BRAVE MAGAZINE
e v a r B
Art by Mary Larson ’90 – read her story on page 10
Working for Social Justice: Alumni & Student Stories
A Brave Future Campaign Update
Sports & Arts Round-ups
Reflection on Empathy
TABLE OF CONTENTS Alumni in Social Justice
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Social Justice on Campus 12 A Brave Future Campaign Update Sports Update Arts Update
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Alumni Reunions and Events Grad Tidings
24
In Memoriam
27
Reflection
14
22
28
Brave Magazine Spring 2018 Published twice annually by: Bishop Blanchet High School 8200 Wallingford Ave North Seattle, WA 98103 www.bishopblanchet.org
Editor Jen Russell Director of Marketing & Communications Printer Precision Press Designer Mathes Design
Contributing Writers Mary Williams Beard ’81, Robert Lukevich ’04, Jacqueline Robinette, Corey Eriksen, Antonio DeSapio, Sean Gaskill ’02
Contributing Photographers Stephen Brashear, Chris Grasseschi
If you would like to send a letter to the editor, update your contact information or contribute a written piece for consideration, please email jrussell@bishopblanchet.org.
Dear friends and family of Bishop Blanchet, I am thrilled to present to you another issue of Brave Magazine packed with stories that make me so proud of our Bishop Blanchet Family! Throughout these pages, I invite you to take in profiles of our distinguished alumni, dedicating themselves to living out our mission so focused on service to others. I am also delighted to share the accomplishments of our active student body competing at the highest levels in the athletic arena and sharing their artistic talents on the stage. Enjoy reading about all the achievements of our students and the extraordinary ways they represent the Brave Family! Looking ahead, I am eager to continue the positive momentum with our capital campaign, A Brave Future. Read all about our progress and the projects we’ve completed with additional plans this coming summer! We have so much to celebrate and we ask for God’s continued blessings on this beloved school!
God Bless and Go Braves!
Antonio DeSapio President
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Working for Social Justice: Law
Washington State Attorney General
Bob Ferguson ’83 by Jen Russell, Director of Marketing & Communications
When I contacted Bob Ferguson’s office to inquire about his availability for an interview, I expected to be asked to email him some questions or perhaps get a few minutes of his time on the phone. After all, this is a man with a demanding job in public service who had risen to national and international prominence with his office’s challenge to Executive Order 13769 (commonly known as the “Travel Ban”). An interview with his alma mater’s magazine wasn’t something he had time for! I was surprised when instead, our Alumni Director, Robert Lukevich, and I were warmly invited to the attorney general’s downtown Seattle office to chat in person that week. We quickly learned that Mr. Ferguson (who introduces himself as Bob) places a high priority on personal connection – with his constituents, his community and his family.
he began playing at age 9. Mr. Ferguson recalls skipping classes to play – his buddy could forge his mother’s signature perfectly – and racking up 19 absences his senior year. In fact, he was missing from an assembly honoring him with a leadership award because he was caught up in a chess game off campus.
Still, he recalls his time at BBHS as a formative experience and appreciates the deep bonds he made with the faculty. He describes in particular his appreciation for Pat Miranda’s ’62 honors English class, for Sally Ketter’s comparative religion course, US History after 1945 with George Monica ’62 and for the close relationships developed with Pat Tennell and Fr. Douglas. His interest in politics was also first piqued as a student at Blanchet when his class was required to write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper. The It was June when we got together and you could tell Seattle Times and PI ran his letter, written in support of that talking about his newfound fame – including appearances on The Rachel Maddow Show and Anderson Cooper 360 and an interview in the New York Times – made him a little uncomfortable. He waved away his inclusion in Time magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People list as something he “thought must have been an April Fool’s joke” and described all of the attention as an “unusual experience.” It’s certainly not something he appears to spend much time thinking about, noting with a smile that it’s not a topic that comes up at home often or something he thinks his twin ten year olds, Jack and Katie, would be particularly interested in. So much of this media attention has naturally focused on his team’s work to challenge Executive Order 13769. However, Robert and I were more interested in learning about his experience at Bishop Blanchet and his journey from chess-obsessed kid to where he is today. The sixth of seven children, Bob joked that “Blanchet was the only school accepting a Ferguson” after his older siblings had all attended Seattle Prep, O’Dea and Holy Names. As an 8th grader at St. Anne, he tested into the BBHS honors program but notes that he was quickly demoted, with the exception of being allowed to continue in honors English. “I was not a particularly good student in high school,” he chuckled. Indeed, academics fell in priority to his passion for chess, which
Archbishop Hunthausen, and in response Bob received a letter from State Senator Ray Moore. Ferguson says, “I was surprised to hear personally from a politician – that had a real impact on me.” When, as part of a political science class, the students had to write about a local campaign, Ferguson called Moore, who invited him to his home and spent an hour and half with him.
Books on Ferguson’s credenza.
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Moore ultimately became a friend and mentor and his faith and service played a role in his career choice Bob reflects, “that one assignment at Blanchet really he says, “Well, I was pretty sure I was not going to end up being a partner at a law office downtown. My goal had a profound effect on me.” was to use my law degree in some way to help people.” Upon graduation, 18-year-old Ferguson spent a year pursuing a professional chess career (accumulating This commitment to service impacts Ferguson’s a State Championship and top five National finish) approach to his job beyond his work on high profile before matriculating at the University of Washington. cases. For example, he personally responds to each He describes taking his college studies “much more handwritten letter he receives from a Washingtonian. seriously” and balanced coursework with student He describes his role as “not just writing legal briefs— government (he was elected ASUW President his junior it’s communicating with people and responding to year). Following his time at the UW, he spent a year them and representing them.” His daughter, Katie, with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, which is when he started responding with a personal note to any letters started to seriously consider pursuing a legal career. He from children when she saw her dad answering letters says, “I was working for an emergency services office. from home. When asked more about the intersection It was a very formative experience for me, but I felt like of his work and family life, he is clear that his family it was a bit of a Band-Aid to the problems. I noticed takes priority. He is able to be very present with his a legal clinic down the street and wondered if those children because he limits speaking engagements and lawyers were in a better position to deal with inequities public events on the weekends. He says, “I don’t miss in a systematic way.” When we asked Ferguson – who soccer games or plays. I’m at all of those things. I would at one time considered becoming a priest – about how consider my life a failure if at my funeral my kids said I was good at my job instead of saying I was a good father. The night we won the travel ban, I was home reading in bed with my kids, not out celebrating with beers. That was the most important moment of my professional career and I was home with my family.” For someone with so many options (there is already buzz about a run for governor), Ferguson doesn’t seem particularly interested in more power, prestige or money. He says, “Money is overrated. It just is! I don’t spend one minute of every day thinking about it. Material possessions just don’t have meaning to me. We reused everything growing up and my own kids get their books at Goodwill or the library.” He and his wife, Colleen, clearly work hard at raising compassionate and grounded children. They chose St. Catherine school (where they are also parishioners) for their children both for its faith-filled environment and for its emphasis on social justice.
“I encourage people to do what they’re passionate about. I direct my staff to take on the cases they are passionate about – it’s all for the greater good. Everyone does their best work when they’re doing the work they are passionate about.” 4 / BISHOP BLANCHET HIGH SCHOOL BRAVE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018
Like most successful people, Mr. Ferguson is asked often what advice he would give to young people interested in pursuing a similar path. He shakes his head and says, “I’m not that linear – chess was hugely formative to what I do now. If I didn’t spend thousands of hours playing chess, I wouldn’t have been able to take on the kinds of cases I have. I worry about kids who just march straight on to get through things; I spent time playing chess, taking five years through college, did JVC…I encourage people to do what they’re passionate about. I direct my staff to take on the cases they are passionate about—it’s all for the greater good. Everyone does their best work when they’re doing the work they are passionate about.”
Working for Social Justice: Direct Service
Northwest’s Child
Undeterred, Darcy knew that her educational background in special education and her passion for helping the vulnerable could help bridge this gap and the idea for Northwest’s Child was born. She explains, “When I first came to Blanchet, I just had an idea. We found out about the houses they owned and rented and I thought that one would make a good space for a center. They didn’t know me from Adam, but they gave me a chance. Blanchet took a risk on a concept that no one had even heard of.” Northwest’s Child established nonprofit status in 1989 and opened their doors in 1991. Today, Northwest’s Child has grown by Jen Russell, Director of Marketing & Communications in size and scope and Darcy is joined in her work by three of her five children. Now, the family, in addition to their 25 staff members, oversee six locations in the Seattle area. Two locations have programs for school age students while four locations (known as Aaron’s Place) are dedicated to serving young adults 21 and older. During our conversation, Lindsey, Taylor and Vince (who worked for Northwest’s Child for a period before becoming a police officer) joined their mother in their enthusiastic articulation for the importance of these programs.
Lindsey Hupf ’02 Taylor Hupf ’04 Vincent Hupf ’08 Jaybry Hupf ’17
Photo: Taylor (left) and Lindsey (right) enjoying time with an Aaron’s Place student.
Taylor, who studied human services at Western Washington University, explained that because she and her siblings “grew up” with Northwest’s Child, it took her awhile to even consider making the program the focus of her career. She said, “Honestly, I didn’t know I could work for the program. When I was in college and was trying to figure out my major, I knew I wanted to be involved in special ed. I had this moment where I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I already am doing what I want to do.’” She, like her sister Lindsey, worked her way up from an assistant teacher to teacher to her current role as assistant director. The pair now spend the bulk of their Darcy didn’t set out to be a pioneer. In the late 80s she time on administrative duties like fundraising, meeting was operating her home-based daycare when she was with new families and scheduling and mentoring staff presented with a child whose parents were desperate while also juggling the times they need to jump in on for a solution. Max, 13 years old at the time, had severe the program side as a teacher. Autism and Down Syndrome and required significant supervision and care to keep him safe. In her search for When asked about what makes their programs unique, a program to help Max, Darcy came upon an unsettling they are quick to point out the 1 to 2 staff to student ratio truth: there were no local programs in existence that and individualized attention. Each day, the students of served the full-day, year round needs of children, teens Aaron’s Place (and of Northwest’s Child when school and adults with moderate to severe disabilities. is not in session) begin their morning focusing on On a recent Friday afternoon, Darcy Doyle-Hupf and her children Lindsey ’02, Taylor ’04 and Vincent ’08 crossed the backyard of Northwest’s Child’s Seattle location and onto the campus of Bishop Blanchet for our interview. With their location right next door (and at one time here on campus in a second floor classroom), many in the Blanchet student body have come to know the teachers and students of Northwest’s Child over the years. Fewer, however, likely know the history of the organization or how truly unique its model and mission are.
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Photo, above left: Officer Vincent Hupf with Aaron’s Place students on an outing. Above right: Jaybry teaches a student at Northwest’s Child.
individualized learning plans before embarking on a group field trip. Every student, regardless of his or her limitations, participates fully in the life of the program. Trips to the zoo, tours of radio stations and taking in Mariners games are all student favorites. Making these experiences – the same activities their typically developing peers enjoy – is a hallmark of the program’s model. Taylor says, “I can walk outside and do whatever I want and our students should be able to do the same. We try really hard to have the disability not define whatever they can do. It doesn’t need to be a barrier to have them experiencing a purposeful quality of life.”
time getting exposure. But the population this program serves doesn’t have that voice. Parents are overwhelmed simply getting through their day-today life.” Helping to give this population a voice – and visibility in their communities – is the heart of the social justice work the organization accomplishes. Darcy notes that “Before Northwest’s Child was started, if I – someone in special education – didn’t know that there was this lack of services, how would anyone else be expected to know?” Lindsey and Taylor nod their heads in agreement and add that one of the biggest challenges they face is simply raising awareness that there is a need. The program’s unique two to one ratio means that the model is expensive and fundraising is challenging when many simply assume that “the State takes care of it.” Still, the four family members are undaunted by the challenges and grow excited as they talk about future plans--adding the ability for students to receive therapeutic services onsite and the possibility of more locations. They know that with commitment, dedication and community support anything is possible.
Jaybry, who was with his students during our interview time, echoes his siblings, and mother’s hope for the future of the program when writing us: “My biggest hope for Northwest’s Child is to expand. I would love nothing more than to have more than 10 sites five years This integration into the local community is also a from now. I want Northwest’s Child to be the first thing key piece of their advocacy. Lindsey notes that many that people think of when they think about a place people are simply unaware that there is a gap in care, that makes a difference and makes their clients enjoy “Many people assume that the State provides programs every moment they are there. Northwest’s Child is by for these students. The reality is that there aren’t any far the best thing I have done with my life. During my other school age programs like ours that serve kids childhood, Mom always said ‘do a good deed a day.’ I with significant disabilities. And young adults often can truthfully go home and I know at the very least I end up in an elder care center instead of being with have done one with my job.” their own peers. Seeing us go out in the community on our field trips is one step in helping bring about more awareness for this population and need.” Her brother Vincent adds that “In some underserved populations, they may have a voice or an easier
Ways to Get Involved There are many ways to support Northwest’s Child! As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Corporation, financial support is always needed. There are many ways to donate: making individual donations to NWC, making corporatematch donations, attend the Annual Fundraising Gala (April 28th 2018). They also welcome Community Partnerships! For more information, or to join their mailing list, contact Inquiries@northwestschild.org or call 206-526-2493 and become a part of the Northwest’s Child family!
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Working for Social Justice: Activism An Interview with Human Rights Activist
Dominic Procopio ’97 What are some of the most challenging aspects of your job? The most rewarding?
Please share about your education and career path. How did you decide on your particular career?
In doing human rights work from Washington, DC, the challenges I face to do my job can’t compare to those confronted by human rights defenders in other parts of the Americas. For seeking social justice, activists in Latin America face threats, intimidation and harassment from their governments and fellow citizens. They lose their jobs and homes. Far too many have been imprisoned, tortured and killed. So, I certainly face challenges, but I try to remind myself to be thankful that I can pursue the work I wish to do without having to face these serious consequences.
I graduated from Blanchet in 1997 and received my B.A. in the Political Economy of Latin America from The Evergreen State College. I received an M.A. in Human Rights in Latin America from the University of Texas at Austin. For the last two years I worked at the Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights in Washington, DC, helping grassroots activists in Latin America fight discrimination and advocate for their rights at the The most rewarding aspect of working on human rights United Nations and the Inter-American Commission on is the time I get to spend working side-by-side with partners from the region. Many overcome obstacles that Human Rights. would dissuade even the bravest among us to continue. I became interested in working for social justice in Seeing their courage and perseverance always inspires Latin America during a visit to Chile, which was an me to work harder, to be more grateful. I feel best when eye-opening experience for me as a person fortunate I can be with partners when they achieve a victory – a enough to be raised with a lot of privileges. In learning pronouncement in favor of their cause from a UN body about Chile I began to better understand the role that or a ruling that will move them closer to their goals. For Americans - through our government - have played in many it’s a shock that their petitions have been heard. shaping Chile’s and other countries’ political and social Too often they are used to being ignored and silenced. life, which has not always been a helpful one in terms of So, I am always happiest when l can share in their joy advancing social justice. After returning home I decided when their voices are finally heard. I wanted find a way to work for greater equality and justice, and my interest in Latin America led me to What was your time at BBHS like? Did you know as a focus my work in the region. high schooler what you ultimately wanted to study and/or do as a career? How do you see your job as supporting social justice? I look back appreciatively on my time at Blanchet. I’m In many ways promoting human rights and supporting especially grateful for the patience and dedication social justice are pretty similar endeavors. Perhaps shown to me by my teachers, qualities I’m sure I people in the human rights world are a little more tested too often. I’m thankful to have grown up in a concerned with the legal aspect of advancing social community that understands our world is not perfect, justice, but I’d like to think that the two paths are that it’s important to work to make it a better place, almost identical. In my work, I’ve always been drawn to and that doing so begins with compassion for all and issues or projects that promote the rights of people and self-reflection about how we fall short in our calling to groups that have faced exclusion or marginalization love one another. from studying the political work of people who earn their living combing garbage for recyclables in Buenos As a high schooler I had no idea I would end up doing Aires, to working with Afro-Colombian victims of their the work I do now. Unfortunately, I didn’t heed Coach country’s armed conflict, to promoting the rights of Monica’s advice to hit the weights during the offseason LGBTI persons facing disproportionate rates of violence and my dreams of playing professional baseball were due to their exclusion and stigmatization by institutions cut short at the end of the 1997 Metro season. But I couldn’t be happier to find myself doing the work I do. of power.
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Working for Social Justice: Education An Interview with Teacher
Andrew Engel ’04 Please share about your education, volunteering and ultimate career path. How did you decide on your particular career? I didn’t know I wanted to be a teacher until much closer to making the decision to pursue a masters degree in education, but I always knew I wanted to work in a service-oriented field. I think that started with the example of my sister (Kristin (Engel) Mull ’95) and her service to the United States Peace Corps in Zambia, continued with involvement volunteering with and serving on the board of the St. Vincent de Paul Society while a Blanchet student, and culminated with volunteering and directing volunteers while a staff member for the Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP) while a student at Santa Clara University. Additionally, while at SCU, I had the opportunity to attend immersion and service trips to the Tenderloin district of San Francisco, Tijuana, and El Salvador, which inspired me to commit to a longer-term international service program with the Peace Corps in Tanzania where I was a secondary school teacher. All these amazing, developmental, and often life-changing experiences helped me to realize I enjoyed working with children, wanted to mentor kids particularly those in low-income areas, and wanted to do what I could to get them amped about biology (what I studied at SCU) at the same time. At that point, teaching seemed like the right career, and while it is often difficult, misunderstood, or underappreciated, I appreciate the challenge that each new day brings.
How do you see your commitment to social justice in your past volunteer work and current job? One of the reasons I chose Santa Clara for college is because a close family friend had attended and raved about the sense of community and getting outside of one’s bubble to get involved. While there, there was a deep emphasis on “building men and women for others” and it really resonated with my past experiences at Blanchet and who I wanted to become. SCCAP and the
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immersion trips, then, became a way to learn about the world around me, recognize my immense blessings and privileges, and be a man for others. Social justice to me is the simple acknowledgment that all around our country and world there are those who are cast aside, forgotten, and ignored, and then making a point to do something about it and to ensure that everyone’s humanity is honored and respected. At SCCAP I organized volunteers for an after-school program for kids with incarcerated parents, who were missing loved ones and mentors at a crucial point in their lives, and built life-long friendships with members of the LGBTQ community, who were misunderstood and discriminated against. Here in Napa, I teach in a Title I school (at least a third of the student body qualifies for free or reduced price meals) with a large immigrant population where my students often work to support their families. Being a man for others demands that I humanize and value the experiences and cultures of these communities, do what I can to give of my time and talents and work for equity across ethnicities, religions and ways of life.
What was your time at BBHS like? Did you know as a high schooler what you ultimately wanted to study and/or do as a career?
Andrew Engel served as a secondary school teacher with the Peace Corps in Tanzania.
I commuted from Snohomish so at first, not knowing anyone was challenging for a shy kid from a small farm town. But the community that is fostered by the staff and upperclassmen at Blanchet allowed me to quickly find my niche and a great group of friends which I still keep in touch with on a daily or weekly basis. I loved the classes I took from amazing teachers like Fr. Doug, Mr. Flickinger, Ms. Valach, Mr. Carr, Mr. Genest, Mr. Sullivan, and Coach Connors and while I liked science the best, I saw the doors my holistic Catholic education was opening for me. Like I mentioned, I didn’t know I wanted to be a teacher until much later, but attending Kairos my senior year, led by Ms. Christensen and Mr. Sullivan, very pointedly showed me that my BBHS brothers and sisters, and really everyone, have struggles and burdens, and that those of us that are able, can and should be there for those in need to ease the burden and bring light where there may be darkness. I realized then, that being there for others, in whatever capacity, and building relationships was something that I was meant to do.
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Working for Social Justice: Health Care & Philanthropy
An Interview with Nurse & Artist
Mary Larson ’90 Please share about your education and career path. How did you decide on nursing? During my time as a student at Bishop Blanchet, I planned to become an airplane pilot...until I signed up for the school lacrosse team. During a game, I was hit in the face by a lacrosse ball and broke my nose. I had to spend a night at Children’s Hospital to have my nose repaired. The nurses who took care of me were so kind and caring that when I left the hospital I knew that I was supposed to be a nurse. When I was discerning what area of Nursing I would go into, I was inspired by the experiences I’d had with
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my teachers at Blanchet who were the first to expose me to working with people who were homeless.On a regular basis, our teachers would have us make simple sandwiches and serve them to the men at St. Martin de Porres Shelter. My memories are very fond of those special times with my teachers and my classmates. When the opportunity presented itself during college to share my nursing skills with people experiencing homelessness, I jumped at the chance and have been doing it ever since. Where I work at Harborview, most of the patients we care for are experiencing homelessness or are low-income, adult men and women who live in downtown Seattle.
How do you see your nursing role as supporting social justice? Each of us has our own, unique way in which we support social justice...mine happens to be through nursing, which I think is a vocation that lends itself pretty easily to supporting social justice. When I think of social justice, I think of a gospel reflection by Pope Francis: “I was hungry, I was thirsty, I was in prison, I was sick, I was naked and you helped me, clothed me, visited me, took care of me. Whenever we do this to one of our brothers, we do this to Jesus…” To me, that’s what’s at the heart of social justice. And it’s a lesson that I learned from my teachers at Blanchet!
Please describe how you incorporated artwork into your service to homeless people. Where did this idea first come to you? How did you see it evolve? After college I discovered painting and began painting portraits of the people I cared for who were homeless. When we hung several of the portraits on the walls of the clinic where I work as a nurse, patients at the clinic began making requests to have their portraits painted. During their clinic visits, they would comment, “I’m a part of this community. My painting belongs up on the wall. Paint my picture!”
Want to see more of Mary’s artwork? Visit her website at www.marylarsonart.com.
decided to leverage the paintings in exchange for gifts While preparing to hang a suite of portraits for a small for our patients at the clinic. I marked one painting “for exhibit in Seattle, I got stuck when it came time to mark sale” in exchange for 500 new, warm stocking caps, a price on each painting. The idea of placing a dollar another for 1,000 pairs of new socks, another for 500 value on the art didn’t seem right to me. Instead of pairs of warm gloves and so-on. These simple items marking each piece “for sale” in exchange for money, I might not seem important to most people, but they are genuine luxuries to many – particularly to people with no place to call home. The portraits are celebrations of sorts of the extraordinary people I have the privilege of helping care for as a nurse. Of course, it’s always fun for me to accept a massive delivery of new socks in exchange for a painting, but what is especially meaningful to me about the art is to see the joy it brings to the subjects whom I paint. I hope their portraits make them feel beautiful and important!
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your work? Every one of my teachers at Bishop Blanchet made a lasting impact on me as a human being and the path I’ve chosen. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of at least one of them and I am inspired… and grateful!
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Social Justice on Campus
Olivia Ford ’19 (front row, second from right) works for social justice through her extracurricular activies.
Olivia Ford ’19 on her involvement with Diversity Club, Black Student Union and the Multicultural Affairs Counsel: “Through my involvement with Diversity Club, BSU and the Multicultural Student Council, I find a sense of unity and peace when people come together to build and create great things. Every one of us is human and deserves the same chance to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. I’ve always had the heart and empathy for helping others and these activities give me a chance to do that at BBHS. To me, social justice is so important because while everyone has something they fight for, it means so much more when you are fighting for those without a voice. One thing that I have experienced and learned so much from was when I made a short film on diversity and unity for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly. I learned not only about myself and my own perspective but others as well. I learned how others thought and felt about real problems, learned their viewpoints and was able to showcase that through an image. I found that the most amazing learning opportunity for me – as someone who uses words a lot – was to be able to just watch and listen.”
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Laura Meaux (second from left) with colleagues at the 2017 People of Color Conference
Savannah Waltier ’19 on her involvement in service to the poor and marginalized: “When we reach out to people who need help or are being treated with injustice, we are showing that we are all humans who want to give and receive love--that value and experience trumps the differences we may have from one another. That’s why direct service is an important aspect of working for social justice--showing that empathy to people is the justice they deserve. When participating in direct service it’s easy to see the social injustice all around us, right under our noses, and in the world. This motivates us to strive for social justice and it always reminds me to stay humble and not take anything for granted. Blanchet has such a unique program that involves a strong value of service and respect towards one another. I feel really lucky to be involved in that and to live in that atmosphere. It can be easy to only focus on my problems and my life and direct service is a wake up call to change my perspective to the larger world and what’s happening all around us. I believe service makes us more informed and motivated people who seek out current issues in the world that they are passionate about and want to respond to problems in a way that will help everyone, not just ourselves.”
Savannah preps food at a service retreat.
Laura (Milne) Meaux ’01, Director of Educational Technology and ASB Advisor, on attending the People of Color Conference: “I am very fortunate to have attended the PoCC in Anaheim this year with my colleagues from BBHS. As a first time attendee, it was inspiring, engaging, slightly overwhelming, and challenging to me personally. One of my major takeaways from the conference is the self- awareness that I need to begin to have courageous conversations with colleagues and students and recognize that, although they might be uncomfortable, they are vital for our school. The PoCC taught me to “lean-in” to the discomfort – only then can we move forward as a school, supporting our students. In my role as the ASB Advisor, this conference was particularly helpful for me with how I can make this diversity work a priority for our students in leadership roles. One session I attended was titled “Find Comfort in Discomfort: Normalizing Race Conversations with Kids” which I found very applicable to this role in working with student leaders. I am very excited
to engage these students in the diversity and social justice work at our school and feel adequately prepared to begin those conversations with them. A session that was particularly inspiring for this work was focused on moving from “actor to ally to accomplice.” It was eye opening to see the categories broken up and simplified for a better understanding of how to shift into the, sometimes uncomfortable, space of accomplice. Being an accomplice is a challenge to us to go outside of our comfort zones, take bigger risks and make greater sacrifices because we need to in order for real change to occur. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to attend the conference and look forward to continuing my education in this important work as well as working with my colleagues to continue this dialogue and call to action at BBHS.”
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BBHS A
BRAVE FUTURE CAMPAIGN
Photo: Chris Simmons ’06, hard at work on what will be the new student commons..
A Brave Future is Taking Shape by Tony DeSapio, President
Moving through this third and final year of the Brave Future Capital Campaign has been an exciting and rewarding process. Thanks to the generosity of nearly 500 donors, our students, faculty and staff are beginning to experience the reality of this vision coming to life.
room each day and know that it will stay at the perfect temperature all day long. Prior to this year my room was always extremely warm, which meant dressing for summer all year long. I am grateful to have a comfortable room now and it creates a much better learning environment for my students. It even allows me to come in costume on dress up days without overheating!”
Early fundraising success allowed us to launch our most ambitious set of construction projects since the building of this campus in 1954. Over the summer and The completion of 2nd Floor of the Ernie Rose Activities fall of 2017, we were able to complete the 2nd Floor of Center in the Fall of 2017 now gives our students access the Ernie Rose Activities Center and replace our entire to new and expanded locker rooms, a cardio workout center and a professional grade athletic training and 64-year-old heating system. sports medicine room. Athletic Trainer, David Grove, Our students, faculty and staff are now enjoying the explains how this new space is impacting his work benefits of these significant improvements. Often with our student athletes: “The larger Athletic Training overlooked, the impact of a heating system on the room has allowed for more athletes to be evaluated learning environment has an effect all day, every day, and treated in a timely manner. The space has allowed throughout the entire building. Math faculty member for me to take athletes through more extensive Laura Salle describes her experience with the new rehabilitation and return to play protocols before heating system: “It is so nice to be able to enter my returning to their sport. The cardio room has allowed 14 / BISHOP BLANCHET HIGH SCHOOL BRAVE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018
for greater opportunities in monitoring athletes completing return to play protocols, and provides injured athletes a chance to cross train without having to go off campus.”
into the work. Throughout the project we have kept that in mind and try to emulate those same standards. It is rewarding to take some of the older areas like the locker rooms and bring them up to 21st century standards.”
Following on the heels of completing these projects in the Fall of 2017, we announced a $500,000 matching Chris and the team at JSC join a group of other BBHS challenge for the month of December to provide further families who have provided quality construction funding to achieve more of our vision set out in A Brave services to our school, including Sellen Construction Future. The response to this matching challenge was and Iliad Construction. Chris can see the importance incredible with 155 donors pledging $471,000 in one of what this legacy means to the future of our school. month! These gifts, plus the matching funds, increased our campaign’s total to over $9.5 million. This funding level enabled us to initiate work on our project to expand the cafeteria into a Student Commons that You can support A Brave Future connects to the quad.
Make Your Gift Now!
Over Christmas break, contractors excavated in the quad and demolished the old girls locker room to prepare for this expanded student commons. This work will continue through the spring and summer to enable for the grand opening of the student commons for the 2018-19 school year. Joe Simmons Construction (JSC) is our general contractor and their commitment to quality and safety is clearly impacted by their close connection to BBHS. Today, Chris Simmons ’06 runs the family construction company and is our on-site project lead and supervisor. The work of this past year has given Chris a new perspective on a place that he called home as a student for four years. “Working in a building built in the mid-1950s is always fascinating from the standpoint of construction materials and design; it is a unique peek into the past of how things used to be. When we tear down an old wall you can see the pride and craftsmanship that went
by using the enclosed envelope or by visiting www. bishopblanchet.org/bravefuture. “It is quite a privilege to be part of a project that will be around for the next 50+ years. Many of the projects in the commercial construction industry are only around for a few years until someone’s lease expires and the next tenant moves in, however, with a project like this it is great to know that it will last long into the future.” Beyond the expanded cafeteria, we have plans in development to update our quad and improve performing arts spaces. As we move through the spring and into the summer, we will launch one final opportunity to add your support to A Brave Future. Be on the lookout for significant ways to make an impact with your giving. We are eager for our entire community to rise up the challenge to achieve this vision! The new workout room in the Ernie Rose Activities Center is a welcome addition to campus.
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BBHS
SPORTS
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
The Bishop Blanchet Girls Cross Country had a fantastic season with another great turnout including 18 new freshmen. At the pre-Metro preview meet, the Braves defeated half of the Metro League teams (Lakeside, Holy Names, Seattle Prep, At the pre-Metro preview meet, the Braves Bainbridge and Eastside Catholic) with a defeated half of the Metro League teams score of 34 points. (Lakeside, O’Dea, Seattle Prep, Bainbridge and Eastside Catholic) with a score of 46 At the Metro Championship meet (hosted points. At the Metro Championship meet by Bishop Blanchet), the Braves placed 6th (hosted by Bishop Blanchet), the Braves overall in the Varsity race and 7th in the Metro placed 4th overall in the varsity race and JV Championship. In addition, Freshmen pulled off a huge upset by winning the Metro Olivia Freeman placed 10th overall within JV Championship over rival Garfield by just the Metro Varsity race with a fast time of six points. In addition, senior Parker Rathbun 19:41 for the 5K (3.1 mile) and Senior Emma placed 5th overall within the Metro varsity Flood in 22nd place with a time of 20:21 on race with a time of 16:23 for the 5K (3.1 mile) the Lower Woodland course. course at Lower Woodland Park. At the Sea-King District 2 Meet, the girls At the Sea-King District 2 Meet, the boys cross country team missed qualifying for cross country team missed qualifying for the Washington State Meet by finishing the Washington State Meet by finishing ninth. However, The Braves qualified two eighth. The Braves qualified two runners for runners for the State meet: freshman Olivia the state meet: Drew Schornak ’18 in 12th Freeman in 11th place with an outstanding place with a time of 16:17 and Michael Lewis time of 19:04 and senior Emma Flood in 31st ’20 in 30th place with a time of 16:39 for the place with a time of 19:56 for the course at Lake Sammamish State Park. course at Lake Sammamish State Park. The Bishop Blanchet Boys Cross Country team had a fantastic season with another huge turnout. Overall, the Braves had 77 runners on the team for one of the largest teams in the state of Washington.
Competing at the WIAA State Cross Country meet, Michael Lewis finished in 66th place - 16:31 and Drew Schornak finished in 22th place - 15:59 for the course at the Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. SEASON AWARDS: Most Inspirational: Drew Schornak ’18 Coaches’ Award: Will Fleming ’18 Scholar Athletes: Matt Broom ’18, Paul Codd ’18, Will Fleming ’18, Jack Heffernan ’18, Jason Knoblich ’18, Lars Krokum ’18, Parker Rathbun ’18 Most Valuable Runner(s): Parker Rathbun ’18, Drew Schornak ’18 All-Metro Cross Country Teams 1st Team - Drew Schornak ’18 3rd Team - Parker Rathbun ’18
Golf
Four-year golfer Siena Jerrett represented the Bishop Blanchet girls’ golf team with a great year. Throughout the season she put up career best match scores at West Seattle Competing at the WIAA State Cross Country and Jefferson, qualified for the Metro meet, Olivia Freeman finished in 25th place Tournament and posted her best 18 hole – with a outstanding and race and time score of her career at Jefferson Park. of 18:48 and Emma Flood finished in 84th The Bishop Blanchet boys golf team was place with a time of 20:01 for the course at made up of five freshmen, two sophomores the Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. and one senior and finished the season with SEASON AWARDS: Most Inspirational – Emma Flood ’18 Coaches’ Award – Abby Hecko ’19 Scholar Athletes – Emma Flood ’18 and Frankie Leonard ’18 Most Valuable Runner(s) – Olivia Freeman ’21 and Emma Flood ’18 All-Metro Teams XC Teams 1st Team – Olivia Freeman ’21
a 6-4 record. The boys’ team qualified seven players for the Metro Championships (the most in program history) and finished 7th as a team. Out of those seven, six qualified for the District Championships (also the most in program history). Freshman Connor Stockamp will be representing Bishop Blanchet in the WIAA State Golf Championships in Spokane in May. Connor earned his place into State by winning in a playoff at Riverbend Golf Course. Congratulations Braves on a great year! SEASON AWARDS: Most Inspirational – Jack Brush ’18 Coaches’ Award - Siena Jerrett ’18 and Connor Stockamp ’21 Scholar Athlete(s) - Joe O’Connor ’21
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Football The varsity football team finished the season with a record of 7-3 and won Metro Sound Division after going undefeated in league play. Senior quarterback Joey Riley accounted for 21 touchdowns and led the team to an average of 29 points and over 350 yards per game in league play. The running game was great all year behind a junior-led line and four backs to carry the load in juniors Jack Maider and Tommy Gardner, and seniors Justin Brown and Austin Aioni. Senior receivers Troy Alan and Stewart Blaikie led the team in touchdowns and yards. On defense, the team forced turnovers and sacked quarterbacks at a high rate, led upfront by seniors Len Hicks and Jack Shanahan and juniors Forrest Snorsky and Jimmy Navone. Junior Linebacker Tyler Hardie was the team’s leading tackler and senior cornerbacks Carter Custer and junior Chris Frost led the team in pass breakups and interceptions. The special teams outshined the opposition in every game this season as well, blocking five kicks, returning
Girls Soccer two kickoffs for scores and covering kicks at an elite level. The team theme was EMBERS: to give effort, use man power, play for our brothers, while engaging in relentless sacrifice. All of these were on display in the 2 games of the year, comeback victories over Liberty 32-28 and Ballard on Homecoming 20-13. Both times the Braves found themselves down and needed to rally around each other to fight back, take a lead and secure the home victories. In total, 12 players were named to the Sound Division First Team and 10 were named to the second team. Coach Kyle Moore '98 won the Sound Division Coach of the Year Award.
Varsity soccer ended their season in the opening round of the Metro Tournament. The young team was lead by senior captains Ellie Schober, Gigi Gallaudet and Kara Cunningham and boasted seven underclassmen. They earned a 4-1-5 record during the regular season, including a two game sweep of Lakeside and a come from behind 2-2 result against Prep on Senior Night. Gigi was the team’s leading scorer with six goals, while Goalkeeper Emma Mulligan ’20 and the defense recorded three shutouts. 11 players earned All-Metro honors. First Team: Helena Dougherty ’18, Def; Ashley Goodspeed ’18, Def; Amelia Tiesi ’19 Mid; Gigi Gallaudet ’18, Fwd. Second Team: Emma Mulligan ’20, GK; Rory Knowles ’19, Def; Kara Cunningham ’18, Mid; Ellie Schober ’18, Mid; Evy Alveno ’20, Fwd. Honorable Mention: Bernadett Keppler ’20, Mid; Alex Ruiz ’20, Def.
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Girls Swimming
Girls Basketball
The Braves finished the dual meet season with a 6 - 1 record and placed 22nd at the State Championships. Freshman Ella Haskins placed 6th in the 50 Free and 100 Free at State. Senior diver Lauren Canto placed 22nd and set a new school record with 327.7 points. The 200 Free Relay (Dara Schoolcraft ’20, Sydney Paulus ’19, Emma Worthington ’18 and Ella Haskins ’21) placed 18th.
The Varsity Girls Basketball Team finished the 2017-18 season with a record of 14-10. The girls finished 2nd in the Metro Mountain Division with a regular season league record of 10-5 and qualified automatically for the district tournament. In the district tournament, the Braves defeated Juanita before falling to Metro Champs Cleveland by 7 and Kingco regular season champion Redmond, ending their season. Six seniors, Ella DiPietro, Katie Merrywell, Jordan Ruiz, The team earned the WIAA Outstanding Jillese Bush, Jess Segle and Summer Cyr Scholastic Award for a team GPA of over 3.5. provided leadership throughout the season The team was led by Captains Summer Cyr and continued to work hard throughout the season to improve the team. ’18, Kayla Ponti ’19, and Lauren Canto ’18. SEASON AWARDS: Most Inspirational: Kayla Ponti ’18 Most Valuable: : Ella Haskins ’21 Scholar-Athlete Award: Julia Weinand ’18 Preston Pew Award: Lauren Canto ’18
SEASON AWARDS: 1st Team All-Metro: Jillese Bush ’18 Team MVP: Ella DiPietro ’18 and Katie Merrywell ’18 Coach’s Award: Jess Segle ’18 Scholar Athletes (Jr-Sr): Ella DiPietro ’18 Katie Merrywell ’18 Jillese Bush ’18 Jordan Ruiz ’18 Jess Segle ’18 Anna Summers ’19 Most Inspirational (voted by team): Ella DiPietro ’18
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Boys Basketball The 2017-2018 boys had a successful season on many levels, finishing with an 8-14 record. The boys won their first game in the Metro Tournament and then had their season ended by a very strong Eastside Catholic. The boys varsity plays in the Metro league, which is the most competitive league in the state, and one of the top leagues on the West Coast. The boys played hard and never backed down regardless of what the scoreboard read. Our seniors were great! They were positive and opened their arms to a new coaching staff. They provided leadership in terms of effort and attitude. The varsity team had a number of underclassmen log valuable playing time that will pay dividends in the years to come. The future looks bright with a first-ever undefeated season from the freshman team. SEASON AWARDS: Most Valuable Player: Chris Frost ’19 Most Inspirational: John Broom ’18 Coaches Award: Matt Martin ’20 Honorable Mention All-Metro: Chris Frost ’18 & Lester Sauvage ’19
Boys Swimming The Boys Swim Team placed 6th at State for the second year in a row. Sophomore Ryan Gamble broke the school record in the 100 Free with a 47.56. Alex Oishi ’19, Jack Schrader ’18, Evan Zverev ’19 and Ryan Gamble ’20 broke the 33-year old school record in the 200 Medley Relay with a 1:39.79. Michael Lin ’19, Evan, Ryan and Jack broke the 23-year old school record in the 200 Free Relay record with a 1:28.81. They also set a new school record in the 400 Free Relay with a 3:14.82. Jack Schrader repeated as Metro Champion in 100 Breast and took the bronze medal at State. Ryan also placed 6th in the 100 Free at State, Evan Zverev finished 7th in the 100 Fly, and Michael Lin placed 8th in the 500 Free. The 200 Free Relay and 400 Free Relay placed 5th at State.
Volleyball
Wrestling
The Braves finished 4th in the Metro Mountain division with a record of 4-6 in league and 7-7 overall for the regular season. Led by starting setter and outside hitter, seniors Stephanie Waechter and Katie Merrywell, the team improved immensely and gained momentum with every match. All-Metro selections included senior Katie Merrywell and sophomore Claire Ramquist as First-Team honorees, freshman Molly Ramsay as Second-Team honoree, and senior Stephanie Waechter, junior Ella Adams, and sophomore Kayla Richardson as Honorable Mention honorees. The Braves won the Metro Team Sportsmanship Award for the season.
The Wrestling team finished the season strong. Out of the 15 Metro schools at the State Tournament, our team finished 2nd overall. Two Blanchet wrestlers went to state, and both placed. Team captain Connor Mahoney (220lb) placed 6th and team captain Zachariah Gomez (132lb) placed 7th.
The team’s season ended in four sets against Bellevue in the first round of the District Tournament. The team had a great year and is looking forward to next season. SEASON AWARDS: Most Valuable Player: Katie Merrywell ’18 Most Inspirational: Stephanie Waechter ’18 Most Improved: Ella Adams ’19 & Selea Klepper ’18 Coaches Award: Molly Ramsay ’21 Scholar Athlete : Katie Merrywell ’18
Zachariah had a great career as a Brave wrestler with a record of 180-20. He is the only wrestler in Seattle history to be undefeated in league matches, a 4x Metro League Champ and 4x Regional Champ. He is also a 4x State Tournament Participant. He was selected Outstanding Wrestler of the Year for the second straight year for all the lower weights in the Metro League and was recently selected as Athlete of the week by WIAA. Both seniors had a strong presence on the team and set an excellent example for future wrestlers. SEASON AWARDS: MVP, Inspirational: Zachariah Gomez ’18 Scholar: Brian Hooks ’20 Coaches Award: Erik Hodneland ’20 Most Improved: Chris Goodspeed ’21
The team was led by captains Paul Codd ’18, Jack Heffernan ’18 and Jack Schrader ’18. Jack earned Academic All-American honors with a GPA of 3.8.
Ultimate Frisbee This season, the Ultimate Frisbee team advanced all the way from the C division (where they took 1st place last year) to the A division (the most elite). The team played against the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th ranked teams in the State, playing better and more cohesively with each game. The Braves lost by two points to Rainier Beach Ultimate (currently ranked 5th in the state) and were mounting a comeback when time expired. The Braves finished out the season ranked 12th in the A Division with excellent effort by all players. SEASON AWARDS: Most Valuable Player: Abby Hecko ’19 Most Inspirational: Pieran Robert ’19 Coach’s Award: Will Fleming ’18
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BBHS ARTS
Come See Guys and Dolls! May 25 – 27 Moore Theater The cast and crews are set for this spring’s production of the Tony Award winning musical Guys and Dolls, directed by Blanchet alumna Mrs. Liz McCarthy French ’79. Tickets go on sale at the end of April. Mark your calendars now!
Drama
Fall Play: Secret in the Wings
FALL PLAY 45 students were involved in Blanchet Drama’s production of Secret in the Wings. Directed Fine Arts by Mr. Robert Bergin, this play told the tale of how we ART CLUB This winter, Mrs. Jeanne Mikesell and the understand fairytales at different ages of our life. Art Club made and donated 20 ceramic bowls to North Helpline’s annual silent auction, Empty Bowls. Part of ONE-ACTS Congratulations to the students in the what makes Empty Bowls a unique event is the gift of Advanced Theatre Acting and Production classes for a handcrafted bowl for every guest. The event also the successful One-Act Festival on January 18th through included soup from local restaurants, salad, bread, 20th. The festival is a completely student run set of oneand dessert. Proceeds supported North Helpline’s acts, with senior directors leading a team of student designers and actors. This year’s directors were Emma emergency services and food bank. Facer ’18, Natalie Gryniewicz ’18, Francesca Leonard ’18, Chiara Procacio ’18, and Indira Rampersad ’18. CABARET Led by seniors Emma Facer, Natalie Gryniewicz, Siena Henson, and John O’Kane, the International Thespian Society put on the Winter Cabaret, a student showcase. More than 20 students performed musical numbers, short scenes and improv to a full house on January 12th. We look forward to making this an annual event!
Music CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Music Department’s annual Christmas Concert was held on December 10th. Over 150 students, spread across the Bands, Orchestra and Choirs, and led by Mr. Sean Richarz, Mr. Gabe Glennie, and Mrs. Becca Cantrel, came together to play and sing Christmas classics. The next combined music performance is on April 22nd. BIG BAND BASH This year’s Big Band Bash was held on February 3rd. This annual event is a chance to dance to live swing music. This year’s event included music from the Jazz Band, Jazz Choir, Chamber Choir and Vocal Ensemble. Peppered throughout the night were vocal solos by Natalie Gryniewicz ’18, Juan Hillon ’19, Alex Plastino ’19, Markus Millan ’18, and Kyle Scott ’19. In total, the Bash raised more than $12,000 to help support the Music Department’s tour to Portland this April! 20 / BISHOP BLANCHET HIGH SCHOOL BRAVE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018
Catching Up with Mo Last spring, Blanchet legend Mo Mershon took her final directorial bow on the BBHS stage and prepared for a new phase of life with more time for family and travel. Here, we catch up with her to find out what she’s been up to and hear about some of her favorite experiences over her time at Bishop Blanchet.
Please share some highlights and favorite memories of your time at BBHS. I think often of all the productions and the wonderful staff I had the opportunity to work alongside--the sense of accomplishment not only on the outcome of our productions once they were up and running but of the artistry and mutual pride we had in our work. Certainly, my students will always hold a special place in my heart. I loved teaching them acting and directing them in the plays and musicals. I love that I am still in touch with many of them and I continue to follow their successes in the arts. This summer, I will be attending the wedding of two of my students who met doing one of the musicals! I also have special relationships that continue with many of the parents. Bottom line, the relationships made and what my students and staff and I accomplished together are my most cherished memories.
What was your all-time favorite show you put on at Blanchet? Very tough question!!!!! My favorites (all for different reasons!) are: Pippin (1 and 2), Ragtime, Das Barbecue, Dead Man Walking, Christmas Carol & Shrek.
What is the biggest thing you miss about your job? The beauty of the process of work to put up a piece of art on the stage and the sense of oneness as we all worked together to produce that art.
What have you been up to in retirement? Fill us in! Well, besides spending time with my family, my husband and I recently moved to Queen Anne to a beautiful old family home and we are in the process of renovating it. We have travel plans to go to California and Hungary in the next few months...AND I have written a musical cabaret show entitled MO LOVE that was just performed at Egan’s Jazz Club in March. I am also working on an Irving Berlin musical revue as well as preparing to write another cabaret piece. It feels so good to be back on stage again!
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BBHS
ALUMNI REUNIONS & EVENTS
Alumni Board Becky Riopel ’94 Christa Caballero ’81 Chuck Bocian ’73 Diane Bunce ’61 Erin Donohue-Zink ’82 Lynn Burns ’64 Noel Pyatt ’64 Pauline Alokolaro ’97 Rich Schmidt ’66 Thomas Lukevich ’99 Tina Ferguson ’76 Tony Martinez ’84
REUNIONS: SAVE THE DATE! 1958
Saturday, September 15, 2018 Bishop Blanchet High School 10:00am – 3:00pm
1968
Saturday, October 6, 2018 Inglewood Country Club 5:30pm – 11pm
1978 For more information on reunions, especially classes of 1963, 1973, 1983 and 2008, please contact Robert Lukevich ’04 at rlukevich@ bishopblanchet.org or 206-527-3981. Keep up to date on reunions by visiting www.bishopblanchet. org/reunions.
Saturday, September 15, 2018 Boat Shed Restaurant, Bremerton 6:00pm – 11pm
1988
Saturday, September 15, 2018 Bishop Blanchet High School 7:00pm – 10:00pm More details soon!
1998
Saturday & Sunday, August 11 & 12, 2018 Family Day (Sunday) at BBHS
Hot Havana Nights On March 10, 2018, over 350 members of our Brave Community took a trip to the Caribbean via Green Lake for the Hot Havana Nights Brave Venture Auction in our Ernie Rose Activities Center. The main gym was transformed in to a Cuban oasis by Décor Chair Connie Krause and her dedicated decorations committee. Dressed in their best Caribbean evening attire, guests sipped on Pineapple Basil Caipirinhas and bid on silent auction items. The gala also included vocal performances by Juan Hillon ’19 and Natalie Gryniewicz ’18. During the live auction the Thank You Teacher package was auctioned off four times and four teachers will experience a day of pampering thanks to our guests. The highlight of the evening came when guests “raised their paddles” in support of installing new Smartboard 7000 interactive TVs in all of our classrooms after short speeches of the importance of this technology by Principal Procopio ’00 and Mr. McFeron ’96. Guests raised over $140,000 for the new technology, more than double what was earned last year during the fund-a-need! The new Smartboards will benefit every student and bring Blanchet into the most updated form of classroom technology.
Easter Egg Hunt On Saturday, March 24th, Bishop Blanchet hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event was attended by 120 Brave Community Members and 60 egg hunters ages 8 and under. Everyone, enjoyed Easter-themed crafting, refreshments and snacks and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Come join us next year! Local Brave Meet-Up We have held two of our new
Alumni local gatherings over the past five months and have had a great time! Look for an opportunity to join fellow Braves for a drink in your area. We have hit north Seattle and Edmonds and plan on the Eastside sometime in May! You can find more information on www.facebook. com/bbhsalumni. All Braves are invited--be sure to bring a fellow alum!
Golf Classic Save the Date for Monday, June 18th! The
BBHS Golf Classic will be held at Willows Run Golf Course. For more information and to register online, visit www.bishopblanchet.org/ golfclassic.
Gold & Brave Mass Save the Date for Sunday, October 7th at BBHS. Refreshments to follow in the BBHS library. 22 / BISHOP BLANCHET HIGH SCHOOL BRAVE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018
BBHS Alumni Come Together for Hurricane Relief By Robert Lukevich ’04, Director of Alumni Relations & Planned Giving Bishop Blanchet works to inspire students to transform the world around them through a lifelong commitment to faith, scholarship and service. This mission is important to every student that walks the halls of Blanchet today and it is embodied by alumni who leave our campus and live the mission each and every day of their lives. This past fall, the United States was ravaged by one natural disaster after another; fires on the west coast, Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Harvey. These disasters affected millions, destroying both property and lives. One BBHS alumna who lived through Hurricane Harvey was committed to embracing the BBHS mission of service to others in her outreach to those affected.
During the hurricane, cell phones were providing warnings day and night. Liz documented the events and communicated via Facebook with friends, family and fellow BBHS alumni. Her local Parish Mary Queen Catholic Church was selected as a Food Distribution Center for her community. Liz and her husband Bernd volunteered at the church and, with the support of the community, provided groceries for over 1,900 families.
But the support from the Brave community didn’t stop there! Classmates of Liz’s, including Mary McCloskey, Mari (Kirsch) Halley, Dena (Barton) Turner and JoAnn (Frank) Adiele, had a part in providing relief and connecting our Brave community with their efforts. Whether through the creation of Go Fund Me pages, monetary donations Liz (Duffy) Strassner ’77 celebrated her or traveling to Houston to provide direct 40-year reunion from BBHS this past service, they all embodied the mission of September. However, immediately prior to Bishop Blanchet High School. this time of celebration, she was doing her best to assist her community in rebuilding and establishing a new normal. Harvey devastated much of the suburban Houston area and displaced thousands, many of whom attend Liz’s church and live within and around her immediate community. Water levels rose more than 4.5 feet and stayed in place for many days, destroying structures, making houses uninhabitable and forever changing the lives of residents.
Both Mari and Mary are educators and had their classes complete comfort cards for parochial school students in the Houston area. Ms. McCloskey has spent 30 plus years as an educator at St. Matthew’s School and mentioned that she used this experience to work on empathy and to teach the importance of service to others in our country and the world to her second graders. She shares that her commitment to service began during her trips to Blessed Sacrament to tutor students while a student at Blanchet. While working with Liz to write this article she came across a quote from Marian Wright Edelman, a well-known American activist, that encapsulates the work of her classmates: “Service is the rent we pay to be living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time.” In addition to the efforts of the Class of 1977, current students at BBHS worked to raise money for the Harvey relief effort. In five days, Bishop Blanchet raised over $2,800 that directly benefited hurricane victims. Thank you to our alumni who served in this specific capacity and thank you to all of our alums who volunteer to benefit others. Bishop Blanchet continues to teach students to transform the world around them and this mission is alive and well in the life of current students, alumni and the entire Brave community. Go Braves!
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BBHS
GRAD TIDINGS Mary Louise Buley-Meissner ’70 will be teaching this spring at the University of Hong Kong, where she will be a Fulbright professor in American Studies. A professor in the English Dept. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she and her husband, Daniel Meissner (Seattle Prep ’70, a professor in the History Dept. at Marquette University), have enjoyed teaching and doing research in China, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Working across cultures, Mary Louise is grateful to Blanchet High School for an excellent education based on Catholic values and promoting lifelong learning. Mario Pignataro ’93 is an avid outdoorsman and climber. He has summited Denali two times and on one climb he and his team led a rescue of a climber that developed HAPE or High Altitude Pulmonary Edema. Brooke Sullivan ’98 recently received her PhD in Science from the University of Melbourne, Department of Bio Sciences. She and her husband Steven have been living overseas and have recently returned to Seattle where she will begin to teach at the University of Washington.
Don Darryl Rivera ’02 won a 2017 Gregory Award for Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance in Man of La Mancha. The Gregory Awards are a set of honors for theatre in Washington State. The awards honor outstanding achievements of local theatre practitioners, and to raise the visibility of theatre in Washington. Also, Don was the recent recipient of the BBHS Outstanding Music Alumni Award.
John Greengo ’85 is a renowned local photographer. John earned a degree in photography from Oregon State University. Since graduation, he has shot on all 7 continents and leads photo tours to exotic locations including upcoming tours to Africa and Bhutan. John is also a best selling instructor for the online education start-up, CreativeLive. Most recently John has written a book, The Enthusiast’s Guide to Exposure: 49 Photographic Principles You Need to Know, currently available on Amazon. 24 / BISHOP BLANCHET HIGH SCHOOL BRAVE MAGAZINE SPRING 2018
Anna Friedman ’04 is the Clinic Director for RET Physical Therapy at their new South Lake Union location. Anna has earned her DPT degree and Orthopedic Certified Specialist certification and has been a practicing PT for 5 years. She enjoys working with anyone from serious athletes to weekend warriors, and enjoys building relationships while helping patients reach their personal goals. Additionally, when not at work this past year Anna summited Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. Anna also leads a weekly running group, Frelard Run Club. Join her sometime, Brave alums welcome! Mary Beth Minthorn ’05 is a New York City-based producer of film, television and branded content. Since her graduation from NYU in 2009, she has written and produced short films and produced commercial content for clients like
Amazon, Spotify, Nike, ESPN, Samsung and IBM. Most recently her 40-minute documentary, LONG SHOT, was selected to the 2017 Telluride Film Festival and is now playing on Netflix.
This fall, Marit Thorkildsen ’15 broke the Gonzaga rally-scoring era digs with 24 in one match against Grand Canyon University. Marit also earned an All-Academic Honorable Mention and is a Co-Captain of the Zags Volleyball team.
Steven Cardwell ’05 won an Emmy award for his marketing work on the hit HBO show Westworld.
Lee Erickson ’16 made her first career start and recorded her first shutout in September as her Loyola Marymount University Women’s Soccer team beat Long Beach State 2-0. Lee started throughout the 2017 season as the Lions finished 9-6-4 overall.
To submit a grad tiding, email Robert Lukevich ’04 at rlukevich@bishopblanchet.org
This past summer Waylon Robert '15 served as an extern in the Washington State Supreme Court for Justice Steven C. Gonzalez and has worked to secure private and public funding for the renovation of the Carnegie Library in Hoquiam, WA. In addition Waylon is a Board Member of the, Grays Harbor College Foundation and is currently a studying History, Political Science and Economics at Evergreen State College.
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This past Fall Kellen Manley ’14, Peter Hogan ’16 and Claire Manley ’16, competed for the Gonzaga University Cross Country teams in the West Coast Conference Championships. The races took place in Oakland, California. Peter ran a 24:43.14 good for 25 points for the Zags, Kellen ran 25:01.3 and finished just outside of scoring for the men’s team on the day. Claire ran 22:09.8 and scored 32 points for the women’s team.
Kasia Omilian ’16 spent this past summer working for the Pittsburgh Steelers during training camp. In conjunction with her Business Studies at UW, she currently works with the UW Football program as a Recruiting Assistant and recently attended the NFL Women’s Conference at the NFL Pro Bowl as one of fifty nationally chosen participants. Go Dawgs and Go Braves! Ben Hecko ’17 spoke at the Forefront Suicide Prevention: Restoring Hope 5th Annual Event & Fundraiser at UW. This event was attended by BBHS faculty/staff Lou Ella McGaughey and Heather Rabe. During his time at BBHS Lou Ella and Heather trained Ben as a part of Blanchet’s work with Forefront and he was recognized at the event.
Fr. Gordan Douglas Celebrates Jubilee Year Father Gordy Douglas is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Thirty-eight of those years were spent as Bishop Blanchet's full-time chaplain. While here, he taught religion, celebrated Mass and even had a stint as Freshman wrestling coach under Coach Bill Herber’s guidance. Fr. Doug is a great story teller and in 2001 he published a book re-telling many stories from his time as a priest and chaplain, Hey, Father! Grace Filled Moments in the Life of a Catholic Priest. He is a favorite among BBHS alumni and has married hundreds of them as well as baptized their babies and has helped many say goodbye to classmates, friends and family over the years. Father is now retired and spends many weekends covering vacations for local parishes. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog, Sarah (Sarah II) and siblings! Congratulations Fr. Doug on your Jubilee Anniversary!
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BBHS
IN MEMORIAM Friends Sister Miriam Spencer CSJP, former faculty member Gillis August Schmidt, father of Richard ’66 and Keith ’74 and grandfather of Kari’90 and Kaye ’93 Karen Klepper, mother of Kiana ’10, Selea ’18 and Karisa ’20 Frances Emma McJannet mother of Sharon ’66, William ’67, Mary Rose ’70 (deceased), Peggy ’71 (deceased), Frances ’74 (deceased) (Edward ’71), Sarah ’76, Patrick ’79, Catherine ’80 and Frank ’85 and grandmother of Zach ’08, Madison ’11, Christina ’12 Harry Purpur ’61 is pictured above (at left) in a photo from the 1981 Pallium yearbook. Seated with him are fellow BBHS faculty members Al Parent (deceased) and Jim Pinsoneault. Mr. Purpur was a teacher and administrator at BBHS from 1967 to 1987, and became the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Seattle in 1994. His career in Catholic education spanned nearly 50 years and included schools in Washington, California, and Florida. He will forever remain in the hearts of all he met along the way, and his humble spirit will always shine in the hallways where he once walked.
Alumni 1961
Harry Purpur, husband of Karen ’61, father of Catherine ’85 and Elizabeth ’86 and brother of Daniel ’69 and brother in law of Kathleen (Scherrer) ’64 and cousin of Barbara ’61
1963
Helen Maccharulo, mother of Joy Maccharulo-Ulskey ’72; aunt of Anthony Jones ’71 and Jo Ann Jones-Brookes ’74
1973
1977
Glenn Arthur Broadgate, father of Lynn ’64, Roy ’66, Mary Ann ’72 and grandfather of John ’87, Steven ’88 and Kelly ’89
Brian Kelly, husband of Pam (Putnam) ’73, father of Ryan ’02 and Colin ’05, brother of John ’69, Patrick ’71 and uncle of Katie ’02 and Sean ’02
Darryl Brown, brother of Laurence ’65, Janice ’68, Kenneth ’76 and Kevin ’76
1965
1988
1970
2011
Anthony “Andy” Evans, brother to Anna ’62 and Bill ’66
William C. Farrow, father to Patrick ’67, Catherine ’68, Jeanne ’69, John ’70, and Dan ’72. Stepfather to Donna Bowling ’84 and Maryanne Bowling ’85
Ann Mahoney, mother of Mary ’75, Terry ’76, Bill ’78, Mike ’81, and Ben ’86 and grandmother of Michael ’98, Sean ’00, Dan ’03, Michelle ’04, Katy ’05, Amy ’07, Tayla ’07, Quinn ’10 and Molly ’11 and mother-inlaw of Susan ’74, and Joe ’76
Mike Lynch, brother of Timothy Lynch ’60
Maureen Ann (Ganz) Olsen, sister of Joseph ’62, John ’70 and Michael ’74
Ursula Wise, mother of faculty member Jane Bissonnette and grandmother of Rebecca Reese ’04
Michael Gongliewski, brother of Scott ’83 and Cynthia ’84
Jesse Prinz, brother of Brandon ’14, and cousin of Zach ’12, Nathan ’20 and Jacob ’21
Peg Sullivan, mother of Kerry ’65, Chris ’70 and Meg ’74, and aunt of Molly ’72 and grandmother of Joel ’88, Bridget ’89, Sarah ’91, Megan ’06 and Lara ’07 and greatgrandmother of Kellen ’20 Steve Holzman, father of Colin ’20 Sue Schmitt, friend of BBHS
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BBHS REFLECTION
Empathy is the Impetus for Change by Frances Golla ’18
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Around this time last year, my friend and I were having a dilemma: Should we attend the annual St. Vincent DePaul’s Hunger Retreat, where we were encouraged to fast after breakfast until the next morning, or should we spend the Friday night doing something fun like going to the movies with popcorn or trying out a new restaurant? My friend and I had this dark image of the retreat consisting of students just sitting around in the chapel the whole night, starving. Although this preconception seems extreme, neither of us or any of our other friends knew what went on during the retreat.
Thomas Awaipo finds purpose in his work for Catholic Relief Services
But despite our distorted image, my friend and I decided to take a leap of faith and signed up. And to our surprise, we loved it. Despite what we had imagined, the hunger retreat was a fun time where we bonded with other retreatants through icebreakers, along with going go-karting and playing laser tag at the Family Fun Center. We never knew what was coming next, but rest assured, each planned aspect was meaningful and took our minds off our hungry stomachs. However, the essential part of the retreat wasn’t about going to Family Fun Center or goofing around with friends, but what we learned that day. This ties in with the general question I hear multiple times whenever the hunger retreat is the topic of conversation: “How does abstaining from eating for one day help those in need?” To this, I answer with, “By exercising the trait of empathy and living in solidarity with those who go hungry every day.” Along with the mini golf and the games that night, we also learned about worldwide hunger. Through a simulation, we understood how difficult it is to have a healthy diet while on a budget and discovered that every four seconds, one person dies of hunger or hunger-related causes. Most importantly, we gained insight on what it truly means to be hungry through the guest speaker, Thomas Awaipo. Growing up as a boy in a small village in Ghana, Thomas was orphaned before the age of ten and struggled for survival. He, along with his three brothers, were left to their aunt, who didn’t have enough resources to provide adequate food for all of them and her own children. Unfortunately, Thomas lost his two younger brothers to malnutrition and lack of care. Every day after that, Thomas lived with hunger and soon gave up hope until Catholic Relief Services opened up a school in his village. He explained to us that in the beginning, he only attended the school for the free lunches until he soon became interested in the subjects he was learning. As he grew up, Thomas knew he wanted to help others suffering from hunger and now works for CRS. Empathy doesn’t always have to come through personal experiences but can occur through stories that we hear, or by imagining ourselves in another person’s shoes. Through Thomas’s talk, the knowledge we learned, and by abstaining from food that day, I and the people who attended the Hunger Retreat were able to empathize with not just the physical feeling of hunger, but the emotional stress it brings as well. This knowledge and empathy is what motivates me to volunteer at Teen Feed or St. Martin DePorres shelter; not for service hours, but to interact with the people who feel this hunger almost every day. The ability to relate with someone and to know what it’s like to be in their place or to acknowledge the social stigma that surrounds some people is what compels us to question and act for the greater good. Empathy is the impetus for change.
Almighty God, It is difficult to see children suffer, especially from hunger. We ask You to give them daily bread today and end their persistent hunger. Provide the food they need to grow and thrive. Pour out Your grace on hungry families, especially parents struggling to feed their children despite dwindling resources. Amen.
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