Odyssey
SUMMER 2020
THE MAGAZINE OF DE SMET JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
Never Give Up. Spartans win state championship after thrilling playoff run
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Never Bringing Give Up. theSpartans Love win
Honoring the Class of 2020 state championship after in the midst of the thrilling playoff run COVID-19 pandemic
OUR RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS • THE CHANGING FACE OF GIVING
Odyssey THE MAGAZINE OF DE SMET JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
VOL.20 NO.2 SUMMER 2020
In this issue ON THE COVER The Class of 2020 makes its entrance for graduation on the turf on June 27, led by Kevin Westphal carrying the crucifix. Nicholas Abbenhaus is shown behind Kevin. The ceremony was memorable not only for the COVID-19 safety regulations in place, but also for the spirit of joy and gratitude that filled the stadium. PHOTO BY KEVIN BERNS ’87
DEPARTMENTS
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DEBBIE HIGGINS
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INTER-STATE STUDIO
AT RIGHT Joshua Montano expresses gratitude during the senior parade.
1 A Message
SPOTLIGHT
From Kevin Ruder ’93
28 Rising Up
NEWS & NOTES
De Smet Jesuit’s
2 Headliners
lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic
School-wide news and events
4 Spartan Country 6 Gratitude
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MARIETTE BAXENDALE
Advancement news and gifts at work
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ALUMNI CONNECT
BRAGGIN’ RIGHTS
14 Class Notes
17 Bygone
Latest news from alumni and event highlights
16 Milestones
Births, marriages, and in memoriam listings
Boogie Woogie Spartans revive stage with radio show tribute just weeks before pandemic closes curtains.
CARRIE BECHER
Athletic news, season recaps, and school spirit
ODYSSEY MAGAZINE
A Message From Kevin Ruder
EDITOR
Debbie Higgins ASSISTANT EDITOR
Carrie Becher DESIGN
Toucan Design CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ken Luecke Kevin Ruder ’93 ODYSSEY MAGAZINE is published
Dear Spartan Country
two times per year. Unless otherwise noted, articles may be reprinted without permission with appropriate credit to Odyssey Magazine, De Smet Jesuit High School. CORRESPONDENCE
De Smet Jesuit High School 233 North New Ballas Road St. Louis, MO 63141 314.567.3500 / Fax 314.567.1519 www.desmet.org
Welcome to the summer 2020 issue of Odyssey. And what an odyssey 2020 has been thus far. Our lives changed almost overnight, and we adjusted from being on campus together to the new normal of remote learning, virtual events, and wearing face masks in public. No one will forget the challenges of the spring 2020 semester, but I also hope we do not forget the resilience, spirit, and creativity of our school community. Class of 2020, we will always be so proud of the way you rose above the loss of events, experiences, and athletic seasons to stay connected as a class, rally underclassmen with virtual spirit challenges, and finish a most unprecedented year strong. Thank you for making new memories during your parade through campus in May and your graduation on the turf in June. Godspeed, Class of 2020. Your heart and grit will serve you well as you embark on your next adventure.
DE SMET JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL INTERIM PRESIDENT
Kevin Ruder ’93 PRINCIPAL
To our teachers and students who quickly adapted to remote learning, our staff members who kept the core functions of the school moving forward from home offices, and our parents and alumni who offered support in countless ways, thank you. As we settle in to the new school year, be assured that we are prepared for any scenario we may face as a result of the ongoing pandemic.
Kevin Poelker ’98 VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT
Bill Rebholz ’77 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Debbie Higgins
MISSION
KEVIN BERNS ’87
De Smet Jesuit inspires and prepares men for and with others to transform the world, ad majorem dei gloriam.
LATEST NEWS FROM SPARTAN COUNTRY
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VISIT THE NEWS HUB desmet.org/about/newshub
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK De Smet Jesuit High School De Smet Jesuit Alumni FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @DeSmetJesuitHS
Your heart and grit will serve you well…
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @DeSmetJesuitHS WATCH US ON YOUTUBE @DeSmetJesuitHS
We are also finding our way forward as a Jesuit apostolate in response to nationwide civil unrest. Our highest priority will always be to provide the support our students need. We began by coming together to listen with compassion, converse in safe and supportive spaces, and plan meaningful action that will make De Smet Jesuit an even stronger school for everyone. We will continue to share our progress in this critical work. A blessing of this unique time has been a new appreciation for the power of human connection. It is a privilege to lead a school that expresses as the heart of its mission to see God in all people and all things and to care for each and every individual. Thank you for your commitment to remaining connected to De Smet Jesuit. AMDG, Kevin Ruder ’93 INTERIM PRESIDENT
CATCH EVENTS ON DSN (De Smet Student Network) desmet.org/dsn
2” tall Spartan Helmet for grey pant
2 Odyssey
50 YEARS OF DE SMET
Odyssey Bringing the
Headliners
The conclusion of senior year was unlike anything the Class of 2020 could have imagined.
On May 18, faculty, staff, seniors, and parents gathered on campus for the first time since March 12 for a senior parade. With a soundtrack of music, car horns, and cheers from their teachers, students made their way from the Emerson entrance to the Ballas parking lot. They waved through sun roofs and windows, and many held signs expressing their gratitude for De Smet Jesuit. 2 Odyssey
SUMMER 2020
DEBBIE HIGGINS
SENIOR PARADE
CARRIE BECHER
From April 17 through May 15, De Smet Jesuit turned on its stadium lights every Friday night for 20 minutes at 8 p.m. (20:20 in military time), joining schools across the nation that participated in Friday Night Lights tributes for the Class of 2020. Every Friday brought seniors and their families to campus to watch from their cars, and audiences numbering in the thousands viewed live feeds on Facebook and Twitter.
GRADUATION KABANCE PHOTO SERVICES
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
“We made it!” declared Principal Kevin Poelker ’98 on June 27 to begin the Class of 2020’s graduation ceremony at De Smet Jesuit — only the second outdoor graduation ceremony in school history. Seated in socially-distanced groups of three (graduates plus two family members) on the turf with faculty and staff looking on from seats along the track, the 158 members of the Class of 2020 finally had their turn to cross the stage and receive their De Smet Jesuit diplomas. To comply with safety guidelines in place at the time, the ceremony included a mix of tradition and creativity. Graduates wore maroon caps, gowns — and masks. They heard remarks from valedictorian Alex Bentele ’20 and an address to graduates from best-selling author and motivational speaker John O’Leary ’95. Following a closing benediction from Fr. .James Burshek, S.J., they were commissioned to “go set the world on fire.” The big finish — streams of confetti and fireworks on the baseball field — surprised and delighted the crowd just moments before the rain began to fall.
GRADUATION SPEAKER JOHN O’LEARY ’95 Be grateful for what you’ve received over the past four years, bold in what you can accomplish in the next four, and faithful as you live your life forward.
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DEBBIE HIGGINS
HEARD AT GRADUATION
Recognize that God still speaks, miracles still happen, and the best is yet to come.
FR. JAMES BURSHEK, S.J. These are our beloved sons, in whom we are well pleased.
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KEVIN BERNS ’87
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From the words of Paul to his disciples, his students, ‘I thank my God every time I think of you.’
Above: Graduation concluded with a surprise shower of confetti to send off the Class of 2020.
At left, bottom: Faculty and staff line the parade route to cheer for the Class of 2020.
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Above, from top: The procession of graduates, (shown from left) Jack Griesman, Ben Harig, Bradley Hashbarger, and Joseph Heaney Graduates greet their parents to open the ceremony. Interim President Kevin Ruder ’93 presents a diploma to James Dodson. Below: 2020 Men of the Year (front row, from left) Jack Burton, Jacob Alu, Sebastian Martin, John Fotouhi, Tyler Fahland and James Otto; (back row, from left) Alex Bentele, Seth Roggenkamp, Armon Wallace, Tim Chiapel, Anthoine Shell,and Roger Melton
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At left: Lavon Jones ’20 expresses his gratitude at the senior parade.
CLASS OF 2020 VALEDICTORIAN ALEX BENTELE ... think of all the love that the people at De Smet bring to what they do. I challenge all of us to bring that love and energy to every situation that you are in . . . if you bring that love and care to all walks of your lives, I think our class can be infinitely successful, and I’ll be more than proud to call myself your brother.
KABANCE PHOTO SERVICES
KABANCE PHOTO SERVICES
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CARRIE BECHER
DEBB
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At far left, from top: Caden Brown presents a yellow rose to his parents, Kelly and Christopher, as a symbol of gratitude. Shown in background, Luke Banker and Dino Basilico The view during Friday Night Lights in Spartan Country Nick Reilly ’20 at the senior parade
3 SUMMER 2020
Odyssey
Odyssey
Spartan Country
Spartans
Climb the Ranks SCHOOL SPIRIT AND ATHLETIC WINS CONTINUE DESPITE LACK OF SPRING SEASON What began as a record-breaking year with three state championships in 2019 concluded with even more accolades despite a global coronavirus pandemic that led to the cancellation of the spring sports season. Winter sports added two more state champions with wrestlers Jacobi Jackson ’21 (285 pounds) and Colton King ’21 (106 pounds), and Spartan basketball (22–7) went undefeated at home with back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in 18 years. With a 6–2 MCC record, the Spartans defeated all four teams at least once in league play. The De Smet Jesuit athletic program was ranked No. 5 in the nation by MaxPreps in February, and named the large-school program of the year by STLhighschoolsports.com in May. “As we closed in on spring and a chance to defend our baseball state title, the only thing that was able to slow down the Spartan train was a global pandemic,” said Athletic Director John Pukala, recollecting soccer and football state championships in the fall. “It was heartbreaking for our athletes to end the school year without competing, especially for our seniors, but we have great hopes for even more success next year. 2019–2020 was DEBBIE HIGGINS
WRESTLING, WITH SUCCESS Two State Champions…and More
4 Odyssey
SUMMER 2020
STLHIGHSCHOOLSPORTS.COM
STLHIGHSCHO
When Jacobi Jackson (right) won his state title for the Class 4 285-pound weight division, he proudly joined the ranks with his father, Brian Jackson ’85 (above), who won state for De Smet Jesuit in 1985 in the 185-pound weight division.
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Spartan wrestling claimed not one, but two Class 4 state titles at Mizzou Arena this February: Colton King ’21 (right) at 106 pounds (34–1 record), and Jacobi Jackson ’21 (center) at 285 pounds (31–3 record). Jacobi’s victory put him in the record books with his father, Brian Jackson ’85 (far left), who won state for De Smet Jesuit in 1985 in the 185-pound weight division, making them the first father-son pair to win individual state championship titles in the school’s history. With back-to-back seasons boasting state champions, returning seniors Jacobi and Colton, and this year’s seniors (John Fotouhi, Jacob Perez, and Ian Warren) all earning GPAs of 4.0 or higher, Coach Cox looks forward to continued success. “Being able to observe the leadership within our wrestling this year was truly special,” said Dr. Cox. “I was extremely proud of our team both on and off the mat.” State Champion Colton King ’21
HENRY ANYIMADU ’23
Mission Week THRIVING TRADITIONS
ADU ’23
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CARRIE BECHER
SIGNING DAY Delayed one day because of inclement weather, Spartan Country celebrated National Signing Day on Thursday, February 6, congratulating 12 senior athletes who signed to play NCAA sports in the fall. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SPARTANS: (Front row, from left) Lavon Jones – Emporia State University – Football Luke Bauer – University of Missouri-Columbia – Football Lanell Carr – West Virginia University – Football Sam Winter – University of Dayton – Football Armon Wallace – Missouri State University – Football Alex Logusch – Indiana University – Baseball
DEBBIE HIGGINS
(Above) Students enjoyed serving and playing together. (Center) Alumni returned for (and won) the annual basketball game. (At right) Mrs. Lang and the Admissions homeroom served a popular pancake breakfast.
DEBBIE HIGGINS
one for the record books in more ways than one.” When stay-at-home orders went into effect in March, spring athletes had just completed tryouts and barely begun their seasons. After weeks of waiting for a final decision, and following Governor Parson’s announcement regarding in-person school closures, athletic teams and fans received the news from the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) on April 9 that the 2020 spring sports season was off. Lacrosse team seniors took the disappointment to heart and encouraged teammates to stay in shape and focus on fundamentals, long distance runners joined Zoom calls before daily runs (and sometimes after for group cool-down sessions), and water polo players moved from the pool to virtual video workouts. Through it all, coaches strived to maintain camaraderie and connection.
CARRIE BECHER
(From top) Crowds cheered throughout a winning basketball season. Jeremiah Walker ’21 shoots for three points. Nathan Wirth ’22 handles the puck. Matthew Schulze ’22 holds court.
MICHAEL CUTLER ’21
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Mission Week raised awareness and $9380 for Bridge of Hope, The USO, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, and MRC Recycling in mid-February, and students enjoyed the dress down days, playful competitions, and traditions like shinny hockey and the alumni vs. student basketball game. When a closed campus S IN during fourth quarter prevented gatherings like pep rallies and GG HI house days, Student Council reached out to Spartan Country via email and social media with entertaining at-home workouts and trick-shot challenges.
Jacob Lalumandier – St. Charles Community College – Baseball Nick Grewe – Bellarmine University – Soccer (Back row, from left) Jordan Johnson – University of Notre Dame – Football Michael Mullen – Jamestown Rebels – Hockey Edward Sowash – Jacksonville University – Rowing Justin Rothermich – Concordia University Irvine – Water Polo
5 SUMMER 2020
Odyssey
Odyssey
Gratitude
The Changing Face of Giving
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Traditional. Inspired. Responsive. HOW GIVING ADAPTED IN 2020 TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN THE MIDST OF A GLOBAL CRISIS From the depths of the wild at the Spartan Safari auction to the heart of a community when crisis hit home, giving and gratitude expanded and unfolded this spring like never before at De Smet Jesuit. Through it all, Spartan Country generosity didn’t miss a beat.
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If scheduled one week later, this year’s record-breaking auction, chaired by Becky Lane and Melissa Dawson, likely would have looked very different and very virtual. National news of an encroaching coronavirus was developing but not restrictive (that came just days later), so on March 7, more than 700 guests, donors, volunteers, and supporters of Spartan Country filled the gym and gathered closely among animal print decor, auction items, jungle fronds, two live puppies, and one pet snake (compliments of Mariette Baxendale). Connor Pohl ’21 created the video appeal for the Fund-a-Need Scholarship, which helps provide an education for our young men. This year’s fund-a-need effort surpassed expectations with $283,640 raised, which played a huge role in the overall success of the auction that totaled more than $650,000.
INSPIRED When the quarantine began in St. Louis in mid-March, many families were heavily impacted by restricted resources and access to normal sources for meals, including daily breakfast and lunch at school for students. The spring alumni giving campaign, Maroon Madness, was reimagined as Maroon Kindness to raise funds that purchased food for families in need, resulting in more than 300 donors contributing $30,855. Volunteers made bimonthly deliveries of food care packages throughout the summer, an impressive effort coordinated by Chef Scott Phillips ’88 of Food Service Consultants, Director of Diversity and Inclusion Catalina Martinez, and Director of Admissions Tim Sullivan. DEBB IE HIG GINS “As the coronavirus has drastically impacted our daily routines and ways of life,” said Alumni Director Patrick Morris ’06, “one element of hope has been the collective efforts of people assisting one another.” At semester’s end, the need persisted, and food banks expressed concern over diminished supplies, encouraging an impromptu food drive organized by John Hawkey ’96, Junior Service Projects Coordinator and theology teacher. Spartans responded to the call to #FilltheBus and donated items during laptop drop-off week for the collection that culminated in a curbside food drive on May 28. Nearly 3,000 pounds of food were delivered to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and LifeWise STL.
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Looking forward to a school year with many unknowns but much optimism, the need to support our community and contributions to the Spartan Fund become more vital than ever. Donations such as the concession stand awning from the Men’s Club breathe life into our campus. Resulting from fall 2019 efforts, the much-anticipated spring installation of the new electric scoreboard was made possible by the Grewe Family Foundation; the Nardini family; American Metals Supply; and ADB, owned by Rusty Keeley ’87. As this issue goes to print, creative initiatives circulate to respond to a changing world. Models of raising support may shift while new ideas and needs emerge. As things evolve, we remain grateful for steadfast Spartan generosity.
Share your support at www.desmet.org/giving/give or Venmo@DeSmetJesuit
DEBBIE HIGGINS
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COURTESY OF JOHN HAWKEY
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Spotlight
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Sometimes, I think this is all a bad dream. I will wake up soon. It will be March 12, and life as I knew it pre-COVID-19 will be restored. I will once again live in a world where it is safe to shake hands, give hugs, and gather for celebrations without face masks. BY DEBBIE HIGGINS
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Odyssey
SUMMER 2019
It felt like our world changed in an instant, even though the news of the COVID-19 spread was increasingly alarming in the days leading up to spring break. With the possibility of closing school growing stronger by the day, I walked the halls frequently. I wanted to see the boys and my colleagues — everyone who breathes life into this building — having conversations, sharing meals, and hanging out in Emerson Lobby, as much as possible. These are moments I no longer take for granted. That same week, I went outside with my camera to get pictures of our spring sports teams practicing on the turf after school. “Mrs. Higgins, will you put me on the Gram?” students would ask, eager to pose for social media. It was a perfect afternoon, sunny and warm enough not to need a sweatshirt. Energy was high. Approximately 45 minutes and 100 photos later, I started to walk back into the school building but turned around at the door to savor the sights and sounds of the crowded field one last time. The lived experience of this pandemic undoubtedly varies from person to person, though I suspect that, like me, many of you have cycled through feelings of sadness, anxiety, frustration, and loneliness. I have never craved human connection more.
all, though, I have been profoundly grateful for moments of grace that give Through it all, me the resolve to keep going and reason to feel hopeful that we will get through this. Social (and therapeutic) Zoom calls with colleagues. A virtual trivia night with extended family. Daily walks in my neighborhood. Playing word games with friends via text. Reading on my front porch. Working with a creative team that never lost its sense of purpose or its sense of humor. I am grateful for all of these and many more moments than I can list here.
Up
When I look back on the spring semester, I am proud of our community’s ability to adapt to remote learning and remote living. Was our response always perfect? No — we have learned a great deal these past six months. But we can say that our response — always driven by our love for one another — was an authentic representation of our De Smet Jesuit community. The primary purpose of a school’s magazine is to tell the stories that make a school year memorable and significant. There is certainly no story more impactful in the life of De Smet Jesuit at this time than our school’s lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the aca academic experience, to community outreach, to unique personal perspectives, here’s a snapshot of what life was like in Spartan Country during the spring of 2020.
9 SUMMER 2020
Odyssey
Spotlight
How Boys Learn Remotely
Students set up a variety of spots in their homes for remote learning. Below: Ethan Becher ’21 participates in his AP U.S. History class. At bottom, Jacob Lorimier ’22 works on an assignment.
“I’m most proud of the fact that we had a plan in advance that gave us a structure to work from on day one of remote learning.”
10 Odyssey
SUMMER 2020
KATHY LORIMIER
CARRIE BECHER
At far right, top: Adrian Theerman Rodriguez ’23 gets a hand, or paw, from his dog, Win-Win, during remote learning.
Structure. Support. Familiarity. These are distinguishing factors of the remote academic program De Smet Jesuit launched on March 24 in response to stay-at-home orders that mandated the closure of school campuses. “I’m most proud of the fact that we had a plan in advance that gave us a structure to work from on day one of remote learning,” said Principal Kevin Poelker ’98. “We changed our original plan for teacher training on that last day before spring break to give faculty time to practice and collaborate with their academic departments. It doesn’t mean our experience was perfect, but it gave us a solid foundation on which to build and adapt.” The remote learning program was designed in two weeks’ time by the principal’s team — Pete Musso ’89, Chris Williams, and Pete Lenzini — and Mike Talken, Director of Educational Technology, who had been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. The program was built around De Smet Jesuit’s technology infrastructure, which includes a 1:1 laptop program, a cloud-based academic platform (OnCampus), and universal access to a full suite of Microsoft products. Students followed their daily class schedules and experienced a hybrid of synchronous time (live instruction via Microsoft Teams) and asynchronous time (independent study to complete assignments). “We did not alter our academic expectations or grading system because we felt confident that we had the structure and systems in place for students to succeed,” said Chris Williams, Assistant Principal for Academics. The remote learning program also included a structure to ensure students received support and care — everything from home deliveries of WiFi hotspots and replacement laptops to extra time with counselors or learning consultants. The Student Support Team, composed of personal counselors, learning consultants, the principal’s team, P.E. teachers, and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, met every day to review attendance, grades, and any communication from a concerned teacher or parent. “Our goal was to make sure that we were aware and on top of any challenges students may have been facing as they worked from home,” said Collin Miller, Director of Counseling. “It was so important for our boys and families to know that the counselors and learning consultants were still able to provide the same support and level of care that we traditionally would.” Because remote learning was an entirely new experience for everyone, it was important to offer opportunities for feedback to make adjustments going forward. Students and parents completed anonymous online surveys in early April. “We wanted to learn as much as we could about our families’ experiences so we could make any necessary modifications,” said Mr. Poelker. As a follow-up to the survey, administrators, faculty, and staff made calls to every Spartan family to check in and offer parents the opportunity to ask questions or share concerns. Among the challenges parents managed were increased screen time, keeping their sons motivated without in-person interaction, solving occasional technology issues, and balancing varying workloads from class to class. As weeks became months in the remote learning environment, the principal’s team worked with faculty to make modifications that kept in mind the stress levels and psychological well-being of students and teachers. For example, to conclude the year, final conversations for students replaced cumulative exams in academic subjects. The conversations used question prompts based on the Jesuit Profile of the Graduate at Graduation and asked students to reflect on their entire academic year as well as set goals for the coming year. “The objective was to ease some of the heavy burden that is often
PANDEMIC
Perspectives Members of the De Smet Jesuit community share their experiences of life during the pandemic.
NICK WINTER ’21 Student The remote learning experience that I had was significantly better than I expected. I really wasn’t excited when we switched, but I really do think we made the most of it. Teachers did a really good job of making sure they were available to us and we were comprehending our course material well. Although I missed all the guys, I did enjoy the extra sleep I get on e-learning days.
associated with final exams week,” said Mr. Poelker. “Conversations of this nature are also what we do as Ignatian educators to encourage and support growth for our young men.” “I think we all experienced some unexpected benefits of remote learning,” said Chris Welling, who taught Improv, Public Speaking, and U.S. History this spring. “The number one thing that affects a student’s success in public speaking or improv — stage fright — disappeared. I had students knocking it out of the park because they were speaking from the
ANA RODRIGUEZ-THEERMAN
CHRIS WELLING Teacher, Improv, Public Speaking, U.S. History At first, the prospect of teaching remotely seemed more daunting than the appearances I made in federal court as an appellate attorney in my 20s. It wasn’t the content, but the circumstances, that I found challenging. Because I taught history, Improv, and Public Speaking last spring, my classes were composed of students from every grade level. And there exists a vast difference between the psychological needs of a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old young man. The game-changer for me was the realization that I needed to focus more on compassion than content. I gave students a few minutes at the beginning of every class to settle in and have the informal conversations they normally would in passing periods and while waiting for class to begin. I found that even guys who didn’t typically like school really missed it, and even signed in for class early just for those few minutes of conversation.
NEW CLASS PROJECTS DEVELOPED FOR REMOTE LEARNING Reimagining class assignments and using available technology to invent new ones, teachers and students channeled their creativity during remote learning. A few examples include: n A dvanced
Improv students chose a film clip or television episode produced before 1985, wrote new scripts, and recorded voiceovers using their smartphones.
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Chemistry students conducted research projects on how the environment was affected by stay-at-home orders. Topics included air quality in New York City, the resurgence of wildlife in urban areas, and the affects of significantly reduced airplane travel, to name a few.
n S panish
3 students showcased their talents in “how to” final project videos, including how to make a fire, how to go fishing, and how to make enchiladas.
n B usiness 2 students learned about video conferencing etiquette through a virtual
speakers’ series. Seven professionals, including alumni Pedro Lozada ’16, Joe Muich ’94, and Kevin Pavlacic ’15, shared their expertise and valuable networking tips. n D igital Graphic Design students received virtual training to post their work and artist
LARRIA MILLER Parent When Larria Miller, mother of senior Rico Barfield ’21, fell seriously ill with COVID-19, her De Smet Jesuit family came through. “We have a saying in my family,” she said. “Blood makes you related, but loyalty makes you family. When the going got tough, my De Smet Jesuit family gave my children and me an outpouring of love, support, and prayers.” Spartan football and basketball team families made a schedule and delivered food, flowers, and even hand sanitizer to her home every single day throughout Ms. Miller’s month-long illness. “It was amazing,” she said. “Their care was a true reflection of God’s love.”
statements on the school’s website, www.desmet.org. They were also required to produce a short video explaining the process of one of their artworks. The project met every course objective — use of art vocabulary, an application of art in real life, and student ownership of the learning process. House Drawing Photo Combined by Connor Niebruegge ’21 for Digital Graphic Design
Self-portrait by Anthony Grant ’21 for Digital Graphic Design
Charlie Ferbet ’21 demonstrates how to make a fire for Spanish 3.
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Odyssey
Spotlight
STEPHEN BAXENDALE ’16
KYLE RAMIREZ
comfort of their bedrooms or backyards. Other students turned in their best history essays of the semester at a variety of times during the day because they had the freedom to work on assignments when their energy was highest.” Art teacher Laurie Kohler reimagined assessments in ways that empowered students. “In a typical, in-person art class, feedback usually happens daily as I observe students at work,” she explained. “I adapted to the remote environment by requiring students to document their progress by taking digital images at various stages in their work.” The images made it clear where students began, how much they worked along the way to improve, and where they ended. Mrs. Kohler found this process so helpful, she expects to use it moving forward. “Developing our remote learning program allowed us to reimagine school,” said Pete Musso ’89, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. Faculty members spent a week in July immersed in training that was informed by their remote learning experiences. They did a deeper dive into technology tools like FlipGrid and Ed Puzzle that proved useful in the spring, expanded their knowledge of the capabilities of Microsoft Teams, and worked in small groups to adapt curriculum and share expertise.
At top: A remote learning challenge for art teacher Laurie Kohler was finding the right camera angle to show her hands as she demonstrated proper techniques for students. Above: Science Department Chair Dr. Mariette Baxendale (at right) gives safety equipment donated by De Smet Jesuit to Dr. Craig Krausz, a Saint Louis University ER physician. At far right, top: Sherrod Tate ’23 and his mother, Sheronda, pose with the De Smet Jesuit sign delivered to their home. At far right: Burger Club members lived their club’s motto, “Burger On,” and enjoyed a virtual meeting during stay-at-home orders.
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For the Greater Good In the early days of the pandemic’s surge across the St. Louis area, members of the De Smet Jesuit community were quick to respond to calls for assistance. In cooperation with BJC Healthcare, Washington University, and all regional healthcare institutions, our technology team used its expertise and De Smet Jesuit’s 3D printers to supply approximately 60 face shield PPE 3D printable headbands per week from mid-March through the end of May. Dave Balint, Tom Burr ’07, Jarrod Cobb, and Mike Talken printed the headbands from home as directed by the National Institute for Health and delivered them to collection points assigned by BJC and the COVID-19 WashU/BJC Maker Task Force (MTF). “I printed two at a time,” said Information Technology Director Dave Balint. “It took exactly five hours and 49 minutes for both.” “Once COVID hit crisis levels in St. Louis, De Smet Jesuit was among the area schools and parishes that answered the call for PPE (personal protective equipment),” said Dr. Mariette Baxendale, Science Department Chair. The science and maintenance departments collected all the hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, masks, tissues, and safety glasses they could find for donation to frontline healthcare workers at SSM, BJC, Siteman Cancer Center, Mercy, and private practice physicians who were having difficulty accessing the protective equipment. Some of the items collected were also distributed to the homeless population. As the stay-at-home order extended from March to April and into May, the impact on the local and national economy worsened, and people lost jobs or were placed on furlough. The hospitality industry was among those suffering tremendous financial losses as restaurants were restricted to curbside pickup for nearly three months. To increase awareness of the many St. Louis area restaurants owned by Spartan alumni and current parents, the school created a web page www.desmet.org/alumni/ restaurants to share a directory and encourage families to support these businesses with carry-out orders. The directory was shared in parent and alumni emails, and on De Smet Jesuit’s social media channels.
“In the early days of the pandemic’s surge across the St. Louis area, members of the De Smet Jesuit community were quick to respond to calls for assistance.”
PANDEMIC
Perspectives Members of the De Smet Jesuit community share their experiences of life during the pandemic.
Spartan Strong Students, faculty, staff, and parents came together in remarkable ways this spring to reinvent traditions, nurture our faith life, and channel school spirit. Their efforts as videographers, on camera talent, delivery workers, and more inspired and comforted us during stay-at-home orders. For Spartan Country, the De Smet Jesuit livestream channel (DSN) offered special broadcasts, including a live rosary from Boian Chapel on Good Friday and a student-led prayer service to conclude the school year in May. Faculty and students produced a “must see” virtual awards ceremony that drew more than 2500 viewers on April 30. The broadcast featured video interludes by Digital Media students, rounds of applause filmed by teachers and staff in their homes, and a virtual musical performance of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by our choir and band. Another crowd-pleaser? The first-ever virtual orientation for the incoming Class of 2024 that was viewed on more than 400 devices. Faculty, staff, and parents also teamed up to make special deliveries to the homes of current and incoming students. Volunteers mapped and assigned delivery routes, packed goody bags, and spent hours driving around the St. Louis metro area. “Finding enough volunteers was never difficult,” said Maria Lang, Assistant Director of Admissions. “Everyone wanted to see the students.” Delivered items included congratulatory yard signs for seniors, and signs reading “A Spartan Lives Here” for underclassmen. Members of the incoming freshman Class of 2024 received goody bags filled with donuts, a puzzle of the DSJ turf, and a prayer card. The school also arranged some surprise deliveries to the 12 Men of the Year immediately following the awards broadcast announcing their selection, and packages for juniors on Ring Day (see back cover for photos). More than ever, the school’s social media channels became an important medium to nurture school spirit and also share much-needed humor. From daily prayers written by students, to the debut of the Spartan Voices Live podcast, to themes for each weekday, social media content helped us feel connected as a community.
JIM WALSH ’76 Teacher, Chemistry Despite 40 years of teaching experience, Jim Walsh ’76, like his colleagues, had no past experience in remote learning to draw from last spring. “It led to lots of growth for me,” he said. The timing of the switch — in the fourth quarter — was an advantage. “I knew my students and their learning styles well, and we had an established rapport, which made it easier to reach the finish line in May.” AUSTIN KILBREATH ’22 Student “The most difficult thing that I encountered during remote learning was not being able to be a part of that brotherhood that I built in my first two years at De Smet. I find it much easier to learn and to fulfill the true amazement of high school when I am present and engaged both inside and outside the classroom with my teachers and my fellow classmates. My teachers did a fantastic job trying to keep all of us engaged in class during remote learning, but nothing can beat the in-class experience that De Smet provides.”
PATRICK MORRIS ’06
CARRIE BECHER
CHRIS LUECKE ’05 Alumnus “Is this the big cat Zoom call I’m supposed to be on?” That’s how Chris Luecke ’05 made his entrance as a “Zoom crasher” for charity during stay-at-home orders this spring. Dressed in character as Joe Exotic from the popular Netflix show Tiger King, Luecke made surprise Zoom appearances during business meetings and family gatherings to raise funds for a restaurant worker relief fund in his home city of San Francisco. Why Joe Exotic? “I can be a loud, over-the-top individual, and Tiger King was definitely an over-the-top show,” Luecke said. How did people react? Initially, with disbelief and confusion. Laughter quickly took over as people took photos and recorded Luecke’s two-minute routine that featured a few jokes and playing one of Joe Exotic’s songs on his guitar. At press time, he’s raised $1500 and is still getting occasional gigs even as people return to their workplaces.
“Students, faculty, staff, and parents came together in remarkable ways this spring to reinvent traditions, nurture our faith life, and channel school spirit.”
13 SUMMER 2020
Odyssey
Odyssey
Class Notes
19 70s John Tucker ’72 shares, “My wife of 35 years, Cindy, passed away from complications related to lung cancer on May 15, 2019. We were not blessed with children but had three dogs in our time together. We also had a great four-year sabbatical on our 36’ sailboat starting in 1998, traveling from Ft. Lauderdale to Grenada and back. We visited all of the islands in the eastern Caribbean and met many lifelong friends, both those from the islands and those also traveling on their boats.” Michael Blanke ’78 likes “the Mile High City. I moved to Colorado to fulfill a dream of working at a Vail ski area. I was a children’s ski instructor for 10 winters.”
19 80s John Goerke ’83 writes, “I am currently working on a multi-year implementation of new administrative software systems for the University of Pennsylvania, replacing systems they have been using since about the time I graduated from De Smet!”
19 90s In May 2020, motivational speaker and best-selling author John O’Leary ’95
published his second book, In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy. The book became an instant No. 1 national bestseller on Amazon—with readers commenting that In Awe’s message of hope and joy is exactly what we need during this pandemic. Steven Smith ’95 is an adjunct professor of game development for Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan. He is also part-owner of OverHook Games, where he was a team designer for the retail video games Zenfold and Hills and Hollows. On February 23, 2020, John Hawkey ’96 received the Peggy Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award for his work building the sport of boys volleyball in Missouri. He coached the Spartan volleyball team from 2006– 2015, compiling a 248–72–11 record, a state title in 2009, four conference titles, and eight district championships. Behind the scenes, he organizes tournaments and has helped grow the sport in the Kansas City area. John is shown with his parents, Peggy and Frank Hawkey (former faculty).
Nick Gordon ’98 is the vice president of supply chain for PMC Smart Solutions, Inc. In May, Gregory Etter ’99 was promoted to engineer of record for Sierra Piedmont, an environmental consulting services firm located in Woodstock, Ga. Jacob Plont ’99 lives in Cibolo, Texas, working as a senior sales representative for the Kahlig Auto Group, one of the largest family-owned networks of dealerships in the state of Texas. Jacob’s wife, Kimbie, owns Paw Basics, a pet nutrition business. Their 15-year-old son is part-owner of a custom cake decorating business, Cakes-Rock SA.
20 00s Mike Ambersley ’01 has joined the staff of a Sporting St. Louisan academy affiliate of the MLS (major league soccer) team, Sporting Kansas City. His primary focus is on youth development of players. Mike won back-to-back NCAA Championships at Indiana University in 2003 and 2004. He was drafted in 2006 by FC Dallas of MLS. In 2012, while playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Ambersley won a championship. Mike also was the first member of St. Louis FC before retiring from professional soccer in 2017. Tim Kendrick ’01 shares, “I have four beautiful kids and a great wife [Jessie]. Go Big D!” The Kendrick family lives in Ballwin, Mo.
The Alumni Association celebrated the transition of leadership at their socially-distanced year-end BBQ on July 11. From left to right: Patrick Morris ’06 of the Alumni Office, Treasurer Lucas Nikolaisen ’13, outgoing Alumni Association President Tim Weber ’82, incoming President John Goessling ’71, and incoming Vice President Tom Zink ’74. Thank you to these men for and with others, and all those who serve within the Alumni Association!
14 Odyssey
SUMMER 2020
Kevin Crimmins ’02, director of college counseling at St. Louis University High School, has been honored by the College Board in its Counselor Recognition Program for his exemplary professional work. Congratulations, Kevin! In June 2020, Blake Ahearn ’03 accepted a job as an assistant coach
ALL DECADE SPORTS HONOREES St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Decade Teams This spring, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch shared the St. Louis High School Sports “All Decade” series, based on high school performances between the 2010–2011 and 2019–2020 school years. Congratulations to the following Spartan alumni. CROSS COUNTRY Austin Del Rosso ’14 (Third Team)
Texas. He was with the Spurs for three seasons, winning the G-League title in 2018. Congratulations, Coach Ahearn! Joe Madigan ’03 and his wife, Amanda, welcomed their fifth child, Peter Louis, on January 30, 2020 — Fr. Pierre De Smet’s birthday! Joe shares, “He is named in honor of Fr. De Smet and St. Louis, King of France. We live on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, where I am a staff accountant at a small accounting firm. I am working on becoming an E.A. (Enrolled Agent), which will allow me to sign tax returns and represent clients in front of the IRS.”
FOOTBALL Durron Neal ’12 (First Team, Offense) Andy Bauer ’14 (First Team, Offense) LACROSSE Noah Iverson ’15 (First Team) Luke Wetzel ’19 (First Team) Tommy Emms ’19 (First Team) Dylan Radke ’19 (Second Team) Dan Kinzel ’19 (Third Team) Craig Koester ’15 (Third Team) SOCCER Brian Hail ’13 (First Team) Louis Berra ’12 (Third Team) WATER POLO Andrew Diemer ’12 (First Team) Zach Holtgrew ’14 (Third Team) Thomas Larson ’18 (Third Team) WRESTLING Cory Peterson ’19 (Third Team)
with the Memphis Grizzlies. Previously, he was head coach of the San Antonio Spurs’ G-League affiliate in Austin,
Scott Hessel ’09 writes, “This year, Barb and I bought our first house in February from another De Smet grad (Dusty Weber ’07). We also welcomed the birth of our first child — Charles ‘Charlie’ Alexander Hessel — on May 7!” Scott is a member of the faculty at St. Louis Priory.
20 10s Scott Hoener ’12 married Antonia Franco on April 24, 2020. Scott’s good friend and former De Smet Jesuit teacher, Fr. Ronny O’Dwyer, S.J., said the Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church on the campus of Saint Louis University. Though 250 guests were invited, the church was empty because of the pandemic. Scott’s brother, Kevin ’10, served as best man. Family and friends watched the ceremony via livestream. Scott graduated from SLU’s medical school in May and began his naval medical residency at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., in June. Shawn Mehrhoff ’12 is a senior analyst for Mastercard. He is a co-inventor of “Systems Architecture for Controlling Onsite and Offsite Energy Sources.” Its patent number, 10, 641, 803, was issued on May 5, 2020.
FATHERS AND SONS CLASS OF 2020 ALUMNI LEGACIES
KABANCE PHOTO SERVICES
We are proud to continue the tradition of celebrating our alumni legacies during graduation. The Class of 2020 includes 23 sons of alumni.
(Front row, from left) Thomas Bourke ’20 and Thomas Bourke ’86; Tyler Fahland ’20 and Kurt Fahland ’90; Geno Erker ’20 and Eugene Erker ’85; Joseph Wichlenski ’20 and John Wichlenski ’86; (second row, from left) Kyle Burke ’20 and Michael Burke ’86; Brendan Scheff ’20 and Theodore Scheff ’90; Bob Gillespie ’20 and Larry Gillespie ’75; Kern Toczylowksi ’20 and Thomas Toczylowski ’77; (third row, from left) Tim Chiapel ’20 and John Chiapel ’85; Sam Dwyer ’20 and Matthew Dwyer ’86; Nick Grewe ’20 and Michael Grewe ’86; Alexander Stratmann ’20 and Joseph Stratmann ’85; (back row, from left) Harrison Evers ’20 and Kevin Evers ’84; Jack Lane ’20 and Con Lane ’84; Alexander Davis ’20 and David Davis ’84; Connor Mulvaney ’20 and Patrick Mulvaney ’86; Michael Skoff ’20 and Brian Skoff ’88; Grant Ahlheim ’20 and Stephen Ahlheim ’86; James Otto ’20 and Greg Otto ’84; Cameron Osdieck ’20 and John Osdieck ’89 Not pictured: William Ryan ’20 and Michael Ryan ’84; Dominic Tocco ’20 and Joseph Tocco ’89; and Matthew Wunderlich ’20 and Jacob Wunderlich ’99
15 SUMMER 2020
Odyssey
Milestones
MARRIAGES
IN MEMORIAM
Scott Hoener ’12 and Antonia Franco, April 24, 2020
Notifications through July 5, 2020
This listing includes notifications of the passing of De Smet Jesuit alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and immediate relatives through July 5, 2020. If we have missed someone, please notify the Alumni Office at alumni@desmet.org or 314-567-3500. Michael Brauch, father of Kyle Brauch ’20 Ann Marie Cochran, mother of Andrew ’07, John ’10, and Daniel Cochran ’15 Andrew Durham ’06, son of Paul Durham (former faculty) Stuart Hilton ’15
LITTLE SPARTANS >
Joe Madigan ’03 and Amanda: Peter Louis, January 30, 2020
David Koesterer, S.J. (former faculty) Donald Lewis, father of Chris ’80, Matt ’84, and Jimmy Lewis ’86 Larry Niemann, Jr. ’75
Scott Hessel ’09 and Barbara: Charles “Charlie” Alexander, May 7, 2020
IN TRIBUTE
Francis X. Ryan, S.J. (former faculty) Phyllis I. Sansone, mother of Steven ’71, David ’73, Christopher ’75, and Joseph Sansone ’77 Marilyn E. Siervo, mother of James Siervo ’81 and grandmother of Nicholas Siervo ’14 Georgia A. Stewart mother of John Stewart ’77, and grandmother of Brian Stewart ’05
Robert Podry ’78
Norman T. Zink, father of Norman ’72 and Thomas Zink ’74
Ronald W. Rebore, Sr., father of Ronald W. Rebore, Jr. ’90 (former faculty), and grandfather of Will Rebore ’24
Gordon J. Zobel, father of David Zobel ’05 and brother of Craig Zobel ’78
Fr. David Koesterer, S.J.
Fr. Francis Ryan, S.J.
Fr. David Koesterer, S.J., entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) August 8, 1951, at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant. He pronounced First Vows August 15, 1953, and was ordained a priest on June 16, 1964, at St. Mary’s College in St. Mary’s, Kansas. He pronounced Final Vows February 1, 1972, at De Smet Jesuit. In 1967, Fr. Koesterer was assigned to teach German and French at De Smet Jesuit, where he remained for nine years. He was a fiery and explosive individual, who often relaxed by playing piano in the Choir Room (101), which at that time was the theater for the De Smet Dionysian Players. In 1976, he felt called to shift his apostolic work and dedicated the next four years to studying music; he received a master’s degree in piano from Ball State University in 1979. Between 1980 and 1989, he served in a variety of parishes in Oklahoma, Colorado, and Missouri. He served as a retreat director and spiritual director at the White House Retreat Center in St. Louis from 1991 to 2006. He served in pastoral ministry in St. Louis from 2006 until early 2019, when health issues compelled his move to the infirmary at Jesuit Hall. Fr. Koesterer passed away on March 11, 2020, at the age of 90. – Courtesy of the Jesuits’ Central and Southern Province
Fr. Francis Ryan, S.J. was a unique character — one of a kind! He graced the halls of De Smet Jesuit first as a scholastic (1978–1981) teaching theology and then returning as a priest (1986–1989) serving as pastoral director and teacher. Fr. Ryan was a charismatic individual, dedicated to educating with his unique brand of humor. Sponsoring the Marching Kazoo Band at half-time of football games, selling tickets to a spoof Bunny Rabbit Bash, he captured students’ imaginations, getting students to join the “Pastorial” (deliberately misspelled) Office. Fr. Ryan was a scholar of English, studying in Ireland and receiving a doctorate from Oxford, and then serving as the English Department Chair (1997–2011) at John Carroll University in Cleveland. He was also an example of lived holiness and service — directing retreats at the White House Retreat Center, serving as a chaplain at Saint Louis University Hospital, and finally ministering to the aged and infirmed at the Pavilion at Jesuit Hall. Fr. Ryan lived life to the fullest, in his own unique impish way, “for the greater glory of God.” He passed away on March 11, 2020, just two days shy of his 67th birthday. – Courtesy of Ken Luecke
16 Odyssey
David Pickhardt ’87
Nicole Reichert, mother of Beau Reichert ’22
SUMMER 2020
BRAGGIN’ RIGHTS
Bygone Boogie Woogie
Spartans revive stage with radio show tribute... just weeks before pandemic closes curtains.
PHOTOS BY PAUL BYTNAR ’21
Unbeknown to all at the time, the spring musical would be the last major performance held on the school’s stage for the semester. On February 20, just weeks before Broadway—and De Smet Jesuit—had to close its physical doors to wait out the pandemic, fans enjoyed opening night of The 1940’s Radio Hour, a patriotic tribute to a radio broadcast supporting overseas troops. Fortunately for audience goers, the nostalgic soundtrack and talented ensemble left things on a positive note. “The music for the show is very difficult,” said Theatre Director Kurt Knoedelseder. Hits include “Blue Moon” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” along with an impressive collection of sound effects coming from stage left and arranged by Brady Burke ’21. “It was really fun to learn about and play around with a time period that I wasn’t familiar with,” said Henry Right ’21 who played Lou Cohn, stage manager and choreographer. “I’ve been waiting for over 30 years to find the right combination of performers that could pull off this show successfully,” said Mr. Knoedelseder. “I had that group this year. And they did not disappoint.”
233 North New Ballas Road St. Louis, MO 63141
– April 24, 2020
ALEX MOSQUERA ’21
COLLIN MILLER
When the call went out for volunteers to surprise the Class of 2021 with their junior rings, the response was immediate and overwhelming. Teachers and staff — hungry to see students after six weeks of separation — jumped at the chance to wear masks and gloves and drive to the far reaches of our community to remind our school’s newest leaders that even though the day’s traditional Mass, luncheon, and dance had been cancelled, our pride and love for them remains strong.
JEN ROTHERMICH
CARRIE BECHER
DEBBIE HIGGINS
CARRIE BECHER
Deliverers of Joy
ANDY LANGE ’02
CARRIE BECHER
Parents: If this issue of Odyssey is addressed to your son who has established a permanent address, please notify the Alumni Office of the new address: call 314-567-3500 or email alumni@desmet.org