Messmer Today - Summer 2015

MESSMER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

MILWAUKEE,WISCONSIN

KNOWLEDGE. FAITH. LEADERSHIP.

VOLUME 49, ISSUE 3 OF 3

MESSMERTODAY SUMMER 2015

BUILDING FUTURE LEADERS

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT INSIDE MESSMERTODAY

MESSMER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Patrick Byrne, Secretary Sr. Shawnee Daniels-Sykes,SSND,Ph.D. William Goldammer ’52, Director Emeritus Mikel Holt, Vice Chair Dr. William Hughes Alfred Mattacotti ’58 Bob Monday Bill Otto ’74 Peter Salza ’60, Chair John Scheid, Treasurer Messmer Today is published for and about the Messmer Catholic Schools’ community. For more news and updates, please visit www.messmerschools.org Comments and questions about the Messmer Today may be directed to Heidi Herro, 414-264-5440 or hherro@messmerschools.org

MESSMER TODAY CONTRIBUTORS Richard Anderson ’92 Jeremy Armstrong ‘99 Kris Bartels Mike Bartels Curtis Borri Mike Brauer ‘80 Susie Falk Morgan Fleming Adam Fritsch Elizabeth Fritsch Timothy Gallagher Heidi Herro Peter Herr Michael Hicks Chad Hofmann Geoff Kaiser Ken Klatkiewicz Claudijah Lever ‘99 Jim Piatt David Price Brigitte Rios ‘15 Donna Schmidt Carrie Starr Suzy Welsh

3

A Message From The President

4

Donor Profile Rev. Paul M. Esser

6

Accreditation Success

8

School Updates

AdvancEd

10

MCS Commencement

12

Athletics Update

14

Alumnus Returns

18

Class of 2015

Mike Brauer 80'

> In Memoriam (pg.16) Faith Story

Patricia “Pat” Tushaus

Alumni Profile (pg.19) Claudijah Lever

ABOUT THE COVER: Over 85% of students in Messmer’s Class of 2015 have been accepted into colleges and universities across the country, earning millions in scholarships and awards.

Dear Friends of Messmer, Looking out from the Messmer stage at our 8th and 12th grade graduations just a few weeks ago, I remain amazed at how quickly our students come and go through each school year.

The 180 days during which we are blessed with these young learners is a fast-paced and fleeting amount of time. During these precious days, we are called to be the best stewards of the lives of our children, to protect, nurture, and challenge with an impact on their future hopes.

Looking ahead, and flowing from the lasting values of Catholic education, our work as a team of educators is now refocused around three developmental priorities: • First, core literacy in the primary grades is Job #1. Our students simply must be reading at grade level as soon as humanly possible; we can accept no excuses to the contrary.

• Second, our middle school students must develop personal ownership of their skills through active learning. We are implementing project-based experiences such as the highly successful "Bishop Builders" pilots you will read about in this update.

• Third, our emphasis on rigorous STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs extends that active learning into the high school years to robustly challenge our students in ways that open up pathways to meaningful careers.

years

DID YOU KNOW 2016 WILL MARK THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF MESSMER HIGH SCHOOL?

Stay tuned for details on upcoming activities to commemorate this celebration.

Our students need to engage in these life-skills, no matter their vocational pursuit. Our growth during 2014-15, from literacy to STEM, has been made possible through some remarkably generous donors like Dr. Sue Ewens and the family of alumni Carol and Ralph Jansen.

I am also pleased to report on another benchmark in the pursuit of excellence. One measure of a school’s quality is captured in the accreditation process. I am proud of the work of our principals, Donna Schmidt and Todd Willems, and their

respective teams, in leading Messmer Catholic Schools to a full re-accreditation this past December. This lengthy process was the first-ever unified accreditation of Messmer Catholic Schools as a fully integrated K-12 system.

One more key update on our organizational health comes in the form of a follow-up to my letter to you in this very publication last fall. At that time, I said ‘a steady flow of generosity and renewed optimism has reinvigorated Messmer’ and that ‘2015 will bring some exciting developments – stay tuned!’ While much confidence accompanied that letter, I was also hopeful and prayerful that a number of things would come together. Today, thanks to the strong leadership of our staff and Board of Directors, and the amazingly generous hearts of hundreds of donors, I can say that for the first time in many years, we have ended our year with a balanced budget.

Several friends and alumni are featured in the pages that follow. We are fortunate they have chosen to be active, each in their own unique way, in service to our schools. One of those, Pat Tushaus, was a woman of deep faith whose short battle with cancer took her far too soon. We remember her and her family, and we allow their inspiration to shape us in our recommitment to student learning.

Finally, as I conclude this letter, I must end on a sad note. Those of you in the Milwaukee area probably read of the late June murder of a Burmese father in his family's residence during the family's breakfast hour. Mr. Jay Ro was the father of four of our students at Messmer's Saint Rose and Saint Leo Elementary School. His Mass of Christian Resurrection was held at St. Michael Parish on Independence Day. While this loss was unconscionable and tragic, I can already express appreciation for the prayerful response of our staff and the beginning of a generous show of support for the family by the communities of St. Michael and St. Rose parishes, and Messmer Catholic Schools.

Please see the link on our messmerschools.org web site if you would like to donate to the Jay Ro Family Fund under the stewardship of St. Michael Parish.

With gratitude for what has been, I pray we all have a safe summer with family and friends,

Jim Piatt President

MESSMERTODAY 3

DONOR PROFILE Fr. Esser would go on to serve in a variety of roles throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee after leaving Messmer, such as Principal of St. Joseph in Kenosha, and pastor of various parishes. Yet, Messmer always remained in his heart as he would often send in donations to support the wonderful work being done at our schools and he would try to return for Reunion Weekend masses whenever his schedule permitted.

GIVING OUT OF GRATITUDE Former Messmer Principal, Rev. Paul M. Esser, Passes Away At Age 84, Leaves A Gift That Creates A Legacy

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n February 10, 2015, the Messmer family lost one of its own when former Principal, Reverend Paul M. Esser, was born to eternal life. Fr. Esser served as principal and financial director of Messmer High School from 1967 to 1970. During that time, he had an impact on the lives of thousands of young men and women who walked the halls of Messmer High School. Fr. Esser was known as a dedicated leader. In his short time at Messmer, he accomplished much. He was known to be understanding, helpful, and a friend to many.

He was a man of firm conviction and was clearly impressed by the strong Messmer spirit.

In his farewell address to Messmer’s students in our school newspaper, The Foursquare, Fr. Esser noted: 4

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“The thing I will remember most about Messmer is the real happiness that exists among students and teachers. People are glad to be at Messmer. I have had many people ask me about the spirit of happiness and wonder about its source.

The source, to my mind, is found in many things: the faith we share in God and in His world; the respect we show to each other; the aims and goals we share, especially that of quality education for the future good of each student; the care we share for each person as an individual. Messmer is people. It is not just a school, a building, a process of education.

This is what makes Messmer great.”

The Foursquare, page 2 Friday, April 24, 1970 It was clear that just as Fr. Esser had a tremendous impact on Messmer, Messmer had an equal impact on Fr. Esser. In fact, his parting words to the students in 1970 ring true even to this day!

When Fr. Esser passed away in February, Messmer and the Church lost a leader and a friend. However, prior to his passing, Fr. Esser ensured his legacy in the community and at Messmer would last even after he was gone. Messmer was notified shortly after his passing that Fr. Esser had named Messmer as a beneficiary of an annuity agreement and a life insurance policy.

In closing his letter to his students in 1970, Fr. Esser noted that, “As long as every student and teacher maintains that faith, that goal in life, that respect for each other, the school will remain a place where people are happy.” By making a planned gift to Messmer Catholic Schools, Fr. Esser let us all know how much Messmer meant to him, and it further ensured his legacy here. Furthermore, it ensured that our students would be able to attend school in a place where they can truly be happy.

If you would like more information on how you can help create your legacy at Messmer Catholic Schools through an estate-planning gift, please contact the Development Office at Messmer Catholic Schools at (414) 264-5440 or development@messmerschools.org. Messmer would be more than happy to work with you and your legal and/or tax advisors to help you establish a gift that meets your philanthropic needs.

MAKING YOUR IMPACT

LEAVING A LEGACY THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION.

EIGHT ATTRACTIVE OPTIONS FOR PLANNED GIFTS WITH BENEFITS FOR THE DONOR: • Giving donors an opportunity to give a larger gift than thought possible • Helping donors plan for the financial needs of a spouse or a loved one • Increasing donors’ current income • Assisting in providing inheritances for heirs at a reduced tax cost • Reducing donors’ income tax and/or avoid capital gains tax • Allowing donors to diversify investment portfolios • Assisting donors in the planning of the transfer of their businesses • Creating a meaningful way for donors to leave a charitable legacy for future generations For more information on supporting Messmer through your estate planning contact Richard Anderson or Mike Brauer at (414) 264-5440

MESSMERTODAY

ACCREDIDATION

ACCREDITATION

findings. At the end of the process, Messmer Catholic Schools earned some outstanding results. The study shows that Messmer Catholic Schools scored above similar urban Catholic schools in the nation.

We are proud that there was recognition of a strong faith presence throughout the campuses. With the inclusion of weekly worship, daily prayer, retreats, and theology courses, Messmer’s Catholic identity is threaded throughout the foundations of learning and education. Symbols of this Catholic identity are displayed throughout the buildings of each school and students are taught to love Jesus with a servant’s heart as they participate in food drives, walks, the Tablesetters program, and other Christian outreaches.

MESSMER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

ACCREDITATION SUCCESS E

very 5 years, Messmer goes through the accreditation process that is required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

This process provides us with important feedback that allows us to improve our educational program.

It also allows us to maintain our accredited status among private schools. Accreditation indicates that our schools adhere to a set of standards. This year, Messmer was accredited through AdvancED. The AdvancEd Accreditation is the first fully integrated K-12 accreditation of Messmer Catholic Schools, Inc. AdvancED has partnered with more than 32,000 public and private schools and school systems nationally and internationally. AdvancED shares research-based quality standards that are designed to assess and challenge institutions to continuously improve.

In the early stages of preparing for accreditation, each school is required to engage in selfassessments completed by a team of faculty from various grades and specialties. The job of the team was to gather evidence to support indicators and use a standard ranking process for self-assessment on each school individually and also system wide.

During this process, our team took time to thoroughly assess the entire system and its practices. An analysis of the history, strengths and weaknesses, student performance diagnostics, and other assessments showed the highest and lowest trending areas for each school.

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From that analysis, the team created an overview of the current environment that included what Messmer is doing now, how it is changing, and its vision for the future.

The assessments are focused on five standards and provide a common language for assessment on educational improvement, system effectiveness, achievement, and measuring success. The team examines adherence to standards as well as how the institution functions as a whole and embodies the practices and characteristics expected of an accredited institution.

5 STANDARDS 1. The first standard is related to purpose and direction. The focus was on communication of purpose, direction for continuous improvement, and commitment to high expectations for learning.

2. The second standard reviews the governance and leadership of the system that promotes and supports student performance and system effectiveness.

3. The third standard evaluates the system’s curriculum, instructional design, and assessment practices for learning. This is broken down to include curriculum assessments for each student to ensure challenging learning experiences and opportunities at every level.

4. The fourth standard ensures that the system has resources and provides services in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. This includes recruitment of professionals and support staff and facilities maintenance that promote a healthy environment for all students and staff.

Five. The fifth standard focuses on using data and assessment for continuous improvement where the professionals and support staff of the organization continuously collect, analyze, and apply learning from a variety of sources to advance and adjust learning.

In addition to the standards, another tool used is the stakeholder engagement assessment that examines perception surveys from students, parents, and teachers. These results were analyzed and trends were examined. This information added to the evidence for assessing each standard.

Student performance data was analyzed to track trends and assess the reality of student achievement. Scores from multiple assessments were scrutinized and goals for the future were planned based on this data. Analysis is also done on the tools assessing student learning and growth.

In the second step of the accreditation process, AdvancED brought in their group of external professionals to do a similar assessment using these standards and to provide a complete report of their

An institution’s ability to learn from and build upon its best and most effective practices provides a perpetual increase in improvement and strategic planning. This is true for every institution no matter what level of performance it has achieved in the past. Messmer is thrilled with the positive results of the AdvancED Accreditation and looks forward to continually striving to improve and increase student achievement. When AdvanceED returns in five years for another assessment, the results will be even better thanks to the hard work and systemic changes occurring at Messmer Catholic Schools.

The Messmer Catholic School System is to be commended for their commitment to urban education and the achievement of their students. Such a commitment is an essential element of successful teaching and powerful practices that ensure a process of continuous improvement for their system.

- AdvancED MESSMERTODAY 73

SCHOOL UPDATES

ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH Messmer celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a special allschool assembly in May. Refugee students from Thailand shared how challenging it was to come to the U.S. without knowing how to speak English and described the hurdles they faced in Milwaukee. Students from Vietnam highlighted the importance of the Lion Dance in their culture. A surprise performance of the Lion Dance by the SahoLin Center topped off the assembly. All of the students who participated in the assembly received a studentled standing ovation.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION To celebrate Black History Month this year, the Social Studies Department sponsored several viewings to expand student knowledge of Black American History and the present state of affairs.

Twice in the auditorium, students were invited to a late lunch and a viewing of two documentaries about the current state of Black America. One was called #blackmendream, a documentary that displayed several young black men discussing their feelings about being black American males. They talked about how the world treats such people and how such people treat themselves. The second viewing was called Dear White People, a modern comedy about a small group of young black youths on an Ivy League college campus in the age of Obama.

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For the first time, the Social Studies Department took students to an off-campus movie at the North Shore Cinema in Mequon to see the movie Selma. About 20 students attended this groundbreaking and emotional drama about the 1965 Civil Rights march.

We ended the month with a performance by the local arts and entertainment group Lights!

Camera! Soul! They performed the play "The Colored Museum" for the entire student body.

The play was a series of exhibits looking at different perspectives of American and black American life.

GESU PARISH AWARDS Each year, Gesu Parish on 12th and Wisconsin in Milwaukee recognizes and celebrates eleven young people from three urban middle schools and eight Catholic high schools. These students, selected by their faculties and staff, have demonstrated outstanding leadership in one or more of these areas: conflict resolution, advocacy for justice, and peacemaking in their schools or in the larger community. This year, two students from Messmer Catholic Schools were recipients of this award. Congratulations Eme Na and Je’Vaughn Harris for your outstanding leadership!

BISHOP BUILDERS This spring, Messmer Preparatory Catholic School and St. Rose / St. Leo Catholic School embarked upon a new adventure: to expose our students to the craft of carpentry and the thrill of hands-on learning. Under the tutelage of Bill Nimke of All Hands Boatworks, we formed clubs composed of teacher-nominated 6th and 7th graders at each school. The students joined together in the common quest to create three carpentry projects: a toolbox, a cigar box guitar, and a little free library. In a few short weeks, these students became teammates and supported each other to see who could create the best toolbox and cigar box guitar. Each student's project showed individual personality, but ALL of the projects showed an integration of learning that surpassed the rudimentary carpentry skills with which each student began on Day 1.

When Bill asked the students what they would like to see in the next Bishop Builders, the answer was a unanimous request for a yearlong program in which they could continue to hone their skills and build their relationships with one another and the instructors.

MESSMERTODAY 9

8TH GRADE GRADUATION

MHS VALEDICTORIAN

MHS VALEDICTORIAN

BRIGITTE RIOS a better you. We will take our memories from high school and one day, we’ll share them with future friends or family members.

8TH GRADE GRADUATION

Remember freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior retreats? What about Homecoming? Spirit weeks? Show of Shows? Prom? As senior year comes to a close, we realize that we’ve all grown together. We’ve shared experiences that we will never be able to describe to others. We’ve made friendships that now mean the world to us. And now we will share this day, share our graduation, making it part of our memory banks.

HIGHEST ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

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his year’s Highest Academic Achievement Award recipient for the graduating class of St. Rose and St. Leo is Eme Na. Eme earned an 8th grade cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.86. She is a wonderful example of a dedicated, hardworking, and enthusiastic student. In the classroom, her abilities shine.

She is an independent, motivated student concerned with learning, but she also encourages other students to do their best. She is learning to be a youth leader and also tutors other children at St. Michael's Parish.

Her passion for education not only strengthens her academic knowledge, but also helps other children learn that strong fortitude and school leadership lead to success. Her peers, teachers and school community recognize her quiet strength. She provides a wonderful role model for all.

Classmates, four years ago we arrived here—of course, much different than we are today. I remember being so excited entering high school, not exactly knowing what to expect. Let me tell you, though, those first days here were probably the worst and best days of high school.

hard outside of school, and always paying attention to details. Leading her quiet spirit, she showed the 8th grade the qualities a true leader must exhibit. Not only was she an excellent student, but she also participated in volleyball, basketball, and track- also modeling her leadership in athletics. With a cumulative grade point average of 3.98, she has easily earned this recognition.

Congratulations Eme and Jayonna!

The 8th grade graduate receiving the Highest Academic Achievement Award for Messmer Preparatory Catholic School is Jayonna Hicks. During her ten-year career at Messmer Prep, this young lady has demonstrated a strong work ethic, consistently doing her best in all she did, always putting one hundred percent effort into her schoolwork.

She models what a Messmer student should be at all times. She established a reputation of exemplary behavior: kind to others, helpful to classmates, working 10

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From trying to figure out how to open our lockers or where our classes were, to repeatedly hearing how no one liked freshmen and yet having to ask upperclassmen for help, the first few days seemed dreadful. We would get eye rolls or laughs from frustrated upperclassmen who viewed us as lost little dogs. Now as we sit here today, we have become those upperclassmen. We’ve finally mastered how high school works and it all seems much easier than it did four years ago. And now it’s over. Now, we will be the new persons again, whether in college, the workforce, the military, or wherever we choose to go. We will have to learn things that we’ve never been faced with before.

As we start that new chapter, however, we need to remember that with the confusion will come excitement, new friendships, new and greater knowledge. As we remember today the people we were four years ago, we realize that we have all changed in some way or other.

Even looking at our freshmen photos last week, we gasped in horror and hid them in embarrassment—perhaps trying to hide from our younger selves. Instead of hiding our old selves from others, we should embrace them. We have matured and developed as the days, weeks, and years have gone by. Be proud because today you are a different you,

There may perhaps have been teachers that have changed the way we thought or that have influenced our career choices. Even after all the complaining that we have done (waiting for senior year to come to an end), we’re thankful for all the people we have met and gotten to know. When we become even older, I guarantee that the years we’ll remember the most are from high school.

As for now, we’re getting ready to begin a different part of life. We might not even be sure what that is yet, but we’ll figure it out. All we need is motivation (which we definitely have) and the whole world is in our hands. Some of us may have different dreams than others, but we all share a common dream—success. Can you imagine how great it will be to come back here for a reunion and learn the great things all of us have accomplished?

We may not see our fellow classmates in the years to come that often, but the memories will never go away. We’ve spent day after day in classrooms together. High school has been a learning experience—learning about our subjects, about each other, and about ourselves.

Never forget what we’ve learned here: we’ve learned more than parabolas, evolution, and poetic devices. We’ve learned how to be family. We’ve gotten close to people we may never have imagined ourselves with and we’ve developed with them. We have done things for each other that cannot be repaid or even explained in words. We have all affected one another.

So, continue to become the best you. Think of this as your final homework assignment in high school. It might take a while, especially knowing how much the senior class procrastinates, but continue to have this goal in mind. By aiming for it, we will become people of whom everyone will be proud. Even now, our parents, friends, and teachers sit here proud of us. Continue to make them proud.

We have so much ahead of us that it’s nearly unimaginable.

We may not know what will happen from now on, but we will always have each other. Whether in memory or in person, these are the years and the people we won’t forget.

Thank you and felicitaciones class of 2015.

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MESSMER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ATHLETICS

ATHLETICS BOYS' BASKETBALL Expectations for the boys’ varsity basketball program were very high this year. Unfortunately, the team struggled with injuries to key players including senior and Conference Player of the Year candidate, Dallas Polk Hilliard. Despite these obstacles, the team fought hard and achieved a 15-8 overall record. Two Messmer seniors, Raymaun Pierce and Deonte Newsome, were named 1st Team All Conference. The team looks forward to growing from a difficult season and achieving even better results in the coming years with promising young talent in freshman class, Keyron Gouveia.

MHS BASEBALL

The team is really starting to come together and operate as a family. Many of the players will be playing in the RBI League again this summer, and this shows that the commitment to improving in the off-season is starting to come around. Our players have loads of potential and they will continue to grow and develop. Opposing coaches, fans, and umpires have recognized the team’s improvement this season.

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The Messmer Preparatory Catholic School athletic program had an eventful year as they had the highest amount of participation in the history of the school. MPCS was able to field a total of four volleyball teams, two middle school football teams, eight basketball teams (four boys and four girls), a full cheerleading squad, a fall and spring co-ed soccer team and a full track and field team. Athletics continue to be of growing interest among the students at Messmer Prep.

A few highlights from last semester include a promising young 5th grade girls’ basketball team that took 2nd place in the North Shore Catholic League, and the 6th grade boys’ basketball team that also took 2nd place in league. The 8th grade boys also received their third consecutive bid to compete in the Padre Serra Tournament.

TRACK AND FIELD At the first practice of the 2015 track and field season, coaches and athletes discussed the goals for the upcoming season. The only senior on the team, Naomi-Rea' Jordan, spoke up first and said, "I think we can win conference this year."

The 2015 season was another year of growth and rebuilding for Messmer’s baseball program. The junior varsity team was far more competitive and successful this season compared to recent history. A strong freshman class with some exciting young players helped the JV team win a few games. The future of the program looks bright with some committed and excited young players.

The varsity team continued to take steps forward and showed some flashes of really great baseball. Led by a large group of seniors, the Bishops were more competitive in league games this season. Although we didn’t win any conference victories, the team played good baseball and stayed competitive in more games than in the recent past. The varsity team earned victories against Wayland Academy (10-8) and Milwaukee Hamilton (9-8, 9 innings). Senior standout Raymund Pierce led the team in batting average (.453), doubles (10), triples (2), OBP (.493), Slg % (.671), stolen bases (27), IP (57.1), and strikeouts (56). Raymund earned 2nd Team All Conference (OF) in the Midwest Classic Conference. Junior Timothy Bean (C) and sophomore Malik Jihad (P) also received All Conference honors by earning honorable mention in the Midwest Classic Conference.

MESSMER PREP. ATHLETICS

Although no girls’ sports team in Messmer's long history had ever won a conference title, the team committed to that goal and to excelling during the demanding workouts planned by their event coaches. When the day the conference meet came, the team had already established new school records in five events, but they kept the goal that they had set at the forefront of their minds.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL The 2014-2015 Varsity girls’ basketball team finished in fourth place in the Midwest Classic Conference with a 10-6 record and a 14-10 overall record. This was the first winning season for the Lady Bishops since 2007. The team will make a strong push to win conference next year with the help of Lauryn Young (the fourth leading rebounder in the state and AllConference selection sophomore) and Terrianna Black (team captain and Second Team All-Conference). Terrianna Black is the daughter of Terry Black, Messmer High School Class of 1997 and a Messmer Hall of Fame inductee. With some fresh additions coming in and a strong sophomore class, the future looks bright. Hope to see you at some games this upcoming season.

When the day of the conference meet came, another three records were broken as athletes competed for their chance at All-Conference recognition. When the meet ended and all the scoring was tallied, the announcer called the team standings in reverse order. When there was only one more team to announce, the Messmer girls’ team stood atop the Midwest Conference for the first time in school history—winning the meet by 30 points.

Although the boys’ team lacked senior leadership this season, the future is bright. Freshman Robert Brown Knight ran well in his debut season as he broke records in the 800 and 1600-meter runs and was a member of the 4 x 800 relay team.

Sophomore Israel Smith joined Robert on the record setting relay team along with sophomores Deonte Pettis and Isaiah Pruitt. Also in his debut season, Isaiah set a record in the 3200 meter run, and Deonte Pettis was recognized for his AllConference performance in the 400 dash.

ST. ROSE AND ST. LEO ATHLETICS There was a lot of athletic growth in the students of St. Rose and St. Leo Catholic School throughout the 2014-15 school year. Our school had one girls’ and three boys’ basketball teams, up from one girls’ and two boys’ teams last year. There were so many 5th and 6th grade boys that came out to play that we had to split them up into two teams. All of the teams made great progress, but the most successful team was the 7th-8th grade boys’ team. That team made it to the Padre Serra Tournament, won their first round game and pushed the 2nd round game to an excitingly close finish before coming up just short. We had great Cheerleading squads at many of our basketball games this winter as well. We also saw growth in our soccer program, which grew from one 5th – 8th grade team in the fall to two teams, one 5th-6th and one 7th-8th grade team.

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Join us for Messmer Catholic Schools

ALUM RETURNS TO SERVE ALMA MATER

Portraits in Leadership OCT. 26. 2015

MIKE BRAUER '80 About a year ago, Mike Brauer ‘80 was asked to get involved at Messmer as a volunteer. A fund development professional for over thirty years, Mike jumped at the chance to share his expertise with his alma mater.

“I love Messmer and credit it for so much of who I have become.

My four years in the school (1976-1980) built my confidence in unique ways. I not only learned how to deal with people, but I learned the value of relationships. The chance to give something back to the school that gave me so much—my ‘yes’ was immediate.”

After a year as a volunteer, President Jim Piatt offered Mike the opportunity to come back to the school to more formally help lead the fund development and alumni relations program for the high school, as well as the two elementary schools. “We were able to establish a very creative and cooperative relationship with Mike’s employer, the Milwaukee Catholic Home (MCH), where he serves as their Mission Advancement Officer.”

“MCH was very open to a year-long arrangement where Messmer literally is buying some of Mike’s time and experience as we seek to strengthen our fundraising, grant-writing, and alumni relations efforts. Mike is the ideal person to help us during this transition,” said Jim Piatt.

The oldest of six children, all of whom attended St. Nicholas School, Mike is the son of Mary (Hemmeter) and Bud Brauer, both of whom are Messmer alumni from the Class of 1957. Two of Mike’s sisters, Kathy 14

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and Patty, are also alumni.

The family grew up in Glendale, about a mile north of the school, and the Brauer home was a center point for many activities including plenty of parties, according to Mike. “Back then, a pool table and a stereo was pretty much all you needed to have a party.”

“Watching the Messmer renaissance over the past 25+ years has been a real joy and also very humbling,” says Mike. During those rough years when the school actually closed and then reopened, he admits that he and his family were not among those fighting. “We had accepted Messmer’s end. I even wrote a letter to the editor of the Milwaukee Journal saying that all things have their time and that Messmer’s time had come. Boy, was I wrong,” Mike said.

Today, Mike and his wife, Maggi, live in Glendale with their four children: Molly, Erin, Calli, and Kevin.

“I am excited to work at Messmer. Its mission has been transformed since I was a student here, but its institutional soul remains."

The commitment of the School Sisters of Notre Dame lives on in this space,” Mike said. “It is all about discovering one’s gifts and then using those gifts in service to God and one another. For those of us who get to walk along with these Messmer students, it is truly a privilege.”

Contact the Development Office at (414) 264-5440 or development@messmerschools.org for ticket and sponsorship information.

JUL

2015 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JULY 31

AUGUST New Family Orientation (Messmer Prep and St. Rose and St. Leo)

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4

“It is all about discovering your gifts and then using those gifts in service to God and one another."

Mike Brauer

17

11

Home Varsity Football Game vs. Cudahy 7:00

Meet and Greet

25

Home Varsity Football Game vs. Whitnall 7:00

19

High School Orientation

(Co-op with Shorewood High School)

20

First Day of School

New Teacher Camp

24

First Day of Football

4-6

Late Registration (Messmer High School) (Messmer Prep and St. Rose and St. Leo)

AUGUST

First day for Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Volleyball, and Cross Country

(MHS, Messmer Prep and St. Rose & St. Leo Grades 1-8)

28

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER 2

(Messmer Prep and St. Rose & St. Leo Grades K4 and K5)

Homecoming Varsity Football Game vs.

Brown Deer 7:00

26

Home Varsity Football Game vs. Nicolet 7:00

Portraits in Leadership Dinner

18

Late Registration (Messmer High School)

First Day of School

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT MANY OF THESE EVENTS.

MAY THE SOULS OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

REST IN PEACE 1930s

The Messmer Catholic Schools’ family extends condolences to those grieving the loss of a loved one.

Lois Pittman (nee Burggraf) ’45 on February 13, 2015

Michael C. Haag ’52 on April 29, 2015

Richard Rech ’45 on February 21, 2015

Joan Kalivoda (nee Maikowski) ’52 on December 1, 2014

Barbara Steinberg ’45 on March 10, 2015

Joseph Kalivoda ’52 on November 25, 2014

Daniel Wycklendt ’45 on December 15, 2014

Jean Polakowski (nee Hammond) ’52 on January 17, 2014

Hermina Wysocki (nee Oswald) ’45 on December 14, 2014

Carl Hofschulte ’53 on January 14, 2015

Mary Golownia (nee Piepiora) ’46 on March 10, 2015

Gerald Loberger ’53 on November 28, 2014

Lucille Haydon (nee Michalek) ’46 on March 11, 2015

Mary Lohmann ’53 on February 11, 2015

Theresa Korenic (nee Witkowski) ’46 on January 25, 2015

Janet Peters (nee Guagliardo) ’53 on May 19, 2015

Loretta Littlefield (nee Sarnowski) ’46 on January 5, 2015

Michael Spalda ’53 on December 31, 2014

Charlotte Mann (nee Eckes) ’46 on December 21, 2014

Mary Pat Kieffer (nee Hoye) ’54 on March 21, 2015

Eugene Repinski ’46 on December 4, 2014

Norman Ziegler ’54 on March 18, 2015

Audrey Gagliano (nee Turcott) ’46 on April 11, 2015

Virginia Abram (nee Pflieger) ’55 on January 22, 2015

Therese Amrhein ’47 on February 27, 2015

Terrence Baudhuin ’55 on May 12, 2015

Janis Mosely (nee Yunk) ’47 on January 15, 2015

Mary Ann Beckius (nee Wozadlo) ’55 on April 27, 2015

Everett Schneider ’47 on January 4, 2015

Mary David (nee Huber) ’55 on March 8, 2015

Nancy Sipperly (nee Vaughan) ’47 on November 13, 2014

Maureen Murray (nee Murphy) ’55 on May 5, 2015

1940s

Jacquelyn Hovorka (nee Stevens) ’48 on January 10, 2015

Judith Schott (nee Higgins) ’56 on December 21, 2014

Robert Thomson ’48 on March 10, 2015

Walter Wiske ’56 on February 14, 2015

Gerald Emmerich ’41 on February 11, 2015

Katherine Berno (nee Schauer) ’49 on September 1, 2013

James Felber ’57 in 2014

Jeanette Holzbauer (nee Schaechterle) ’41 on February 18, 2015

Janet Hoffmeister (nee Winter) ’49 on February 11, 2015

Patricia Hertel (nee Kratz) ’57 on December 16, 2014

Marion Wells (nee Stoiber) ’49 on April 28, 2015

Janet Koreen (nee Deja) ’57 on January 9, 2015

Jeanne Ballard (nee Olinger) ’36 on April 25, 2015 Ruth McNamara (nee Burckhardt) ’36 on April 30, 2015 Arnold Olson ’36 on February 15, 2015 Walter Stumpf ’36 on November 7, 2014 Matilda Winkel (nee Prokop) ’36 on January 13, 2015 Luella Becker (nee Tinglof) ’37 on May 10, 2015 Lorraine Doyle (nee Felsecker) ’37 on March 1, 2015 Jeannette Freiburger (nee Ott) ’37 on December 15, 2014 Elizabeth Kuemmel (nee Beaudoin) ’38 on December 19, 2014 Joan Mulligan (nee Roets) ’38 on November 7, 2014 Paul Kastenholz ’38 on January 5, 2015 Evelyn Miller (nee Volk) ’39 on February 4, 2015 Irene Rematore (nee Walczak) ’39 on February 28, 2015

Marie Paich (nee Lehmann) ’41 on January 13, 2015 Gertrude Strupp (nee Wagner) ’41 on May 15, 2015 Robert Biemann ’42 on February 22, 2015

1950s

Dolores Dent (nee Hart) ’42 on November 19, 2014

Loretta Bark (nee Zitek) ’50 on May 13, 2015

Richard Jeske (Jazdzewski) ’42 on December 5, 2014

Virginia Kalchik (nee Popp) ’50 on January 10, 2015

Jean Coghlan (nee Koby) ’43 on January 10, 2015

Edward Schaber ’50 on February 21, 2015

Joseph Dorsey ’43 on March 23, 2015

Barbara Cefalu (nee Janzer) ’51 on May 10, 2015

Shirley Drexler (nee Reiff) ’43 on March 18, 2015

Dorothy Dauer ’51 on November 20, 2014

Sabina Gerfin (nee Moroder) ’44 on April 24, 2015

Marcia Dwyer (nee Miller) ’51 on January 7, 2015

Faith Middendorf (nee Senglaub) ’44 on February 20, 2015

Lois Pendergast (nee Neuendorf) ’51 on March 25, 2015

Alice Sobstad (nee Krause) ’44 on May 1, 2015

Primo DeToro ’52 on February 8, 2015

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MESSMERTODAY

Anthony Scheder ’57 on December 30, 2014 Anthony Barsch ’58 on February 16, 2015

1960s Mary Ann Schell (nee Grozek) ’60 on March 15, 2015 Jeanne Crone (nee Johnson) ’61 on March 19, 2013 Patricia Jensen (nee Marquardt) ’61 on May 9, 2015 Barbara Ostrowski ’61 on May 1, 2015 Sandrie Newth (nee Leinen) ’62 on December 17, 2014 Sandra Lintonen (nee Anderson) ’63 on January 4, 2015 Robert Rusch ’63 on May 7, 2015 Michael T. Conway ’64 on March 24, 2015 John Finnerty ’64 on November 29, 2014 Michael Grandinetti ’65 on January 29, 2015 John Morrow ’66 on February 22, 2015 Margaret Boser (nee Stoker) ’67 on June 23, 2014 Mary Clark (nee Schmidt) ’67 on February 21, 2015 John Schlicht ’68 on February 13, 2015 Jerome Trinkl ’68 on January 25, 2015 Thomas Sisson ’69 on March 7, 2015 Rev. Paul Esser, MHS Principal from ’67-’70 on February 10, 2015 Herm Buechel, MHS Teacher, Coach, and Administrator on February 17, 2015 Rev. Robert Berghammer MHS Teacher and Athletic

Edith Guzinski (nee Hoffmann) ’58 on December 8, 2014

Director on May 12, 2015

Joseph Juhay ’58 on August 30, 2014 Barbara Nowicki (nee Borek) ’58 on April 29, 2015

1970s

Herbert Trentz ’58 on March 30, 2015

Annie Kimbrough ’73 on January 30, 2015

Edward Wrecza ’58 on March 9, 2015 Elizabeth Digiovanni (nee Herbst) ’59 on Feb. 20, 2015

1990s Peter Stauffacher ’99 on February 19, 2015

Nancy J. Brown (nee Steinmetz) ’52 on November 6, 2014

MESSMERTODAY 17

FAITH STORY

“I hope that my future is filled with lots of moments like this. I pride myself in devoting all I have to everything I do.”

FAITH STORY

ALUMNI PROFILE

PATRICIA “PAT” TUSHAUS

CLAUDIJAH LEVER

Patricia “Pat” Tushaus let her faith guide her life.

P

atricia “Pat” Tushaus was born on March 15, 1936 and passed away on January 22, 2015. Her faith was at the core of everything she did and she based her life on sacrifice and service. Those values were passed on to her sons and to the many foster children she and her husband Ken, whom she married in 1956, welcomed into their home. We at Messmer Catholic Schools were blessed to have known her, to have shared in her kind and giving spirit, and to have learned from her example.

Pat served on numerous boards, committees, and councils that performed various service projects and helped the needy throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Service to the needy was a natural instinct for Pat. She never thought twice about helping others, but made it something that was ingrained into her daily life.

Since the first year that Messmer opened the Preparatory School, and later St. Rose and St. Leo Catholic School, Pat was there to volunteer and help in any way she could. She organized the Outreach Program at Lumen Christi Parish to paint the old library at St. Rose and St. Leo’s. She personally donated the window blinds. Her favorite pastime was reading, and she wanted to share her love of books with students. She came to school and gathered the elementary students around her and read stories to them. Remarkably, she would have 50 or more 18

MESSMERTODAY

wide-eyed students jostling to be the closest to her. Pat discovered that most of the students had never owned a book. She shared this information with Messmer administrators and worked with Messmer alumni to arrange for students to be able to earn the chance to have two free books for their “home library.” The students loved “Miss Pat,” but she loved them more.

Pat shared her faith and values by inviting others to become a part of something that she saw as an essential part of being a citizen and a Christian. Each December, Pat and Ken worked with Catholic Financial Life, Chapter 318, to plan a prayer service for nearly 1,000 children and staff at each of the Messmer elementary schools. A saint was chosen as a theme. Each student received a holy card and a gift. Volunteers from Catholic Financial Life served milk and cookies. One particular story from one of the prayer services exemplifies the kind of person Pat was.

As students were preparing for the service, a young second grade boy cautiously approached one of the volunteers and asked, “Do you know Miss Pat?” The volunteer smiled and replied, “Yes, I do know her.”

The volunteer didn’t tell the young student that “Miss Pat” was his mother. The second grade boy asked the volunteer if he would do the following: “Would you go and say hi to her for me?” Pat’s son Mark gladly delivered the message and in her loving style, “Miss Pat” went to the student and gave him a big hug that made the student’s day! This is the perfect example of the kind of life Pat lived: a caring spirit and a loving example.

Pat is survived by her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchild, her many foster children, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives, friends and of course her “children” - family and friends here at Messmer Catholic Schools. Pat truly let her faith guide her life. She was an angel here on earth to so many of us and she will be missed.

T

he mission statement of Messmer Catholic Schools declares that we prepare our graduates to excel in college, succeed in the workforce, and become productive citizens. MHS Class of 2011 alumnus, Claudijah Lever, has accomplished the first part of that mission by earning an award for her hard work at the University of Kansas.

Claudijah is a senior at KU studying nursing. She is also a member of the Jayhawks’ rowing team. Claudijah recently received the 2015 Marlene Mawson Exemplary Student-Athlete Award. Each year, this award is given to one senior female student-athlete that impacts her team with strong character and leadership qualities, while at the same time maintaining strength in both athletics and her studies. She was recognized for her hard work, her involvement in the community, and her consistent positive attitude both on and off the water. This is the first time in the history of the award that a rower was given this honor.

During her time at Messmer, Claudijah was a starter for all four years in basketball. She earned All Conference – Honorable Mention for basketball in 2011. She also participated in volleyball and track and field. Her academic success continued in her college career as she was a member of the 2014 Big 12 All-Academic First Team and was named to the 2014 Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

“Coach Sowinski was a great mentor to me in high school. She was always very determined, dedicated, and disciplined—both inside the classroom as a teacher and on the court as a coach. She pushed me to believe in myself even when I would give up and think nothing was possible. It would be poor

judgment on my part to say that Coach Sowinski was the only individual who pushed me towards being a successful individual here at the University of Kansas.

Mr. Klatkiewicz was always very stern, but you knew he meant well. To this day, I use Mr. K as a reference for jobs, and even nursing school applications. He taught me the real definition of a winner and expected nothing less than the best. At first, I felt as if I was out of my league applying to a big university like KU. Without his guidance, I would not be where I am today.”

Claudijah served her community during her time at Messmer by volunteering with St. Ben’s meal program and planting flowers outside of the school. After she graduated, she continued to give back to her community by volunteering for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Claudijah says, “My experience at Messmer as a student has encouraged me to be a leader in the classroom, on the water, and in the community.”

According to Claudijah, “Words cannot put into play how honored I am to be a recipient of this award. I hope my honors and good deeds will encourage other rowers at the University of Kansas to go beyond being a great student-athlete and push them to get involved in the community as well. It is unbelievable that I will go down in history as the first rower at the University of Kansas to win this award.”

Claudijah is a classic example of Messmer’s mission coming to fruition. We are proud of our alumni who have achieved success in their academic, professional, and personal lives. It is exciting to share the news and events that make our alumni so extraordinary. We invite you to share your story with us at development@ messmerschools.org.

MESSMERTODAY 17

NON-PROFIT OR U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

MILWAUKEE, WI PERMIT NO. 4764

You can help support Messmer by shopping on amazon.com.

Please consider another way to support Messmer Catholic Schools every time you shop at amazon.com. The program is called AmazonSmile and it is used in conjunction with the amazon.com website.

Simply go to our website (www.messmerschools.org) and click on the words ‘get started’ on the AmazonSmile link on our homepage. Then click the ‘start shopping’ link and you will see the regular Amazon.com website where you can purchase your item(s). Each time you shop this way (through the AmazonSmile link on our website), Amazon donates money to Messmer.

If the product(s) you wish to purchase qualify for the program, the page will say “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” in the description of the product. Note: not every item available for purchase on amazon.com is eligible for the AmazonSmile program.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Messmer Catholic Schools and it links directly to your current Amazon account.

To learn more, please contact the Development Office at development@messmerschools.org or (414) 264-5440.