The Green and White | Summer 2020

THE GREEN

AND WHITE

A celebration of the Aces spirit!

Summer 2020

Kamufs expand OCHS campus with a gift PAGE 6

Also in this issue: Alumni on the Frontlines:

l PAGE 10

Boys and girls basketball complete a stunner season l PAGE 16

Newly formed OCHS Alumni Association Once an Ace. Always an Ace. The OCHS Alumni Association exists to celebrate the Aces spirit while serving and connecting alumni, friends and students of all ages. We are proud to welcome all alumni as members and keep Aces everywhere informed, connected and engaged. Our goal is to foster a sense of community while providing a variety of engaging events and communication platforms for our alumni.

We are currently seeking officers and board members to assist in building unity, purpose and structure for our newly formed Alumni Association and would love to hear from you! Interested? Contact Nicollette Vizuet (nicollette.vizuet@owensborocatholic.org or 270-6868896) for more details on becoming a founding member or forming our board positions today.

Together, we can continue to advance our campus and make the Aces pride stronger than ever!

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THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

Content _5 s ON THE COVER Kamufs expand OCHS campus with a gift

THE GREEN

AND WHITE Summer 2020

Welcome

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Green and White

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publication!

This publication is going to build upon the historic Phonlines that was begun many years ago by innovator, Harold Staples and others at a time when high schools were not doing this type of publication. We would like to thank Harold and all

President’s Message

4

contributors to Phonlines.

Kamuf giving goes back to my first day

Our Advancement team will continue to work to bring you Mass during a pandemic

5

Outstanding Aces

8

generosity in order to maintain a vibrant OCHS community.

Alumni on the Frontlines

10

So much of what gets accomplished within the halls of

We’ve Got Spirit!

12

the most current information regarding OCHS in this new publication. Let's stay connected to one another and inspire

How to make paying for Catholic education easier

Owensboro Catholic High School is a direct result of your generous giving, and it is you, the donor, that we want to highlight in these pages. We want you to send us updates on

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529 College Savings Plan

your family, careers and achievements. We want to connect our community in ways that we have never done before, including the creation of our Alumni Association that you

Senior Signs

15

can read more about in this edition.

Athletics

16

We hope that you approve of the changes you are seeing

Boys and girls basketball stunner season

and will communicate your thoughts and ideas to us. This

Advancement

18

Reunion Assistance

20

Meet the Staff

22

Cover photo courtesy of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

is your publication and we want it to be reflective of the incredible Aces spirit that exists!

May God bless you and your family!

Keith Osborne CAO Class of '81

Gates Settle OCHS Principal

A celebration of the Aces spirit!

OWENSBOROCATHOLIC.ORG 3

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Kamuf giving goes back to my first day Inaugural 'Green and White' honors a legacy There are many points in history that are marked and celebrated by the “first.”

There’s a daily reminder on the corner of my desk that marks my first experience with Owensboro Catholic High School. It’s a little two-inch square plaque with the words “In the Beginning” engraved on the side. Mounted on top is a little classified ad from the Evansville Courier, which represented the culmination of an ad hoc committee formed in 1987 to start the school’s “first” development office. The gift was presented to me in the fall of 2003 by Kevin Kauffeld, who had recently replaced me at the Diocese. He’d found the ad somewhere in the old desk I left, and he gave it to me as a memento.

The first people we talked about then, are the same people it reminds me of now: Charlie and Linda Kamuf. Charlie was one of the first people who greeted me my first days in a new position. He was the chair of the board. He negotiated my contract. And Linda hosted a reception that winter to welcome my family into a new community (which she did again in the summer of 2018 when I returned to work for the school system). There were a lot of firsts for the Lilly family that year, and they evolved into a lifetime of friendships and church (and four children who benefitted from a Catholic school education).

A few months into my new role at Catholic High it became evident we needed to start an annual appeal. There are a LOT of details that go into creating this type of effort, and there were many friends of the school and alumnus who volunteered to serve. But in order to create the initial capital needed to invest in a computer, database, publications, mailings, postage and incidentals, we created the idea of a Development Association in the spring of 1988. The idea was a dues paying club that needed about 20 members. The idea was first presented one evening at Taylor’s Pub on Parrish Avenue, and the first two people who heard it, Charlie Kamuf and Phil Roberts Sr. signed right up. They were not only the first, but they helped me get a lot of others on board as well. The Phonathon soon followed, and to date has raised over $4.5 million to provide equipment, assist families with economic need and start the Owensboro Catholic High School Endowment. The Phonathon is everyone’s opportunity to say “thank you” to all of the people who sacrificed and shared their gifts and abilities to make the education more affordable for all.

There are literally thousands of people and significant events in the history of Catholic High that we need to celebrate. This publication will eventually get to all of them. There are teachers, volunteers and administrators who carry the torch for a while, and then pass it on and hope others run with it. There are so many families depending on the torch bearers to succeed. In this first Green and White, we thank one of my first encounters in this community, the Kamuf family, who have carried the torch a long time.

Linda was actively engaged in school volunteer activities throughout her own three children’s Catholic school lives, and Charlie served on boards and committees while also establishing a long, distinguished law career (which he now enjoys with his son, Charlie Jr.). I wasn’t a “first” in the history of Owensboro Catholic, but the first people I met are the same ones I’m reminded of each day by that little plaque on the corner of my desk. They were some of my first impressions of hospitality and generosity. The Kamuf’s recent purchase of property for Catholic High is a statement about the future. There are plans for growth, expansion and campus improvements. It is an act to inspire others to generosity. It is a statement of appreciation for the sacrifices that others make to provide an outstanding Catholic education. It is the first major step in campus expansion since the original property was acquired in 1948, and we know others will pick up the torch to make sure it’s not the last!

Tom Lilly President of OCS

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THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

Mass during a pandemic A loss of a communal celebration

By Fr. Jason McClure

There are many reasons why I value being part of Owensboro Catholic High. I enjoy being in the classroom, teaching the Catholic faith. I enjoy interacting with students in the classroom, the halls, the cafeteria and in my office. I enjoy attending competitions and athletic events. The days of recollection and the senior retreats are very special occasions and leave some lasting memories. But that which I look most forward to each week is celebrating the Holy Mass with the whole school every Thursday morning at 10:35 a.m. during the school year. Consequently, that Thursday morning Mass with students, faculty, staff, and families has been what I have missed most about the closing of schools during this extraordinary time of a global pandemic.

Every priest I know has expressed a profound grief at the loss of the communal celebration of the sacraments, especially the Holy Mass. While all of us priests continue to celebrate Mass every day, when done in the absence of the community of faith, there is something missing. For several weeks I have celebrated daily Mass, at times alone and at times with other priests. And like other priests, I have done so praying for those who were, for a time, separated from the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith, the Holy Eucharist. We have prayed daily for those affected by COVID-19, especially those who have lost their lives and those grieving the loss of someone they love. We have also prayed for those working to keep us safe, especially first responders, health care workers, and those who continued to work every day to take care of the rest of us.

As schools entered into the world of non-traditional instruction (NTI) in an effort to continue the education students would have otherwise received in the classroom, OCHS was no exception. Zoom meetings, Google Classroom, and Chromebooks became the new reality for the last quarter of the school year. Although there would be no return to the classroom, the school’s commitment to academic excellence remained.

The OCHS commitment to academic excellence is led by its commitment to Catholic faith formation. As theology classes continued alongside other academic disciplines, every Thursday morning at 10:30 (the regular scheduled weekly all school Mass time), I celebrated Mass, not in the gym with the whole school gathered together, but alone in the OCHS chapel with others joining me via live-stream.

While there is no substitution for being physically present, in a time when social distancing is mandated by a potentially fatal virus, gathering with you in a virtual way was something I looked forward to each week. During these celebrations of the Holy Mass, I prayed with and for OCHS and all of our students, families, faculty and staff. This was part of our ongoing commitment to keep Jesus Christ at the center of our identity as a Catholic school.

This is what sets OCHS apart.

I pray this time of social distancing and the loss we have felt at the separation from the sacraments, will awaken in each of us a new and profound love and appreciation for them. How easy it is to take something for granted. How true it is, that too often we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone. But although we were separated from Christ in the Eucharist for a few weeks, we were never beyond the reach of our God. I look forward to our return to the school and the classroom. I look forward to interacting with students, and attending competitions, athletic and other school events. I look forward to the sound of locker doors slamming, students laughing and talking (and at times yelling), and students rushing to the classroom before the bell rings. But more than anything else, I look forward to gathering once again in that gym with the whole school for the celebration of the greatest thing we do at OCHS, the celebration of the Holy Mass. It’s just not the same without you. May we never again take it for granted. ♠

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COVER STORY

Kamufs expand OCHS campus with a gift Two properties purchased adjacent to Parrish and Dean Avenue

By Keith Osborne, CAO

Charlie and Linda Kamuf added nearly two acres of land to the east side of Owensboro Catholic High School’s campus last month with a $420,000 gift to the high school. Charlie, a 1957 graduate, and Linda, 1961, are long-time supporters of the Catholic school system with their children, and now grandchildren, benefitting from a Catholic school education.

The school received a call in the fall from the property owner to see if there was any interest on the school’s part, in purchasing the property. Charlie was asked by the school to check and see if there was a clear title to the property and to assess the value for the school.

OCHS property located at 1500 West Parrish Avenue

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THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

COVER STORY

OCHS property located at 1506 Dean Avenue

“I’ve worked with Catholic schools for a long time and I knew that if they decided to try and purchase the property they were going to have to put together a campaign or something and by that time the opportunity may have passed them by,” he said.

school boards, committees and volunteer positions to support her two daughters and one son as they matured through the system. Charlie also serves on Brescia University’s Board of Directors and has enjoyed a distinguished law career which he still enjoys and shares with “Linda and I were attending a his son, Charlie Jr. Charlie also grandparent Mass last fall and served on an ad hoc committee there we all were supporting Tom Lilly formed in 1987 to open a develeach other as a family. It was President of OCS opment office at the high school very moving. Linda and I have which initiated the effort to start been so blessed by having the opportunity to attend Owensa Phonathon and has raised milboro Catholic High. All our children and our grandchildren have lions of dollars in support for the school system over the years. or will attend Catholic schools. We just felt a moral obligation to do something special for the future of the students who will “More families want Catholic schools as an option for their attend there.” children, and for that to happen, more of us need to help. The

"It is the first major step in campus expansion since the original property was acquired in 1948, and we know others will pick up the torch to make sure it’s not the last!"

Kamuf said he was deeply impacted by the coaches and teachers who served when he was at Catholic High, “and to this day I’m still impressed with the quality of people they have teaching and serving our children.” Linda actively served on various

principles of life taught at Catholic High have been our guiding light and we hope they will be the guiding light for the future students to receive a Catholic education for many years to come.” ♠

Current plans for these properties is to create additional parking spaces so the high school students don’t have to cross Parrish Avenue in the mornings.

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g in d an t Outs Aces

Once again, select students at Owensboro Catholic High School have risen to the occasion and will represent the Diocese of Owensboro district at the 2020 Governor’s Scholars Program and one student has been selected to attend Gatton Academy.

2020 Governor’s Scholars The Governor's Scholars Program strives to enhance Kentucky's next generation of civic and economic leaders. Established in 1983, the program provides academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and residential life experience. Students must complete an application and compete with others from across the state. Those selected attend the program free of charge. Traditionally, the program is a five-week, residential summer program for Kentucky’s most outstanding students as they complete their junior year of high school. Due to the unusual circumstances that COVID-19 has presented, plans for the 2020 program have been modified.

Emma Silvert is the daughter of Amy and Madison Silvert.

Clayton Lewis is the son of Carl and Kim Lewis.

Max Kurtz is the son of John and Chrissy Kurtz.

Ethan Higdon is the son of Scott and Jennifer Higdon.

Joseph Fusco is the son of Anthony and Lydia Fusco.

Gatton Academy Incoming OCHS junior, Hunter Wimsatt, was recently chosen to attend The Gatton Academy on the campus of Western Kentucky University. Students who attend The Gatton Academy finish their school careers while starting college. Conducting research with professors, studying abroad, and attending college classes are just a few of the opportunities students will explore during the 2 years they will spend with Gatton. In addition to this amazing opportunity, tuition, fees, room and board are paid for by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Hunter is the son of Brad and Alissa Wimsatt.

Hunter Wimsatt

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THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

Senior Awards There are a few top senior honors awarded to outstanding seniors each year voted on by the faculty. The Tom Laswell and Larry Hager awards are both based on involvement in school and extracurricular activity, good citizenship, academic standing, and service above self.

The Harold Mischel award is possibly the highest award given by our school. In honor of Mr. Mischel this award recognizes the Owensboro Catholic High School student who best exemplifies his or her unfailing devotion to the school. Anyone who knew Mr. Mischel (father of OCHS Librarian Marilyn Pace), most notably known as A.D., knew of his dedication to Catholic High.

OCHS Graduates:

Daughters of the American Revolution Award & Agriculture Department Outstanding Senior

96%

English Department Outstanding Senior

Owensboro Rotary Larry Hagar Award Lily Carol Moore

Owensboro Rotary Tom Laswell Award & Lumen Christi Award

Harold Mischel Award & Lumen Christi Award

Brooke Boarman

Hagan Edge

4%

Attend college

Math Department Outstanding Senior Michael Keller

Addison Waller

Enter the workforce

Science Department Outstanding Senior

Social Studies Department Outstanding Senior

Alex Scheithe

Spencer Osborne

Maddie Clements

Diplomas Earned Father Connor Award

Outstanding Male Senior Athlete

Outstanding Female Senior Athlete

Drew Hartz

Isabella Henning

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Liz Lusckshu Award

7% 59% 34%

Standard

$4 Million

College Prep

Honors

Scholarship Dollars Earned

THE NUMBER OF ALUMNI WHO HAVE GIVEN BACK TO OCHS FOR 20 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

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Alumni on the Frontlines Joni Johnson ('82) helps with local efforts to battle COVID-19

By Natalie Hayden, Director of Advancement

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am married to Thomas Sims and have three children, two sons and a daughter, and four grandchildren. Once I finished high school, I went straight into nursing school at Kentucky Wesleyan College where I graduated in 1985 with my Associate Degree in Nursing. I began my nursing career at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in 1985, then in 1986 I was hired to work on a surgical post-op unit at Daviess County Hospital (currently known as Owensboro Health Regional Hospital). In 2005, I graduated from Western Kentucky University (WKU) with my MBA and in 2013, I obtained my MSN, also from WKU. My nursing background consists of surgical postop, orthopedics, pediatrics, oncology, and behavioral health. At Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, I served as Nurse Manager of a surgical post-op unit for 10 years, followed by Director of Medical/Surgical Services for 14 years, and currently serve as the Chief Nursing Officer.

the front lines. When COVID-19 started, we were hearing what was happening in other countries and we started having regular meetings, learning about the virus, the impact it was having, and talking about how we should begin preparing for the pandemic if it were to hit the US. Then the ‘if’ it were to hit, quickly changed into ‘when’ it was going to hit. When COVID-19 got close to Kentucky, the influx of questions and on-the-fly decisions that needed to be made were overwhelming and to complicate things, guidelines were changing by the minute. One minute we would make a decision and ten minutes later that decision might be outdated; it was so hard to keep up. Decisions were changing so quickly mainly because this was a new virus. Nobody really knew what to expect…all we knew was that it was coming, it was rapidly spreading, it was potentially lethal, and it was totally unpredictable. Through all of this whirlwind we were doing the best we could to keep our team members informed but you can imagine how difficult that was with everything changing so quickly. After a few crazy days, our system Chief Medical Officer, Dr. DuFrayne, took the lead and things started to fall into place. We developed a leadership steering committee with daily decision-making meetings and daily updates. We opened an operations center for centralized communication.

We put up triage tents outside of our Emergency Department (ED) to reduce potential exposure to those who were not being seen in the ED for COVID-19-like symptoms. We developed a surge plan that involved working with our Daviess County Emergency Management team. We developed a care team structure and education plan for expanding critical care capability beyond our critical care unit. We identified locations and units for where we would admit COVID-19 patients. We installed equipment to convert additional rooms into negative pressure. We developed processes to minimize the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We implemented telemedicine in the clinics and the capability to tele-visit with our patients. We relocated units. We even secured a unit for COVID-19 inmate admissions. In just a couple of weeks we implemented processes that normally would take months to years to get up and going!

"Nursing has been a very rewarding career; I’m glad God sent me down this path."

Why did you choose healthcare?

This might sound corny, but for me healthcare was a calling; I can’t describe it any other way. I remember Christmases when I was young, my sisters might have asked for a barbie or a baby doll, but I wanted medical stuff. One year for Christmas I got a visible man and woman; one year I got a microscope… Medicine and anatomy intrigued me when I was a kid. My dad was a hunter. I would help him field dress the deer and dissect pretty much anything he brought home …doves, squirrel…I thought it was so cool.

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to work in healthcare.

When I was a little girl I actually wanted to be a surgeon, but I also had the crazy idea that I wanted to drive a semi-tractor trailer.

So, I put the two together and decided to be a traveling surgeon with a mobile clinic who operated on those less fortunate. But… life happens, and our plans don’t always work out the way we intended so instead of becoming a surgeon I decided to become a nurse. Nursing has been a very rewarding career; I’m glad God sent me down this path.

What has it been like to work through this pandemic of COVID-19? It has been crazy and so surreal. I am not directly on the front lines, but I serve as a support to those who are working

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What training prepared you for this? No one is ever prepared for a pandemic. When COVID-19 hit the U.S. and Kentucky, we

were just trying to figure things out as we received new information, daily, and in return disseminate that information to our team members. Before COVID-19, we routinely planned and drilled for physical disasters and emergencies such as tornadoes but planning and drilling for a pandemic wasn’t part of that routine.

There are a couple of things that come to mind when I think about your question. Owensboro Health Regional Hospital sends our leadership team to FEMA emergency preparedness training; I’ve actually been twice. It was not fun, in fact, I thought it was miserable. But, the types of drills we ran at FEMA were very similar to what we are seeing with COVID-19. Another thing that comes to mind that prepared us somewhat to handle COVID-19 was preparing for an outbreak of Ebola a few years ago. We had somewhat of a foundation, meaning we had policies and procedures in place that guided us and told us how to handle a patient that came in with an infectious disease that required PPE above and beyond traditional infections. But COVID-19 is different from Ebola, so we had to make some adjustments to those documents and policies.

How’s the morale of your team? The morale of our staff has been incredible. Throughout the entire hospital, all team members’ attitudes and willingness to step up and do whatever it takes to make a difference has really shined through. Bedside nurses have even taken on additional jobs (drawing blood, taking out the trash) to lessen others’ risk of exposure to COVID-19 and in an effort to preserve our PPE supply. Crisis situations like this COVID-19 pandemic remind us of why we went into healthcare in the first place, which is to serve people and to make a difference. Our team members have been AMAZING! Our entire leadership team has pulled together, supported one another, modified processes and made things happen so those on the front line can provide that excellent care we strive to provide each and every day. We want our patients to heal, so they can go home.

You know how the saying goes, find a profession you love, and are passionate about and you will never work a day in your life.

This is how I feel. I never mind going into work; I love my job!

Owensboro Health has been so good to me throughout my entire career; I have been blessed. It truly is a great place to work.

How has the community supported you? The community has been wonderful. So many cloth masks have been sewn by our community members, which has helped mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We’ve had donations of PPE, furniture, and meals provided for our team members.

Community support has been demonstrated in so many ways. We’ve had chalk writings of motivational quotes on our sidewalks and parking lots, the community orchestrated a drive-in vigil, first responders (fire, police, EMS) joined together in a drive by parade, the National Guard flew over the hospital, and the Owensboro Public School system buses drove by in parade on their last official day of school. The outpouring of community support we’ve seen makes me very proud!

How has your faith helped you through this time?

I believe that everything that is meant to be will be. We all have a path we are meant to follow. My faith and trust in God are what keeps me going day to day.

Advice to those quarantined at home? Take the virus seriously and please take precautions. Our world has forever changed, some for the better, some not. It may be awkward to mask and look silly but please wear a mask when you go out in public…and hand sanitize A LOT. You may not know someone who has had COVID-19 or maybe you do and they’ve only had mild symptom but remember that there ARE people whose lives have been forever impacted by this disease. Keep them in your prayers.

Any advice for the class of 2020? My heart goes out to the class of 2020 because they are missing out on what most consider memorable senior events (prom, graduation ceremony). Some, like my niece, are forced to extend their college graduation by a full semester because of social distancing requirements stemming from COVID-19. To the Class(es) of 2020…hang in there, this too shall pass. When you are my age, you will look back

I have to give a shout out to Zac Roby, who I understand graduated from OCHS in 2003. Zac manages the 44-bed floor we dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients. Zac is a fairly new nurse leader, but I can tell you right now, it wasn’t by chance Zac is where he is today. His critical care background, natural leadership abilities and positive, can-do attitude have been a God send, literally. Zac and his team have, and continue to, define and implement multiple new processes, workflows and policies (ex: responding to a code blue situation while minimizing exposure of team members to COVID-19). Zac is exactly where God intended for him to be during this pandemic.

on this time and will tell your grandkids the stories of how YOUR graduating class was THE class that made history during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Favorite teachers at OCHS? The most influential teacher in terms of my career path has to be Joan Perry. She taught all of the major science classes I took (advanced anatomy, chemistry). She made it fun, memorable, and we learned a lot! Jan Young is another who stands out. She impacted me personally. I just love her. ♠

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! r it i p S

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How to make paying for Catholic education easier 529 College Savings Plan

By Eric Higdon, Class of ’02 and Financial Advisor with Retirement and Financial Strategies in Owensboro, KY

Seeing such large swings in the stock market because of the coronavirus has been frustrating and confusing for the individual investor as well as financial professionals. This has also served as a reminder that our investment portfolio needs to be regularly maintained and monitored. Regularly reviewing your investment portfolio helps to ensure that your investment mix lines up with your goals and time horizon. A person that does not intend to access their investment dollars for more than 10 years traditionally should invest differently than someone who needs access to their money in less than 2 years. Additionally, a person intending to grow their dollars should invest differently than a person looking to preserve their money. Most people think of this investment suitability when they are referring to their retirement accounts, but this should also be used when investing for any goal. Goals can include retirement, paying off debt, making a donation, making a purchase, or paying for education. Continually monitoring progress towards your goal(s) can help save you from surprises if you have not saved enough or if the market makes a sudden move shortly before you access your money.

A common savings goal is to pay for education and the common vehicle for building up dollars to pay for education is the 529 College Savings Plan. A person can contribute after-tax money to a 529 Plan for the benefit of a beneficiary student and withdraw the money to pay for qualified education expenses. The money can grow tax-free and the withdrawals are not taxed if they are used for qualified education expenses. Over the last few years laws have changed that have expanded your ability to withdraw funds from a 529 tax-free. Some of the more recent changes include the ability to pay for up to $10,000 in student loans for the beneficiary or being able to pay up to $10,000 to a sibling’s student loans. Another change includes the ability to use 529 funds to pay for an apprenticeship that is recognized by the federal labor department. But probably the largest change is the ability to use 529 savings to pay for up to $10,000 per year per student toward private or public elementary, middle, or high school tuition. This change could be especially helpful if tuition is due and you find yourself running short on available funds.

You also may be seeing that your child is going to have plenty of scholarship money to pay for their education and it is clear they will not be using a portion of the 529 for college expenses.

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THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

In this case you could allocate a portion of the 529 to go to the shorter-term goal of paying for high school tuition. There are important pieces of information to keep in mind before depleting your child’s college fund to pay for pre-college schooling. The 529 was created as an investment vehicle designed to create tax-free growth for the long-term. By using 529 funds now you lose the opportunity to potentially grow your money tax-free. Additionally, you can change the beneficiary of the 529 plan and use the money for another child’s education. Just because one of your children will not need the money for college does not mean another one of your children will not need it. I think people sometimes do not realize the “other” expenses that come along with sending a child to college. Outside of basic tuition you will need to cover housing, meals, books, a computer or tablet and other expenses.

Some scholarships will cover some of these things and some will not so it is important to know all the potential expenses you may have and the options available to cover them.

As I covered earlier, it is important to match up your goals, time frame and investments so everything aligns with your risk tolerance. If you decide to allocate a portion of your 529 for pre-college expenses you need to make sure the funds are in line with the shorter time frame in which they will be used. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program.

Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free.

Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing. Non-qualified withdrawals may result in a federal income tax and 10% federal tax penalty on earnings.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Private Advisor Group and Retirement and Financial and Strategies are separate entities from LPL Financial. ♠

Senior signs

By Bobbie Hayse Reprinted with permission from the April 9, 2020, Owensboro Messenger–Inquirer

Jill Chappell, one of the senior class sponsors, places a sign in a senior’s front yard.

While loading vehicles with signs for delivery, Jeff Fritz shows off the Class of 2020 sign.

Grace Brocato, a senior at OCHS, poses with her Class of 2020 sign.

Lily Carol Moore and her fellow Owensboro Catholic High School senior class officers have been grieving along with the other Class of 2020 students across the commonwealth for the milestones that have been missed throughout school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s something we’ve always looked forward to throughout high

Gov. Andy Beshear recommended that schools close from March 16 through at least May 1 in an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

and hopefully brighten their day.”

That is why Moore, 18, and her classmates came up with a way to let the other students in her graduating class know that they are missed. On Wednesday morning, OCHS teachers and administrators went to the homes of the 100 students in the school’s graduating class and placed signs in their yards, along with letters.

The signs read “OCHS Loves the Class of 2020” and the letter sends well-wishes and thoughts of hope and love.

“We have all grown up together, and it’s such a small school that it really does just feel like we are a family,” Moore said. “We wanted to do something nice for them to bring up their spirits.”

Moore said since many of the students in her graduating class have been together since preschool, it makes school closures much harder. And, they are missing milestones such as spring sports, dances and possibly graduation ceremonies.

“We also do a recollection week our senior year,” Moore said.

school, and not being able to do it has been sad.”

Katie Hayden, 18, OCHS Class of 2020 secretary, said class officers hope the yard signs “put a smile on everybody’s face,

“We just want to give a little sunshine to all the seniors,” she said. “It’s been a hard time for everyone. There are a lot of things coming up that are postponed for now, and we can’t make up for all those events, but we wanted to see what small things we could do to help everyone just feel better.”

Ginny Coomes, OCHS math teacher and one of the senior class sponsors, said students approached her last week with the idea for the signs. Originally students were going to drop the signs off for their classmates, but it was ultimately decided that it would be safer for teachers and other administrators to do so.

Coomes said she feels “such a disconnect” right now with all OCHS students, and that this is one small way they could know everyone is thinking of them.

“I feel bad, nationwide, for all seniors,” Coomes said. “We just want our seniors to know that we are praying for them, that this isn’t over, and they are a part of Catholic High forever.” ♠

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ATHLETICS

3rd Region

Boys Basketball

By Mark Story Reprinted with permission from the March 27, 2020, Lexington Herald-Leader

Editor’s Note: The 2020 Boys’ Sweet 16 was postponed before it began because of the coronavirus pandemic. The stoppage of our annual high school basketball state tournament denied 16 schools and their communities - for many - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for recognition on one of Kentucky’s most prominent stages. In the absence of basketball, the Herald-Leader is telling their stories.

Of the 16 teams that won regional championships in the 201920 Kentucky boys’ high school basketball season, it seems possible to identify the one riding the highest wave of euphoria.

The stunning upset that made Owensboro Catholic the 2020 3rd Region champion is one giddy Aces fans will relish for all eternity.

Going into Owensboro Catholic’s 3rd Region championship game matchup with crosstown rival Owensboro, the trends working against Coach Tim Riley’s Aces were severe.

One of the most tradition-packed programs in Kentucky high school basketball history, Owensboro entered the game with 44 previous region titles.

Owensboro Catholic entered the game with one all-time region crown - 2016.

22 points and 16 (in the 9th District championship).

“Owensboro was a heavy favorite. And Owensboro was playing exceptionally well coming into the postseason,” says Jim Pickens, longtime sportswriter at the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. “What happened, no one saw it coming.”

What happened was that Owensboro Catholic, defying history, tradition and this season’s prior results, took an early lead and never relented.

The result, Owensboro Catholic 56, Owensboro 45, is the biggest boys’ basketball victory in school history for the Aces.

“There had been a lot of bad nights for the Owensboro Catholic people against the Red Devils,” says Riley, the Catholic coach.

“For all the old-line Owensboro Catholic people, a lot of demons were exorcised that night.”

Owensboro has four state titles and 47 all-time wins in the Sweet 16.

An Uphill Climb

Not only has Owensboro Catholic never won the boys’ state tournament, the Aces have never won a state tourney game.

Had the coronavirus pandemic and the efforts to contain it not intervened, Riley, 59, would have coached in his 10th state tournament March 19 when Owensboro Catholic (21-14) was

In three prior meetings between the teams in 2019-20, Owensboro had swept them all, winning the two previous games by

Story continues on page 21

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THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

ATHLETICS

n Champions

By Coach Michael Robertson, Class of ’99 Girls Head Basketball Coach

This was a season with lots of ups and downs, and lots of figuring things out. We had just come off an All "A" State Championship and Best School Finish at the State Tournament, making it to the Final 4 of the KHSAA Sweet 16. We lost a lot of talent from the previous year, almost 75% of our scoring and rebounding, but we did have a lot of playing experience coming back. We had to spend most of the season learning new roles on the team and tinkering with the line-up. We finally got it rolling at the end of the season. We won the District Championship over Apollo (probably the best team in the Region at the time) in a second half comeback, overcoming a ten-point deficit at the half.

We challenged the girls in the locker room at halftime and they responded well. From that point on, we had a group that was going to fight for one another and make sure we succeeded in our goal, which was to get back to Rupp and finish the business we started the previous year.

Little did we know that Regional Championship Game against Muhlenberg County, the 100th win for this senior group, would be our last together.

We had traveled to Lexington on Wednesday for our State Tournament game that was to be played on Thursday evening. We had practice on Thursday morning and then walked to Rupp Arena afterwards to watch the game in which we would play the winner of, if we happened to make it to the second round.

During halftime of this game, we received word that the tournament had been postponed due to COVID-19.

I have been coaching for a few years now and it was extremely

Girls Basketball Accolades for Girls’ Basketball Seniors 100-40 Record 66-6 against Regional Opponents (3rd Region Opponents)

33-3 against District Opponents (Apollo, Daviess County, and Owensboro)

2019 Class "A" State Champions 2019 KHSAA Sweet 16 Semi-finalist (Best School Finish)

2020 All "A" Classic Semi-finalist 3rd Region Champions ’18, ’19, ’20 (Three in a row – First time in school history)

3rd Region All "A" Champions ’17, ’19, ’20 9th District Champions ’18, ’19, ’20 difficult telling the girls that their dreams of playing and competing for a State Championship at Rupp Arena this year was gone.

To say many tears were shed wouldn’t be a lie. Not being able to go out on your terms was a tough pill to swallow. This will always be a special group that I will never forget. There were a lot of challenges with this group, but I always knew that when it was time to shine and get to work, they were going to show up and get it done!

Despite how the season ended, I am still very proud to have been a part of this ride with these incredible players! ♠ OWENSBOROCATHOLIC.ORG 17

ADVANCEMENT

Leaving a legacy The OCHS Advancement office helps to strengthen and promote the mission of the school. We have been blessed with the generosity of our local parishes, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends. Thank you for helping us continue the tradition and our mission.

Natalie Hayden

Director of Advancement Class of '88 270-686-8896 natalie.hayden@owensborocatholic.org

Owensboro Catholic Schools share in the mission of the Church in communion with families and parishes to provide excellence in Catholic faith formation and academics which prepare students to become responsible individuals as well as members of their family, Church, and community.

Mission OUR

Trusts What is a Trust? A vehicle to pass assets to a trustee, who in turn holds those assets for a third party, such as a beneficiary.

Gifts that last forever

From those that came in that very first graduating class of 1952 to the graduates of 2020, we make the school what it was yesterday, what it is today and what it will become tomorrow.

Two distinctly different opportunities are available for remembering a friend or relative at Owensboro Catholic High School.

Wall of Remembrance Your stories of your best friends, first loves and favorite teachers warm our hearts. All of these memories make Owensboro Catholic High School what it is today. It’s a TRUST that must be protected, nourished and cherished. Every single gift of time, treasure and talent make an impact and it takes a nation! It takes YOU! We encourage you to learn more about how your generosity will help ensure that the tradition of excellence at OCHS is maintained for future generations.

Matching gifts from companies and corporations double or triple gifts to Owensboro Catholic Schools.

18

THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

On the wall outside our chapel is our Wall of Remembrance, containing plaques purchased by anyone wishing to have someone remembered at OCHS. The person remembered may or may not be a graduate of the school.

Tree of Life On a wall in the main office is the memorial fund Tree of Life, a brass tree purchased by the Doug Schaaf Memorial Fund—not only to memorialize Doug but to also offer opportunities to both memorialize loved ones and to use that vehicle to help increase the long-term viability of Catholic High for generations to come.

The Tree holds an engraved leaf in memory of each of those friends of the school for whom a memorial fund has been established.

ADVANCEMENT

2020 Goal

$205,000

Phonathon 2020 The 2020 Phonathon for Owensboro Catholic High School is officially

Current Total

$112,514.71

underway! Gifts to the OCHS Phonathon will touch the lives of all students from their first day as a freshman to the day of their graduation.

Tuition only covers about 60% of the actual cost of an Owensboro Catholic education. Each year hundreds of loyal OCHS alumni, parents, and friends contribute to the fund and help meet the school’s ongoing needs for flexible, unrestricted income to support our academic mission. These contributions are used on a daily basis where the needs and opportunities are greatest.

Owensboro Catholic Schools is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization.

Your generous monetary gift is tax deductible.

Current Phonathon Top Ten Classes Friends of OCHS $17,533.90 1 1976 $9,458.50

1958 $7,695.00 2 1975 $5,462.50 3 1971 $3,775.00 4

Get your class on top!

We have the most amazing alumni and your commitment to OCHS is obvious in your support and donations.

Despite the 2020 pandemic, we are committed to making this year’s Phonathon the best yet! A giving envelope is inserted for your convenience. Who will help get your class on top this year?

The top TEN giving classes for the 2020 Phonathon will have their class year posted on our new Giving Classes Wall of Fame. Friends of OCHS make up a class of their very own.

1969 $3,695.69 5 1973 $3,222.50 6 1965 $3,145.00 7 1980 $2,645.00 8 1968 $2,597.50 9

Planned Gifts Owensboro Catholic High School alumni have the opportunity to sustain the tradition of excellence through a planned gift. One of the simplest ways to make a meaningful planned gift is through a bequest in your will. If you have already included OCHS in your will or other longrange plan, please let us know! It would be our pleasure to include you as a member of our Legacy Society.

1959 $2,567.50 10

OWENSBOROCATHOLIC.ORG 19

Class of 1950, St Francis Academy gathered at Briarpatch Restaurant to celebrate.

CLASS REUNIONS

Submit Alumni News and Updates You are a part of our heritage!

What does being an Ace mean to you? We want to hear from you so we can share your stories. Alumni

Reunion Assistance In the historic Dogwood Azalea neighborhood of Griffith Avenue in Owensboro, OCHS is a special place you spent several milestone years of your life. Maybe you moved on to raise your own family or pursued your dream career here or in another state. We invite you to come home!

Relations would like to capture and preserve your unique perspective.

If you have moved or are moving, married and changed your name, please contact us and update your information. Share noteworthy accomplishments and events with fellow alumni.

Still receiving your children’s OCS mailings?

Please send updates and photos to

Class reunions are the perfect time to get together with

Haley.hamilton@owensborocatholic.org

classmates and relive old memories. Plan a fun-filled weekend that allows you plenty of opportunities to catch up!

If your class year ends in 6 or 1, it’s your upcoming reunion year!

OCS staff is happy to provide you with a current class

Nicollette Vizuet Admissions and Alumni Relations Class of 2011

contact list and help promote your event. School tours

270-686-8896

and masses may be scheduled by calling Nicollette Vizuet

nicollette.vizuet@owensborocatholic.org

at 270-686-8896.

20

THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

Boys Basketball

Continued from page 16

the offensive glass and controlling the pace.

It worked to perfection.

to face 15th Region champion Martin County (22-12) in Rupp Arena.

The first eight of those Sweet 16 trips came at 4th Region power Warren Central, the team that Riley led to the 2004 state championship and a 2005 state runner-up finish.

Owensboro Catholic’s path to Riley’s 10th regional title was all uphill.

The Aces lost three straight games in December. They had a fourgame losing skid in February. They played five overtime games, losing three.

“We had some bad nights, too,” Riley says. “We had a running clock put on us by Owensboro (in the 22-point loss) and John Hardin (an 81-50 loss in December).”

Part of the issue was youth. Four sophomores, a junior transfer and two seniors comprised Catholic’s regular seven-player rotation.

The two most talented players, lead guard Brian Griffith (16.6 points) and post Ji Webb (13.1 ppg, 7.1 rebounds), are sophomores.

Seniors Drew Hartz (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg) - a standout football quarterback pledged to Georgetown College - and Andrew Riney (7.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and junior Gray Weaver (9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), round out the starting five.

“We struggled this year. I was worried for a long time,” Riley says. “But the thing about basketball, one good game can allow you to build some momentum.”

After Owensboro Catholic made a second-half charge in what became a 61-59 overtime loss at Muhlenberg County on Feb. 21, Riley says he went in the locker room and told his players “that the team that played in the second half tonight can win the 3rd Region Tournament.”

‘As Good as it Gets’ To turn the tables on Owensboro in the region finals, Riley’s plan called for limiting turnovers, keeping the Red Devils off

In a game in which they scored 56 points, the Aces put all five of their starters in double figures.

Griffith, who had struggled vs. Owensboro’s defensive pressure in the 9th District finals, controlled the game when it mattered most.

“He had eight turnovers in the district championship game,” Riley says. “He tried to beat Owensboro by himself. We had to convince him to give the ball up, trust he would get it back.

And he did. He may not have had one turnover in the region championship.

He played a flawless game.”

For a fan, is there anything sweeter in sports than seeing your team play a persistent nemesis for an important championship and score a victory that defies all expectations?

“This is the 30th season I’ve covered them, and that is the best game I’ve ever seen an Owensboro Catholic boys’ team play,” says Pickens, the Owensboro sportswriter. “Riley has changed the culture there. ... They are not intimidated by Owensboro the way they used to be.”

What has resulted is a euphoria with which longtime Owensboro Catholic backers have little experience.

“Beating Owensboro to win the region was an important moment in the history of our school,” says Frank Hein, the longtime keeper of the scorebook for the Owensboro Catholic boys’ basketball program.

Jim Hartz watched his son, Drew, score 11 points and grab six rebounds for Catholic in the 3rd Region title win. In Jim Hartz’s days (1985-87) playing for Owensboro Catholic, the Aces never beat Owensboro at all, much less to win the region.

“Other than winning the state championship, beating Owensboro to (win the region) was as good as it gets,” Jim Hartz says. “It’s just an amazing feeling.” ♠ Reach Mark Story: 859-231-3230, mstory@herald-leader.com or on Twitter @markcstory

OWENSBOROCATHOLIC.ORG 21

Meet the Staff Gates Settle

OCHS Front Office

Kurt Osborne

Principal

Assistant Principal

Dean of Students

Tim Riley

Cindy Short

Sonya Drury

Connie McFarland

Chris Johnson

Front Office

Christa Dukate

Attendance

Guidance

Front Office

Technology

OCS Central Office

Keith Osborne

Chief Administrator Officer

Nicollette Vizuet Advancement

22

Advancement

Kathy Sterling

LaNell Lilly Front Office

Natalie Hayden

Stephanie Snyder Controller

Donna Galloway

Finance

Finance

Lisa Kyle Scrip

THE GREEN AND WHITE n SUMMER 2020

David Ralph Technology

Brooke Hattabaugh Human Resources and Finance

Tracy Miller

Haley Hamilton Advancement

Finance

Doodlyn Colas Technology

Leave a Gift for Future Generations at OCHS

GUARANTEED RETIREMENT INCOME

Receive up to 9% each year for the rest of your life.

If you would like to give to Catholic High but still need a regular income in your retirement, consider a Charitable Gift Annuity through the Catholic Foundation of Western Kentucky.

Charitable Gift Annuity Rates

In return for your gift of cash, appreciated securities, real estate, or other assets, you will receive regular, fixed payments for the rest of your life.

Please call for two-life joint and survivor rates

You will receive a fixed rate of 5.1% to 9.0%, depending on your age.

You will also be eligible for a charitable tax deducation now and may even reduce your estate taxes. Catholic High will receive the remainder of your gift at the time of your death.

Rates effective January 1, 2020, based on one-life Requires minimum $5,000 gift

Age at Time of Gift

With No Deferral Payments Start Immediately

70

5.1%

75

5.8%

80

6.9%

85

8.0%

90+

9.0%

Return the coupon below, and we will prepare a confidential, personalized proposal for you.

CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF WESTERN KENTUCKY DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO

A better way to give‌and to receive.

YES! Please send me a personalized proposal for the Charitable Gift Annuity so I can see how I can receive a guaranteed lifetime income, reduce my taxes and assist Catholic High!

One-Life Proposal

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Amount: $__________ (minimum $5,000)

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*If using stock, please provide fair market value and cost basis.

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For a confidential proposal, please complete and return this coupon to:

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Catholic Foundation of Western Kentucky Attn: Natalie Hayden OCS Central Office 1524 West Parrish Avenue Owensboro, KY 42301

Address _______________________________________________________________________________

Or call:

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Owensboro Catholic Schools 270-686-8896

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McRaith Catholic Center 270-683-1545

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Farewell to Jim Ivey, who has retired after 30 years of teaching.

We wish him all the best in retirement!

r it i p S Aces ACES SPIRIT,

always sees us through.

Near or far

to Catholic High

we ever shall be true.

we love so well Green and white

WILL STAY IN MEMORY,

Hail to OCHS,

Hail to thee!