2021 Cascia Chronicle

CASCIA CHRONICLE

2021 Edition

A Cascia Hall Preparatory School Publication for the Cascia Community

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

DEAR CASCIA HALL From a classroom just a short distance from my office, the stench of formaldehyde drifted down the corridor.

It seemed particularly strong this time, and I had a meeting with visitors in a short while whose first introduction to Cascia Hall would be this overwhelming smell. So I went out to investigate. Turned out to be our juniors and seniors in Mrs. Steen’s Human Anatomy and Physiology class dissecting sheep lungs and hearts.

Fascinated, I had to take a closer look. The students were slicing and dicing parts in their lab groups while identifying features and making comparisons with our human anatomy.

Later in the day, I went down to the Middle School and encountered Otto von Bismarck (who died in 1898) and Felix Mendelssohn (d. 1847) after being introduced to the mathematician Emmy Noether (d. 1935). All of them were 6th graders from Mrs. Poskey’s World Language classes giving presentations on German historical figures in attire proper to their time period and station (or just about!). Proceeding to the PAC, I stopped by Ms. Smith’s Intermediate Guitar class to hear some decent Pop from a student who was performing.

All just an ordinary day here at Cascia Hall…in a very extraordinary year!

Despite all of the challenges and obstacles to education which the pandemic and the subsequent chaos to our society seemed to throw at us, we here at Cascia Hall not only survived with a minimum of learning loss, but even excelled. State Runners-Up in Cheer and Girls Track, State Champions in Boys and Girls Tennis and Boys Golf, six National Merit Finalists or Commended, 24 Oklahoma Academic Scholars, and many other achievements testify to the fact that our young men and women continued to learn and grow. Perhaps more importantly, we were able to be together as a community with friends and family at a time when so many schools in our country were forced to remain closed to in-person learning. I am very grateful to all our faculty and staff, parents, board members, and the students themselves for making it work through some rather difficult and stressful times.

St. Augustine recognized two great books, the Book of Creation and the Book of Scripture, as objects of study in his life. Both books lead to a deeper understanding of their shared Author and inspire us to be better people in service to our world. This study remains our goal and our mission now despite the difficult context and in the future as we continue to look toward the 100th anniversary of our community in 2026.

As we come to the end of this academic year, I want to recognize Mary Elliott, Sally Fenska, and Tami Gnaedig, all of whom are retiring after many years of service and commitment to Cascia Hall and work in education. We wish them all the best and thank them for the gift that each of them has been to our community. God bless you always.

And may God continue to bless us all with His love and mercy.

St. Rita of Cascia, pray for us.

Peace,

Fr. Philip C. Cook, OSA, PhD Headmaster 2021 Edition | 1

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CONTENTS CLASS OF 2021 4 | 2021 Senior Achievements

GIVING BACK 40 | Fund-A-Need A Great Success for School Needs

10 | The Next Chapter 2021 College Decisions & Acceptances

44 | Featured Benefactor The Butterworth Family

AUGUSTINIAN VALUES

ALUMNI NEWS

12 | Student Essays

46 | Alumni Notes

A YEAR IN REVIEW 16 | 2021 Highlights

SCHOOL NEWS 18 | Academic Success 22 | Q&A with Travis Guillory 26 | Faculty Corner Retiring Teachers New Faculty & Staff

COMMANDO CORNER 30 | New Athletic Directors 37 | College Signings Student Athletes 38 | Strong as Iron Cascia Coach Takes on the Ironman Competition

50 | In Memory

SAVE THE DATES 52 | 2021-2022 Events

On the Cover The Class of 2021 Commencement Ceremony Facebook Instagram @chpreparatory @casciahall Website Phone casciahall.com 918.746.2604 Email admissions@casciahall.com

LOOK FOR THESE ICONS FOR EXTENDED DIGITAL CONTENT

2021 Edition | 3

CLASS OF 2021

TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS & CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO ON THIS STORY

GRADUATION AWARDS THE SPIRIT OF AARON HALFORD AWARD Allison Gammill

VALEDICTORIAN

VALEDICTORIAN

Luke Baber

Lane McCoy

SR. MARY MURRIHY SSJ SERVICE AWARD Maria Salas

SALUTATORIAN

SALUTATORIAN

Andrea Armstrong

Sarah Jackson

CLICK ON THE AWARD NAMES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH AWARD 6 | Cascia Chronicle

HUNTINGTON WOLCOTT RHODES MEMORIAL AWARD Jack Gero

CLASS OF 2021

CASCIA MEDAL Erin Coulon

This award goes to the senior who exemplifies all that a Cascia Hall student should be—not only strong in academics, but also someone involved in multiple facets of Cascia Hall. This student should be a leader while perfor ming in an exemplary fashion in whatever he or she undertakes.

THE SCHOLAR MEDAL Andrea Marie Armstrong Gold Medal | Mathematics Silver Medal | English, Science, Theology

Lillian Grace Phillips Gold Medal | English, German Silver Medal | Social Studies

Lane Henry McCoy Gold Medal | Mathematics, Social Studies Silver Medal | English

Grace Malia Rolen Gold Medal | Spanish Silver Medal | Theology, Fine Arts Performance

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS Fine Arts Performance Gold // Travis Guillory

Theology Gold // Maddy Palmer

Fine Arts Visual Gold // Chandler Eby Silver // Audrey Coleman

World Languages Chinese Gold // Sebastian Molina Silver // Nick Alfrey

Mathematics Silver // Maddy Palmer Science Gold // Erin Coulon Silver // Steven Stagg

French Silver // Anna Ketchum German Silver // Lydia Bodi

Spanish Gold // Maria Salas Silver // Steven Stagg

CLICK HERE TO FLIP THROUGH THE 2021 GRADUATION PHOTO GALLERY

2021 Edition | 7

THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2021 Sarah Ogechi Agorua Magna Cum Laude* Grace Marie Ahlfenger Cum Laude William Edwards Albers Magna Cum Laude~* Nicholas Frederick Alfrey Summa Cum Laude~* Andrea Marie Armstrong Summa Cum Laude • ~* Luke Walton Baber Summa Cum Laude~* Delaun Brendon Blake Magna Cum Laude • * Lydia Mary Bodi Magna Cum Laude* Griffin Daniel Boedeker Summa Cum Laude~* Pete Constantine Boyaci Cum Laude* Beth Caroline Brierly Cum Laude* James Robert Byers Cum Laude* Peyton Elise Carter Summa Cum Laude~* Emma Elizabeth Causon Nicholas Crews Choquette Cum Laude* Audrey Kimbell Coleman Summa Cum Laude* Erin Rose Coulon Summa Cum Laude~* Avery Nicole Darby* Abigail Lauren Darden Magna Cum Laude* Thisasni Menaya De Silva Cum Laude* William Harrison Drake Jacob Haydron Dukes Cum Laude* Jack Andrew Duncan Chandler Leigh Eby Summa Cum Laude~* Spencer William Forbes Allison Jaden Gammill Summa Cum Laude~* Zoë Dalare’-Sheral Gardner Magna Cum Laude* John Kurt Gero Cum Laude* Kaylin Diane Gilliam Summa Cum Laude* Madelyn Grace Grant* Lauren Victoria Graves* Elijah James Griffin Cum Laude* Avery Paris Gruenwald Cum Laude*

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Travis Alexander Guillory Magna Cum Laude~* Brock Leyton Hannagan* Helaina Gabrielle Arianna Hardman Cum Laude* Syed Abraar Hassany Magna Cum Laude~* William Scott Hawkins Cum Laude* Eleanor Elizabeth Herndon Cum Laude* Grant John Holley Magna Cum Laude* Sydney Avery Hoose Magna Cum Laude* Amelia Grace Huntsman Cum Laude* Kate Elaine Jackson Sarah Ann Jackson Summa Cum Laude • ~* Houston Shelby Jennings Summa Cum Laude* Ma’Thai Laila Jones Aidan Elizabeth Kaltenbacher Magna Cum Laude* Anna Maria Ketchum Magna Cum Laude* Leanna Ah-hyun Kim Summa Cum Laude~* Patrick William Lambrecht Summa Cum Laude • ~* Henry Hudson Luessenhop Magna Cum Laude* Brylee Rae Maddox Naomi Madeline Malloy Summa Cum Laude* Sophia Lillye Martinez Summa Cum Laude~* Murphie Erin-Annette McCormick Lane Henry McCoy Summa Cum Laude • ~* Matthew David Minielly Sebastian Molina Summa Cum Laude~* Chase Matthew Moody Cum Laude* Bridgette Mora Cooper John Mullen Ezekiel Patterson Mullendore Cum Laude* Benjamin Ross Nash Magna Cum Laude* Jack Perry Nilson Natalie Hall Nilson Magna Cum Laude* Madeline Hope Joy Palmer Summa Cum Laude* Jacqueline Davis Perkins Cum Laude*

John Anthony Peters Summa Cum Laude~* Lillian Grace Phillips Summa Cum Laude~* Lexie Ann Raley* Robert James Rashid Magna Cum Laude Lauren Avery Robinowitz Magna Cum Laude* Cara GerLaine Rogers Grace Malia Rolen Summa Cum Laude~* Maria Fernanda Salas Magna Cum Laude* Jack Baden Schloss Summa Cum Laude ~* Aidan Kent Shaffer Magna Cum Laude* Madison Brooke Shaffer Magna Cum Laude* Catherine Channing Siegfried Cum Laude* Shea Bailey Skidgel* John Paul Skrzypczak Cum Laude Steven George Stagg Summa Cum Laude~* Chloe Rhea Stephens Magna Cum Laude* Grace Evelyn Stump Summa Cum Laude~* Katherine Ann Stump Summa Cum Laude* Abby Lauren Taylor Cum Laude* Elijah Alexander Toay Terry Bockius Todd Cum Laude* Henry Brenton Tooman Lucie Kathryn Tuttle Magna Cum Laude* Robert Charles Van Pelt Jedidiah Jay Wagner Meagan Marie Walters Summa Cum Laude~* Andrew Langston Warthan Magna Cum Laude* Aidan Charles Welsh Cum Laude* Dylan Reid Wilson Cum Laude Zackary Jacob Yuan Nicholas Quinn Zuyus Cum Laude*

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National Merit Scholar National Merit Commended ~ Oklahoma Academic Scholar * National Honor Society

CLASS OF 2021

THE LEGACY

CONTINUES Fifteen graduates from the Class of 2021 and their families were recognized at Commencement for being a part of the Augustinian Tradition of Education for generations. These students have parents, grandfathers, and/or great-grandfathers who attended Cascia Hall. Many have aunts, uncles and siblings who are also alumni.

Aaron C. Choquette Andrew C. Choquette ’09 Phillip M. Choquette ’12 Nicholas C. Choquette ’21 Pat Darby ’60 David Darby ’92 Amanda Darby Chalmers ’98 Avery Darby ’21

(Left to Right) First row: Abigail Darden, CeCe Siegfried, Abby Taylor, Avery Darby, Jacqueline Perkins, Chandler Eby. Second row: Eli Toay, Travis Guillory, John Skrzypczak, Nick Choquette, Zackary Yuan. Third row: Spencer Forbes, Jack Schloss, J.J. Peters, Chase Moody.

David Darby ’92 Avery Darby ’21 Chris Darden ’88 Abigail Darden ’21 Richard C. Eby ’93 Chandler L. Eby ’21 Karen Hirlinger Forbes ’88 Spencer William Forbes ’21 Lamar M. Guillory ’89 Lewis E. Guillory ’18 Travis A. Guillory ’21 Judge Dawn Weiler Moody ’92 Chase M. Moody ’21 Robert M. Siegfried ’33 † Mary Katherine Perkins ’16 Lindsay Claire Perkins ’19 Jacqueline Davis Perkins ’21

Walter J. Peters, Sr. ’08 Dr. Walter J. Peters, Jr. ’87 John A. Peters ’91 Jessica Medina ’10 Joseph Medina ’17 Morgan Peters ’17 Walter J. “Trey” Peters, III ’19 J.J. Peters ’21 Erin Nichols Peters ’91 and John A. Peters ’91 J.J. Peters ’21 William L. Schloss III ’61 William L. Schloss IV ’83 Patrick M. Schloss ’85 Michael C. Schloss ’88 Mary T. Schloss ’97 Theodore James Schloss ’16 William B. Schloss ’16 Jack B. Schloss ’21

Michael C. Schloss ’88 Jack B. Schloss ’21 Robert M. Siegfried ’33 † H. Richard Siegfried ’77 Catherine C. Siegfried ’21 Keith R. Skrzypczak ’73 Matthew F. Skrzypczak ’15 Elizabeth C. Skrzypczak ’16 John P. Skrzypczak ’21 Jamie LaGere Taylor ’90 Abby Taylor ’21 Pat Darby ’60 Eli Toay ’21 Robert Yuan ’88 Zackary Yuan ’21 2021 Edition | 9

THE NEXT CHAPTER Sarah Agorua University of Missouri-Kansas City

William Drake The University of Tulsa

Sydney Hoose Dartmouth College

Grace Ahlfenger The University of Oklahoma

Jacob Dukes The University of Oklahoma

Amelia Huntsman Oberlin College

William Albers University of Georgia

Jack Duncan University of Mississippi

Kate Jackson University of Arkansas

Nicholas Alfrey Emory University

Chandler Eby The University of Texas at Austin

Sarah A. Jackson University of Washington

Andrea Marie Armstrong Colorado School of Mines

Spencer Forbes Oklahoma State University

Houston Jennings University of Arkansas

Luke Baber University of Pennsylvania

Allison Gammill Oklahoma State University

Ma’Thai Jones Northern Oklahoma College

Delaun Blake Oklahoma State University

Zoё Gardner The University of Oklahoma

Aidan Kaltenbacher Saint Louis University

Lydia Bodi The University of Oklahoma

John K. Gero University of St. Thomas

Anna Maria Ketchum Santa Clara University

Griffin Boedeker The University of Oklahoma

Kaylin Gilliam Tulsa Community College

Leanna Kim University of California, Los Angeles

Pete Boyaci The University of Oklahoma

Madelyn Grace Grant University of Kentucky

Patrick Lambrecht University of Virginia

Beth Brierly Oklahoma State University

Lauren Victoria Graves University of Arkansas

Henry Luessenhop University of California, Los Angeles

James Byers The University of Oklahoma

Elijah Griffin California Baptist University

Brylee Maddox Oklahoma State University

Peyton Elise Carter Boston College

Avery Gruenwald The University of Oklahoma

Naomi M. Malloy University of California, Los Angeles

Emma Causon University of Mississippi

Travis Guillory Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Sophia Lillye Martinez The University of Oklahoma

Nicholas Choquette Texas Christian University

Brock Hannagan Oklahoma State University

Murphie McCormick The University of Oklahoma

Audrey Coleman University of Arkansas

Helaina Hardman The University of Tulsa

Lane McCoy The University of Oklahoma

Erin Coulon University of Southern California

Syed Abraar Hassany The University of Oklahoma

Matthew Minielly Creighton University

Avery Darby The University of Alabama

Scott Hawkins The University of Oklahoma

Sebastian Molina Rice University

Abigail Darden Belmont University

Eleanor Herndon University of Mississippi

Chase Moody Oklahoma State University

Thisasni De Silva The University of Oklahoma

Grant Holley Oklahoma State University

Bridgette Mora Tulsa Community College

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CLASS OF 2021 Class of 2021 students are listed with their College Decisions.

Map displays all Class of 2021 College Acceptances.

Cooper Mullen Oklahoma State University

Grace Rolen Oklahoma State University

Elijah Toay Arizona State University

Ezekiel Mullendore University of Denver

Maria Salas Tulsa Community College

Ter ry B. Todd Southern Methodist University

Benjamin Nash The University of Oklahoma

Jack Schloss Villanova University

Henry Tooman Oklahoma State University

Jack Nilson Tulsa Community College

Aidan Shaffer The University of Oklahoma

Lucie Tuttle Fairfield University

Natalie Nilson University of Mississippi

Madison Shaffer The University of Oklahoma

Robert Van Pelt University of Mississippi

Madeline Palmer University of California, Los Angeles

Catherine Siegfried Tulane University

Jedidiah Jay Wagner Oklahoma State University

Jacqueline Perkins The University of Oklahoma

Shea Skidgel The University of Oklahoma

Meagan Walters University of Michigan

John Peters Duke University

John Skrzypczak The University of Oklahoma

Andrew Warthan University of Arkansas

Lillian Phillips Wellesley College

Steven Stagg The University of Tulsa

Aidan Welsh The University of Oklahoma

Lexie Raley Brigham Young University-Idaho

Chloe Stephens The University of Oklahoma

Dylan Reid Wilson University of Mississippi

Robert Rashid Indiana University Bloomington

Grace Stump Wake Forest University

Zackary Jacob Yuan Oklahoma Christian University

Lauren Robinowitz The Ohio State University

Katherine Stump Villanova University

Nicholas Zuyus The University of Oklahoma

Cara Rogers Tulsa Community College

Abby Taylor University of Kansas 2021 Edition | 11

AUGUSTINIAN VALUES Truth, Unity, Love. Veritas, Unitas, Caritas. Cascia Hall Preparatory School students live by those three words while they are here and, hopefully, for the rest of their lives after they graduate. The teenage years are formative; as students learn more about the world in which they live, the more they learn about themselves. Despite the rigorous academic, sport, work, and social schedules most of our students embrace, there is thankfully also time for introspection and deeper thought.

Following are essays from three of our students; each is informed by at least one of our Augustinian Values.

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS DURING A TIME OF GROWTH, LEARNING ZOË GARDNER, CLASS OF 2021 Over the summer of 2020, the administration of Cascia Hall gave my friend and me the chance to create a club that would provide people a safe space to speak about controversial topics without being judged. Before officially pushing to have the club added to the Cascia Hall community, we asked the student body their thoughts on having a club meant to evoke difficult conversations and create a positive bond within the community. The feedback was so fantastic that it was only right to work the entire summer to get the club approved. The ultimate purpose of the club was to educate, create, uplift, and encourage positive conversation about racial injustices and inequality.

The club's name was chosen to emphasize the goal we had in mind for the club, which brought us to its title: Club Evolve. We successfully created a safe space for all races to have open discussions, in addition to learning from each other and creating a more socially aware community.

Although the pandemic made it more challenging to get everyone together to have discussions and host activities, the leaders of Club Evolve worked hard to make sure the members all had the chance to come together for meetings and activities. Our primary focus this year was “red table talks.” Many teenagers spoke on topics that even most adults are too afraid to talk about due to the topics’ sensitivity. The point of this activity was not to debate but to learn the different views of other people without passing judgment.

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This activity encouraged people to educate, listen, and understand. Over this school year, we have discussed several topics, including the meaning of allyship, the wealth division, unequal opportunities in the public school systems, Asian stereotypes, different privileges, and cultural appropriation. Through these red table talks, we heard the view of several students who were passionate about the conversation. We also had several students who came to observe and absorb the new information. This activity brought people together who would never have talked to one another in the hall.

At Cascia, it is easy to form a clique and stay with that clique because, on the surface, you are the same.

But, through engaging conversations like these, students could spot deeper connections that made them both different and the same.

During this school year, Club Evolve also hosted educational events. During lunch, a group of students shared a slide presentation about Lunar New Year, allowing Cascia students to be immersed in a culture they otherwise might never think about. We also had a student's grandmother speak to the club about what it means to be a Native American and the history behind her culture. Students were allowed to ask questions over Zoom and receive answers immediately.

The biggest event we had took place outside of school hours. Many students took time out of their weekend to participate in our cultural enriching assembly. As a group, we participated in a privilege walk, had discussions with Oral Roberts University professors Dr. Sherri Tapp and Dr. Angela Watson over Zoom about the proper way to handle microaggressions, ideas on how to educate someone appropriately when they are offensive, and being able to recognize our privilege. Dr. Watson and Dr. Tapp both serve on the diversity committee for ORU, and serve as consultants for Club Evolve at Cascia Hall.

After talking with Dr. Tapp for an hour, the group moved upstairs to watch a traditional Mexican dance. It was incredible to see the dancers' beautiful attire and hear the music created by the stomping of their feet and their instruments. Next, we moved to Ms. Smith's room, where we watched videos of Cascia student family members from different ethnicities discuss their country and culture: we were educated by an African American, Asian American, Belgian, Mexican, and Native American. After watching the video of them informing us, we finally were able to eat.

We consumed meals that matched the cultures we learned about that day: for African American culture, we ate chicken and greens; for Mexican culture, we offered tamales; for Belgian culture, we had waffles; and for Asian culture, we offered egg rolls. The objective of this event was to educate and create a greater awareness of other cultures while also having fun.

I am very proud to be the co-founder and president of Club Evolve. Club Evolve mustered 44 members for its first year, and we have created something that will make a safer and more welcoming environment within the student body. The club will teach young adults what it means to be a socially and culturally aware adult with the knowledge and courage to stand up for what they believe is right. I am excited to see how Club Evolve evolves.

AUGUSTINIAN VALUES: ROSE PAPER RAHUL RAJESH, CLASS OF 2022 I didn’t have any emotion going into my service project, to be honest. I looked at the service project like a job, and not like an experience. It felt like it was a boring thing that I needed to do for an hour and just leave after it. In hindsight, it was a horrible outlook, as that mindset is just not right for a service project. I did have multiple service hours and projects before this; I had the same mindset going into these projects, but after this one, I changed.

I worked at a track meet at Cascia, and counted gloves for a glove drive. I would say my weakness was my mindset. I definitely didn’t want to be there; I felt like I had better things to do. It just held me back from looking at what I was really doing, and who I was helping. I was doing a glove drive, and I was just counting gloves without any thought. To be honest, I didn’t really think about what I was doing until writing this paper. It didn’t occur to me that I was helping people keep their hands warm, and because I am so privileged, I never realized it. These people suffer so much, and I’m here counting their gloves and wanting to leave as fast as I can. (Continued on next page)

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(Rose Paper - Continued from previous page) It hurts me thinking about my mindset during this project. That’s what makes it memorable: remembering I was helping people who were suffering.

The service project has kept me in check. I have to remember that I’m privileged to live in a house, and go to a school, and have friends; on the other side of the spectrum, there are people who can’t even keep their hands warm. I see the homeless and I feel like I have an obligation to help, because they have been through worse than me, and have worked harder than me, and they are just living in pain all the time.

Remembering the kids’ gloves, the baby gloves touched me; there are literally children who are suffering, and I’m helping them out.

I have to remember I’m privileged—more than other people. That’s what the glove drive did for me. It helped me remember that I can do more to help people, even if it’s just work I think is boring. Doing these service projects might have seemed like a waste of time back then, but now I know what my impact is. My actions actually help people out, and I have to serve more and help more. That’s how service has changed me.

I feel like in my mind, I didn’t gain experience from the service project, but it was in writing this paper that I realized what I got to experience. Writing about this project and making myself reflect on my service helped me know how bad my mindset was going into the project, and knowing it’s something I need to change. I held back that experience because of that mindset, but that won’t happen again. I did do my service project with all my capabilities, and I felt like I did my job effectively. If I had to start over, it would be nothing. Without having my mindset so poor, and having to reflect on everything I did again, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. I won’t be able to put myself into the shoes of the people who suffer, and I wouldn’t have realized how privileged I am, and be able to reflect on the way I was acting. I would like to do more service projects; I did the bare minimum, to be honest, but that’s going to change now.

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KAIROS REFLECTION J.J. PETERS, CLASS OF 2021 If I could describe my Kairos experience in one word, it would be “different.” I say this because this intensive time was unlike anything I had experienced previously, whether at school or in my personal life. Going in, I had no idea what to expect. I knew that we would spend a lot of time in prayer and reflection (without my cell phone), and I thought this whole thing was going to be one giant Mass. However, one of the first things I heard upon reaching the grounds of Camp Egan was that in order to fully enjoy and embrace this time at Kairos, I would need an open mind. I’m glad I heard this because with this mindset, I was able to experience Kairos in a way I never thought possible, resulting in a life-changing experience with friends and faculty.

Those who had been to Kairos before did a great job of keeping secrets so that everything to come would be unexpected and, therefore, more enjoyable. However, there was one thing I knew for a fact: this weekend was going to be different from any other Cascia activities I had previously encountered. I have done a lot of extracurricular activities at Cascia, including football, golf, and science research. I obviously didn’t tackle a 230-pound running back, yell “FORE!” as a sliced white ball hurled toward a tee box, or spill toxic chemicals on the floor during this spiritual experience; however, the main thing that differentiated this time

from anything I had done previously was the emotions felt among friends, as well as the vulnerability that took place.

AUGUSTINIAN VALUES

Kairos was special for me, and for all my peers who also participated, because of the complete vulnerability it put us through. Going in, I generalized that the mentors would make us reflect with one another, and talk about our feelings, and all that stuff. While this process did occur, the manner in which it happened was unlike anything I had foreseen. Through intense prayer and discussion, I was able to fully embrace myself and my friends in ways I had never thought possible through vulnerability with one another. This is what makes Kairos so special: it is not the real world, it is different, and it is what allows me to communicate my true emotions, thoughts, and feelings—whether they are good or bad—which strengthened my ties with friends.

Finally, I believe the most important thing that Kairos not introduced, but reinforced, was the fact that so many people in our lives care about us. Throughout the retreat, this was made abundantly clear in not only spiritual ways, but also physical, tangible objects. Our lives as high school students can be very stressful with AP classes, standardized tests, college applications, athletics, and many other things in our personal lives.

This stress can cause people, as it had caused me, to feel alone in a way and lose sight of the network that supports us every single day. As mentioned before, since Kairos is not like the real world, removing this stress for a weekend allowed me to rekindle my sense of togetherness with those around me, which caused me to love and appreciate these people more than ever when I returned to the real world.

Speaking of the “real world,” the most challenging thing about Kairos is coming back home. When you return, there is no longer a bubble of security where you can be vulnerable in front of everyone. There are no longer constant instances of prayer and support that are made tangible every day. However, Kairos has reinforced the idea that the thoughts and feelings I experienced in Kairos were real, and the support that others around me provide is real, and my friends in their struggles and triumphs are real. The reinforcement of these aspects of my life is what I have to thank Kairos for the most. It has allowed me to live life in a better, more thoughtful manner, and it has brought me ever closer to my family, friends, and God as a result.

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A YEAR IN REVIEW CLASS RETREATS

PEP ASSEMBLY

HOMECOMING DANCE

VIRTUAL MASS 16 | Cascia Chronicle

SENIOR PARKING LOT PAINTING

KAIROS CANDIDS

PET BLESSING

MOVIE ON THE LAWN

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS

Six members of Class of 2021 have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Each of these students is among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants of some 1.6 million program entrants.

The following students have been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as Finalists and Scholars, which represents approximately the top 16,000 (1%) scores: Andrea Armstrong Sarah Jackson Lane McCoy Delaun Blake Patrick Lambrecht Jack Schloss was recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a Commended National Merit Scholar, which represents approximately the top 50,000 (3%) scores. Jack was also selected for the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program.

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS ACADEMIC BOWL TEAM FINISHES AS RUNNER-UP AT STATE COMPETITION The 2020-2021 Academic Team competition took on a new look this year, as did most everything at Cascia.

For Conference play, a varsity team of just 6-8 students competed; travel complications, spacing requirements, and practice accommodations for hybrid schedules all made the usual a bit challenging. The team practiced online through a program that allowed the players to use their phones as buzzers on Zoom.

After fall break, the team practiced in the Brecht Center where they could spread out. Despite atypical Conference standings, the team made it past a tough District tournament in October, Regionals in November, and Area in early January. The new assistant coach, Sarah Kennedy, was called up to fill in as head coach at State competition when Mrs. Benne was quarantined with COVID-19, along with two starting competitors who had just finished a quarantine session the day before the tournament.

Cascia Hall was one of eight 4A teams to qualify for State in February and finished strong with a Runner-Up trophy, losing to Tuttle in the finals. Cascia had soundly beaten Tuttle in 2020 to win the state title, and Mrs. Benne, watching from home, joked that Tuttle was “clearly out for revenge.”

Mrs. Benne commented, “I am extremely proud of these students for their flexibility, encouragement, dedication, and fun-loving, yet competitive spirit. We are looking forward to a full JV and Varsity competition next year. Watch out!”

ACADEMIC SUCCESS: CREATIVE WRITING Two Cascia Hall students who submitted their works in the 17th Annual R. Darryl Fisher Creative Writing Contest sponsored by East Central University and the Oklahoma Arts Council were recognized with honors from the judges. Sophomore Gracie Kinnaman won honorable mention for her short story "Delilah's Letters,” and senior Lily Phillips won third place for her story "An Intricate Ritual."

Both their stories can be found in Cascia’s literary magazine, along with beautiful creative writing CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE pieces from other CASCIA’S LITERARY MAGAZINE students.

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SCHOOL NEWS

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY On April 20, 2021, 57 juniors from the Class of 2022 were inducted into the National Honor Society. Candidates for NHS membership at Cascia Hall are required to attain a minimum 3.25 GPA (cumulative, with no grade lower than a C-) and must have passed all semesters of the Caritas Connection, Cascia’s community service program; they also meet other criteria involving leadership, behavior, and counselor/administration recommendations. We are so proud of these rising seniors!

Ellie Armstrong Zoe Barkett Brooks Blakemore Ash Blevins Greer Boedeker Abby Carter Ben Claflin Demi David Jack Davis Emily DeLong Janice Diaz De Leon Kaylee Do Layla Drotar Henry Erdmann Matthew Gaberino

Avery Gonzales Wyatt Griffin Hunter Henry Issac Ingram Joseph Kacere Samuel Kraiss Trinity Lawlis Jacob Lobato Megan Lobato Henry Mehl Ashlyn Milford Brynn Moody Emalie Mullane Gannon Murray Carter Nalley

Audrey Nguyen Ethan Nguyen Nathan Nguyen Caroline O’Connor Labrini Panagopoulos Hailey Polson Ciska Prough Rahul Rajesh Jose Reens Aiden Robinson Maryn Rodgers William Sides Avery Siegfried Forrest Sipes Ainsley Smith

Bella Smith Cate Snedegar Victoria Soranno Ava Sorensen Taylor Street Trenton Tabler Miller Van Hanken Brady Videll Claire Wilke Ian Wilson Mary Wilson Addison Zenthoefer

SPEECH + DEBATE TEAM FINISHES STRONG AT STATE Cascia Hall finished the OSSAA Speech and Debate last spring with three students in the Top 8 in the state in their events. Labrini Panagopoulos took 5th in Lincoln-Douglas debate format; Jackson McCormick took 4th in Prose, and Kate Maricle was State Runner-Up (2nd Place) in Prose.

Congratulations to the students and their coach, David Galoob!

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OKLAHOMA STATE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR AWARDS Ashlyn Milford 1st place Earth/Environmental Science and Natural Resources Oklahoma State University’s Discovery Scholarship ($2,500) Chosen as Oklahoma’s Student Delegate to attend and show her research at the annual meetings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Junior Academy of Science in Pittsburgh, PA (February 2022)

2nd place Microbiology and Biochemistry

Nick Alfrey and Luke Baber

Ricoh Sustainable Development Award

EPA Public Health

EPA Public Health Award

Award

J.J. Peters, Steven Stagg, Jack Schloss

Patrick Lambrecht

Labrini Panagopoulos

3rd place Microbiology and Biochemistry

EPA Public Health

2nd place Medical and Health

SIWI Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Award

Science

Peyton Carter and Erin Coulon

EPA Public Health Award Ellie Armstrong and Victoria Soranno 2nd place Social and Behavioral Science

Prior to the Oklahoma state competition, the Tulsa Regional Science and Engineering Fair results included awards for Cascia students: in Chemistry, first place for Steven Stagg, J.J. Peters, and Jack Schloss; in Environmental Science, first place for Ashlyn Milford (ISEF qualified) and second place for Luke Baber and Nick Alfrey; in Medical and Behavioral Science, first place for Labrini Panagopoulos and second place for Victoria Soranno and Ellie Armstrong; and in Microbiology and Biochemistry, first place for Peyton Carter and Erin Coulon (ISEF qualified), second place for Patrick Lambrecht, and third place for Ian Wilson.

ISEF COMPETITION This year, 14 Science Research team members at Cascia produced nine projects; 12 qualified for state competition with seven projects. Of those seven projects, five placed at a state level, and two of those projects qualified for ISEF competition.

12th Graders Nick Alfrey Luke Baber Peyton Carter Erin Coulon

Patrick Lambrecht J.J. Peters Jack Schloss Steven Stagg (co-President)

11th Graders Ellie Armstrong Leanna Kim Ashlyn Milford (co-President)

Labrini Panagopoulos Victoria Soranno Ian Wilson

20 | Cascia Chronicle

SCHOOL NEWS

MIDDLE SCHOOL CORNER

Students say “Welcome to Cascia” to incoming sixth graders.

6TH GRADER IS CROWNED SPELLING BEE CHAMP Congratulations to the 2021 Cascia Hall Middle School Spelling Bee Winner, 6th-grader Roman Attisha (far left).

The runner-up was 8th-grader Mason Istre (far right).

They are both pictured here with Middle School Principal Todd Goldsmith.

The word Roman spelled correctly to win: CATASTROPHE.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY On April 6, 2021, 33 members of the Class of 2025 were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

Qualifying NJHS members must attain three consecutive semesters of a 3.5 GPA or higher, and demonstrate good citizenship. We are so proud of the students recognized at a ceremony in the PAC. Charlotte Boedeker Mason Istre Lauren Muret Hudson Sipes Addi Bowling Simon Keith Lydia Murphy Addie Smith Stella Collins Matthew Kendrick Ava Overland Kamryn Tewis Jewels Elmore Graham Kennedy Ella Padalino Millie Tuttle Max Fleming Julia Kennedy Lauren Pereira Trey Watkins Sam Galoob Jyson Kim Ben Phelps Camryn Whitledge Ryan Glasgow Christopher Kutmas Saxon Pounds Trinity Green Kathryn Matulis Odin Schieche Reed Holley Catu Moncada London Siegfried

2021 Edition | 21

Q&A

WITH TRAVIS GUILLORY CLASS OF 2021

Travis Guillory is known throughout the Cascia Hall community as a gifted singer and performer. A graduate of the Class of 2021, Travis will continue his education at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music this fall.

This summer, as the regional winner of the NAACP ACT-SO Competition, Travis qualified for the national round, held at the annual NAACP convention. On July 11, 2021, Travis was announced as the gold medalist for the classical music performing arts division at the national level. This prestigious competition is designed by the NAACP to encourage and support African American youth in their quest for excellence in academics and the arts.

Travis is the son of Lamar Guillory ’89, and brother of Lewis Guillory ’18, who is continuing his education at the U.S. Naval Academy. Watch Travis’s interview with fellow Cascia alumnus Jeffrey Metcalf ’07, and read a bit of their conversation.

How did you get into singing and performing?

I used to do some church choir stuff when I was young; I went to Solid Foundation Preparatory Academy in north Tulsa, and they had a big emphasis on the performing arts and academics. I fell in love with it, then went to Eisenhower, where I did plays and a musical or two. When I got to Cascia Hall, Ms. Coonfield and Ms. Smith saw something in me, and they both worked with me.

22 | Cascia Chronicle

Do you get nervous?

Not really (laughs). I do get nervous before performances I’m not as prepared for; sometimes, when I’m speaking in front of a crowd. I invite the nerves; yeah! At first, it’s like, “Will I do well?” Then you shut that off and say, “We’re going to do it!”

What has been your biggest inspiration?

Paul Robeson; he was a singer and had his law degree and he was a civil rights advocate, while also belting out something—that was great!

Do you have a repertoire of musical theater songs?

Yes! Miss Saigon; Into the Woods; Guys & Dolls; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812; Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton—it’s the only stuff I listen to!

If someone were going to ask you to sing a musical theater song right now, what would it be?

I would sing “She Used to be Mine” from Waitress, but I would change the pronouns. (and then he sings part of it!)

To end the segment: Travis is given five artists and five childhood songs. He sings two songs in the voice of the artist he is given!

Artists: John Legend, Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Frank Sinatra, and Johnny Cash Songs: “Happy Birthday,” “Wheels on the Bus,” “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and “The Alphabet Song.”

TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS & CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO ON THIS STORY

“Travis is the type of student that inspires those around him.

Extremely talented and passionate but also hard working and disciplined, he truly loves music and isn’t afraid to share that joy and passion with those around him. He doesn’t just sing, he brings those around him on a journey.

Students at Cascia remind me every day of why I became a teacher, and hearing students like Travis express themselves through music is one of the best experiences a teacher could ever have. To work with students as tentative incoming freshmen and help them grow until they are confident and expressive performers is incredibly rewarding.

With the success of Travis, more current students are aspiring to musical greatness and asking to enter regional and national competitions. Cascia’s program has already elicited attention, providing students with the opportunities to sing a variety of music both at Cascia and at other venues—classical music at Carnegie, spirituals in competitions, rock music with Foreigner in concert, musical theater with Kristin Chenoweth—that attention will continue to grow, providing students with even more opportunities.

Everyone knows that Cascia students receive an excellent academic education, but now people are realizing that those same students have access to an individualized vocal education as well, one that will meet students anywhere on their musical journey and take them as far as they want to go.”

Candy Coonfield, B.M., M.E. Upper School Choral Director 2021 Edition | 23

CASCIA THEATER PROGRAM,

VOCAL DEPARTMENT: THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

The performing arts at Cascia Hall strives to provide fun and meaningful artistic experiences for students at all levels of performance experience. Students in all grades participate in show production—on stage and behind the scenes—and singing opportunities.

Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, Ms. Rebekah Peddy assumes the role of Theater Director at Cascia, taking over for Ms. Deanna Byford and Mr. Jeramy Byford, who moved from the Tulsa area this summer. Ms. Peddy has been at Cascia for 14 years, serving first as Assistant PAC Director, and filling other roles: working in the college admissions office, teaching photography, and serving as co-Yearbook Advisor. “My goal is to reignite interest in the theater program and offer students a safe place to get creative through live performance,” said Ms. Peddy. “A large portion of our student body is actively involved in sports, clubs, academics, and even volunteers during the school week.

My hope is that, by freeing up the rehearsal commitments during the week, those who would like to participate might find Saturday afternoon rehearsals fit into their schedule better.

Ms. Peddy is excited about the opportunities ahead, which will likely include musicals, talent shows, and plays. Watch for her in the halls, she says. “If you see me in the hallways between classes, you can bet I'm encouraging students to try out the theater, especially those who haven't done so before. Stepping outside of your comfort zone often yields the greatest rewards."

24 | Cascia Chronicle

SCHOOL NEWS

SING A NEW SONG

About 40% of the Upper School student body participates in vocal performance classes. Even with modifications for classes and performances, the vocal department at Cascia Hall moved through the year with enthusiasm equal to or even greater than other years!

“Even with COVID, the Upper School General Chorus and Ensemble still produced some excellent—albeit modified—concerts,” said Candy Coonfield, Upper School Choral Director. “Earlier in the year, students learned how to sing individually and in small groups, even giving a concert in which every individual student had a microphone! By May, restrictions had lifted enough to allow students to sing together for short periods of time; I know the students are looking forward to the new school year when they can all sing together again.”

Cascia’s chorus program has expanded to include music sociology studies, in which students learn and discuss music and its varied roles in society; whether it is part of a religious service, political propaganda, an activist movement, or some other purpose, students are learning that music has a voice of its own that goes far beyond its entertainment value. To that end, Ms. Coonfield gave her students their own standing ovation: they created their own presentations about some of the music performed during the 2020-2021 school year. “This will continue during the 2021-2022 school year,” said Ms. Coonfield. “Students will prepare presentations and program notes for the various works they learn.” Cascia’s select ensemble has been working on their own music journals as well.

Watch presentations from two students, and if you’d like to leave a comment, please do!

In Karsen Williams’ “Bless the Broken Road” presentation, she discusses the meaning of the song itself, as well as her personal connection to it.

Some of the questions students ask themselves as they journal: If you could pick five songs that describe you, what would they be and why? Would you prefer to discuss a song that has lived through the ages—one that has been meaningful to multiple generations? What is your favorite religious music? Students have answered these questions and many others as they personally explore what music means to them.

Brady Videll’s “The World is Ours” presentation tells the unique history of the piece and its context as the anthem for the World Cup soccer tournament.

TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS & CLICK ON THE VIDEOS ABOVE

2021 Edition | 25

RETIRING TEACHERS The entire community benefited from Mrs. Fenska, Mrs. Elliott, and Mrs. Gnaedig’s leadership and passion for both learning and teaching. We honor and thank them for their dedication and service to our school and community. All of us at Cascia Hall already miss them and will never forget their contributions to our school.

BELOVED SCIENCE TEACHER SALLY FENSKA RETIRES Cascia Hall Science Department Chair and AP Biology teacher Sally Fenska retired at the end of the 2020-2021 school year to spend more time with her family and friends. Before she left, Mrs. Fenska shared some of her favorite memories and changes that have happened over her years as a teacher and at Cascia Hall.

How long have you been a teacher?

I started teaching as a Lab Instructor for freshman Biology at OSU in 1979. My first year of teaching public school was in 1980 and I have been blessed to be able to teach at Cascia Hall for the past ten years.

What has changed since you first started teaching?

What’s your favorite memory of teaching at Cascia?

The greatest change I have seen occur in my teaching career is the development and dependence on technology. When I began teaching, we used a ditto machine to make copies! I typed my work on a non-electric typewriter, and labs were done without data-collecting probes or software to help graph the data. I am basically self-taught in technology through trial and error, but have enjoyed incorporating advances in technology in the classroom to better educate students and to conduct lab and research. To me it is very surreal and interesting that, as a closing chapter, this year I was teaching most of it remotely via a computer while during my first year of teaching the school building did not have a computer. I have to thank Tami Gnaedig, Pam Benne, and my student family for guidance and flexibility during this past year that was totally dependent on virtual teaching.

I have so many favorite memories of teaching in the classroom at Cascia Hall. However, probably some of my favorite nostalgic moments include watching Beau Bingham and Braden Milford honored as the Top 40 science research students in the nation as Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalists, to see both students walk across the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) stage as 2nd place award winners, and for Braden to be the U.S. delegate to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Those memories are quickly followed by memories of the hours we spent in the lab searching for solutions to the challenges we faced while working on our research with all members of the Science Research Team throughout the years. Another set of memories that I will treasure will be the memories I share with the 39 Cascia students that have attended ISEF starting with our first ISEF finalist, Gage Holleman, in 2010.

26 | Cascia Chronicle

What do you hope your legacy is?

I hope the legacy I have passed on is a love for the adventure of learning Biology and Chemistry. I hope that my students will leave my classroom with a love for learning science through investigation, observation, and experimentation. My hope is that students will become fascinated by all the wonders of science that lead us to continually ask more questions. Questions like: “Why are these bugs on my plants?” “How can you get lead out of Tar Creek?” “How does light split water?”

“How does this really work?”

First, I would like to thank all my students for making this last year of my teaching career memorable. They have been there with me in the challenge of teaching virtually, and I am truly thankful for all the work they have done to make this year a success. They have exemplified the flexibility necessary to learn during this challenging time. I have been truly inspired by the scientific work that went into creating a vaccine that allowed me to return to the classroom for the conclusion of this journey. The Cascia Hall family has truly been a blessing through the words of encouragement from parents, colleagues, former students, and current students that allow me to walk out of the classroom still loving to teach. To LF, PB, TG, LW, JS, and other mentors from my past schools, thanks for your constant wisdom and support. And of course, I want to thank my family for their continual support during the many ups and downs throughout my years of teaching. They have held my hand and patiently listened to me talk about the various challenges in education and have celebrated with me many of the highest moments of this amazing journey.

MARY ELLIOTT RETIRES FROM CASCIA MIDDLE SCHOOL After 36 years of dedicated service to Cascia Hall, beloved Middle School teacher Mary Elliott is setting her sights on a well-deserved retirement that will include spending more time with her family.

Forty-seven years ago, Mrs. Elliott began her English-teaching career. She says her favorite memories involve her colleagues of many years: they have laughed and cried, and gained and lost friends; mostly, they have shared food and drinks together whenever possible.

For Mrs. Elliott, the most welcome change was the addition of young women to Cascia Hall in 1986. Called “The Challenge of Change,” the transition also included the addition of the 6th grade to Cascia’s curriculum. When asked what Mrs. Elliott would like her legacy to be, she said, “We Cascia Hall English teachers all take great satisfaction and are greatly rewarded when grads come back to visit after their first semester in college. Without fail, they tell us that their composition instruction here helped them sail through their freshman English classes. It’s music to our ears!”

2021 Edition | 27

¡HASTA LA VISTA, SEÑORA GNAEDIG, Y MUCHAS GRACIAS PARA TODOS SUS AÑOS QUE PASÓ EN NUESTRA ESCUELA! Cascia Hall Spanish teacher Tami Gnaedig is setting her sights on a well-deserved retirement and spending more time with her family. We asked Mrs. Gnaedig a few questions about her time here.

What has changed since you first started teaching?

Without a doubt, technology has brought about the most change in education during my career. While we are all aware of the challenges made evident over the past year, technology allows language teachers to take our students around the world to experience the language and culture of other people.

What’s your favorite memory of teaching at Cascia?

Because I have the same students, in most cases for three or more years, I get to see them mature and become their own person. Having my AP students walk out after their exam and tell me “We just rocked that exam!” was a feeling hard to beat, although hearing my 7th hour students walk into class and say “¡Si se puede!” might be a close second!

How long have you been a teacher?

I have been teaching Spanish in some capacity or another for 30 years. This was my eleventh year at Cascia.

What do you hope your legacy is?

It is my hope that students leave my class understanding that there are different ways of seeing and expressing things. Our lives are richer when we consider multiple views.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Last fall, Spanish II students colored outlines of famous Latinos and Latinas, and AP Spanish students translated famous quotes attributed to each of them. Their work hung in the dining hall, and the hallways were decorated with information about famous Hispanics and their impact on our community. Spanish I students read a short biography on a famous Hispanic American and then translated it into an autobiography written in Spanish, and Spanish IV students selected a famous Hispanic American and created infographics about their lives.

28 | Cascia Chronicle

WELCOME

SCHOOL NEWS

NEW FACULTY & STAFF Welcome to all new faculty and staff joining Cascia Hall for the 2021-2022 school year: Charles Beard ’03 – US Theology

Shandy Dotolo – MS English

Susan Fitter – MS Social Studies John Greene – Campus Ministry Allie Harris – MS & US Art Jay Hunt – Assistant PAC Director/Technical Director Zach Livingston – Strength and Conditioning Coach & Head Wrestling Coach Aubrey Pettyjohn – MS English Taron Pounds – MS Chorus and Guitar Dave Reiter – Athletic Director Anna Smith – MS Mathematics Melissa Snyder – US/MS Mathematics Nick Wood ’12 – MS Athletic Director, Assistant US Athletic Director, & Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Some returning faculty are taking on new/additional responsibilities: Ariana Brandes – US Art

Sarah Kennedy – Visual Arts Production Kristin Liles – 6th Grade World Studies and French Rebekah Peddy – PAC Director Lindsay Rodgers – Dean of Students Kevin Weaver – Photography

SRA. POSKEY’S CLASS GETS FÍSICO Mrs. Poskey gave her Spanish students a fun way to practice their foreign language skills last spring. Everyone needs to know how to give directions, so these students became aerobic instructors and led their friends in an exercise class!

2021 Edition | 29

NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTORS NEW UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR BRINGS STRONG SPORTS BACKGROUND TO CASCIA Dave Reiter became the new Director of Athletics at Cascia Hall July 1, 2021. In his role, he oversees 13 different sports programs with more than 300 student-athletes, and serves as an integral member of the Administrative Team at the school.

“We look forward to watching Dave build on an already strong foundation,” said John Hastings ‘01, Cascia Hall School Board Chairman and Chair of the Search Committee. “We interviewed more than ten applicants from a pool of over 20 candidates, and we’re so pleased Dave is here.”

Mr. Reiter comes to Cascia Hall with a strong sports background, spending six years as Director of Basketball Operations for The University of Tulsa. Prior to his stint at TU, Mr. Reiter worked with Coach Frank Haith and the University of Missouri men’s basketball program 2012-2014. Prior to joining the basketball program, Mr. Reiter served as the Director of Media Relations at the University of Missouri. Mr. Reiter also worked at the University of Houston, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois as a Graduate Assistant, where he earned his master’s degree in 2002. Mr. Reiter received his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations/Mass Communication from Kansas State University in 2001.

I WANT TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO HELP OUR STUDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR COACHING STAFF HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT CASCIA HALL. 30 | Cascia Chronicle

“Cascia Hall has an unbelievable tradition and reputation in the Tulsa community and beyond, and to have a chance to continue my career at Cascia Hall is an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Mr. Reiter. “The thing I’m most looking forward to is developing strong relationships. My mom was an educator, and the relationships she built with her colleagues and students are still very meaningful in her life today. I want to do everything I can to help our students, their families, and our coaching staff have a great experience at Cascia Hall.”

Though he didn’t officially begin working until July 1, 2021, Mr. Reiter hit the ground running in the spring, introducing himself to families at sporting events, a head coaches’ meeting, Trivia Night, and the Commando Cup. Although basketball has played a monumental role in Mr. Reiter’s career, all sports are in his blood. “I grew up in small towns throughout Kansas, so if there was a team, I was going to do my best to be a part of that team,” laughed Mr. Reiter. “I loved basketball, but I wasn’t good enough to be

COMMANDO CORNER on a team, so I played football and golf, and did some throwing events in track. I’m a huge Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan; I’m a big fan of the schools I went to (Kansas State and Illinois), and of course I’m a TU fan now.”

Mr. Reiter’s background in athletics took him through the sports information offices as a Media Relations Contact, giving him a strong appreciation for every sport, the difficulty of each sport, and the commitment it takes to be great. Mr. Reiter says that it’s important to him to create more opportunities for more students to be involved in sports at Cascia Hall, even if it’s not as a participant on a specific team. “There are so many ways to create more avenues for participation,” said Mr. Reiter. “Social media, promotion, graphics, school spirit—we have a lot of ways we can engage our students better, and I look forward to doing just that.”

Dave Reiter took over the Athletic Director job from Lindsay Rodgers, who has served in the role since 2017.

Lindsay Rodgers became Dean of Students at Cascia Hall on July 1, 2021.

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR HAS CASCIA TIES Nick Wood has been named Cascia Hall's new Girls Basketball Coach and Middle School Athletic Director. Mr. Wood was born and raised in Tulsa and attended Cascia Hall for high school, where he lettered in basketball and tennis for four years.

Upon graduating from Cascia Hall in 2012, Mr. Wood played basketball for The University of Tulsa from 2012 to 2016. At TU, he was a member of the conference championship team in 2014, appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2014 and 2016, and the NIT in 2015. Mr. Wood graduated from TU with a bachelor’s degree in Energy Management in 2016.

In 2017, Mr. Wood joined the Cascia Hall coaching staff, coaching the 9th grade boys basketball team for four years before being named to his new position. “I am very excited to return to my alma mater and work at a school that means so much to me,” said Mr. Wood. “I can’t wait to embark on this journey and lead our girls basketball and Middle School athletic programs.”

2021 Edition | 31

ATHLETIC AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS LACROSSE ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Har rison Hays

Zeke Mullendore

Baxter Robertson

LACROSSE ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM

Cole Bacher

Ethan Clark

Steven Stagg

4A ALL-STATE GOLF

William Sides American Junior Golf Association Rolex Junior All-American 2nd Team, State Runner-Up

Jake Dukes

32 | Cascia Chronicle

Jack Gero

COMMANDO CORNER

BASEBALL ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM

Bobby Byers

Jack Duncan

Cooper Mullen

Nick Choquette Pinnacle Conference Pitcher of the Year

Jack Nilson

Dylan Wilson

ALL-STATE TENNIS

Kristin Liles Tulsa World Girls Coach of the Year

Brock Hannagan

Houston Jennings

Lucie Tuttle

2021 Edition | 33

FOOTBALL

Bobby Byers

Nick Choquette

Scott Hawkins

Cooper Mullen

2A-5 Football Meritorious Award

2A-5 Outside Linebacker of the Year

2A-5 Inside Linebacker of the Year

2A-5 Quarterback of the Year

J.J. Peters

Steven Stagg

Jed Wagner

Andrew Warthan

2A-5 Center of the Year

2A-5 Offensive Guard of the Year

2A All-Star by Class, 2A-5 Defensive End of the Year

2A-5 Cornerback of the Year

2020 HOMECOMING QUEEN ZOË GARDNER IS ESCORTED BY CLASSMATE TRAVIS GUILLORY DURING HALFTIME OF THE FOOTBALL GAME. Dylan Wilson 2A-5 Defensive Player of the Year

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COMMANDO CORNER

STATE SWIMMING COMPETITION

SEBASTIAN MOLINA 2020-2021 TULSA WORLD ALL-WORLD SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Abie Dukelow

Ella Newhouse

Sebastian Molina

5th in the 100 breast, 8th in the 200 IM

1st in the 200 IM, 2nd in the 100 breast

4th in the 50 free, 5th in the 100 free

WRESTLING

Erin Coulon Eli Griffin

E.J. Tecson

Tre Tecson

Wrestling All-State, 4-Time Individual State Champion

3A Wrestling State Champion 145 lbs.

3rd Place State Wrestling 106 lbs.

4A All-State Volleyball, Pinnacle All-Conference

4A ALL-STATE SOCCER

Chandler Eby Pete Boyaci

Audrey Coleman

4A All-State Volleyball, Pinnacle All-Conference

2021 Edition | 35

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Baseball 3A Regional Champions

Boys Basketball 3A Area Tournament

Cheer 5A State Runner-Up

Boys Golf 4A State Champions

Boys Soccer 4A State Tournament

Girls Soccer 4A State Tournament 2nd Round

Boys Tennis 4A Regional Champions 4A State Champions

Girls Tennis 5A Regional Champions 5A State Champions

Girls Track 3A Regional Champions 3A State Runners-Up

Volleyball 4A Regional Champs 4A State Tournament Semi-Finals 36 | Cascia Chronicle

COMMANDO CORNER

COLLEGE SIGNINGS JACK GERO, GOLF University of St. Thomas

Congratulations to our student-athletes from the Class of 2021 who will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

ELI GRIFFIN, WRESTLING California Baptist University

LUCIE TUTTLE, TENNIS Fairfield University

JED WAGNER, FOOTBALL Oklahoma State University

ZACK YUAN, BOWLING Oklahoma Christian University 2021 Edition | 37

STRONG AS

IRON

Earlier this year, Tulsa held an Ironman competition, which features a 2.4-mile swim in Keystone Lake, a 112-mile bicycle ride, and a 26.2-mile run—all in one day.

Cascia Hall is incredibly proud of our own Ironman—Cross Country and Track Coach Adam Stoermer—and we asked him a few questions about the Ironman experience.

How long and how consistently did you train for the Ironman?

Typically I have a 24-week buildup to a full-distance triathlon. Each week usually has 8-9 sessions: running, biking, and swimming. Early in the training cycle, I’ll train 5-6 hours a week with a peak a few weeks before race day of about 15 hours. Three to four days a week, I have a morning plus afternoon/evening workout.

It requires a lot of early mornings and even some late nights!

Which element of the Ironman takes the most physical endurance?

Honestly, race day is the easy part! Building consistency in training while balancing family time with teaching and coaching takes the most endurance! My wife, Jamie, and my daughters (Ella, Mattie, and Bea) are incredibly supportive. I’m in the pool or on the bike trainer most days before school, which leaves a lot of the morning routine to my wife. In the evenings, if I don’t get to workout with our Cascia athletes, I head out for an evening session, which means that I’m not a lot of help around the house. Weekends are usually all about Cross Country/Track and training. Being mindful of nutrition and recovery often gets put on the back burner, which is a huge area of potential growth.

On race day, I seem to physically struggle the most around mile 80-85 during the bike. I seem to get a second wind around mile 105, which carries me into the second transition. Muscular endurance is going to be a focal point of training in my upcoming cycle. I think 38 | Cascia Chronicle

I’m a much better runner than my Ironman results have indicated. I’m excited about having something specific that I feel I can improve on in the coming months.

Do you have any rituals when participating in such an intense athletic event?

In the week leading up to a big race, I really focus on being joyful and expressing gratitude to people in my life who inspire me and help make my training and racing possible. I often reconnect with athletes I’ve coached in the past. I enjoy writing notes; the process helps me focus and center and realize what’s really important: the people in my life who love me. Training for and completing a long course event would be impossible without the support of my family, coaches, athletes, and friends.

I do a lot of visualization in the transition areas and the finish line the day before the race and again on race morning. It's been very helpful for me as an athlete to “see” myself coming into transition, changing shoes, gear, etc. and getting out to the next event. It slows everything down when I’m actually doing it during the race. Similarly, working through visualization—crossing the finish line, seeing the crowd, hearing the announcer, watching myself kick into the finish—makes race day easier, because it's just reliving an event I’ve seen in my mind dozens of times. I’ve found that this takes a lot of the anxiety out of race day. “Seeing” myself crossing

the line gives me confidence to take risks during the race when needed and helps me to know my goals are possible.

What were you first: a runner, a swimmer, or a bicyclist? How did that evolve into Ironman training?

I was a runner (Cross Country and Track) in high school and a rower in college. I swam and rode bikes growing up, but never in a serious or competitive way. Even in high school, I dreamed of racing at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. It just seemed like such an amazing test of endurance and humanity. While I haven’t achieved that yet, competing for Team USA in the ITU Long Course World Championships has been a true privilege each time I’ve been able to do it. The transition to triathlon was easy for me, because I was never really great at any one discipline.

There’s an open secret in triathlon that most folks come to multisport because they weren’t great at any one of the events! After dabbling in some Olympic-distance events, I did my first full Ironman in 2012. Since then, I’ve found that the 70.3 and ITU Long Distance races are preferable to me, but I couldn’t resist racing in my front yard at Ironman Tulsa.

What did you eat and drink leading up to the event, and what did you eat and drink after?

Decidedly, my diet is a major weakness in my training. Growing up as an athlete, I could pretty much eat anything and not seemingly be negatively affected. As an aging athlete, I’ve had to learn to be much more intentional about diet during training. When I’ve had my best training/racing, I’ve been moderately low carbohydrate which allows me to become more fat adapted. This is particularly useful for endurance events, because fat is a slower burning fuel allowing you to go longer.

Committing to consistency in my diet is still something I have to work very hard at.

Admittedly, I didn’t do a great job at this in 2020/2021. After IM Tulsa, my family and the Cross Country/Track coaching staff went to Elgin Park and enjoyed some awesome pizza!

COMMANDO CORNER

I DON’T THINK I EVER WENT A MILE ON THE RUN COURSE WITHOUT SOMEONE RECOGNIZING AND CHEERING ME ON BY NAME. I GAINED SO MUCH POSITIVE ENERGY FROM ALL THOSE GOOD VIBES. IT WAS THE MOST AMAZING RACE EXPERIENCE I’VE BEEN A PART OF. What was an unforeseen challenge that day?

I think I was surprised by some of my challenges getting nutrition down. I struggled to get calories in, especially the last part of the bike and the mid-part of the run. It’s not something that I struggled with during training, so I was surprised by that.

What was an unexpected blessing this Ironman Day? Racing in Tulsa was more incredible than I ever could have imagined! I was really excited about racing in Tulsa, especially the run along River Parks, leading up to the race. We live not far from the trail, so I felt like I ran past my front yard four times. My family and about 30 friends were out cheering every time I ran by. Jamie and the girls, as well as Coach Thornburg, drove the bike course, so I saw them about 8-9 times combined on the bike ride.

But the biggest blessing was seeing all sorts of people from around town out cheering during the race. From former students to fellow coaches from other schools—even my youth minister from high school was working at an aid station. I don’t think I ever went a mile on the run course without someone recognizing and cheering me on by name. I gained so much positive energy from all those good vibes. It was the most amazing race experience I’ve been a part of.

What’s next for you athletically?

The short answer is I’m not sure. Some friends are trying to talk me into a fall marathon and I’m looking at a couple of shorter events in summer 2021, with an eye on a fall 70.3 race in hopes of returning to the ITU Long Course World Championships in 2022 (Australia) or 2023 (Spain). Making the financial commitment to return to international racing is not an insignificant challenge, so that’s what our family is exploring currently. I’ll definitely be on the line for the next Ironman Tulsa (May 22, 2022)!

2021 Edition | 39

FUND-A-NEED A GREAT SUCCESS FOR SCHOOL NEEDS

We were unable to hold our traditional fundraiser, Celebrate Cascia, in person this year. Our wonderful Event Chairs, Ashleigh Boedeker and Sara McMahon, pivoted to create a successful online event that surpassed the fundraising goal!

A total of $131,132 was raised from 160 donors to buy school needs like Kairos Scholarships, tuition for the Carnegie Hall Honors Chorus Program, dissection supplies, Science Lab equipment and materials, Girls Basketball Team Summer Camp, a sound system and batting shell for the Baseball Complex, 22 parkas and a covered bench for the Soccer players, and assorted equipment/supplies for other athletic teams. In addition, donors funded more than $40,000 in tuition assistance.

We are so grateful!

40 | Cascia Chronicle

CARES ACT TAX INCENTIVES EXTENDED WITH A SMALL BOOST

GIVING BACK

A couple of key provisions of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act were extended into the new year (and, in one case, increased). Here’s what the new Stimulus Package means for you in 2021.

TAX INCENTIVES WHEN YOU GIVE TO CASCIA HALL An expansion of the Universal Charitable Deduction for cash gifts The Universal Charitable Deduction has not only been extended but also given a well-deserved upgrade. The new deduction is $300 for single filers and $600 for married couples filing jointly. This is available to taxpayers who take the Standard Deduction.

This tax incentive is available for cash gifts to qualified charities (but not to supporting organizations or donor advised funds).

An extension of the cap on deductions for cash contributions Contributions to public charities are generally limited to a percentage of a taxpayer’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). The CARES Act lifted the cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, increasing it from 60% to 100% of AGI for 2020 (and now for 2021).

Any excess contributions available can be carried over to the next five years. (For corporations, the law raised the annual limit from 10% to 25% of taxable income.)

PLANNED GIVING The 1926 Guild was established to honor the vision and generosity of those who name Cascia Hall as a beneficiary of their estate plans. Please consider joining this legacy giving group.

For more information on ways to give, please contact the Advancement Office at 918.746.2614.

2021 Edition | 41

2020 CHRISTMAS WALK EMBRACES NEW TRADITIONS For the second year, our Old Time Christmas Tree Lot featured wreaths and 200 Fraser fir trees for sale; everything sold so quickly, we had to close a day early!

Student and parent volunteers helped shoppers cut, net, and load their trees for the trip home.

New friends from Puppy Haven Rescue kept everyone in the holiday spirit, the Topeca food truck kept everyone fed and warm, and Santa’s Village and train rides were a big hit!

2021 CHRISTMAS TREE LOT DATES Christmas Tree Lot & Santa’s Village November 26-28, 2021 December 3-4, 2021 Family Wreath Making Class November 28, 2021 Family Food Truck Night December 4, 2021

42 | Cascia Chronicle

Fraser Fir Trees

Noble Fir Wreaths

6-7 feet | $110 7-8 feet | $130 10 feet | $200

26 inch | $40 30 inch | $50

Custom Radko Ornaments | $50 Long Sleeve Shirts | $45 Hoodie Sweatshirts | $60 For more infor mation, please visit https://www.casciahall.com or contact Sandy Willmann at swillmann@casciahall.com | 918.746.2614

GIVING BACK

CPFA ENHANCES CASCIA EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS Thank you. Two little words that mean so much.

The Cascia Hall community has been blessed this year by the enthusiasm and energy of the Cascia Parent and Faculty Association Executive Committee led by president Karen Darby.

CPFA offered a variety of activities to build community and provide financial support for student programming and activities.

What was your favorite event: the Fr. Perez Classic Ladies Doubles Tennis tournament, the Old Time Christmas Tree Lot, the 9th grade progressive dinner, teacher appreciation luncheons and breakfasts, Celebrate Cascia Fund-a-Need, the Baccalaureate Mass reception, or one of the many other creative and fun individual class activities?

Stay tuned for more wonderful activities from CPFA this school year!

TRIVIA NIGHT Cascia Hall’s annual Trivia Night, hosted by the Alumni Association, moved from an indoor January event to an outdoor, tented event in May—one of the first social events we were able to hold this year. The weather was perfect, and a lively crowd enjoyed food truck options, delicious beverages, and challenging-but-fun trivia questions!

CLICK HERE TO FLIP THROUGH THE TRIVIA NIGHT PHOTO GALLERY

2021 Edition | 43

LIVING AT CASCIA HALL INSPIRES JOY IN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE MARK BUTTERWORTH ’73, CHAIR OF THE CASCIA HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOUNDATION, EMBRACES PLANNED GIVING Mark Butterworth’s earliest memory of Cascia Hall is a fond one. “My dad and I came and visited during the summer; we were supposed to meet with a Fr. Flynn, Headmaster at the time,” recalled Mark. “Arriving on campus, there was a gentleman with his sleeves rolled up, wearing black glasses, working in the flowerbeds.

My dad said, ‘We’re looking for Father Flynn,’ and the man working in the garden said, ‘That would be me’.”

Mark, a member of the Class of 1973, had already lived in several different places around the world when he moved to Tulsa to board at Cascia Hall: Rome, Cairo, England, the West Indies, Taiwan, Pakistan, and Singapore, to name a few. “Our rooms were in the Middle School,” he remembered. “What are now classrooms were our bedrooms. The Annex was for seniors.”

When asked what memory makes him laugh, all these years later, Mark brought his Cascia sports career to the forefront. “Playing high school Basketball, we had the

44 | Cascia Chronicle

opportunity to sacrifice our bodies trying to be better athletes,” he chuckled. “I do remember running sprints quite a bit.”

Mark parlayed his love for basketball into staying connected to Cascia after graduation. “I went to The University of Tulsa, and was available to be involved in coaching Freshman Boys Basketball for a year,” he said.

But Mark’s real involvement began after Cascia combined the Middle School and Upper School, added sixth grade, and went co-ed.

GIVING BACK It was important to Mark and his wife, Susie, that their children have a Catholic, Augustinian education.

Daughter Ashley, who graduated in 2004, moved to Cascia in 6th grade from Monte Cassino, and Mark coached her Basketball team. Son Parker also moved to Cascia in 6th grade from Monte Cassino and graduated in 2012. “Cascia did a really good job of preparing our children for the future, teaching them how to study,” said Mark. “One of my favorite moments was seeing both of our children graduate from Cascia. The legacy plaques with our names inscribed are very special.”

Ashley and Parker have fond memories of their time at Cascia. “I made a core group of friends that helped me to get through tough times,” recalled Ashley. “The teachers I had helped me to grow up and challenged me in many ways. Fr. Philip is one of the teachers that I got to know on a personal level. To this day, when I see him, it’s like no time has passed.” Parker moved from the Tulsa area after graduating, but Cascia sports are a particularly fond memory. “I loved sports at Cascia,” he said. “Football and Basketball were my favorites.

I’m grateful for the opportunities my education has given me.”

Susie Butterworth grew up in a small town in Wyoming; it had one Middle School and High School, so the world of private education was new to her.

“We wanted a smaller, spiritual-based program for our children,” Susie said. “Mark and I believe a good education is very important, and Cascia provides that.”

Susie is impressed with all the positive changes that have been made over the years. “When Ashley started at Cascia, the musicals were held in the cafeteria,” Susie laughed. “The arts program has seen a huge improvement. We were able to help with the building of the outstanding Scianna Performing Arts Center. In the future, I believe focusing on the STEM program is important, and I hope there is a continued focus on the well-balanced student to prepare them for the next steps in their life journey. I would also like to see the enrollment at its maximum, and for fundraising to enable an even more diverse student population.”

To that end, the Butterworths are active donors of their time and money. Mark serves as the Chairman of the Cascia Hall

Preparatory School Foundation, and they have set aside a portion of their estate for a gift to Cascia Hall. Mark and Susie say supporting the school is an easy decision; Mark and both children having graduated from Cascia, they want the school to continue long into the future.

“The significance being placed on robotics and STEM is needed,” said Mark. “It’s a challenge to create a curriculum for today’s students without losing principles taught in the past. Cascia works hard to stay relevant and current with educational processes without losing Augustinian values and traditions.”

“In my business, there’s a lot of planning, and we help our clients decide about their futures,” said Mark, who owns and operates Butterworth Financial Group. “Susie and I decided to make a planned gift to Cascia Hall while doing our own estate planning; it was an important part of trying to leave a legacy.”

Mark finds joy in the opportunity to serve. “Having a service attitude—servitude—is part of who we’re supposed to be,” he said. “I’m really excited about the younger generation that is becoming more involved. Broadening the experience for today’s students will make them more connected later.”

Two of Mark Butterworth’s favorite current traditions at Cascia are the Homecoming Cookout, which he calls one of the best traditions to help bring people back to campus. Second is the Senior Patch Ceremony. “It’s a cool acknowledgment of outgoing seniors passing the responsibilities on to the class below them.”

Mark Butterworth ’73

Ashley Raborn ’04

Parker Butterworth ’12 2021 Edition | 45

ALUMNI NOTES Tom Newhouse ’53 retired from the law faculty at the University of Houston Law Center in 2007. He became an ordained permanent Deacon at the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston in 1987, where he serves at St. Michael Parish in Houston.

Steve Leroux ’57 celebrated his 80th birthday by skydiving.

Andrew Cruce ’61 and wife, Nancy, moved to Austin, Texas, in 2020 to enjoy the winters, and reside in Edwards, Colorado, during the summers.

Frank Keating ’62 and wife, Cathy, have 11 grandchildren and could not be happier.

Mike Tidwell ’67 reported that Southern Sheet Metal Works, Inc. celebrated its 117th year in business. The company was started in 1904 by Mike’s grandfather. Currently, Mike’s son, David Tidwell ’99 is president and a 4th generation Tidwell running the company.

Dan Boz ’69, Mark Lassiter ’69, Art McIlroy ’70, & Phil Archer ’70

recently met in Tulsa for

lunch and to tell stories

about their days at Cascia.

What a great looking group!

Sim Walker ’69 has three grandchildren: Mackenzie (6), Connor (4), and Walker (2).

Dr. Ron Shaw ’71 serves as the CEO of the Osage Tribal Health System. He practices general internal medicine and addictionology, but spends most of the time on administration.

Brian Wheeler ’71 and wife, Mary Cullinan Wheeler, have four children (Anna, Richard, Erin, and Megan) and 11 grandchildren. They enjoy spending quality time with their family.

46 | Cascia Chronicle

We owe a great deal of gratitude to John Hastings, ’01 for his service as the Chairman of the Cascia Hall School Board from 2017-2021. Mr. Hastings is pictured with Headmaster Fr. Philip Cook

Brian Freese ’77 reported his architecture firm, Freese Architecture, was featured in the February/March 2020 issue of Western Art & Architecture, a national design magazine highlighting art, design, and architecture west of the Mississippi.

Hugh Daly ’79 is working in New Jersey and commuting back to Chicago often to visit his daughter and his fiancée.

Mike Howard ’82 and wife, Rachael, own 1350 Crossfit Gym in Kiefer, Oklahoma.

Tim Crawford ’88 and wife, Chris report their twin sons, Jack and Ben, graduated from Villanova University in May 2021.

Eric Singleton ’97 is the Curator of Ethnology at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Emily Miller Wynn ’97 and husband, Dr. Michael Wynn, with their three children: Jake (8), Max (6) and Annabelle, born July 29, 2020.

ALUMNI NEWS Andrew Grimm ’98 and wife, Cassie, welcomed their son Andrew William Grimm on December 14, 2019.

Andrew’s step-daughter and Cassie’s daughter, Lauren Graves ’21, will be attending the University of Arkansas with plans to study Occupational Psychology.

Lauren’s sister, Caroline Graves ’19, is studying Environmental Engineering at Cornell University.

James Wayman, RN ’98 and his wife Dr. Katherine Krummen Wayman welcomed their second daughter, Emily Ann, on October 27, 2020. Emily joins big sister Ellen Marie (3). James and Kathy reside in Columbus, Ohio, where he manages the newly formed Immunology Division in the Pathology Department at Ohio Health Riverside, and Kathy works for Ohio State University in the Sports Medicine Division.

Bailey ’99 & Kellner ’02 Siegfried’s daughter London is at Cascia in the Class of 2025; Roie recently completed 2nd grade, and twins Badin and Sayers, completed Kindergarten at Monte Cassino.

Mary Swartz, DVM ’00 took an Associate Veterinarian position at Southside Equine Clinic in Grants Pass, Oregon, in May 2020.

Andrew War ren ’01 and wife, Rania, are the proud parents of daughter Valentina Warren, born on December 3, 2019.

Carter Allen ’03 became a Principal Consultant with DevGlobal Partners in May 2020. He was assigned to support the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation COVID-19 response. He supported several teams focused on the global development and delivery of vaccines, diagnostic tools, and therapeutics.

Mary Hastings Grunin ’04 and husband Jason Grunin welcomed daughter Kathleen Krup Grunin on March 20, 2021. Grandparents are Blake Hastings ’67 and Kathleen Hastings. Godparents are John Hastings ’01 and Milannie Siegfried Williams ’94.

Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., with Mary Hastings Grunin ’04 and daughter, Kathleen Krup Grunin, born on March 20, 2021.

Charles “Chip” Blue ’05 and wife Elizabeth, welcomed their first child on January 5, 2021.

Eleanor Margaret Blue joined the family, who live in Denver, Colorado.

Anne Brown ’05 joined the KJRH family as the Weekend Meteorologist at KTUL/Channel 2 in Tulsa in January 2021. Anne recently moved back to Tulsa from West Lafayette, IN where she spent three years as the Weekday Morning Meteorologist at WLFI-News 18.

Patrick Easley ’06

and Caroline Hart were married

July 11, 2020, in Boston, Mass., where the couple resides.

Landon McJilton ’06 and Damara Thompson were married September 18, 2020 in Tulsa. Landon completed his first Ironman race held in Tulsa in May 2021.

Robert Bones ’07 and wife Amy Kronenberg Bones welcomed their first child, Laina Emelia Bones, on March 6, 2021.

Abby Dornblaser Buterbaugh ’07 and Chris Buterbaugh welcomed son Luke Linus Buterbaugh on April 27, 2021.

Luke weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and was 21 inches long. Luke joins big sister Bailey Bridget.

Andy Shallcross ’07 was recently promoted to Production Supervisor at Tesla, overseeing Model 3/Y battery module production at Gigafactory Nevada, after starting as an Associate in 2018. Shallcross studied Electrical Engineering part-time at the University of Nevada-Reno and has grown to love the diverse outdoor opportunities that come with living in the Reno-Tahoe area.

2021 Edition | 47

Morgan Driscoll Bird ’09 and husband Travis Bird welcomed

a baby boy, Bryan Anderson Bird, on July 7, 2020.

Ricci Poormon Fox ’09 and husband John Fox moved to Tulsa after nearly ten years in New York City. Ricci is celebrating five years at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in their Health Industries Advisory practice, and John is an Enterprise Account Executive at Adobe, Inc., focused on digital media products.

Natalie Wallace Hardy ’11 and Harry Hardy were married in May 2020 in a backyard wedding, and again in September 2020 with a larger friend celebration. The couple, who now live in Washington D.C., met at work while living in northwest Arkansas.

Tyler Rhoades ’11 and Meghan McLaughlin were married in a family-only service on July 12, 2020 in Cape Cod, MA, and will celebrate with friends and family on September 11, 2021 in St. Louis, MO. They live in Nashville, Tenn., where Tyler works at Montecito Medical Real Estate and Meghan works for the Drury Downtown Hotel.

Meg Sokolosky Smith ’09 and husband Benton Smith welcomed their son, Michael Fitzgerald “Fitz” Smith, at 7 lb. and 20.5 inches on September 3, 2020.

Randall Horton-Chavez ’10 is a Sales Manager with Turco Oils Inc.

Parker Sinko ’11 and Madison Stafford were married September 25, 2020 in Sedona, AZ.

Chris Butler ’11 married Natalie Santa-Pinter on

August 1, 2020 at the

Church of Saint Mary in Tulsa. Natalie recently graduated from OU-Tulsa Medical

School and will begin her residency in Pediatrics at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Chris will continue working remotely for Vanco.

Will Edwards ’11 was selected in December 2020 to Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 list, which recognizes the brightest young entrepreneurs in the country. Edwards is CEO and co-founder of Firehawk Aerospace Company. As reported in Forbes, Firehawk makes rocket engines that use just 12 parts, cost 80% less than competing engines, can be custom designed in as few as four months, and don’t pollute or explode.

48 | Cascia Chronicle

Phillip Choquette ’12 and Chloe Kanakriyeh were married October 9, 2020 in Ft. Worth, TX.

James Butler ‘13 purchased his first home in Tulsa in 2020 and works as a project engineer for Gastech in Sapulpa, OK. Ellie Gar rett ’13 recently completed her second year of medical school at OSU in Tulsa.

1LT Colton Horton ’13 completed U.S. Army Ranger School in November 2019, was Airborne Qualified in March 2020, and promoted to 1LT in June 2020.

Edward “Teddy” Martin IV ’13 is currently working on his PhD in Computer Engineering at the University of Tulsa.

Carlie Cook Peter ’14 and Jake Peter were married December 5, 2020 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Carlie graduated in 2018 from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Civil Engineering. She received her MBA in 2019 from the University of Louisville. The couple lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where Carlie is an engineer with Rosendin Electric.

ALUMNI NEWS Nicole Flippo ’14 is working as a professional writer while living in New York City. She graduated with a BA in Film and TV Writing at NYU. She also received her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.

Chad Rhoades ’15 completed his MBA from the University of Oklahoma in May 2020 and works at ThoughtSpot, a business-intelligence analytics company. He is currently working virtually through the Dallas office.

Sara Vaughan ’15 started at Drexel University College of Medicine in August 2020 as a Medical Doctor Candidate in the Class of 2024.

Christopher Fer rari ’16 was happily and luckily settled in Washington D.C. during the pandemic and mentioned that he misses the Cascia Community. Chris was carrying one of the electoral ballot boxes when they experienced the siege on the Capitol and ended up in the basement.

Seth Steinke ’16 started law school at the University of Houston in the fall of 2020.

Grant Carter ’17 graduated from Villanova with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. He is deferring plans to attend law school for a year to live in Spain for eight months and teach English through an initiative sponsored by the Spanish government. Grant expects this to be a great experience and hopes the immersion will advance his proficiency in Spanish.

Jesse Wood ’17 graduated from the University of Tulsa in May 2021 where he majored in History, with a certificate in Classical Studies and a minor in Film. He was also an officer in his fraternity, Kappa Sigma.

Minna Apostolova ’18 has been

named a 2021 Barry A. Goldwater

Scholar, the nation’s most competitive

scholarship for undergraduate STEM

students who show exceptional promise

of becoming a research leader in

the future. Apostolova is a biochemistry

and chemical biology major at Vanderbilt University. She and several of her peers have worked on building and establishing the Vanderbilt Vanguard, Vanderbilt’s first and only undergraduate STEM-based newspaper. Their goal is to make science more accessible, promote interdisciplinary conversations about STEM, and encourage critical thinking.

Charlie Freeman ’18 completed his junior year at Oklahoma City University where he is majoring in Business Administration with concentrations in Economics and Marketing.

Rev. Bernard C. Scianna, O.S.A., Ph.D., Annika Soderfelt ’17, Rev. Philip Cook, O.S.A., Ph.D., & Grant Carter ’17 at May 14, 2021 Villanova University Commencement.

Annika Soderfelt ’17 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Villanova with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Education and Philosophy. She plans to attend the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, CA to pursue her doctorate in Occupational Therapy.

John Milanowski ’18 recently completed his junior year at the University of Tulsa where he is studying sociology and psychology. He also works part time while a student.

Ella Wood ’19 completed her sophomore year at the University of Oklahoma where she is an advertising major in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Ella is also a member of the Alpha Phi sorority.

Patrick Zetik ’20 completed his freshman year at the University of Kansas where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and playing on the school rugby team.

2021 Edition | 49

IN MEMORY DECEASED ALUMNI AND CASCIA COMMUNITY Current Cascia students, alumni, and siblings, parents, and grandparents of alumni are listed in this section. Spouses are listed if they are alumni.

ALUMNI James Atkinson ’61, 4.23.21, Tulsa, OK.

Dr. Joseph A. Kopta ’54, 9.20.20, Edmond, OK.

Dr. Paul Benien, Jr. ’58, 11.11.20, Oklahoma, City; brother of John Benien ’60 †; father of Nancy Elix ’89.

Nataleigh LaLonde ’12, 1.17.21, Tulsa, OK; sister of Ransom LaLonde ’09.

Conner Day ’18, 1.24.21, Tulsa, OK; son of Ginger Day ’90 (former Cascia faculty).

John B. O’Loughlin ’50, 9.8.20, Wichita, KS.

Eugene P. de Verges ’71, 3.14.21, Tulsa, OK; father of Eugene “Gene” de Verges ’10; brother of George de Verges ’70 and Guy de Verges ’82.

Stephen “Steve” J. Olsen ’59, 11.30.20, Tulsa, OK. Felix Park, Jr. ’52, 7.4.21, Tulsa, OK; grandfather of Hayden Park ’15.

Richard Dirickson ’59, 5.28.21, San Francisco, CA.

Katherine Wolfe Sharman ’87, 9.13.20, Alexandria, VA.

Clyde Graeber ’50, 2.21.21, Leavenworth, KS.

Richard “Dick” Trippet ’56, 3.14.21, Beaver, OK.

Arthur Vincent Hoenig II ’63, 8.30.20, Oklahoma City, OK; brother of Blake Hoenig ’60.

Matthew Tyler ’81, 1.6.21, Scottsdale, AZ.

CASCIA COMMUNITY Donald Atkins, 8.21.20, Tulsa, OK; grandfather of Marshall Pritchard ’12.

William “Bill” Danzi, 2.25.21, Tulsa, OK; grandfather of Morgan Driscoll Bird ’09 and Rocco Driscoll ’12.

James W. Brownlee, 1.19.21, Tulsa, OK; father of John Brownlee ’79 †; grandfather of Matt Bendel ’02 (Connie Bendel ’02), Lizzy Bendel Eikenberry ’06; Joe Morrell ’18.

Eleanor de Verges, 6.21.21, Tulsa, OK; daughter of Eugene “Gene” de Verges ’10; granddaughter of Eugene de Verges ’71 †.

Ger ry Crane, 8.11.20, Tulsa, OK; mother of Diana Warren (CH staff); grandmother of Katie Kirtley ’06, Conner Kirtley ’08, David Kirtley ’10, Korie Kirtley ’15, and Luke Warren ’27.

50 | Cascia Chronicle

Stanley “Stan” Doyle, 4.7.21, Tulsa, OK; father of Dan Doyle ’80, Kevin Doyle ’81, Brian Doyle ’82, and Tom Doyle ’87; grandfather of Catherine Doyle ’08, and Cole Doyle ’15.

CASCIA COMMUNITY CONTINUED

ALUMNI NEWS

John Jaris, Jr., 8.28.20, Dustin, OK; father of Michael Jaris ’90, Nancy Jaris ’91, and Joanna Jaris Bartel ’95.

Ernest Johnson, 11.20.20, Tulsa, OK; father in law of Robyn Johnson (CH staff).

Jane Anne Quint, 7.27.2021, Tulsa, OK, mother of Ben Quint ’11 and Anne Quint ’18.

Claire Lauinger, 7.1.21, Dallas, TX; wife of Philip C. “Phil” Lauinger, Jr. ’54; mother of Philip C. ”Phil” Lauinger, III ’78 and Mark Lauinger ’83 (CH Foundation Board of Directors); grandmother of Sophie Lauinger ’28.

William Rea, Jr., 1.18.21, Tulsa, OK; father of James Griffin Rea ’89.

Maureen Malarkey, 4.25.21, Broken Arrow, OK; mother of Deacon Kevin Malarkey.

James “Jim” Malone, 4.21.21, Naples, FL; grandfather of Cece Siegfried ’21.

Marcia Marshall, 1.21.21, Tulsa, OK; grandmother of John Gawey ’05, Marlo Gawey ’06, and Colleen Gawey ’08.

Dr. Jose Medina, 3.2.21, Tulsa, OK; father of Joe Medina ’84 (CH faculty and coach) and Steve Medina ’90 and grandfather of Jessie Medina ’10 and Joey Medina ’17.

Adrienne Reinkemeyer, 9.25.20, Tulsa, OK; grandmother of Daniel “Dan” Bisett III ’11 and Elizabeth Bisett ’13.

Dr. Luis Reinoso, 3.6.2021, Tulsa, OK; father of Victor Reinoso ’87, Francisco Reinoso ’88, Juan Reinoso ’93, and Ricardo Reinoso ’91.

Isadell “Dell” Streck, 4.15.21, Tulsa, OK; mother of Ron Streck ’72.

Don Thornton, 7.9.21, Tulsa, OK; grandfather of Tim Bloomfield ’08, Jack Bloomfield ’12, and Michael Bloomfield ’15.

Nadean Todd, 10.17.20, Tulsa, OK; grandmother of Tyler Todd ’06 and Carter Todd ’08.

Sandra Jean Montgomery, 8.10.20, Eastland, TX; grandmother of Cannon Montgomery ’17 and Maci Montgomery ’19.

James Tomasi, 9.12.20, Caldwell, TX; stepfather of Rebekah Peddy (CH faculty) and grandfather of Bella Smith ’22 and Sophie Tomasi-Marsten ’27.

Justin Nichols, 2.12.21, Tulsa, OK; brother of Erin Peters ’91 (John Peters ’91).

Jean War ren, 5.14.21, Nichols Hills, OK; sister of W.K. Warren, Jr. ’52.

Jo Ann Niederer, 3.21.21, Dallas, TX; mother of Carol McMahon (CH Advancement office); grandmother of Charles McMahon, M.D. ’04, Andrew McMahon ’08, and Madeline McMahon ’10.

Sonja Lowe Waters, 11.17.20, Broken Arrow, OK; sister of Connie Leos (assistant to the Headmaster at CH for many years).

Faye Nusz, 11.30.20, Elk City, OK; step grandmother of Rebekah Peddy (CH faculty) and step great-grandmother of Bella Smith ’22.

Lisa Prather, 8.4.20, Tulsa, OK; mother of Lindsay Prather Duncan ’03 and Allix Prather ’06.

Bob Quaid, 1.27.21, Tulsa, OK; father of Josh Quaid (CH technology staff).

R.W. “Bill” White, Jr., 1.2.21, Tulsa, OK; grandfather of Dr. Morgan White ’03, William White ’05, Taylor White ’07, and Warren White ’13.

Anita Wingo, 2.8.21, Ramona, OK; grandmother of Shelby Allen (CH faculty).

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.

2021 Edition | 51

2021 EVENTS Homecoming 2021 September 24 - 26, 2021 Alumni Association Homecoming Cookout September 24, 2021 Cascia Hall Dining Hall & Monastery Parking Lot Participating Classes of: 2010, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960, 1956 2011, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1981, 1971, 1961

Father Perez Tennis Classic October 24 - 25, 2021 Cascia Christmas Walk Christmas Tree Lot | November 26 - 28, 2021 & December 3 - 5, 2021 Chili Cook-Off | December 4, 2021 Christmas Walk & Boutique | Cancelled for 2021

2022 EVENTS Trivia Night Friday, January 28, 2022

Graduation May 27, 2022

Easter Egg Hunt Sunday, April 10, 2022

Commando Cup Golf Tournament June 2022 - TBD

Celebrate Cascia 2022 Friday, April 22, 2022

ADMISSIONS EVENTS Online Applications Opening August 1, 2021 for the 2022-2023 school year www.casciahall.com/admissions Welcome Walk August 18, 2021 | 8:30 am

Open House September 26, 2021 | 1:00 - 3:00 pm Tours Wednesdays, Starting in September 2021 Virtual Open House Ongoing

Entrance Exam Dates October 9, 2021 | 9:00am - 12:00 pm October 23, 2021 | 9:00am - 12:00 pm

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CASCIA WEBSITE & SEE ALL OUR UPCOMING EVENTS 52 | Cascia Chronicle

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