playoff games.
She spent nearly 40 years heeding the call to “Feed My People.” Along with her husband, she founded God’s Meal Barrel in Hanover in 1986. It started simply by compiling non-perishable canned goods in their garage, and word of mouth spread that anyone in need of food could come into their home and help themselves to the food on the shelves. In 1989, they bought a two-story property in Hanover, allowing them to live on the second floor and feed the hungry out of the first floor. In the early years, she coordinated family and friends who volunteered to provide daily hot meals. Though the impact of God’s Meal Barrel is mainly contained to the immediate Hanover area, it has received national recognition. In 1990, the ministry was named as one of the 1,000 Points of Light by President George H.W. Bush, who highlighted voluntarism throughout the United States. In the years since, God’s Meal Barrel has continued to meet the needs of the hungry through its volunteer efforts and partnerships with local and national corporations. She continued to consult with the management staff at God’s Meal Barrel until her passing the day before the selection of the Hall of Honor Class of 2023 was finalized.
Tawny Sentz ’08 has never turned down a challenge, and she seeks out new challenges almost every day. After graduation from Delone Catholic High School, Sentz went on to pursue cosmetology and then nursing school. Still, during both careers, she was called to follow a different passion, renovating and designing spaces. “I fell into interior design,” said Sentz. “There was a friend of a friend who needed help, and I jumped right on board.” Following Sentz’s career in nursing, she found a position in accounting and project management for a local heavy highway contractor, but always maintained her love of interior design.
Opportunity sparked for Sentz when she discovered that a barn on a property in Abbottstown, Pa., that she and her family used to visit was up for auction. Sentz fondly remembered the trips her family used to take when the property was a farmer’s market, bakery, and pick-your-own berries patch. The property then became a winery, but over time the owners could no longer maintain the upkeep, that is when the property was put up for sale.
Growing up on a farm herself, Sentz jumped at the idea of using her love of interior design and business to turn the property into something special. Her position in accounting and project management gave her experience in running a business, and she decided to take a leap of faith and put in a bid on the property. Her bid was accepted in December 2019, and that was the beginning of Red Brick & Roots, the Hanover and York area’s newest event venue. “I want to be able to offer the community an alternative space to create memories and celebrate their special events,” she said. Now, Sentz is busy working at her accounting and project management position during the weekdays, and as event venue owner and manager on the weekends and evenings.
Red Brick & Roots offers clients a unique venue for all special events inside the newly-renovated 4,500-square-foot red brick barn. “There’s still a lot of rehabbing that needs to take place, it’s kind of like my second full-time job. We’re slowly getting there. There’s still a lot of things that I want to do and things I want to update around the property itself,” said Sentz.
Another venture that Sentz is passionate about is inspiring other women to take control of their careers. “It’s crazy how much talent goes unnoticed because of a lack of support,” she said. “I feel like my story could potentially help someone else or inspire other women to live at the very edge of their capabilities.”
Sentz thanks her family, her experience from her previous and current careers, and Delone Catholic High School for shaping her work ethic and drive for challenges. “I don’t think people fail, I think they quit. I had a great support system and foundation that weren’t willing to let me quit. I owe a lot of my success to that,” said Sentz. “I believe every one of my careers has given me something to put toward this endeavor and my parents have been my biggest supporters through all of it, they financed my having a quality education. They let me learn and let me get back up,” she said.
The future of Red Brick & Roots is still developing and Sentz has lots of goals for the direction she wants to take the space.
In terms of her education, Sentz credits Delone Catholic for forming her experiences through the faith foundation Delone Catholic provides as well as the variety of classes she was able to take.
“Delone really instills in students the importance of faith and family. All my experiences were the foundation of where I am now. Look at your speech class, your art class, your physics, and accounting class, at some point, you utilize all of that.”
To learn more about Red Brick & Roots, reach out to redbrickandroots@gmail.com.
“I don’t think people fail, I think they quit. I had a great support system and foundation that weren’t willing to let me quit. I owe a lot of my success to that.”Photos courtesy of Tawny Sentz
Tom England, a member of the Delone Catholic Science Department from 19701976, is a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Mechanicsburg. He was recently on a Rhine River cruise with his pastor, former Delone Catholic chaplain and Board member, Rev. Charles Persing.
Margaret (Wagner) Faust proudly shows off a Delone Catholic alumni shirt she received as a gift for her 100th birthday in October.
Will you be having a class reunion in 2023? Even if it is a not an anniversary that ends in a “0” or a “5”, please let us know. Many classes get together monthly, annually, or on a different schedule. If you are the coordinator of a reunion, please contact us with your information so that we can provide you with updated information on your classmates. We’ll also include your information on our website so those who are interested can find out what is being planned.
Please contact the Office of Advancement so we can help you get the word out. As information becomes available on upcoming reunions, it will be added to the website. Please check DeloneCatholic.org > Alumni menu > Reunions.
717-637-5969, Ext. 211 advancement@delonecatholic.org
The Class of 1957 meets for lunch at 12 p.m. on the first Monday of every month at Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, 1180 Carlisle Street, Hanover. All are welcome.
Urban Staub, Jr., completed a pilgrimage on Camino Frances in Spain in September and October 2022. He was joined by Christina (Staub) Jacoby ’73, and Joselle Trois.
(Top Right) About eight days into the trip, somewhere in Northeast Spain
At starting point in St. Jean Pied de Port, France. (left-to-right: Urban Staub ’70, Christina (Staub) Jacoby ’73, and Joselle Trois.
Kayla (Arigo) Kale and her husband, Andy Kale, welcomed their second child, Rylee Anne, on Oct. 11, 2022.
Justin Keith and Julia Bourgeois were married on Oct. 8, 2022. Other Delone Catholic alumni in attendance were:
Kelly (Little) Keith ’87 • Hunter Keith ’15 • Sydney (Keith) Peña ’18
Kevin Little ’90 • Tina Little ’86 • Kandi (Little) Bussey ’94
Mercy Song ‘19 • Matthew Ji ’20
In attendance, but not pictured: Tisha Tracey-Miller ’87 • Andy Topper ’75.
The Class of 1961 meets for lunch at 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, 1180 Carlisle Street, Hanover. All are welcome.
The Class of 1965 meets for lunch at 11:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. From September-May, the location is Dutch Country Restaurant, 946 Baltimore Street, Hanover. In June, July, and August, the location is Crabbs Tropical Treat, 2279 Carlisle Pike, Hanover. All are welcome.
The Class of 1966 will hold its 57th reunion on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Inn 94 Restaurant, 4805 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford. For more information or to RSVP, contact Pat (Breiner) Webb at pw4893@gmail.com or Julie (Houser) Hawbaker at 717-632-0620.
The Class of 1973 will hold its 50th reunion from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the McSherrystown Moose, 534 South Street, McSherrystown. For more information, contact Judy (Tananis) Grubb at jjgrubb@outlook.com or call/text 717-8779188, or Deb (Slagle) Holub at dholub1@comcast.net.
Hickory Bridge Farm
Orrtanna, Pa.
Save the Date
2022-2023
April 28
Ladies’ Spring Tea
May 3
Second
Jack Hagerman, Bill Harman, Bob Plank, Dorothy (Keller) Byers, Winnie (Knox) McMaster, Mike McMaster, Lillian (Smith) DePalmer, Joe Kale, Sue (Groft) Eline, Jerry Eline, Jackie (Noel) Colgan, Jerry Fuhrman.
Inn 94 Restaurant
New Oxford, Pa.
Coffee & Donuts with the Principal
June 10
Henny Noel Memorial Golf Tournament
June 17
Alumni & Friends
@ The Ballpark with The York Revolution
Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
Homecoming 2023
Carol (Smith) Kessler, Susan (Noel) Clark, Edward Lawrence, Thomas Slagle, Cindy (Marchio) Groft, Mary (Ditzler) Clabaugh, Frank Gebhart, Kay (Nunemaker) Noble, Bernard Noel, Mark Staub, Frank Sanders.
Second
Please keep all of the deceased alumni of Delone Catholic High School in your prayers, especially those who have passed away recently:
Richard L. Weaver ’43 – 9/28/22
T. Louise (Lawrence) Cole ’44, P’66, P’68, P’70, P’72, P’74, P’77 – 2/18/23
Rosalia L. (Gouker) Storm ’45, P’67, P’68, P’72 – 8/25/22
C. William Noel ’47, P’69 – 1/31/23
Patricia M. (Martin) Wentz ’48 – 11/4/22
Kathleen A. (Sanders) Sterner ’49, P’74 – 9/27/22
Peggy Anne (Weaver) Greenholt ’50 – 2/4/23
Ronald J. Hagarman ’50, P’73, P’74, P’79 – 1/2/23
Donald L. Rebling ’50 – 11/4/22
Dolores V. “Dodie” (Spalding) Clingan ’51 – 12/12/22
Thomas E. “Foo” Groft, ’51, P’82, P’84, P’85, P’87, P’89 – 12/6/22
Mary L. (Miller) Smith ’51 – 12/12/22
Joseph E. Topper, Sr. ’51, P’71, P’73, P’79, P’84 – 10/20/22
Mary Louise Eltz ’52, Former Faculty – 11/1/22
Kenneth J. Klunk ’52, P’78, P’79, P’85 – 2/6/23
Nelson H. Smith ’52 – 11/28/22
Philip J. Wagaman ’52 – 11/28/22
James A. Sterner ’53 – 9/8/22
Doris A. (Cover) Wolf ’53, HOH’23– 12/18/22
Rosemary F. (Balek) Kirsch ’54 – 10/8/21
Wilbur J. Noel ’54 – 9/5/22
Dr. Frederick E. Sanders ’54 – 11/1/22
E. Jane (Rang) Dillman ’56 – 12/8/22
Lawrence K. Kinneman ’56 – 11/16/22
Henry A. Martin, Jr. ’56, P’83, P’84, P’98 – 10/28/22
Carole E. (Crouse) Bowling ’57 – 11/6/22
William L. Leonard ’58 – 12/27/22
Lucy F. (McMaster) Staub ’58, P’78, P’79, P’81, P’82, P’85, P’86, P’88 – 1/5/23
Brother Dominic (Patrick F.) Smith, FSC ’59 – 1/29/23
Ellen M. (Shoemaker) McWilliams ’60, P’85 – 12/19/22
Barbara A. (Emig) Roth ’61, P’87, P’91 – 10/3/22
David E. Smith ’61 – 10/15/21
Gerald R. Groft ’62, P’88, P’91 – 8/25/22
Philip A. Smith ’62, P’84, P’88, P’96 – 1/14/23
Michael A. Yantis ’62, P’89, P’91, P’97 – 11/3/22
Pietro D. Giraffa, Jr. ’63, P’87, P’87, P’88, P’90 – 1/25/23
Leona M. (Leppo) Musselman ’63 – 8/23/22
Clyde H. “Moon” Rohrbaugh ’66 – 11/28/22
Ingeborg G. (McCusker) Test ’66 – 12/20/22
Robert M. Thomassy ’66, P’95 – 9/15/2
Kay F. (Groft) Logue ’67 – 12/27/22
Jerry J. Sanders ’67 – 12/30/22
Henrietta J. “Henny” (Hershner) Wolf ’67 – 10/10/22
Gloria J. (Buffington) Smith ’67 – 11/5/22
Deborah M. Dehoff ’68 – 1/15/23
Victoria A. (Sneeringer) Mummert ’68, P’89 – 10/20/22
Sandra M. (Poist) Poist ’69 – 1/10/23
Kenneth E. Storm ’69 – 12/23/22
Teresa M. (Klunk) Amspacher ’70 – 10/9/22
David E. Bennett ’71 – 10/21/22
Anthony J. Murren ’71, P’94 – 2/2/23
Timothy W. Neiderer ’71 – 2/6/23
Stephen P. “Reds” Keffer ’72, P’99 – 10/29/22
Pius O. Hess, Jr. ’73 – 1/18/23
Anthony L. Jacoby ’73 – 12/18/22
Christine M. “Tina” (Kale) Eltz ’75 – 12/14/22
Jeffrey F. Strausbaugh ’76 – 12/24/22
Colleen M. Neiderer ’79 – 2/12/23
Brian G. Weaver ’79 – 1/15/23
Andrew F. Weaver ’80 – 10/24/22
Frank D. Moran III ’00 – 1/16/23
In addition, we ask your prayers for these members of the Delone Catholic family (parents of alumni, former faculty members, former members of the Board of Directors and spouses of alumni) who have recently passed away:
Kenneth E. Beard P’72 – 10/28/22
Albert D. Bemiller – 11/30/22
Helen Bollendorf – 10/31/22
Melissa F. Braden, Former Faculty – 10/25/22
Shirley E. Breighner P’68, P’73, P’76 – 12/19/22
Clarence O. Brown P’87 – 1/14/23
Gladys M. Felix P’66, P’67, P’69, P’70, P’74 – 10/2/22
Mary C. Furlong P’81, P’86, Former Faculty, HOH’18 – 11/21/22
John C. Groft, Sr. P’66, P’68 – 10/16/22
Shirley C. Groft – 9/6/22
Jennifer L. “Jenna” Hall P’18, P’19, P’20, P’23, P’25, P’25 – 8/26/22
Dolores E. Hoffnagle – 9/23/22
Scott A. Huff – 1/1/23
Shannon L. Jesko P’16, P’19 – 8/28/22
Esther A. Klunk P’80, P’80, P’84, P’89, P’95, Former Staff – 9/24/22
Sister Marie Fatima Kretschman, SSJ, Former Faculty – 9/3/22
Dolores M. Lawrence P’66, P’71 – 1/16/23
Helen B. Lawrence P’73, P’77, P’80, P’85 – 10/29/22
Wayne L. Lookenbill P’96 – 9/13/22
Karen F. Lupian P’07 – 2/11/23
Jo-Ann Mancini, Former Faculty – 11/10/21
Victor H. Mancini, Former Faculty, Former Coach – 1/7/23
Armatha M. McCleaf P’67, P’70 – 11/8/21
Doris V. McMaster P’69, P’71, P’75, P’77, P’84 – 9/9/22
Gertrud McMaster P’73 – 12/21/22
Robert G. Minter P’82, P’85 – 11/9/22
Nicholas P. “Mickey” Misiti P’83, P’87, P’88, P’95 – 9/15/22
Mary J. Neiderer – 9/26/22
Margaret M. Reese P’73, P’74, P’76, P’77 – 11/27/22
Gary M.S. Richardson P’17 – 9/2/22
John G. Rutty P’78, P’79, P’80, P’81, P’83 – 9/8/22
Connie K. Schlak P’84, P’87, Former Faculty, Former Coach, HOH’22 – 12/17/22
Andrew G. Smith P’13, P’17 – 8/28/22
James A. Smith, Jr. P’76 – 12/14/22
Mary A. Smith P’89, P’92, P’94 – 10/31/22
Arthur L. Snyder – 9/28/22
Gerald B. Thoman P’81 – 12/3/22
Joseph J. Yankowski, Jr. – 1/11/23
Carl J. Waldmann P’78, P’82 – 10/27/22
Kathleen D. Weaver P’79, P’81 – 12/9/22
Merle L. “Bugs” Weaver P’79, P’81 – 11/6/22
Connie K. Schlak was a former member of the Delone Catholic faculty and the mother of two Delone Catholic alumni. During her career, which spanned from 1982-2002, she taught Spanish and served as the chair of the Foreign Language Department. She also taught English, Latin, and religion at various times throughout her tenure. She was a demanding teacher, but one whom students loved, and she prepared them well for life after high school. Many of her former students have gone on to careers in education. Outside the classroom, she served as a class moderator, and led the yearbook and Quiz Bowl clubs. She also served as a coach of the varsity golf team from 1990-1994.
Mrs. Schlak, or Señora as she was affectionately known by a generation of her Spanish language students, was inducted into the Delone Catholic Hall of Honor as a member of its Class of 2022. She was unable to attend as she cared for her husband, Bill, in his final illness, and she took ill and also passed away on Dec. 17, 2022. She is survived by three children and seven grandchildren.
Mary C. Furlong was recruited from her hometown in Iowa to teach at Delone Catholic in 1965. Her distinguished career officially ended with her retirement in 2000, but her service as an educator continued on a global scale, and her volunteer service to Delone Catholic went on for another two-plus decades. By itself, Ms. Furlong’s work directly to the benefit of Delone Catholic and its students has cemented her legacy as an exemplary “Doer of the Word,” worthy of her induction into the school’s Hall of Honor in 2018. However, she was never satisfied to sit by if she could make a difference, whether it was locally, nationally, or internationally. She was awarded two Fulbright Grants on Islam in Malaysia and Ghana. Her areas of interest and service were varied, ranging from diversity initiatives, interfaith activities, and civil and human rights efforts to voter registration and election work, health care, and education activities. Though retired from teaching at Delone Catholic for more than 20 years, Ms. Furlong continued to volunteer at Delone Catholic and challenge alumni and current students and faculty members to venture outside their comfort zone and see the world differently. She was an invaluable resource to the school due to her vast network of relationships with alumni and their families.
In addition to teaching English and social studies, Ms. Furlong coached forensics at Delone Catholic, where her work in and out of the classroom inspired students to find ways to make a positive difference wherever they could. Ms. Furlong was a co-founder of the Mock Political Convention, which began in 1968 and has continued every four years since (with the exception of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the planned event). Ms. Furlong initiated and coordinated the school’s human rights assembly for 15 years, served on the faculty advisory committee, and was a three-term faculty representative on the Board of Directors. She initiated a mock trial team which placed second in the state twice. Ms. Furlong revived the forensics team, which placed third nationally, won two state championships and finished second in the state three times under her guidance. She is a member of the Pennsylvania High School Speech League Hall of Fame.
Ms. Furlong passed away suddenly on Nov. 21, 2022. She leaves behind two daughters, three grandchildren, five greatgrandchildren, and a worldwide network of students and friends whose lives were shaped by her influence.
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