THE SHAMROCK
St. Patrick’s Alumni Association Newsletter
Spring/Summer, 2024
PROGRESS CONTINUES!
A new kitchen facility is coming soon to St. Patrick’s High School. The final phase of the NOW is the Time campaign broke ground just after school was dismissed for the summer. The new kitchen will sit just east of the St. Pat’s cafeteria, and will provide much-needed space and updated equipment for our school lunch program and the many other events that utilize the kitchen. This final piece of the campaign has been a long time in the making, and the NPCS Endowment is extremely grateful to the donors who have contributed to the project, and waited patiently for its completion. Some unexpected hiccups in the planning and supply chain process resulted in delays But the Endowment Board and planning team are confident the end result will be worth the wait, and will be a facility that will serve our students and lunch program for generations to come.
The end of school year 2024 was also capped by placing the finishing touches on the new parking lot at St. Pat’s High School. This project was the result of donations to North Platte Giving Day 2023, and was completed last fall. This spring, a team of school students and volunteers (led by Dan laid the final pieces of sod around
Construction is currently underway, with an expected completion date of December, 2024. Because the kitchen is new construction, its progress will not disrupt the school year when students return in August. The kitchen will connect to the east side of the cafeteria, with the serving window on the east wall. The existing/original kitchen space will be converted to much-needed storage for the high school.
Since it launched in December of 2019, the following projects have been completed through the NOW is the Time campaign:
*Two new sets of restrooms at St. Patrick’s High School (main hallway restrooms, and junior high end)
*New girls’ locker rooms at St. Pat’s
*New hallway flooring and lighting at St. Pat’s
*New cafeteria lighting at St. Pat’s
*Roof repairs at McDaid Elementary
The Endowment is also happy to report that North Platte Giving Day 2024 was a huge success, resulting in the purchase of a new school bus and a new school van. Led by the generosity of Dan Keenan (‘77), many alumni and supporters helped the Endowment reach a goal that will make transportation safer and more efficient for all of our students. The new van has already been purchased, and the bus is expected to arrive in the fall of 2024.
If you are wondering what is next The NPCS Endowment Board is already hard at work preparing for the next campaign to address pressing needs and some lofty goals for our school system. At the top of the priority list is addressing faculty salaries so that NPCS can remain competitive when it comes to recruiting and retaining teachers. Also on the wish list are updates to the boys’ locker room facilities at St. Pat’s, as well as flooring, lighting, and other upkeep needs at McDaid Elementary. We ask that you please keep our school and its leaders in your prayers!
CELEBRATING OUR HONORED CLASSES
Kneeling: Jack Barraclough, Bob Hirschfeld, Jerry Neff, Michael Dotson, Bill Breen, Joe Wilson, Terry Rourke, Mike Britt, Gary Peterson, John Garrick, Mike Dillon, Paul Fitzpatrick, Fr. Kurtenbach
Standing: Coach Templemeyer, Jeff Schmid, Bill Burbach, John Wrede,
John Arnold, Pat Breen, Brad Thalken, Jim Petersen, Dan Neville, Jim Pankonin, Mike Curtis, Stan Sedlacek, Tom Faulkner, Asst.
Girls Volleyball 1974
Kneeling: Kathy Lupomech, Ann Piskorski, Ann Pankonin, Sally Kellogg, Denise Dodson, Marty Winkler
Standing: Colleen O’Connor, Alice McMurtry, Karen Doyle, Carol Bieber, Tina Piskorski, Joan Beran, Jean Burns, Carol Dodson, Tami White, Robyn Greenwood, Coach Billie Rouzee
Mike
Peg
1974 FBLA Officers
Class
Standing: Mr. Walsh, Lisa Altig, Kevin Coker
Seated: Jean Burns, Jo Schmidt, Kate O’Connor
1974 Sports Banquet Award Winners
Back: Jim Piccolo, Tom Clouatre, B.J. Lopez, Kevin O’Connor, Steve Faulkner
Front: Pat Hinde, Terry Wing
Class of 1964
1963 Lincoln County Champs!
Coach Scheuler
1964 Senior Class Play
Britt,
Carstensen, Ron Power, Pat Thompson, Carol Staska, Jo Ann Hirschfeld, Fr. Phelan-Director
CELEBRATING OUR HONORED CLASSES
Irish Golf 1974
Coach Sandau, Mike Ten Eyck, Jim Bertrand, Jeff O’Connor, Mike Dilsaver, Randy Mroczek
Sharree Pueppka, Ed Greenwood
1984 Saintsations Swing Choir
Back: Wendy Nelson, Kathy McGahan, Jim Astuto, Natalie Harvat, Chris Olson, David Smith, Bill McGahan, Greg Gerdes
3rd Row: Dick Keck, Kelli Rouzee, Steve Nelson, Jeanne Campbell, Toni Fleshman
2nd Row: Karl Bieber, Olivia Monjaras, Peggy Farrell, Greg Lookabill, Eileen McGahan
Front: Barb Burns, Greg Gerdes, Mary Hinde
Class of 1984 “Twinning”
Jeanne Campbell, Toni Fleshman
All Play, No Work?
Class of 1984 Mauro Vignoli and friends
1984 Speech Team
Back: Lorne Sedlacek, Bill McGahan
3rd Row: Olivia Monjaras, Mrs. Connie Madison, David Smith
2nd Row: Patty Schneider, Jeanne Campbell, Jim Astuto, Peggy Farrell, Karl Bieber
Front: Greg Gerdes, Barb Burns, Greg Lookabill, Jodi Thompson, Frank Becvar
Cl
Class of 1984—in the Supt’s Office
Megan Kildare & Karl Bieber
1974 Sweethearts Dance
CELEBRATING OUR HONORED CLASSES
Class of 1994 Senior Boys Prom
Standing: Brian Burbach, Sam Burns, Albert Kelly, Robb Gilsdorf, Tim Ryan, David Mullen, Cory Halverson, Justin Thompson
Kneeling: Ricco Maldonado, Manny Caudillo, Toby Robinson, Tom Dolan, Mike Willits
2014—Academic All State Winners
Homecoming Week 1994
2004 Student Council Officers
Andrew Mohr, Alex Arthur, Ellie Jorgensen, Dan Dobesh
Jacob Cook, Matthew Ferguson, Zandra Carlini, Brittany Lawrence, Katie Slattery, Collin Pieper, Anna O’Malley, Brandon Adkins, Bailee Clark, Jared Brosius, Macy Granger, David Trierweiler, Andrew O’Neill, Trey Dodson
Senior Prom 2014
Back: Tanner Castillo, Jared Brosius, Mark Mayfield, Nate Chrisman, Collin Pieper, Alex Harms, Jared Gafke
Middle: Andrew Thalken, Brandon Adkins, Jacob Cook, Chase Kimberling, Tristen Winder, Jamie Smith, Julia Flores
Front: Macy Granger, Tori Caudillo, Brittany Lawrence, CharLeigh Kadlecek, Zandra Carlini, Karlie Osborne, Breelyn Saner
Angie Cool, Kati Beach Lynette Smith, Stefanie Rowlands, Molly Oltmans, Antoinette Vega, Jennifer Zalewski
OUR BELOVED DECEASED
We ask God's merciful love and care for all our classmates and family members who have died recently. Please lift them up in prayer and comfort those who loved them. We try very hard to let you know about the passing of classmates and family. If we missed your loved one's passing, please send us a note. Special thanks to the families who have chosen to remember the North Platte Catholic Schools with memorial designations to the Endowment. Their legacy lives on through the dedication and good works of our current students, and they are prayed for at monthly Masses at our school and local Parishes.
Memorial donations can be made online at any time by visiting: apps.npcschools.org/donate-now.
Cheryl Mead: Wife of Chuck. Mother of Jason ('95), Cindy, and Chris. Grandmother of four. Greatgrandmother of two.
Lorraine Rosane: Wife of Ray (deceased). Mother of Robert ('67), Richard, Gladys, Elaine, and Evelyn (deceased). Grandmother of nine. Greatgrandmother of eleven.
Joy Chilcott: Wife of Dennis (deceased). Mother of Fred ('74-deceased), Mike ('71), Gail ('72), Mary ('79), Paul and Helen ('80). Seventeen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat granddaughter.
Doug Taylor: Husband of Teri (Cain '71). Father of Cory, John, and Heidi. Grandfather of Michael and David McMillan. Sibling of Katherine, Barbara and Lester (deceased).
Phyllis Phagan: Wife of Carroll (deceased). Mother of Dale, Matt, Sally Scott ('64), Julie Peldo. Grandmother of six. Great-grandmother of seven.
Vern Bollish: Husband of Jean (former McDaid Secretary-deceased). Father of Steve ('72), Bob ('74), and Mike. Six grandchildren. Eight greatgrandchildren.
Sister Mary Blaise Flynn, OP: Sister served us as a theology teacher for a number of years. Shortly after she left St. Pat’s, she went to Boston where she spent many years serving the homeless women of Boston. Sister passed at the Mother house in Bardstown, KY.
Jeff Rosenthal: Husband of Katie. Father of Robbie ('98), Becky (’01), and Kristofer (’03). Grandfather of seven.
Jim "PeeWee" Mueller ('50). Husband of Dee. Father of Bernard, Gregory, and Geoffrey. Grandfather of five; great-grandfather of 5. PeeWee was the last surviving sibling of the seven Mueller’s: Eleanor ('43), Gretchen ('45), Ted (Jean Hofer) ('47), John ('48), Bob (Iva) ('54), Jean ('57).
William Albin "Bill" McGahan ('84): Husband of Janet Taylor. Father of Katie (deceased), Will, Henry. Son of Bill ('60) and Marilyn. Brother of Eileen (Steve Honors) ('85), Kathy (Don Tellis) ('87), Kevin (Erika Schmidt-'92) ('88) and Chris (Julie) ('90). Thirteen nieces-nephews. Uncles/Aunts- Jim ('62), Beth ('63), Teri ('64), Curt ('67).
David "Duke" Hudson ('55): Husband of Lois. Father of Michael, Lisa, and Jacqueline. Five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Sister Janet Bidwell ('55). We believe Duke was the first ever St. Pats BSA Scout to earn an Eagle Scout Award.
Janet (Hudson ‘57) Bidwell: Wife of Jerry. Mother of Deborah and Mark. Grandmother of David and Michael. Sister of David "Duke" Hudson ('55).
Sr. Charlene Vogel, OP: Former St. Pat’s Junior High math teacher. Died in Kentucky at the Dominican Mother house. She was 87. Sister was a Grand Island native. Survived by siblings: Rolland, Jim, Charley, Judy, Rosellen, and Susan.
Ward Lingo: Husband of Shirley (Deceased). Father of Mary Beth ('79), Lori ('80), John ('83), and Anne ('86). Grandfather of seven. Great-grandfather of four, with three great-grands on the way. Ward will be remembered at NPCS for being one of the four founders of the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment-Trust, Inc. which has helped sustain our school since 1977. He was also a former school board member.
Russell Small: Husband of Kim (Cain '78). Preceded in death by son Kenneth Ray and his angel grandbabies. Father of: Jennifer, Russ Jr, Alicia ('05), and Jeff ('06). Grandfather of four. Russell was a legend in local dirt track racing.
Pat (Dillon ’48) Johnson: Wife of Dick Johnson ('50Deceased). Children: Mark, Patrice, Matt, Richard, and Doug. Grandmother of six. Great-Grandmother of four. Sister of Mary (Ed) Lupomech ('46), Peg (Wally) Coker ('49), and Fr. Tom Dillon ('51).
Peg Coker is her only surviving sibling. Many Lupomech & Coker nephews/nieces.
Joe Dodson: Member of the Class of '88. Son of Wal-
OUR BELOVED DECEASED
Joe Dodson: Member of the Class of '88. Son of Walter Bill ('47) & Norma Dodson (Both deceased). Brother of Mary ('78), Cindy ('80), Jerry ('82), Kathryn ('83-deceased), and Vicky ('85).
Pauline (Leech ’58) Aden: Preceded in death by husbands Gary Bargell and Ron Aden. Mother of Jon Bargell, Dana (Cindy) Bargell, Jennifer (Randy) Porter. Grandmother of seven. Step-mother of Renea Rush and Todd Aden. Ten step-grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Sister of Patrick Leech, Jr, Jayne Weber, Ann Bissell, Nancy Greenwood, and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Paula Arnold ('66): Daughter of Darrell (deceased) and Irene. Sister of Fred ('68), Marilyn, Dennis (all deceased), and Jim, Matt, Darrell, Leanne, Monica, and Delores. She held several positions; first with AT&T and later with EWC Housing and St. Joseph's Children's Home in Torrington.
Margie (Gutherless ‘62) Dupree: Wife of Marvin. Mother of Elizabeth, David, and Michelle. Grandmother of four. Great-grandmother of two. Sister of Jean Gutherless Pavlik and Charles Gutherless. Deceased siblings Cynthia, Bill, and Brian.
Phil Pilakowski ('61): Husband of Tricia. Father of Melissa, Stacey, and Janelle. Eight grandchildren. Seven siblings including Betty Steffes ('56), Jerry, Nancy ('65), and Fred ('67).
Nadine (Yenni ‘58) Feist: Wife of Conrad. Mother of Linda, Darlene, Karen, Dianne, and Kenneth. Nine grandchildren. One great-grandchild. Sister of Ernie Yenni ('59 -deceased), Fred Yenni ('62), Darlene Barratt ('63), and Bryan Yenni.
Jessie McCormick: Wife of Bill (one of four founders of the NPCS Endowment-Trust, Inc.). Mother of Pat ('75) and Carol ('78). Grandmother of Kyle Mittan. Sister of Beth Ann Fairfield and Sister-in-Law, Sr. Rosella McCormick.
David T. Mullen (’94): Son of David, and Lynn McConnell. Brother of Laura. Father of Truett.
CELEBRATING SERVANT LEADERS
Three faculty members were honored for 25 years of service to the North Platte Catholic Schools at the close of the 2023/2024 school year. Thank you for all that you do for our school and students!
Rick Carpenter: 4th grade teacher, former principal, coach, bus driver
Kevin Dodson (’89): Superintendent, former teacher, coach, bus driver
Steve Weber
25-Year Honorees Spring, 2024
Kevin Dodson, Steve Weber, Rick Carpenter
RECORD-SETTING SEASON!
Many updates were made to the record books during the 2024 Irish Track season. Congratulations to the following athletes who set new school records!
4*100 Relay Mason Giebler (’26), James Heirigs (’24), Jackson Roberts (’24), Jaxon Knisley (’25) 43.02
4*800 Relay Dimitri Pettit (’26), Sam Troshynski (’24), Coltan Ham (’27), Jarrett Miles (’24) 8:17.08
Long Jump—Jackson Roberts (’24) 22’4”
110m High Hurdles—Jaxon Knisley (’25) 13.82 (Jaxon also holds the State meet record and All-Class Gold medal)
4*100 Relay Sophia Baca (’25), Madi Genatone (’25), Jamie Murtaugh (’26), Gabby Swift (’25) 51.07
*Watch the livestream of most varsity Irish sporting events on the Huskeradio Sports YouTube channel!
Tanner Struckman, our “Voice of the Irish,” is the best in the business!
SHARING GOOD NEWS
We share here the bits of news gathered from media and other sources. As always, a reminder that we ask for your help gathering the news. We invite E-mails with news to:
Wendy (w.dodson@npcschools.org) or Bill (wmcgahan1943@gmail.com).
Coach Kevin O’Connor (’74) was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. O'Connor led the Mid Plains Community College Knights for 39 years, owning a 744-439 overall record during his tenure. The winningest coach in Region IX men's basketball history, he led North Platte to two NJCAA National Tournament appearances and 22 Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference titles.
Jacob Brandl (’06) was named Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball team at North Platte Community College. Brandl has formerly been coach at McCook Community College.
Charlie Gale (‘20) was named UNL Big Red Battalion’s ROTC Cadet of the Year.
Megan Trierweiler (‘15) was promoted to Senior Estimator for the Murphy Company of Thornton, CO. Megan is a graduate of the CO School of Mines with a Mechanical Engineering degree.
Marilyn McGahan was named recipient of the 2024 President’s Award from Mid Plains Community College. Mrs. McGahan served the college in a variety of capacities from 1971 until her retirement in 2011.
She began her education career in North Platte in 1966 as a teacher alongside husband Bill (‘60) at St. Pat’s High School.
Adam Pasquinelly (‘13) received his Medical Doctorate from the University of Toledo Medical College. His residency will be at the University of AZ, Phoenix for Orthopaedic Surgery.
Dominic Pasquinelly (‘12) was promoted to Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard.
Jacob Granger (’18) received a Master of Architecture degree from the University of NE.
Katie Slattery (’15) received her BA in Education from UNK in Curriculum & Instruction/Elementary Education.
Julie Slattery (’20) has been accepted to Veterinary school at the UNL/Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine.
Kristina (Ruhlman ‘04) Cors received a Masters Degree in Business from UNL.
St. Pat’s science teacher and head basketball coach Bill O'Malley was selected by the Nebraska School Activities Association as a "Champions for Coaches" award winner in Basketball. This is for all classes of the sport, a singular honor! The award honors active coaches who go above and beyond for kids and the community. A well-deserved honor for a fine teacher and coach. Congrats, Coach O'Malley!
Martin Cordes, legendary former teacher and administrator at NPCS, celebrated a milestone 80th birthday on May 29th. Happy birthday Mr. C!
Dean's List Honors:
Concordia University Andrew Brosius ('23), Hayley Miles ('22)
Hastings College Jackson Lake ('21)
Mid Plains Community College Natasha Martinez ('15), Nebraska Wesleyan Genna Blakley ('21)
UNO—Andrew Lindemeyer ('20)
UNL Julie Slattery (’20), Katy Wren (’22)
President’s List
Mid Plains Community College Billy Tolstedt (‘24) Bryan College of Health Sciences Graci Castillo (’20)
Academic Honors List NE Wesleyan University
Genna Blakely (‘21), Talan McGill (‘20)
Do you only want to receive only the E-mail version of the Shamrock? Please let us know!
w.dodson@npcschools.org
NEW BRIDES & GROOMS
Our prayerful best wishes to the following couples who have wed in recent months. May your days and years be blessed with love and all good things!
Sean Keenan (’13) & Ava Anderson
Josh Weatherly (‘00) & Lindsay Wiley
NEW PARENTS
Our congratulations go to these new bundles of joy and their parents. God’s blessings and care to each and all!
NEW SONS
Jefferson (’10) & Natalie (Wood ’10) Cox
Sean (‘11) & Michelle O’Malley
Carlos (‘10) & Ashley Barron
Tia Hanna (’19) & Kaden Foote
NEW DAUGHTERS
William (’16) & Allison (Thalken ’17) Stickney
Shayna (Allberry ‘10) & Quinten Reeves
Courtney (Pieper-faculty) & Jonathan Peiffer
Matthew Phelps (’23) & Bry Hindal
Kameron Jordan (‘16) & Remingten Elsen
Allison Waltman (‘15) & Daniel Uddin
Erin (Nozicka ’15) & Curtis Miller
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*HAVE YOU E-MAILED US YOUR NEW ADDRESS?
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We want to keep you informed and involved with your class.
Please share current mailing and E-mail addresses!!
North Platte Catholic Schools
North Platte Catholic Schools
npstpatricks
@NPCatholic
LETTERS LETTERS LETTERS
A friendly reminder that we can only publish correspondence if we receive it! We love hearing from you, and so do your classmates! E-Mail, handwritten notes, text, call… We are happy to receive them ALL. Please direct any and all correspondence to: PO Box 57
North Platte, NE 69103
Phone: 308-534-5939
E-Mail: w.dodson@npcschools.org, OR wmcgahan1943@gmail.com
Text: 308-520-2891
May, 2024
The family of Jessie McCormick would like to thank you for your generous donations to the North Platte Catholic School Endowment and for placing her name in the Book of Memories. She was a strong believer in Catholic education. Sincerely,
Bill McCormick
Pat Mittan (’75)
Carol McCormick (’78)
February, 2024
I so appreciate each copy of the Shamrock! I don't know the young students, or recent alumni, since I graduated in 1939. I was especially happy to receive the "23-'24 Shamrock with the photo of the "Irish" Basketball team of 1934. Besides my brother, Bill Simon, I knew each of the team members. Thank you for all of the good work that you do!
Rose Ann (Simon ‘39) Ott 102 yr. WWII Veteran (Army Nurse Corps)
Donate securely online! apps.npcschools.org/donate-now
