21 minute read
From the Stage to Behind the Scenes Kathleen Czel
KATHLEEN CZEL ‘08
An Immaculate show is a massive feat of personal and group effort. It’s hard to fathom the organization and management required to bring the project to opening night. As producer of both the Fall Drama and the Spring Musical, Kathleen Czel ‘08 is a key player in making it all happen. “My job is supporting the production and making sure everything happens,” said Ms. Czel. “Everything” includes administrative tasks, fiscal management, communication, fundraising, procurement, marketing, security, providing direction and encouragement to students, and pitching Though very shy when she entered IHS, Ms. Czel auditioned for the musical after Mary in on the crew. It all begins with a meeting with the director - Alexa Wild for the drama or Matt Farina for the musical - to come up with a working outline of what is required to achieve their vision. “Kathleen is a phenomenal producer,” said Alexa Wild, IHS English teacher. “She has an innate sense of not only what needs to be done and when, but also how to get everything done in an efficient and timely manner.” in Les Miserables and Snug in A Midsummer Night’s Dream in her senior year. While studying for her BS in Secondary Education/English, she returned to help on every show in whatever capacity was needed - lights, sound, photography, costumes, runner, assistant director. An opening in the IHS English Department was a dream opportunity which became reality when she was hired. As a faculty member she continued her involvement in the shows, eventually becoming producer for both the musical and the drama. Raymond, then director, encouraged her. Ms. Czel helps foster the type of community Despite not being cast, she worked on the that she found so affirming as a student crew and found that she had become part herself. She acts as a mentor for many, of something wonderful. “When you work helping them set realistic goals and on a show, a family is created. You spend supporting them through the hard work it months working so hard together. I found takes to achieve those goals. a supportive community where there truly “She has a compassionate connection with are no small roles,” remembers Ms. Czel. her students that is fair-minded, honest, kind Growing as a performer, she played Fantine and fun! Students experience her dedication
to community through collaborating with her in a nonacademic setting,” notes Matt Farina. Mrs. Wild added “Not everyone wants or needs the spotlight, and Kathleen has
been essential in recognizing those who prefer to work on the sets, lights or in stage management and assisting them with the complexities and responsibilities of their roles. It is really beautiful to witness - and exactly why we do what we do - to see students find something in themselves that they didn’t know they had.”
Quiet and observant, Ms. Czel sees what needs to be done and responds. Experienced, she has served in nearly every capacity on stage, backstage, technical and artistic, and has been both the shy newbie and the star. Humble, her first object is the success of the show with a positive experience for each student involved. “Kathleen seeks no recognition for what she does, however she should be recognized for the important role she plays in our production staff,” concludes Mrs. Wild. “In the midst of responding to the needs of students, parents, vendors and her directors, Kathleen stays calm and collected, guiding us through the many unexpected issues that arise in the course of a production.”
WINNERS
Best Original Music in A Play:
Vincent Fontenelli ‘21
Best Comic Male Performance in
a Play: Jack Gibowicz ‘22
NOMINATIONS
Congratulations to director Alexa Wild, producer Kathleen Czel and the following students for receiving prestigious Halo awards nominations for the Fall Drama “Play On!”
Best Comic Male Performance in a Play:
Robert Fontenelli ‘21 and Jack Gibowicz ‘22
Best Comic Female Performance in a
Play: Nicole Kolitsas ‘21
Best Female Standout Performance in an
Ensemble: Elizabeth Flaherty ‘20
Best Performance by a Cast in an
Best Costume Design: Lizzie Varda ‘20
Best Props Design and Management: Jenna Vieux ‘21 and Erica Penny ‘20
Best Original Program Cover Design:
Grace Garvey ‘21
Best Performance by a Couple or
Dynamic Duo in a Play: Trey Michaelsen ‘20 and Camille Vail ‘20
Best Female Standout Performance in an
Ensemble: Elizabeth Flaherty ‘20
Whether beginner or experienced, Immaculate students can learn and grow in the arts. Students cite the supportiveness of their peers and the interest faculty take in each individual student as key to creating an environment in which they can develop their understanding and capabilities in their chosen medium. Many students try something for the first time and are rewarded by learning something new about themselves. Others who have been doing something for years reach new heights in execution. The arts are an essential element in teaching the whole student, bringing about self-awareness and understanding of the world while honing personal skills that contribute to their success well beyond high school. Below are some IHS students who received recognition for their work in the arts this year.
Elizabeth Flaherty ‘20 was recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools for outstanding ability in music. She is co-president of the a cappella club, a member of honors chorus and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She performs in the school musicals and plays piano and trumpet. The CAS recognizes students who “excel in the performing and visual arts and demonstrate scholarship and leadership.”
Band student Anna Flaherty ‘22 performed in the prestigious Western Region Music Festival on January 18 sponsored by the CT Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education. After achieving a high score in the Western Region auditions, she was selected to rehearse and perform with the 100-member All-Star Concert Band at the festival.
Danielle Garcia ‘22 is a member of a tap dance team which won a bronze medal at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships, the “dance Olympics of tap,” in Riesa, Germany in November. The team performed in a formation category, requiring the team to execute line formations as the dancers move in perfect synchronization.
Abby Giansiracusa ‘21 was named Student of the Month for Fine Arts for her personal interest in music, the time and effort she puts into developing her voice and her desire to promote music education throughout the school. Student of the Month is a faculty-nominated and IHS Recognition Committee selected honor. The committee takes nominations in a different subject area each month.
Robert Fontenelli
‘21 placed third in the student category at the Richter Association for the Arts 41st Annual Juried Art Show and Sale with his entry “Look Up,” a colored pencil and marker drawing.
Grace Tirado ‘21 received an Honorable Mention in the CT Regional Scholastic Art Awards competition, the largest juried student art exhibition in the State. Her graphic design artwork “Transportation to Mars” was selected from over 3,000 entries.
Anna Kopec ‘23 won a Pearl Award for her art submission to the 2019 Ocean Awareness Contest sponsored by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs. Her drawing “Beautiful,” which focused on plastic pollution’s impact on oceans, was selected from more than 3,500 entries and is featured in Bow Seat’s gallery that showcases student advocacy artwork. She was also chosen to have an original drawing of a tiger displayed in the iCreate2020 exhibit at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT this summer.
Spencer Squitieri ‘21
won a prestigious Gold Key from the regional Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards competition for his short story “First Loves Always Run Away,” which looks at how the individual internal conflicts of two people in a committed relationship impact the future of the relationship.
Camille Vail ‘20 was recognized twice by the Danbury Cultural Commission. She received second place honors in the Short Story Writing Contest for her story “Despair” and third place honors in the Poetry Writing Contest for her poem “I See A World.”
Elizabeth Varda ‘20 was recognized by the Connecticut Association of Schools for outstanding ability in art. She works in a variety of media, but her favorite is textiles/ fashion design and she has created costumes for Immaculate’s drama and musical productions, earning a Halo Award designing costumes for Pippin in Spring of 2019. The CAS recognizes students who “excel in the performing and visual arts and demonstrate scholarship and leadership.”
IHS faculty also receive recognition. Recently the National Association for Music Education - Council for Guitar Education chose music and band teacher Niall Reynolds to represent Connecticut in their series “50 States of Guitar Classes.” In his beginner and honors guitar classes students, after learning the basics, form bands which prepare pieces for performance. 21
2019-20 sports
FIELD HOCKEY SWC CHAMPIONS
The Lady Mustangs Field Hockey team kept the momentum from their CIAC Class S State Championship win last year and continued to dominate both offensively and defensively in the 2019-20 Season! Finishing their pre-season with an incredible 15-1 record, field hockey qualified for both the SWC and State tournaments.
Immaculate entered the SWC tournament as the No. 2 seed and shut out each opponent on their way to the championship game. Then on a rainy afternoon in November, the Immaculate High School girls field hockey team didn’t let the cold, dreary weather dampen their drive and defeated New Milford 1-0, winning the SWC Championship!
Emma Halas ‘21 scored the only goal of the game and was named the tournament MVP. Emma reflects, “I am proud of the hard work that every single person put in. It was such a team effort. We’ve all worked so hard to get here... it was such a good moment. We came in with double the fire and we were ready to play.” This was the second SWC Championship victory for the Lady Mustangs in the past 3 years having also won in 2017.
Lauren Oskam ‘20, one of Connecticut’s top goalies, did not let a single ball get into her net for the entire tournament! Coach Shannon Horosky says, “I think one of Lauren’s key strengths is her game sense and her command of our field. She is a very vocal goalie and she directs our defense to where she needs them to be. She also has great movement, something that I attribute to her playing ice hockey. She is quick and smart in goal.”
The success of the field hockey team this season can be attributed to all its members. Special honors were awarded to the following players: Molly Coyle ‘20, Celia Preveza ‘21 and Lauren Oskam ‘20: All SWC and All State 1st Team; Emma Halas ‘21: All State 2nd Team and All Patriot; Abby Giansiracusa ‘21 and Victoria Bono ‘20: Honorable Mentions; Caroline Brown ‘20, Francesca Coppola ‘20, Alexys Garden ‘21 and Morgan Begler ‘21: All Patriot. Congratulations on an amazing season and becoming the reigning SWC Champions!
Girls Volleyball finished 17-7 and made their way to the State semifinals! The Lady Mustangs beat East Hampton 3-1 in the first round at home, then proceeded to win the next two games against Cromwell 3-2 and #2 Aerospace 3-0 on the road to advance to the State semifinals.This is Coach Caity Van Camp’s first year and the first time the volleyball program has advanced to the State semifinals in its six-year history! Seniors Alissa Brugnatelli, Gillian Chapleau, Elizabeth Flaherty, Emma Mortara, and Gabby Rynne have all been consistent players and leaders that helped fuel the team’s run to the State semifinals. Congratulations to Aleksandra Box ‘21, the first IHS volleyball player to be named to the Connecticut All-State Girls Volleyball Class S Second Team, All-SWC First Team and AllTournament honors.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The boys basketball team started its season capturing the Candlewood Classic Championship. Sebastian Parenti ‘21 and Diego Echavarria ‘20 were awarded All-Tournament honors for their efforts, while Sean Guiry ‘20 was named Candlewood Classic MVP. They were named the 2020 Patriot Division Champions for the South Western Conference with a final season record of 21-2. Led by senior captains Sean Guiry, Joey Rios, Diego Echavarria, the #1 seeded Mustangs had 19 straight wins going into the SWC tournament setting a school record. They finished runners-up in the SWC final to Kolbe Cathedral. Heading into the Division I State tournament the #4 ranked Mustangs were set to play in the semifinals on their run to a fourth State Championship title when their season was cut short due to COVID-19. The Immaculate’s boys basketball program, coached by Nelson Mingachos for the past 14 years, was ranked #8 in the Top 10 Most Dominant CT High School Boys Basketball Programs of the Decade by MaxPreps.
BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
The boys and girls cross country teams finished the regular season as Patriot Division Champions! The girls team was the SWC runnerup. Junior Ailene Doherty and sophomore Kayla Ondy finished in the top 10 with Ailene finishing 4th and Kayla finishing 6th. The girls finished second in the Class “SS” State Championship race, with great finishes from Ailene Doherty ‘21 (2nd), Kayla Ondy ‘22 (5th), Keelin Bremner ‘23 (9th) and Brigid Gage ‘20 (11th). The girls also qualified to compete in the State Open and New England Championships meets. The boys team placed 5th in the SWC Championship, with James Sullivan ‘20 finishing 3rd, Drew Mitchell ‘20, and Ryan McNerney ‘20 followed in 13th and 18th place. In the Class “SS” State Championship Meet, James was in the Top 10 with a 6th place finish!
Brigid Gage
Michelle DeMotte
Sacred Heart University Cheerleading
Isabella Font
Molly Coyle
College of William & Mary - Cross Country and Track & Field
James Sullivan
Madison Flamme
Eastern Connecticut State University Softball
Ryan McNerney
Middlebury College Cross Country and Track & Distance Running
Joey Rios
Central Connecticut State University Baseball
Kevin Curry
Savannah College of Art and Design - Lacrosse
The sprint medley team of Molly Coyle
‘21 and Isabel Taiman ‘23 won gold at the Indoor Track State Championship meet.
Molly Coyle Wins Three Gold Medals at State Championship
Senior Molly Coyle won the 600m at the SWC Indoor Track Championship and three gold medals in the 600m, 4x800 relay, and the sprint medley at the Indoor Track State Championship.
The 4x800 team of Molly Coyle ‘20, Kayla
Ondy ‘22, Lauren Manning ‘22, and
Ailene Doherty ‘21 took first place at the State Championship. They then went on to be named All New England for finishing third in the 4x800 relay at the New England Championships.
Coach Brian Hayes Named Coach of the Year
Coach Brian Hayes received the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Award for Outstanding Coach of the Year for Girls Cross Country. This is his second big honor in two years, as last year he was named the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association’s Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year for Connecticut. Coach Hayes has led our girls and boys cross country, indoor track and track & field teams to many victories including State championships since he began coaching at Immaculate in 2004.
Joe Robinson Receives Ice Hockey Award
Congratulations to Joe Robinson ‘20 for receiving the Hobey Baker High School Character Award for outstanding individual performance on and off the ice. The award is given to high school hockey players who exemplify the Hobey Baker ideal that “Character Builds Excellence,” and recipients must show coachability, strength of character, integrity, commitment, teamwork, community leadership and outstanding sportsmanship.
Petta and McGovern Named CT Scholar Athletes for Girls Swimming
Lauren Petta ‘20 and Devin McGovern ‘21 were named CT Scholar Athletes by USA Swimming — only about 100 high school juniors and seniors received the award out of thousands of high school USA swimmers.
IHS Cheerleading Takes First Place
The IHS Cheerleaders took first place at the Third Annual Hawks Nest Cheer Fest competition with their flawless routine with zero deductions and zero penalties.
2Connecticut Scholar Athletes 5 H o n o r a b l e M e n t i o n 3 All Patriot Division Team Champions 1 Coach of the Year SWC CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM 37 All SWC Academic Team SWC 14 1st & 2nd Team Athletes 12 All State Athletes Athletes 1 All New England Track Relay team All New England Athletes 4 14 All Patriot Athletes
We could not have asked for a better day to host our SOLD OUT 30th Annual Golf Outing and honor our Golden “T” Award recipient Tony Mercaldo! Many supportive friends of Immaculate including 54 alumni, 40 parents and parents of alumni, 12 School Advisory Board members, 11 faculty/staff and friends of Immaculate gathered to enjoy the beautiful sunshine, blue skies and green fairways at Ridgewood Country Club. Excitement buzzed on the golf course when Paul Myott ‘86 hit a Hole in One to win the 2019 Jeep Wrangler Sport sponsored by Wetmore’s Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram!
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 31ST ANNUAL GOLF OUTING ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2020!
Golf Outing Sponsors, Donors & Volunteers Sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Melillo & Mitchell, LLC Wilshire Real Estate Advisors
GOLD SPONSORS
Beautiful News Christian Books and Gifts-Danbury Mittler, Mercaldo & Braun, PC
SILVER SPONSORS
Earthmovers, Inc. NY-CONN Corporation Pana Roofing, Siding & Coppersmiths
GOLF GIVEAWAY SPONSORS
Ice Energy Vision Designs
$100,000 SHOOT OUT SPONSOR
CironeFriedberg, LLP, CPAs Bethel/Shelton/Stamford
HOLE IN ONE SPONSORS
Ingersoll Auto of Danbury Wetmore’s Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram
CART SPONSOR
Westchester Modular Homes, Inc.
CIGAR SPONSOR The Summit at Danbury
DINNER SPONSOR
Stephen and Sunday Piccolo
LUNCH SPONSOR
DiVestea Wealth Partners of Raymond James
COCKTAIL SPONSOR
The Summit at Danbury
BEER & WINE SPONSOR
NY-CONN Corporation
GOLF BALL SPONSOR
Law Offices of Lawrence M. Riefberg, LLC
GOLF BALL CANNON SPONSORS
Anonymous NY-CONN Corporation Pana Roofing, Siding & Coppersmiths Jennifer & Sam Rosenblum and family
PIN FLAG & TEE SPONSORS:
Sal, Ellen & Parker Chieffalo Del-Tron Precision, Inc. Hollandia Nursery NY-CONN Corporation Triple M Painting, LLC
TEE SIGN SPONSORS:
A & J Construction Carl and Lauren Bailey Mayor Mark Boughton Caraluzzi’s Markets Mr. & Mrs. Brendan Deakin DiVestea Wealth Partners of Raymond James Benjamin V. Doto III, P.E., LLC Earthmovers, Inc. Elmer’s Diner The Goddard School of Danbury The Goode Family The Hoxie Family PIN FLAG SPONSORS: Beautiful News Christian Books and Gifts Bob & Barbara (Pawlisak) Mahoney Classes of 1972 and 1970 Preferred Maintenance, Inc. Many, many thanks to our Golf Co-Chairs Scott Mitchell ‘81 Iovino Brothers Daniel P. Jowdy Treasurer City of Danbury THANK YOU TO OUR GOLF OUTING VOLUNTEER and Sal Chieffalo ‘81 and all of our sponsors, participants and volunteers, whose support and assistance made the day possible. The tournament raised over $43,000 this year to benefit the students and programs of IHS. Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home Danbury Daniel P. Jowdy-Director Kane Funeral Home Ridgefield Daniel P. Jowdy-Director McKenna Orthodontics Michael Mazzucco, P.C. Mono-Crete Step, LLC Mustang Basketball Camp The Rizzo Family Rose & Kiernan, Inc. Thomas J. Saadi Commissioner CT Dept. of Veteran Affairs Savings Bank of Danbury Silent Watchman Security COMMITTEE Sally Wilson Corrinne DiVestea LaNette Sapenter Elaine Malgieri Ursula Hanavan Kimber Windas Lisamarie Font Heidi Flaherty Denise Fontenelli Beverly Massoni Carol Goode Cathy Rossman Rebecca Mercaldo Janice Lenz Noreen Fanella Services The Soltis Family St. Rose of Lima Church Van Houten & Company, LLC
mmaculate I mmaculate High School was proud to host our first-ever virtual event, The Un-Gala In Wonderland, which featured a virtual performance from our own Immaculate High School Concert Choir and recognized our honorees Ralph A. McIntosh ‘68, Nancy K. Dolan Leadership Award Recipient and Marie Proverb, Distinguished Service Award Recipient. In these unprecedented times, we were awed and inspired by our Immaculate family who came together with unyielding support for the students and mission of Immaculate High School. More than $175,000 was raised through sponsorships, live and silent auctions, raffles and a virtual “raise the paddle” for the Immaculate Fund.
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR 16TH ANNUAL GALA ON MAY 1, 2021 AT THE AMBER ROOM COLONNADE!
Msgr. Weiss receiving a check for winning the $10,000 cash raffle.
UN-GALA IN WONDERLAND
THANK YOU TO OUR Stephen and Sunday Piccolo Candlewood Gentle Dental PREMIUM & SPECIALTY DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE SPONSOR John Capilli Changes Hair Salon SPONSORS! Beautiful News Christian Books and Gifts Chick-Fil-A Chuck’s Steakhouse WONDERLAND EVENT SPONSOR Savings Bank of Danbury Cards & Keys Sponsor Capitol Hill Group Illuminate Me Sponsor Christian & Beth Conley Dental Associates of Connecticut Escape 101 QUEEN OF HEARTS SPONSORS Westchester Modular Homes, Inc. Wilshire Real Estate Advisors, LLC NY-CONN Corporation TWEEDLE DEE SPONSORS Scott Banning ‘87 and Wendy Weinstein, MD Joseph and Corrinne Figs Wood Fired Bistro Gerry & Helen Fitzgerald Robert & Denise Fontenelli Lisa Fontenelli Frank Pepe’s Family Owned Restaurants Frankie’s Hot Dogs MAD HATTER SPONSORS CironeFriedberg, LLP Law Offices of Lawrence M. Riefberg, LLC Newtown Savings Bank Regional Hospice Roger Electric Inc. Saint Rose of Lima Church DiVestea Preferred Maintenance, Inc. Saint Edward the Confessor Church THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS: 850 Wood Fired Restaurant ACT of Connecticut Bibek & Lisa Ghosh Peter & Kate Gibowicz Joanne Giorgio-Chapleau Greca Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar Hacienda don Manuel Restaurant Bob & Pam Harnett Paul Hiro Hi-Way Package Store MARCH HARE MOBILE BIDDING SPONSOR The Summit at Danbury Adam Broderick Spa & Salon Agave Amazing Lash Studio AMC Theatre Anonymous Homestead Inn Immaculate Parents Association Immaculate High School J. lawrence downtown CHESHIRE CAT SPONSOR Isabelle T. Farrington Mike & Janine Azzi Bagel Delight Bagelman Barbarie’s Black Angus Grill Jacqueline’s Restaurant and Bakery Jersey Mikes Jewelry Designs TEA PARTY SPONSORS McKenna Orthodontics Barnwood Grill Mike & Debbie Basile Bethel Cinema Jostens Ian & Janice Lenz Lesser Evil Lou’s Deli Luxx Nails Bill & Elaine Malgieri Kevin & Mary Maloney Market Place Restaurant Brian & Janet McGovern Mike Riccio Sports LLC Steve & Debbie Mitchell Murphy Basketball Camp Musicals at Richter Mustang Basketball Camp New Fairfield Animal Hospital Ruben & Joan Nogueira One Stop Cleaners Mark & Hilary Oskam Panera Bread Patricia’s Presents Gifts & Accessories Photos In Place Plaza Salon Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield Recreation Center Ridgefield Nail Bar Ridgewood Country Club Michael & Julie Riggs Robert Anthony’s Hair Salon Rosy Tomorrow’s Sinapi’s Pizza Square One Bar and Grill Stew Leonard’s Carol Stone Terra Restaurant Andrew & Diane Terzis The Club at River Oaks The Mohegan Tribe The Foundry Kitchen and Tavern The Pottery Factory The Spinning Wheel The Sycamore Drive-In The Toy Room Trader Joe’s Two Steps Downtown Grille UK Gourmet Ultimate Limousine Services Urban Street Pizza Varano Bakery Inc. Versed, Inc. Edouard & Marilyn Vieux Al & Suzanne Vitiello Westchester Modular Homes Western Connecticut State University Yoga Culture Zegarelli’s Restaurant
THANK YOU TO THE UN-GALA IN WONDERLAND VOLUNTEERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Co-Chairs: Elaine Malgieri & Lisamarie Font Master of Ceremony: Sal Chieffalo ‘81 Committee: Jen Cirone, Lynn Dudas, Maria Falcao, Helen Fitzgerland, Denise Fontenelli, Lisa Ghosh, Trish McKenzie, Melisa Moreau, Marilyn Vieux, Suzanne Brown Vitiello, Sally Wilson, Kimber Windas 27
