Aquila Alumni Magazine - Summer 2022

Aquila

SUMMER 2022

ROCHESTER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

COMING HOME

Faculty and staff who attended Rochester Catholic Schools share what brought them back to the place they say helped shape them into who they are today.

WE’RE BACK! We’re back! The Aquila has landed once again in your mailbox! Did you miss hearing from all the great Rochester Catholic schools? Well, we have missed hearing from you!

A lot has happened, not just in Rochester but in our world, in the last five years. The entire educational landscape changed in March 2020 when all of the sudden our children were learning in our living rooms. Despite the challenges that COVID-19 presented, more and more Rochester families are seeking what you hopefully benefitted from - a challenging, Christ-centered education and a welcoming and loving community.

I was honored to join the RCS community this past August. The depth and breadth of our graduates amazes me on a daily basis. You are athletes, entrepreneurs, teachers, diplomats, and clergy members. We are so proud of our Eagle Alums!

About five years ago, you may have noticed that you started to receive less communication from Lourdes Foundation (LFI). We are thrilled to carry on the incredible alumni engagement work that LFI started so many years ago.

Going forward, you can expect to hear from us more regularly. In fact, we plan to publish the Aquila two times a year. We hope to grow and enhance it in the years ahead as we reconnect with more graduates. Thank you to our LFI partners for trusting us to carry on the torch.

Even if RCS wasn’t yet called RCS when you were in school, know that you are part of our thriving community today. We are five schools with one mission, a mission that continues to bring us together in Jesus Christ.

Our Lady of Lourdes…pray for us!

Annemarie Vega President, Rochester Catholic Schools

On behalf of Lourdes Foundation, we are excited for the return of this longtime publication! What a great way for the Lourdes and entire RCS community to connect. As I write this, I realize a copy of the Aquila will not only arrive at our home for my wife, Shana, and myself, but also for our son and oldest child who officially became an Eagle alumnus this past May. Prayers are welcome during the next stage of his journey!

The LFI endowment continues to grow. Our holdings total over $9 million. Of course we have been affected by the ups and downs of the market in the last few years, but we are proud of the scholarship support we are able to provide RCS students.

Best wishes to the most recent Lourdes graduating class, and let’s pray for a great 2022-2023 school year.

With gratitude, Andrew Davick President, Lourdes Foundation

On the Cover: M rs. DesmaLee Hurtado '97 pictured with her students at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School

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Photo provided by Marie Ferguson, DM Creative Design

Table of Contents Together, We Are Thriving..................................................................................4 Coming Home....................................................................................................... 5 Getting Reconnected......................................................................................... 10 Soaring to New Heights..................................................................................... 12 Alumni Class Notes............................................................................................ 13 Meet Alumna Pamela Zeimetz Bowman '91...................................................... 15 Reunion Revival.................................................................................................. 16 Yearbook Archive & In Memoriam.................................................................... 17 School Year Pics & Posts................................................................................... 18

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Together, We Are Lori Lonergan Brennan Director of Development, Rochester Catholic Schools The missions of Rochester Catholic Schools and Lourdes Foundation are thriving. RCS meets all students where they are and helps them grow to become difference makers in the world of tomorrow.

Through the generosity of so many, RCS is blessed and privileged to allow students to love, learn, and live their faith in service to others. Due to our faith-based community, we continue to be blessed with prayers, service, and philanthropy that allow our schools to succeed in academic excellence.

This year, I have been able to concentrate on reengaging our alumni and appreciate how dedicated this group is to the mission of RCS. It has been fun getting to meet the alumni through social events we have held, and we are kicking off our year with a social event for alumni this July in the metro area.

We are finally reaching folks who have not heard from us for some time, and it is wonderful to reengage this group even more this coming year.

Thriving

LFI Endowment Provides

Vital Support !

With an endowment that has grown to $9 million, LFI provided

$360,165 in tuition assistance from

133 fully-funded scholarships to

100 students in the 2021-2022 school year.

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g n i m o C e m Ho Andy Poterucha '01, Principal, St. Francis of Assisi School For Mr. Andy Poterucha '01, it’s about paying it forward and passing along to his students the same lessons instilled in him during his school years at RCS. Fall sports picture day during Mr. Poterucha’s senior year, 2001 Mr. Poterucha visiting with students at St. Francis of Assisi School

Their passion for Rochester Catholic Schools permeates in the classrooms, at student activities, on athletic fields, and across all five RCS campuses. And for this group, it all started back when they themselves walked the hallways, not as faculty and staff but as RCS Eagles. Ten percent of RCS educators got their start in the Rochester Catholic Schools system. Read on to learn what brought them back to the place they say helped shape them into who they are today.

most rewarding and happiest memories of his life at that time.

Upon graduating, Mr. Poterucha worked in the finance field but says his love for coaching, helping youth, and his strong connection to RCS were leading him elsewhere. When he met his wife, Cassandra, her parents were both teachers, which allowed him to ask questions and learn more about teaching as a potential vocation. This led him to the decision that it was something he was truly meant to do.

He then pursued his Masters in Instruction and his K-12 Principal Licensure at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He found his way back to RCS in 2013, when he was hired as a Physical Education and Science teacher at Holy Spirit Catholic School. He later became principal of St. Francis of Assisi School - where his RCS journey had initially started. Talk about a story coming full circle!

Mr. Poterucha says when he looks back and thinks about why he chose to return to RCS, it was truly because of the educators that helped shape his life.

“I want to make an impact on young people’s lives like these educators impacted my life. I want them to be able to show and be proud of who God made them to be!” he said.

Mr. Poterucha has five children, all of whom will be attending Holy Spirit Catholic School this fall.

Mr. Poterucha has been connected to the RCS system since he attended St. Francis of Assisi School and St. John’s Elementary School, now the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, and graduated from LHS in 2001. While in college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, he also coached high school basketball and track at LHS, which provided him with some of the

“I feel the presence of God in my life more than ever and am very grateful for my own children to experience all that RCS has to offer.”

It’s an RCS family legacy that will live on for generations to come!

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Coming Home continued from page 5

Emily Heydon '09, Kindergarten Teacher, St. Pius X School Ms. Emily Heydon '09, a kindergarten teacher at St. Pius X School, is a shining example of the culture of educational excellence within the RCS system and beyond! This past year, Ms. Heydon was named the Honor Teacher recipient for grades K-6 in the MINNDEPENDENT 2022 Private and Independent Education Awards, presented to only one teacher statewide annually.

This award served as the culmination of her lifelong love for learning, a passion passed down from generation to generation in the Heydon family.

Ms. Heydon’s mother, Pat Heydon, was a fifth-grade teacher at St. Francis of Assisi School for 32 years, where her late grandmother, Louise Heydon, also taught for 20 years. Ms. Heydon knew at a young age she wanted to become a teacher, having grown up playing school and helping her mother set up her classroom every school year.

RCS has always been an important part of Ms. Heydon’s life, which became even more apparent during her student teaching days.

“As I was student teaching, RCS was always the standard I compared myself to, and I just

realized how much it would mean to come back ‘home,’” she said.

After attending the University of WisconsinStout and earning a Master of Arts Degree in Literacy Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, an opportunity arose and she was hired as a Kindergarten teacher at St. Pius X School.

“RCS is truly my home. I can’t imagine working anywhere else!” she said.

It is clear that Ms. Heydon truly is at home at RCS and in her classroom. With her students, she places faith and values above all else. She fosters individual growth and achievement at a young age by helping each student understand that learning is a lifelong process.

“My hope for my students is that they become good people! I always hope they try their best and know it’s okay to not ‘get it’ right away because that means we are still learning,” she said.

Pam Smith '96, Math Teacher, Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School There are many reasons Mrs. Pam Smith '96, found her way back to RCS, most notably the positive impact her elementary teachers including Sandra Dilley, Char Evjen, and Deb Lawler, had on her life during her school days.

Growing up, Mrs. Smith attended St. John’s Elementary School and graduated from LHS in 1996.

She said while attending college at Winona State University, she received special permission to complete one semester of her classroom hours at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, where she had the opportunity to observe her sixth-grade teacher, Sandra Dilley.

Ms. Heydon teaching her kindergarten class at St. Pius X School

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“It was such an amazing experience,” Mrs. Smith said. “She was a great mentor, and she taught me many things. After my experience in her classroom,

Mrs. Smith at St. John’s Elementary School in second grade Mrs. Smith pictured with her students, including her son Connor (R), at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School

DesmaLee Hurtado '97, Math Teacher, Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School Mrs. DesmaLee Hurtado '97, said she has always felt called to help guide children along the path of life.

After attending St. Francis of Assisi School for elementary and middle school, she graduated from LHS in 1997. She then went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls before working as a Juvenile Probation Officer beginning in 2001.

Her family decided to return to Rochester in 2018 following a strong calling from God to move back to MN. Mrs. Hurtado shared that following their faith truly was the best blessing for their family. She prayed for an opportunity to teach in the RCS system, and her prayers were answered in August 2019.

“I am so grateful that I was able to be patient in God’s plan and timing,” she said.

Mrs. Hurtado’s senior photo, 1997 Mrs. Hurtado pictured at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School

I knew that I definitely wanted to teach in the RCS system. I loved the faith-filled community, and I wanted to be part of that type of teaching/learning community,” she said.

Mrs. Smith recently completed her 21st year teaching at RCS. She started out at St. Pius X School, where she spent her first six years, followed by the CoCathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School where she just finished her 15th year.

She says some of her favorite aspects of the job include seeing the children every day, being part of a caring community, and sharing the Eucharist. She also has the opportunity to co-teach with fellow alumna DesmaLee Hurtado '97, which she says has been a truly rewarding experience.

Like Mrs. Smith, her husband Nate '96 attended RCS, and their three children are current Eagles. She said she is grateful to have had the opportunity to provide them with the same experiences she had.

“It is truly a wonderful community to be part of. I am very blessed to have the opportunity to work in a school with such amazing staff and students,” she said.

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Coming Home continued from page 7

As part of her role as a middle school math teacher at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, she says she loves that she is able to pray openly with each of her students and continue to watch them grow in their Catholic faith.

“I love to see students’ curiosity ignite and the growth that happens throughout the year. I feel such a sense of community with my fellow coworkers, and they are like family,” she said.

She said her education at RCS led her to discover her passion to help others by becoming a steward of Christ.

“This has encompassed my passion as an educator to help students find their purpose and respond to the calling of God.”

Mary Greve '83, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Holy Spirit Catholic School Mrs. Mary Greve '83, is a lifelong learner through and through and has been teaching in the RCS system for 35 years (and counting!)

Mrs. Greve’s senior photo, 1983 Mrs. Greve pictured at Holy Spirit Catholic School

Growing up, she attended St. Pius X School followed

by LHS, where she graduated in 1983. She went on to attend Loras College in Dubuque, IA, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1987 followed by her K-12 Reading certification at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

She said she always knew she wanted to be a teacher because she loved children and learning.

“I had some wonderful, faith-filled teachers during my school career who were excellent role models that I hope I emulate,” she said.

Mrs. Greve began her career at St. Pius X School in 1987 and moved to Holy Spirit Catholic School in 1996, where she currently serves as a fifth-grade teacher. She has taught fifth grade every year along with some fourth and sixth-grade classes along the way. To Mrs. Greve, coming back to RCS has felt like home.

“I have always appreciated the sense of community and family I feel at RCS. I feel a strong sense of belonging, compassion, and cooperation among my peers,” she said.

She said her favorite aspect of her job is the time she spends working and growing with her students.

“I love hearing them share their stories and watching them grow and develop academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. It is especially rewarding when I see a student feel a sense of accomplishment, however big or small it may be,” she said.

Similar to Mrs. Greve’s tenure at RCS, her husband, Mike, has been teaching at RCS for 40+ years just a few years longer than her! All three of their children received their education through the RCS system.

She shared that her career has been extremely rewarding, each year is new and exciting, and she is constantly learning new things.

“It is hard to believe I have been teaching for so long! It seems like I have only just begun.”

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Kiersten Bretton-Billmeier '93, LHS Front Office Receptionist and Former RCS Substitute Teacher Mrs. Kiersten Bretton-Billmeier '93 has a longstanding and wide-spanning history in the RCS system - with connections to all five campuses and RCS family ties dating back 50+ years!

Growing up, Mrs. Bretton-Billmeier attended St. Francis of Assisi School, St. Pius X School, and LHS. She said some of her first and fondest memories were of the old LHS building, where her father, Jeff Brengman '61, worked as choir director and assistant principal and her mother, Karel, served as a front office secretary.

Mrs. Bretton-Billmeier sporting her high school cheerleading jacket, which she wears to athletics events and student activities to this day!

Mrs. Bretton-Billmeier substitute teaching at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School

“It was like a family. Everyone took care of each other,” she said.

After graduating from LHS in 1993, she attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, La Universidad de Guadalajara, and Winona State University-Rochester where she completed her Education degree.

Years later, when her children became of school age, Mrs. Bretton-Billmeier decided to return to the RCS school system in hopes of giving other children the same positive experience she had. In 2016, she fulfilled that dream through substitute teaching, serving as a paraprofessional, and providing office support. She recently began in a new position as front office receptionist at LHS. “It’s a joy for me to fill that role for other families and students,” she said.

Some of her favorite aspects of her job include watching students grow throughout the years, getting to know their siblings, cheering them on at their activities, and showing them that they matter. She also loves teaching students about the importance of faith and trusting in God.

“I am proud of our system, our staff, our students, and our families. It’s been a wonderful experience for me, and I am privileged to spend my days with people I truly care about,” she said.

come home

We would like to thank our alums who decided to to teach at Rochester Catholic Schools, as well as ALL of our faculty and staff for sharing their time, talents, and gifts across all five campuses.

We are grateful for your continued support and dedication to helping our RCS Eagles grow in mind, body, and spirit !

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Reconnected

Getting

This school year, Rochester Catholic Schools launched a new series of social gatherings to provide alumni with fun opportunities to reconnect with classmates, meet other RCS alumni, and start new traditions!

These events are open to alumni from all classes and schools: Lourdes, CoCathedral of St. John the Evangelist, St. Pius X, Holy Spirit, and St. Francis of Assisi.

More than 50 alumni and friends attended the Alumni Thanksgiving Social at the Tap House West End in November. In March, another get-together was held at the Tap House for teachers and staff who are alumni. On April 20, an Alumni Spring Social was held at Twigs Tavern and Grille.

We are expanding our reach and hosting an RCS Alumni Summer Social on July 21 in the Twin Cities metro area! We hope you will join us and spread the word among your classmates and other RCS alumni! Learn more and RSVP at rcsmn. org/alumnisocial. For questions, contact alumni@rcsmn.org.

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Reconnect with us!

Please visit rcsmn.org/update to provide us with updated contact information! Share this link with your classmates and other alumni you know.

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Rochester Catholic Schools

Soaring to New Heights!

RCS System Sees

7%

Enrollment Increase

93%

Retention Rate

With increasing enrollment, strong retention rates, and expanded offerings for the fall of 2022-2023, there’s no better time to be an RCS Eagle!

We are excited to share early reports that indicate nearly 93% of current RCS K-11 students are returning next year, and teacher retention for next year is just as incredible at over 95%!

Furthermore, enrollment grew a whopping 7% from October 2020 to 2021 as RCS welcomed more new families, including many who sought an in-person and faith-based learning experience for their child during the pandemic and ultimately decided to stay!

“The retention rates show that families appreciate the value of the Catholic education their child is receiving, and we anticipate additional growth for the 2022-2023 school year,” said Monica Steinmetz, Director of Admissions.

To learn more or apply for the 2022-2023 school year, visit www.rcsmn.org/admissions.

The Award-Winning Nest Preschool is GROWING! Voted “Best Preschool in Rochester” by readers of the Post Bulletin, The Nest Preschool will provide expanded offerings for the fall of 2022 including options for ages 2-5 and a Nature-Based Program! Preschool students will also receive NEW Nest uniform t-shirts this fall.

Locations and ages served include the following: • Holy Spirit Catholic School (Ages 2-5)

• St. Francis of Assisi School (Ages 3-5) • St. Pius X School (Ages 3-5) • NEW Location: Lourdes High School (Age 4-5) Nature-Based Program

The first of its kind in Rochester, this program will feature: • Pre-Kindergarten curriculum that encompasses learning and exploration

through an outdoor play yard and garden area.

• Access to the St. Mary’s University Cascade Meadows Wetlands adjacent

to Lourdes.

To learn more, visit www.rcsmn.org/thenest!

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ALUMNI

Class Notes

Here a just a few recent highlights to get our Alumni Class Notes feature started! We look forward to including more news about our alumni in future editions of the Aquila.

Michelle Howard Cunningham, M.D. '05’s days are spent changing lives and pursuing endless adventures! After receiving her undergrad from St. Olaf College and doctorate from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, she now serves as a board-certified family medicine physician in South Carolina and flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Some of her many experiences have included flying above 70,000 feet in a U-2, doing barrel rolls in a T-38, and landing on a cargo ship from a hovering search-and-rescue helicopter!

She is grateful for the superb education and encouragement to pursue her dreams during her formative years at St. Francis of Assisi and LHS. Peter Aksamit '09 has been busy working on a major hollywood movie production!

For the past eight years, he has worked for Bento Box Entertainment, where for the last six, he has worked on their animated FOX TV-series, “Bob’s Burgers” - recently released as the “Bob’s Burgers Movie!” Peter serves as Production Supervisor in preproduction, overseeing the story department for the TV series, and as Animation Retake Supervisor for the “Bob’s Burger’s Movie.” The movie was released on May 27. Photo courtesy of Y105FM

Andres Victoria '13, Jordan Victoria, '15, and their mother, Natalie, rang in the year 2022 at Nico’s Taco Bar, complete with chips, guacamole, salsa, and margaritas!

Following in their parents’ footsteps, Andres and Jordan decided to embark upon a few delicious business ventures after graduating from LHS. Andres is the co-owner of Nico’s Taco Bar, inspired by traditional Mexican street food, which has two locations in the Twin Cities. Jordan is the co-founder of their latest family venture, Sorellina’s, an Italian restaurant located in Rochester. If you’re in the mood for delicious cuisine and great conversation, be sure to stop by!

Will Pittner '17 was one of eight finalists representing the University of St. Thomas at the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (FGSIC) in April. Will pitched a unique food recovery system, “Food to People,” that takes viable food from large-scale kitchens and redistributes it to local homeless shelters, food shelves, and lowincome neighborhoods in Summer 2022 | Aquila

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ALUMNI Class Notes continued the community. Will graduated from the University of St. Thomas in the Spring of 2022 and is now working full-time on the expansion of his business.

Nic Belda '18 is living his dream! Nic was hired as a First Officer pilot this past January with Endeavor Airlines – a regional jet provider flying routes for Delta Connection.

He developed an innate interest in flying at a very young age and successfully obtained his private pilot license by his senior year of high school at the age of 17.

After high school, he completed the Bachelor of Science in Aviation program at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Nic encourages other young men and women to explore the many great career opportunities available in aviation today!

Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity and the Women’s Club Soccer team, while also serving as a tutor/teaching assistant for the college.

In the future, Anna plans to continue her education with a residency program in order to become a specialized clinical pharmacist in a hospital.

Grace Lennon '20 is a professional dancer at Ballet Co. Laboratory based in St. Paul, where she recently starred as the mouse in “Lunar Lullaby,” an ode to Goodnight Moon. Grace’s love for dance began at age three while attending Janet Lang Dance Studio. That passion continued at the Dance Lab throughout high school, leading her to Chicago for more formal training at A&A Ballet and beginning her professional career!

Anna Braun '19 received a NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium Research Scholarship at Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for the 2021-2022 academic year. She recently completed her first year as a pharmacy student, where she also held leadership positions with the

Photo Credit: Ballet Co. Laboratory

Photo Credit: Nicole Mills

ALUMNI Send your Alumni Class Notes submissions, including photos, to alumni@rcsmn.org.

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MEET ALUMNA

Pamela Zeimetz Bowman '91 NEW CHAIR OF THE

RCS Board of Trustees The education that Pamela Zeimetz Bowman '91 received from St. John’s Elementary School, now the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, and Lourdes High School is something she desires to make possible for all students. As an alumna, she has been helping advance this mission as a member of the RCS Board of Trustees since the 2020-2021 school year.

Mrs. Zeimetz Bowman has served as Board of Trustees Secretary and on the Development Committee and is excited about the opportunities ahead in her new role as Chair. In her own words below, she shares a little about herself, starting with why she is passionate about the future of our schools.

› Why are you committed to serving RCS as Chair? As a product

of Catholic education, I believe in its outcomes. It is imperative to support our schools; strong schools, rooted in faith, feed the strength of our community.

Simply put – it is our responsibility to continue to support and enhance the gift of Catholic education, to ensure it is available to others.

Pam Zeimetz Bowman ‘91 at graduation with Latin teacher, the late David Jewison

› Why are you excited about the future of RCS? I am excited about the strength of RCS. Our

students are provided a faith-centered, solid academic experience which will allow them to flourish, grow, and make a difference. This is a purposeful approach, present in the dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to accomplish this work. Also, the addition of a President of RCS has been a positive development, as President Vega serves as a connecting force across the system and a champion for the students and staff.

›

What do you appreciate about your educational experience at RCS? My experience as a student at St. John’s and Lourdes was “faith-centered academics” with teachers who understood they were educating the whole student. I will forever marvel at the dedication of the teachers to challenge us on a daily basis, while tailoring their approach to meet the needs of all. There was an incredible sense of community, contribution to the greater good, and providing a rigorous academic program with Christ at its center.

›

Share a bit about your career path. I graduated from the College of St. Benedict in 1995 with a degree in Political Science. After graduating from college, I lived in the Twin Cities for several years and worked for the Office of the Governor. I received my Master of Business Administration degree from Augsburg University in 2007 and currently work at Mayo Clinic as an Administrator supporting the Hematology practice.

› Why did you decide to come back to Rochester? I moved back to Rochester to assess the

direction I wanted to take in my career. One thing I knew for certain was that I was not going to stay in Rochester. I am fond of saying that I am nearly “25 years into my six-month stint back home” in Rochester.

Life has a way of challenging our thinking – and I am truly grateful!

› Anything else you’d like to share? My husband, Jason, and I live in Rochester with Morton, our spoiled shepherd mix, rescued from Paws and Claws.

Pam’s siblings also attended St. John’s and LHS: Ann Marie Zeimetz Schultz '86 and Nick Zeimetz '88

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Reunion

Revival

After many social gatherings were put on hold due to the pandemic, we welcomed the return of in-person class reunions this past school year! Plans are also in the works for several get-togethers in the reunion season ahead.

Information about upcoming reunions and more photos from past reunions are also posted on the RCS Alumni Reunion web page at rcsmn.org/reunions. If your class is planning a reunion, please contact us at alumni@rcsmn.org. We are happy to supply a class list, schedule a Mass and tour at Lourdes High School, and include your information on our webpage.

Reunions From Spring - Fall 2021

Class of 1961 – 60th Reunion

Class of 1971 – 50th Reunion

Upcoming Reunions Class of 1962 – 60th Reunion Date: TBD Class Contact: David Brennan (dpbrennan@stthomas.edu)

Class of 1965 – 55th & 56th Year Reunion

Class of 1972 – 50th Reunion September 23 & 24, 2022 Class Contacts: Joan Riggart (riggerts4@gmail.com) Mark Campbell (markcampbell1231@gmail.com) Shelly Kozera (shelly.kozera@gmail.com) Mike Connolly (mconnol651@yahoo.com) Class of 1977 – 45th Reunion August 13, 2022 Class Contact: Katherine Konzen (kmkonzen@gmail.com)

Class of 1970 – 50th + 1 Year Reunion

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k o o b r a Ye chive r A

Thanks to the Rochester Public Library, digital copies of a majority of the Lourdes High School yearbooks spanning from 1945 - 2021 have been created and are now available at rcsmn.org/yearbookarchive. *Missing Yearbooks: Please contact us at alumni@rscmn.org if you are willing to donate your yearbook so we can make a digital copy for the years that are currently missing: 1947, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1970, 1971, 1973, and 1998.

Please note that digital copies will not be available for the years 1958-1967 as yearbooks were not made during that time period.

IN MEMORIAM We are honored to remember our beloved alumni who passed away this last school year. We will do our best to include any recent notices of which we are made aware. Please email obituary information to alumni@rcsmn.org.

Elizabeth (Wegman) Ahle '41

Derek Gossman '89

Carolyn (Morrisette) Bandel '69

Anthony Gould '57

Mary (Doggett) Beckman '51

Charles Gray '46

James Brott '55

Robert Haggerty '58

Joan (Grabko) Brown '51

Robert Hand '60

Sherman Brown '54

Dennis Herman '48

Rev. Michael Christiana, S.J., '85

Adam Lentz '11

Thomas Drexler '76

Catherine (Conway) Liegl '55

Thomas Duerre '65

Jeff Schmidt '83

Charles Duryea '66

Kenneth Schweihs '65

Marie (Frederichs) Gary '69

Mary (McGovern) Shanks '59

Sharon (Wolpers) Gatzke '60

Karen Stewart '52

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SCHOOL YEAR

Pics and Posts RCS welcomes new President Annemarie Vega.

All five schools gather for System Mass with Bishop John Quinn.

LHS alumnus Ryan Saltness '15, now a seminarian, participates in the liturgy.

Darlene Vincent, Science teacher at the CoCathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School, is surprised with a $300 Tools for Schools grant from KIMT3 News!

LHS coach Sarah Groven receives the Minnesota State Girls Soccer Coach of the Year Award.

She is recognized for this and the team’s 350th win at convocation by Denny Nigon, Marv Peters, and her senior players.

LHS Winter Drumline places 2nd in Independent Class A at the Minnesota Percussion Association Championships.

We celebrate Catholic Schools Week!

The RCS Showcase of Schools welcomes many new families who visited our campuses!

At the President’s Reception, RCS and LFI awards are presented to Bishop John Quinn, KC Reed '72, Jeff and Marnie Bigler, Doug and Sue Leubbe, and Gerry and Mary Anne Nonn.

Father Tom Loomis blesses the new outdoor classroom at Holy Spirit Catholic School

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Distinguished alumni are inducted into the 2021 Sports Hall of Fame: Sara Atkinson ‘94, Sara (Peterson) Goodman ‘99, Tim Fischer ‘70, Coach Chris Miller ‘76, Jean (Ohly) Herbert ‘74, Tom Jirele ‘79, Leah (Kodet) Nigon ‘03, and Molly (Noser) Jarrett ‘07.

The Nest Preschool at RCS kicks off summer break with a fun, family event featuring Tricia and the Toonies!

The LHS Class of 2022 graduates celebrate!

The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School hosts its Mystery Dinner event.

St. Pius X School holds its first Family Fun Run hosted by the HSA.

LHS Principal Mary Spring receives the Promising Principal Award from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Students and staff systemwide raise a total of nearly $7,700 for the people of Ukraine.

Eighth-grade graduation is held at St. Francis of Assisi School and the CoCathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School.

St. Pius X School Kindergarten Teacher Emily Heydon is the statewide recipient of MINNDEPENDENTS’s 2022 Honor Teacher Award.

Families, alumni, and friends attend the RCS Vanselow Fish Fry at Lourdes High School.

Eagle Activities many outstanding accomplishments this year include individuals or teams competing in State Tournaments in cross country, boys soccer, girls basketball, baseball, girls tennis, boys tennis, track and field, boys golf, and girls golf.

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID ROCHESTER, MN PERMIT NO. 182

1710 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE NW ROCHESTER, MN 55901

FOLLOW US ON Facebook and Instagram @rochestercatholicschools

Contact us at info@rcsmn.org or (507) 424-1817

We exceeded our

RCS Day of Giving

goal this past school year for a total of $143,432 from our amazing community to provide essential support for the growth of our students, schools, and system!

Support the

Growth

of RCS!

Mark your calendars for upcoming opportunities to support RCS in the 2022-2023 school year! Please contact development@rcsmn.org with any questions or visit rcsmn.org/ makeagift if you’d like to give today!

SAVE THE DATE RCS Giving Tuesday November 29, 2022 RCS Day of Giving January 31, 2023