TOTUSTUUS LANSING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL WWW.LANSINGCATHOLIC.ORGMAGAZINE•SUMMER2022 totally yours RELENTLESS PURSUIT
FOR WISHESWHOEVERTOSAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE AND THAT OF THE GOSPEL WILL SAVE IT. WHAT PROFIT IS THERE FOR ONE TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND FORFEIT HIS LIFE? WHAT COULD ONE GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS LIFE? WHOEVER IS ASHAMED OF ME AND OF MY WORDS IN THIS FAITHLESS AND SINFUL GENERATION, THE SON OF MAN WILL BE ASHAMED OF WHEN HE COMES IN HIS FATHER’S GLORY WITH THE HOLY MARKANGELS.8:35-38
ur mission is to form students spiritually, intellectually, and socially into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. So, as we look back on this year and look forward to the future, it’s an incredible time to be a Lansing Catholic Cougar.
Spiritually, this year was incredibly fruitful. We welcomed the return of a powerful Kairos retreat, several mission trips, and inspiring personal testimonies from our students. Next year we will expand our opportunities for students and staff to encounter Christ personally. We will provide additional staff retreat days, an entirely new freshman retreat experience, and an expanded discipleship program.
Intellectually, as we assess the impact of COVID on learning and review our annual parent survey, it is clear that we need to invest in strengthening our intellectual formation. Therefore, after a successful test run this spring, we will be expanding our teacher professional development program to help teachers challenge students to academic excellence and inspire a lifelong love of learning. In addition, in a year when schools face significant teacher shortages, we are honored to bring on several veteran teachers to fill critical positions in chemistry, humanities, and literature.
Socially, our 2022 graduates were the first class to have all four years in our house system. The development of our house system has been instrumental in our students’ social and emotional formation. We also won two state championships in football and track and field this year, along with several league, district and regional championships. Next year, we look to increase the impact of our social formation with the additional development of our house system and integration of social formation across athletics, houses, and student life.
As the articles in this issue demonstrate, our community is full of people striving to pursue greatness in each of the cornerstones of Lansing Catholic. Rooted in our mission to form faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, this pursuit helps make Lansing Catholic the incredible community it is. May God bless you all this summer and GO COUGARS!
In Christ, Mr. Dominic Iocco
2 Totus Tuus | SUMMER 2022 | WWW.LANSINGCATHOLIC.ORG FROM THE PRESIDENT
We are also excited to be bringing on a very experienced learning support team. With a combined 40+ years of experience in educational support, this team will help all students reach their full potential. In addition, we are adding a dedicated staff member to help guide students through Lansing Catholic with a focus on their college or career ambitions. Finally, we are blessed to bring on a dedicated team to help expand reading and literacy support.
President | Lansing Catholic High School
O
CONNECT WITH US via the web at www.lansingcatholic.org and by following @lansingcatholic on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
WHAT ARE WE relentlessly pursuing?
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C23 11 — Journalism Class:
3 What’s INSIDE The Magazine of Lansing Catholic High School Summer www.lansingcatholic.org2022 Claire Boomer C08 Stephanie Van LAYOUTStephanieCaseyDougEDITORSKoeveringMooreC80BenPohlVandenbergVanKoeveringLizWebsterCONTRIBUTORSClaireBoomerC08KellyRichards/GRAPHICDESIGNClaireBoomerC08AndrewGallavanMikeKollethTomPearsonPHOTOGRAPHERS Totus Tuus is the official publication of Lansing Catholic High School and its predecessors: St. Mary, Resurrection, Msgr. Gabriels and O’Rafferty high schools. SUBMISSIONS & UPDATES Alumni updates and class notes can be submitted to alumni@lansingcatholic.org Story ideas and other comments can be directed to communications@lansingcatholic.org Lansing Catholic High School 501 Marshall Street Lansing, MI www.lansingcatholic.org517-267-210048912 PURSUITRELENTLESS 6 — Cover Story: Bo Poljan C22
C23 12 — Athletics 14 — Staff Features: Lynne Brennan and Steve Pohl 16 — Graduation 18 — Chaplain’s Update 19 — Mission Award Recipients Service: Keegan Pabst C14 Faith: Phong Vu C04 20 — Alumni: Kosta Kaldaras C18 21 — Alumni: Ed Tillett C98 22 — Alumni: Leah Hinman R62 23 — Alumni: Lisa (Green) Ramont C85 24 — Class Notes 27 — A Final Note Student 141210 DOCENS MODUM VIVENDI TEACHING A WAY OF LIFE 261413
IN THIS ISSUE Relentless Pursuit of Faith: Sam Matias C23 Service: Yoonyee Song C22 Excellence: Carly Flammini C22 Tradition: Luciana Guerrazzi C23 and James Wheeler Looking back at COVID Nancy Lee Bareham
by
10 — Student Features: Jeff
8 —
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 PRESENTING SPONSOR THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF LANSING CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL! 4 Totus Tuus | SUMMER 2022 | WWW.LANSINGCATHOLIC.ORG
5 CORKS + CUISINE ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5-STAR SPONSORS: DR. CHRISTOPHER ABOOD, M.D. ANONYMOUS JIM & MARY BIERGANS DOWDING INDUSTRIES SAM & JUDITH EYDE SAM & JESSICA EYDE PAT & JENNIFER GILLESPIE JOHN & MARY BETH PIRICH SPONSORS:PLATINUMPLATTER GREG & IMPACTBROGANCHRISSIE&FAMILYTHEDEANFAMILYMELISSAEYDESOLUTIONSPETE&STEPHANIEKRAMERMARK&LEANNEMELLINGDR.MATT&PAULAWILCOX 5 Thank you to all those who came out for Corks + Cuisine this past January! We loved having us all together in-person once again. Proceeds supported Lansing Catholic teacher’s Gifts to Greatness wishlists. Learn more about Gifts to Greatness or make a donation online at lansingcatholic.org/gifts-to-greatness And don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for next Corks + Cuisine event on Saturday, January 28, 2023. DICK & DIANE BLUNDY MATTHEW CHRISTOPHERGARYSTEVEMICHAELBIERGANSBUDACLEANJUICE&KARENCURRIEKEITH&ERINHAGEN&SHIRLEANHAUSERTHEHUTCHINSONFAMILY&KATRINAIAMARINOLEO&CATHERINEKEMPELRICK&SUZANNELASCHTHEPENCEFAMILYERNIE&DENISEPHILLIPSMARK&THERESEPIGGOTPROFIREWORKSRIEHLSOLUTIONS,INCDR.JEFF&JULIERULEDR.LUKE&KERRIWILCOXX-TAX,CPA GOLD SPONSORS:PLATE
“I had a few other offers to play football, but I picked the one place that I felt would be most enjoyable for me during the
These changes have impacted students in countless different ways, both large and small. But for Bo Poljan, there was only one way to approach it.
6 Totus Tuus | SUMMER 2022 | WWW.LANSINGCATHOLIC.ORG
By Stephanie Van Koevering, Faculty RELENTLESSPURSUIT
In the fall, Poljan will head up to Northern Michigan University to play offensive guard and study industrial technologies.
It’s a familiar strategy for the 6’4”, 250-pound offensive and defensive tackle on Lansing Catholic’s football team. It’s how he’s learned to block the opposition and advance on the field. It’s also how he works through his toughest classes, meets adversity, and shares his strength with others.
FEATURE
Bo Poljan C22 and His Game Plan for ObstaclesMeetingWell
For the LCHS class of 2022, the past four years have been anything but normal. Masks, distance, and frequent interruptions have transformed their experiences from the ordinary to the momentous.
“You’ve got to just put your head down, keep going,” Poljan says.
He’s also mission-oriented.
Poljan also takes time to simply be, to think, to examine himself and his own ideas. Adults on a recent mission trip saw him just sitting in the sun, enjoying the opportunity to reflect.
“I don’t mind philosophy. I like geography,” he says of his studies. “Anything social sciences and like that where you can engage in conversation, I like that. Sometimes people look at me and they think stubborn, but I’m actually very open to conversation and I don’t like to be very one-sided on anything. I like to see all sides.”
Top: Bo Poljan works aside a classmate at the annual Work-A-Thon day of service. Bottom: Poljan during the football state final at Ford Field.
“I think the school has done a good job of making me a better person,” he says. “The people here have helped me grow, from being a naive freshman or whatever, to being very self-aware, knowing how to work through problems and stuff like that and not just kind of stopping when things got hard. Lansing Catholic has helped me do that, to become that person.”
As an example of his growth trajectory, Poljan points to his recent experiences with pre-calculus.
Instead, he has chosen differently. He’s not a stereotypical jock—not by a mile.
For Poljan, it would have been easy to coast. He could have focused on sports, been content to be a popular student, perhaps just gotten by on minimal effort.
Poljan credits Lansing Catholic with pushing him to become the man he is today.
next four to five years. I love the outdoors and I can do stuff that I love up there year-round,” he says. “Then, when I’m done with college, I want to work with big robots and CNC [computer numerical control] machining, stuff like that.”
“Last year I took pre-calc, which is kind of a senior class, and after that I was encouraged by my parents and some other teachers to take calculus this year, even though I wasn’t that good at it,” he says. “But they encouraged me to take it just so I can challenge myself and not kind of coast through senior year. That’s one of many examples of the way Lansing Catholic has caused me to think beyond the immediate moment and really work to better myself.”
7
“So freshman year I went on a mission trip and I loved it,” he says. “I became friends with so many different people that I would not expect to. That’s kind of the way I wanted to live throughout high school, I wanted to make or try to talk to people that I wouldn’t normally talk to.”
“I know my time at this school is ending, and I want to soak it in,” he says. “It’s so small and tight knit here, and I’m going to miss it. I know I can’t stay forever, but it’s hard to leave a place that’s been so good to me.”
And Poljan, who is one of the many brave, well-prepared students Lansing Catholic has produced in the class of 2022, is ready to go do just that.
Relentlessly.
When Poljan looks ahead, however, he does so with the same grit and determination that have characterized his participation in Lansing Catholic football.
“So there was this old coach, his name was Lou Boyer and he was there when my brothers were there, with Coach Ahern. He would always say, ‘You can do all the preparing that you need to, you can study film, all that, everything that you can possibly do. But at the end of the day you just got to go out there and kick someone’s backside,” Poljan says. “And that... And I feel that’s the way you’ve got to look at life. I mean, you can prepare all you want to, but you got to go and do it. At the end of the day, you’re not... even if you study for all this, you have to have the courage to do what you need to do.”
By Liz Webster, Librarian and Service Coordinator
Through her four years of service, Yoonyee learned a lot about what it means to serve others. She says: “Through service, I have realized how blessed it is to have an opportunity to serve others. When I taught children in my local church, I learned how small things could bring us great happiness. Above all, I experienced that our society grows much faster intellectually and morally when we serve one another.”
“[Service] became a significant part of my life which taught me great virtues such as perseverance, fortitude, and justice,” says Yoonyee. “[It] helped me maintain a positive perspective on life and my future by convincing me that I am an essential member of society who can make a difference.”
Yoonyee plans to attend the University of California Berkeley where she plans to continue volunteering her time. With her commitment to serving others and her pursuit of excellence, Yoonyee Song is going to make a powerful impact in the world wherever she goes!
Yoonyee is an exemplar of the Lansing Catholic service mission of “placing all your God given talents at the service of life” through her embracing of service as a way of life.
RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF FAITH
FEATURE
By Ben Pohl, Dean of Spiritual Formation
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It was only the beginning of sophomore year when rising senior Sam Matias took a small step of faith that changed his life. He experienced a “wake up call,” as he puts it, that led to an invitation from a friend to start attending our Thursday morning Discipleship Group (DG). There, he discovered what true friendship looks like and found the courage to relentlessly pursue the Lord’s will for his life.
Yoonyee began her service requirement as just that, a requirement to meet, however she quickly learned that it could be so much more.
Sam Matias C23
A big step in that journey came at the end of that sophomore year. DG held a morning of adoration and praise in the chapel before the first final exam and Sam sat right up front. Toward the end of the event, I shared to the group that had a sense that there was someone who felt like they needed a “miracle” in some area of their life. Sam raised his hand. He says it felt like when he first said yes to attend DG. It was another step of faith. The first time, the Lord showed him what true friendship looks like. This time, during prayer in adoration, Sam discovered that “the Lord is also my friend every step of the Sam’sway.”obedience of faith yielded the fruit of love. First, the love of friends who, like the friends of the paralytic in John chapter 5, brought him to Jesus. Second, the love of Jesus himself, who
I am so proud of Sam and his relentless pursuit of the Lord. This school year, Sam has responded to these graces by stepping out in ministry to others. He shared his testimony of faith to our entire freshman class at their orientation day and spoke on true friendship to the young men on our freshman retreat. I can’t wait to see how the Lord works in Sam’s life in his senior year and beyond.
Yoonyee Song C22
Korean international student Yoonyee Song C22 is the type of student who pursues every endeavor she undertakes with excellence. She strives for high grades, not for the grade itself, but in pursuit of understanding and knowledge. Yoonyee is the type of person that once she dedicates herself to something she is going all the way with it. Service is no exception.
Yoonyee quickly learned the value of reaching a goal, not for the sake of getting the award, but as an outpouring of herself and the value of her contribution to others.
is the source of all love and desires that all of us come to know His love in a personal way.
RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF SERVICE
“I was starting to feel like I could never make a mistake,” Flammini says. “I was almost, like, paralyzed by it. And the problem is, once you start thinking that way, you can’t do anything. I couldn’t ask for help and I couldn’t move forward.”
But inside, she was struggling.
that formed Lansing Catholic Central, Luch’s grandfather attended John W. O’Rafferty High School on Lansing’s west side. Luch’s mother, her three siblings, and all of her cousins subsequently graduated from Lansing Catholic. More recently, Luch’s own cousins and two older siblings have also preceded him as students here. Attending Lansing Catholic has become an important tradition for the Guerrazzi family.
By Stephanie Van Koevering, Faculty
As the youngest of three, Flammini grew up watching her high-achieving older siblings achieve great things.
“I was constantly comparing myself, wanting to be where they are,” she says. “I put so much pressure on myself. What I never could see before was that they struggled in ways I didn’t know
about. They’re not perfect, so why did I think I had to be?”
Carly Flammini C22
Luciano Guerrazzi C23
9
“I like perfection,” she says. “And for much of my life, anything short of 100 percent was not okay with me.”
It was Flammini’s LCHS cheer coach, Olivia St. Germain, that finally helped her ease up on herself.
Luciano (far left) Guerrazzi C23 pictured with his mother Sera (Migaldi) C92, sister Victoria C15, and brother Jeremy C18.
Currently a senior and a starter on the varsity basketball team, Luch is making the most of his opportunity to carry on this tradition. He now gets to make his own contribution to Lansing Catholic history, both in the classroom and on the court, where he even made the buzzer-beating three-pointer against Lansing Sexton earlier this year. As a student and an athlete, Luch embodies the past, present, and future of Lansing Catholic’s rich tradition.
Oxford languages defines tradition as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.” To be Catholic means, among other things, to be a recipient of a faith and way of life that have been transmitted from one generation to the next for two millennia. Lansing Catholic has participated in this process for over half a century, and Luciano “Luch” Guerrazzi’s family has been a part of it from the Beforebeginning.theconsolidation
“She pointed out to me that humans aren’t meant to do everything on their own,” Flammini says. “She helped me see that people actually liked me for who I am, and that perfection isn’t always the right target to hit.”
RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF TRADITION
Continued on page 11
RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
By Casey Vandenberg, Faculty
Excellence means different things to different people. For LCHS graduate Carly Flammini, it means letting go.
Looking at Flammini’s high school career through the lens of adult stereotypes, she has done everything perfectly. Captain of the cheer team. Yearbook and newspaper editor. Volunteer, high achiever, and all-around good kid.
They are hungry for more. James placed fifth in the state singles tournament and Jeff rolled a 288 at practice while helping his brother warm up for the tournament. They, along with their teammates, will be on the hunt for a state title next year and will be working all summer to make sure they are ready. As much as they want that, though, they’ve learned that it is the relationships that really matter more than anything as they pursue their dreams.
Catholic and what the bowling team was going to be like,” said James. But Jeff was quick to add, “It was really great — the bowling was great even though we want to be better, but even more than the bowling, we made some great friendships with people on the team.” The twins helped their teammates with their bowling skills and led the team to an 8-4 record in their division, right behind the co-leaders and missed qualifying as a team for states by seven pins at regionals.
By Doug Moore C80, Alumni Relations
Interest in joining the team seemed high pre-season with thirty students coming out for bowling, enough for boys and girls teams. Maybe it was the slick looking jerseys. Maybe it was the hype that last year’s team brought to the school. One factor not to be overlooked was a transfer of twins that rumor suggested were really good bowlers: Jeff and James Wheeler
Bottom Left: O’Rafferty 1965 at All Star Lanes in Grand Ledge. Bottom Right: Gabriels Bowling Club in 1970 at Holiday Lanes in Frandor.
both have a hunger for the game of bowling and have really taught themselves the finer points of it by watching videos, talking with other young people on the lanes, and regularly participating in Michigan Junior Masters Association bowling tournaments. “Our mom got us into the game. It was something she did as a kid and it was something we could do together as a family and enjoy it”, recalls James. As a single mom, having those moments with her boys were sure to be important.
OBSTACLES DON’T KEEP THESE BOWLERS DOWN STUDENTS
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Bowling returns to Lansing Catholic
A bowling team had been absent from Lansing Catholic for ten years until a group of seniors were looking for something to do during COVID. Nine senior and three sophomore boys made up the varsity and JV squads during the 2021 season. The group had fun together and even managed to pull off a few victories, but with so many graduating no one knew what this year would be like for the bowling team.
TheyC23.
In 2018, the unthinkable happened. Jeff and James’ mom was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, those moments were treasured by the boys, too, and bowling helped them make new friends as they moved from Detroit to Byron Center. Bowling was their lifeline. Shortly after their mom passed, Jeff was diagnosed with lymphoma and went through treatments throughout the pandemic while he and James lived with an aunt. It was a difficult situation and other relatives in Okemos stepped up to be the boys’ guardians, which brought them to Lansing Catholic for the 2021-2022 school year.
“We weren’t sure what it was going to be like at Lansing
After graduation, Flammini plans to attend Lansing Community College and get a job. For a long time, she wondered if this would be good enough in comparison to her siblings, but now she sees it as her own unique path.
I made that decision,” President Dominic Iocco said. “At the time, it was about what best serves the mission and how can we best serve our students. It was clear that in person was a much better option.”
“God wouldn’t give me these battles if he didn’t think I could take them on.”
“OUR STUDENTS ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE THAN A LOT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN OUR AREA ... BOTH FROM A HEALTH PERSPECTIVE AND FROM AN ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE.”
Looking back at COVID
“Our partner schools were off the charts for academic performance compared to everyone else who was still learning online,” said Iocco.
Teachers, after waiting and planning for any circumstance,
It may have been a hard choice to make to come back before other schools, but it was a choice that benefited the community in and out of the school.
It was a decision that paid off. By returning soon before many other schools, the academic and emotional performance of LCHS students did a 180 degree turn around for the better.
“I know everything is going to be okay,” she says. “God is working with me, so everything is happening through His idea of perfection, not mine. So when I feel like I’m starting to doubt myself, I am able to get that shot of confidence from above. It’s just what I need at the moment I need it.
By Nancy Lee Bareham C23, Journalism Staff Editor
RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE Continued from page 9
Editor’s Note: Flammini earned The Principal’s Award at this year’s Baccalaureate Mass & Award Ceremony. This award recognizes the persistent efforts of one senior whose time at LCHS is marked by exceptional growth and dedication to the mission.
To read full article, scan QR Code with your smartphone to the right.
All across mid-Michigan, other schools were making the difficult decision to continue learning remotely as the 2020–2021 school year approached.
At the end of the day, Lansing Catholic had to take action to execute its mission in ways that made sense for its community of learners, educators and families.
“Take it easy on yourself, go step by step, and allow yourself
were relieved and joyed to come back. Personal connection—a crucial part of learning—was being built up again.
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Through this relationship and others, Flammini began to be gentler with herself. And as a result, she became braver. More determined. And, ultimately, she started to achieve even better.
to grow through the hardships,” she says. “Without them, you wouldn’t be the person you are. Everything happens for a reason, and eventually everything will fall into place.”
“To come back was exciting,” Ben Pohl said. “It was good to be there to answer student questions, to see their faces, to be in relationship again.”
TEACHING A WAY OF LIFE...WHEN LIFE MUST CHANGE
Students were excited to walk through the school doors after the summer break, a response not usually seen by schools.
“It’s who we are,” Iocco said. “And we are incredibly fortunate to have the freedom and resources we need to create that authentic experience for our entire community.”
But not Lansing Catholic. The school returned to in-person learning in August 2020, with many additional safety measures in “Ultimatelyplace.
“Thanks to this advice—and to the experiences I gained through cheer—I can see progress is better than perfection, and that I can be a better version of myself no matter what,” Flammini says.
And they chose to continue teaching a way of life, in person, at a whiteboard. They chose to teach in a way that formed students spiritually, intellectually, and socially into faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
The school’s ACT results, while lower than before the pandemic, still compare very favorably to the national average and to other districts which remained online for longer. GPAs and other measures showed similar levels of stability over time.
By giving herself freedom from perfection, Flammini began to experience true excellence. Today, she advises other perfectionists to take it easy.
“I think our students are in a much better place than a lot of the public schools in our area,” Iocco said. “Both from a health perspective and from an academic perspective, we’re back on track that much sooner, and that’s better for everyone in the entire LCHS family. Looking back, it was the right call.”
“I realized I could try some different things, and do them purely for myself, and not because anyone else told me to do them,” she says. “I didn’t mind what would happen or if my efforts were less than perfect, because I was doing them for me and for God, not for anyone else.”
• Finished 4th in CAAC Conference
• Finished 4th in the MHSAA regionals and missed competing at the state level by 7 pins
• Beat Grand Ledge 12-9 in semifinal and lost to East Lansing
• Honorable Mention: Nyla Carter, Bella Hagen, Amanda Melling, and Caidi McDonald
• District Champions - first time since 2014
• League tournament: finished 2nd place within 5 points of Portland. Best finish in almost 10 years
• All-Conference: Josh Otten (400 meters), David Pruder (800 meters), Henry Doerr (110 meter hurdles), Troy Chen (shot put), Josh Otten (1600 meters), 4 x 400 relay (Matthew Jones, Braden Rabideau, David Pruder, Josh Otten)
GIRLS LACROSSE
• All-State: Josh Otten (2nd - 400 meter and 3rd in 1600 meter), David Pruder (3rd in 800 meter), 4 x 800 relay 2nd (Owen Spence, Stephan Fair, David Pruder and Josh Otten), 4 x 400 relay 1st (Matthew Jones, Braden Rabideau, David Pruder and Josh Otten)
• Honorable Mention: Nicole Deluca (MID) and Isabel Doerr (DEF)
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
• All Conference: Leah Reid and Sarah Hicks
• Beat Ann Arbor Huron in pre-regional game 18-1 but lost to Brighton in regional opener
• Honorable Mention: Hannah Pricco and Sydney Buda
• James Wheeler placed 5th in the Division 3 State Singles Tournament
• Honorable Mention: Nic Gruber, Allaire Payon, and Ben Sullivan
• Finished 16th in the state
BOYS GOLF
• CAAC All-Conference: Juliana Faes, Allisyn Lindberg, and Carly Flammini
• CAAC All-Conference: Jeff Wheeler and James Wheeler
• Capital City Caps Co-op with Dewitt, St. Johns, Mason and Williamston
• Lost to Williamston in regional final game
As of June 14, 2022
SPRING SPORTS WRAP UP
• All-Conference: Sam Murphy, Hayden Riley, Ethan Rule, and Will Mansfield
• All-Conference: Ellie Gaines, Addison Charette, Audrey Nylander, Mary Poljan, and Mya Bennett
• Finished 3rd in CAAC Conference
• Lost in district final to Portland, defending state champs
• CAAC All-Conference: Gabby Halliwill, Anna Richards, and Leah Richards
• All-Conference: Hannah Pricco (400 meters), Hannah Pricco (800 meters), CC Jones (1600 meters), CC Jones (3200 meters), Chioma Okeke (long jump), Tessa Roe (800 meters), Tessa Roe (1600 meters), Girls 4 x 800 relay (Tessa Roe, Zee Simpson, CC Jones, Hannah Pricco), and Girls 4 x 400 relay- (CC Jones, Tessa Roe, Nora Coffey, Hannah Pricco)
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• Won districts vs Springport - last was 2015
• Hosted 1st Cheer for Charity benefiting Capital Area Down Syndrome Association
BOYS BASKETBALL
SOFTBALL
• Finished 1st in CAAC White, first time since 2003
• 3rd in CAAC Conference
• CAAC All-Conference: Elijah Nevins - 500
• All-Conference: Morgan Wilcox (FWD), Bela Fernandez (FWD), Emma Scott (DEF), Claire Sampson (FWD/MID), Cady Kooney (MID/ DEF), Annabel Ludwig (GK)
• Finished 8th in the MHSAA districts
BASEBALL
WINTER SPORTS WRAP UP BOWLING
• Regular season tied 1st with Portland
• 1st place in CAAC Conference
• Won regional title, led by Sam Murphy who shot a 79 finishing 4th
• Boys finished 3rd in the CAAC Conference
GIRLS BASKETBALL
• Honorable Mention: Emma Hansen
• 2nd place finish in regular season
• CAAC All-Conference: 1 Singles - Ava Foster, 3 Singles - Anna Riehl, 4 Singles - Mariana Prieto, 2 Doubles - Stella Palinski and Annie Teitsort, 3 Doubles - Hannah Bradford and Abby Frank, 4 Doubles - Gwen Zakhem and Makena Collins
• Finished 2nd in regionals
• CAAC All-Conference: Alex Watters and Brody Kirkpatrick
GIRLS SOCCER
• Two top 8 finishes by Seb Shoaf and Elijah Nevins, along with a conference win by Elijah Nevins in the 500 freestyle
GIRLS TENNIS
• Honorable Mention: Braden Rabideau and Jackson Birgiramana
ATHLETICS
• All-Conference: Christian Tucker
BOYS LACROSSE
• Overall record of 19-3
BOYS SWIMMING
• Finished 3rd at regionals
• Finished 6th in CAAC
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
• Honorable Mentions: 1 Doubles - Amy Magaway and Sarah Corey
• Honorable Mention: Elena Mullaney, Nora Coffey, and Brianna Tennes
• DIVISION 3 STATE CHAMPIONS!
• Won regionals vs Montague - last was 2015
HOCKEY
• Placed 3rd in CAAC Conference
• Regional Champs - last was 2019
• Placed 11th at the state tournament
• Lost to Williamston in district semi-finals (Williamston went on to win state)
• Honorable Mention: Ethan Wolcott
• Honorable Mention: Ty Trahey
• All-Conference: Seth Elberson, Austin Gates, and Daniel Shipman
• Lost to Midland in Quarterfinals 1-0
COMPETITIVE CHEER
• All-State: Hannah Pricco (3rd - 400 meter), CC Jones (5th - 3200 meter), Tessa Roe (8th - 800 meter), and 5th place girls 4 x 400 meter relay (Nora Coffey, CC Jones, Tessa Roe, Hannah Pricco)
• Finished 3rd in CAAC Conference
• Honorable Mentions: Katelyn Molnar, Arica Cherry, and Reese Robinson
13 CONGRATS BOYS TRACK & FIELD DIVISION 3 2022 STATE CHAMPIONS After a 26-year hiatus, the Lansing Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame is back! We proudly announce the 2022 inductees: Student-Athletes: Ralph Coleman M55 - Basketball Gino Baldino G70 - Basketball Joe Joseph C87 - Football Jodie Every C99 - Softball Rachel Kirvan C01 - Cross Country & Track Allison Strouse C06 - Cross Country & Track Andrea Doneth C06 - Basketball Jacqueline Setas C14 - Golf Induction to take place during Homecoming Weekend on Friday, September 23, 2022. More information to come. See the 1996 inaugural class online at lansingcatholic.org/halloffame LANSING CATHOLIC’S ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RETURNS 13 Contributors: Ray Lehman Bill HubRichardsonWaite Teams: 1936 & 1937 St. Mary’s Boys Basketball 1937 & 1938 St. Mary’s Boys Cross Country 1957 Resurrection Football 1969 Gabriels Football 1970 O’Rafferty Boys Golf 1995 Lansing Catholic Girls Basketball 2012 Lansing Catholic Boys Track
we complete another school year, the following faculty and staff celebrated milestones of their tenure at Lansing
By Stephanie Van Koevering, Faculty
The thing Brennan values most is the way each Lansing Catholic student can feel seen and loved by the community.
DeVries, Director of Strategic Relations
STAFF
“My husband is an alum, and I’ve been able to make so many positive connections and relationships through this organization,” Brennan says. “I am seeing authentic diversity as I watch students growing intellectually and being formed into disciples of Christ.”
“Part of the reason I’m here is that our school’s leadership sees the challenges many families face, and they want to provide them with the supports they need,” Brennan says. “That is a gift, and one I’m grateful to be a part of.”
Mary
“I love helping people,” she says simply. “I love knowing what makes them tick, and how to build the kinds of supports for them that help them find their way through challenges, so they are able to fully shine as unique children of God.”
“I grew up just south of here in Jackson, and I attended Catholic school from second grade on,” she says. “My family wasn’t Catholic, but through my educational experiences we all found our way to the faith.”
Gates, Faculty
ALWAYS THERE
As Catholic
(L-R): Santana and Norris Bottom (L-R): DeVries, Gates, and Gavin
“Here, we’re all in uniforms, so it’s easy to overlook the amount of diversity that exists in our community,” she says. “Even though we’re a small, tight-knit community, each of us faces private challenges others know nothing about. It’s important to ensure we’re giving grace to each other and offering the right supports at just the right time. That’s where my work comes in.”
Gavin, Registrar 15 Years Liz Webster, Librarian 10 Years Mary Santana, Food Services 5 Years Randee Bonk, Maintenance Ashley Groves, Faculty Casey Vandenberg, Faculty
Lynne Brennan offers mental health and social services on a daily basis, often supporting people with faith-based, targeted assistance that helps them grow in ways they never expected.
Post-pandemic, mental and emotional health are buzzwords across American society. But while it’s easy to pay lip service to these ideas, there’s one person inside Lansing Catholic who’s been working to make sure it’s a reality for the school’s students and families.
Stacia
Lynne Brennan (center) meets with two students during their weekly grief support group.
“I have helped coordinate support groups for students who are coping with grief and loss,” she says. “But it doesn’t always have to be that formal. Sometimes it can be just a five-minute conversation with a student who is stressed out or having a bad day. I can help connect people with the services they need, and I am here as a resource when times are tough.”
Bridget
How social worker Lynne Brennan is quietly supporting LCHS students
While Brennan doesn’t provide clinical counseling, she often acts as a guide for people who are struggling.
A University of Michigan graduate (“I’m converted now, though,” she says. “You can’t live in the Lansing area and not be a MSU fan!”) Brennan married her husband, Patrick, earlier this year. Professionally, she has been additionally serving the diocese through teaching and ministry work at IHM and at Flint Powers campus ministry.
Norris, Director of Food Services 20 Years
STAFF MILESTONES
High School: 25 Years
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As a huge believer in the power of Catholic education, Brennan credits her own background with bringing her to Christ more fully.
Brennan stresses the importance of not assuming things about others.
But it’s at LCHS that she has been able to find a unique home.
Top
Karen
After more than 35 years of teaching, Pohl says he often is asked about retirement.
“I feel like I have some good years left, and I’m enjoying myself,” Pohl says. “I started out so young that my decades of work really aren’t that long. I’ll be here as long as I still feel the calling and the passion and feel like I’ve got something I can share.”
“I was 19. I had been through just one year of college, and I knew my career path. I was going to work in an architectural firm, and I was going to design buildings and houses,” he remembers. “I had a professor who was already working here at Lansing Catholic, trying to develop the drafting program, and he asked for my help.”
Of course, ever the design genius, Pohl had an elegant solution to his dilemma.
“What I do is enjoyable. It’s as much as a hobby as it is a career,” Pohl says. “But it is a lot of work. It’s evenings and weekends spent at the computer or on the job, responding to the needs of my clients and my students as much as I can. It’s hard work, but it’s Fortunately,gratifying.”most of Pohl’s toughest professional moments have been spent on the athletic field, rather than in the classroom or on the job.
As a former associate professor of architecture at Lansing Community College, Pohl also has three decades of college teaching behind him.
Lansing Catholic educator Steve Pohl admits he never intended to work in a school. But, he says, “God had better plans for me than I could come up with on my own.”
In fact, Pohl says, he wanted to become an architect.
Top: Steve Pohl proudly wearing his Joseph House shirt as the House Dean at the 2022 Cougar Games. Bottom (L-R): Paul Stoddard C89, Pat Flynn C90, Bill Hufnagel C89, Mark Schon C89, Scott Wesley C89, and instructor Steve Pohl in spring of 1989.
Pohl says teaching was the very last profession on his radar at the time.
competing. But my kids came first before my job. I always felt embarrassed when I walked in front of a parent I knew and I was sporting Raider colors.”
By Stephanie Van Koevering, Faculty
Now, 37 years later, Pohl is still saying yes. Today he teaches not only drafting, but digital photography, graphic arts, and “It’sbroadcasting.thejoyof sharing something that I’m passionate about. It’s the discovery moment when students start to demonstrate their talents and find out what they’re capable of doing,” he says. “The students here do amazing things. And to lead them toward the reward of taking a risk, of doing something new and different—well, it’s pretty incredible.”
“I don’t know why I said yes, because I was definitely afraid of public speaking and it still really bothers me to this day. So teaching? No way. There’s no way I could stay up in front of a class and talk,” Pohl says. “Every part of me would’ve said no, but God said yes. And I don’t know how or why a yes squeaked out of me, but it did.”
“I’ve been designing homes since I was a senior in high school. I started the business my first year in college and still have it to this day,” Pohl says. “I do freelance photography, graphic artwork, and graphic design work. And I love it because it keeps me engaged and current.”
When the school day ends, Pohl isn’t done. He practices nearly everything he teaches, bringing real-world experiences to his instruction daily.
“We live in Portland. So, yes, okay, we’re Raiders,” Pohl says. “It was always hard to walk in front of a Lansing Catholic crowd wearing my Portland jersey when I was a dad and my kids were
Thus, Steve Pohl’s relentless yes—spoken into being by God when he was only 19—continues.
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THE RELENTLESS YES OF STEVE POHL
“I always used to wish they would put a La-Z-Boy in the end zone of the football field and I would wear both colors,” he says (noting nobody ever did). “Or I would wear two hats and flip them on back and forth, so I could root for both teams. You don’t want any of them to lose.”
CLASS OF 2022 COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES:
UnitedThomasTheSpringSavannahSaintSaginawPurdueOlivetOhioOaklandNorthwesternNorthernMonmouthMichiganMichiganMiamiMarquetteUniversityUniversityUniversity,OxfordStateUniversityTechnologicalUniversityUniversityMichiganUniversityUniversityUniversityStateUniversityCollegeUniversityValleyStateUniversityMary’sCollegeCollegeofArt&DesignArborUniversityCollegeofWoosterMoreUniversityStatesMilitaryAcademyWest
ColoradoCentralCalvinButlerBallAveAquinasCollegeCollegeMariaUniversityStateUniversityUniversityUniversityMichiganUniversityStateUniversity-Fort
Albion College Alma Collins
Concordia University-Ann Arbor Denison University DePaul
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IndianaIndianaIndianaIndianaHopeGrandGraceGeorgeFerrisEmbry-RiddleElmhurstEasternDePauwUniversityUniversityMichiganUniversityUniversityAeronauticalUniversityStateUniversityWashingtonUniversityCollegeandTheologicalSeminaryValleyStateUniversityCollegeStateUniversityTechUniversity-BloomingtonUniversityPurdueUniversity-Indianapolis(IUPUI)
Point
Kalamazoo College Kettering University Kuyper LansingCollegeCommunity College
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
University of Arizona University of California-Berkeley University of Dayton University of Detroit Mercy University of Indianapolis University of Iowa University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Michigan-Dearborn University of Michigan-Flint University of Minnesota University of Montevallo University of New Mexico University of North Dakota University of Notre Dame University of Pittsburgh University of St. Thomas (MN) University of Toledo University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Wisconsin-Madison Villanova University Wake Forest University Wayne State University Western Michigan University Xavier University
Lawrence Technological University Lourdes University Loyola University Chicago Madonna
The crazy thing is that we always look forward to a new beginning but once we begin we can not wait for it to end. For us this is not the end, it is now the beginning of our lives after Lansing Catholic. Thank you, and I wish you all the best.
THOUGHTSPARTING
As we move on, the world will begin to change and that change starts with us. This class is built to strive for change
From our first day to our last, we have made memories to last a lifetime. High school had its rough times for all of us, but the people we could count on were those closest to us. So, I would like to give thanks to parents and family members who helped all of us get through school. If I am being honest, in middle school, I did not want to come to Lansing Catholic, but I am glad I did. I would not change it for the world. Prior to going to Lansing Catholic, I went to Donnelly Elementary and transferred to St Thomas Aquinas. Going from public school to Catholic school was the most difficult transition.
The odd thing is this: we will not know how much Lansing Catholic has prepared us until we have been away from this school for a long time. Today brings some of that recognition, but we won’t have full knowledge until we are much older and looking back.
The Cougar Games have concluded and the 2022 Great Crux Winner is TEKAKWITHA! Tekakwitha House Dean Mr. Dan Spitzley and House Captain Jonah Richards C22 received the Great Crux on behalf of K-Tek House, ending the Frassati reign of champions. Final Scores for 2022: 1st Place - Tekakwitha 2nd Place - DePorres 3rd Place - Frassati 4th Place - Joseph FOUR HOUSES. ONE MISSION. 17
All of our paths will be different, but they will all be representative of our four pillars of faith, service, excellence, and tradition that were instilled in us from the first day we walked into the doors of Lansing Catholic.
So let’s not wait. Let’s look at our school and at one another now. I am proud to say I was a part of this place, and that I got to be part of your lives. We all have started to become who we truly are, and our shared presence on this journey is God’s gift to us.
Senior Reflection
By Colin Gardner C22, Journalism Staff Writer
and create a better world. So no matter where we go, we should be known as the class that made change happen.
The word “future” comes from the Latin word “futurus” which means to ‘grow, become’. I think this fits well as we look to become who we were meant to be. This year we have begun to experience this growth as we have started to express who we truly are in new and innovative ways.
A few short months later, I realized Lansing Catholic was where I needed to be to fulfill my spiritual and academic goals. Lansing Catholic was not just some school to get me to college, but a school to help better my future, and more importantly, strengthen my faith in God. During our time here, let’s face it, we have been through a lot as a class. We survived a pandemic, we made it through our sports seasons, we made it past all the tests and quizzes, and most importantly, we survived our teenage years. But, the only thing that was constant was the unwavering support from our family at Lansing Catholic.
The people that instilled the mission and pillars into us are the great teaching staff here at Lansing Catholic: from our principal to all of our teachers. They have pushed us to be better than we thought we could be. So, I would like to thank them for all they have done for us. Because trust me, I know this class could be a handful at times.
We do not know what the future will hold for us and our class, but what we should know is that we all will try our hardest, because we are well prepared.
As we went through High School we took everything for granted, since at the time, it felt like it would never end. Now here we are wondering how it passed us by so fast.
CHAPLAIN’S UPDATE
Many people have been asking me about my summer plans. What does a high school chaplain do during the summer? Well, in June I had a week of vacation, a week at Catholic Youth Summer Camp in Ohio, and a week onsite at Lansing Catholic working on things for next year and some chapel improvements. In July, I’m onsite for most of the month, but I’ll also have a week-long retreat at the end of the month. In August, I’ll have another week of vacation with my family and a trip to North Dakota for a baptism–my sister’s fourth child! By about August 15th, the school year begins to pick up again with teacher professional de velopment days, Diocesan formation days, and orientation days for the students.
This honoree receives his or her award for recognition of a strong commitment to serving the community, whether at Lansing Catholic or elsewhere.
The recipient of this award is dedicated to a life of service and committed to acting as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Active participation in service programs during high school and college is a requirement for this award.
MISSION AWARD | FAITH
HAVE AN ALUMNI TO NOMINATE?
MISSION AWARD | SERVICE
Contact Doug Moore at 517-267-2153 or doug.moore@lansingcatholic.org.
MISSION AWARD | TRADITION
For now, I’m very grateful for some slower, quieter days here during the summer. Even though the break will be nice, I will miss the students! It has been such a joy to get to know them and a privilege to serve as their chaplain this year. Have a blessed summer, and Go Cougars!
Formerly the Community Service Award Recipient
A few weeks ago, I attended Meet the Cougars here at LCHS. It’s sort of an open house event in our gym with representatives from the many clubs and sports at the school. All of our incoming freshmen and their parents are invited to come to mingle and get familiar with who we are. Going to this was significant for me because a year ago, the first official “event” I attended at Lansing Catholic was Meet the Cougars. Since I didn’t know anyone here at the time and was not familiar with the school yet, it was definitely a little daunting last time. I remember feeling intimidated and out of place–perhaps like many of the incoming freshmen feel! Needless to say, it was a very different experience for me this time around. After having experienced the entire school year and all that it brings, I felt much more comfortable answering questions for all the incoming freshmen and their parents. It’s nice for me as well to have a much better understanding of my role here and all that goes on during the school year as I prepare for next year.
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ONE YEAR a reflection
Formerly the Triple A+ Award
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This award recognizes an alumnus who continued as a studentathlete during his or her college career. Criteria to receive the award include participation in a minimum of two years in an intercollegiate athletic sport, an earned varsity letter in that sport, completion of a four-year college program and an earned bachelor’s degree.
-Fr. Joe Fr. Joseph Campbell Chaplain | Lansing Catholic High School
Lansing Catholic High School annually presents four awards to alumni and other community members honoring our mission statement and representing our four cornerstones in their dedication and accomplishments.
MISSION AWARD | EXCELLENCE
This award recognizes an alumnus who is dedicated to bringing Catholic education to his or her community and students as an employee of a Catholic school, church, or other religious organization.
Dear friends,
Scan the QR Code to hear his address to the student body via Zoom.
On Friday May 6, the students of Lansing Catholic High School participated in the 17th annual Work-A-Thon.
Spring means service at Lansing Catholic
“I think it is important because it brings the school together as a whole,” Pruder said. “It helps us to live out our mission to serve others.”
The Diocese of Lansing followed along with us at this year’s Work-A-Thon. Watch the video feature by scanning the QR code.
Senior Aspen Robart has only gone to three Work-A-Thons due to COVID and did mostly lawn work and to help clean around people’s houses and land.
“I am looking forward to being able to hangout with my friends while also helping others,” Tristen Taylor said. “It gives all classes a chance to make new memories while learning the valuable lesson of doing all we can for those who are less fortunate than us.”
BRINGING CHRIST’S LOVE TO THOSE IN NEED
This year’s event is more meaningful than ever, given all the students have been through in recent years. Looking back at COVID and other hardships brought about by the pandemic, students feel grateful for the opportunity to serve.
Work-A-Thon occurs every year since it’s start in 2005, and is a chance for the students to go out into their community and give help to those in need.
We love to have our alumni and friends join on us on our day of service. SAVE THE DATE for the next Work-A-Thon Friday, May 5, 2023.
At the 2022 Work-A-Thon, we awarded the inaugural Mission Award for Service to the class of 2014’s Keegan Pabst. In high school, Pabst was an avid mission trip attendee, and after graduation, her love of service didn’t stop. She’s spent a year at Americorps, and even her major shows her devotion to service as a way of life. Pabst earned a bachelor’s as well as a master’s in social work. This past spring Pabst went on her 4th Lansing Catholic Mission Trip to Alabama, her 10th Scanoverall. the QR Code to hear her address to the student body at the Work-A-Thon Kick-Off.
“I went my freshman and junior years,” Robart said. “My freshman year we mostly helped an elderly woman with lawn work and mulched around her house.”
COUGARS GO TO WORK
Keegan Pabst C14
The school does this in order to give back to the community and better prepare their students, like senior David Pruder, for their future and teach them to help those in need.
19 WORK-A-THON
MISSION AWARD | SERVICE
MISSION AWARD | FAITH Phong Vu C04
This past January, Lansing Catholic awarded the first Mission Award for Faith to 2004 graduate Phong Vu during Catholic Schools Week. Vu’s path post-college was not one that may have been expected by his family, but God had other plans. Through the influence of fellow alumni Patrick O’Brien C04, Vu applied for Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education, where he met his wife and found a passion for schools. Vu is currently the principal of San Juan Diego Catholic High School in Austin, TX.
By Sydney Buda C22, Journalism Staff Writer
ALUMNI FEATURES
And don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for next year’s Fr. Mac Dinner on Monday, May 1, 2023.
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Kosta graduated from Lansing Catholic in 2018 but didn’t have much hope about attending college in the United States. That all changed when he attended a college fair put on by Madonna College. Kosta and his sister met a representative from Fairfield University who was very helpful in making connections for him so that his tuition was fully provided. Kosta graduated with a degree in electrical engineering in May 2022 and has signed on to accomplish a one-year master’s in engineering at Fairfield. Kosta has found “the community at Fairfield is very similar to Lansing Catholic. It is a Jesuit school, small and caring, and they try to get students to experience their religion and require theology classes each semester.”
from this event support making a Catholic education available, accessible, and affordable to families in need.
After two years of virtual events, we finally celebrated the return of the 38th Annual Fr. Mac Scholarship Dinner! We are truly blessed to be supported by so many people each year. This past May at the Kellogg Center, we gathered to honor Community Service Award recipient, Mary Lou Heberlein, hear from our keynote speaker, Jason Hanson, and of course support tuition
By Doug Moore C80, Alumni Relations
FR. MAC IS BACK!
If you couldn’t attend this cherished event, there is still an opportunity to contribute to the Fr. Mac Tuition Assistance Fund. Donate online: lansingcatholic.org/frmac
Kosta Kaldaras C18 (center) with his parents at his recent graduation from Fairfield University.
How Lansing Catholic gained a student due to war in Ukraine
As a Catholic school, the faith life that LCHS promoted was similar to the faith that the Koldaras family held. So Lora spoke with Tom Maloney C88, then president of Lansing Catholic. In very little time the wheels were in motion as students and staff quickly prepared to welcome Kosta who knew almost no English. Financial aid was provided to afford Kosta the opportunity but it took weeks before everything was approved for him to come to the United States.
When the current war in Ukraine began, it raised new concerns about Kosta’s parents, who still lived there. “It’s a very difficult and horrible situation. My parents witnessed some attacks but were still safe.” In mid-March his parents immigrated to the United States and are seeking asylum while living with his sister, Lora, in East Lansing.
it’s good.” And his advice to alumni and friends who have the opportunity to welcome Ukranian refugee is simple: “Try to make them feel at home. The Lansing Catholic community did a good job with me. They made me feel welcome.”
PURSUING A CATHOLIC EDUCATION AGAINST ALL ODDS
With his parents safely in this country Kosta is delighted. “I never thought they would come to my college graduation, so
Fundsassistance.raised
The current war in Ukraine is all too familiar to LCHS alum Kosta Kaldaras C18. When he was fourteen years old and living with his parents in Kharkiv, Ukraine and Crimea were invaded by pro-Russian forces. As the fighting grew worse and closer to their city, his parents were concerned for Kosta’s safety, education, and future. Eight years earlier, Kosta’s older sister Lora, had gone to study in the United States and they sought ways that Kosta could go to the United States as well.
“My parents told me I might be going to school in the States in the future and I said, ‘okay, sure,’” Kosta recalls. “And then they told me in one or two weeks I would be flying out. I was confused and excited, concerned that I didn’t know the language. The first two years were kind of tough. It was hard to communicate and I had to learn. The people at Lansing Catholic were very helpful to me all the time. In classes, I especially remember Mr. Murphy, he tried to teach me as much as he could.” Kosta admits it was a slow process but once he learned English he started to make friends and participate in events.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH ADVOCACY AND AMPLIFICATION
Within his own family, Ed and his wife Courtney work to raise their sons as followers of Christ and with eyes wide open. “We need to treat each other as our brothers and sisters, even when we disagree with what they say or what they do. And because our boys are of mixed race, they need to know how others may see them but that they can still navigate the world confidently. I want them to be authentically themselves and realize they have multiple identities. One son is athletic but is more than an athlete, he’s also caring. The other is civic minded, willing to speak up on difficult issues with adults even though he’s only in junior high. While race is certainly part of who they are and how they see the world, they are so much more than that.”
Ed asked himself as a professional person, “how do I make a difference in the world and the college experience and what does that look like for students? As the director of multicultural business programs my job is advocacy and amplification, if I can boil it down to those two things. Advocating for students in ways that are meaningful and amplifying the voices of those who may be a little bit too shy or just find the voices of those who might feel marginalized and minoritized.” According to Ed, that’s what matters.
After high school, Ed has striven to “be a light in the darkness” (Matthew 5:16). While attending the University of Texas, Ed became an resident advisor and put on programs to make sure that all people in the dorm felt they belonged. Ed then moved on to MSU as the diversity initiatives coordinator for Career Services Network; again, he made sure that students could appreciate their unique gifts and encourage them to see their futures in a variety of roles that need not be limited by their ethnicity, race, or economic background. More recently, Ed became the director of multicultural business programs for MSU’s Broad College of Business in August 2021.
As the former board president at Lansing Catholic, Ed also hoped to be a voice in the room to change some of the demographics of the school community providing more equity and access while still implementing our mission.
When Ed Tillett graduated from Lansing Catholic in 1998, he was one of only a few black males at the school. For many of his school years that wasn’t something that stood out to him; he was just one among many students and friends. It really wasn’t until an opponent called him a racial slur at a soccer game that he felt solely defined by his race. With the help of teachers like Mrs. Pike, Mrs. Partlow, and Ms. Burns, he was empowered to share his experience, and Ed chose to turn that experience around by becoming student senate president, making sure that the voices of others were heard.
By Doug Moore C80, Alumni Relations
Editor’s Note: Thank you, Ed, for your service to our school community as a board member for three years, one of them as president.
How LCHS alumnus and former board president Ed Tillett strives to “be a light” with his family and his profession
“What happens if I don’t speak up? This isn’t political, this is treating one another as our brothers and sisters.”
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Following high school, she married and had children, but after a divorce she became a single mom with young kids who was faced with an important question: how to move forward.
How Leah Hinman R62 stands tall
“I found out then, not to teach middle school kids,” says Leah. Eventually, Leah earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing through the Sisters of St. Joseph at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo and went to work at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. It was during this time that Steve Rall (former teacher at O’Rafferty and Lansing Catholic) asked for RCIA sponsors and said they would match backgrounds between sponsor and candidate.
When Leah Hinman R62 looks back on her life, she sees key moments where God has opened doors.
2022 HOMECOMING EVENTS Join us for all the Homecoming festivities taking place Friday, September 23, 2022 More information to come, visit lansingcatholic.org/homecoming C OUGARCLASSIC GOLFOUTIN G Cougar Classic Golf Outing Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Cougarfest and Friday Night Lights
By Doug Moore C80, Alumni Relations
Leah continues to work with the RCIA at IHM and has walked with many people in their journeys of faith. “The discovery [RCIA candidates] have of the little experiences along the way of the Lord reaching out, what’s there to fear?” Leah says.
Leah thought, “There’s no way there’s another young woman, divorced with young kids.” And yet there was. “That started my journey of working with people as they sought a deeper relationship to Jesus by joining the Church.”
More doors opened when others closed. Leah was laid off from St. Mary’s, and then began working with Sisters of Mercy in Dimondale, and then MESSA Health Insurance. Someone invited Leah to participate in the Diocesan Lay Ecclesial Ministers Program. Her job with MESSA allowed her to go through an extension program to earn a master’s in pastoral ministry through Loyola. She took two years off of RCIA and became a nurse in the naval reserves. IHM and St. Casimir were looking for a spiritual director as they developed a joint RCIA program, and a nurse at MESSA shared a brochure of programs from Nazareth College — one of which was spiritual direction. God was knocking on Leah’s door again.
God opened another door.
“Someone early on taught me, Jesus will always be with you, in the good and the bad. That has made me bolder. I never would have thought I’d be this active in the parish and having marvelous experiences like pilgrimages to holy cities, a Holy Week retreat in the Holy Land, and a mission trip to Peru with Fr. John Byers [O65]. The Lord has gifted me in an untold number of ways,” Leah says.
“At seventy-seven years old I get the feeling He’ll let me know when it is time to stop.”
WHAT’S THERE TO FEAR? JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE
Leah began earning a degree in nursing at Lansing Community College. She was on welfare and couldn’t afford religious education for her children, so she taught eighth-grade religious ed at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish to pay for it. This began Leah’s journey to become more involved with parish ministry.
Later on, the new RCIA director was looking for a catechist to give a talk on Mary. Leah stepped up and that led to other presentations. Leah stayed with RCIA. “I got more out of it because it was building my faith,” she said.
Even though she went to church and attended Catholic school, Leah characterizes her past self as a “nominal Catholic.”
Leah recalls, “I realized then, you can’t do it without God. Trust, that is the thing I’ve worked on the hardest.”
Leah later attended a Diocesan Common Conference and noticed an invitation to become an associate with St. Joseph. She discovered this brought her deeper into a relationship with the Sisters of St. Joseph she remembered from Nazareth College. For the past sixteen years, Leah has been working with men and women in associate formation.
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Relentlessly overcoming obstacles with hope & faith
GRIEF IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY
After a few years, she started working with Lisa (Duncanson) Fata C82, who had been a friend of Shaye’s and mentored her in this business. “I’m blessed, not only loving my job but working with someone who is amazing,” Lisa says.
23 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Back in the office, she had to rearrange the office furniture. “I can’t just sit here and look at where Lisa was,” she says.
By Doug Moore C80, Alumni Relations
And Shaye said, ‘Lisa, that’s why He gave you all these kids.’ At first I thought that was the dumbest thing I ever heard but it’s true. All of them are a blessing.”
Eventually, Lisa married Shaye Ramont and her dream of a big family became a reality with six kids: Javin C12, Calla C15, Jacob C17, Sophie C18, and twins, Audrey and Charlie C22. “Shaye converted to Catholicism and became a better Catholic than I was,” Lisa says.
Shaye fought valiantly for five years until his passing in 2011. The outpouring of support from the St. Thomas Aquinas and Lansing Catholic community was amazing.
“I couldn’t have done it without everybody,” Lisa says, “God came through again with friends. It was really tough, but the kids are so close now, with me and each other. You have to keep going, and you have to be thankful.”
Lisa (Green) Ramont C85 grew up with a really strong faith instilled by her single mom and her grandparents, all of whom took her to Mass. Believing in Jesus was always part of her life. And it is her relationship with Jesus that has gotten her through some very tough times.
grown up an only child, so family and friends were and are important to her. Some of her classmates, such as Amee (Pricco) O’Leary C86, are still her friends today.
Lisa kept going by getting started in real estate, which allowed her to be with her kids while working at building her business.
Later, Shaye was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “I remember when we first found out [Shaye] was sick and was given six months to live, and I was like, ‘I have all these kids. Why would God give me all these kids and then take you away?’
Lisa Fata passed away suddenly in 2021 and Lisa Ramont was faced with yet another loss.
Even though it is difficult, Lisa finds hope and strength to keep going with her faith in God. And with her last two babies graduating this year, she is looking forward to a new chapter with her family.
Early on, Lisa attended Waverly schools and came to Lansing Catholic as a freshman. “Everyone was just so kind,” she recalls. “I was very shy; I wish I had been more outgoing during that Lisatime.”had
“Lisa was always one who appreciated every day. I still haven’t really accepted it yet,” Lisa says.
“We have to keep going. I believe God brings good things to you even in tough times. We’re not living for this life, we’re living for the next life.”
“We had been friends for a long time,” Lisa says. “I saw it as this plan that God has. I have this great job, the kids are doing well, Lisa and I have this friendship that is amazing.”
Together they formed “The Lisas” as residential real estate brokers for Coldwell-Banker.
Top: Lisa Ramont C85. Bottom: Family photo of (L-R) Calla C15, Charlie C22, Lisa C85, Sophie C18, Shaye, Audrey C22, Javin C12, and Jacob C17 Raymont from the early 2000s.
Caolan Keenan C16 married Cecilia “CC” Cerven on December 18, 2021 at St. Luke’s University Parish near Grand Valley State University. The wedding party included Peter Galer C16, Conor Keenan C19, and Finn Keenan C25. Caolan is currently in medical school at MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine while CC is a nurse at Sparrow and assistant softball coach at Lansing Catholic. The couple is living in Dimondale, MI.
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Chad Wenzlick C07 and wife Rachael welcomed daughter Madison Rae Wenzlick on June 10, 2022. Madison joins mom, dad, and brother William at home in Lansing.
Rachel (Pearson) C08 and Eric Hufnagel C04 welcomed Miles Thomas on December 13, 2021. He weighed 6lb, 2oz, and was 20 inches long. He joins big brother Oliver (age 3) at home in Lansing, MI.
Caroline (Zielenniewski) Larosa and husband Michael were blessed with the birth of Harrison on October 5, 2021. Harrison was born in Jackson, Wyoming where Caroline sells real estate.
BIRTHS
Chris and Mary (Sweeney) Gates C98 welcomed Augustine “Gus” Anton Gates on January 21, 2022. He’s already pledging his loyalty to Frassati House, Class of 2039.
Emily (Francis) Padron C06 and husband Joshue are beyond happy to announce the birth of Leonardo (Leo) born on May 27, 2022. They consider him a little miracle bringing joy as the next day Emily’s grandmother passed away after living a full life of ninety-nine years.
Jessica (Holberg) Eisma C08 and her husband RJ welcomed baby August Tresham on May 30, 2022 at 12:19 am. August joins older brother Isaiah at home in Arlington, Texas.
BIRTHSWEDDINGS
HAVE NEWS TO SHARE OR MOVED RECENTLY? Send us an update at bit.ly/AlumProfile to let others know what great things are happening in your life. We want to celebrate our alumni!
Calla Ramont C15 married Matt McQuaid of Dallas, Texas on June 3, 2022 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with a reception at the Breslin Center. Calla is a blogger/owner of Calla’s Clean Eats, and Matt is director of basketball operations for the Michigan State University basketball team. The couple just bought and renovated a home in Bath, MI.
CLASS NOTES
Anna Pogoncheff C05 and Andrew Pappas were wed on May 21, 2022 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church across the street from LCHS. Anna’s brother, John C03, was the koumbaro (religious sponsor), while brother Carl’s C01 children, Joseph and Camila, were the ring bearer and flower girl. Anna continues to be a dentist in the family practice and Andrew is an attorney specializing in international tax law.
NOTES
Evan Zarotney C18 was named to Alma College’s Dean’s List for his outstanding performance during the winter term 2022. Students who carry at least 13 credits and maintain a 3.5 GPA are eligible for this recognition. Congratulations!
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Congratulations to Gina Nowland C17 on being named Michigan Elementary Student Teacher of the Year. Nominated by her principal and mentor, it’s known that, “Gina’s work goes beyond outstanding.” Well done!
Fr. John Byers O65 was granted senior priest status effective June 29, 2022. For the past twenty-four years, Fr. John has served as the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lansing. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Two members of the class of 2022 are fourth generation legacy students of K-12 Catholic education in Lansing. The great-grandmother of Vinny LaMacchia C22 (left), Pauline Jury, graduated from Resurrection in 1939 and the greatgrandfather of Jesse O’Leary C22, Vince O’Leary, attended St. Mary High School before going off to war. Thank you to these and all of our legacy families for keeping the Lansing Catholic tradition going!
Ella Farlin C22 (left) placed first in the Congressional Art Competition representing the 8th District of Michigan. She will have her winning artwork on display at the U.S. Capitol for one year. Alberto Naccarato C22 placed 4th. The two were honored at a reception in Brighton.
Jake Bullock C12 was recently named as the new varsity head basketball coach at Lansing Catholic. Bullock was a four-year captain at Aquinas College with 1,843 career points and was a two-time NAIA All-American. He then went on to serve at WMU as graduate manager, director of basketball operations, and most recently as one of the youngest assistant coaches in the NCAA.
Woody Ellis C99 is about to tour the Americas with his very own school bus while volunteering at animal and wildlife organizations. He hopes to raise funds and awarenss for them. For the past ten years he’s traveled to 25 countries and met some amazing people. You can follow him at @whereswoodyoneandonly on Instagram or Facebook.
Myla Wolff C16 is continuing to serve as a missionary with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) at California State University in Long Beach for another year. You can read about her story and support her at focus.org/missionaries/myla-wolff.
Nick Listermann C16 graduated from the U.S. Military Academy with a degree in civil engineering and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
University of Dayton associate professor and collections librarian and archivist Stephanie (Soule) Shreffler C06 has been recognized by the Catholic Research Resources Alliance (CRRA) for her outstanding leadership and service to the organization. Shreffler has served on the CRRA’s collections committee since September 2014 and became its chair in August 2016.
Please inform us of the passing of any alumni at bit.ly/deceased-alum
Alumni from the Grand Traverse area gathered at Sleder’s Family Tavern on June 16 to catch up with one another, reminisce, and find out what great things are happening today at Lansing Catholic. The goal of these ‘on the road’ events is to help alumni connect with one another. Many already know each other but don’t realize they have this common bond of attending Catholic high school in Lansing. That’s exactly what happened in Traverse City as people discovered their common roots.
Is your class having a reunion this year?
Margaret E. Lynch (O68)
Tom Wangler (R55)
Mary (Stump) Bechtol (M62)
David Hotchkiss (G64)
John Gray (R63)
Gathered for their 45th class reunion weekend July 15-17 2022.
Julie Anne McNeilly, daughter of Mary Jane (Letzau) McNeilly (R55)
Class of 1962 - St. Mary High School
IN MEMORIAM
Pat Easterbrook (O68)
John Cook (R48)
Front Row: Katie (Verhougstraete) Mason C03, Kelly (Dubiel) Kochanny C03, Judy (Franks) King O68, Eileen (Fritch) Smith R63, Tanya (Farhat) Struble O68, Claire (Martin) Brown C07. Back Row: Wayne Mueller C88, Dennis Brodeur C85, Ian Moore C19, Doug Moore C80.
Lansing Catholic High School’s first graduating class is celebrating their 50+1 Reunion from September 16-18, 2022. There are several events planned for the weekend, highlighted by the gathering at Ellision Brewery Co. Reo Town on the evening of Friday, September 16, 2022. Please visit our Facebook group, lansingcatholic71, or reach out to us at lansingcatholic71@gmail.com for more reunion news. For more information, please contact Renee Acker at (517) 230-4229 or Valerie Dabous Boyle at (518) 225-7297.
Join us for our 50th class reunion the weekend of September 2325, 2022. Plans right now include a golf outing and Homecoming tailgate and game on September 23 and reunion at the Crowne Plaza on September 24. Other details and activities are forthcoming. For more information, contact Vic Torok at 517-230-2873 or vtorok@comcast.net, or Mary McDougal at 517-256-6505 or marynascar6@gmail.com.
C — Lansing Catholic (Central) R — Resurrection
Class of 1977 - Lansing Catholic
Mary (St. Pierre) Zamarron (M54)
Gary Ozanich (G68)
It has already been 20 years! We’re celebrating at Lake Lansing North on Saturday, August 6 at noon. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jenny Golata at jennay311@gmail.com, message on her Facebook profile, or respond to the Facebook invitation for the reunion.
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Wayne Miller (R55)
Class of 1972 - Lansing Catholic
O — O’Rafferty
Barbara Ann (Early) Fellows (R42)
Mary (Beachnau) Saub (R56)
CLASS NOTES
We’re having a 60th class reunion on Tuesday, July 12 at 1:00pm at Jimmy’s Pub, 16830 Chandler Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. RSVP to Karen Rice Powers at kcpowers@msn.com or by calling Shirley Hoover Stephenson at 517-242-9714. Don’t count the years, let’s recall the memories!
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Let us help you get the word out by contacting Doug Moore at 517-267-2153 or doug.moore@lansingcatholic.org. Consider having your class reunion the weekend of Homecoming (September 23) and joining with other classes at the tailgate before the game.
Jeff Moore (C81)
Mary Victoria (Glennon) Schario (R54) Rose Mary Glennon (R63)
M — St. Mary G — Gabriels
Ted Spagnuolo (R62)
REUNIONS
ALUMNI CONNECTIONS ON THE ROAD
Class of 1971 - Lansing Catholic
Lou Boyer - longtime football coach and father of Brian Boyer (C96)
Class of 2002 - Lansing Catholic
It’s easy to make assumptions about what a principal does, but we don’t see behind the scenes of each late night spent making new school day schedules, the early morning meetings, or the after school office hours spent looking at enrollment and developing teacher formation days. We also don’t see the tough decisions and personal toll the job takes on those who hold it. She carries the weight of the private struggles of hundreds of students and families, and offers her help and prayers throughout. She’s solved countless problems without saying a word or missing a beat. It’s lonely work, and we owe her a debt of gratitude we’ll never be able to fully repay. As Schmerbeck walks through the hallways she knows each student by name, asks how we are doing, and remembers every detail you share with her. Small relational acts like hers make a huge impact on the school community as a whole,
and have set the tone for all of us during the pandemic and its Butrecovery.aswesay
farewell to a deeply thoughtful individual who has sacrificed much of her own time and talent to make Lansing Catholic a better place—and to make sure each and every person here is enriched by our experience of the school—we can only land on one conclusion. It’s this: during her time here, Schmerbeck has been a total embodiment of our school’s pillars. Faith, excellence, service and tradition all are made known in the example she has set for us. We are grateful for her time and gifts, and we wish her all the best in the days and years ahead, as she continues to walk with God.
These words remind us that our God is a God of surprises. He wishes to bless us beyond our imagination and remains close to us in our darkest moments of doubt, confusion and grief. It is an invitation for us to deepen our trust in Him at the end of one year as we look forward to whatever He brings us in the next.
Ms. Krystyn Schmerbeck Principal | Lansing Catholic High School
Each day, each moment is a gift. Let us be grateful for the gift of this past school year. Let us live fully the joy of summer with its gifts of restoration and relaxation. Let us trust and be confident that many good moments are yet to come for each of us.
M
A FINAL WORD
Editorial: In a Season of Farewells, This Is One of the Toughest Excerpt from The LCHS Insider, Volume 1, Issue 2 A FINAL NOTE
Editor’s Note: Krystyn Schmerbeck formally resigned as principal effective June 30, 2022. President Dominic Iocco will serve as interim principal for the 2022-23 school year.
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y heart is full of joy, gratitude and bittersweet sadness at writing this final note to such an amazing community. There is simultaneously too much to say and too few words to commemorate the gift of these past two years.
Thank you for a wonderful two years! Carrying you in gratitude and prayer close to my heart! GO COUGARS!
The phrase “duc in altum” means “set out into the deep.” Jesus spoke these words to Peter and his friends, who had worked all night without any catch of fish to reward their efforts. Nevertheless, since they had nothing to lose, they took Jesus at His word and their boats began to sink and their nets to tear because of the weight of so many fish.
totally yours Catholic High School Marshall Street MI 517-267-2100www.lansingcatholic.org48912
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Lansing,
Annual gifts to the Cor Fund provide a crucial bridge between tuition revenue and the actual costs to deliver a quality Catholic education, directly affecting students while supporting every aspect of the Lansing Catholic experience.
At the heart of it all, your gifts are an investment in the lives and futures of our students - a reaffirmation of our identify and our commitment to form students spiritually, intellectually, and socially into faithful discriples of Jesus Christ.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE LIVES AND FUTURES OF OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY Learn more about the Cor Fund: visit lansingcatholic.org/COR call 517-267-2121, or email give@lansingcatholic.org
Lansing
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