A PUBLICATION FOR THE DOWLING CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
PRESIDENT’S
AnotherDearLETTERFriends,schoolyear
has come to a close and it is my privilege to share with you some highlights and recent accomplishments of our students.
We continue to focus on initiatives that will prepare our students for life after high school and success in their post-secondary pursuits. For the second year every junior took the ACT exam on campus during the school day while freshmen and sophomores took the pre-ACT. We also hosted a college fair and a summer job fair and continue to innovate and look for ways to bring real-world experiences to the Lookingclassroom.ahead,Iam pleased to share that we have completed our strategic planning process with goals and strategies for the next five years. Some highlights of the plan include a focus on personalized learning to meet a variety of academic goals and needs, maintaining our commitment to access and affordability through increased tuition assistance, fostering student faith life through closer partnerships with parents and parishes, and enhancing our facilities and grounds to better support student life. Our completed plan is available on our website. I look forward to sharing updates as this plan is implemented. Thank you for your continued support. Your partnership makes our mission possible.
I would first like to congratulate the members of the Class of 2022. These graduates have shown incredible growth during their time at Dowling Catholic. Their leadership has been outstanding and they have served as wonderful role models. They overcame challenges and continued to live their faith by helping those less fortunate, collectively serving more than 44,000 hours during their four years at DCHS. They also excelled in academics and as a group were offered more than $9.4 million in scholarships to colleges across the nation. Their high school years coincided with a global pandemic, but they remained committed to achieving their goals. We look forward to following their success as they assume their roles as leaders in the future. There are many highlights from the school year to celebrate, including the first state title in school history for the boys track team, the success of the speech and debate team, outstanding band, choir and theater performances, and the list goes on. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work put forth by our students and hope you enjoy reading about these activities in the pages ahead.
In PresidentDr.Christ,DanRyan
PRESIDENT: Dr. Dan Ryan DIRECTOR ADVANCEMENT:OF Julie Bell EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Tara Nelson ART DIRECTOR: Colin Gargano CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS: Rachel Brown Ted Power COPY EDITOR: Kathy Kirby Power ‘80 PHOTOGRAPHER:CONTRIBUTING Earl Hulst CONTENTS ADVANCEMENT UPDATE Fulfilling the DCHS mission. CALENDAR Find out about upcoming Dowling Catholic events. ON CAMPUS Check out the latest school happenings. REGIONAL UPDATE Read about plans to regionalize Catholic schools in the Des Moines area. FEATURE Students travel abroad to serve others. WELL DONE Success in the classroom and on the field. CLASS NOTES Be in the know about alumni and friends of Dowling Catholic. TRUE MAROON Celebrating the 2022 DCHS Distinguished Alumni. SPOTLIGHT Spring sports recap. 50 YEARS TOGETHER Celebrating the history of St. Joseph Academy and Dowling High School. IN MEMORIAM Extending sympathy to the families of alumni who have passed away. THE PULSE DCHS recognizes year-end award recipients. Focus magazine is published for Dowling Catholic parents, alumni and donors. Dowling Catholic High School is committed to serving the Greater Des Moines Catholic community and embracing learners of all faiths. In an environment that is faithful, caring and dedicated, Dowling Catholic forms each student to become a Christcentered leader. OUR MISSION A St. Joseph Academy tradition was revived in May with the crowning of seven statues in the building and around campus to honor Mary as the Queen of Heaven. Pictured on the cover is the statue located outside of the gymnasium doors. ON THE COVER Dowling Catholic High School 1400 Buffalo Rd. West Des Moines, IA 50265 www.dowlingcatholic.org515.225.3000 CONTACT 4 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 |
ADVANCEMENT UPDATE
Student Life: Through faith and academics, student activities, athletics and the arts the Annual Appeal serves the interests of our students. With donor support we are able to grow existing opportunities and launch new initiatives to help students in their faith and academic pursuits.
Matching Gifts
*Based on parish-participating tuition for the 2022-2023 school year.
WE ARE MAROONS ANNUAL APPEAL
School Services: The Annual Appeal supports every aspect of the school’s daily operations. Dowling Catholic’s commitment to excellence extends to the building and grounds, technology, providing competitive teacher compensation and more.
Dowling Club is the booster organization that has been raising awareness, enthusiasm and funding for our athletes since 1941. Dowling Club support allows us to offer a wide variety of athletics, providing our students with the opportunity to learn and grow in the sports they love. In addition, your support enables us to enhance our athletic programs by furnishing uniforms and equipment, maintaining and upgrading athletic facilities, supporting coaches, and more.
To donate, please visit: www.dowlingcatholic.org/annual-appeal.
Many employers sponsor a matching gift program, providing an easy way to leverage your donation. Some of these employers include MidAmerican Energy, Wellmark and Wells Fargo. To find out if your company participates in a matching gift program, please visit www.dowlingcatholic.org/ matching-gifts. The impact of your gift may be doubled or even tripled!
Tuition: DCHS is committed to serving the Greater Des Moines community and making a Catholic education accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. Gifts to the Annual Appeal helped to provide $1.4 million in tuition assistance to DCHS students during the 2021-2022 school year. Support of the Annual Appeal also helps to cover the “gap” between tuition and the cost to educate each student.* Tuition covers just 80% of the per-student cost, with the remainder funded by parishes and the Annual Appeal.
The cost to educate each student for the 2022-2023 school year is $13,442$2,754 leaving a “gap” amount of COST OF EDUCATION* Tuition & Fees Parish“Gap”
Contribution
Donors make a significant impact at Dowling Catholic High School, providing crucial support to programs and resources that truly benefit all students. Thanks to the generosity of those who contribute, we are able to fulfill our mission of preparing Leaders for Life, Centered on Christ. The impact of the We Are Maroons Annual Appeal is reflected in the following ways:
•
$600/yr $167/mo = $2,000/yr = President’s Council level and invitation to annual appreciation events. “Taking a few minutes to set up a recurring gift to Dowling Catholic makes sustained giving simple, predictable and manageable for my young family. Also, I know that this pattern of giving is helpful for DCHS as they often have recurring expenses or unplanned needs throughout the year. With a recurring gift, DCHS can depend on a steady stream of support versus waiting and hoping for year-end gifts or pledges to be fulfilled. This mutual benefit is what draws me to making recurring gifts that I can grow over time to meet my family donation goals as well as Dowling Catholic’s growth and faith goals.” Kyle Wilcox ‘04 For more information or to enroll, please call Julie Bell at 515-222-1048 or visit www.dowlingcatholic.org/giving-societies. To become a booster, please visit: dowlingcatholic.org/dowling-club. *Call Kathy Kirby Power at 515.222.1002 for a discounted rate for 65+.
and district/regional events) Future
and
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 5 Do you find yourself wondering if you made a gift to DCHS this year? Or are you looking for a way to simplify your giving and have a bigger impact helping today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders? DCHS has two convenient giving programs available to help you achieve your goals.
Bishop Dowling & St. Joseph Academy Societies
• Special
to all
events (excluding
The Leaders for Life Program provides an opportunity to make a recurring gift to DCHS directly from your checking/savings account and bypass fundraising solicitations. What might seem an insignificant monthly gift can really add up! For example: $10/month = $120/yr $50/month =
The Bishop Dowling and St. Joseph Academy societies provide donors with an opportunity to make a multi-year gift to the We are Maroons Annual Appeal and/or endowment and bypass fundraising solicitations. Donors can pledge $2K or more to the Annual Appeal for three or more years. Those wishing to support the endowment can pledge $5K per year for three or more years. While creating ease for the donor, members of the Bishop Dowling Society provide DCHS with a reliable revenue stream which allows the school to plan for the future.
parties • Sports
“I learned about the Bishop Dowling and St. Joseph Academy societies while serving on the Foundation Board. In just my first year, I have been reminded of how much my DCHS experience has enriched my life since graduating in 2002. From personal friendships I’ve maintained and grown, the professional network I’ve built within the DCHS family throughout the country, and the foundation of faith I developed while in school, I am grateful to be in a position to pay it forward and help foster the same experience and opportunities for the next generation. The Bishop Dowling Society provides an “auto-pilot” way for me to have an annual giving strategy or plan rather than being solicited each year. I now better understand the growing need for tuition assistance and the
SET IT AND FORGET IT......
•
Becoming a booster has its privileges! Boosters receive: A one-time 15% discount in the Campus Store or online purchase Membership provides entry into all 2022-2023 home games through June 30, 2023 invitations to Dowling Club appreciation events tailgate passes home tournament play Maroon Membership (K-8) - $100 Adult Membership - $250* Family Package $600 Includes TWO Adult Memberships and TWO Future Maroon memberships. Save $100 when you purchase a family package! impact that every fundraising dollar makes in creating opportunities for DCHS students and families.” Nick Blyth ‘02 Leaders for Life Program
In 1989, Father Acrea returned to pastoral service, serving St. Ambrose Cathedral Parish in Des Moines, St. Mary/Holy Cross Parish in Elkhart, Holy Spirit Parish in Creston and St. Edward Parish in Afton.
In 1980, he returned to Dowling as a faculty member and served the school and at the St. Joseph Education Center for the next nine years. While teaching at Dowling, he became the school’s first debate coach and went on to lead teams to four state championships and a fifth place finish at nationals.
In his retirement, whether concelebrating Mass, offering daily reconciliation or assisting at retreats, Fr Acrea is a blessing to the DCHS community and continues to make a difference in the lives of students.
After being held virtually the past two years, the Bash on Buffalo was back in person with more than 300 guests in attendance and nearly 150 people raising their paddles virtually as remote bidders.
This year’s event would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and the tremendous contributions of more than 150 volunteers.
Vianney in St. Paul, Minnesota.
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL6
The Bash on Buffalo
Father Acrea studied at Mount St. Bernard Seminary and Creighton University before earning a master’s degree in education. He first began teaching in 1962 at the Old Dowling High School in Des Moines. He taught for nine years, served as principal for one year, then studied for a year at the North American College in Rome. He returned to teach for three additional years before going into parish ministry. During his career he has served as a pastor at both urban and rural parishes, director of vocations for the Diocese of Des Moines, and spiritual director at the seminary of Saint John and vice president of Frank’s Divine Pie.
We are immensely grateful for the support of our presenting sponsor, Global Direct Mail & Marketing, our Golden Ticket sponsor, Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, as well as the following businesses: Des Moines Dance Party DJ’s, Hummel’s Nissan, I2Tech, Iowa Spring Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz of Des Moines, Stivers Lincoln Ford, West Bank and Wolfe Eye Clinic.
FATHER ACREA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF PRIESTHOOD
In addition to live and silent auctions and raffle drawings, the event also included outstanding live entertainment provided by students in the DCHS jazz band and dance team, a joint performance by alumnus Nicholas Sinclair ‘00 and current student Adrian Brown, as well as the Final Mix Show Band. Guests also enjoyed excellent food provided by Gusto Pizza Co, El Guapo, Anna Dolce and King Smoke Barbeque with catering led by Joe McConville ‘98, alumnus Father John Acrea celebrated the 60th anniversary of his ordination to priesthood on June 3, 2022. Today, he spends his time serving at the school where he first began teaching more than six decades ago.
We also extend a special thank you to Joel and Amy Pearson, Sally and Kim Beisser, Annie and Tom Baldwin and Gilroy’s for their gifts in kind, and to the following volunteers who led or co-chaired committees: Matt and Stacey Cale, Bob Carber, Brooke Dirks, Sara Ervin, Justina Glick, Stacey King ‘95, Andrea and Tony Klemm, Katie Jensen ‘90, Dr. Jessica Lawson, Cynthia Salsberry, Karen Larson, Sanita Simms ‘00 and Dr. Melissa Young Szalay. The support from many DCHS faculty and staff members who made contributions of their time, talent and treasure also contributed greatly to making the Bash an evening to remember and a success for our students. To learn more about upcoming events and dowlingcatholic.org/events.opportunities,volunteerpleasevisit
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 7 CALENDAR AUGUST 1 Golf Outing Echo Valley Country Club 3150 Echo Valley Drive Norwalk Each summer the DCHS community comes together for a fun day of golf to raise money for the Coppola Family Endowment. This fund was initiated in the early 1970s and continues to provide tuition assistance to DCHS students. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Carolyn orcburchkirchhoff@dowlingcatholic.orgat515.222.1095. SEPTEMBER 16 Dowling Club Appreciation Tailgate Valley Stadium 4440 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines Dowling Club members are invited to a tailgate hosted by DCHS at Valley Stadium prior to the football game vs. Iowa City High. Join fellow members in recognizing our special guest, DCHS alumna and University of Iowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark ‘20. Not a member yet? Visit our website to learn dowlingcatholic.org/dowlingclub.more: SEPTEMBER 30 Homecoming & Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Valley Stadium 4440 Mills Civic Parkway West Des Moines Community members are invited to celebrate Dowling Catholic’s Homecoming. Join us at Valley Stadium to cheer on the Maroons at the varsity football game. The Homecoming Court and Hall of Fame inductees will be introduced at halftime. OCTOBER 4 President’s Council Dinner Des Moines Golf & Country Club 1600 Jordan Creek Parkway West Des Moines This annual recognition dinner is a special event honoring those individuals who support Dowling Catholic with gifts of cash or stock totaling $2,000 or more annually (fiscal year July 1, 2021June 30, 2022).
OCTOBER 23 Pancake Breakfast Iowa State Fairgrounds 3000 East Grand Avenue Des Moines This year marks the 61st anniversary of this great DCHS tradition which brings the community together and raises money to support students and teachers.
OCTOBER 10 Grandparents’ Day Dowling Catholic High School 1400 Buffalo Road West Des Moines Grandparents are the guests of honor during this annual celebration. Each year our special guests have the opportunity to visit campus and enjoy refreshments, hear from student and faculty speakers, and celebrate Mass with their grandchildren.
DECEMBER 2 Christmas Luncheon Glen Oaks Country Club 1401 Glen Oaks Drive West Des Moines DCHS parents, alumni and friends are invited to celebrate the Christmas season with a wonderful lunch, special guest speakers and entertainment from student musicians and vocalists. For the most current event information, please visit: www.dowlingcatholic.org/events
Seniors Daniel Lu and Allison Szalay have been named finalists in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Nearly 1.5 million students entered the scholarship program by taking the PSAT their junior year. The top scorers were named semifinalists, a number that represents less than 1% of all high school seniors in the United States. Approximately 15,000 of those students were selected as finalists based on academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, honors and awards. Each finalist was also required to submit a personal essay and a recommendation from a high school administrator. Congratulations to these students on their outstanding achievements!
NATIONAL
The team’s success continued in March when they won the 2022 State Speech Championship.
DEBATE
FINALISTSSPEECHAND
In February DCHS won the Overall District Team Championship, placing first in Speech Overall Sweepstakes and first in Overall Debate Sweepstakes. In addition, the following students qualified to compete at nationals in June: Isabelle Colon Alba, Violet Bordenaro, Richard Bottenberg, Collin Comito, Zach Harnden, Elliott Haupts, Jack McGuire, Ann Pierson, Christopher Pierson, Matthew Pierson, Olivia Reisdorf, Betzy Sandoval and Katherine Strawn.
Seniors Zach Harnden and Christopher Pierson won the state championship in Public Forum Debate, repeating their win from last year. Bringing home individual titles were Matthew Pierson who finished as state champion in United States Extemp and Reese Lovell who was the champion in Informative Speaking. Several team members also brought home individual awards with the following students finishing as runners-up: Jack McGuire and Betzy Sandoval (Policy Debate), Ann Pierson (Dramatic Interp), Elizabeth James and Sophia Burns (Duo Interp), Elizabeth James (Humorous Interp), Violet Bordenaro (Informative Speaking), Ella Johnson (Original Oratory) and Conrad Krantz (United States Extemp and Spontaneous Speaking). Zach Harnden was also voted Iowa Senior of the Year by the speech and debate coaches of the state. Congratulations to the entire team on an outstanding year!
DANIEL LU ALLISON SZALAY MERIT
It was an unprecedented year for the DCHS Speech & Debate Team with the return of several seasoned competitors as well as team members of all experience levels contributing greatly to the team’s tremendous success. In January the team competed in the Iowa High School Speech Association State Championship where seniors Zach Harnden and Christopher Pierson defended their 2021 title and repeated as state champions in the Public Forum Debate category. Also in a remarkable performance from two sophomores, Suzanne Bigelow and Collin Comito made it to the final round of the Policy Debate category and were named runners-up.
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL8 ON CAMPUS
The musical provided many opportunities for student involvement with nearly 70 in the cast, crew and pit. While several cast members are regulars on the theater stage, the big musical numbers were a draw for some who had only previously been involved with the performing arts through choir, band or dance.
DCHS students returned to the stage in late April with an Iowa classic, performing for a full-capacity audience for the first time in more than two years. Prior to opening night, the cast and crew put on a special matinee performance for more than 300 sixth graders from Bergman Academy and area parochial schools, kicking off a run of five outstanding performances of Meredith Willson’s beloved musical “The Music Man.” Set in 1912 in the fictional town of River City, the musical is based in large part on Willson’s birthplace of Mason City, Iowa.
STUDENTS TAKE THE STAGE
“The Music Man was an excellent opportunity to express my talents in a way that I had not previously done before,” said Jack Power, a member of the DC Singers and Grace Notes Jazz Choir. “Being able to spend time and work together with my friends to create an incredible show was a fantastic experience that I hope to be able to do again in the future.”
“Meredith Willson says that The Music Man is not a caricature of Iowa but a valentine to the people of his home state,” said Tim Sheaff ‘86, director of drama and debate. “Using this show to bring our arts community back to its full creative potential seemed like kismet.“
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 9
The central character is Harold Hill, a con man who arrives posing as a traveling salesman with promises of teaching children to perform in a marching band. He knows nothing about music, however, and has every intention of skipping town with the payments he receives. A local librarian, Marian, sees through his con but begins to fall in love with him over the course of the musical, with Harold ultimately risking being caught to win her heart.
The region will consist of the 11 Catholic grade schools in the Des Moines metro and Dowling Catholic High School. Each of the schools will continue to function in their current locations serving the grade levels they do today. Currently, each grade school is attached to one parish which is responsible for the operation of the school. The regional model will bring the schools together in a system that will enhance operations through collaboration and leveraging of collective resources. Working in concert with the Diocese, the region will make it possible to direct resources towards making schools better while preserving the traditions, culture and individual identities of each school. Creating a regional system will also enhance the excellence that already exists and address obstacles to future growth and vitality. Those issues include teacher compensation and retention, providing sufficient tuition assistance, duplication of business operations, and the complexity and costs related to operating and supporting schools.
A governance model has been established with a board of directors that will exercise authority in the following areas: compensation planning, tuition rates, tuition assistance management, business operations, communications and policy. The regional board will include clergy to be appointed by Bishop Joensen and the following lay members at this time: Steve Lacy, Regional Board Chair Former CEO and Executive ChairmanMeredith Corporation St. Augustin Parish Mary Coffin
Next steps in regional planning include implementing best business practices and increasing tuition assistance, all of which will contribute to the collective sustainability and vitality of each school. Significant progress has been made in working with local business managers to develop a common chart of accounts. Another important step underway is development of the agreement between the region and each parish. This agreement will reflect that parishes will retain ownership of each school building and will address key categories including educational materials, technology, grounds and maintenance, utilities and others. Important steps have also taken place to increase tuition assistance which is a top priority. It is anticipated that additional funds from the Catholic Tuition Organization (CTO) will provide $800,000 to $1 million in tuition assistance to families in the Des Moines region for the 2023-2024 school year. Local entities and the Diocese are working together to develop a process to anticipate need and allocate funds consistently.
In January of 2022 Bishop William Joensen endorsed the proposal from local pastors to regionalize the Catholic schools in the Des Moines area. The recommendation from the pastors came after more than a year of researching the regionalization concept which has been successfully implemented by Catholic schools across the country.
Dr. Dan Ryan has been appointed by Bishop Joensen to serve as president of the new regional system while continuing in his role as president of Dowling Catholic. In this combined role, he will continue to focus on the success of DCHS while also building upon the individual strengths of each of the K-8 schools in the region which are also integral to the mission of Dowling Catholic.
10 REGIONAL UPDATE
Saint Pius X Parish Mark Schaul Former President and CFO - SNI Companies Sacred Heart Parish Luis Valdes Former President and CEO/Current Chairman - Principal International St. Francis Parish It has been determined that St. Joseph Catholic School will be the first to pilot the regional business model and staff members have been meeting with the regional business operations committee to begin planning for the upcoming fiscal year. Budgets and school operations will remain the same for the 202223 school year and additional schools may be engaged during the pilot period.
“I am grateful for the ongoing work of our pastors, boards, administrators and volunteers who bear the extensive expertise that will propel the regionalization process forward,” said Bishop Joensen. Please visit the regional website at DSMRCSplan.org for progress updates and additional information.
Former Executive Vice President - Wells Fargo
Sacred Heart Parish Miquel Hadsall Vice President of Finance - Beal Derkenne St.ConstructionJosephParish Brian Johnson Senior Vice President - Casey’s General Stores
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
“My experience has shown me the necessity and immense potential of collaboration, a key component of this model as pastors, principals and diocesan leaders work together in new ways,” said Dr. Ryan. “We are fortunate in Des Moines to begin this regionalization process in a proactive position to sustain excellence rather than a reactive measure to survive.”
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 11
FAITH IN ACTION Service to others is central to the mission of Dowling Catholic High School and just one of the many ways students put their faith in action. While 10 service hours per semester are required for graduation, so many go above and beyond, with the student body collectively serving nearly 48,000 hours during the 2021-2022 school year. While most hours were served locally in the community, several DCHS students had the opportunity to travel across the globe when international service trips resumed in early June.
The final trip provided students with the opportunity to go on a cultural tour of Costa Rica. This was the fifth trip for DCHS students led by Spanish teacher Lance Peterson who focuses on teaching them about environmental service and conservation, leadership skills and improving their Spanish. Highlights included traveling to a coffee plantation, learning about organic farming, white water rafting and exploring nature. “The students had a great time,” said Peterson. “They learned a lot about the culture and people of Costa Rica. This experience left a lasting impression and everyone involved learned a lot about the country and themselves.”
“We were able to grow in our compassion and love of God and each other through our interaction with 91 children at the Terra Livre Education Center,” said Terry Clark ‘96, director of ministry and formation and theology chair at DCHS. “We shared smiles, laughter and most importantly love while playing with kids. The relationships that we were able to develop are transformational in regard to who we are and what we are called to.”
“With the focus of this trip, I returned feeling like our students learned so much about how to break the cycle of poverty,” said Erik Smith, a theology teacher and service trip moderator at DCHS. “They saw firsthand what life is like when others don’t have all that we have and they took it to heart.”
The students stayed with host families and were also able to experience the culture as they visited downtown Antigua, hiked up the Pacaya Volcano, and ziplined through the Guatemala wilderness. “Our focus was also on building relationships,” said Smith. “We reflected and prayed and talked about building a strong relationship with God and with others on the trip and the families we worked with. I truly believe they will take what they learned and use it to make a difference in the lives of those around them.”
A group of students, faculty and friends from DCHS traveled to Goiania, Brazil, to work with Terra Livre, a non-profit organization which provides daycare, after school workshops and community education programs for local families. DCHS has maintained a longstanding partnership with Terra Livre since the first service trip to Brazil in 2005. The group spent most of their time working with children at the center where they helped with school work, played games and presented on important life skills. Once the workday was done, they had the opportunity to be immersed in the culture, attending a traditional Brazilian Samba and visiting waterfalls in the countryside.
A second group traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, where they built three homes from the ground up for families in need, working alongside those who will own them. This was the fifth time a group from DCHS has traveled to work with Imagine In Guatemala, a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of underprivileged children and families.
MOCK TRIAL
TheCHOIRDONEAWARDSSpringChoirConcertwasperformedfor
Joe Miyazaki received the Iowa Choral Director’s Outstanding Senior Award, presented annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding musicianship and leadership in the choral art.
The Maroon Team qualified for state after competing with great success in the Iowa High School Des Moines Regional. Team members included seniors Halle Mohan and Mike Posegate; juniors Grace Kottmeyer, Tre Salazar and Sandy Wang; sophomores Elizabeth Topf, Robby Duran and Ned Whipple; and freshman Veronica Smith. Mike Posegate, Halle Mohan and Elizabeth Topf earned All-District Honorable Mention Attorneys at the regional competition, Robby Duran earned All-District Outstanding Witness, and Halle Mohan and Elizabeth Topf earned All-District Honorable Mention Witnesses.
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL12 WELL
The state competition was held March 31-April 2 in Des Moines. The Maroon Team competed in three trials, winning their first and third and finishing 15th out of 32 teams. Several team members earned awards, including senior Mike Posegate who was recognized as an Iowa High School Mock Trial Tournament All-State Attorney.
The White Team did an excellent job competing in the Ames regional which was the first high school mock trial competition for most of the students. Team members included sophomores Danny Peirick, Katya Bañuelos Moriel, Betzy Sandoval and Lauren Reinsvold; and freshmen Kati Strawn, Alma Drazi, Ajoung Ajoung, Lilian Schultheis, Riley Hogendorn and Karthi Bashiyam.
Congratulations to both teams on an outstanding season!
The DCHS Mock Trial team completed another successful season, culminating in the opportunity for several students to compete at state. With a total of 19 students in the club, two teams were formed with the following students serving in leadership roles: Mike Posegate and Halle Mohan were co-presidents, Tre Salazar was vice president, and Grace Kottmeyer was secretary.
The DCHS Choral Service Award is presented each year to a senior who has demonstrated sincere service to the choral program during their high school years. This year there were four recipients: Austin Riewer and Cassie Rounds from the Dowling Catholic Singers, and Nathan Baumhover and Josie Talley from the A Cappella CongratulationsChoir.tothe 2022 award recipients and all of the senior choir members. We are proud to recognize these students for their leadership, dedication and commitment and wish them the best in their future endeavors.
the DCHS community at Sheslow Auditorium on Monday, May 9. The evening included special recognition of the senior choir members and the presentation of three special choral awards. The Douglas Schultz Memorial Award is presented each year to a member of the freshman class in recognition of outstanding service to the freshman chorus. This year’s recipient was Lewis Lentsch.
The following honors were earned by the White Team in the regional competition: Katie Strawn and Alma Drazi - All-District Outstanding Attorney; Lilian Schultheis - All-District Honorable Mention Attorney; Danny Pierick - All-District Outstanding Witness; and Katya Bañuelos Moriel - All-District Honorable Mention Witness.
ODYSSEY
John Philip Sousa Band Award - John Cahalan Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award - Kate Cain Louis Armstrong Band Award - Nick Celsi Reubin Alcoy Memorial Award - Colleen Cain Woody Herman Jazz Award - Riley McElroy Quincy Jones Musicianship Award - Neal Stoll Mary Perlowski Spirit and Dedication Award - Myrissa Graves Service and Commitment Award - Daniel Musel
Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Awards
Director’s Award - Grace Aerisolphal (freshman)
Senior
Director’s Award - Brett Gifford (sophomore)
Most Improved Senior - Christian Niola-Velesaca Good Samaritan Award - Nico Antenzano
Two Odyssey of the Mind teams from Dowling Catholic completed an outstanding season at the World Finals held at Iowa State University May 25-29. They were among 10 teams from Iowa competing with a total of 625 teams from across the United States and Poland, Switzerland and South Korea. Team A consisted of Kathleen Belz, Stephanie Rash, Molly Eure, Katie Flaherty, Charlotte Chance, Betzy Sandoval and Grace Hoffman. Team B included Matteo Fontana, Max Young, Collin Comito, Jake Leo, Owen Leyser and Ella Elliot. The teams were led by Kate Leo, English teacher and Odyssey of the Mind moderator at DCHS. Both teams competed in the same category and had to write an original musical about a little known historical figure. They competed well and enjoyed living for five days on the ISU campus and making friends with students from Poland, New York and New Jersey. The teams qualified for the World Finals after earning several top finishes at the state competition held in early April in Ames. The students participate in a two-part competition at state - one that they spend the year preparing for and the other they are presented with the day of the competition and have to solve the problem in the moment.
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 13 BAND AWARDS
The Dowling Catholic band program is proud to recognize students for their achievements and contributions with awards presented annually each spring. Congratulations to the following 2022 award recipients: Awards
Michael Cargill Jazz Scholarship Award - Samuel Nielsen
Sean Runyan Memorial Scholarship Award - Matthew Dietrich
Director’s Award - Aiden Volp (junior) “Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is an experience like no other,” said Leo. “It was less of a competition and more of a celebration of creativity and unique problem solving. These young people represented DCHS perfectly with their top-notch character and amazing creativity. I’m incredibly proud of how hard they worked all year preparing for this event.” OF THE MIND
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL14 CLASS NOTES
The annual Dowling Catholic alumni soccer tournament took place at DCHS on Saturday, May 14. Congratulations to the following alumni who were on the winning team: Mark Adams ‘08 , Dylan Godwin ‘19 , Manuel Gutierrez ‘09 , Ben Jurgens ‘21 , David Lyle ‘11 , Alex Perlinger ‘17 and Garrett Crall (asst. varsity coach). Thanks to head varsity coach Jackson Teeling ‘09 for organizing the tournament and to all who played! Congratulations to Luke Lynch ‘04, Meghan Malloy ‘02 and John Marshall ‘04 who were named to the Des Moines Business Record’s annual Forty Under 40 list. The honorees were profiled in the Business Record and recognized at an event on March 30, 2022. The 40 local business leaders were chosen based upon impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Read more online: www.businessrecord40.com
St. Joseph Academy alumnae gathered at DCHS on Sunday, May 22 for the inaugural Mass to honor Mary, the Mother of God, as was the custom at St. Joseph Academy for many years.
Alumnae celebrated Mass with Fr. Tom De Carlo ‘61, visited the statue of Mary and the St. Joseph stained glass window brought to DCHS from the Academy, and enjoyed refreshments and Congratulationsconversation. to Karissa Schweizer ‘14 who recently won her first title in the USATF 10,000m Championships and will represent Team USA in July at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She runs for Nike’s Bowerman Track Club and was an Olympic finalist in Tokyo last August. Photo Credit: @Justin_Britton Fr. Frank Palmer ‘54 celebrated the 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood on June 3. He served as a pastor, teacher and retreat leader before his retirement in 2006. He has assisted at St. Pius X and Holy Trinity parishes and continues to assist at his home parish of St. Anthony in Des Moines. Read more dmdiocese.org/news/father-frank-palmeronline:
Nine teams participated in the 11th Annual DCHS Alumni Basketball Tournament on Saturday, April 16. Represented were the classes of 2000, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 and the winning team from the Class 2021, pictured left to right: Asst. Athletic Director Mike O’Connor, Ryan Riggs, Simon Daniel, Matt Riedl, Charlie Correll, Sam Hughes, Carson Boyle and Abe Mabior
Deacon Alex Kramer ‘14 and seminarian Mike Mahoney ‘12 assisted Pope Francis at his celebration of Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Deacon Kramer was ordained a priest on June 24, along with Deacon Nick Smith ‘14 at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines.
To update your information or share alumni news, please visit: dowlingcatholic.org/alumni or contact Kathy Kirby Power ‘80, alumni manager, at kkirbypower@dowlingcatholic.org. Kirby Power ‘18 and Jon Wisnieski ‘13 will be joining the DCHS staff as Ut Fidem Coordinators. Power graduated in May from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She interned at the St. Thomas More Newman Center as both the Catholic Education Program and Communications intern. Wisnieski played football at the University of Iowa and graduated with a degree in business administration and finance before attending St. Thomas where he received a Master of Arts in Theology. He most recently discerned with the Dominicans the last six months before his return to Des Moines.
The annual Dowling Catholic athletic department reunion breakfast took place on Saturday, May 14 with several alumni, former coaches and staff members in attendance. The event was started in 2010 by Coach Ron Gray ‘73 and longtime DCHS athletic trainer, Del Lark . Pictured left to right: Ron Gray , John LaBonia ‘58 , Fr. John Dorton ‘62 , Larry Weier , Mike Skoglund , Don Mauro ‘49 , Pat Civitate , Mark Amadeo ‘80 , Joe Cordaro ‘67 , Del Lark , Frank Schweizer and Mark Crouch
initiatives earned national recognition and positioned the school as a leader in this area.
Mary Jo (Mehalovich) Kever ‘78, principal at St. Pius X School in Urbandale, also retired at the end of the school year after 38 years in Catholic education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from ISU and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake. With an expertise in curriculum design, she led the faculty in integrating strong curriculum instruction into a Christ-centered learning environment. Read more in the May edition of the Catholic Mirror: catholicmirror.dmdiocese.org.
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Msgr. Frank Chiodo ‘68 is retiring after devoting his life to pastoral service. He attended Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, and St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado. He was ordained in 1976 by Bishop Maurice Dingman and began his service at Christ the King Parish in Des Moines. In 1990, he was named a Prelate of Honor with the title of monsignor by St. John Paul II. He has served at his home parish of St. Anthony since 2007. Fr. Ray McHenry ‘70 worked in the family business for 20 years before answering the call to priesthood. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Creighton University and a master’s in divinity from
ALUMNI ADMINISTRATORS AND PRIESTS TO RETIRE
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was ordained in 2000 by Bishop Joseph Charron and began his ministry at St. Francis of Assisi in West Des Moines. He returned to St. Francis where he has served since 2013. Ellen (Johnson) Stemler ‘74, principal at St. Theresa Catholic School in Des Moines, retired at the end of the school year after more than 32 years in Catholic education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from ISU and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake. Her work leading several STEM (science, technology, engineering & math)
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Each year Dowling Catholic proudly honors deserving alumni of St. Joseph Academy and DCHS with Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Young Alumni awards. We are honored to recognize Rick Lehman Sr. ‘65, Theresa Welch ‘83 and Kyle M. Wilcox ‘04 as our 2022 recipients. Rick Lehman is a 1965 graduate of Dowling. After high school, he joined the Navy and served in the Vietnam War. After he was discharged he met his wife Marcia and they were married at St Pius X Church in Santa Fe Springs, California. In 1975, they moved to Des Moines with their three children, Rick Lehman Jr. ‘89, Renee Lehman Blakely ’90 and Ross Lehman ’91, all DCHS graduates. He and his brother owned and operated Lehman’s Commercial Service and Green’s Appliance until his retirement in 2008. When he wasn’t working, he could be found coaching his children in baseball, softball and basketball. He served as a youth minister at Visitation and taught Religious Education and Confirmation at St. Pius X and St. Mary of Nazareth for 28 years. He served on parish and finance councils, was involved with the Sierra Club, and was a member of Legatus and a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He and his brother also started the first Catholic radio station in Des Moines. In retirement he found many opportunities to contribute to the Catholic community, volunteering at St. Mary’s Food Pantry, praying at Planned Parenthood and Knights of Columbus and speaking at local churches for Iowa Right to Life. He and his wife have also served for many years as sponsors of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (Focus). He is sought as a faith mentor by many community members and has served as confirmation sponsor for numerous children whom he continues to pray for everyday.
Theresa Welch is a 1983 graduate of Dowling High School. Theresa graduated from Mercy College of Health Sciences in 1994 and has been a registered nurse for 28 years.
She began her nursing career as a bedside nurse in postpartum and special care nursery and as a nurse for Mercy Clinics.
Rick also became a woodworker later in life. He has made and given away hundreds of crucifixes which can now be found throughout the city, including one that was blessed and is now in the chapel at DCHS.
He and his wife have eight grandchildren and currently reside in Des Moines. He enjoys the opportunity to teach his grandchildren and their friends about faith and often reminds them that they are God’s children.
Kyle M. Wilcox was born and raised in Des Moines and attended Holy Trinity and Dowling Catholic, graduating in 2004.
and with The Rockets and The Tony Valdez Large Band. He is a threetime inductee in the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has played with some of the best musicians in Iowa.
During his time at DCHS he lettered in football and was named a Class 4A first team all-state offensive lineman. He earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa and a transfer scholarship to the University of Iowa where he went on to receive a B.A. in health and sport studies and his master’s in health administration. After graduate school, Kyle received a post-graduate fellowship at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. He is a boardcertified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a boardcertified Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. After a decade of service in Grinnell, he now serves as the vice president of finance & operations. Over this period, Kyle has helped oversee the growth, financial stabilization and ultimately the integration of a previously private hospital into the UnityPoint Health system. Throughout this time, he has also served as the president of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Iowa Chapter, the president of the Grinnell Early Learning Center, served on numerous local and regional boards and volunteers to support child and adolescent development.
To view a complete list of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, please dowlingcatholic.org/distinguished-alumni.visit:
She is currently the executive director of InnerVisions HealthCare, an unplanned pregnancy and STD medical clinic which helps women and men make life affirming decisions for their children. Theresa also serves on the board of directors for Vibrant Home Care. Prior to joining InnerVisions she spent much of her career in home care and hospice, working at UnityPoint at Home and St. Jude Hospice in various roles including clinician, manager and director. Her previous experience also includes work as a pharmaceutical representative for Schering Pharmaceuticals where she was the Hepatitis C Educator, and at Novartis Pharmaceuticals where she helped launch several medications for diabetes and heart disease. Theresa and her husband Ken live in Ankeny, Iowa, with their daughter Olivia who attends St. Theresa Catholic School in Des Moines. Their son Anthony is a 2008 graduate of Dowling Catholic and lives in Denver, Colorado.
Answering another call, Tony was ordained a permanent deacon in 2014 and serves the Diocese of Des Moines at Christ the King parish. He and his wife, Eileen, reside in Des Moines and have been married for more than 30 years.
The Performing Arts Hall of Fame was established at DCHS in 2004 to recognize alumni or faculty members who have achieved success in the performing arts or who have positively impacted the programs at DCHS. For a complete list of inductees, please visit: www.dowlingcatholic.org/pahof.
Valdez grew up in a musical family in West Des Moines and attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. As a freshman at Dowling High School, he began playing sock hops and proms with his classmates in the band the Echo’s Five. After graduating, he honed his skills as a guitar player and vocalist with bands such as the Cavaliers, Night Flight and others. After raising a family, he pursued his music career full-time as he forged ahead with his bands, playing for the last 20+ years as a duo
Kyle currently lives in Johnston, Iowa, with his wife Kaitlin. Together, Kaitlin and Kyle have three children: Lawrence (6), Thomas (4) and James (3). They are members of Holy Trinity Parish. He believes the quality of education provided by Dowling Catholic is a distinctive advantage for students as they enter the next phase of life, but even more so that the growth and development of faith is invaluable for the rest of their lives.
PERFORMING ARTS HALL OF FAME
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 17 Tony Valdez ‘69 was inducted into the Dowling Catholic Performing Arts Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
SPRING SPORTS RECAP
Tennis
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL18
In boys tennis Daniel Lu was the Class 2A individual state champion for the second consecutive year and was named first team all-state. Daniel competed with Allison Szalay to finish their high school careers as the Class 2A state coed tennis champions. With the coed title, Allison joins the exclusive list of players to hold four state titles (team, singles, doubles and coed). Girls Track The girls track team finished the season as conference and district champions and tied for eighth place at state. Among several outstanding performances, the girls shuttle hurdle relay team of Olivia Kramer, Ruby Leman, Alex Gaskell and Esaba Okwaramoi made Iowa history, winning the state championship title and setting an all-time state record with a time of 1:00.44. Kramer and Okwaramoi were also named first team all-state. The state team also included Ella Anliker, Crystal Castellano, Mackenzie Dean, Reese Ervin, Lauryn Frerichs, Julie Friedrich, Sally Gaskell, Ashley Hall, Liv Hall, Emily Heitzman, Anna Huss, Shea Johnson, Ruby Leman, Yalayzah Lovan, Avery Muller, Kate Nelson, Sam Schroeder, Madeline Stevenson and Ava Zediker. Soccer The girls soccer team finished an outstanding regular season and defeated Des Moines Roosevelt 3-1 in the regional final to advance to state. The team faced tough competition and fell to Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln in the quarterfinals. Ella Anliker was named second team all-state and first team all-district; Julia Moore and Josie Patton were named second team all-district;
The girls tennis team brought home the Class 2A state championship title, winning all of the first five singles matches to claim the title and finish the season with a perfect 13-0 record. The state team included Allison Szalay, Kenzie Klein, Isa Valverde, Ellie Sackett, Ava Petersen, Presila Edward, Grace Frye and Juju Mauro. Allison Szalay finished as runner-up in the individual girls state championship, Kenzie Klein and Ava Petersen were runners-up in doubles, and Isa Valverde and Grace Fry finished sixth. In post-season honors Allison Szalay was named first team all-state and recognized as Senior of the Year, Ava Petersen was named first team all-state, Mackenzie Klein was named second team all-state, and Aaron Chalstrom was named Class 2A Coach of the Year in his first year as head coach. “We are just really proud of our girls,” said Chalstrom. “From the first day, we talked about how the team tournament was our focus. The girls really bought into the team event and supported each other so well. It’s fun to see how excited they were for each other. We are so proud of the work this team put in and I am thankful to have coached this group.”
After finishing as conference and district champions, the DCHS boys track and field team took home the Class 4A state team title for the first time in program history, scoring an all-time high of 93 points to win the championship. The victory was a true team effort led by several outstanding performances.
Finishing as runners-up were the 4x800 team of Sam Leto, Max DeRocher, Gabe Shaw and Matthew Bootman, and the sprint medley team of Jake Nevitt, Jalyn Thompson, Carson Brown and Kaden Emanuel. Additional top performers included Will Bussey (third in the 110M hurdles), Will Ryan (third in the 3200M), Kaden Emanuel (sixth in the 400M), Jaylen Pettus-McMullen (eighth in discus), and the distance medley relay team of Jake Nevitt, Jalyn Thompson, Carson Brown and Gabe Shaw in ninth.
The girls golf team completed a successful season with an overall record of 37-31. Highlights included a fourth place finish at regionals, third place at the S.E. Polk Invite with a season low team score of 363, third at the Centennial Invite, and fourth at the CIML Conference Tournament where sophomore Allie Nedved placed eighth individually.
Head coach Jarred Herring also received top honors as he was named Class 4A Boys State Coach of the Year and AllIowa Coach of the Year.
Jackson Heidesch earned the state title in the 1600M and finished third in the 800M and eighth in the 3200M.
BOYS TRACK EARNS STATE TITLE
Mikey McClain finished his high school career as a repeat state champion in both the 100M and 200M with two new state records. He also helped seal the team’s top spot as a member of two winning relay teams, joining Carson Brown, Kaden Emanuel and Jalyn Thompson in the 4x100 to win the state title and break a school record, and Kaden Emanuel, Andrew Bliss and Carson Brown to win the 4x200 with a new school record.
The state team also included Christian Baccile, Andrew Bliss, Carson Brown, Dante Cataldo, Colin Clark, Cody Heikes, Thomas Huegerich, Dylan Manning, Jack Moore, Jared Ricke, Ethan Rosendahl, Nathan Rotherham, Tyler Schweizer, London Stone and Adam Townsend. The team had an individual athlete or relay team earn all-state honors in eight events, and elite all-state honors in nine events, with 12 different athletes earning recognition. “I am extremely proud of this team which was led by 20 seniors,” said Herring. “After finishing as the runnerup last season they set the goal of winning the school’s first state title and they did this in extraordinary fashion. Our team motto is pursuing excellence in all things and this team did just that. I am most proud of the way the guys carried themselves all season. As they encountered adversities that come with each season, they remained strong in their faith and were the Christ-centered leaders that the DCHS community would be proud to have representing them.” and Ella Anliker, Julia Moore and Josie Patton were named first team CIML all-conference. After a successful regular season, the boys soccer team defeated Roosevelt in the substate semifinals before falling to Waukee Northwest. The following players were recognized as 2022 CIML all-conference selections: Daniel Griesemer and Henrry Abarca were named first team; Diego Leon and Jonathan Mendez were named second team, and John Foth, Ian Gredell, Raymond Molina, Fabian Leon, Owen Smerage, Joe Reed and Enrico SartoriFernandes were recognized as honorable mentions. Daniel Griesemer was also recognized with first team all-state honors. Girls Golf
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL20 Few months, if any, in the history of St. Joseph Academy and Dowling Catholic High School are remembered more than May 1972.
A month of ceremonies marked beginnings and endings, celebrated the past and heralded the future, and left memories on which the SJA and Dowling classes of 1972 will reminisce during their 50th anniversary reunion this summer. The girls of St. Joseph’s Class of 1972 were the last graduates of their school. The boys of Dowling’s Class of 1972 were the last seniors to attend class in the aging buildings on the old campus in Des Moines. Their joint commencement ceremony on May 26, 1972, is a significant benchmark in the timeline of Catholic education in Des Moines, but at the time, those seniors occasionally referred to themselves as “the forgotten class.” They weren’t a part of where much of the school was focused – the pending merger of the schools and the move to a new campus in West Des Moines where school would resume in the fall. As the SJA yearbook staff aptly put it in their 1972 edition entitled metamorphosis ’72, “Committees sprang up to plan for the ‘new school.’ Juniors ordered and wore their ‘Dowling’ class rings. ‘New school’ activities involved only three classes...” They were a memorable class, however. The Stepperettes marched to national and state championships. The football team won another Metro title. The songs of “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The Music Man” echoed from stages. The seniors spearheaded fundraisers and service projects for Muscular Dystrophy, the Kidney Foundation and the March of Dimes.
The classes of 1972 were also coping with the realities of what it meant to be 18. The boys could be drafted as the war in Vietnam continued. And they were eligible, for the first time, to vote. “My memory of my senior year at St. Joseph Academy is how invested in being prepared to participate in the political process we were,” said Kathleen (Carroll) Miller ‘72 SJA. “We would be the first class of 18-year-olds that would be eligible to vote in the national election. We were discussing national and world events that would prepare us to participate in an informed manner.”
On May 13, 1972, however, most seniors’ thoughts turned to prom at the Val Air and an evening appropriately named “The Last Dance Will Last Forever.”
They were the first four-year graduates. The 18 surviving members of the class were all present for a weekend of events. They were the honored guests on May 15 when the new school was dedicated on Buffalo Road. More than 2,000 people turned out, including the students who would fill the classrooms in the fall. Archbishop Luigi Raimondi came from the Vatican to celebrate Mass at the dedication. Bishop Dingman concelebrated. Almost two weeks later came the joint
A week before prom, SJA alumnae, friends and supporters celebrated the school with an open house on the Grand Avenue campus and a festive banquet that night at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. The events gave alumni one more chance to tour the school. Bishop Maurice Dingman celebrated Mass at the campus chapel and presided over the dinner. The next weekend it was an historic Dowling class that took centerstage. It was the 50th reunion of the Class of 1922, the first senior class whose members had enrolled as ninth graders when the school opened in 1918.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
FOCUS | SUMMER 2022 21 IN CoreyAmeeJeffreyRyanSteveStephanieRebeccaChristopherMatthewMichaelFrankDavidJeffRhondaVictoriaMarioJoanDennisPatrickChrisWilliamDavidRalphPamelaMiltonEdmundoTimothyNancyDouglasJerraldMaryRobertPhilipAdrianPatriciaJoanneJeanneBernettaMatthewCharlesBarbaraWilliamColonelTerryMichaelGeorgeMaryRobertMaryMaryJamesDianaRuthMargaretGodfreyJanaanMargaretLaurenceSr.MargieAnthonywhotoDowlingMEMORIAMCatholicextendsitssympathythefamiliesofthefollowingalumnihavepassedaway.“Tony”Damiani‘38(Bachrodt)Muelhaupt‘39SJAConcettaNaba,BVM‘40SJA“Jim”McMichael‘45“Angie”(Dillon)Kuhlman‘46SJA(Walsh)Happe‘47SJAJ.Heger‘47(Mulstay)Anderson‘48SJA(Rottee)Donnelly‘48SJA(Piagentini)Houge‘49SJA“Jim”Martin‘49AnnaWeber‘50SJABelle(McPherson)Lawless‘52SJA“Bob”Wilkinson‘52Kay(Broderick)Riley‘54SJAKinley‘55“Mike”Seeburger‘57Lipovac‘58JohnJosephHaluskaJr.‘59“Bill”Bartelt‘60(Tantillo)Dorsey‘60SJA“Chuck”Tiano‘60“Matt”Coenen‘61“Bernie”(Schile)Madsen‘63SJA(Dolan)Cox‘63SJA“Jody”(Dieter)Skowronek‘63SJAMaher‘64SJABinkerd‘65Hoffman‘66“Bob”Snyder‘67Wagner‘67SJA“Jerry”Hardy‘68“Doug”Peiffer‘69Harvey‘70SJA“Tim”Hartman‘71“Eddie”Rivera‘71“Milt”Dakovich‘72Hill‘72SJAKiel‘72Krumbholz‘72“Bill”Walter‘72“CJ”DeAngelo‘74“Pat”Steinbach‘74Stephens‘74Willer‘74Zenti‘74“Vicki”(Glenn)Ferin‘75(Darrah)Currie‘76Welter‘77Wright‘79Cataldo‘81“Mike”Miller‘81“Matt”Freylack‘83“Chris”Bazzocco‘84“Becky”(Costello)Bazzocco‘85(Schneider)Becerra‘89Graham‘90Smith‘90“Jeff”Meyers‘93Rietz‘94AllenPaetznick‘04IN MEMORY OF MARSHAL B. MCMANUS
The speaker was U.S. Sen. Harold Hughes, a former Iowa governor. His parting words to the graduates captured the persevering spirit which permeated the Classes of 1972.
“The love that human beings have for one another is real. So is the immortality of the human spirit that lifts mankind to heights of generosity and sublime achievement … so are the ideals of young Americans like you,” Hughes told the graduates. Diplomas were distributed. Prayers were said. St. Joseph Academy closed. “SJA was an institution where tradition reigned and those traditions centered around the seniors,” the editors of metamorphosis ’72 wrote. “When the time came, it was with the spirit of pride and sadness that the seniors led the school to solemnly close the pages of 88 years of history.” That tradition of spirit and pride was true for the Dowling boys of 1972 as well. “There was no greater camaraderie than the Dowling Class of 1972 because we knew we were the last of a Catholic community of young men going to class in less than first-class accommodations,” Mike Egan recalled. “That old school and those priests and teachers made us men. The discipline was much needed and helped me tremendously in life.”
Indeed, “the forgotten classes” of 1972 carried on the great tradition of serving as Leaders for Life, Centered on Christ. For a detailed account of this important chapter of Dowling and SJA history, please visit: www.dowlingcatholic.org/alumni.
The Dowling Catholic community mourns the loss of Marshal B. McManus who passed away on May 3, 2022, as the result of an automobile accident. Marshal was born on December 14, 2004, to Jackie and Brad McManus ‘89. Marshal was caring, fun-loving, kind, respectful and genuine. He loved spending time with his family, friends and his girlfriend Gracie. Marshal was an avid fan of the Chiefs and Royals and enjoyed kayaking, fishing, gaming, playing golf, photography, and watching sports. He was a junior at Dowling Catholic High School and was a beloved friend to many. Marshal is survived by his parents, sister Alyssa, nephew Jadyn, brother Derek, stepmom Kelley McManus, stepsister Dani Hubbard, stepbrother Ryan Hubbard, and grandparents Joy and Ed McManus. To honor Marshal, his family asks others to carry forward his value system in their own lives. Be kind, be a little quirky, accept others for who they are, and help make this world a better place. To read more about Marshal, please visit: https://bit.ly/3yJlusS graduation ceremony for the two classes. Joint ceremonies weren’t new as SJA and Dowling had celebrated graduation together since 1961. The ceremony took place at Vets’ Auditorium.
This award honors a retired accountant and parent of DCHS alumni who expected his children to be involved in school activities, strive for excellence, exhibit leadership and care for others. The award recognizes freshmen who excel in these areas.
Each spring Dowling Catholic proudly recognizes students with year-end awards. Congratulations to the following 2022 award recipients: AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP AWARD Petra Knupp Recognizes seniors who demonstrate good citizenship, a sense of responsibility and service to the community.
DOWLING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL22
BERNIE SAGGAU AWARD William Bussey Presented to the senior who best exemplifies a patriotic spirit with strong religious and moral convictions; living and professing the qualities of honesty, integrity and sportsmanship; and believing that games and life should be conducted by the rules. Mr. Saggau was Executive Director of the IHSAA for 38 years.
JACK WAHLIG AWARD Lewis Lentsch, Jacob Suresh, Ellie Olson & Grace Frye
FATHER JOHN ACREA AWARD Suzanne Bigelow Presented to a student who has shown commitment, dedication and determination in debate. Father Acrea founded the debate team in 1963 and impacted an entire generation of DCHS debaters.
DCHS SPIRIT AWARD Joe Baumhover & Zuzia Wheeler
AWARDING EXCELLENCE
Presented to students who model integrity and moral character. Their positive spirit and sharing of time and talents are true examples of Christ-centered leadership.
Faculty selects seniors who best represent the spirit of DCHS. DR. ROBERT BREEDLOVE AWARD Cooper Nicholson Recognizes a junior who best models hard work, leadership and courage while exemplifying the Christian principles valued by Dr. Bob Breedlove, the father of several DCHS graduates and athletic team doctor for many years. He was known for his generosity as demonstrated through the countless hours of medical and personal support he provided to DCHS athletes and coaches.
GOVERNOR’S SCHOLAR AWARD Allison Szalay & Petra Knupp This award goes to seniors from across the state who have been honored by the Governor for their high academic achievement.
JOHN HAYES AWARD Olivia Kramer & Jackson Heidesch Selected by the athletic department, these students exhibit strong leadership and dedication to activities, athletics and academics; demonstrate commitment to hard work; live a faithlife modeled in service; and exude a caring and supportive attitude. Mr. Hayes was athletic director at DCHS from 1977 - 2005. Ause retired at the end of the school year after serving for more than three decades as an English teacher at Dowling Catholic High School. He attended Iowa State University and began his career at DCHS in 1989 as a long-term substitute teacher. He recalls being impressed with how friendly the people at DCHS were. That impression would never leave him throughout his entire career.
FAREWELLMr.Pete
Ause joined the faculty in 1989 and went on to teach English for 32 years, leaving DCHS for one year before returning in 1999. In addition to his tremendous impact in the classroom, he also made a difference for so many students through his involvement with extracurricular, faith and service activities at DCHS. He coached volleyball for five years, was a senior class moderator for nearly two decades and served for several years as a committee chair of the annual Christmas Baskets service project. He also enjoyed serving as a Kairos leader and traveling with colleagues in the World Languages Department during seven trips to Mexico. “I’ve acquired a lifetime of memories during my time at DCHS,” said Ause. “And most of all, I will remember my students.” We are grateful for his lasting impact on so many in the DCHS community and wish him all the best in retirement.
Nate Brown & Madisyn Godwin Honors seniors who have excelled in the spirit of Christian service. Sr. Clemenza, a former DCHS counselor, was known as the “go-to person” to get things done. This award is not based on the number of service hours, but on the ways the student has served the people of God.
SISTER JUDITH SHEAHAN AWARD
SISTER CLEMENZA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
PAX CHRISTI AWARD Andrew Robey The Pax Christi student is committed to Christian faith and service and actively AWARDING EXCELLENCE
Carson Brown & Megan Wainwright
participates in the life and spirit of DCHS. They exemplify Christ-centered leadership; have respect for fellow human beings as demonstrated through Christian service; and inspire others through words and actions to live a Christ-centered life. The recipient is selected by the senior class and delivers the commencement address.
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This award goes to two seniors, one male and one female, who have achieved success in multiple sports during their time at Dowling Catholic. Nominees must have participated and lettered in at least two different sports during their high school careers.
BILL BARRIOS CHARLENE FLOOD MIKE O’CONNOR TAYLOR SCHULTE NANCY HOLSAPPLE
This award goes to junior students who are involved in activities that advocate for racial and social justice, both at DCHS and in the community.
This memorial tuition award was created in honor of the caring mother of former DCHS president, Fr. Michael Hess. Recipients are selected based on participation in activities that fulfill Dowling Catholic’s mission of community involvement, achieving above average grades, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
MULTI-SPORT AWARD
The John Baptiste de La Salle Award was initiated by Joe Brick and his family in 2014 in honor of Janet Brick who passed away in 2011. Each year the Brick family chooses a faculty member who represents the qualities of Janet and the philosophy of de La Salle: to work in a way that makes a difference by touching the hearts of students. We are proud to recognize Nancy Holsapple as the recipient of the John Baptiste de La Salle Award. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients. We are grateful for their exceptional contributions to the mission of Dowling Catholic over the past year.
Alier Agau & Anthony Cataldo Sr. Judith Sheahan was an assistant principal at DCHS. She was a service-oriented leader who was meticulous with her organizational skills. The Maroon Council awards two sophomores who reflect the qualities of great leadership and selfless service.
Allison Szalay & Daniel Lu Two seniors are selected by the Athletic Department for achieving outstanding success in academics and athletics.
ST. MARTIN DE PORRES AWARD Jaz Paz, Nolan Lynch & Nianrob Malua
Each spring Dowling Catholic recognizes faculty and staff with two special awards. Named for our founder, the Bishop Dowling Award is given to four faculty or staff members who exemplify our core values - faithful, caring and dedicated - in remarkable ways. This year we are pleased to honor Bill Barrios, Charlene Flood, Mike O’Connor and Taylor Schulte as recipients of the Bishop Dowling Award.
SCHOLAR ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
VONNIE HESS AWARD Sophia I Mauro & Nicholas Stalzer
$30 32 oz. Boundless Travel Metal Water Bottle 24/7/365 online! | dchscampusstore.com | 515-222-1012 | campusstore@dowlingcatholic.org NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. PERMITPAIDPOSTAGENO.1170DESMOINES,IA Some exclusions apply; uniform items, spirit signs, yard signs and activity specific apparel are not eligible for discount. Offer cannot be applied to previous purchases. Coupon Septemberexpires1,2022. $16 MaroonKeychainPuffball$26 20 oz. Silicone & Glass Water Bottle $62 Champion Reverse Weave Hoodie - Oatmeal Available late August ‘22 $34 Nike Men’s Dri-Fit Legend 2.0 Short Sleeve $25 Champion Classic Twill Hats Available in late August ‘22 Creating a will is one of the most impactful ways to support the people and causes that are most important to you. We hope you will consider Dowling Catholic High School as you think about your legacy. To learn more about simple and tax smart ways to help DCHS continue to prepare Christ-Centered leaders, please contact Julie Bell, advancement director, at 515.222.1048 or visit our website: dowlingcatholic.plannedgiving.org SAVE 15% ON YOUR NEXT PURCHASE Please present this coupon or use code SUMMER22 online
