YOUNG ALUMS ADVISE JUNIORS AT COLLEGE DAY
Seated (left to right) Gregg Brown ’07, Jackie Mitrovich ’08, Joe Roccasalva ’08, Allie Johnson ’07, Dennis Kelly ’08, Rich Wilson ’08, Ikem Anadumaka ’08, April Milkovic ’08, and Morgan-Leigh Trump ’08. Standing (left to right) Annette Ruth ’07, Melinda Fried ’08, Angela Guerino ’08, Mike Friar ’08, Jenna Ellis ’08, Steven Dudley ’07, Tim Blewitt ’08, Liz Tortorello ’08, Jasmine Baker ’08, Erika Hardesty ’07, Ryan Hackett ’08, Jessica Collinsgrove ’07, Joe Giannini ’08, Justin Thirstrup ’08, Chris Saffore ’08, Breanna Pustai ’08, Joe Christofanelli ’08, Aundrea Rogers ’08, Melanie Seaton ’08, Courtney Cahill ’08, Madeline O’Sullivan ’08, Ashley Cann ’08, Falon Dandridge ’08, Ryan Merriman ’08, Kyla Kelly ’08 and Bill Finlon ’08.
As a junior in high school, sometimes the furthest thing from one’s mind is what college life is going to be like, or even which school might be the most suitable. Through the Marian Catholic Alumni Association and the Alumni Office, dozens of college freshmen and sophomores are invited back to talk with current juniors about the college selection process and campus life. Over lunch in the beautiful MCHS Leadership Center, lively discussion and laughter ensues with the juniors asking lots of questions and the grads painting a true picture of what to expect. Tim Blewitt ’08 (Marquette University) said, “During College Day when I was a junior, I heard several of the college students talk about how well they were prepared. When I spoke as a grad in January, I said the exact same thing. I made sure to tell every student that the next year and a half of their high school experience was going to be a very crucial time in terms of college acceptance and scholarship money. I told them to stay focused on their grades as well as their passions, whether that included playing a musical instrument, participating in a
sport, acting on stage, or simply doing what they love to do. In short, I told them to find a balance between work and fun, because once they go to college, they will be able to apply everything that they have learned from Marian in order to make the absolute most out of their college experience.” Annette Ruth ’07 (Notre Dame) added, “When I was a junior at Marian, I had a fair idea to which undergraduate institutions I wished to apply. However, it was with the help of alumni I heard speak at College Day, and from the personal conversations I had with them, that I firmly decided upon my top choices. They offered the wisdom from personal experience, having come from the same educational background as me, which proved invaluable to my decisions.” Both Tim’s and Annette’s experiences are echoed by dozens of other grads who have returned to participate in College Day over the years. College Day 2010 is set for January 6. Young alums: Mark your calendars now!
MARIAN CATHOLIC, SOCIAL NETWORKING AND YOU
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Alumni Director Carol Burke Swanson ’81 elaborates, “In working together with the reunion committees, our office can provide the kind of reunion experience that will be a cherished memory for years to come. Reunion guests participate in the Mass, making it a very moving, spiritual time together. They tour the school, and finally enter the beautifully decorated Leadership Center where catching up with old friends takes place. There is a real sense of community when guests gather to celebrate their Marian heritage.” As you ponder your next reunion, keep in mind that Marian has an Alumni Office staff capable of attending to all the details so you can concentrate on reconnecting and having a great time. Maybe you are even willing to help contact some classmates to encourage them to attend! Make your next reunion a time to remember! All you need to do is call or email Carol Burke Swanson ’81 (708) 756-9775 cswanson@marianchs.com.
have turned to evite.com and facebook.com to help locate each other and populate their reunions. This appears to be the way of the future, but still doesn’t reach everyone in the class; there remain some who are excluded for one reason or another. Practically speaking then, the only way to ensure that every person in a particular class is contacted is through the Marian Alumni Office. The alumni database, with over 15,000 entries, is the key to reunion success now that Marian offers in-house class reunions for those 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years out. That’s right! Marian facilitates nine reunions every year. The 5, 10 and 15 year groups have an informal gathering on the Friday night of the annual Homecoming game; the rest gather for Mass and reunion festivities in the Leadership Center on the Saturday night of Homecoming. Reunion committees are formed for each class, charged with three tasks: Contact their classmates through provided phone and email lists; make decisions about food/beverages, music and decorations; and attend the reunion and have fun. 9