Holy Family High School Lamp Post - Fall 2023

Lamp Post

VOL 104: NO. 1 FALL 2023

Holy Family High School Magazine

Father John Stapleton '05 returns to his alma mater as Holy Family's new Chaplain.

Juniors Matt Sakkaris and Santiango Guerrero are joined by 8th grade students from Nativity Faith and Reason during their Shadow Day on September 15, 2023.

HFHS ADMINISTRATION Matt Hauptly Mike D. Gabriel '94 Joseph Galmish '91 Mary Vulcani Ben Peterson '01

Principal Assistant Principal Dean of Students Dean of Students Athletic Director

OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT Monique Dominguez Alumni Relations Valerie Stozki Events COMMUNICATIONS Jeff Beaton BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Matthew Hauptly Mr. Elias Moo Mr. Alex Ariniello Mr. Terry LaVelle Mrs. Ann Marie White Mrs. Jody Harper Alderman Mr. Sean Grycel Mr. John Napierkowski Mrs. Kimberly Siurek Father Jason Wallace Mr. Matt Ward '03 Mr. Federico Montoya '93

3

Principal's Message

4

Hall of Honor

5

New Faculty & Staff

6

Holy Family Night

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Military & First Responders Appreciation Night

8

Spirit Week & Homecoming

10 Around Campus Director Principal, President Superintendent of Catholic Schools Chairperson Vice Chair Treasurer

Notice of Student Non-Discrimination Policy The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Denver, under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, S.T.L. and at the direction of the Superintendent, state that all of their Catholic schools admit students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the schools. Furthermore, Archdiocesan schools admit handicapped students in accord with the policy on Admissions in the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools Administrator's Manual. These schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, handicap, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of their educational policies, employment practices, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs.

Assurance Statement of compliance with the purposes of Title IX Education Act The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese, under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop, and at the direction of the Superintendent, attest that none of the Catholic schools discriminates on the basis of sex in its admission policies, its treatment of students or its employment practices.

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In This Issue

13 Softball vs. Football 14 Ut Fidem 15 Father John Stapleton 18 Student Spotlight 20 Alumni Spotlight 22 Athletics Recap 26

Week of Giving

Editor/Writer: Jeff Beaton Contributors: Jon Yunt Photography: Tamara Van Dale, Jon Yunt, Ernesto Batres '24, Danielle Duran '25, Jeff Beaton.

www.holyfamilyhs.com

Lamp Post

VOL 104: NO. 1 FALL 2023

Holy Family High School Magazine

Father John Stapleton '05 returns to his alma mater as Holy Family's new Chaplain.

On The Cover: 2005 Holy Family graduate Father John Stapleton, formerly the assistant pastor at St. John the Baptist in Longmont, returns to Holy Family as our full-time Chaplain.

Principal's Message As we celebrate our 101st year, Holy Family High School is a testament to past generations' commitment, dedication, and generosity. Today, we are stronger and more resilient than ever.

This issue spotlights current and former students, including our new Chaplain, alum Father John Stapleton '05. Our magazine aims to showcase the exceptional contributions of students, alums, faculty, staff, and friends, continuing our legacy of making a difference in students' lives. We have much to be proud of.

I'm excited to share that Holy Family earned recognition as a 2023 AP Gold Honor Roll school, reflecting our commitment to fostering a college-going culture and maximizing college readiness. Over the past 101 years, Holy Family has grown and improved with the times, and our curriculum has evolved to meet the needs of present-day students. But what holds, no matter these changes, is the strength of our Catholic mission.

This year, our school-wide theme is drawn from Matthew 5:14, 16. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father."

As disciples, we are called to be the light of the world. I challenged our students to let people see the light of Jesus in their care for others and how they speak about others in every way – from in-person to social media and everywhere in between.

As we continue to move boldly forward, with the support of our dedicated and talented faculty and staff and the generosity of our alums, parents, grandparents, and friends, I'm grateful for your ongoing belief in and support of Holy Family High School. Thank you for being such an essential part of our mission.

I am looking forward to seeing you on campus.

Matt Hauptly Principal Holy Family High School

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Holy Family High School Hall of Honor On June 8, 2023, Holy Family inducted the third class into the Holy Family High School Hall of Honor.

Created to honor illustrious individuals from Holy Family’s long and rich history, the Hall of Honor recognizes alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and benefactors who have achieved a level of excellence in their support of Holy Family.

Congratulations to the 2023 Holy Family High School Hall of Honor inductees:

The 1947 Football State Champion Holy Family Tigers.

1947 State Champion Football Team This incredible undefeated team outscored their opponents 113-7 on the season. The only points they surrendered came in the State Title game, where the Tigers defeated Pueblo Catholic 27-7. Led by co-captains Frederick Sabell and John “Muzzy” Vecchiarelli, this team brought home our second-ever state title.

P.A.C.E. Committee Parent involvement has always been Holy Family’s most significant asset.

Members of the P.A.C.E. committee were the spark who took intelligent risks P.A.C.E. Committee members Bob & and engaged in extensive Patti Zarlengo with Principal Hauptly. conversations about our challenges while exploring the possibilities of relocating Holy Family to the Northwest Metro Denver area. After obtaining a 501 (c) (3) status, P.A.C.E. Committee members worked tirelessly to collect the vital seed money needed for the move.

PACE Committee members Mike and Susan Walker, Bob and Patti Zarlengo, Kathy Pickup, and the family of Joe Donahue accepted the honor in person.

To make a nomination for the Hall of Honor visit, https://bit.ly/HFHallofHonor24.

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Peggy Greaney Peggy was among the most dedicated teachers our students have ever known. In her 26 years at Holy Family, Peggy taught science, biology, Peggy Greaney talking with Principal AP biology, anatomy, Matt Hauptly. and physiology. She was also the moderator of the National Honor Society. Even after long days of teaching, Peggy could often be found in the stands cheering on the Tigers at athletic events. With her generous heart and positive attitude, she mentored numerous young men and women in the Holy Family community.

Cardinal Francis Stafford Cardinal Stafford was the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Denver from 1986-1996 and was crucial in Holy Family’s move from our Utica Street location His Eminence Cardinal Stafford addressing attendees at the Hall of to our beautiful home Honor event. in Broomfield. We are grateful and forever indebted to Cardinal Stafford for all he has contributed to Holy Family.

As Archbishop of Denver, Cardinal Stafford hosted Pope John Paul II for World Youth Day in 1993. On the heels of the Pope’s visit, the Archdiocese of Denver formulated the “Hearts on Fire” capital campaign to raise money to carry forward the work of John Paul II. Several leading Denver philanthropists insisted that a portion of the funds be designated to support Denver Catholic schools. This was the beginning of the Seeds of Hope endowment, which carries on to this day and benefits Holy Family students.

Welcome New Faculty & Staff Scott Breay

(Director of Facilities) previously served as the Facilities Manager of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community for seven years. He came to us most recently from Hill Commercial Construction as a Project Superintendent.

Scott Hughes

Anna Wichorek

(Theology and World Languages) received her Master's in Theology from the Augustine Institute and holds a B.A. in Humanities, Italian Language & Literature from Yale University. She comes to us from Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), where she served as an Upper School Theology teacher.

Alexandra Di Petrillo

(School Nurse) received her B.S.N. from Regis University and comes to us most recently from the Denver Public Schools system, where she was a school nurse.

She spent four years at the Rose Medical Center in Denver working with the postpartum support and care unit.

Gina Bliss

(Director of Security) (Instrumental Music recently retired from the Director) holds a M.A. Denver Police Dept. as a in Music Performance Sergeant with 32 years from the Univ. of Denver of experience. He has and a B.A. in Music a strong background in Performance from critical incident response Northern Arizona Univ. as a patrol officer and SWAT Team member and Previously she worked with the marching band focused his career on improving response to programs at Rock Canyon and Horizon active threat incidents. high schools.

Paul Kusbel

(Mathematics and Computer Science) spent the last 19 years at Seagate Technology, where he held several senior leadership positions. He completed the Executive Strategic Leadership Program at Harvard University and received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University.

Stephanie (Giltner) Devenny '12

(Ut Fidem Director) received her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and comes to us most recently from Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Prior to that, she directed the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) program at the University of Kansas.

Mark Yeazell

(Science, Mathematics and Computer Science) taught at Holy Family from 2017-2022. Last year, he was at the Choice Program at Nevin Platt Middle School (Boulder Valley School District). He received his M. Ed. and B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton.

Bianca (Garcia) Jolly '19

(World Languages) is a familiar face to many of our upperclassmen, as she was a Student Teacher for us during the second semester of the 2021-22 school year. Last year, she taught History at Assumption Catholic School. She received her B.A. in History & Education at Colorado St. University.

Valerie Stozki

(Director of Events) has over 20 years of experience working in fundraising and events.

She began her career as a Development Associate for Iona University and served as the Alumni Director for Dominican College in Orangeburg, NY. She received her MA from Iona and her BA from SUNY Albany.

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Fall Holy Family Night We celebrated the start of the school year with Fall Holy Family Night at Mike G. Gabriel Stadium on Friday, August 18. The night featured football scrimmages, a parade of fall athletes & club members, along with a Powder Puff football tournament. The senior girls defeated the sophomores for the Powder Puff title. It was a great way to kick-off the year!

Junior Erin Chapman on her way to the endzone.

Senior Julia Hodell finds the endzone sealing the victory.

Freshmen Priya Lucas with an incredible catch.

Sophomore Paige Brown celebrates her game winning field goal.

The seniors celebrate their Powder Puff Championship.

Sophomore Gracie Ward leads the sophomores to a victory over the juniors.

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Military & First Responders Appreciation Night We were honored to recognize 35 current and former military personnel and first responders at the annual Holy Family Military & First Responders Appreciation Night on Friday, September 1. The event raised over $20,000 for Holy Family’s Freedom Scholarship, a half-tuition scholarship awarded to a student whose parent is a first responder, active military or military veteran.

In what turned out to be one of the most memorable nights in the history of Holy Family High School, Holy Family defeated Broomfield High, 30-29, before a standing room only crowd in the final minute of the game.

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Spirit Week & Homecoming Holy Family’s 2023 Homecoming was a week filled with incredible school spirit as the halls buzzed with pride and excitement. The annual Chili Supper drew in hundreds of returning alums, rekindling old friendships and celebrating the school’s rich history. The In-And-Out Burger pregame tailgate was a new addition to the festivities, adding an extra layer of fun and flavor to the event.

The week's highlight was the thrilling football game where the Tigers emerged victorious over rival Lutheran, 35-28. The halftime presentation of the homecoming court saw seniors Dominic Gabriel and Maggie Mischker crowned as King and Queen.

It was heartwarming to witness the sense of unity and nostalgia as alums returned to celebrate their alma mater, creating a sense of togetherness that genuinely defined the event.

CONGRATULATIONS! Dominic Gabriel & Maggie Mischker 2023 Homecoming King & Queen

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Senior Laura Baker emcees the pep rally.

Tiger mascot performs at halftime.

Senior homecoming court members Jordan Peterson and Mark Mollendor.

Seniors getting ready for the game.

Freshman Sophia Hulquest and the poms team’s halftime performance.

Senior homecoming court members Emily Ellison and Simon Litzau.

The cheer and poms team’s finish an amazing performance.

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Around Campus

Mr. Havey’s Faith in Action class working at Christ in the City’s weekly Lunch in the Park event in September for the poor and homeless in our community.

Members of Holy Family’s Speech and Debate team competed at the Loveland Drums of War Invitational tournament in early Nov. Pictured (L to R) Alexander Potter, Diego Batres, Madelyn Baldwin, Autumn Etemadi, Camila Martinez, and Sterling Smith.

Local School Resource Officers went through a full-day of active shooter training, led by Broomfield SWAT, at Holy Family on August 2.

Several Holy Family student ambassadors participated in the Igniting Your Faith Middle School Rally at the Gold Crown Field House on September 13. Over 500 students from Catholic middle schools attended.

Seniors Alyssa Quintana and Mari Nanez look over the first semester schedules during Student Orientation on August 15.

Students gathered outdoors for the first all-school Mass of the school year on August 24.

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Holy Family students spend time praying around the new Rosary Walk at the Marian Garden on 9News Prep Sports reporter Ashley Moore October 12. visited Holy Family for the home football game versus Broomfield H.S. on September 1. The game was 9Preps Game of the Week. During a pregame live segment she interviews Holy Family Senior cheerleader Grace Carlon and Senior poms dancer Moriah Montoya in a “Cheerleader Trivia” contest against Broomfield’s spirit teams.

Ellie Wagner, the daughter of Holy Family alumna, Jennifer (Horner) Wagner ’01, visited Holy Family for Nativity’s Shadow Day on September 13. Ellie will carry on the family tradition as a 4th generation Tiger. She is pictured with Junior Claire Hulquest (Nativity Alum) and Spanish teacher Mrs. Gutierrez (former Nativity assistant principal).

Shannon Turley joined our Strength and Conditioning staff as a consultant this fall. He is one of the nation’s top strength coaches. He is a two-time NCAA Strength Coach of the Year, and in his 12 years as the Director of Sports Performance at Stanford University, 42 Cardinal players were drafted into the NFL, including 9 Pro Bowlers. We are fortunate to have him in the Holy Family community.

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Around Campus During the Fine Arts Showcase on October 17, Holy Family’s choir, band, orchestra and theater department delighted the crowd with exceptional performances.

A middle school student tries out the drums with the help of Senior Charli Culp during the Musical Instrument Tryout Night on Sept. 21.

Students in grades 5-8 have the opportunity to practice at Holy Family during the school year as part of the Jr. Band Program.

Holy Family’s Band participates in the Flatirons Mall Holiday Parade on November 11.

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Freshman students take tours of the school and have their pictures taken during Freshmen Orientation on August 14.

Holy Family Softball vs. Football Holy Family’s football head coach, Mike D. Gabriel, and softball head coach Moriah Nguyen, surprised their teams with a post-practice head-tohead matchup on September 7.

Football players (several who also play baseball) stood in the box and took their swings against Holy Family’s ace pitchers, Izzy Arroyo and Emmaline Humphreys. While the softball players tried to catch a punt off the foot of Monte Samaras.

The softball pitchers were unhittable.

One football player made contact, though just dribbling the ball about a foot in front of the plate. A handful of softball players struggled mightily to catch a soaring punt before senior Essynce Contreraz hauled one in on the last attempt of the day.

Senior Jordan Peterson takes a dive trying to field a punt.

There were plenty of laughs in the spirited competition that will hopefully become an annual tradition!

Softball players celebrate Essynce Contreraz’s catch.

Senior Essynce Contreraz hauls in a punt.

Senior Mark Mollendor cracks a smile as he faces off against Junior Izzy Arroyo.

Junior Dutch Van Dale strikes out against Sophomore Emmaline Humphreys.

Junior Mari Nanez has one slip through her fingers.

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Ut Fidem "Keep the Faith" The Ut Fidem program at Holy Family, under the dedicated leadership of alumna Stephanie (Giltner) Devenny '12, continues to thrive, fostering deep connections between students and their faith. As the small groups gather weekly, the bonds formed between 5-6 students and their adult faith mentors extend beyond the classroom, creating a supportive community grounded in the Catholic faith.

Holy Family alumna, Stephanie (Giltner) Devenny '12.

age of 13. This stat is troubling and evidence that something is missing in passing the faith to young people.

The topics covered in these small group meetings ensure that Holy Family students receive a holistic understanding of their faith, fostering a sense of purpose and connection that extends far beyond their time at Holy Family.

Recognizing the need for authentic encounters with Jesus, Devenny goes beyond the weekly small group sessions. She has also started monthly community-wide events called Encounter, where all community members are invited to experience genuine connections with their faith.

These events, featuring guest speakers, Adoration, Confessions, and music, create a dynamic space for families to explore their spirituality in a meaningful way.

former University of Colorado football player, Patrick Devenny, shared his practical vision for finding Christ and fulfillment in life.

The success of Encounter events is evident in the remarkable turnout.

In October, Devenny's husband and

If you want to lead a Ut Fidem prayer team, please email Stephanie Devenny, stephanie.devenny@holyfamilyhs.com.

Holy Family Chaplin, Father John Stapleton, during the October Encounter event.

Devenny's passion for connecting students with their Catholic faith is palpable. "Ut Fidem, Latin for 'Keep the Faith,' will help students learn more about the Catholic faith and develop deep, personal relationships with Jesus," she said. "In a world where many young individuals disengage from the Church during their formative years, Ut Fidem emerges as a beacon of hope, aiming to reverse this trend by instilling a profound understanding of the Catholic faith."

In a recent study by St. Mary's Press, 74% of former Catholics said they stopped identifying as Catholic between the ages of 10 and 20, with a median FALL 2023 | 14

Former CU football player Patrick Devenny talks at the October Encounter event in the Holy Family Chapel.

Holy Family's New Chaplain

a roar and whisper," he adds.

Father John Stapleton '05 both "When I was 20, it seemed like a roar and earth-shattering because I had a different plan."

"My call to the priesthood continued to grow every time I prayed, went to Mass, or volunteered for my parish youth group," he said. "These moments in prayer were God's whisper of reminding me of my vocation and His plan for my life. I knew I could not have peace until I seriously discerned my vocation."

It has been said that God works in mysterious ways. For Holy Family's new Chaplain, Father John Stapleton, returning to alma mater proved that just because you don't see anything happening doesn't mean God is not working.

"I did not enter Seminary until I was 27, but I always remember God's call when I was 20. Every time I would pray a Rosary or Holy Hour during those seven years, I was reminded of that call and that I would only be truly happy if I pursued God's call for my life."

Father Stapleton entered the Seminary in 2014, confident that Jesus was calling him to the priesthood. "Throughout my seven years of seminary, I deepened my prayer life and began to understand how God speaks to me personally," Father Stapleton said. "I gain insight into God's movement within my heart and where He leads me. This will be with me throughout my whole life in the priesthood."

Father Stapleton was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Denver in 2021 and assigned to St. John the Baptist in Longmont.

"I loved every moment of my time at St. John the Baptist. There, I learned the life of being a priest. I loved celebrating Mass daily, offering Confessions, working with the school, engaging the Spanish-speaking community, and visiting the sick

"Honestly, the Lord's work is funny sometimes. I would have never expected to be a Priest at Holy Family when I graduated from here in 2005," he said.

"But I am extremely grateful that He called me back to Holy Family."

Father Stapleton's journey is not unlike most Holy Family students. After high school graduation, he found himself on a college campus - pursuing a Liberal Arts degree at Colorado State University. While his prayer life and faith deepened during his time in Ft. Collins, and he began discerning the priesthood, Father Stapleton worked as the general manager of his own hotel in Greeley after graduating from Colorado St. in 2010.

"The Lord planted the seed of my priestly vocation when I was a college student in Ft. Collins. I would say it was

Father Stapleton welcoming freshmen to Holy Family.

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Holy Family's New Chaplain

Father Stapleton during his days as a Holy Family baseball player.

and elderly in the hospital and nursing homes to anoint them," he said. "The whole experience was a blessing, and I fell in love with my priestly vocation there. There was not one moment I did not enjoy."

Another blessing of being assigned to St. John the Baptist was Father Stapleton began working with young students at St. John's Catholic School.

"The children always brought joy to my heart. Greeting them in the car line, just seeing their excitement. I was beautiful," he said.

Father Stapleton also began leading the parish youth group, which combined middle and high school-aged students. "This experience allowed me to know the parish's teenagers while leading them on their retreats - Mountain Madness for middle schoolers and Steubenville of the Rockies for high FALL 2023 | 16

Father John Stapleton offers Mass to the freshmen class during their Orientation on August, 14, 2023.

schoolers," he said. "I thank God for my time at St. John's because he laid the groundwork for my ministry here at Holy Family."

As he prepared to return to his alma mater, Father Stapleton reflected on some of his memorable high school moments.

When Father Stapleton found out he was being assigned as the Chaplain at Holy Family in March 2023, he was surprised – thinking he would be at St. John's the Baptist for at least another year. But as the dust settled, he was thrilled and excited to be assigned to Holy Family. "The most difficult part was having to keep my new assignment under wraps before it was made public – especially with the people who were a part of the Holy Family community at St. John's."

"I enjoyed going on our retreats and getting to know my classmates more deeply," he said. "I also thought about my sophomore year Scripture classes.

I was preparing for my Confirmation that year and Mr. Good made the Scriptures come alive. I got excited about my faith. Mr. Good really left an impression on me. I knew he was once in the Seminary, so I reached out to him, and he even wrote me a recommendation for the Seminary!"

"I am grateful for my years as a Holy Family student," he adds. "It laid the foundation of the man I am today. This school is a tremendous blessing to me because I received the skill set to succeed in college here. As a student, I was challenged academically and perfected my writing and study skills.

These skills helped me thrive in college, Seminary, and professional life."

With the start of the school year, Father Stapleton began making daily Mass the central component of the day while increasing the opportunities for Confessions. He has established weekly Order of Christian Initiation for Teens (OCIT) classes on Tuesday evenings.

These classes are intended for students who would like to learn more about the Catholic faith or who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or their First Holy Communion.

"It's a grace to see the positive response from the community as I pilot these OCIT classes this year," he said. "It is a great opportunity for teens in our community to learn about the Faith and complete their Sacraments."

Father Stapleton would also like to begin promoting religious and priestly vocations. "I would like to bring students who are open to a religious vocation to the seminary," he said. "There, young men can experience seminary life, and young women can meet the religious sisters."

I enjoyed being back in this great school community again. The teachers, students, and their families are outstanding. This is a special place. I've also liked getting to know my former teachers all over again," he said.

matter to myself, the faculty and staff," he adds. "Everything we do is for our students. I would encourage them to be open to the Catholic Faith - and not be afraid to ask those difficult questions that might arise. Sometimes, the Truth makes us uncomfortable, but the discomfort remains when we do not ask those questions. Re-echoing St. John Paul II message, 'Be not afraid,' do not be afraid of your relationship with God, no matter where you are.

God created each of us in love, and He desires us. Only when we invite God into our life, we are truly fulfilled, have joy, and are at peace."

Holy Family High School is tremendously blessed that God was working to bring Father John Stapleton back to us.

"I also want the students to know they

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Student Spotlight

on the Ball Crew is not without Lauren Stonehocker '26 Being risk.

This year's U.S. Open tennis tournament was one of the most spectacular ever.

If you tuned in, you saw American Coco Gauff become a first-time Grand Slam champion and fellow American breakout star Ben Shelton reach the semi-finals with an incredible 149 mph serve.

You also likely saw members of the Ball Crew decked out in their signature preppy Polo Ralph Lauren uniforms as they hustled, lunged, squatted, and stood still with ultimate poise in an intricate performance under sweltering conditions.

Included in the select 2023 U.S. Open Ball Crew was Holy Family Sophomore Lauren Stonehocker.

Lauren made the team of 330 Ball Crew members out of an initial pool of 1,180 applicants. Five hundred were invited to in-person tryouts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center outside New York City. Since sixty percent of the U.S. Open's ball crew were returnees, there were only 132 spots available.

"Some might think of it as an easy job.

But it's challenging," she said. "We are responsible for keeping the pace of play and having complete court awareness, stopping any disturbance from interrupting the game."

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"I worked a mixed doubles match with Ben Shelton and Taylor Townsend. Ben Shelton was serving, and I knew he had hit one 149 mph earlier in the tournament. I was working the backcourt, and one of his serves hit the side of my arm," she said. "It was 'just' 127mph, but, for a week, I had a big bruise. He came up to me later and asked if I was okay - definitely my favorite memory of the whole experience."

Lauren had two days off each of the three weeks she was in New York. She would spend her off days finishing up homework at her midtown Manhattan hotel. One of her parents, Mark and Tracy, was always with her during the experience. Once homework was finished, she could be found at a laundromat, ensuring her three Polo Uniforms were in tip-top condition.

Behind each ball person's graceful movements on the court lies a story of hard work and focus.

"We had a 3-hour training session before the tournament started, and every day, we would have a morning briefing where they would tell us about things happening on the courts that needed to be fixed," she said. "Running faster without hesitation was a main theme in every briefing."

Ball Crew members, who are paid $16 an hour, are evaluated every time they are on the court. A supervisor watches from the stands and judges each touch of a ball. At the end of each day, they receive personal feedback in their scheduling app. Evaluations would determine what court a crew member is on the following day.

"We also received training to deal with the heat and rain," Lauren said. "We held umbrellas to provide shade for the players during breaks. After rain delays, I would take towels and dry off all the lines on the court."

"It was an amazing experience, and I'm thankful Holy Family gave me the flexibility to make it work," she said. "I'm also thankful my parents helped make this a reality. I would see them out of the corner of my eye when I was on the court – they were taking constant pictures. It made me smile and have a little laugh."

Student Spotlight

Daniel Finnegan '24 Daniel Finnegan is a hockey player. The Holy Family senior is a key member of the Standley Lake High School ice hockey team. As most high schools in the area don't offer ice hockey as a sport, most of his teammates come from JeffCo district schools.

Daniel has always been drawn to the ice and first laced up his hockey skates when he was seven. He immediately fell in love. "There's nothing like stepping on the ice," he says. He also discovered another passion at a young age, one as unique and as challenging as the sport he's currently starring in.

"I love to fly. It's another level of freedom. I love the view from up there and the feeling of being in control in the air," he said. "I really liked airplanes since I was little. I remember watching TV shows about planes and how they worked."

Is there a transferable skill between the two interests that dominate his schedule?

"You have to be quick on your feet and forward-thinking in hockey," said Finnegan. "I definitely think that skill is a huge asset to me in my flight training."

Currently, when it comes to the two, hockey comes first.

"Hockey is essentially a year-round sport. During the school year, we play from August to March. A secondary spring league begins in March and ends in May," said Finnegan, whose younger brother Sean, a Holy Family Sophomore, is also in the Standley Lake Hockey program. "And during the summer, I am constantly traveling to tournaments

as I play for different teams around the country."

take a single-engine Cessna 172 in the air for five hours a week."

A leader in the locker room, Finnegan was named as Standley Lake's Alternate Captain this season and is known to be a vocal leader. It's extremely impressive, considering he doesn't actually go to school with any of his teammates.

Finnegan plans to study aviation and play hockey in college - most of the schools that he's applied to have dedicated aviation programs along with hockey teams.

Although his family says wearing green and black to cheer on their son feels odd, they can don the purple and gold as Daniel joined the Holy Family lacrosse team during his junior year.

Finnegan has found a way to balance hockey and school work while pursuing his private pilot's license. "Scheduling is definitely tight, but I've been able to

"Playing collegiate hockey and studying aviation would truly be the best of both worlds," he said. "It will be a huge time commitment and a lot of work, but I love it. It'll be fun."

This delicate balance of two extraordinary worlds will continue. Both player and pilot.

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Alumni Spotlight

Charly Frisk '17

Charly Frisk following the Commencement Ceremony at Yale.

Charly Frisk '17 was young – just a kindergartener – when she first developed a passion for the environment.

At age 5, she co-hosted a school assembly with her uncle, who worked for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. She started the Environmental Club in middle school, where she taught an afterschool course on biodiversity and implemented a recycling program.

"Growing up in Colorado, my passion for the environment and climate was always there," said Frisk. "Just a walk outside reminds you that you are part of a bigger ecosystem."

Since graduating from Holy Family, Frisk graduated Summa Cum Laude from the College of Saint of Benedict and Saint John's University with a degree in Environmental Studies and Peace Studies, secured dual-citizenship with the Kingdom of Denmark, traveled to 10+ countries, and independently funded, filmed, and produced a documentary as part of her Masters research. She recently earned her Masters of Environmental Management from Yale University.

"Holy Family's emphasis on mutual respect helped prime me to understand, in college, how issues like the environment and climate change are connected FALL 2023 | 20

Charly on location in Egypt producing films for Time for Better.

to other social justice issues," Frisk said.

"Stories about individuals on the frontlines of these issues ignite my heart and inspire me to contribute to better the lives of those around me and future generations after me."

Frisk currently lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she manages social media for Yale's climate change communications. She is also the Director of Climate Action for a climate communication agency startup called Time for Better. During her free time, she is a freelance filmmaker focusing on food justice and climate justice in Denmark.

This fall, she returns to the U.S. and will reside in the Minneapolis area.

She looks back on her senior year at Holy Family, specifically Mr. Havey's Spirituality and Social Justice class, as fueling her passion for the environment. "It opened my world. It helped me recognize that crises like biodiversity not only impact our planet's animal and plant communities but the issues are woven into our human communities," she said.

"Mr. Havey taught us about diverse spiritual thought-leaders' perspectives

on how to make our planet a more just, equitable, and beautiful place to live with one another."

"I truly benefitted from Holy Family’s dedicated teachers," she said. "Holy Family prepared me well for the academic rigor of college. I look back on Mr. Bishop's AP Literature course, in which we condensed long-reading assignments into concisely written papers. It was excellent preparation for college writing."

Frisk advises current Holy Family students to find what ignites their souls.

"Navigating high school and college can be confusing, stressful, exciting, and bring you life's best moments. Realize you are part of a greater network of people facing their own challenges.

Learn about yourself and those around you," she adds. "We are navigating challenging times, and compassion is one of the most powerful gifts we have."

With each country visited, documentary produced, and project realized, Charly Frisk continues her remarkable journey.

Alumni Spotlight

Simone De Alba '06

classes at Holy Family. As I speak publicly for a living, the tools I learned at Holy Family helped me hone the career path I'm on now," she said. "I also learned the importance of friendship, family, and faith. I keep in touch with several people from Holy Family, and I'm so grateful for those friendships."

Holy Family Class of 2006 graduate Simone (von Rivenburgh) De Alba was one of the first journalists on the scene at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 innocent souls – 19 students and two teachers – were killed by a gunman.

De Alba majored in Political Science at the University of Colorado. She went on to Metropolitan State University, where she received additional degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. From there, she dove headfirst into a journalism career.

"I was there covering the story for San Antonio's NBC station, WOAI, for several days," she said. "It changed me as a journalist and as a person. It truly showed me the importance of journalism in holding leaders accountable. It also showed me grief like I had never seen or experienced."

While her collegiate classes certainly gave her the journalistic foundation for her future career - she cites Mr. Domko, Mr. Blair, and Mrs. Viola as particularly inspiring teachers at Holy Family – she also points to Mr. Domko as the reason she pursued a Political Science degree.

The Emmy award-winning De Alba has spent the past decade of her career moving around the country, from Montana to Sacramento, San Antonio, and now Washington D.C. where she anchors the mid-day and early evening newscasts for NBC affiliate WUSA9.

De Alba credits Holy Family with helping shape her professionally and personally, noting that she is still close friends with many classmates.

"I took public speaking and a few debate

through high school and into college.

"Be so good, they can't ignore you.

Spend time developing your passion and be relentless in its pursuit. You were put here on this earth to serve and to help others. Find a path that will allow you to grow and evolve. Being confident but humble will get you through almost any door."

Selfishly, she would like to see more Holy Family students pursue careers in journalism and media.

"The world needs journalists. I'm old school - my mentality is 'first and foremost, a public servant.' When it's done correctly, journalism is the best way to help your neighbor, fight for the little guy, and speak truth to power. Local journalists are needed more than ever. Journalism is a calling, and if it's something you want to explore, dive into some internships. You'll know if it's for you."

"He taught me how to be curious about the world around me – he taught me how to think critically about topics like foreign policy, which only piqued my interest further," she said.

"I think about Mr. Blair and his compassion and care for students to this day.

Ms. Viola's art classes were some of my favorites because she not only fostered my love for art she helped develop it.

I'm grateful for that."

She offers advice to current Holy Family students as they navigate their path FALL 2023 | 21

ATHLETICS RECAP

FOOTBALL

Head Coach: Mike D. Gabriel • Finished the regular season 9-1 (5-0 in the Class 3A Metro North League).

• Qualified for the Class 3A state tournament as the No. 2 seed.

• Defeated Denver North in the opening round 50-8, behind three Rylan Cooney touchdowns and a dominant defense led by junior Camden Austin and senior Cole Kuszak.

• Defeated Lewis-Palmer 42-17 in the Quarterfinal round as senior Dominic Gabriel ran for 200 yards and junior Monte Samaras hauled in two touchdown receptions.

• As of the printing of this magazine, the Tigers were preparing for a semifinal matchup with Thompson Valley. A full season recap will appear in the spring Lamp Post.

FALL 2023 | 22

SOFTBALL

Head Coach: Moriah Nguyen • Finished the season 26-2 (6-0 in the NCAC, League champions).

• Regional champions and were seeded No. 1 at state; they made it to the Class 4A state semifinals, losing to eventual champion Lutheran 11-4.

• Senior Kaylee McDonald was named the NCAC Player of the Year and junior Izzy Arroyo was named the Pitcher of the Year. Both McDonald and Arroyo were named All-State 1st Team. Junior catcher Makaila Moosbrugger and sophomores Emmaline Humphreys (P) and Jaelyn Sandoval (INF) were also 1st Team NCAC selections.

• Seven players and a student manager were named 1st Team Academic All-State: Izzy Arroyo, Danielle Duran, Emmaline Humphreys, Guiliana Magnetti, Kaylee McDonald, Makaila Moosbrugger, Tea Whitlock, and Jadyn Pitre.

VOLLEYBALL

Head Coach: Jenna Gallas • Finished the regular season 18-9 (5-2 in the NCAC, third place).

• Holy Family was one of 12 regional tournament hosts and defeated Golden and Roosevelt to advance to the state tournament.

• The Tigers entered the 4A state tournament as the No. 8 seed. They were defeated in four sets by Cheyenne Mountain to open the tournament and lost a 5-set thriller to The Classical Academy on Day 2.

• The team was led by captains Ava Olsen, Delaney Watson and Emily Powell. Eight players were named 1st Team Academic All-State: Ashtyn Cooney, Jessica Eldridge, Madeline Fischer, Addison Gromko, Kaila McCracken, Ava Olsen, Emily Powell, and Delaney Watson.

Alexandra Ward was Honorable Mention.

BOYS SOCCER

Head Coach: David Martinez • Finished the season 3-10-2 (2-4-1 in the NCAC).

• The Tigers missed out on the Class 4A playoffs after playing arguably one of the most demanding schedules in the state.

• The team was led by senior captains Abel Robles, Dustin Pedro, and junior Matt Napierkowski.

• Abel Robles and junior defender Munachi Tetenta were named 1st Team All-Conference in the Northern Colorado Athletics Conference.

• Ten players were named 1st Team Academic All-State: William Brower, Stefano Curto, Dominic Guevara, Matt Napierkowski, Dustin Pedro, Abel Robles, Joseph Sullivan, Munachi Tetenta, Dubemchi Tetenta, and Alex Vera.

FALL 2023 | 23

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Head Coach: Isaiah Remington

• Finished 1st at Regionals and 9th at the state meet in Colorado Springs.

• The Tigers had several top-five finishes throughout the regular season, including winning the Frontier Academy Wolverine Invitational in Greeley.

• The team was led by captains Dylan Clerkin, Garrett Smith, and Parker Nelson.

• Senior captain Parker Nelson was named All-State Honorable Mention after his 20th-place finish at state.

• Seven harriers were named 1st Team Academic All-State: William Cavanaugh, James Grothe, Parker Nelson, Aedan Noyes, Gil Perez, Garrett Smith, and Sterling Smith.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Head Coach: Isaiah Remington

• Finished 1st at Regionals and 3rd at the state meet in Colorado Springs.

• The Tigers were victorious at the Broomfield Battle, the Wolverine Invite, Mead Stampede, and were the NCAC league champions.

• The team was led by captains Emmy Stoll, Katherine Ryan, Charli Culp.

• Junior Anabella Descalzo finished seventh at the state meet and was named 1st Team All-State. Senior Emmy Stoll finished 14th and earned 2nd Team All-State honors.

• Eight runners were named 1st Team Academic All-State: Charli Culp, Descalzo, Isabella Larry, MacKenzie McIntosh, Elli Nugent, Rosario Portillo, Katherine Ryan, and Emmy Stoll.

BOYS GOLF

Head Coach: Will Wilson • Won the Class 3A Region 3 tournament in Greeley and qualified for the state tournament at Windsor’s RainDance National Resort.

• Senior Rudi Heitz finished 6th place overall and helped the Tigers to a 5th place state finish. Fellow seniors Ty Bairrington (30th), Wiley St. Germain (34th), and Drake Krommenhoek (34th) rounded out the state team.

• Heitz, who qualified for state in each of his four years, was named 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Conference in the NCAC. Krommenhoek and St. Germain were honorable mention All-Conference.

• Seven golfers were named 1st Team Academic All-State: Bairrington, Ryan Denser, Jack Flaherty, William Harris, Krommenhoek, Joe Lucas, and Wiley St. Germain.

FALL 2023 | 24

Tiger Tales Tiger Cubs

Lance Hernández ‘10 and his wife Aracely welcomed their son, Andre Xavier Hernandez, earlier this year. Lance also started a new position at Waas Campbell Rivera Johnson & Velásquez law firm. Congratulations!

Class of 1973 50-Year Reunion Pictured: Back Row (L to R): Brian Stevinson, Randy Jones, Jeff Ziegler, Phil Benallo, George MacNeley, Rick Salas, Mike Sanelli, Pete Sabell, Louie Langdon.

Middle Row (L to R): Eva Grosz, Peggy Cooper, Kathryn Ravenel, Karen Starkey-Nunez, Colleen Kerr, Mary Lou Vecchiarelli.

Front Row (L to R): Mardi Rossin, Debbie Richards, Connie Girtin, Chris Clum, Anna Agazio.

Holy Family alumna, Megan Spelic ’09, recently made her Final Vows as a Little Sister of the Poor in France. Now known as Sister Bernadette Rose, she received her obedience to return to the Chicago area. Please pray for her as she is surely praying for us.

Class of 1963 60-Year Reunion

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR THE REPOSE OF THEIR SOULS:

Alicia (Everson) DeHerrera ‘13 and Jarred DeHerrera ’13 welcomed their daughter, Sierra Christine DeHerrera, on August 19, 2023.

Congratulations!

David C. Archer '71 Bill Coofey '71 Mark Hart '82 David Havermann, Jr. ’99 Michael "Gooch" Gutierrez '07 Class of 2013 10-Year Reunion

Tell Us Your Tiger Tale!

Father John Stapleton ‘05 recently baptized Sigrid Faustina Coon, daughter of Holy Family alumna Danielle (Coon) Medearis ‘13.

Calling All Alumni – send us your news (with photos) about weddings, births, new jobs, promotions, retirements, and awards. We would love to share your accomplishments with our community. Contact Monique Dominguez, Director of Alumni Relations at

Monique.Dominguez@holyfamilyhs.com

FALL 2023 | 25

Holy Family Week of Giving In October, we kicked off our Annual Appeal supporting the Fund for Holy Family with a Week of Giving. The goal for the week was $140,000. Through your remarkable generosity and steadfast support, we exceeded our goal.

We raised $143,040 for the week, and what's more, contributions came from 290 individuals, including an astounding 147 first-time donors (51%).

and extracurricular offerings.

The Fund is vital to our school because all gifts made are unrestricted. These gifts infuse the school's operational budget with essential funds for teacher salaries, sustain our Catholic beliefs, and continuously improve our academic

To accomplish this, this year's appeal seeks to raise $560,000 for the Fundfor Holy Family. The $143,040 during the Week of Giving was a fantastic start. We look to continue the momentum throughout this school year.

This year, we aim to align our teachers' salaries more competitively with their counterparts in the surrounding districts. Holy Family teachers earn just 86% of what teachers in surrounding communities earn. Although our budget provides raises, these districts have outpaced us by offering 8-11% increases.

Every gift matters, every dollar counts. Donations can be made anytime by visiting our school website, www.holyfamilyhs.com, or scanning the QR code on the next page. We greatly appreciate your support!

Senior Ethan Ward, a first-time donor, donated $100 of his own money during the Week of Giving. Cookies and cakes from his company, EJ Bakes, has become a staple at graduation parties and special events.

Keeping Catholic education affordable is one of our primary goals, but there is a stark reality we face every year – our current tuition rate covers just 77% of the actual cost of a Holy Family education. This gap is $4,700 per student.

Where Does Your Annual Tuition Go? Forecasted

What You Pay: Salaries & Benefits Operating Expenses Student Services Tuition Assistance Interest on LT Debt Debt Payments

$15,960 $ 9,900 $ 3,250 $ 400 $ 1,700 $ 250 $ 420

Total

$15,960

Actual Cost Per Student: $20,660 Salaries & Benefits $13,890 Operating Expenses $ 4,560 Student Services $ 620 Tuition Assistance $ 2,380 Interest on LT Debt $ 350 Debt Payment $ 600 Misc. Fees & Funding ($ 1,740) Total

The Gap: $4,700 FALL 2023 | 26

$20,660

Holy Family High School 5195 West 144th Avenue Broomfield, CO 80023

HOLY FAMILY HIGH SCHOOL

Educating the Whole Person: SPIRIT, MIND and BODY

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