Notre Dame College Prep Legacy Magazine 2014-2015

2015 Issue

Legacy

Alum’s Visit to Wall Inspires Giving, pgs. 4-5

For Alumni, Students, Faculty and Friends of Notre Dame College Prep

The Brothers of Holy Cross Assume Sponsorship, pgs. 6-7 2014-2015 Highlights, 2015 Graduation, pgs. 14-17 Alumni News & Classnotes, pgs. 18-23

Cover: (left to right) President Ralph Elwart, Ann Frisch, Frank Frisch ‘59 and Assistant Athletic Director Augie Genovesi.

Advancement Team Ralph J. Elwart, President Shay Boyle Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Laura Curley Managing Director of Institutional Advancement Dick Allegretti ‘73 Director of Major Gifts Sharon Angelini Director of Special Events and Stewardship Teresa Connelly Director of Communications Skip Lawson ‘71 Director of Alumni Relations and Planned Giving Monica Peterson Executive Assistant Arlene Zoeller Development Assistant The Board Pete Newell ’67, Chair Retired, Director of Institutional Equity Sales, Citigroup Global Markets Christopher Nowotarski ‘76 Vice Chair President, Christopher T. Nowotarski, P.C. Michael Brennan ’65, Secretary Retired, Vice President of Equity Sales, Morgan Stanley Pat Burke ’79, Treasurer CPA/Partner, Friedman & Huey Associates LLP Pat Cummings ‘73 Vice President, Cummings Sales Mary Downing-Smith National Account Director, Nuance Communications Brother Chester Freel, C.S.C., Provincial Superior for the Brothers of Holy Cross Midwest Province Bill Harrington ‘68 President, Great Flooring Inc. Joe Petricca ‘68 Retired, Teacher/Coach Palatine High School Kate Tarpey Accounting Manager, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School (Milwaukee, WI) Alumni Association Officers Mike Sweeney ‘98, President Brian Murray ‘03, Vice President Tom Draths ‘03, Secretary Tony Bontempo ‘02, Treasurer

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Legacy is published by Notre Dame College Prep and its Advancement Department.

Managing Editor: Teresa Connelly Contributors: Dick Allegretti’73, Sharon Angelini, Teresa Connelly, Tom Connelly, Laura Curley, Anne de Tagyos, Ralph Elwart, Jessica Grillo, Mike Jankowski, Skip Lawson, Lifetouch Photographers, Joe Miller, Monica Peterson, Mike Sweeney ‘98, Arlene Zoeller.

Contents

Dear Parents and Alumni:

Time seems to pass more quickly every year. This year is no exception. It was a little over a year ago that I came to Notre Dame College Prep, full of admiration, wonder, excitement and perhaps just a twinge of anticipation. That year came and went as each new experience passed by. Back in August, we marked my first year at Notre Dame, but we barely slowed down. It was as if we had completed our first lap in a Formula One racer without slowing down to mark the occasion. And now it is November when just yesterday, it seems, it was August.

Let me take a moment to look in the rearview mirror at the past year – but only a moment. Seldom is there much to be gained by looking backwards and we certainly do not want to lose our focus on the future.

My tenure at Notre Dame began with a meeting in our library the day before school started. The faculty and staff were there as I was introduced, and I was prepared to give one of two speeches. One was a more formal one, which I would read, while the other was in outline form, which would allow me to talk with the folks in the room. After hearing a few introductory comments from other speakers, I gauged the room at being receptive, warm, friendly, and committed to the success o the school. Can one draw those conclusions from a few moments of conversation? Absolutely. You can hear commitment in their voices and you can see it in their eyes.

So, I began by just talking. I spoke a bit about my background, my career and my family. And then I spoke about why I accepted this position. What I told the faculty and staff was true then and it is true now: Notre Dame College Prep is a school with so much potential and with so many possibilities that accepting this job was the only decision which made sense. And that has proven true.

In the past year and a few months, I have come to know virtually all of my fellow employees and have found something in each one to admire. Without a doubt, that is the most significant learning I take away from my first year at Notre Dame College Prep. These are indeed committed people, but just as importantly they are good people, who have the best interests of their students in their hearts.

I have also learned that there are some things that we do very well. Last year, we set a record for attendance at our Open Houses – a record that we significantly surpassed this year! People are talking about the Notre Dame difference and they want it for their sons.

We have learned that we have remained a Holy Cross school over the years and that, with the affiliation with the Brothers of Holy Cross, we will deepen our understanding of what that means. We will also open the doors of opportunity for our Dons to interact with Holy Cross students at other schools. That works to the benefit of every young man who attends Notre Dame College Prep. We learned that being a Holy Cross school is much bigger than just Notre Dame College Prep in Niles.

This past year has shown that our parents and alumni are very generous people. They are willing to help us do anything that furthers our joint mission of developing gentlemen of faith, scholarship and service. Our jobs are made so much easier with partners like our parents and alumni.

I am so proud to be a part of this community where so much is being done for Dons and by Dons. Every story we hear about where we may have fallen short energizes us to improve. And every story we hear about the positive impact of our combined efforts reaffirms what we are doing.

Our thanks to all of you for what you do. And hang on tight: the future looks very bright.

In Notre Dame,

Ralph J. Elwart President, Notre Dame College Prep

Under the patronage of Mary, Notre Dame College Prep is a secondary school committed to educating young men to be gentlemen of faith, scholarship, and service in an inclusive, family-oriented community. Faithful to the Roman Catholic tradition and inspired by Gospel values, we prepare students to be lifelong learners and to lead lives of integrity.

In This Issue 4-5 Alum’s Visit to Wall Inspires Giving 2 3 4-5 6-7 8-9

10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-21

22-23 24

Dinner Auction Save the Date - April 23, 2016 President’s Letter, Table of Contents Alum’s Visit to Wall Inspires Giving The Brothers of the Holy Cross Assume Sponsorship of NDCP Advancement News: Annual Sponsorship, New Board Members, Laura Sonnefeldt-Curley Named Managing Director of Institutional Advancement and Annual Fund Green Ties Dinner Auction Success NDCP Strategic Plan Executive Summary, Dons Day of Service 2014-2015 School Year Highlights Class of 2015 Commencement Alumni News, Christopher Nichol ‘14 Wins Silver, Alumni Profiles: Paul Tokarz ‘00 and Alan Candea ‘95, 2014 Hall of Honor, McDonough, Blackhawks Honored, 2015 Golf Outing Thank You Class Notes, Legends Field Dedication Upcoming Events

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Cover Story

Rev. Richard Conyers, CSC blessed the Veterans Wall in November 2014 during the dedication ceremony.

(left to right) Notre Dame College Prep President Ralph Elwart (left) and Assistant Athletic Director and Head Wrestling Coach Augie Genovesi (right) thanked Class of 1959 alumnus Frank Frisch (center) for his generosity to the Veterans Wall fund and NDCP’s scholarship fund.

Alum’s Visit to Wall Inspires Giving

While he mingled and visited with various Dons and staff members, Frank overheard Assistant Athletic Director Augie Genovesi and Director of Alumni Relations Skip Lawson ’71 discuss the amount of the shortfall needed to cover the expense of the installation of the wall. For the first of several times to come, Frisch indicated he would be the one to make that shortfall go away.

By Laura Curley and Teresa Connelly

“I will write a check right now for that,” he said as he handed a check to staff members.

Joining about 60 gentlemen gathered in the Notre Dame College Prep Library for the dedication of the Military Veteran’s Wall in November 2014, Frank Frisch ‘59 introduced himself to staff members. He was warm and unassuming, and he spoke gratefully of his family’s sacrifice to send him and his brother Tom ‘60 to ND, and the importance that his Catholic education meant to his parents and to him.

Having retired from a career in telecommunications, Frisch and his wife Ann decided they wanted to do something substantial for today’s Don students as well. He wondered aloud if a scholarship, perhaps with a military service component, would be something to consider.

He indicated that when he read about the Tribute to Veterans in the Legacy magazine, he chose that day to be the day that he returned to ND, “for the first time since graduation.” He was moved to be part of the dedication of the wall, noting that honoring those who served one’s country holds a special priority to him.

“I thought gee, they’re doing something that personally impacts me, and my brothers Bob and Tom. We all were in the service and my dad’s career was in the service too,” said Frisch. “This particularly impacts me.”

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Students utilizing the Library each day are able to view the Veterans Wall and honor the alumni whose names are listed.

Fast forward a few months later.

In early April 2015, the Village of Rochelle, Illinois was ravaged by severe storms. Frisch lives in the area and was moved by the devastation he saw. He very clearly realized that all anyone has is today, and if one is to make a difference in this life, procrastination is not an option.

Shortly thereafter, Frisch phoned Lawson and indicated he would like to give Notre Dame a check to establish the Frank and Ann Frisch Scholarship.

“Ann and I decided we wanted to do something worthwhile for Notre Dame. We’d already done something in our community,” Frisch said.

In May 2015, he and Ann attended the Alumni-Senior Breakfast. They sat and spoke with some of the young Dons who would be joining the military after graduation.

Frank Frisch ‘59 (right) and his wife Ann Frisch.

Afterwards, they delivered a cashier’s check in the very generous amount of $50,000 to President Ralph Elwart.

“It means something to me and to the person receiving it. I don’t want notoriety.

I’m doing this from the heart. I’m doing this to encourage others to give,” said Frisch.

“I’m now to a point where I can afford to give. It means something to me and it makes me feel good.”

During their meeting, Frisch astonished the staff once again by asking a very important question, “Who will pay for the upkeep of the Veterans’ Wall?”

A veteran himself, Elwart assured him that maintaining the wall would never be overlooked, and that NDCP is committed to honoring those who serve. Frisch expressed concern that funding for the Veterans’ Tribute Wall would come out of the funds needed for school operations. It was then that he made another generous offer to our community. Frisch indicated that he would like to provide the funds to maintain the wall.

“I will make a financial donation to start the endowment so you don’t have to come back to the alumni,” said Frisch. “I’m in a position where I can do it and it means something to me and my wife.”

“I will take care of the wall; everyone else, just take care of the Dons!” he said.

In honor of Frish’s request, alumni who wish to honor our veterans are asked to contribute to Notre Dame

in support of the current Dons at www.nddons.org/ annualfund. If you would like to donate in honor or memory of a loved one, Notre Dame College Prep will commemorate them at our annual Veterans Mass each November.

A man of strong faith and no hubris, Frisch often asserts that “God has been good to me.” At Notre Dame College Prep, we can now often be heard to say, “Frank has been good to us.”

He urges other alumni to visit the school, stay connected or reconnect. He also added that alumni should read the Legacy magazine and other correspondences that come from NDCP.

“If you become reconnected you aren’t going to lose anything. You’ll gain a lot. It will bring back memories that are good and some might be bad but if you reconnect then you’ll establish new good memories,” said Frisch.

“It’s not all about the money,” he said. “It’s about the people. If I lived closer I’d do more here.”

The Frank and Ann Frisch Scholarship has been established to support a Don who has a family member who has served or is serving in the United States Military, and is dedicated to continuing his Catholic education. It will be awarded for the first time for the 2016-17 school year. Applications will be available online by the end of the first semester.

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The Brothers of Holy Cross Assume Sponsorship of Notre Dame College Prep Secondary School Returns to Religious Sponsorship after Nine Years under Lay Leadership [Niles, Illinois and Notre Dame, Indiana August 31, 2015] The Executive Board of Notre Dame College Prep, Niles, Illinois announced today that the school has returned to sponsorship by a religious order after nine years under lay leadership. The lay board was formed to assume leadership of the school after the Priests of Holy Cross ended their sponsorship in 2006 after more than 50 years. The transfer of sponsorship was approved

by Chicago Archbishop, Blase J. Cupich.

“This is a story of lay people stepping up to hold in trust a fine Catholic institution, nurturing its Catholicity in the Holy Cross tradition and helping it succeed by participating in a vibrant network of Catholic secondary schools,” said Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago. ”The Church continues to benefit from strong lay leadership throughout the archdiocese and I am confident that the Board of Notre Dame College Prep will do everything to secure the school’s future, providing a successful model that can be replicated elsewhere.”

From 2006 to 2015, Notre Dame College Prep (NDCP) was led by an Association of Christian Faithful (ACF), a public juridic person which is a structure in canon law designed to function as religious orders once did in maintaining the Catholicity of an institution or ministry. Anticipated in the Second Vatican Council but rarely implemented until recent times, the structure has been used as a governance option for hospitals, schools and other Catholic institutions. The ACF appointed a lay executive board that, in turn, managed the operations of the school.

Under lay leadership NDCP grew in enrollment and refurbished and added to the physical plant. It also added one of the first Catholic secondary school programs in the nation for young men with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities. It has strengthened academic offerings for young men at all levels of academic potential and standard test scores have increased to unprecedented levels.

“From the first days of lay leadership we have worked to not merely preserve NDCP but to make it a model of excellence in inclusive Catholic education,” said Peter Newell, ‘67, chair of the executive board. “And we never lost our devotion to the Holy Cross education mission of educating the heart as well as the mind.”

Inspired by the teachings of founder Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, Brothers of Holy Cross have carried out an educational mission for almost two centuries. Their education model of faith, scholarship and service can be seen in 17 high schools and two institutions of higher learning across the United States. The Holy Cross Institute, headquartered at their St. Edward University in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to helping their education ministries grow in their commitment to the Holy Cross charism and in their quest for academic excellence.

“We are delighted to welcome Notre Dame College Prep back to the Holy Cross family of educational ministries,” said Brother Chester Freel, CSC, Provincial Superior of the Midwest Province of the Brothers of Holy Cross. “It is clear from our visits and review of the school’s programs that they have been guided by the charism of Holy Cross and have remained faithful to our way of educating young people at this critical time in their formation.”

The Archbishop approved the transfer of sponsorship on

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August 17, 2015 with a letter to Brother Chester and the school.

The transfer will be celebrated with a Mass in January of 2016 at the school. “The school welcomed another large freshman class this year. Our dedication to inclusive education dictates that we make a Notre Dame College Prep education available to as many families as we can,” said Ralph Elwart, school president.

“Clearly, families are recognizing the value of the education and character formation we offer and we intend to respond with more creative ways to make them available.”

Notre Dame College Prep is the largest all-male school in the Chicago Archdiocese. Located on 28-acres in Niles, Illinois, NDCP provides students with its core principals of faith, scholarship and service. The challenging curriculum meets the individual needs of a diverse student body. With 16 interscholastic sports and more than 30 clubs, activities and intramurals, the 815 students achieve a well-balanced education and nearly 100 percent of its graduates go on to college.

The Brothers of Holy Cross are members of an international congregation of Catholic religious brothers and priests who lead extraordinary lives by bringing hope to others. Devoted to God through their ministry and prayer, they strive to make a difference in the world by being present and available to the people and communities they serve.

Notre Dame College Prep Notre Dame College Prep was the first educational venture in the Chicago Metropolitan area for the Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province.

His Eminence, Samuel Cardinal Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago invited the Holy Cross Fathers to establish a school in this northern section of the Diocese. He wrote, “Everybody knows your teaching experience and everybody knows your devotion to Catholic youths.”

In June, 1955, the Priests of Holy Cross assigned 16 priests to begin the ministry of Catholic education at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, Illinois. A team of dedicated lay men and women joined the priests in this ministry.

Education required a building, so on 30 acres of low-lying land, Rev. John Lane, CSC, oversaw the construction of the building.

What emerged was a sleek, modern educational facility, now holding more than 800 students.

In 2006, the Congregation of Holy Cross ended its sponsorship of Notre Dame. Ownership was assumed by a board of lay people on January 1, 2007. The Archdiocese of Chicago placed the Catholicity of the school under the oversight of the Notre Dame Education Association, a public Association of Christian Faithful, composed of the lay board and other members. Under this new leadership Notre Dame continued to grow and prosper.

In 2015, the Notre Dame Education Association agreed to transfer sponsorship of the school to the Brothers of Holy Cross, Midwest Province, thus returning the school to leadership by a Holy Cross order.

Distinctive Elements of Holy Cross Education As Catholic schools, the mission of each school, individually articulated, are extensions of the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross entrusted by the Catholic Church. Schools sponsored in the Holy Cross tradition are linked to the canonical mission of the Church as entrusted to the Congregation of Holy Cross.

The soul of a Holy Cross school is nurtured and supported by an intentional community committed to the mission and its contemporary fulfillment. The faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and board members of Holy Cross schools form communities of practice to achieve shared goals as ascribed by their missions, and have a shared value of the process for

achieving those goals as faith-based communities.

Holy Cross schools seek diverse student populations capable of a college-preparatory curriculum.

Families share a commitment to a faith-based community, value the common good and have a respect for personal, social, political, religious, gender and linguistic diversity. They support the discipline necessary to achieve academic and personal excellence.

FAQs AFFILIATION WITH THE BROTHERS OF HOLY CROSS, MIDWEST PROVINCE

Q.: What does this mean for the parents of students?

A.: Your sons will have a deeper and richer understanding of what it means to be a Gentleman of Faith, Scholarship and Service. So while there may not be a direct impact on you as parents, your sons will definitely benefit.

Q.: Does this mean that the Brothers will be taking over or running the school?

A.: No. The governance of the school will continue largely as before. We have a Board of Directors, which has responsibility for setting policy in the school, ensuring the financial stability of the institution, and like all faculty and staff, furthering the Mission of Notre Dame College Prep. The responsibilities of the Brothers are distinct from these responsibilities.

Q.: What will the Brothers be responsible for?

A.: The Brothers of Holy Cross will have the responsibility of approving the selection of individuals to serve as Directors on the Board. The Brothers will support the religious and spiritual formation of the students at NDCP by providing professional development, educational materials and written guidance to the Board, administration, staff and students to support the Catholic Identity of NDCP and maintain and strengthen the Holy Cross traditions and values present.

Q.: Does this mean that we will have Brothers at Notre Dame College Prep?

A.: We may well be able to add religious to our staff. Currently we have two priests (Fr. Richard Conyers, CSC, and Fr. Daniel McCarthy, Chaplain) on staff, along with Sister Sally Ormsby, OP, a member of the Adrian Dominican Order of Preachers. It would certainly be beneficial if we could match a faculty or staff opening with an available Religious, but there is no requirement that a Brother be hired for any position at Notre Dame College Prep.

Q.: How are the Priests of Holy Cross and the Brothers of Holy Cross connected?

A.: The Congregation of Holy Cross is a religious congregation composed of two distinct societies of religious, one of religious priests and one of religious brothers, bound together in one indivisible brotherhood. Visit http://www. holycrosscongregation.org/about-us/community/ for more information on the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Q.: What is the Holy Cross Institute?

A.: The Holy Cross Institute, which is located at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, is charged with creating a national network among secondary schools, colleges and universities founded and sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross in the United States for the purpose of providing resources, programs and events that educate administrators, faculty, board members and students on the unique educational legacy of the

NDCP Board Chair Pete Newell ‘67,Provincial Superior Br. Chester Freel, C.S.C., and NDCP President Ralph Elwart.

Congregation. For more information on the Holy Cross Institute, visit http://www.holycrossinstitute.org/ Q.: Where do the Brothers and Priests of Holy Cross do their work?

A.: The Brothers of Holy Cross in the United States traditionally focus on secondary schools. To see the listing of schools and ministries sponsored world-wide by the Brothers, visit http://www.holycrossbrothers.org/our-ministries/. From an educational perspective, traditionally in the United States the Priests of Holy Cross focus more on institutions of higher learning. To see the listing of colleges and other ministries sponsored world-wide by the Priests of Holy Cross, visit https:// www.holycrossusa.org/ministries/ Q.: Who benefits more from this arrangement, the Congregation or Notre Dame College Prep?

A.: The answer to this question is truly that everyone benefits from this arrangement. The Congregation, through the Holy Cross Institute, has widened its base of experience with the addition of Notre Dame College Prep. As such, it can provide more and better resources and answers to questions for the members of the Institute. As a member of the Holy Cross Institute, Notre Dame College Prep will have access to that knowledge base and resources. In the end, it is our students who benefit the most from this arrangement.

Q.: How does the Archdiocese of Chicago feel about this arrangement?

A.: In the press release, Archbishop Cupich said, “This is a story of lay people stepping up to hold in trust a fine Catholic institution, nurturing its Catholicity in the Holy Cross tradition and helping it succeed by participating in a vibrant network of Catholic secondary schools.” The Archbishop went on to say, ”The Church continues to benefit from strong lay leadership throughout the archdiocese and I am confident that the Board of Notre Dame College Prep will do everything to secure the school’s future, providing a successful model that can be replicated elsewhere.”

Q.: How do the Brothers of Holy Cross feel about the arrangement?

A.: Brother Chester Freel, CSC, Provincial Superior of the Midwest Province of the Brothers of Holy Cross said in the press release, “We are delighted to welcome Notre Dame College Prep back to the Holy Cross family of educational ministries.”

He continued, “It is clear from our visits and review of the school’s programs that they have been guided by the charism of Holy Cross and have remained faithful to our way of educating young people at this critical time in their formation.”

Q.: How does Notre Dame College Prep feel about the arrangement?

A.: The faculty and staff are thrilled. We see the benefit of participation in the Holy Cross Institute, and we see the potential of working with and learning from the Brothers of Holy Cross as well as our colleagues at our sister schools.

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News

A CHARITABLE BEQUEST IS AN EASY WAY FOR YOU TO HELP NOTRE DAME COLLEGE PREP.

A charitable bequest is an excellent way for you to leave a legacy and help further the NDCP mission. A bequest is one of the easiest gifts you can make. Your estate planning attorney can include a provision in your will that leaves a lasting gift to the Dons. It could be a gift of a specific asset, a dollar amount, or a percentage of your estate. A bequest could also be made from the residue of your estate or what is left after gifts have been made to your heirs.

Advancement

The Annual Sponsorship Program benefits sponsors by extending their company name/logo/website and contact information to the entire NDCP community. Some 12,000 alums, friends of NDCP, current parents and local businesses will be exposed to companies and friends that support the NDCP mission. We will be listing our annual sponsors in various NDCP publications, at specific events and on signage inside and outside of the school. There are many more benefits to the program. Please contact Dick Allegretti ‘73, Director of Major Gifts, at 847.779.8643 or dallegretti@nddons.org for more information.

The Board Has Two New Members

Skip Lawson ‘71 Director of Alumni Relations/ Planned Giving Notre Dame College Prep p. 847.779.8618 e: skip@nddons.org

Please contact us to learn about all the benefits of making a charitable bequest and how you can help continue this important work. w: nddons.giftlegacy.com

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Annual Sponsorship Program

We Gratefully Acknowlege our Notre Dame College Prep Annual Sponsors Acierno Dental Dr. Michael Acierno ‘90, Dr. Alan Acierno ‘93 Althoff Industries Tom Les ‘71 DaPrato Rigali Bob Rigali ‘76, John Rigali ‘77 Mike Rigali ‘79, Luke Rigali ‘10 Flood Brothers Disposal/Recycling Robert Flood ‘66, Kevin Flood ‘69, Raymond Flood ‘70, Brian Flood ‘75, Michael Flood ‘78, Thomas Flood ‘78, James Flood ‘83, Daniel Flood ‘89 Michael Flood ‘01, Robert Flood ‘07 The Leddy Family Pete ‘81, Paul ‘84 The Locallo Family Dan Locallo ‘70, Kevin Locallo ‘03 Lin-Mar Motors

Two new Notre Dame College Prep Board members were elected in December 2014.

They are Mary Downing Smith and Kate Tarpey. After many years of dedicated service, Chuck McNulty and John Ranos ‘66 retired from the Board and NDCP President Ralph Elwart is now an ex-officio of the Board.

Mary Downing-Smith is the National Account Director at Nuance Communications. She is also the mother of two NDCP alumni, Mike Smith ‘07 (Head Soccer Coach at NDCP) and Jack Smith ‘10. Kate Tarpey is the Accounting Manager at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Former NBA Player Chris Herren Offered Sobering Talk to Dons On September 1, 2015, the Notre Dame College Prep community listened to former National Basketball Association player Chris Herren describe his story of being addicted to drugs and his recovery. Herren, who had played for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets among others, quit drugs and alcohol seven years ago. Now he speaks at 250 events a year with the hope of saving at least one person from what he went through. Herren was the subject of an ESPN 30-for-30 documentary called “Unguarded” and the author of Basketball Junkie and he now runs the The Herren Project to help others stay away from drugs and alcohol.

Mass Mutual Paul Tokarz ‘00

Herren urged the students to be themselves without using drugs or alcohol.

Medical Risk Jim Heavey ‘83

“I admire the kids who can go out on Friday and Saturday night who can be themselves,” he said.

North Shore Community Bank Norwood Consulting John Zei ‘62 Weldon Family Larry Weldon ‘04 Tom Walton – Class of ‘59 An Alumnus from each of the following years: ’59, ’62, ‘72,’ 73, ‘79

He urged adults and students to check in on each other to make sure that good choices are being made and emotions are being expressed.

“Why don’t we challenge kids more? Why not work out their emotional well being as much as we do bench presses?” he wondered.

“We’re afraid of checking in.”

“I wish people challenged me off the court as much as they did on,” Herren said.

“Challenge yourself to be cool. Challenge yourself to go without,” he added.

Laura Sonnefeldt-Curley Named Managing Director of Institutional Advancement and Annual Fund Notre Dame College Prep is pleased to announce that Laura SonnefeldtCurley is the school’s new Managing Director of Institutional Advancement and Annual Fund. She joined the staff on February 23, 2015.

Curley joins Notre Dame after nearly five years as the Director of Advancement at Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest, Illinois where she worked with a wide range of constituencies and was responsible for achieving over $1 million in annual giving. She also instigated the development and kick-off of a $7.5 million endowment campaign. This campaign is now half-way completed.

“Laura brings great experience in the Advancement and Fundraising areas. She will bring tremendous enthusiasm and strong management and communication skills to the Notre Dame community. Laura will primarily be in charge of managing our Annual Fund and will oversee Grant Writing, Alumni, and Special Events while also working closely with our Major Gifts Department. She will report directly to Shay Boyle, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Enrollment,” said NDCP President Ralph J. Elwart.

“I am very excited to welcome Laura to Notre Dame College Prep and our Advancement team.

Laura has great fundraising experience and brings a tremendous passion and work ethic. Under her leadership, Notre Dame’s Advancement efforts will continue to thrive and reach new heights!” added Shay Boyle.

A life-long resident of Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood, Curley has strong family connections to Notre Dame College Prep. Three of her brothers, Joseph Sonnefeldt ’82, Paul Sonnefeldt ’85 and Matthew Sonnefeldt ’88, are alumni. Her nephews, Tim Curley ‘11, Danny Curley ‘13 and Matthew Curley ‘15 are alumni. She attended Resurrection and Saint Louise de Marillac High Schools and was even a member of the ND/Res Band. Curley is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish. Additionally, she has been an active volunteer fundraiser with a number of nonprofits including the Danny Did Foundation, Miracle House, and the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.

Annual Fund by Laura Sonnefeldt-Curly This September you received an Annual Fund appeal with some great facts and statistics about The Notre Dame Difference. Many people have questions about the Annual Fund: • • • •

Why ask for money when parents are paying tuition?

How much more do you need?

What will it be used for?

I give to the (fill in the blank) Club or Team, isn’t that the same thing?

The answer to all of these questions can be found in detail on the NDCP/ Giving web page. I encourage you to visit the page, and send me an email if you cannot find satisfactory answers.

In brief, because the Board of Directors and Administration of NDCP are committed to keeping tuition at an affordable level, essentially every Don receives nearly $2,000 in scholarship. This is because the cost to educate a Don exceeds the price of tuition. The only way to bridge that gap is either through raising funds or raising tuition.

NDCP is fortunate to have the extremely generous support of decades of alumni to assist with this endeavor. While donations to various teams and clubs are appreciated (and largely tax deductible), a restricted gift to a club or team cannot be redirected to help meet the day-to-day needs of running the school.

I ask all families to participate to some small degree in the Annual Fund. Please prayerfully discern what you are able to provide. It may be that you find you can bridge that entire tuition gap for your Don, and more. Or perhaps your family is able to provide just $100, which may support our outstanding facilities, technology or administrative teams. No matter what you and your family can do for Notre Dame, we ask that you always keep the Dons in your prayers. For that, we thank you.

Endowed Scholarships Endowed Scholarships at Notre Dame College Prep are established in perpetuity and begin with an investment of $25,000. The interest earned from the principal amount of the scholarship is awarded to a student or students that most closely fit the criteria of the scholarship. The donor specifies the criteria of the scholarship. There are currently 25 Endowed Scholarships at NDCP. For more information regarding Endowed Scholarship opportunities or to contribute to an existing Endowed Scholarship, please contact Dick Allegretti, Director of Major Gifts, at 847.779.8643 or dallegretti@nddons.org.

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Green Ties Dinner Auction Success

by Sharon Angelini There was green everywhere! On April 25, 2015 over 400 people gathered to celebrate 60 years of Notre Dame at our annual Dinner Auction, Green Ties. We honored our ties to ND by filling the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency O’Hare with friendship, fellowship, generosity and most importantly, the spirit of Notre Dame.

Guests were treated to a cocktail hour filled with the excitement of raffles, games and a fabulous silent auction, paired with a nostalgic trip down memory lane in a room filled with photographs from the last 60 years. Our guest emcee, WGN’s Dave Eanet, kicked off the evening’s program which included a spectacular live auction.

Thank you to all who attended, volunteered and donated to this exciting evening, helping to make it a huge success.

Special thanks go to our event chairmen, Kathy Ernst (Ryan ’10), Kathy Flynn (Tommy ’17) and Melody Steffen (Kyle ’16 & Brendan ’18). Their hard work and dedication helped us raise over $325,000 for the young men of Notre Dame College Prep. Included in those proceeds is $76,000 to our Cross Program for tuition assistance.

Save the Date The Spirit of Notre Dame Dinner Auction April 23, 2016 Hyatt Regency O’Hare Rosemont, Illinois See ad on page 2

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Cover Story NDCP Strategic Plan Executive Summary by Anne De Tagyos, Manager, Strategic Plan In February of 2011, the Executive Board of Notre Dame College Prep (NDCP) retained ACE Consulting from the University of Notre Dame. Through a series of evaluations they provided an assessment report to utilize in formulating future initiatives, which included implementing a five-year Strategic Plan.

Six committees were assembled in late May 2012 in the areas of Academics, Catholic Identity, Development, Facilities, Finance, Governance, Marketing/Enrollment, and Student Activities.

The committees developed specific objectives, which include action steps, measurable metrics for successful completion of each objective, and proposed timelines. What follows is the plan developed by the Strategic Planning Committees.

Academics Scholarship is one of the main pillars of the Notre Dame College Prep Mission. We strive to nurture all of our students’ personal academic success. To continue to provide our students with the finest academic programs, Notre Dame needs to standardize their curriculum by utilizing the results of curriculum mapping, invest in technology, and ensure that the class schedule meets the needs of the faculty and students. In addition, we need to effectively use data to drive performance improvement and accountability to prepare our students for college readiness.

Finally, it is essential that we promote professional development among our faculty to ensure our students are receiving the best education Notre Dame has to offer.

Catholic Identity Faith and service are the other two pillars of the Notre Dame College Prep Mission. As we remain faithful to the Roman Catholic tradition and are inspired by Gospel values, it is important that we continue to ensure that a Notre Dame College Prep student learns that these foundations are essential not only at Notre Dame, but also later in life. Therefore, a rigorous academic program in Religious Studies and an academic program that integrates the principles of the Holy Cross tradition is a high priority. A key enabler to the success of this endeavor is the need to create a school-wide effort to promote the awareness and understanding of the Notre Dame Mission.

Development In order to achieve and sustain the excellence in the education that Notre Dame College Prep provides, significant resources are required. Establishing a coordinated infrastructure to support ongoing activities, a comprehensive evaluation of all fundraising efforts, and an examination of the cooperation needed across the Notre Dame Community to achieve the time, talent and financial resources necessary to succeed now and in the long term are vital in keeping Notre Dame College Prep moving forward.

Facilities Investing in the physical plant of our school is crucial to offering our students a remarkable education. As a result, regular maintenance of current facilities is imperative. Furthermore, foresight and long-term planning, both financially and programwise, are also necessary in preparation for possible future growth.

Finance Financial security is fundamental to the vitality of NDCP. To safeguard the future of the school, the creation of a five-year budget that supports the mission, values, and strategic goals

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of the school is essential. Additionally, management must investigate alternative revenue sources to supplement the current financial status of the school.

Governance Leadership is a key component to the overall success of our school. This plan emphasizes the need to explore the best management structure by clarifying roles and responsibilities within the governance of Notre Dame College Prep. The end goal is to implement the most effective and efficient leadership for the school that continues to honor the principles outlined in the Notre Dame College Prep Mission.

Marketing/Enrollment To guarantee the future of our school, Notre Dame College Prep must encourage prudence in its deployment of resources to remain successful and relevant in the coming decades.

To achieve this, the establishment of a regular system for the collection of customer satisfaction, market analytics and competitive data to support institutional decision-making needs to be executed in order to plan for the curricular, financial and student activity aspects of the Notre Dame College Prep experience. The Committee will also focus on recommending an appropriate infrastructure and budget allocation to support the school’s mission and the creation and evaluation of the school’s marketing and enrollment programs.

Student Activities A Notre Dame College Prep education promotes the development of the whole person. This plan recognizes the need to provide our students a diverse range of quality extracurricular activities oriented toward nurturing their artistic, athletic, and social interests. Successful participation in these programs will also cultivate personal responsibility, teamwork and leadership skills.

This Strategic Plan has many elements that will need to be implemented over the next five years and its success will depend on a few key factors: First, funding is critical. There is an immediate need to create a balanced five-year budget and generate incremental revenue for the school. Second, it is imperative that the Notre Dame administration collaborates with the faculty, staff and other constituents to champion the plan. Finally, as we begin to execute the objectives outlined in the Strategic Plan, the Mission, Philosophy of Education, and Vision of the school should guide the decision-making process and serve as a reminder that the student experience is our top priority.

Dons Day of Service

by Anne DeTagyos, Manager, Strategic Plan Joe Miller, Director, Campus Ministry Faith, scholarship, and service - these words are what a Don of Notre Dame strives to embody. As one of the three pillars of our school, service is an important component of our mission.

During the 2014-2015 school year, Notre Dame College Prep celebrated the 60th anniversary of our founding in 1954. Service is deeply embedded in our community and is rooted in the charism of our founders, the Congregation of Holy Cross. As part of marking this milestone, the first Dons Day of Service was held on March 7, 2015. The goal of this event was to highlight Notre Dame’s commitment to service by partnering with different organizations in the area.

A group of about 120 of our young men, teachers, staff, and parents served in seven different locations and gave of their time and talent. Sites included WINGS Resale Shop, Brookdale Senior Living Center, Maryville Thrift Store, Ronald McDonald House, Northwest Compass “Food Connection”, and Notre Dame College Prep. Volunteers assisted in organizing a food pantry, sorting and classifying donations for resale to benefit homeless women and children, beautifying the living space of senior residents in an assisted living home, sprucing up the Ronald McDonald House for families of sick children who reside there while their loved ones are in the hospital, and small jobs around Notre Dame. In addition to this, the Lumberjack Club went to the Forest Preserve to help clear excess growth and debris. The work done by our volunteers advanced the missions of the various organizations with whom we partnered.

The day began with a prayer service and “charge” empowering all volunteers to embrace the opportunity to serve others.

Volunteers departed for their sites and served all morning.

Students, faculty, staff, and parents returned to Notre Dame for lunch and communal reflection. Deacon Jim Ernst ‘66, led the group in sharing about their experiences and the impact their work had on both the organizations they volunteered for and on them personally. All involved returned with positive stories about their service. The day concluded with a mass celebrated

by Fr. Richard Conyers, C.S.C. in the Our Lady of the Universe Chapel.

Dons Day of Service Inspires More Giving Following the successful Day of Service at the Ronald McDonald House in Maywood, Illinois and after seeing a need, Science Teacher Kelly Devine and the students who participated collected over 250 new toys to bring there.

It was inspiring to see the students continue helping the Ronald McDonald House even after the Day of Service was complete.

In its inaugural year, this Dons Day of Service was a true testament to the people that comprise the Notre Dame College Prep family. The spirit among our volunteers was representative of the vision of the founders of our school. The events of this day not only made a difference in the lives of those impacted by the organizations our volunteers helped, but also touched the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and parents who participated in this day of service. On this Dons Day of Service, it was evident that the legacy of our founding fathers came alive for our community through the experiences of all involved.

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These highlights are from the 2014-2015 school year.

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These highlights are from the 2014-2015 school year.

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Class of 2015 Commencement

by Teresa Connelly

Notre Dame College Prep’s Class of 2015 is the 58th class to graduate from the school for young men located at 7655 West Dempster Street in Niles, Illinois. On May 30, 2015 family and friends of the 175 students gathered to celebrate their outstanding accomplishments and to wish them good luck in the years to come. The class received nearly $8 million in scholarships and grants from colleges and universities.

This year’s class includes two graduates from the Anne and Edward Burke Scholars Program for students with developmental disabilities. The program began in 2009. The students are Matthew McKenna and Michael Nadolny (brother of Mark Nadolny ’12) who join four others (Christopher Nichol, David Brucks and Connor Fallon from the Class of 2014 and Ryan Burke from the Class of 2013) as NDCP alumni.

Examples of other graduates included two students who received the Chick Evans Golf Scholarship for caddying. They are Patrick Sachaj who will attend Northwestern University and Nicholas Belsanti who will attend Marquette University. These are full scholarships for all four years. Joe Mooney received a four year scholarship to attend the University of California at Davis. He will play under Class of 1981 alumnus Jim Les who is the brother of NDCP Head Basketball Coach Tom Les ‘71.

Three others will play D1 sports in college including Kevin Cooney (Track & Field) at Loyola University at Chicago; Mike Ferri (Baseball) at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee; and Thomas Norton (Baseball) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Steven Porada will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. For a list of all the members of the Class of 2015 and the 2015 college/university acceptances list, see below.

The 2015 Commencement speaker was Matthew Bogusz, a 2005 alumnus of the school, who became the youngest person ever elected as Mayor of Des Plaines, Illinois when he was elected in April 2013. Just one year later, he was recognized as one of Crain’s Chicago Business magazine’s “Twenty in their 20’s,” highlighting 20 Chicagoland individuals “who are making their mark – and whose names you should know.”

While at NDCP Bogusz was a Hesburgh Scholar, Class President, and active member of the National Honor Society, Golf Team, Debate Team, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and the student newspaper staff. In 2004, while still at NDCP, Bogusz earned the distinguished rank of Eagle Scout and continues to support his local Boy Scout Troop 160.

Upon graduation from NDCP, Bogusz attended Northwestern University (NWU) as a Chick Evans Scholar and received a BA in Political Science and International Studies, with a minor in Transportation and Logistics. While at NWU, he met Kaitlyn Pascale, who became his wife in 2013. His brother Phillip is also an NDCP alumnus having graduated in 2008.

Des Plaines Mayor, Matthew Bogusz, ‘05

Principal Dan Tully ‘94 and Patrick Sachaj, Valedictorian

yourself. How will you apply all of that in service to your community? Thank you and God bless you,” said Bogusz.

The Valedictory Speech was delivered by Patrick Sachaj who attained a 4.77 weighted GPA over the past four years. Sachaj is from Des Plaines, Illinois and is a graduate of St. John Brebeuf grade school. He will be attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois on a full four year Chick Evans Scholarship beginning in the fall of 2015. His brothers are also NDCP alumni.

They are Michael Sachaj ’05 and Matthew Sachaj ’10.

“We should also keep in mind the accomplishments we made during our time here. Some of us were the funniest kids in the class, performing in the plays and participating in the speech team. Others were the most athletic, playing in multiple sports and being recruited by colleges for their abilities in these sports.

Still others were the smartest, taking multiple AP classes and participating in debate or scholastic bowl. Lastly, there were still kids who were the most artistic, being a part of the band and choir. Now as we start at our universities, we should leave these accomplishments in the past and create a new image of ourselves.

We have to be willing to try new things, make new friends, study hard, have fun, and hopefully not embarrass ourselves too much along the way. We won’t be able to create our new image until we step out of our comfort zones,” said Sachaj.

Special Awards that were recognized at graduation included: Valedictorian – Patrick Sachaj Salutatorian – Joseph Hilger Outstanding Senior Student Athlete Award – Joseph Hilger Kevin A. Rapacz Memorial Leadership Award – John Fay Christian Service Award – Mark Neuhengen Faith, Scholarship and Service Award – Nicholas Belsanti and Daniel Messina Spirit of Notre Dame Award – Patrick Augustus Hennelly Gentleman of Mary Award – Zavier Rodriquez

During his speech Bogusz said that while students try to figure out what they want to do during college and their future, any plans should include service as an important component. They should expand on the service experiences they had while students at NDCP. He told the students that his own sense of service and the notice of future opportunities began there.

“Those service hours that you’ve been doing over the last four years are not a nickel in the toll booth on the way to graduation – that’s not how it works. You did those service hours and this organization did that for you to make sure that you remember that that’s your next step as well.”

In addition to the awards given to students, there were awards given by the Alumni Association. The Rev. Joseph Stroot, CSC Award was given to alumnus Charles “Chuck” Keenley ‘59 and Maureen Karlowicz who runs the Attendance Office. These awards acknowledge the dedication of the recipients to the Alumni and the school communities. The Rev. James d’Autremont, CSC Award was given by the faculty and staff to Bob Kostuch who is the Director of Student Activities, Co-Chair of the Physical Education and Health Department, Intramural Director and Freshmen Football Head Coach. This award was presented to Kostuch in acknowledgement of his devotion to NDCP.

After all, my opportunities to serve my hometown as alderman at 23 and as mayor at 26 started right here. My tenacity for forming and defending an argument began in Honors U.S. History. My itch to understand the intricacies of policy started on the Debate Team. My ability to motivate a group began in student government and continued on the golf course. My curiosity and love of problem solving was jump started in Bio,” Bogusz said.

Nine alumni are fathers of 2015 graduates including: Michael Acierno ‘90, Michael Corvo ‘87, Michael R. Hoenig ‘72, Daniel R. Jensen ‘83, Thomas A. Kotowski ‘63, and Mark C. Wiktorek ‘83.

“As you end your career at Notre Dame, reflect on your experiences. What have you learned? How have you grown?

16 What inspires you? What motivates you? And then challenge

To view the Graduation 2015 in its entirety, visit www.highschoolcube.com and click on “Graduation” and then search for Notre Dame College Prep.

Here are some images from Graduation 2015. To view and purchase more photos, visit http://www.lifetouchevents.com/ and use the code RNNotreDame. For a list of the members of the Class of 2015, please visit www.nddons.org/graduation2015

The Class of 2015 college and university acceptances: University of Alabama Arizona State University The University of Arizona Augustana College Ball State University Benedictine University Bradley University Butler University California College of the Arts University of California at Davis University of California, Irvine Cardinal Stritch University Carroll University Carthage College Harry S Truman College Wilbur Wright College Central Michigan University University of Charleston Coe College University of Colorado at Boulder Columbia College Chicago Concordia University - River Forest Concordia University Wisconsin University of Connecticut Cornell College Creighton University University of Dayton DePaul University DePauw University Dominican University Drake University Eastern Illinois University Edgewood College Elmhurst College Elon University Ferris State University Florida Gulf Coast University Fordham University Grand Valley State University Hillsdale College Holy Cross College University of Illinois at Chicago University of Illinois at Springfield University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois State University Illinois Wesleyan University Indiana State University Indiana University at Bloomington Iowa State University The University of Iowa John Carroll University

University of Kansas Kean University Kent State University University of Kentucky Kirkwood Community College Knox College Lake Forest College Lakeland College Lewis University Loras College Loyola University Chicago Loyola University New Orleans Marian University Marquette University Miami University, Oxford Michigan State University University of Michigan, Dearborn Millikin University Milwaukee School of Engineering University of Minnesota, Twin Cities University of Missouri, Columbia University of Nebraska at Lincoln University of Nebraska at Omaha North Central College North Park University Northeastern Illinois University Northern Illinois University Northern Michigan University Northwestern University Oakton Community College Ohio State University Purchase College State University, New York Purdue University Quincy University Regis University Ripon College Robert Morris University Illinois Saint Louis University Saint Xavier University

Class of 2015 Highlights: • 12 student-athletes will play sports in college/university • 27 students were named Illinois State Scholars • 34 student-athletes received IHSA Scholastic Achievement Awards • 32 students wore gold Honors Pendants for having achieved GPAs of 3.8 or higher for the first seven semesters Several National and Community awards were bestowed on members of the Class of 2015 including: United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award - Brendan Golden United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award Michael Sabatino United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award Mark Neuhengen United States Army Scholar/Athlete Award - Kevin Johnson

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News Alumni

From the Alumni Association President The Notre Dame College Prep Alumni Board continues to work hard to bring alumni Dons back to Notre Dame and raise money for scholarships. We had another successful Golf Outing this past July and it was great to see so many alums come and enjoy homecoming and witness the dedication of Legends Field. There are so many great things happening at Notre Dame College Prep and it is going to be an exciting year. We need your help to make 20152016 a successful year for the Alumni Association & Notre Dame College Prep.

Please continue to watch your email inbox and the Notre Dame College Prep Facebook page for upcoming events. Our next big alumni event will be our annual smoker.

This event will take place in late January or early February and you do not want to miss it. Stay tuned for further details. We are always looking for fellow Dons to get involved with the Alumni Association.

Just a few hours a year can huge an enormous impact on current and future Dons. Thank you to everyone who works hard every day to make Notre Dame College Prep the amazing institution that it is.

God Bless, Mike Sweeney Class of ‘98

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Through the support of the Annual Ray Gorzynski ‘60 Notre Dame College Prep Alumni Association Golf Outing, 13 Dons are receiving support during the 2015-2016 school year. Pictured are five of the scholarship recipients as well as Alumni Association board member Chuck Keenley ‘59 (far left) and Vice President Brian Murray ‘03 (far right).

Christopher Nichol ‘14 Wins Silver at Special Olympics World Games Congratulations to Notre Dame College Prep alumnus Christopher Nichol (left) who won a silver medal for the 100 meter backstroke on July 26, 2015 and a silver medal for the 200 meter backstroke on July 30, 2015 at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California.

In addition, Nichol swam in the 200 meter butterfly and the 4x100 meter medley relay.

“More than 4.4 million athletes with intellectual disabilities are involved in Special Olympics programs around the world. In addition, we have more than 1 million coaches and volunteers across 226 Programs in more than 170 countries,” according to the Special Olympics website.

Nichol attended NDCP’s Anne and Edward Burke Scholars Program which is for students with mild to moderate cognitive disabilities. He is fondly remembered at Notre Dame College Prep.

“Chris Nichol always took on a leadership role during his time at NDCP. He loved helping his friends with their school work. He was always so patient and kind that the students would sometimes go to him for help before asking us and he loved it! Chris has always been hardworking and passionate about everything he did. He was a star student and all the teachers loved having him in their classes. Chris would always talk about working out with his brother and how strong he was. All of Chris’ peers at NDCP loved him! He was always happy, social, and involved,” said Burke Scholars Program Director Leandra Juarez.

In addition to swimming for the Conquerors at the Leaning Tower YMCA in Niles, Illinois, Nichol also swam for Notre Dame College Prep’s Swim Team when he was a student.

For more details, visit www.nddons.org/christophernichol

Alumni Profile: Paul Tokarz ‘00 Paul Tokarz grew up in the North Mayfair neighborhood in Chicago and went to St. Edward through 7th grade and St. John Brebeuf for 8th grade after moving to Niles. He attended Bradley University where he majored in Communications and played baseball. He resides in Chicago and is now a Managing Associate at Hoopis Group Mass Mutual in Chicago. He is a corporate sponsor of Notre Dame College Prep. He was the Director of Alumni Relations and also the Director of Enrollment at NDCP for five years. Tokarz recently married Keriann Kushner in October 2015.

His brother is Brad Tokarz ‘98.

What is your fondest memory of Notre Dame? I would say my freshman year when the Notre Dame basketball team made it to the state finals in Peoria. I was a freshman and to see the school spirit reinforced why I wanted to be at Notre Dame. It was fun to watch Dan Pudi dance during halftime at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena.

What activities/sports did you participate in when you were at Notre Dame? Yearbook, Eucharistic Minister, Liturgical Minister, President of the Class, Baseball, Wrestling, Golf, Letterman Club, Kairos.

Is there a particular teacher, coach, student, administrator, priest who inspired you at ND and if yes, why? There are a few: Fr. Molinaro is one of the most spiritual men I have ever met. He had a unique ability to quiet a room. Whether it was a casual conversation in the hallway, listening to him speak during mass or Kairos, Fr. Molinaro was a priest you always paid attention to.

Fr. Hannon, for me, had a big impact as I had him as a teacher in a few classes. He really enjoyed baseball and the Oakland Athletics, so we connected with sports. He also was a very gifted writer and was able to help me on that end as well.

Guy Gianni was my baseball coach for my varsity years and he was a players’ coach. He has great firsthand stories of the game as he was a 4th round draft pick himself. He and pitching coach Dave Geeve were just tremendous guys to be around and play the game with.

How do you think Notre Dame prepared you for your chosen profession and the success you’ve had so far? Notre Dame’s environment and atmosphere force young men to act the right way. The way you address people, the way you dress, the way you interact...all these skills were taught during my four years at NDCP. The ability to multi-task started at Notre Dame. Playing sports and participating in activities made me focus on time management.

Getting involved and not going home and playing video games made me stay focused on goals.

Do you keep in contact with former classmates? I really do love my friends from NDCP. We are all pretty similar and have the same backgrounds. It’s really fun through social media to be able to follow so many fellow Dons and see them raise their family and grow professionally and visit cool parts of the world. It was a huge thrill to see fellow classmate Ernie Halvorsen win Amazing Race!

What advice would you give a Don pursuing a dream of working in your profession? The financial sector is evolving every day.

Whether it’s compliance, continuing education, investment licenses, product changes, technology....we are always learning ways to adapt. Even in the trading world, I have seen many of my Board of Trade clients need to adapt from floor trading to electronic.

In today’s market, clients expect and demand fast response time and real time updates. It’s very different than 15-20 years ago.

No matter what the profession, I would strongly recommend that current Dons just always continually network and build relationships.

You never know how you might be able to help someone or vice versa.

If you were trying to convince a grade school student to come to NDCP, what would you tell them to persuade them that it is the right place to be? I would tell any grammar school kid to visit the schools that interest you and then really take a look at where you feel like you fit in and can see yourself develop over the next four years. At Notre Dame, you have an all-male environment that sounds boring at first, but trust me, it allows you to focus on what is really important to you. The activities and sports offered at Notre Dame allow all Dons to get involved. I really like how the athletic facilities are all on campus. The baseball field is just as good as some colleges!

What do you do in your free time? Running on the lakefront, Chicago sports, traveling, spending time with family.

Why did you choose to go to high school at Notre Dame? My brother Brad Tokarz (‘98) went to Notre Dame before me, so my choice was easy. I knew of their strong baseball program and I liked that the baseball fields were located on campus. I had many friends going there as well.

Alumni Profile: Alan Candea ‘95 Alan Candea grew up in the Andersonville/Lincoln Square neighborhood in Chicago and went to St. Hilary grade school. He attended the University of Illinois where he played baseball. His records there include: #5 career ranked batting average (.359), #10 best single season batting average (.400) and #7 best single season in home runs (11).

Candea is the Chief Investment Offer for Candea Development in Chicago where he oversees the architectural team as well as searches for new projects to develop. He is married. His brother is Armand Candea ‘96.

What is your fondest memory of Notre Dame? I think the highlight of my career is when the baseball team was ranked in the Top Ten. What activities/sports did you participate in when you were at Notre Dame? I played on the baseball team.

Is there a particular teacher, coach, student, administrator, priest who inspired you at ND and if yes, why? After being cut from the Baseball team my sophomore year I was extremely appreciative that coach Dan Hogan gave me a spot on the varsity squad after not playing the year before.

How do you think Notre Dame prepared you for your chosen profession and the success you’ve had so far? I remember Notre Dame as being a very compassionate school where mistakes can be made and forgiven. The best lessons learned are usually through mistakes or at least for me it was.

Do you keep in contact with former classmates? Yes, I still talk to people from ND. What advice would you give a Don pursuing a dream of working in your profession? Pick a side in my business, learn it and then try a different side. As a developer you have to know construction and be a realtor, a banker, an investor. There are so many hats I wear.

If you were trying to convince a grade school student to come to NDCP, what would you tell them to persuade them that it is the right place to be? ND is the perfect place to mature as a man. You have the guidance, love and compassion from all your teachers.

What do you do in your free time? I like to fish, play baseball and travel.

Why did you choose to go to high school at Notre Dame? I chose to go to Notre Dame because of the baseball program and its education.

Is there anything else you’d like to share? Find out something you enjoy doing and try making a living doing it! Go ND!

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News

McDonough, Blackhawks Honored at EP Rally

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks organization on winning the 2015 Stanley Cup. Special shout outs to CEO/ President John McDonough ’71, Manager of Player Development Ian Gentile ‘04 and Manager of Marketing Brian Dahm ’05.

Dean Eitel ’59

Robert Hollingsworth, Jr. ‘59

Charles Keenley ’59 Timothy McGuire ’68

On August 29, 2015 a rally was held to honor the Chicago Blackhawks, and specifically McDonough, in front of Edison Park on Chicago’s northwest side. Eventually, the park will be redesigned and dedicated as Blackhawks Park through the efforts of the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce.

At the rally, which was attended by many thousands of people, McDonough brought the 2015 Stanley Cup. The team has won three Stanley Cups since McDonough began with the Blackhawks – 2010, 2013 and 2015.

McDonough is an Edison Park native who attended St. Juliana grade school before becoming a Don. He is also a 2007 Hall of Honor inductee.

Alumni

Chicago 41st ward alderman Anthony Napolitano introduced McDonough.

Napolitano became alderman in April 2015. He is a 1993 Alumnus of NDCP and a member of the Wall of Fame (football).

NDCP Principal Dan Tully ’94 was also a speaker at the rally. He and members of the NDCP hockey team presented McDonough with an NDCP hockey jersey.

Class of 2014 alumnus Christopher Nichol was also on hand. A two-time silver medalist in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, Nichol was given a Blackhawks jersey by McDonough and the team. The jersey had “Nichol 15” on the back.

It was a spectacular day with Blackhawks PA announcer Gene Honda emceeing the event and Jim Cornelison singing the National Anthem.

Back row (left to right): Peter Leddy, Timothy McGuire, Patrick Burke, Charles Keenley, Robert O’Keefe. Front row (left to right): Donald Banas, Dean Eitel and Robert Hollingsworth, Jr.

2014 Hall of Honor Recipients The 2014 Notre Dame College Prep Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony was held on November 8, 2014 at the Rosewood Restaurant in Rosemont, Illinois. Eight alumni Dons were inducted that evening. They are Dean Eitel ’59, Charles Keenley ’59, Robert Hollingsworth, Jr. ‘59, Timothy McGuire ’68, Robert O’Keefe ’69, Donald Banas ’70, Patrick Burke ’79 and Peter Leddy ’81. The event was attended by their families, friends, previous Hall of Honor recipients and NDCP faculty and staff.

The newest inductees join 83 other Dons who have been inducted into the Hall of Honor since 2007. Each Hall of Honor recipient receives a commemorative plaque and a copy of the plaque is installed on the wall in the lobby at Notre Dame College Prep. To learn more about the outstanding men who were inducted in November 2014 and to view more photos from the event, please visit www.nddons.org/hallofhonor2014.

The 2015 Hall of Honor inductees include: John Bordes ‘59; Andy Pope ‘77; Bob DiMeo ‘80; Dan Tully ‘94; Brad Tokarz ‘98; and Tony Bontempo ‘02. Information about the 2015 induction ceremony will be available in the next issue of Legacy in 2016. Information will also be available at www.nddons.org/2015hallofhonor

Robert O’Keefe ’69

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Donald Banas ’70

Patrick Burke ’79

Peter Leddy ’81

THANK YOU

to everyone who participated in the 2015 Ray Gorzynski ‘60 Notre Dame Alumni Golf Outing Whether you played the course or attended the dinner, you experienced a great event. Thank you to all that participated in the Silent and Live Auctions. Thank you to all that provided the Silent and Live Auction items. The “Ball Toss” from the balcony to the 18th green was enjoyed by everyone. If you supported the outing by Sponsoring a Hole, being an Event Sponsor or as a volunteer we sincerely thank you! Your generosity provides the financial assistance to the students attending Notre Dame College Prep today.

THANK YOU to our sponsors!

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Notes

In Memoriam Rev. James Blaes, CSC Dr. Joseph R. Bruckner ‘65 Mr. James Callero ‘59 Mr. Ronald L. Czechowski ‘60 Mr. Kevin W. Gallagher ‘80 Mr. Patrick M. Gavin ‘95 Mr. Terrance V. Hackett ‘59 Mr. James R. Hancock ‘68 Mr. Thomas J. Hannon ‘64 Mr. Michael B. Kamins ‘64 Mrs. Marie G. Kazmer Mr. Matthew Kratochvil ‘04 Mr. Edward A. Morris ‘60 Mr. Christopher Page ‘65 Mr. Andrew P. Pieri ‘60 Mr. Lawrence G. Schilling ‘68 Mr. John Stagl ‘62 Rev. David H. Verhalen , CSC Mr. Patrick F. Ward ‘64 Mr. John W. Zink ‘67

We’re Social!

Class

You can find the Dons on Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, HighSchoolCube.com, The NDDons Channel on YouTube, and at www.nddons.org.

For information regarding Reunions and other Alumni related activities, please contact Skip Lawson ‘71, Director of Alumni Relations, at 847.779.8618 or skip@nddons.org. Thank you!

Keep in touch...

Notre Dame College Prep wants to hear from you! Please share your news in the enclosed envelope or email Skip Lawson ’71, Director of Alumni Relations, at skip@nddons.org.

Don Alums: Register for the Alumni Online Community!

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Use the 10-digit number near your name and address on the back of the Legacy to register for the Donslink online community at www.nddons.org/alumni. Follow the login procedure for First Time Login and use the 10-digit code.

Questions? Contact 847.779.8699.

Great Turnout for Alumni Senior Breakfast 2015

Thank you to all the alumni who attended the Alumni-Senior Breakfast in May 2015. Thank you to our guest speakers, Paul Tokarz ‘00 and Alan Candea ‘95. Their profiles are on page 19. Here is a list of the alumni attendees in alphabetical order: Dick Allegretti ’73, Matthew Berrafato ’76, Patrick Boyle ’03, Alan Candea ’95, Frank Corrado ’60, John Draths ’99, Jim Ernst ’67, Frank Frisch ’59, Bob Hollingsworth Jr. ’59, Steve Jankowski ’94, Joe Jummati ’88, Chuck Keenley ’59, Phil LaPalermo ‘94, Skip Lawson ’71, C.W. Marquardt ’67, Pete Newell ’67, Tom Nicholas ’81, George Rattin ’85, Ken Rusk ’60, Bill Stanton ’98, Paul Tokarz ’00, Robert Tortorello ’72 and James Weides ’68. Also attended: Shay Boyle, Ralph Elwart, Mike Hennessey and Tony Kozole. Join us in May 2016 (date TBA) for the next Alumni-Senior Breakfast. Watch www.nddons. org/alumni for details.

Class of 2011 alumni Quinton Chievous and Rodney Pryor played for their college basketball teams in the 2015 NCAA March Madness Tournament. Chievous’ Hampton University Pirates were eliminated in the second round by Kentucky and Pryor’s Robert Morris (PA) University Team lost to Duke in the second round. Pryor was named the 2015 Northeast Conference Tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) and was named to the 2015 All-NEC Second Team.

Head Tennis Coach and Class of 1994 alumnus Steve Jankowski’s Varsity Tennis squad placed third in the East Suburban Catholic Conference behind Carmel and Benet in May 2015. This was the Tennis Team’s best finish since 1991 (when the ESCC has records available).

NDCP Head Basketball Coach Tom Les ‘71 (right) visited UC-Davis player Joe Mooney ‘15 (center) & coach Jim Les (left) in October 2015.

Head Basketball Coach Tom Les ’71 was recognized in May 2015 by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association as one of the “Coach of the Year” award winners.

NDCP Head Basketball Coach Tom Les ’71 and his brother, University of California at Davis Head Coach Jim Les ’81 coached teams to basketball conference championships this past year. The Varsity Dons were 9-0 and ESCC champs under Tom Les’ guidance and the UC-Davis team secured a Big West Conference Championship under Jim Les’ guidance.

Anthony Napolitano ‘93 and Athletic Wall of Fame inductee, was elected as Alderman of the 41st Ward in Chicago in April 2015.

Matthew Sommers ‘11 (left) graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in May 2015. He’s been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Matthew is pictured with NDCP Assistant Athletic Director and Head Wrestling Coach Augie Genovesi who attended the graduation.

Former players and coaches and current faculty, staff and coaches gathered in April 2015 to honor former longtime Head Basketball Coach Dennis Zelasko who was inducted into the East Suburban Catholic Conference Hall of Fame. Zelasko coached the Dons for 19 years.

“Teaching is a call from God .... Teachers are life models for young people.”

– Blessed Rev. Basil Moreau, C.S.C.

On September 4, 2015 the Notre Dame College Prep community honored nine former and current coaches and teachers who represent the vision set forth by Blessed Rev. Basil Moreau. As teachers and coaches, they all possessed a passion for excellence that they successfully instilled in the students they served.

The legendary coaches and teachers or their representatives (above) stood in front of the “Legends Field” board following the dedication ceremony on September 4, 2015. They are (left to right) Mike Jankowski, Tony Kozole, Mike O’Brien (for the late band leader Rev. George Wiskirchen, C.S.C), Mary Jo Yonto Sullivan (for the late Coach Joe Yonto), Terry Willett (for the late Coach Fran Willett), Nancy Glader (for the late Coach Jack Cole), Sara and Linda Hennessey (for Coach Mike Hennessey), and Ken Maziarka (for the late Coach Bill Casey). Coach Jim Meyer was not available for this photo. He is pictured in the right bottom corner.

The coaches and teachers honored included: Rev. George Wiskirchen, C.S.C.; Joe Yonto; Jack Cole; Bill Casey; Tony Kozole; Fran Willett; Jim Meyer; Mike Hennessey; and Mike Jankowski. During half-time of the Varsity Dons versus Evanston football game, they or their representative, received a plaque and recognition from the crowd. As part of the ceremony the field was dedicated as “Legends Field” and the new bleachers were blessed that evening. The Varsity Dons went on to defeat Evanston 48-21. The new bleachers were made possible through generous donations.

These great men served as life models for the Dons, the Gentlemen of Mary, of Notre Dame College Prep.

We are a better school and better people for having been touched by their presence.

Jim Meyer

Jack Cole

Rev. George Wiskirchen, CSC (1955 - 1972) Teacher, Marching Band and Jazz Band

Joe Yonto

(1957 - 1964) Head Varsity Football Coach

(1957 - 1994) Asst. Varsity Football Coach, Track & Field Coach, and PE Teacher

Bill Casey

(1958 - 1994) Head Varsity Football Coach, Athletic Director and Head Swimming Coach

Tony Kozole

(1963 - 2006) Head Track & Field Coach , Asst.

Coach for Football and Basketball, and Social Studies Teacher

Fran Willett

(1964 - 1995) Head Varsity Football Coach, Athletic Director, Tennis Coach, Golf Coach and Drafting Teacher

(1962 - 1985) Head Coach for Track & Field, Cross Country, Mike Hennessey and Ice Hockey, (1985 - present) Asst. Coach for Head Varsity Football Basketball and Baseball, and Math Coach and Athletic Director Teacher

Mike Jankowski

(1992 - present) Football, Cross Country, Track & Field Head Coach and Art Teacher

NDCP Legends

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Notre Dame College Prep 7655 West Dempster Street Niles, Illinois 60714 847.965.2900 (phone) 847.965.2975 (fax) www.nddons.org

Upcoming Events

Visit www.nddons.org for event updates and times.

Dec. 21- Jan. 4

Christmas Break

Dec. 25

Merry Christmas!

Jan. 1, 2016

Happy New Year!

Jan. 5

Semester 2 begins

Jan. 6

Feast Day of St. Andre Bessette, C.S.C.

Jan. 9

Incoming Freshman Entrance Exam (Remember each son of an alumnus gets a $500 scholarship if he attends NDCP).

Jan. 18

Martin Luther King Day - no school

Jan. 20

Feast Day of Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. All School Mass (9:30 am)

Feb. 3 & 17, March 3

Lifetime Learning

Feb. 15

President’s Day - no school

Feb. 24

Career Fair - We are looking for volunteers to share their knowledge and experience with our boys. Interested? Contact MaryBeth Thomas at mbthomas@nddons.org or Marie Prugar at mprugar@nddons.org.

March 13

Northwest Side Irish Parade - March with the Dons!

March 24 - April 1 Easter Break March 27

Happy Easter!

April 23

Spirit of Notre Dame Dinner Auction - Silver Celebration