EC Magazine Winter 2015

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“ If people would walk around the edge of the carpet once in a while, it would save wearing it out in the middle.”

– Mrs. Savage speaking in “The Curious Savage” written by John Patrick and performed by EC Drama in fall 2014.

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elcoming families to our beautiful campus is one of the many joys of my role at EC. Each year many of these visitors are legacy families—a family whose members include a parent or sibling who attended EC. Having siblings and alumni return to provide their student with an EC education demonstrates the power of our community, the strength of our academic programs and the lasting impact of our mission in the lives of our students.

Currently we have more than 150 legacy families and each year we have seen this number increase as word spreads among our alumni and current families. It is exciting for me to welcome so many families who contributed to our success and growth as a school.

A common theme voiced by returning alumni is the memories their visit to campus evokes of their own middle and high school days and their admiration for the expanded academic programming now available as part of the annual curriculum—EC now offers more Honors and Advanced Placement courses than ever before. What provides them comfort is, that while changes have occurred, including the move to our state-of-the-art facility and a growing student body, EC has maintained the mission, values and community that is the school they remember and love.

When Joe Murphy ’85 toured the school with his wife and daughters two years ago, he wondered whether the fundamental values that he experienced as a student in the mid-80s were lost in the transition to the new campus.

He was pleased to discover that EC still was, and is, “truly representative of what I remember.” He takes pride in the fact that his two daughters, now an eighth-grader and a junior, are thriving at his alma mater.

It is inspiring for me to work with students, alumni, parents and grandparents who are so passionate about the education and experiences they or their family members enjoyed while at EC and who share that excitement with others. We thank them for their continued involvement in the EC community and we look forward to the honor of educating the next generation of students. Once a Crusader, always a Crusader.

—Charlene Kletzly, Director of Admissions

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he first half of the 2014-15 school year has been very productive and successful for our student body. Students are being recognized for their talents in academics, arts and on the playing field, including the varsity football team bringing home the first ever football championship trophy. The experiences the students are having now will indelibly shape their future.

Current students participate in annual EC traditions such as the Destiny and freshman retreat, Friday night tailgates and Blessing of the Pets, to name a few. These experiences impact student development much as they did for our graduates–more than 3,500 over the past 33 years.

Over the holidays, we were pleased to have a number of alumni return to campus to visit a favorite teacher or staff member or to speak in a class or at our winter open house. We are thankful for their continued interest and involvement and hope to host many more alumni on campus this year.

I have personally enjoyed many opportunities to visit and give back to my alma maters. During career days, I have shared with students my passion for education while encouraging them to consider teaching as a viable and rewarding profession. I have also participated on search and advisory committees at Seattle University.

I have cherished these times as well as the social gatherings of alumni to celebrate our shared memories of our alma maters. I am grateful for the schools I attended and the part they played in my personal and professional development.

I encourage all of our community members to share with others your passion for EC as well as share your time, talent and resources in any way that fits your current circumstances in life. Attend events, cheer for our athletic teams, support our Annual Fund, serve on committees or volunteer. Today’s students are much like you once were, diligently studying, maturing in faith and friendship and actively serving others in the greater community.

Blessings and Peace,

—Tom Lord, Interim President

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“Touchdown Crusaders!” a voice booms over the stadium speakers. For the past 10 football seasons that voice has belonged to Bill Carlton. With his youngest son graduating in June, he decided this was his final season behind the microphone.

When Carlton took over the announcing duties from Emeriti Bryce McWalter, he jumped right into his new role. He had participated in some sports broadcasting and play-by-play announcing in college and thought this opportunity would be a fun continuation of a past interest. Ten years later, that interest allowed him to call more than 50 games in four different EC home stadiums and witness many memorable EC football moments.

“I had the pleasure of watching some very talented EC football teams, games and players,” said Carlton. “One great memory is the very first play in the new stadium, Charlie Acosta Field. We were playing Lakeside and receiving the opening kickoff. The coaching staff planned and the team orchestrated a brilliantly blocked return and Marion Bactol took it all the way on the very first play.

Mar will always have the distinction of scoring the first TD on our home field—on the very first touch.”

Carlton can list many highlights by other notable Crusader football alumni including Zach Cuaresma’s ’09 late game heroics, Corey Nasman ’06 completing 20 passes to Jason Butler ’06 in one game and Spencer Esau’s ’09 game winning touchdowns, just to name a few.

Over the years Carlton perfected his announcing role as he became more comfortable in the booth, including showing a little more active personal engagement during games.

“I attempted to embellish content in a hometown way while expressing praise for as many kids as possible,” said Carlton.

“Given that our teams were quite good and many games were lopsided, I was proud of pointing out the positive efforts of our opponents as well as our own. I believe that made for a balanced environment and enjoyable experience for all participants.”

Throughout the years, his wife and kids have been supportive of his announcing endeavor and his twins even helped in the booth this season with spotting during games. “When you have a great community—parents, kids, coaches—and a good product, it’s pretty enjoyable to participate and be a part of something special,” said Carlton. “I had a fabulous decade of fun watching many talented individuals and teams. Thank you Eastside. You are a great community for which I am a proud member and honored to have been your voice.”

Whoever takes over as the next voice of the Crusaders will have some big shoes to fill. And they better start practicing the line, “Touchdown Crusaders!”

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CHAMPS! he moment was everything they had imagined, and more. Eastside Catholic football coach Jeremy Thielbahr stood in the center of the field inside the Tacoma Dome, just as he had the past two seasons after the 3A state championship game. But this time, he was celebrating a program-defining win.

“Our kids were emotional, our coaches were emotional,” he said.

“It was just a phenomenal feeling.”

Winning the school’s first state championship in football would be an epic accomplishment under any circumstance. Add in the fact the finale came against the same nationally-ranked Bellevue program that had ended the season for EC three straight years, and rode to the Tacoma Dome on a 67-game winning streak, and the stage was set for this group of Crusaders to etch their names in the record books.

Before the season even began, many penciled Bellevue and Eastside Catholic back into the state finals. Far fewer, however, predicted it would be the team from Sammamish bringing home the hardware.

“This senior group had been with me for four years (since

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Thielbahr became head coach),” he recalled. “They did everything we asked of them, and it had been our mission to win this game since we lost it the year before.”

Thielbahr and his staff, as well as the Crusaders’ players, have gotten to know Bellevue as well as anyone over the past half-decade.

State tournament losses to the Wolverines, along with title game defeats each of the past two seasons, only hardened the EC resolve. As youngsters became featured players, and eventually AllConference and All-State selections, those around the Crusaders knew a changing of the guard was not far off.

“All those games we played and lost paid dividends,” Thielbahr said. “The whole year was set up by our seniors.”

With close-calls from years past as their motivation, the Crusaders took their offseason regiment to an entirely new level before the 2014 campaign. Senior leadership set the tone for a group of hungry and ultra-talented underclassmen, leading to a cohesive team spirit Thielbahr said was unmatched during his time on the sidelines.

Blowout wins and highlight reel plays defined the regular season, with the crescendo arriving in a controlling win over rival O’Dea, marking the first time in program history EC beat the Irish in consecutive meetings.

A second Metro League Championship in three seasons seemed a precursor for even greater things, but that narrative was pushed to the brink in the quarterfinals against Lincoln.

A gutsy victory on the road sent the upstart Abes packing, and

the Crusaders to the semifinals, where another blowout win set the stage for the championship game triumph.

“It was a great feeling for our whole community,” Thiehlbar said.

“It was a feeling I will never forget.”

Any team as close as this group of Crusaders wants nothing more than to extend the season as long as possible, even after the accomplishment of capturing a state crown. EC was fortunate enough to have that chance, as the team received an encore to the 2014 season with an invitation to the inaugural Burger King State Champions Bowl Series in Florida. A loss to a nationally-ranked foe from the Sunshine State did little to dampen the enthusiasm for Eastside Catholic’s memorable 2014 campaign, but rather provided even more experience to a group more resolved than ever to reaffirm its place among the state’s elite again next year.

There is no doubt that these historic achievements and record breaking performances will live on in Eastside Catholic lore. But even more than their achievements on the field, this group of Crusaders will be remembered as true stewards of their school and community and ambassadors for the EC mission.

“Faith, Family, Finish and Forever Eastside,” are the words that guided the football team to its first ever state title. As the stage sets for a winter and spring season that Thielbahr believes could be equally fruitful, there has never been a better time to be a Crusader.

“The overall vision is to be tradition-rich in athletics, and we’re trying to build that through integrity and servant leadership.”

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After graduating, Jilyne went on to study at the University of Vermont where she was a seven-time NCAA All-American in ski racing and placed second and third at the NCAA Championships. In 2012, Jilyne co-founded Z Girls. Z Girls’ mission is to empower girls with confidence, courage and community. Through Z Girls, Jilyne hosts camps for sports teams where programming is customized to a team’s specific needs with the goal of encouraging and empowering girls to learn life lessons through sports. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband but spends much of her time traveling back to Seattle and around the U.S. encouraging girls and providing a positive role model for them.

Lynn, a parent at Eastside Catholic for fourteen consecutive years, volunteered countless hours in support of our students and athletic programs. Her work included managing the silent auction, hosting and feeding numerous teams, delivering meals to those with sick family members and much more. Her true passion was supporting her children and their teammates through their athletic endeavors and her presence was felt everywhere. Lynn continues to volunteer locally and globally to help families in need while maintaining her job as a real estate agent. Her four children graduated from Eastside Catholic in 2003, 2006, 2010 and 2013.

Greg served as Eastside Catholic School principal from 20022010, during a time of change and growth for the school. His calming and steady presence created a deep bond of respect and admiration from faculty, staff and students. Easing the transition for parents and students to the new campus was one of Greg’s greatest accomplishments. Greg continues to live a life of service as a teacher, volunteer and mentor. He currently works as a faculty advisor in Austin, Texas. On most school days during morning announcements, EC students still hear the phrase coined by Greg many years ago, “Have a great day Crusaders, and remember to take care of each other.” Greg and his wife Betsy have been married 41 years and have two children and three grandchildren.

Theresa taught for 21 years at Eastside Catholic School. She was an instrumental part of the Campus Ministry Department and spent countless hours promoting the spirituality of the school. Every EC freshman was fortunate to have Theresa as a teacher and mentor. Each one of her classes began with the lights out and heads bowed, giving students a time for quiet prayer and meditation. Her life has been lived in Catholic schools, from her own start in first grade until retirement after 44 years of teaching. Her care and compassion for all students fostered great respect from those she worked with and taught. Theresa is now retired and has four children and three grandchildren.

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nder the direction of Soonja Larsen who joined EC in 2012, the choir program has been transformed.

In just two years, the program has grown from a talented group of 12 high school students to an ear-pleasing 101 students, including 70 middle school students and 31 high school students.

In her second year at EC, Larsen proposed that a middle school choir class be added to the 2013-14 curriculum to involve the younger students. Although the class began with only six students, Larsen said, “It was a small group, but amazing students and voices!” The students who comprised that initial middle school choir now lead the seventh and eighth grade choirs which boast 38 students this year.

The choir has been in much demand, performing for assemblies, concerts, and other school events such as the Touchstone Leadership Awards dinner held last fall. They not only entertain, but also participate in a number of regional competitions. In the 2013-14 school year, the choir entered their first competitive choral festival at Music in the Parks in Idaho Falls winning First Place (Superior Rating) in their division. At the festival this year, EC will be represented by

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both a middle school and high school choir and hopes to bring two trophies home. For the third consecutive year, the choir will also be represented by both middle and high school students at the WMEA All State Honor Choirs—an honor and an unforgettable experience for the participants. And, for the first time in EC history, two choir members were accepted into All Northwest Honor Choirs, a competitive program comprised of a six state region.

An annual highlight for the choir, and according to Larsen—the reason some of the students join choir in the first place—is singing on the stage at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall at the Festival of Catholic High School Choirs. The festival is unique in that it is planned and facilitated by the participating schools’ choral directors who meet monthly to stage this highly successful program. Each year is a meaningful and educational experience for the students.

To accommodate the rapidly growing choral program, the school along with generous supporters has supplied the choirs with new risers, pianos and recording and sound equipment to achieve the best quality of sound for their audiences. Now, with a dedicated choir room as well, we can’t wait to see what they will accomplish next.

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astside Catholic welcomed the Microsoft-sponsored TEALS program to campus this fall. The TEALS program (Technology Education And Literacy in Schools) is a grassroots program that recruits, trains, mentors, and places high tech professionals who are passionate about computer science education into high school classes. For the 2014-15 school year, TEALS partnered with 131 schools in 18 states plus Washington, D.C. Eastside Catholic is pleased to be one of these schools.

TEALS volunteer teachers undergo a three-month long training after which they partner with an in-class teacher to share their computer science expertise and real world experience with students. This year, four computer science professionals began co-teaching AP Computer Science at EC. In this two-year teamteaching model, the classroom teacher expands his/her knowledge of computer science as they in turn assist the TEALS volunteer with instructional techniques. Three of the volunteer instructors are EC parents and all are current or past Microsoft employees.

Software engineer and EC parent Mitch Sonnen is one of the

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TEALS instructor for the AP Computer Science class. Sonnen said, “Parents and students have approached our TEALS team, commenting that many of the students are now considering computer science as a possible college major… that is a win.” Currently there are five seniors, three juniors and two sophomores enrolled in the program and enthusiasm is building.

For most, this is their first exposure to coding and computer science at the college level.

Senior Michael Storie who is enrolled in the course and taking computer science for the first time said, “It’s clear that all four of my instructors enjoy their careers and find them fulfilling.

I really appreciate that. What we are learning is really interesting to me.” Storie added, “This class has let me do different things with computers and has opened up doors for me. I think there is a strong possibility that I will study computer science as a major in college.”

Eastside Catholic is looking to expand the program and add an introduction course as well as an independent study course for more advanced students.

here was a chill in the air and a light dusting of snow on the ground when the teams lined up for the 1984 WIAA Girls Cross Country State meet in Spokane, Washington.

Newspapers were declaring that local favorite Mead High School was certain to win. But that didn’t matter to the EC girls cross country team who, by the end of the race, stood together on the podium in victory. It was the first state championship in any sport for the school.

“The newspaper articles expressed amazement, as we weren’t even considered one of the favorites,” said Theresa (Waiss) Platz ‘85. “I can’t say enough about how Coach Don Kiehn’s quiet, gentle, but intellectual approach to running helped us stay focused and prepared us for that great day.”

As part of this year’s homecoming celebration, EC brought the team together for a special reunion event before the football game.

They gathered and shared stories of their amazing feat years before.

“We had a pretty tight group of girls, not only in terms of friendship, but also in terms of our run times between the first girl on the team to the fifth,” said Colleen (McCambridge) Thompson, ’86. “The five of us did not have the drive to beat each other. We were concerned with team placement and having the team make it to state.”

This lack of internal team competition would be a driving force and define their success that season, including in the state championship meet.

“We had a 45 second spread between our first finisher and our fifth. That is what won the race for us. It wasn’t any one person in particular, we all had our own stories for that day, but it was our team effort, our sisterhood, that won it,” said Thompson.

A sisterhood that showed through the excitement and bonding during the reunion event. Joining Theresa and Colleen at the event were fellow team members Felicia Beluche ’85, Mary Jo (Gadler) Ayers ’86 and Becky (Templeton) Neumann ’88.

They brought with them their many supporters from the past and present—parents, spouses, siblings and children.

“I had a great time and bringing back these wonderful memories was a lot of fun,” said Platz.

Thirty years after their state championship, the team again raised the trophy together–this time in front of a standing ovation from the homecoming crowd.

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Jonathan Bannick ’12

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IN MEMORIAM To the following members of our EC community who have died, but whose spirits live on always in our hearts.

Rosita Signalness ’95 Colin Hiemstra ’03 Chuck Tarbox EC football coach 1992–99

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