Legendary Leadership, Lasting Legacy: Mike Gabriel Retires after 50 years.
HFHS ADMINISTRATION
Mike D. Gabriel '94 President
Mary Vulcani Principal
Joseph Galmish '91 Dean of Students
Kristi Helbig Dean of Students
Ben Peterson '01 Athletic Director
OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT
Ann Marie White Director
Valerie Stozki Development Manager
Mary Fountaine Events Specialist
COMMUNICATIONS
Jeff Beaton Director
Monique Dominguez MarCom Manager
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Alex Ariniello Chairperson
Terry LaVelle Vice Chair
Mrs. Ann Marie White Treasurer
Mike D. Gabriel '94 Principal
Kemmery Hill Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Jody Harper Alderman
Sean Grycel
Federico Montoya ‘93
John Napierkowski
Kimberly Siurek
Fr. Jason Wallace
Matt Ward ‘03
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 disabled 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, disabled, 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.
Clare Nowak, Jon Yunt
Tamara Van Dale, Jason Natzke, Jon Yunt, Phillip Grothe, Danielle Duran ’25, Matthew Jonas, Nina Lauber ’25, Kieran Kenny ’29, Jeff Beaton, Ann McCormick, Mary Mascarenas, Luis Romero ’25, Mario Gonzalez ’25, Greg Stokes.
On The Cover:
This past May, Holy Family High School said farewell to a true legend. After an extraordinary 50-year career, Mike Gabriel retired from the school he helped shape for half a century.
President's Message
Holy Family Community,
This past May we celebrated a truly historic moment - the graduation of Holy Family High School’s 100th class. One hundred years after our founding in 1922, 189 remarkable seniors walked across the stage as the newest alumni of a school built on faith, tradition, and excellence. They now join a century-long legacy of Catholic leaders who are bold in faith, compassionate in service, and courageous in character.
Our centennial graduating class is more than a symbol of our proud history - it is a reflection of what we continue to stand for today. These young men and women have been shaped by meaningful spiritual formation, rigorous academics, and a community that calls each person to become their best self.
At commencement, I shared with our graduates a challenge: to never lose sight of their Catholic identity as they step into a world that may try to convince them otherwise. I reminded them that they have drawn strength from many places - their families, their teachers, their peers - but above all, from a God whose love remains constant, even in the most uncertain moments.
This graduating class has shown us what real faith looks like. They’ve trusted in God’s plan, leaned into their unique gifts, and embraced the future with hope - even when the way forward was unclear. My hope is that the lessons they’ve learned at Holy Family won’t simply live in their memories, but will guide them in the years to come as a living testimony to the faith they’ve received.
As we close this chapter and look ahead to the next century of Holy Family High School, we do so with gratitude for what has been and with great hope for what’s to come. We will continue to form young people who live with faith, lead with courage, and love with compassion.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
God Bless,
Mike D. Gabriel President Holy Family High School
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
Salem Abraha
Lola Allen
Arissa Apodaca
Alisa Arambula
Adalida Armijo
Isabella Arroyo
Anne Asbury **
Arisha Asher
Camden Austin
Benjamin Baker
Madelyn Baldwin * **
Megan Ball
Ronald Banaga
Christian Banda
Alicia Barajas
Santino Barloco
Noah Benavidez
Dustin Bennett
Sophie Bertagnolli * **
Jillian Bickford
Ian Bolinger
Christopher Brady* **
Adeline Bralish * **
Gabriella Brienza
Sophie Brusate
Charlii Carbajal-Sanchez
Robert Cerimele
Angelita Chaparro
Erin Chapman
Bradley Cheadle
Mia Cipoletti
Ashtyn Cooney
Liliana Cooney
Adwin Costa
Jared Cullison* **
Kieran Curtin
Stefano Curto * **
An Dang
Bryant Dau
Maxwell Davisson
Carlo De La Torre
Anabella Descalzo * **
Jacob Dick-Hodgson
Ysabella Domenech
Michael Dooley
Danielle Duran
Jessica Eldridge
Roman Elliott
Raeya Engstrom
Autumn Etemadi
Cooper Farner
Tyler Federspiel
Ella Franko
Joseph Fritschen
Virginia Fuller
William Gallegos
Abigail Garza *
Caitlyn Garza * **
Madilyn Gemperline
Brooklyn Glaze
Noah Gochenour * **
Gavin Golden * **
Kayleigh Goldschmidt **
Riley Gonzales
Mario Gonzalez Rios
Nathaniel Gray
Brady Gregor
Joshua Grenzenbach
Addison Gromko
Santiago Guerrero
William Haapala
Aaron Hagamen
Abigail Hageman
Oscar Hageman
Gavin Harkness
Gabriella Hebert
Noel Hein **
Amelia Hernandez
Rigoberto Hernandez
Makayla Heron
Sophia Hill **
Ella Hoffman
Finely Holmes
Fiona Holmes
Alorah Hosker *
Rocco Howes
Claire Hulquest * **
Sydney Jansen **
Kendall Jones **
Savannah Juencke
Alexander Karasow
Annabelle Kenny * **
Olivia Kingsley * **
Emma Kostelecky
Clarey Larson
Nina Lauber
Isabella Lind * **
Brady Lindoerfer * **
Joseph Lindsay * **
Jesus Lopez Zepeda
Joseph Lucas
Nevaeh Lucero
Alina Luna
Witt Luoma
Jack Magsamen
Andrew Mann
Erin Markham *
Sergio Marquez
Olivia May
Stephen McAnally
Macie McCormick
Sage McGill
Isabel Minjarez
Joseph Molina
Emily Montes-Ramirez
Abigail Moore
Makaila Moosbrugger * **
Noel Morales Arreola
Michael Mulhern
ElliJo Musgrove * **
Mari Nanez
Matthew Napierkowski * **
Francesca Narvaes * **
Blaise Neff
Parker Nelson * **
Anthony Nguyen
Julie Nguyen *
Madison Nguyen * **
Yoshiko Nguyen * **
Mason Ochs
Adam Opie
Anderson Osburn
Kolton Paulson * **
Peter Pham
Theresa Phan
Katherine Philipsen * **
Raelynn Pickup * **
Philip Post III
Jayci Pounders
Elijah Pulliam * **
Alyssa Quintana
Mia Ramirez
Donald Redlinger IV
Mackenzie Redlinger
Luis Romero II
Matthew Sakkaris
Qynton Salyer * **
Monte Samaras * **
Rachel Sanders * **
Sage Scalzi
Anthony Scott
Logan Seifarth
Samantha Sierra
Paola Silva
John Siurek
Garrett Smith *
Sterling Smith * **
Benjamin Souza
Abigail Sterling
Joseph Sullivan
Kooper Suta
Adam Tapp
Leonardo Taranto * **
Sarah Tengler
Dubemchi Tetenta * **
Munachi Tetenta * **
Hannah Thelosen
Josh Thiara
Daniel Trainor *
Clara Treinen
Milan Trieu
Sophia Tyler
José Uribe-Perez
Dutch Van Dale
Bailey Vaughan
Xavier Vega
Adrian Vidales-Guzman
Samuel Von Tersch
Veronica Von Tersch
Kevin Vorlage
Reed Wangerin
Brendan Ward
Makayla Ward
Nate Welch
Ella Wilbern **
Katherine Willetto
Madeline Wisneski
Dane Young
Theodore Young
* Honors Diploma recipients who have 30 credits with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher, at least eight Honors or Advanced Placement Courses, and a satisfactory conduct and attendance record.
** National Honor Society Member who have a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher.
Over 10,000 Hours of Community Service Performed 97% Attending a 2- or 4-year College or University
21% Graduated with Honors
Holy Family
Valedictorian
Kolton Paulson
Valedictorian
University of Notre Dame
'25
“Take a good look; you won’t see it for long.” This legendary line from the Rockies play-by-play announcer, Drew Goodman, is yelled out whenever the Rockies hit a big home run. And this phrase seems especially applicable today. “Take a good look; you won’t see it for long.”
Graduation Speech Excerpts
somehow forged our relationships and friendships. These bonds are something that will never fade away. So, to all the friends I’ve made throughout this journey, thank you.
Next, we have a strong sense of gratitude for our families. We could always count on their encouragement and unyielding support. None of us would be here today without the sacrifices they made to send us to this school. For that sacrifice, we are grateful.
Today is a day where we all experience pride in our accomplishments, and we encounter a deep sense of gratitude for everyone who was alongside us on our journey through high school.
First and foremost, our friends. Most of us started high school not knowing many others in this class.
However, through our sports, clubs, and conversations in the halls, we
Finally, our class has an extremely deep sense of gratitude for the greater Holy Family community. It’s difficult to describe the kind of community we have here at HF. It’s less of a “community,” and more of an awesome second Family that we were adopted into.
Instead of trudging through life with our heads down, the Family lifted our chins up and taught us to live in happiness and thank God for every minute. Instead of living in a bland and unconnected group, the Family illustrated to us how to create a true sense of camaraderie and love. And instead
of falling back athletically, academically, socially, and spiritually, the Family instructed us on how to balance and thrive in all aspects of our lives. Through the good times and the bad, the Family was always right there, waiting to pick us up and encourage us to keep pushing.
Class of 2025, look to your left, look to your right. Look back at your parents. And look all around at this entire community that has unwaveringly strengthened us these last four years. Savor the moment. Soak it all in. And take a good look; you won’t see it for long.
Holy Family Salutatorian
'25 Munachi Tetenta
University of Pennsylvania Salutatorian
Four years ago, we came together from different middle schools, towns, neighborhoods, and walks of life; as we progressed through high school, we have formed tight bonds and close friendships, a community, a family even.
I have a brief reflection that I would like to share, related to dreams and jam. When I was young, my parents told me to dream big, for dreaming big takes no extra effort. Initially, this was incredibly difficult to believe; after all, you couldn’t possibly tell me it is as easy to be a billionaire instead of a millionaire, a President over a governor. But as my time in high school began and progressed, I began to rethink my initial stance: instead of dreaming of making varsity freshman year, why couldn’t I try to start on varsity? Instead of just passing my AP classes to receive college credit, why not earn all 5s? Instead of attending a good college, why not attend my dream one?
After all, as Jesus explains through the parable of the talents, we are not called to be like the one who buries his treasure for fear of losing it, but the one who, with the grace of God, dreams and utilizes his great imaginations and desires, unique abilities and traits to glorify the Lord the best way he can.
After initial successes, I determined perhaps dreaming big did take no extra effort. Lesson learned. New outlook in mind, I began to work incredibly hard, setting and trying to achieve my now loftier goals, as each individual here today has for their goals. To do so, I
modified and adopted another mantra my parents introduced to me: no jam today, all jam tomorrow.
Each day was an opportunity for me to study longer and harder: if I could just get through one day of difficult work, forgo one day of jam, that is fun, time off, and time with my friends, the next day would be much sweeter. As the weeks and months passed, though, and I avoided what I initially convinced myself to be hindrances to my success, such as spending time and making memories with those dear to me, I realized I had misinterpreted the message; it is some jam today, some jam tomorrow, Yes, we are all called to dream big, to glorify God through making the absolute most of our talents and desires; but God did not place us in this community with our dreams that we may achieve them alone. Yes, dreaming big and working towards it is important, but so are the family and
friends with whom you build memories and share small triumphs with.
So, dream big; it is no mistake that of all the different traits and personalities possible on this earth, God has chosen to make you, with your unique combination of skills and desires. With these traits, and with great trust in the Lord, you are all capable of amazing things. Just remember that this journey is not to be walked alone.
Mr. & Miss Holy Family
Miss Holy Family Yoshiko Nguyen
'25
What does the recognition of Miss Holy Family mean to you?
“Knowing all the other incredible people in my class, receiving Miss Holy Family was truly an unexpected honor that humbled me. It has raised the expectations I will hold myself to - academically, spiritually, and morally - as I pursue further education and onwards.”
What words of encouragement do you have for future Tigers?
“Be open, be involved and be loving. Holy Family offers truly a unique high school experience that can give you so much more than a traditional educationit will foster your faith, grow your talents, and open your heart. Be open to those experiences, engage in anything you’re remotely interested in, and act lovingly to every person you meet along the way. The biggest thing holding you back is yourself - so take that class, join those clubs, and say hi to those people. The most memorable moments and people all come from the smallest starts.”
Mr. Holy Family Matthew Napierkowsi
Texas A&M University
'25
How has Holy Family shaped you personally and spiritually?
“Holy Family has taught me not to live life just going through the motions. I’ve been challenged to ask the toughest questions. Spiritually, this mindset has helped me grow in a real and lasting way. I’ve learned to think deeply, act with purpose, and stay grounded in my faith and values."
What has made your experience at Holy Family meaningful beyond academics?
“What’s made my experience so special is the personal care the teachers put into every relationship. I’ve developed meaningful connections with so many of my teachers. They’ve become mentors who’ve shaped how I see the world and the kind of person I want to be. I know these relationships won’t end after graduation. And when I think about the last four years, it’s not just about classes or clubs or sports - it’s about being part of a mission that teaches the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. That’s what’s really sets Holy Family apart.”
Creighton University
Legacy Family Awards
The Ball Family
Byrle & Patricia, parents of Jeff (2014), Brendan (2020), Adam (2023), & Megan (2025).
The Chapman Family
Michael & Megan, parents of Ainsley (2019), Ella (2020), Catherine (2024), & Erin (2025).
The Bertagnolli Family
John & Megan, parents of Jack (2020), Riley (2022), Olivia (2023), & Sophie (2025).
The Napierkowski Family
John & Joann, parents of Luke (2015), Eva (2016), Kika (2018), Sally (2020), & Matthew (2025)
The Ward Family
Steve & Kendra, parents of Nathan (2016), Amanda (2019), Ashley (2019), Ethan (2024), & Brendan (2025).
The Banda Family
David & Cristina, parents of Nataly (2012), Noemi (2015), Lisa (2017), David (2019), Grace (2023), & Christian (2025). Not Pictured
Mike Gabriel Retires After 50 Years
This past May, Holy Family High School said farewell to a true legend. After an extraordinary 50-year career, Mike Gabriel retired from the school he helped shape for half a century. A constant presence, a steady leader, and a tireless advocate for students, Mike’s impact on Holy Family is immeasurable.
Since joining the faculty in 1974, Mike has served in nearly every role imaginable - teacher, Dean of Students, Athletic Director, and twice as interim principal. But his deepest legacy may be found on the fields and courts, where he coached football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, and even cheerleading. His leadership of the football program, which he helmed during three different tenures, brought the Tigers two state championships and decades of competitive excellence. Fittingly, the school’s football stadium bears his name - a permanent reminder of his contributions to Holy Family athletics and the values he instilled in generations of student-athletes.
Mike and his late wife, Patty, were both proud members of Holy Family’s Class of 1970. Together, they built a legacy of service, faith, and family that has touched every corner of the school community. Their four children - Mike D. (’94), Gwen (’96), Mark (’98), and Matt (’01) - all graduated from Holy Family, as have two of their grandchildren, Rocco (’22) and Dominic (’24). Three more grandchildren are currently enrolled - Nick (’26), Drew Berens (’26), and Katelyn (’28) - with two more, Gabriel and Josie Berens, already eager to follow in their family’s footsteps.
From North Denver to Broomfield, Mike has watched Holy Family grow and evolve while preserving its core values. “We were in North Denver
until 1999. That was a strong, strong community. It was actually very difficult to leave,” he said. “Now we’ve been up here for the last 25 years. It feels like the community is very similar. I think Holy Family offers that sense of community that people need. It’s important.”
His son, Mike D. Gabriel, now president of Holy Family, has witnessed the full measure of his father’s devotion. “As his son, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices he made and the lives he touched. My mother, Patty, would be so proud.”
Michael G. Gabriel’s retirement marks the end of an era - but his spirit, service, and example will remain part of Holy Family for generations to come.
Holy Family Moments
Holy Family Theatre Director Dr. Marchesi joins senior Mario Gonzalez on the red carpet at the Bobby G Awards on May 16 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Mario was nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Uncle Henry and the Emerald City Guard in The Wizard of Oz - a prestigious honor in Colorado’s high school theatre scene. The Bobby G Award is the high school equivalent of a Tony Award.
Sophomore Jack Nolan and senior Stefano Curto get their first look at the Soccer State Championship rings during a special ring ceremony on April 7 - a proud moment celebrating a season to remember.
In February, seniors Eli Pulliam, Madeline Wisneski, Erin Markham, Brady Lindoerfer, and sophomore Isabela Del Rosario Brenton joined Father Stapleton in helping lead the annual Archdiocesan Mountain Madness Retreat - guiding more than 1,000 middle school students through a weekend of faith, fun, and spiritual growth.
On March 11, members of the Tigers for Life Club put their faith in action by preparing and serving meals for young moms at the Hope House in Arvada.
On April 5, Holy Family’s senior Faith and Culture classes visited Holy Ghost Catholic Church, where they explored the beauty and meaning of sacred architecture.
Holy Family's poms team competed at the National H.S. Dance Team Championships in Orlando in February and made the program's first-ever trip to the National Pom Finals resulted in a 10th-place national finish. The Tigers also earned a national fourth-place finish in game day and a 12th place national finish in hip hop.
Seniors Logan Seifarth and Samantha Sierra were crowned 2025 Prom King and Queen on May 3 at the Forney Museum in Denver.
Mr. Good set off on another of his legendary Italy pilgrimages in late May, leading a group of juniors on a memorable adventure through history and faith.
Holy Family students served as altar servers at the annual Archdiocesan 5th grade Mass at the Cathedral Basilica on February 26.
Seniors Sam Von Tersch and Luis Romero were recognized by the Denver Young Artists Orchestra (DYAO) on May 4, for their contributions to Colorado’s premier youth symphony.
in front of the entire student body. The seminarians brought their A-game and took the
The Holy Family Choir had the honor of performing at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception as part of the Concerts at the Cathedral Basilica series on April 27.
Over 100 Holy Family students took part in the Colorado March for Life at the State Capitol on April 11.
Seniors Witt Luoma and Joe Lucas brought energy and humor to Holy Family’s Senior Night on February 28 offering courtside commentary from their makeshift announcing table during the girls and boys basketball games against The Classical Academy.
Junior Chris Handwerker earned the prestigious Best Witness award at the regional Mock Trial tournament held at the Adams County District Courthouse on March 1.
Holy Family students faced off against seminarians from St. John Vianney Seminary on April 7 in a spirited basketball game
win!
Holy Family President Mike D. Gabriel traveled to San Francisco in December to meet our oldest living alum, the incredible Robert Seiwald, Class of 1942. At 100 years young, Robert is a testament to the enduring bond of our Holy Family community.
Sophomore Haiden Michel showcased and sold artwork from his denart.store at the Erie
on May 17. Haiden uses advanced digital tools to develop his concepts, which are then hand-painted by skilled artists - blending innovation with traditional craftsmanship.
Kendall
May 1, college decision day!
Seniors
Jones, Ashtyn Cooney, Sophie Bertagnolli, Elle Hoffman, Addie Gromko, and Salem Abraha, are joined by College Counselor, Mrs. Phillips, on
Seniors Gabby Herbert, Ysabella Domenech, Arissa Apodaca, Olivia May, and Angelita Chaparro are joined by Deacon Daniel Rivas following Ash Wednesday Mass.
Holy Family’s robotics team, Glitch in the Matrix, traveled to Cleveland on February 1 to compete in the LAUNCH Robotics Competition at Case Western Reserve University - boosting their world ranking to an impressive 136th out of 5,336 teams!
Town Fair
With powerful vocals and infectious energy, Holy Family’s choir lit up the stage at the Spring Pops Concert on May 7.
ATHLETICS RECAP
BOYS & GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
Season Record: Boys finished tied for 21st at Class 4A state meet; girls tied for 13th. All-State/Conference: Girls All-State 1st Team – Claire Tannehill. Boys All-State 1st Team – Monte Samaras. 2nd Team – Brady Lindoerfer. Girls All-Conference 1st Team - Anabella Descalzo, Lilly O’Neill, Kylee Schlepp, Tannehill, Sophie Bertagnolli, Mary Siurek. Boys All-Conference 1st Team - Michael Dooley, Brady Lindoerfer, Samaras. Honorable Mention - Parker Nelson, Nate Welch.
Notes: The late Steve Blair would have been in awe at the number of records that fell off of his Track & Field record board. In all Holy Family set 10 school records, the last of which, won them a state title. Junior Claire Tannehill, who earlier in the season became the first to eclipse the 12 second mark in the 100-meter dash, won the state title in a staggering 11.75 seconds.
School records set in 2025: Girls: 100m - 11.75 (Tannehill), 200m - 24.37 (Tannehill). 3200m – 11:16.60 (Descalzo). 4x100m Relay - 48.01 (Schlepp/Tannehill/O’Neill/ Bertagnolli). 4x200m Relay - 1:41.37. (Schlepp/Siurek/Bertagnolli/Tannehill). 4x400m Relay - 4:03.56 (Siurek/Mackenzie McIntosh/Tannehill/Descalzo). Boys: Shotput - 52’ 1.5” (Lindoerfer). Long Jump - 22’ 9.5” (Samaras). 1600m - 4:26.70 (Nelson). 3200m9:42.08 (Garrett Smith).
BASEBALL
Season Record: 18-7 overall, 9-4 Granite Peaks League; lost to Severance in 4A Regional Tournament.
Captains: Logan Seifarth, Dutch Van Dale, Xavier Vega, Brendan Ward. All-Conference: 1st Team - Dustin Bennett and Eddie Hill. 2nd Team - Seifarth and Kaden Hopkin. Honorable Mention - Ward, Josh Grenzenbach, Brady Anderson. Academic All-State: 1st Team - Anderson, Britain Fox, Grenzenbach, Hill, Hopkin, Keenan Hughes, Nick Leopardi, Hunter Rezvan, Ward. Honorable Mention - Nolan Brunner, Seifarth, Van Dale.
Notes: A year after winning the Class 4A state title, questions surrounded the Tigers as they worked to rebuild with a young lineup - including three freshmen and a sophomore starter. After a slow start, they hit their stride, winning 10 straight before falling in regionals. With most of the roster returning, the future looks bright. Senior Logan Seifarth led the Tigers in hits (30), runs (28), HRs (7), and RBIs (28). On the mound, senior Brendan Ward won 5 games and struck out 59 in 50.1 innings. Fellow senior Josh Grenzenbach also earned 5 victories, striking out 56 in 46 innings.
GIRLS TENNIS
GIRLS GOLF
Season Record: Won the Granite Peaks League, Class 3A Region 3 tournament and Class 3A state tournament.
All-State/Conference: Steffi Heitz (1st Team All-State/1st Team All-Conference); Acadia Curtis (1st Team All-State/1st Team All-Conference), Peyton Mraz (1st Team All-State/1st Team All-Conference), Finley Holmes (1st Team All-Conference), Danikka Nielsen (1st Team All-Conference).
Notes: Every coach wishes they had the same problem Coach Nielsen had this spring. He had six girls competing for the coveted four regional/state spots all season long and had five 1st Team All-Conference selections. The Tigers were that good. They won every Granite Peaks League tournament by 20+ shots, won the rain-shortened regional tournament and then for the first time in school history, won the Class 3A state title by 31 shots at Boomerang Links in Greeley.
Season Record: 7-6 overall, lost to Peak to Peak in the Class 3A semifinals.
Academic All-State: 1st team – Anna Bardeau, Abigail Garza, Kyla Hermes, Addison Hinojosa, Kenny, Kingsley, Theresa La, Reagan Leary, Julie Nguyen, Cecilia Nguyen, Pickup, Olivia Richardson, Jordyn Smith, Camille Snashall, Stonehocker, Hannah Thelosen, Maya Trujillo, Ella Wilbern, Milan Trieu. Honorable Mention - Bella Albanese, Lola Allen, Mallory Clerkin.
Notes: There might not be a team in the state that plays a tougher schedule throughout the season than the Tigers, and while they took their lumps at times, it more than prepared them to make a deep run in the Class 3A dual team tournament. They beat both St. Mary’s Academy and Vail Christian to advance to the semifinals, where they were taken out by Peak to Peak. The No. 2 doubles team of Clerkin and Bardeau finished fourth at the individual state tournament.
BOYS LACROSSE
Season Record: 8-7 overall, 4-1 North Conference; lost to Cheyenne Mountain in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament.
Captains: Oliver Kinsel, Joshua Nappe, Browen Wills.
All-Conference: 1st Team - Rocco Bertagnolli, Nappe, Wills. 2nd Team - Aidan Malone, Danny Trostel, Ash Price.
Academic All-State: 1st Team – Bertagnolli, Chase Brandstatter, Alex Cameron, Bobby Flaherty, Grant Gottlieb, Holden Hetes, Malone, Nappe, Brayden McCormick, Bradley Pelletier, William Perrotto, Jackson Perry. Honorable Mention – Kinsel, Cooper Price, Patrick Tatum, Ash Price.
Notes: It was one of those seasons that gave head coach Lee Williams a few more grey hairs. The Tigers were clutch when they needed to be, winning all three of their games that went to overtime, including a thrilling 13-12 win over Windsor. Holy Family qualified for the state tournament, traveled to Colorado Springs and lost to Cheyenne Mountain. Juniors Rocco Bertagnolli and Browen Wills combined to score 88 of the teams 144 goals this season.
GIRLS SOCCER
GIRLS LACROSSE
Season Record: 9-6 overall, 1-2 North Conference; lost to Air Academy in the first round of the Class 4A state tournament.
Captains: Sophie Brusate, Kendall Jones, Lilly Miller, Katie Willetto.
All-State/Conference: Ali Arambula (1st Team All-Conf./HM All-State), Alicia Barajas (1st Team All-Conf., 2nd Team All-State), Cecilia Bertagnolli (1st Team All-Conf./2nd Team All-State), S. Brusate (HM All-Conf.), Emma Brusate (1st Team All-Conf., 2nd Team All-State), Jones (HM All-Conf.), Miller (1st Team All-Conf./HM All-State), Rosario Portillo (HM All-Conf.), Marley Tatum (HM All-Conf.), Willetto (HM All-Conf.).
Academic All-State: 1st Team – Bertagnolli, Victoria Bottner, S. Brusate, E. Brusate, Aramy Chacon, Jones, Miller, Elena Perrotto, Portillo, Itzayana Salas, Rachel Sanders, Marley Tatum, Emma Van Oss. Honorable Mention – Alicia Barajas, Stella O’Neill, Olivia Robinson, Willetto.
Notes: After starting the season 2-2, the Tigers would win six straight to earn a home playoff game as the No. 14-seed against Air Academy, falling 13-6. Sophomore Emma Brusate scored her 100th career goal in just her 23rd game and finished the season with 103 of the Tigers’ 213 goals.
Season Record: 6-11 overall, 2-4 Granite Peaks; lost 1-0 to Stargate in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Captains: Paige Brown and Wynn Wagner.
All-Conference: 1st Team - Wagner, Brown, Keeley McCormick.
Academic All-State: 1st Team – Cecilia Brougham, Olivia Brouwer, Alyssa Brown, P. Brown, Sarah Dau, Samantha Gryzmala, Jasmine Hernandez, Brittany Herremans, Ava Hofmann, Clara Johnson, Finley Kramer, Priya Lucas, Evelyn Luoma, Camila Martinez, McCormick, Alice Romano, Eleni Tsiouvaras, Elizabeth Wagner, Kendall Wangerin. Honorable Mention – Makaellia Giron, Cate Schneeberger, Brooke Trostel, W. Wagner.
Notes: There were a lot of moving parts for this group in 2025, but they somehow persevered to make the Class 3A state tournament. The Tigers traveled to Alamosa and on the strength of Samantha Gryzmala’s goal, beat the Mean Moose 1-0 to move on. In the second round, Stargate scored 29 seconds into the game and made it hold up for a 1-0 victory. The Tigers will return plenty of experience next season as there were no seniors on this team.
POMS
Season Results: Granite Peaks league champions. Finished 2nd in 4A pom at state. At the National Dance Team Championships, the Tigers made their first-ever trip to the national pom finals resulting in a 10th place national finish. The Tigers also earned a national 4th place finish in game day and a 12th place national finish in hip hop. This talented group also brought home the State Spirit Challenge 4A Pom title along with a regional UDA title in hip hop, and NDA regional titles in both pom & hip hop.
Notes: The Holy Family poms team has firmly established itself as one of the premier programs in both Colorado and the nation. The Tigers continue their relentless pursuit of a state title, earning a spot in the state finals for the third consecutive year and capturing their third straight league championship. The season’s pinnacle came at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, where the team made its historic debut in the national pom finals. Competing on the iconic castle stage, Holy Family earned national recognition and secured its place among the country’s elite.
Notes: The Tigers cheer squad entered the season facing the challenge of replacing four graduating seniors. They kicked things off with a strong performance at UCA Camp, earning 2nd place in cheer and 4th in the camp routine. However, as the season progressed, injuries took a toll on the team.
Despite not competing this year, the squad remained a constant presence on the sidelines, enthusiastically supporting Holy Family’s football and boys and girls basketball teams. Looking ahead, the future is bright - this year’s tryouts brought in impressive numbers and a wave of promising talent, setting the stage for a strong comeback.
Season Record: 15-10 overall, 7-6 Granite Peaks League; lost 59-57 to The Academy in the 2nd round of the Class 4A playoffs
Captains: Roman Elliott, Rocco Howes and Matt Napierkowski.
All-State/Conference: Rocco Howes (All-State Honorable Mention/1st Team All-Conference); Caleb Schott (All-Conference Honorable Mention); Roman Elliott (All-Conference Honorable Mention).
Academic All-State: 1st Team – Matthew Evans, William Haapala, Conor Lindsay, Napierkowski, Schott. Honorable Mention – Andrew Ward.
Notes: Competing in the newly formed Granite Peaks League (a combination of 6A, 5A and 4A schools), the Tigers held their own. The grind of the conference schedule had them prepared to make a deep playoff run, but they ran into a hot Academy team in regionals and were bounced from the playoffs before making it to the Coliseum. The Tigers had three different players - Schott, Howes and Elliott - average 10 points per game and of those three, only Schott will return next year.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Season Record: 17-9 overall, 9-5 Granite Peaks League; lost 53-45 to University in the Final Four.
Captains: Enyiah Contreraz, Alyssa Quintana, Gracie Ward. All-State/Conference: 1Ward (1st Team All-State; 1st Team All-Conference); Alexcia Oaxaca (2nd Team All-Conference); Contreraz (2nd Team All-Conference). Academic All-State: 1st Team – Olivia Brouwer, Aramy Chacon, Priya Lucas, Elli Nugent, Oaxaca, Itzayana Salas, Reet Sandhu, Ward. Honorable Mention –Alicia Barajas.
Notes: Coach Q took over for the legendary Ron Rossi and had his team playing a different style from the get-go. There was a bit of a learning curve and a few unexpected blips on the radar screen, but it was what most people around the state expected out of the Tigers and that was a deep playoff run. They made their way to the State Final Four, and despite leading for much of the game, they couldn’t hang on against a seasoned University team in the semifinals. The top three leading scorers – Ward, Oaxaca and Contreraz – will all be back next season.
BOYS & GIRLS WRESTLING
GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING
Season Record: 13-3-1 in duals; 8th in Granite Peaks League meet, 5th in Class 3A state meet.
All-State: 1st Team - Lorelai Frauenfelder. 2nd Team - Megan Grenzenbach. Honorable Mention - Erin Chapman, Ashtyn Cooney.
Academic All-State: 1st Team - Cecilia Brougham, Emma Brusate, Chapman, Misa Cipoletti, Cooney, Frauenfelder, Madilyn Gemperline, Sophie Gremillion, Karis Gray, Grenzenbach, Olivia Hamilton, Addie Hinojosa, Macie McCormick, MacKenzie MacIntosh, Moosbrugger, Musgrove, Emily Opie, Elena Perrotto, Raelynn Pickup, Kailyn Tucker, Madison Villaverde. Honorable Mention – Cate Schneeberger.
Notes: �t was just a matter of time before the Tigers crowned their first state champion and in February, junior Lorelai Frauenfelder did it not once, but twice; winning both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events at the Class 3A state meet at Thornton’s Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center. Holy Family sent a total of 11 swimmers to the state meet and won a total of eight medals, including two relays. In their five years as a program, the Tigers have finished no worse than 5th at state.
Season Record: Boys 8-5 in duals; Girls 3-7 in duals; both boys and girls were regional champions.
Captains: Camden Austin, Oscar Hageman, Santiago Guerrero; Charlii CarbajalSanchez, Jayci Pounders.
All-State/Conference: 1st team - Boys All-State - Lorenzo Trujillo (Honorable Mention), Austin (2nd Team). Girls All-State – Veronica Hafer (Honorable Mention). Boys All-Conference 1st Team – Hageman. Honorable Mention - Trujillo, Adam Moore, Fisher Reenan, Peter Pham, Austin. Girls All-Conference 1st Team – Hafer, Makayla Ward, Carbajal-Sanchez, Francis Bralish. Honorable Mention – Pounders.
Notes: The 2024-25 season will be the one that put Holy Family on the wrestling map. Yes, we’ve had our share of champions, but never before have we had both boys and the girls win their respective regional titles. Holy Family would send a total of 17 wrestlers to Ball Arena for the state tournament. When the dust cleared, the boys finished 9th and had four on the podium, including Camden Austin – who lost in the finals. The girls would finish 11th overall and had their first ever state placers in Veronika Hafer (3rd) and Charlii Carbajal-Sanchez (6th).
Congratulations State Champions
Finley Holmes, Steffi Heitz, Acadia Curtis and Peyton Mraz
3A Girls Golf State Champions
Henry Wood & Tobin Howe
Holy Family Juniors competing for Monarch High School
4A Boys Team Swimming & Diving State Champions
Howe was also on 200 Medley Relay State Championship team.
Kylee Schlepp & Lilly O’Neill
Holy Family Juniors competing for Niwot High School 4A Girls Team Gymnastics State Champions
Congratulations to the 23 Holy Family student-athletes who have committed to continue their athletic careers in college.
BASEBALL
Dustin Bennett – Southwestern Community College (Iowa)
Josh Grenzenbach – Coe College (Iowa)
Logan Seifarth – Western Nebraska Community College
Dutch Van Dale – Hope College (Michigan)
Brendan Ward – Briar Cliff University (Iowa)
Dane Young – Briar Cliff University (Iowa)
BOYS BASKETBALL
Roman Elliott – Coe College (Iowa)
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Alicia Barajas – Regis University
Annabelle Kenny – Brandeis University (Massachusetts)
CROSS COUNTRY & TRACK
Anabella Descalzo – Ave Marie University (Florida)
FOOTBALL
Rocco Howes – St. John’s University (Minnesota)
Mason Ochs – DePauw University (Indiana)
Matt Sakkaris – Wheaton College (Illinois)
Monte Samaras – Colorado School of Mines
POMS
Angelita Chaparro – Colorado Mesa University
RODEO
Makayla Ward – Colorado Mesa University
BOYS SOCCER
Andrew Mann – University of Denver
Jesus Molina – Colorado Christian University
SOFTBALL
Izzy Arroyo – University of Tulsa (Oklahoma)
Charlii Carbajal-Sanchez* – Norwich University (Vermont) *Also Wrestling
Danielle Duran – Washburn University (Kansas)
Makaila Moosbrugger – U.S. Military Academy at West Point (New York)
VOLLEYBALL
Jessica Eldridge – Western Oregon University
Faculty Spotlight
Keith Grable
Where did you grow up and go to school?
I’m a Colorado native from Thornton! I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. I graduated from Horizon High School.
Student Services Department
What is your work background?
In 2000, I got my first coaching job at Ranum H.S. as the wide receivers coach - thanks to Matt Brothers (now HFHS Offensive Coordinator), who hired me. From 2001 to 2019, I held various coaching roles in football at UNC, including wide receivers coach, running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, and work with the Academic Success Center. Since 2019, I’ve been teaching in guided studies/student services and coaching football and basketball at Holy Family.
Tell us about your family.
My beautiful wife Susan and I met at UNC and have been married for 21 years. We have three amazing boys: Jaxon, a 2024 Holy Family graduate and now at Colorado Mesa and playing football; Ryan, a rising senior at Holy Family, and Austin, an incoming freshmen coming from St. John the Baptist. We also have two dogs, Hershey and Coco.
My parents are Colorado natives and high school sweethearts from Northglenn High School. My brother Dean and I are twins!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your high school self?
It’s not about YOU! There’s a bigger cause - have an attitude of gratitude.
What do you love most about teaching at Holy Family?
Definitely the students, the people I get to work with, and watching the students grow and develop in all areas of their lives.
Favorite sports team?
Nuggets, Broncos, Avs, Rockies - and of course, the Holy Family Tigers!
First concert & last concert?
First concert: Bruce Springsteen
Last concert: Nate Smith
Starbucks order?
Venti coffee with cream.
What are some little-known facts about you that might surprise people?
I received the sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Eucharist alongside my two older boys on May 10, 2018 - just one day after my 41st birthday.
I played two sports in college along with my brother Dean - football and basketball - and won back-to-back national championships as a wide receiver for UNC in 1996 and 1997.
I played in the Colorado state high school championship basketball game against current NBA coach Chauncey Billups. Also, Joe Cronin - now the GM of the Portland Trail Blazers - was my teammate in both high school and college.
The Grable family (left to right): Austin, Ryan, Keith, Susan, and Jaxon.
Keith Grable and his twin brother, Dean.
Keith coaching during the boys basketball run to the state title in 2023.
Alumni Spotlight Maggie Grout's Mission to Build a Better Future
'17 Maggie Grout
When Maggie Grout walked the halls of Holy Family High School as a student, she carried with her a quiet intensity, a drive for perfection, and the earliest seeds of a world-changing idea. Today, she’s the Founder and CEO of Thinking Huts, an international nonprofit using innovative 3D-printing technology to build schools in underserved communities - and she’s been named a Next Generation Leader by Time magazine.
The idea for Thinking Huts began when Maggie was just 15 years old, sparked by a conversation with her dad about inequality and the transformative power of education. By the time she graduated from Holy Family in 2017, her nonprofit had already secured 501(c)(3) status. “High school felt like the right time to begin,” she says. “I thought to myself, I could make this my career - even if it might take a bit longer.”
Born in a rural village in Dawu County, Hubei, China, Maggie was found abandoned in a basket as a newborn and later adopted at 18 months. Growing up in the U.S., she became deeply aware of how access to education shaped her life - a privilege she knew many children across the globe did not share. That realization became the driving force behind her mission.
Using architectural-scale 3D printers, Thinking Huts constructs sustainable schools with greater efficiency and less waste than traditional building methods. The organization completed its first school in Madagascar in 2022, and is now working to expand into Kenya, with Mexico under consideration. Maggie partners with local communities to ensure the schools are not only built, but maintained and staffed. “Ultimately, our goal is to solve the problem we set out to address,” she says. “In a perfect world, Thinking Huts would no longer be necessary.”
and innovation.
Maggie’s work has earned her international recognition, including features on Good Morning America and in Architectural Digest, Forbes, and InStyle. But despite the accolades, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. One of the biggest, she says, is expanding the organization’s network and finding skilled volunteers to join the cause. Thinking Huts runs entirely on donations
During a Q&A session in Madagascar, Maggie Grout speaks with students about entrepreneurship
Maggie Grout stands outside the newly completed school in Madagascar, following the postopening ceremony
and merchandise sales. “People can support us by sharing our mission, hosting fundraisers, or connecting us with partners who want to make a real impact,” she says.
Reflecting on her time at Holy Family, Maggie credits her teachers and experiences with helping her grow beyond her naturally introverted personality. “I was focused and driven - my family would probably say intense,” she laughs. “But my teachers encouraged me to speak up, to take on leadership roles. I went from being a wallflower to more of a sunflower.”
Some faculty made a particularly lasting impression on her. Dr. Gumerlock
supported her as President of the Latin Club, a role that led her into Student Council. English teacher Delmar Bishop brightened her day with simple compliments and encouraged her to stand out.
Now, as a young CEO, Maggie continues to grow as a leader. She’s learned to be discerning about advice, to prioritize wellness, and to give herself grace in the face of hard decisions. “Running a company is hard,” she admits. “There are sacrifices. But holding space for balance and relationships is just as important.”
To current Holy Family students wondering how they might make a
difference, Maggie offers this wisdom: “You don’t need to have all the answers today - you just need to begin. Maybe you find your passion at 15 like I did, or maybe at 35. Either way, making a difference starts with choosing to love others selflessly and taking that first step.”
We couldn’t be more proud of Maggie Grout and the extraordinary impact she’s making in the world. Her vision, determination, and heart for service reflect the very best of Holy Family. We are honored to call her one of our own.
Maggie Grout on-site as the groundbreaking 3D-printed school begins to take shape in Madagascar.
Maggie Grout joins student council members for a photo at Bougainvillea School in Madagascar.
Maggie Grout shares a quiet moment with a team member on-site in Madagascar.
Where are They Now
Catching up with a few of our graduates
From college campuses to careers and callings, our alumni are living out the values they formed at Holy Family. We caught up with a few graduates to see where life has taken them - and how their time here continues to shape their journey.
Taylor Jones
'20
Taylor Jones ‘20 is making a meaningful impact in the nonprofit sector. As a consultant with the Bannack Group, based in Bozeman, MT, Taylor leverages his expertise in marketing, fundraising, and research to help nonprofits achieve their missions. His contributions span diverse sectors, including youth sports, healthcare, conservation, education, and veteran affairs, where he plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, fundraising initiatives, and donor outreach efforts.
Taylor graduated from Montana State University in 2023, earning a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a minor in Political Science.
Mary Kate Cavanaugh
'24
After an incredible freshman season diving for Indiana University, a powerhouse in NCAA swimming & diving, Mary Kate Cavanaugh
’24 qualified for the NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Championships and this past May she represented Team USA at the 2025 Pan American Aquatics Championships in Medellin, Colombia, where she brought home a Bronze medal!
Peter Matthew Galmish
'19
Peter Matthew Galmish ‘19 recently earned his Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture - and received the prestigious 2025 Lois E. Nichols Prize.
This award honors excellence in architectural hand-draftsmanship in the tradition of the École des Beaux-Arts, recognizing Peter’s outstanding artistry and commitment to the classical foundations of architecture. Peter is set to join Curtis & Windham Architects in Houston this summer.
Sami McGee '20
Sami McGee ‘20 discovered her passion for making people feel confident at the Aveda Institute after graduating from Holy Family. Now a successful hairstylist and business owner, Sami has run her own studio for over two years, specializing in color and extensions. Her love for the business side of the beauty industry inspired her to launch her own hair extension company - an exciting venture that continues to grow. Sami recently got engaged to fellow Class of 2020 grad, Joe Sarno.
Abby Stokes
'19
Abby Stokes ‘19 is making waves in the world of sports media. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of BaylorVision within the Baylor University Athletic Department. In her role, she coordinates and oversees ESPN+ broadcasts and produces and directs video board shows for Baylor football and basketball.
Before joining Baylor’s team, Abby sharpened her skills as the Director of Broadcast and Media for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Abby graduated from Baylor in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Alyssa Wells
'21
From Holy Family to Team USA! Alyssa Wells ’21 recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from George Fox University in Oregon - where she also led the Bruins in scoring during both her junior and senior seasons. This fall, her remarkable journey as a deaf student-athlete continues as she heads to Japan to represent Team USA at the 2025 Deaflympics.
Many people she meets don’t realize Alyssa is deaf - she uses a cochlear implant, which allows her to hear. She continues to prove that being deaf is not a barrier - it’s just a different way of moving through the world.
Holy Family Students Enter the Church
This past Easter, 10 Holy Family High School students were baptized and received into the Catholic Church, and another 9 were brought into full communion with the Church at a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Jorge Rodriguez.
These 19 students have been preparing to receive their sacraments, thanks especially to Holy Family's Dogmatics class, which was instituted last year by the school chaplain, Father John Stapleton, and campus minister, Myrna Remington.
Among the Catechumens, I had the opportunity to speak to three students who decided to take the plunge into the Catholic faith despite all growing up in non-Catholic or non-practicing households.
By Clare Nowak, Holy Family Theology Dept.
Finding Christ in the Eucharist Freshman Karson Hanna came to Holy Family for the Poms team, which is nationally ranked, but she says she’s becoming Catholic because she’s encountered Christ in the Eucharist. When she learned about the Dogmatics class, which would allow her to receive her sacraments, she jumped at the opportunity.
“The Catholic faith has always been super interesting to me,” Karson said. “But I've never really known where to start with it.” Karson explained that she grew up attending church on Christmas and Easter, but her family wasn’t overly involved. Joining the Holy Family community made it easier to explore Christianity more broadly.
Her Freshman Theology classes, which are entirely focused on studying
Scripture, have helped deepen her understanding, but it was the Eucharist that captivated her and solidified her decision to become Catholic.
“Being surrounded by Catholics…I could just be at lunch and talking to my friends about it,” she said of her newly deepened faith. “That's something I couldn't do before at a public school. And I really like it.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to find a ride to Mass,” she said, “But when you do go, it's really worth it. It's so worth it when you go. And even if you can’t make it to the Masses they have after school here, try to pray every night and read the Scriptures.”
Her advice to others her age? “Don’t be like ‘Oh, I gotta go to Mass.’ Make it fun. Learn for it to be fun.”
Freshman Karson Hanna
Holy Family Students
Enter the Church
Finding Christ in Another
Senior Matt Sakkaris explained his decision to become Catholic was fostered especially by his encounter with Christ in another student at Holy Family. Matt, who was raised Greek Orthodox but didn’t practice, has attended Catholic school since kindergarten.
“I never really bought into it fully,” he said. “I was just kind of like, yeah, God's real, but I just kind of did my own thing.” That all changed when he attended the Kairos retreat, a threeday retreat in the mountains for juniors at Holy Family. “I went on Kairos, and it was a life-changing experience for me,” he said, explaining that during adoration, he really prayed. “I never heard God directly talk to me, but the whole point of Kairos is encountering Christ.”
His friend John, whom he’s been friends with since third grade, was also on that Kairos, and the two of them stayed up talking every night until 4 a.m. After that, Matt began asking more questions about the faith and finding good answers.
“There's an explanation for everything,” Matt shared, saying he started to find intelligent resources for Christianity online and among the people he knows. “It's really affirming to know that these people actually know what they're talking about.”
From those late-night conversations, Matt and John’s friendship grew.
“When I got to the point where I decided to take the Dogmatics class, I asked John to be my sponsor,” Matt recalled.
This last semester, Matt attended Kairos again as a senior and a leader. “I was sitting in Adoration and thinking about how the whole point of Kairos is the encounter with Christ. I never really realized that John was kind of my encounter with Christ,” he said.
Finding Yourself in Christ’s Love
Senior Francesca Narvaes decided to go through with the Dogmatics class during a pilgrimage to Rome with a group from Holy Family led by Dave Good, a Holy Family teacher known for his trips to Italy.
“Father John and I were buddies (touring the Churches), so I was able to ask him questions about everything,” she noted, saying the beauty of the faith struck her heart even before she had worked out the teachings of the Church intellectually.
Father John Stapleton, Holy Family’s chaplain, encouraged her to sign up for the Dogmatics class to receive her sacraments. “I was like, ‘Yeah, maybe,’” she recalled responding.
Francesca also grew up in a non-practicing family. “I grew up Christian,” she said, “but I didn't really know God until I came to Holy Family.” Francesca’s grandparents are Catholic, and she remembers attending Church some Sundays when she visited them.
“My grandma would teach me stuff about the Rosary when I would go to visit her…I was definitely exposed to things, and it was a part of my life in a very small way,” Francesca explained. “But I got to Holy Family, and it was kind of like I was thrown into a country where I didn't speak the language.”
Francesca found her Theology classes especially fruitful. “I've learned so much and have come to really know who God is and what faith is all about… It doesn’t matter what’s going on in your life - it’s true and good, and it just always remains that way.”
Ultimately, Francesca was interested in taking Dogmatics to learn more about Catholicism but wasn’t sure if she was ready to commit to becoming Catholic, even asking if she could sign up for the class and decide later. Though she already had her schedule for her last year of high school completed, she
Senior Matt Sakkaris
Senior Francesa Narvaes
decided to add Dogmatics at the last minute.
“The first thing that attracted me (to Catholicism) was coming to really know my identity as Christ's daughter. That was probably the biggest thing... And at the center of all of it is God’s love,” she said.
In short, for Francesca, the love of Christ was the answer to the ambush of the world’s lies.
“I think it's hard to be a girl,” she said. “But when I came to know how God sees me - that’s the truth. In the world, there are all these lies, but that's the truth. So knowing that he says this about me and that these other things are lies, and that he loves me so greatly - that’s the center of it all: the love of Christ. And my heart is drawn towards that love.”
How Encounter Evangelizes
There is a growing hunger among young people for the Catholic faith.
Those Holy Family students being received into this Church have chosen the Catholic faith because in it they want to find Christ.
During his address at the 15th World Youth Day, St. John Paul II exhorted those massive crowds of young people from around the world not to tire in their search. He said, “It is Jesus in fact that you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise.”
These Holy Family students have found Christ truly present in the Eucharist. They have found Christ in the faithful testimony of other Christians. They have found Christ in the beauty of the Church. And finding Christ, they have found themselves to be loved.
All evangelization efforts succeed or
fail insofar as they bring people into communion with Christ. Young people want to know what is true. They want to know who they are. They want to know that they are loved unconditionally. They want to know Christ.
Senior Katherine Willetto with Bishop Jorge Rodriguez.
Bishop Jorge Rodriguez with the nine students who were brought into full communion with the Church in April.
Junior Iker Alfaro and Bishop Jorge Rodriguez.
Tiger Gala
The 34th annual Holy Family Tiger Gala took place on April 26, 2025, at the Omni Interlocken. This year, we honored longtime pillars of the Holy Family community, Bob and Patti Zarlengo, with the distinguished St. Joseph Award. Through decades of unwavering support, leadership, and vision, Bob and Patti have helped shape the heart and future of Holy Family. Their impact is woven into the very fabric of our school and has touched generations of students and families.
We proudly presented this year’s St. Joseph Award to Bob and Patti Zarlengo, a remarkable couple whose steadfast dedication and support have helped shape the Holy Family community.
Parents Breeze and Seth Gunderson pose next to a vintage Ford Model A as they arrive at the Omni.
Parent Mauri Roberts celebrates after winning an escape to Cabo in the Live Auction.
Holy Family’s poms team takes the dance floor for a routine that brought the Roaring 20s to life!
Parent Trey Schott searches intensely for an out-of-state driver’s license during a lively game of Heads or Tails. Trey eventually took home the grand prize: a MacBook Pro!
Embracing a spirited Roaring ’20s theme, the evening was hosted by Class of 2006 alumna Simone De Alba and brought in more than $630,000 in critical funds for tuition assistance and the Fund for Holy Family. Adding to the excitement, our nationally ranked poms dance team wowed the crowd with a vintage-inspired performance that lit up the dance floor.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the mission and spirit of Holy Family High School. Your generosity and enthusiasm embody the very best of our community. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, underwriters, and the dedicated Tiger Gala planning committee for making this unforgettable evening possible.
Parents Jason & Shelley Suta joined by Jessica McBryant and Joe Lorusso at the Tiger Gala cocktail reception.
Parents Shaun & Keaton Howe showing their support through the Direct Appeal.
Grandparents and long-time supporters, Vic and Norma Frank, participating in the Direct Appeal.
Alumna and current Holy Family parent Kristen (Villegas) Hamill ’99 stands to be recognized alongside fellow alumni in attendance at the Gala.
Holy Family alums, and current parents, Matt Merrion ’97 and Jaime (O’Donnell) Merrion ’97.
Honoring the Fallen
On May 15, we paused to honor the brave men and women of law enforcement who have been killed in the line of duty.
Officers from the Louisville, Thornton, and the Broomfield Police Departments
joined members of Broomfield City Government and our school community for a special tribute. During the ceremony, Holy Family students respectfully retired and replaced the United States flag, then it was lowered to half-staff by the Broomfield Police
Department Honor Guard in solemn remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The ceremony also featured a bagpipe salute by retiring Holy Family Security Director Scott Hughes.
The Wizard of Oz
Holy Family’s spring musical, The Wizard of Oz, captivated audiences during an unforgettable six-performance run that showcased the talent of our student cast and crew. From the dazzling costumes to the beautifully constructed sets and expertly delivered performances, every detail reflected months of hard work and collaboration.
The entire theater community - on stage and behind the scenes - proved once again that Holy Family is home to some truly remarkable talent.
Congratulations to the cast, crew, and production team on a spectacular show!
Mackenzie Redlinger ‘25
Isabel Minjarez ’25, Christian Banda ‘25
Danika Bernica ‘26, Sergio Marquez ’25, Sophie Hill ‘25
Noel Hein ‘25
Hollis London ‘27, Aliana Martinez ‘26, Molly Spinks 26
Christian Banda ’25, Claire Hulquest ’25, Isabel Minjarez ’25, Andrea Prado Estevez ‘27
Luis Romero ’25, Peyton Venn ‘26
Adeline Bralish ‘25
Class Notes
CLASS OF 1975
50-Year Reunion
Fri., Sept. 5, 2025 - Cocktail party at the home of Kathy (Gacnik) Pettit in Arvada. Sat., Sept. 6 - Dinner at the Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Email: hfhs1975@yahoo.com
Members of the Class of 1975 were honored with their “Golden Diploma” at Holy Family’s Graduation on May 22, 2025.
CLASS OF 1993
Rob Pickup ’93, and his wife, Rhonda, celebrated the graduation of their daughter, Raelynn, from Holy Family on May 22, 2025.
CLASS OF 20 05
20-Year Reunion
Saturday, July 19, 2025. To stay up to date on details and connect with fellow alumni, join the Class of 2005 Facebook Group at facebook.com/ groups/holyfamily2005. For questions or to RSVP, email holyfamilyclass2005@gmail.com.
CLASS OF
20 15
Mary Lombardi ’15 was married to John Eldredge on October 4, 2024, in Virginia. Bridesmaids included Victoria Cannella ’15 and Antonia Cannella ’15.
CLASS OF 20 16
Emma Stokes ’16 and Steven Pomykalski got engaged in Alexandria, Virginia, in January 2025.
CLASS OF 2017
Joseph Fountaine ‘17 and Megan McDaid-O’Neill were engaged on February 1, 2025, in Seattle.
CLASS OF 2020
Sami McGee ’20 and Joe Sarno ’20 got engaged in San Diego in March 2025.
CLASS OF 20 21
Toni Schafer ’21 and Liam Gray ’21 were engaged in South Carolina in May 2025.
CLASS OF 20 22
Alexandria Gollas ’22 and Luke Carlon ’22 and were engaged on January 6, 2025, in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
