President's Report 2021-22

LEARN. GROW. SOAR.

2021-22 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Mission

Rockhurst High School serves the greater Kansas City area by educating Ignatian leaders, “men for others”, in the Roman Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory tradition.

In the spirit of Saint Ignatius Loyola, its goal is the formation of the whole person within a diverse and disciplined environment, as one who is open to growth, strives for academic excellence, is religious, loving, and committed to justice through service.

Vision

Rockhurst High School will be sought out and recognized for its ability to educate “men for others”. Rockhurst High School will, in the Jesuit tradition, foster lifelong friendships based on enduring principles and Ignatian values. It will be nationally and locally recognized as the best value-added education because of its success in developing community leaders for an increasingly diverse world. View

the Honor Roll of Donors CONTENTS

A FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP

development of friendships that can serve them for a lifetime. And, in serving them to this end, we hope they, like our alumni across the world, will use that foundation to serve others. Along with our goals for their eternity with God, the call to serve and lead is the goal of Jesuit education at Rockhurst, and indeed, all Jesuit schools.

With deep gratitude for the vocational call of our faculty, staff, administration, coaches, and moderators, I applaud the work they do to accompany our young men in helping them to build this foundation.

am deeply grateful to our parents for entrusting their sons to us during these formative years as we partner for the hopes and visions they have for their sons’ development in our Jesuit tradition.

And, to our benefactors, this President’s Report is a simple expression of deep gratitude to each of you who make our work with these young men possible. Thank you.

often like to say that the more than one century existence and excellence of Rockhurst is miraculous. Why do I say that? Because our entire

Dear Rockhurst Community,

Very often when I’ve had the chance to visit with alumni from a variety of decades, I like to ask them about their Rockhurst experience. It is a fun way for me to both get to know individuals and to learn about the school’s history from their perspective. These conversations often are filled with specific memories of activities, friends, and teachers. Often, they recall moments invoking smiles and laughter. They recall fond memories and the fun of high school and friendships that last until today. Sometimes, they remind an alumnus of a painful moment or period in their life. It isn’t uncommon

for alumni to say something to me in these conversations like: “Rockhurst really helped me to learn how to think, serve, and work hard.” Less than any specific course they studied or lesson they learned, it was more about the foundation they were given to go onto higher education and into their vocational lives beyond Rockhurst.

Creating these positive, rigorous, challenging, fun, and formational opportunities for today’s young men remains our work in giving our students a solid foundation of faith, intellect, commitment to service, and the

existence is made up of people’s choices. The Jesuits did not have to start Rockhurst; they chose to do so. Families are not obligated to choose Rockhurst for their sons; they have made an election to do so. And our benefactors offer their resources freely, in order that we might thrive.

These “elections” of people over the generations are both humbling and awe-inspiring. If our Jesuit tradition invokes the motto of the Society of Jesus – Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the Greater Glory of God) – then we humbly place the goodness of Rockhurst to this end.

The amazing inspiration of watching our students build a foundation for leadership is also awe-inspiring. We are so very proud of our young men and the ways they respond to the formational opportunities presented to them at Rockhurst. It is our hope that along with their faith development these years, they will become the alumni who think back fondly on their time at Rockhurst and can continue to reflect on the foundation of hard work and an ability to think and serve well throughout their lives.

This great Rockhurst tradition could not aspire to build such a foundation

without your generous support. A priority in offering that foundation is our commitment to assist parents in need of financial assistance for their sons to attend Rockhurst.

The mutual commitment of our school to provide that assistance, and of those families to also choose Rockhurst for the excellency of its programs for their sons, is a part of the miracle of Rockhurst this past year.

This report reflects the foundation of leadership that you have helped us to provide in the miracle of Rockhurst in 2021-2022.

May God bless you and those you love, In Christ,

DAVID J. LAUGHLIN President

President David Laughlin at Graduation on May 15, 2022.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

I am honored, privileged, and proud to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Rockhurst High. This year we finally moved past the coronavirus pandemic landmines that challenged our way of life every step of the way. Thanks to the leadership of our president, David Laughlin, and our principal, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, along with truly remarkable faculty, staff, and ever-flexible students and parents, we managed to overcome remote learning roadblocks while never shutting down. Rockhurst is a place that always seems to rise to the challenge. Everyone figured it out, worked together, and found a way to succeed. What a remarkable accomplishment by all.

I was fortunate to have attended Rockhurst High and graduated as part of the great Class of 1975. My sons went to Rockhurst. We learned many life lessons here. Not only does Rockhurst prepare you for college, it prepares you for life. It is the place that guides and prepares your spiritual formation. It is a place where you meet lifelong friends. It is a place that teaches you how to lead, how to

give back, and at the same time learn how to pay if forward. It is a place that helps you truly learn how to become a “man for others” together.

We are fortunate to have assembled a dedicated Board of Trustees from all walks of life who voluntarily assist David Laughlin’s and Fr. Giacabazi’s teams’ continuing success for years to come. The Board focuses on the long-term financial viability of the school, as well as supports the long-term strategy designed by our school leadership.

We are grateful and truly appreciate the support of the alumni, the parents, and all of the tireless volunteers who make the Spectacular Auction, Fund-A-Need, the Hurtado Scholars Program, and many other efforts so successful. We can’t say thank you enough.

At the same time, we are in awe of the generous charitable contributions of the parents, alumni, and friends of Rockhurst. Thanks to you, we have been able to provide financial assistance to nearly half of our

student body. Thanks to you, we have been able to stabilize the rate of tuition increases. Thanks to you, we have been able to add an advanced STEAM curriculum. The Board of Trustees thanks you for your generosity and for leading by example.

As look to the future, I am confident that David Laughlin and Fr. Giacabazi will lean on the ever-supportive staff, faculty, parents, and alumni to lead Rockhurst to ever higher heights. Or as the founder of Jesuits, St. Ignatius Loyola proclaimed: go out and set the world on fire. Thanks for all your support over the years.

Sincerely grateful,

OWEN ZIDAR ’75

Owen Zidar ’75, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL

LEADERSHIP 2021-22

Board of Trustees

Owen M. Zidar ’75, Chairman

Frank C. Allen ’05

Gregory J. Fendler ’94

Michael L. Garrett

Amy D. Holewinski

Rev. Jeffrey C. Johnson, SJ

Gerald A. Kelly, Jr. ’73

Gregory M. Kratofil ’92

David J. Laughlin, President

Michael T. Mayer ’82

Michael G. McMahon ’67

Rev. Gerald E. Menard, SJ

Ivan L. Nugent ’99

Rev. Ronald R. O’Dwyer, SJ, EdD

Courtney A. O’Farrell

Anita P. Paredes

Stephen D. Penn

Anne P. Riggs

Jeffrey J. Simon

David M. Staker ’88

Michael B. Trigg ’96

Rev. Derrick J. Weingartner, SJ

National Alumni Association Board of Governors

Frank C. Allen ’05, President

Patrick A. McInerney ’82, President-Elect

Gerald W. Brenneman ’78

Spencer H. Hardwick ’07

Thomas P. Knox ’88

James H. Maggard ’04

Ivan L. Nugent ’99

Frank C. Reardon, CPA ’07

James C. Shay, Jr. ’11

Meredith A. Suarez, Director of Alumni Engagement

James T. Van Dyke ’05

Leadership Team

David J. Laughlin, President

Joanne M. Comiskey, Assistant to the President

Michael A. Comiskey ’03, Director of Admissions

John B. DeGraffenreid, Director of Facility Management

Rev. Vincent A. Giacabazi, SJ, Principal

Diane J. Marty, EdD, CFRE, Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement

Allen K. Roberson ’84, Vice President of Administration

Philanthropy & Engagement Office

Diane J. Marty, EdD, CFRE, Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement

Turner R. “Robbie” Haden ’09, Director of Communications & Branding

Moira Kelly Healy, Director of Engagement

Timothy R. Reidy ’02, Archives Director and Faculty Member

Sylvia M. Smith, Philanthropy & Engagement Supportive Services

Raymond J. “Gus” Sonnenberg ’90, Director of Philanthropy

Parents’ Club Leadership

Teresa Guerra-York, President

Spectacular 2022

Co-Chair Couples

Amy and Scott Francois List and Scott Hallier

Shannon and Patrick Lillis

Whitney and John Sojka

Meredith A. Suarez, Director of Alumni Engagement

Loretta Verbanic, Gifts & Stewardship Specialist

George J. Weir, Director of Data & Analytics

Board of Trustees 2021-22. Row 1: Michael Garrett, Courtney O’Farrell, Amy Holewinski, Rev. Ronald O’Dwyer, SJ, Rev. Derrick Weingartner, SJ, Rev. Jeffrey Johnson, SJ, Anita Paredes, Rev. Gerald Menard, SJ, Owen Zidar ’75, Michael McMahon ’67. Row 2: David Laughlin, Ivan Nuggent ’99, David Staker ’88, Gerald Kelly ’73, Anne Riggs, Jeffrey Simon, Michael Mayer ’82, Stephen Penn.

Not pictured: Frank Allen ’05, Gregory Fendler ’94, Gregory Kratofil ’92, Michael Trigg ’96

WITH EYES TOWARD

Dear Rockhurst Community,

Do you want to hear about one of the strangest anniversary celebrations I’ve ever heard about?

It’s the anniversary of a man who, 500 years ago, was hit by a cannonball in war and survived to tell about it. Who celebrates an anniversary like that?!

Íñigo de Loyola was a Basque Spaniard, injured during war with the French. With his leg shattered, his time of convalescence led him to redirect his life. Reading the Gospels and lives of the Saints, Íñigo, or Ignatius as we know him today, reimagined his life’s purpose and had a conversion that influences the world today, even in my writing of this letter.

This is the “Ignatian Year”. Worldwide, the Society of Jesus this year celebrates the 500th Anniversary of St. Ignatius of Loyola being struck by a cannonball. The focus of this year invites us to consider the conversion of St. Ignatius and, in our own life’s context and calling, prayerfully to consider our own as well.

The question is, what in my life is in need of a conversion?

Prior to his injury in war, Ignatius was a man of his day, that is, successful, respected, and grounded in worldly things. He was bright and driven. He must have had a fierce spirit, because his enemy, the French, so respected his valor in battle that they cared for him on the battlefield in order that he could recover from his injury and even delivered him to the home of his family so that he might more comfortably convalesce.

So, this worldly man experienced a conversion. He went on to found a religious order, the Society of Jesus, and these companions of Jesus, known as “Jesuits,” have expanded all across the world, establishing schools from primary to higher education, founding parishes, building retreat houses, and in more modern times, working in refugee centers, homeless shelters, trade schools, and gang rehabilitation programs, just to name a few. In their own right, the Jesuits have experienced a great deal of worldly success, accolades, and recognition. But our mission is one of faith formation, education, reconciliation, evangelization, and being as excellent as we can because God gave us gifts to do so.

Through his conversion, the God-given gifts Ignatius once used toward worldly desires now focused on the establishment of a religious order to help others find their way to God. The purpose of his life and that of the Jesuits was clear.

On the wall near the Barry Commons at Rockhurst High School is the motto of the Society of Jesus: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam For the greater glory of God.

The now-converted Ignatius continued to have his feet firmly planted on

the earth, but now everything he did was with eyes toward Heaven. His conversion led him to write the Spiritual Exercises. The Spiritual Exercises showed people the way to God, and they help people understand the right order of worldly things.

Contained in the First Principle and Foundation, Ignatius, with eyes toward Heaven, wrote in his opening sentence: God created human beings to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by doing this, to save their souls.

Shortly thereafter, he wrote about worldly things, saying: God created all other things on the face of the earth to help fulfill this purpose.

When we consider establishing “right order” in our lives, how often do we consider that our spouse, our family, our jobs, our neighbors, and the many people in our lives are there as gifts so that we can come to know God and ultimately live forever with Him? With eyes toward Heaven, Ignatius encourages us to do so.

When we consider establishing “right order” in our lives, how often do we consider the resources we enjoy, the food that sustains us, the beauty of nature surrounding us, or the wonderful advances in science, technology, communication, etc., that assist humanity as ways we can see God “laboring” in the world out of love for us? With eyes toward Heaven, Ignatius encourages us to do so.

In our work of educating and forming young men at Rockhurst, we must reflect on the foundational development of these four years as holy work, where God is revealed to us through our students. Their intellectual formation, how they develop friendships, their interpersonal and moral growth, their

skill development in specific activities of school, their artistic performance growth, and their relationship with God developing during these years: all these are all holy endeavors revealing the gifts of God to our community and, upon graduation, to the world.

The important work we do for college preparation, real-world skill development, and 21st century teaching and learning is important to continue to develop; in order for our students to have a relevant foundation to be the kind of leaders Jesuit education envisions, we must. In order to lead in a complex and fast-changing world, the continuing development of what we learn and how we teach must balance total human formation with relevant understanding of the world they are to lead, understanding the right order of the worldly and the eternal.

The Jesuit motto, For the Greater Glory of God, is a short phrase that reminds us about “right order.” With eyes toward Heaven, a Rockhurst education takes on a much deeper meaning and purpose, as it should. In all things, we labor for the greater glory of God.

And then, there are the challenges we face. Recall Ignatius’ conversion came from the chaos of war, progressed through prayer, the studying of Jesus’ life and teachings in the Gospels, and the admiring of the lives of the Saints, and finally arrived at a place of deeper meaning and greater purpose.

Chaos exists in our own world. Poverty, starvation, disease, and war continue to plague our common human existence. Disparity of resources, political polarization, threats to human life from conception to natural death, ecological crises, sexism, racism, the pornographication of sexuality, moral relativism, and many more examples of the chaos of the world are the things we, and our students, face. Perhaps stridently undermining solutions to a more just, common, human existence is the plague of a lack of communication, empathy, dialogue, and understanding facing our world.

St. Ignatius would advise us, in a “discernment of spirits,” that “right order” comes from the Holy Spirit, the One we see with eyes toward Heaven while engaged on earth, the same Holy Spirit that brooded over the waters of chaos in Genesis and gave them “right order.” And, he would tell us that chaos comes from the Evil Spirit, the one who distracts from the deepest purpose of our creation and who leads us to see our own existence, our own self-fulfillment or prosperity, as an end, or goal, unto itself.

The goal of a Jesuit education is rooted in the gifts given to us in this world from God. That we recognize them, properly order them, and make sure to give credit to God, the source of them, is central to that education. Jesuit education desires to form leaders of relevancy to the world, with competence, conscience, and compassion, “men for others” with eyes toward Heaven.

And, with our school year theme for 2021-2022, With Eyes Toward Heaven, the goal of a Jesuit education helps us to understand how our labors for leadership in this world are subordinate to the purpose for which we are ultimately created. St. Ignatius’ closing sentence to his First Principle and Foundation for the Spiritual Exercises ends in this manner:

….. it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created things as much as we are able, so that we do not necessarily want health rather than sickness, riches rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, a long rather than a short life, and so in all the rest, so that we ultimately desire and choose only what is most conducive for us to the end for which God created us.

May it be so for Rockhurst High School this Ignatian Year of 2021-2022. May we pursue excellence in the formation of our students With Eyes Toward Heaven. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.

In Christ,

DAVID J. LAUGHLIN President Rockhurst High School July 22,

2021

HEAVEN

President David J. Laughlin offered these thoughts at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year as context for the Rockhurst High School faithful.

FAMILIES SERVED BY FINANCIAL AID

PHILANTHROPY & ENGAGEMENT WELCOMES TWO TEAM MEMBERS

To start the 2021-22 fiscal year, the office formerly known as Rockhurst High School’s Advancement Office rebranded to the Philanthropy & Engagement Office . The team is led by Dr. Diane Marty, CFRE, who joined the Rockhurst staff as a consultant in August 2020 and assumed the in-house leadership role in January 2021.

The Philanthropy & Engagement Team works with Rockhurst alumni, families, and friends to advance the mission of the school. The team consists of nine members who lead fundraising and engagement efforts inclusive of volunteer involvement, stewardship, scholarships, events, data management and analytics, communications, and more.

“It’s definitely never the same day twice,” said Marty. “Everything we do is motivated by the fact that our work directly impacts every experience at Rockhurst, whether you’re a student, alumnus, parent or grandparent, faculty or staff member, or prospective Hawklet and their family. And we’re blessed that those who recognize that invest so generously.”

Philanthropy & Engagement welcomed two new members in the fall of 2021. Meredith Suarez is the director of alumni engagement and George Weir is the director of data & analytics.

Originally from Chicago, Suarez earned her Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. Prior to coming to Rockhurst, Suarez served for eight years at Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City (JA) focusing on NE Kansas & NW Missouri where she directed the gala celebration of the agency’s 100th Anniversary. In 2013 she left Girl Scouts to join Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Kansas City, focusing on corporate and foundation relations and fundraising, moving through various roles with increasing responsibility to her final role as director of development & marketing.

At JA, Suarez led a significant expansion of fundraising efforts and special events; created a monthly giving program as well as stewardship programs that increased donor investment; and led a successful database conversion for the agency. She also served on the leadership team while overseeing fundraising operations for a capital campaign that included the creation of the Junior Achievement Youth Learning Lab presented by the Mallouk Family Foundation, a 22,000-square foot space that includes the JA Innovation Center, JA Career Center, and the signature capstone program, JA BizTown, presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union—all to provide meaningful real-world learning opportunities to K-12 students.

Raised on the east coast, Weir attended a Catholic high school (Cardinal O’Hara in Springfield, PA) and then earned his BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems (MIS) from Saint

Joseph’s University, a private Jesuit university in Philadelphia. Originally trained as an auditor, Weir has leveraged that experience along with his MIS knowledge as a business and analytics consultant focused on accessing data to derive actionable insights.

Weir spent five years at H&R Block in Kansas City before turning to analytics consulting and business advisory work through McKesson Corporation in their Information Technology Connected Analytics group. He was an officer in Toastmasters during his time at H&R Block; a former president and board member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS), and a founding member of the Heart of American Chapter of HIMSS. He also served on the Alumni Board of Governors at Saint Joseph’s University from 1985-1995.

To learn more about Rockhurst’s Philanthropy & Engagement Team, and how you can make the difference in the life of a Hawklet, visit www.rockhursths.edu/giving.

Contact Meredith Suarez: msuarez@rockhrsths.edu 816.363.2036 ext. 537.

Contact George Weir: gweir@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 ext. 539.

Meredith Suarez (Top), George Weir (Bottom).

Hurtado scholars program continues success

July 1, 2021 marked the completion of another summer of hard work and dedication from the Hurtado Scholars. Since 2013, groups of rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders have spent much of their summer breaks at Rockhurst working to improve and accelerate their study skills and spiritual growth.

This began with the first class of Hurtado Scholars as rising 6th graders in 2013, who would go on to be the first program graduates in 2016. These seven young men earned the opportunity to attend Rockhurst High School while receiving the necessary financial assistance to make it possible. All seven would thrive at Rockhurst and receive their diplomas as members of the great Class of 2020 and turned their sights to college. Of the seven graduates in the Class of 2021, five were with honors. And then another seven would graduate in the

Standardized Testing

Class of 2022, bringing the to-date total number of graduates to 21. Twenty are enrolled in higher education programs and one in a career-prep vocational program.

Meanwhile, the middle school students continued their growth cycles of success. The three partner Catholic grade schools are Holy Cross, Our Lady of Hope, and St. Regis Academy, all part of the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Following a successful 2021-22 academic year and summer program, the Hurtado Scholars Program boasted the following figures: 21 program graduates enrolled at a college or vocational program, 33 program graduates enrolled at Rockhurst High School for the upcoming 2022-23 school year,

and 34 are grade school students continuing as Hurtado Scholars.

Hurtado Scholars in the Rockhurst Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 earned cumulative GPAs of 3.39.

The program has grown and been sustained by significant support from grants from the McGowan Charitable Fund in Chicago, providing $680,000 to the program to-date. The McGowan grant, issued as a challenge grant in 2021 and 2022, has catalyzed additional significant donor support, as well as the creation of several board-designated funds by donors to support program costs as well as tuition assistance.

You can add your support at www.rockhursths.edu/ hurtado/donate.

*Battery Averages can be read as if a student is scoring as a student would be expected to in a certain month of a given grade. Thus, in July 2021, our incoming seventh graders, on average, scored as students would be expected to in the second month of their seventh grade year. These scores suggest that in the eleven months between August 2020 and July 2021, this class progressed, on average, nearly 1.5 grade levels academically.

Hurtado Scholars during Summer Academy, June 2021 (Top). Hurtado Scholars learning yoga, June 2021 (Bottom).

ENROLLMENT 2021-2022

10 TRANSFER STUDENTS ADDED

20% OF STUDENTS SELF-IDENTIFIED AS STUDENTS OF MINORITY RACIAL BACKGROUNDS

47% OF ALL RHS FAMILIES RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID

7% OF STUDENTS QUALIFIED FOR FREE/REDUCED LUNCH

77% OF ALL STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS CATHOLIC

20% OF ALL STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS NON-CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN

Rockhurst Returns for New Year

Rockhurst High School kicked off the start of the 2021-22 academic year by welcoming the newest Hawklets, 248 members of the Class of 2026, at Freshman Orientation Day on Aug. 12. They were introduced to their Senior Brothers, listened to the expectations of being Rockhurst men, met each of their teachers, and learned about several Rockhurst traditions.

The freshmen students were not the only ones getting acquainted with Rockhurst that week. On Aug. 14, freshmen parents were invited to Dasta Memorial Stadium for the Freshman Parents Meet & Greet.

Those more familiar with the school, Rockhurst sophomores, juniors, and seniors, attended their orientation on Aug. 13, and classes began the following Monday.

In accordance with the city ordinance, all students and faculty members were required to wear masks for most of the first semester. The ordinance was lifted on Nov. 5 and Rockhurst pivoted to a mask-optional campus.

Rockhurst welcomed 13 new faculty and staff members for the new year:

TYLER BAKER

STEAM Director of Experiential Learning

MATT BEIRNE ’13 Math teacher

DOUG BRUCE ’67 Math teacher

ALEX COFFEY, SJ

Theology teacher

JANE CORY

School Counseling Administrative Assistant

JUDY DIAMOND College Counseling Administrative Assistant

SARAH DUNN Social Studies teacher

MIKHAIL FAULCONER ’16 Spanish teacher

ANTOINETTE ISHMAEL English teacher

TOM KRUSE

Super-Substitute Instructor

SHAWN SCHMELZLE ’88 English teacher

AJ TAYLOR ’16

Communication Arts teacher

BILLY THOMAS

Associate Athletic Director Physical Education teacher

Freshman Orientation 2021 (top and bottom).

Rockhurst welcomed 13 new faculty and staff members in 2021.

Left to right: Shawn Schmelzle ’88, Tyler Baker, Alex Coffey, SJ, Antoinette Ishmael, Billy Thomas, Sarah Dunn, AJ Taylor ’16, Judy Diamond, Matt Beirne ’13, Tom Kruse. Not pictured: Doug Bruce ’67, Jane Cory, Mikhail Faulconer ’16.

IGNATIAN LEADERSHIP FORMATION PROGRAM

More than 75 members of the junior and senior classes were chosen for Rockhurst’s inaugural Ignatian Leadership Formation Program One aspect of the program was a retreat held over Aug. 22-23 with the theme of servant leadership, followed by quarterly meetings and reflection. The two-day retreat was filled with Sacraments, prayer, alumni guest speakers, team-building exercises, and fun.

This first group of students were identified last spring by faculty and staff members as having particularly strong leadership qualifications, or were students who self-selected by volunteering as hopeful retreat leaders.

At press time, the second annual program is well into planning and set to take place over Aug. 21-22.

“THE HOPE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS TO EMPOWER RISING STUDENT LEADERS WITH PRACTICAL TOOLS AND CONCEPTS OF VIRTUE ROOTED IN OUR CATHOLIC IGNATIAN TRADITION. THESE LEADERS WOULD BE INVOLVED, IDEALLY, IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST PASTORAL MINISTRY.”

— MATT NICKSON, DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL MINISTRY

SEPTEMBER

School Enjoys In-Person Gatherings

For the first time since the start of the global pandemic, Rockhurst High School joined together for a school-wide celebration without masks. On Sept. 1, all students and faculty/staff members gathered at Dasta Memorial Stadium for the Mass of the Holy Spirit

Student musicians returned to playing instruments and the choir returned to singing.

Two weeks later, the Admissions Office hosted its Night at The Rock, an evening when 6th-8th graders and their parents are invited to Rockhurst to learn about the school’s

unique student-centered academics, arts, and co-curricular activities. The event reached its maximum occupancy of more than 125 prospective Hawklets and families. Night at The Rock offered insight on academics, faith formation, and service, and current students showcased their skills in Drum Line, Speech & Debate, Robotics, and Spirit Club.

“Rock Nation”, the name for Rockhurst’s student section at home football games, was back in full-force on Sept. 24 for the annual Braveheart theme. The lively crowd helped lead the Hawklets to a 24-21 win over Bishop Miege.

Alumni were able to reunite as well. The great Class of 1970 had their Jubilee Reunion canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. They patiently waited and celebrated their 50 year reunion over Sept. 24-25 with golf, dinner, tours of Rockhurst, and sharing memories. Alumni volunteers gathered on Sept. 9 for the Alumni Leadership Kickoff Dinner. More than 40 alumni volunteers of all ages kicked off the 2021-22 alumni engagement calendar by planning for the year ahead and creating opportunities for graduates to feel reconnected to their alma mater.

“FALL UPON ME, HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. FALL UPON US IN OUR CLASSROOM AND HOMEWORK; FALL UPON US IN OUR INTERACTIONS IN THE HALLWAYS AND OFFICES AND CLASSROOMS; FALL UPON US IN OUR MOMENTS OF COMMUNITY AND OUR MOMENTS OF QUIET THOUGHT AND SOLITUDE. FALL UPON US IN OUR COMPETITIONS AND PRACTICES, IN OUR SERVICE PROJECTS AND RETREATS, IN OUR WAKING AND IN OUR SLEEPING. HOLY SPIRIT, COME AND SURROUND US WITH THE FELT, INTERIOR KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR FAITHFUL PRESENCE AND HEALING LOVE.”

— FR. VINCENT GIACABAZI, SJ

Alumni volunteers gathered at the Alumni Leadership Kickoff Dinner (Top), Class of 1970 Jubilee Reunion (Bottom).

Rock Nation “Braveheart” theme night (Top), Night at The Rock (Bottom).

COMMUNITY CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Hispanic Heritage Month runs each year from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Rockhurst students and faculty worked to promote the importance of Hispanic Heritage through testimonials from RHS community members shared with the school. Mateo DeLaTorre ’22 also moderated a faculty panel during an Activity Period that featured five Rockhurst teachers with Hispanic backgrounds.

Also during these four weeks, the Student Government Association (SGA) sold raffle shares for prizes including autographed Royals and Sporting KC jerseys, raising money for donations to the Hispanic Development Fund. In March 2021, four Hurtado Scholars graduates and members of Rockhurst’s Class of 2022 received college scholarships from the Hispanic Development Fund. Each scholarship was matched by their college or university.

The following quotes were taken from alumni testimonial videos:

“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD OF BEING A MEXICAN-AMERICAN, EVEN BACK TO MY DAYS AS A HIGH SCHOOLER. I TRULY ENJOYED PROVIDING MY CLASSMATES WITH INSIGHT INTO MY CULTURE. ROCKHURST AND MY HISPANIC HERITAGE ARE TWO EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED WHO I AM TODAY. I’M PROUD TO CELEBRATE THIS MONTH, AND ALL YEAR-ROUND.”

-BOB PAREDES ’93

“MY HISPANIC HERITAGE MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. IT’S PART OF MY IDENTITY, AND PART OF MY BLOOD - LITERALLY. BUT IT’S ALSO BEEN A BIG PART OF MY EXPERIENCE AND TIME AT ROCKHURST, AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING THE PERSON I HAVE BECOME IN MY LIFE. GROWING UP WITH PERUVIAN CULTURE WAS A SOURCE OF PRIDE AND SOMETHING THAT MADE ME UNIQUE, AND ALSO ADDED TO WHAT WAS A LESS-DIVERSE ROCKHURST POPULATION AT THAT TIME.”

“MY HISPANIC HERITAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AS IT HAS GIVEN ME MANY VALUES TO LIVE BY AND HAS SHAPED ME INTO THE MAN I AM TODAY. I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR THE FACT THAT I GET TO SEE THE WORLD THROUGH TWO LENSES - THROUGH THE TWO CULTURES I HAVE BEEN MIXED WITH.”

-JOSHUA

-DAN CALDERON ’99

“THINKING ABOUT MY HISPANIC HERITAGE, IT’S SUCH A VITAL PART OF MY IDENTITY AND I’M REALLY GRATEFUL THAT MY ROCKHURST FAMILY NOT ONLY SUPPORTED THAT HERITAGE, BUT ALSO EMBRACED IT.”

-ANDRESRODRIGUEZ-BURNS ’11

CASTANEDA ’18

OCTOBER

Student Group Performs Corporal Work of Mercy

Twelve Rockhurst students offered their time, and more importantly their love and respect, for 120 strangers as they helped lay them to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The young men are part of an organization called the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, named for the man who helped bury Jesus.

Homecoming Week and Reunion Weekend Honor School’s Rich Tradition

The end of September and the beginning of October was a time of celebrating Rockhurst’s history and traditions.

Homecoming Week began on Sept. 27 and each day of the week included organized student activities including lip sync battles, dance contest, Halloween costume contest, a pig roast, and a car smash prior to the Homecoming football game. The week also featured the longstanding traditions of Homecoming Mass and the Homecoming Dance; this year the dance was hosted outside at Dasta Memorial Stadium.

Homecoming Week led into Alumni Reunion Weekend , which took place

Oct. 1-2. Alumni from any graduating class were invited, but the 2021 Reunion focused on the great Classes of 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016.

The great Class of 1971 was able to join together for its Golden Jubilee celebration. And the great Classes of 1980 and 2005 also enjoyed organized gatherings, due to the cancellation of their reunions in 2020.

Reunion Weekend included a Top Golf tournament, football pre-game welcome party, Sports Hall of Fame inductions, attendance at the football game against Lee’s Summit West (a 21-10 win for the Hawklets),

post-game gatherings for individual classes, the Alumni Soccer Game, and the Alumni Family Celebration of Mass.

“Class reunions are one of the best ways for alumni to renew their connection to The Rock,” said Meredith Suarez, director of alumni engagement. “Seeing old friends, attending sporting events, touring campus, and learning about exciting new projects strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood.”

This ministry was reintroduced at Rockhurst in spring 2021, and continued in the fall. Students volunteer as pallbearers for the unclaimed cremated remains of men and women, after the county exhausts all efforts to find family and loved ones.

“It’s important for the boys to come to understand the gravity of their own life and of how precious life is,” said Paul Winkeler, Rockhurst faculty member and moderator of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society. “From that, there’s a transformation throughout the day. They walk into the chapel to begin their day kind of in a regular every day [way] to them and then when they leave, they’ve had an experience that is unlike any other in terms of what they really understand about life.”

Students come away from the experience with a greater appreciation for the love in their own lives.

“IT’S A REALLY HARD THING TO JUST ACCEPT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO MIGHT NOT FEEL AS LOVED AS OTHERS. ESPECIALLY WITH TODAY, I FEEL LIKE TODAY WAS JUST ALL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT AS THEY PASSED FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT, THEY FEEL TRULY LOVED.”

—BRENDAN GUZMAN ’22

2021 Alumni Soccer Game.

Twelve Rockhurst students volunteering at the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society.

Watch KSHB’s coverage of student volunteer actions

Laurence Wade Freeman “Man For Others” Scholarship to Assist Future Hawklets

Rockhurst High School honored Laurence Freeman ’82 for his 27 years of dedicated service to the Advancement Office (now Philanthropy & Engagement Office) at the annual Alumni Spaghetti Dinner on Nov. 11, 2021.

Part of the celebration included a surprise video to Freeman, in which 11 Jesuit priests submitted video clips reflecting on Freeman’s impact on Rockhurst High School and the Society of Jesus.

“It’s a great day to give you congratulations and sincere thanks for all you’ve done for Rockhurst over the years, and for the Society of Jesus,” reflected Fr. Ian Gibbons, SJ, in his video. “There’s no one in the building that is more imbued with the mission of Rockhurst. Thank you for the gift you are for Rockhurst, for our Church, for the Society of Jesus, and for the community of Kansas City.”

Rockhurst’s principal, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, shared a similar belief about Freeman’s dedication to his alma mater.

“You have been a wonderful addition to our school these last many, many years, and you, perhaps above and beyond all else, have kept alive the history and spirit and the mission that we have accomplished here at Rockhurst,” remarked Fr. Giacabazi, SJ. “Thank you so much for all you have been, for all that you are, and for all that you will be.”

The Laurence Wade Freeman “Man For Others” Scholarship was put forward by fellow classmates from the great Class of 1982, Pat McInerney ’82 and Mike Mayer ’82. A match challenge was offered by an anonymous

donor and augmented by Susan & Pat Brosnahan ’68, Cheryl Lady & Peter Brown ’76, and Cindy & Peter Dunn ’82, providing a total $50,000 challenge. The $250,000 goal was surpassed by more than $66,000.

“The idea behind the fund was to endow a scholarship in Laurence’s name that really reflected what he’s been to this institution, what he’s been on an individual, person-to-person level for so many people who have come through Rockhurst,” commented McInerney.

Donors Witness Their Giving in Action

Rockhurst hosted its first President’s Showcase on Nov. 8, 2021, inviting benefactors of annual giving of $2,500 or more to campus in the evening. Students led small tour groups throughout the building to classroom stations where students and teachers explained various academic and co-curricular activities that have been supported by donor generosity.

The night began with a student-led Examen and opening prayer, followed by vignette rotations of current student work including service projects, movie-making and broadcasting, astronomy, English composition, and a violin performance by AllState musician Sam Nissen ’22

The final presentation was offered by Nathan Nichols ’22, who titled his talk “Immune Deficiencies and Pumpkin Catapults”, discussing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) and how advances in those areas have made his life possible despite pre-existing medical conditions.

President David Laughlin wrapped up the night with words of appreciation to the benefactors for what their support allows and an invitation to recommit or even increase their gifts.

“We have this wonderful balance of deeply-rooted, faith-based education in our Jesuit, Catholic tradition,” said Laughlin. “It forms young men, and you’ve seen it in action tonight. You’ve seen their teachers in action who are forming faith-filled, critical thinking, collaborative, multi-dimensional, and others-oriented young people.”

A special thanks to all involved in the President’s Showcase:

Atem Akuei ’23, Andrew Claassen ’23, Liam Daly ’25, Tucker Folscroft ’22, Brian Humphrey ’23, Rohan Joseph ’23, Isaac Moser ’22, Andrew Mozena ’25, Luke Newman ’22, Nathan Nichols ’22, Sam Nissen ’22, Lukas Pitman ’23, Maddux Radosevic ’23, Tate Scanlon ’23, Ryan Sherman ’22, Max Smith ’23, Joe Staker ’23, August Thompson ’23, Joseph Torrey ’23, Vincent Tran ’23

President David Laughlin, Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, Mr. Tyler Baker, Dr. Megan Caughron, Mr. Alex Dobens ’08, Dr. Leo Hirner, Ms. Ann Lehane, Mr. Tim Nendick ’08, Mr. Scott Regan ’99, Mr. AJ Taylor ’16

“TO WITNESS SO MANY YOUNG GENTLEMEN DEVOTING THEMSELVES TO THE IGNATIAN IDEAL OF BECOMING ‘MEN FOR OTHERS,’ AND THEN SEEING THEM ACHIEVE SUCH A NOBLE LIFE-LONG CODE OF CONDUCT, MEANT A COMPLETE SENSE OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL FULFILLMENT.

IT SURE WAS A LOT OF FUN, TOO.”

-LAURENCE FREEMAN ’82

Laurence Freeman ’82 with Frank Allen ’05, president of the National Alumni Association.

Sam Nissen ’22 (Left), Nathan Nichols ’22 (Right).

Donors End 2021 on a Strong Note

Rockhurst High School relies on the generosity of its benefactors in order to make the Rockhurst experience possible for nearly half of all families.

The chart to the right highlights total contributions to Rockhurst High School from July through December of 2021.

Total contributions in the same period 2021 over 2020 were up $94,294 (4%), showing modest growth over the first two fiscal year quarters. As part of that growth:

● Annual Fund contributions were up $214,677 (19%); and

● Contributions to Named Investment Funds were up $268,414 (36%).

Total donors contributing was also up at midway through the year (by 237 donors, or 16%), as were the total number of gifts made (up 404, or 21% over FY20 through December 31).

Total gifts to the Spectacular Auction were down as part of a strategic move to focus on annual fund philanthropy in the first half of the school year. Where Giving Tuesday gifts supported financial assistance through the Auction in 2020, in 2021 those gifts supported financial assistance through the Annual Fund, explaining the decreased first semester auction total. As a hint of what was to come, that didn’t stop the success of our annual Spectacular Auction - see Page 45 for “the rest of the story”!

$2,437,231 TOTAL RAISED

+$94,294 (4%) INCREASE

DECEMBER

Larson Foundation Makes $20,000 Gift to Mental Health Initiative

The David and Janis Larson Foundation was established in 2015 and focuses on children and youth services, community development, family services, and historic preservation.

1,703

TOTAL DONORS

+237 (16%) INCREASE

The foundation made a generous gift of $20,000 to Rockhurst’s ongoing mental health initiative.

2,368 TOTAL GIFTS $1,319,253 ANNUAL FUND

+404 (21%) INCREASE

Health and wellness initiatives at Rockhurst in the last decade have included Concussion ImPact Baseline Testing, revisioned RHS Brothers Program, Freshman Seminar, hiring a full-time school nurse, sophomore presentations about stress, parent evening sessions, health curriculum added to the Physical Education Department, Signs of Suicide (S.O.S.) Program, and the Freshman Cura Program.

+$214,677 (19%) INCREASE

The Freshman Cura Program, short for cura personalis (cure for oneself) is designed to build on the many pieces of freshman programming by coordinating them more closely

together and adding opportunities to reinforce the freshman students’ integration into the Rockhurst community.

Nearly every other morning freshmen have Cura time and will experience one of the following types of intentional engagement:

• Small group visits from school counselors, various student club members and moderators, RHS Brothers, teachers, and others.

• Larger groups of freshmen will meet with Matt Darby ’00, dean of students, and hear guest speakers, or they may simply gather in the Dining Commons for donuts, or join together for a fun bonding activity.

• Occasionally, freshmen may experience special events altogether like class Masses, a club fair, a freshman pep rally, or activities tied into the Freshman Retreat.

$1,023,156 NAMED INVESTMENT FUNDS

$94,822 SPECTACULAR AUCTION

+$268,414 (36%) INCREASE

“Being open to growth is part of the Graduate At Graduation statement for students, and Rockhurst practices the same ideal when it comes to desiring enhanced programming to better serve our students’ needs in the dynamic landscape of mental and behavioral health,” said Chris Bosco, assistant principal for student life. “Gifts like the Larson Family Foundation go a long way toward providing the funding necessary to support current and evolving programming, such as providing additional guest speakers on important topics and bringing resources for evidenced-based peertraining activities to the community.”

-$388,797 (80%) DECREASE

See text at left

Freshman Retreat on Oct. 22, 2022 (Left) Freshmen at a Pep Rally on April 1, 2022 (Right).

Lindsey & Matt Smith ’00 Ring in New Year with $1 Million Pledge

Rockhurst High School was honored to begin 2022 with a generous pledge of $1 million from Lindsey and Matt Smith ’00 . While the bulk of the gift is unrestricted, they were still able to designate some of their support to specific programs that were important to them. This includes working to grow the tuition assistance program at Rockhurst in order to support any young man who desires a Catholic, Jesuit education, regardless of his socioeconomic background. They also designated funds to continue the success of the Hurtado Scholars Program, now in its tenth year

of assisting students from inner-city diocesan schools. In addition, the gift supported the Jack Nestor ’34 Outdoor Lab & Classroom that will be completed in Fall 2022.

“As an alum of Rockhurst, I was already fully aware of the mission and values on which Rockhurst is founded,” said Smith. “However, the vision that has been established is what grabbed our attention and led us to make this gift. We believe in institutions that are proud of their past, but are actively working toward an even better future. Hopefully,

this gift can help in a small way to enhance that effort.”

The Smiths have also been involved with community organizations including The Patterson Family Foundation, where Lindsey serves as president, the American Royal, United WE, and Victory Project.

They firmly believe their gift to Rockhurst will help set up students for success in life.

Make Your Donation

JANUARY 2022

“OUR HOPE FOR THE YOUNG MEN WHO BENEFIT FROM THIS GIFT IS THAT THEY TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY THEY HAVE AT ROCKHURST AND SEIZE IT. IT CAN BE A VERY TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE IF YOU ALLOW IT TO BE, AND HOPEFULLY WILL LEAD TO GREAT MOMENTS IN THE FUTURE.”

Matt (’00) and Lindsey Smith began 2022 with a $1 million pledge to Rockhurst High School.

—SMITH FAMILY STATEMENT

Students, Faculty, Alumni Lead Black History Month Celebration

Members of the Rockhurst community celebrated Black History Month at the school with multiple events. The month was kicked off with an All-School Mass on Feb. 4, featuring the St. Monica Catholic Church Choir sharing their musical talents. Throughout the month, several African American alumni offered their time and perspective to speak with sections of the freshman class.

Hamilton Terrell ’83, Emmet Pierson ’84, Merle Gardner ’87, Ivan Nugent ’99, Steve Redmond ’04, Zach Shelton ’04, Spencer Hardwick ’07, and Cornell Ellis ’08 all expressed messages of how their experiences at Rockhurst helped lead them to be the successful men that they are today.

Nugent is a member of Rockhurst’s Board of Trustees and Hardwick is a member of Rockhurst’s Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Community Supporters Make The Goppert Rock Plex Facility Possible

It was announced in February 2022 that Rockhurst High School had finalized the purchase of the Red Bridge YMCA and will be known as The Goppert Rock Plex, as The Goppert Foundation made a $1 million gift to the facility.

Lead gifts were also made by the Ann & Gary Dickinson Family Foundation ($500,000) and The McDonnell Foundation ($250,000). These generous gifts made possible the new permanent home of Rockhurst’s swim & dive program (the AquaHawks),

as well as space for potential uses that include STEAM-supportive academic curriculum, physical education courses, athletic rehabilitation, service learning activities, retreat center, student camps, health & wellness center for faculty and staff members, and more.

Rockhurst is also making the facility available, through written agreements, to other schools and student-athletes, including St. Teresa’s Academy, Notre Dame de Sion, and Center School District.

Autumn Markley of The Goppert Foundation shared this about the foundation’s partnership with Rockhurst:

The Goppert Foundation is pleased and honored to offer this gift as it gives Rockhurst’s swim & dive team a place to call home, as well as offer space for other area schools and clubs in need of a pool facility.

“You may have your identity or think you want to do something specific, but Rockhurst is a great learning ground to be exposed to a lot of different experiences, opportunities, and even different economic levels,” explained Shelton to a group of freshmen. “Be willing to be led where God will lead you.”

Nugent shared similar advice, “The people sitting next to you right now will likely be leaders in whatever they go on to do in life,” added Nugent. “Soak up these relationships - especially those who don’t look like you or don’t come from where you do. You all have been given a great opportunity by being at Rockhurst, so make the most of it.”

Rockhurst also hosted a faculty panel for students to attend during an Activity Period; the teachers spoke about their viewpoints as Black men and women. This panel included Greg Buckman, Dirk Lawson, AJ Taylor ’16, Judy Diamond, Allen Roberson ’84, and Billy Thomas. The conversation was facilitated by Andrew Murga ’22 and Miles White ’22, members of Rockhurst’s Student Diversity Union.

Rockhurst High School continues to work to make its community ethnically and socio-economically diverse. For the 2021-22 school year, 20% of the student body self-identified as students of minority racial backgrounds.

FEBRUARY

Members of the St. Monica Catholic Church Choir performed with the Rockhurst Choir and Band at the Black History Month Mass on Feb. 4, 2022 (Top).

The African American Alumni Panel on Feb. 14, 2022 featured (L-R) Hamilton Terrell ’83, Ivan Nugent ’99, and Cornell Ellis ’08 (Bottom).

Head Coach Paul Winkeler works with his AquaHawk swimmers during practice on Sept. 21, 2021.

“BE WILLING TO BE LED...

The Black History Month Faculty Panel on Feb. 10 was moderated by Student Diversity Union members Miles White ’22 (far left) and Andrew Murga ’22 (far right). Faculty/staff participants were (L-R): Greg Buckman, Dirk Lawson, AJ Taylor ’16, Judy Diamond, Allen Roberson ’84, and Billy Thomas.

...WHERE GOD WILL LEAD YOU.”

Freshmen in the Rose Theater listen while alumni talk about Black History Month, (seated L-R): Hamilton Terrell ’83, Ivan Nugent ’99, and Cornell Ellis ’08.

Merle Gardner ’87 (middle) and Emmet Pierson ’84 (right) speak to members of the freshman class, while Greg Buckman (left), RHS teacher, moderates the discussion.

Alumni Breakfast Series Highlights the Future of KC

Nearly 100 Rockhurst High School alumni attended the second installment of the Alumni Breakfast Series in 2021-22, held on March 31, 2022. They gathered in the multipurpose room of the Hawklets Center to listen to three panelists speak on the topic of “The Future of KC: 2023 and Beyond”, discussing ongoing and upcoming developments in the KC Metro area.

The discussion was moderated by Michael Judy ’99, managing director at Dysart Taylor. The panel consisted of Michael Carmona, Program Director of the Community Capital Fund and former Director of Community & Business Development of the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation; Steve Miller ’76 , former two-term Chair of the Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission; and Joe Reardon, President & CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Visit www.rockhursths.edu/ alumni/alumni-events for information on upcoming events.

STEAM Program Earns Recertification

In the spring of 2017, Rockhurst High School became one of the first schools west of the Mississippi, and the first school in Missouri or Kansas to become STEM-certified (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; and Rockhurst includes Arts to form “STEAM”) through AdvancED, which is now Cognia. On March 8, 2022, a Cognia representative visited Rockhurst to conduct the STEM Recertification Review.

This representative spoke with school stakeholders, including faculty members, students, parents, and community partners about Rockhurst’s STEAM efforts and endeavors.

Rockhurst received its continued certification for the next five years with Cognia as a STEM-certified school. Cognia’s senior director midwest region shared the following regarding Rockhurst’s review:

just read your report and the final narrative that said you transitioned to all new leadership AND still created all of those courses and increased opportunities in the field! And that was done during COVID! It seems with those enhancements you certainly moved forward at a good clip, so I’m not sure how to interpret what thought was a reference to the transition slowing down progress. Anyway, congrats on your continued leadership in STEAM education! Perhaps… it’s time to resurrect your hosting another STEAM conference. Is that something you’re open to doing again? I believe whether schools jump in to get STEMcertified or not, students benefit from increased STEM opportunities.

“WHAT MAKES KANSAS CITY GREAT IS THAT WE HAVE SO MANY OF THOSE PIECES THAT PEOPLE ARE PROUD OF - WHETHER IT’S US ALREADY LIVING HERE, OR PEOPLE COMING INTO THE CITY AND REALIZING THAT THIS IS WHAT KANSAS CITY IS ABOUT.”

-MICHAEL CARMONA

“WE NEED NOT FEAR CHANGE. AND THAT’S WHY I THINK ROCKHURST-EDUCATED PEOPLE NEED TO BE ON THAT CUTTING EDGE OF HELPING TO BE THE LEADERS OUT THERE WHO NEVER FEAR CHANGE.”

-STEVE MILLER ’76

“I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IN DEVELOPMENT ONE THING HAS TO BE AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER. YOU NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BRING EVERYTHING TOGETHER TO BRING IT UP - AND I THINK THAT’S THE CHALLENGE IN FRONT OF US.”

-JOE

REARDON

Michael Judy ’99 Moderator

Michael Carmona Community Capital Fund

Joe Reardon Greater KC Chamber of Commerce

Breakfast Series - March

Sharon and Jed Ervin ’66 Make $1 Million Pledge

Dr. Jed Ervin ’66 and his wife, Sharon , committed the third sevenfigure gift of 2022, following those made by Lindsay & Matt Smith ’00 and The Goppert Foundation. Life-long advocates for Catholic education, the Ervins found themselves with the opportunity to “pay it forward” following the recent sale of Dr. Ervin’s research site.

“The influences that most shaped my early and subsequent life were my family and upbringing, my faith, and my education - the last of which was greatly impacted by my time at both Rockhurst and Notre Dame,” reflected Dr. Ervin. “I feel that who I became, and my subsequent opportunities in life were greatly influenced by those factors. And later, of course, my wife and family.”

Their hope is that this gift allows others, who might not otherwise be able to afford Rockhurst without financial assistance, to receive the same Rockhurst experience that he had been given.

“I am very thankful that Rockhurst was an option for educating my husband, brothers, brothers-in-law, son in-law, and now grandsons,” said Mrs. Ervin, herself a graduate of St. Teresa’s Academy. “Rockhurst has shaped their lives to be ‘men for others’. I am very grateful that Jed and I were able to make a donation to allow more students to attend.”

Their gift agreement established a scholarship that stipulates that the award is to be given each year to a Hurtado Scholars graduate attending Rockhurst High School, or to a student of minority racial background.

“My hope is that the recipients of this support will be presented the opportunity to receive the same Christian molding and superior education that was afforded to me, and to do so among a diverse population of students, reflecting the general population from a financial and ethnic standpoint,” added Dr. Ervin.

Spectacular Auction Raises $1.4 Million

Thanks to the efforts and generosity of countless people, Rockhurst’s 2022 Spectacular Auction, Rock United, raised more than $1.37 million to support current and future Hawklets.

More than 500 people joined for the first in-person auction since 2019, and others joined virtually through the livestream.

Every dollar raised at Spectacular supports the tuition assistance program at Rockhurst.

Rockhurst thanks the 2022 Spectacular Co-Chairs for their

selfless dedication to the young men and families of Rockhurst High School

(pictured L-R between Fr. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, and David Laughlin):

John & Whitney Sojka, Lisa & Scott Hallier, Shannon & Patrick Lillis, and Amy & Scott Francois

In addition to the co-chair couples’ leadership, Spectacular relied on 250 adult and 229 student volunteers leading up to, during, and following the event.

“Spectacular is a volunteer-led event.

The leadership of the four chair couples is integral to the success of the auction,” said Moira Kelly Healy, director

of engagement. “Our wonderful chair couples set the theme of Rock United, recruited volunteers, coordinated the décor, and most importantly raised $1.3 million-plus to benefit tuition assistance for students and families in need. They were tireless cheerleaders, creating excitement for ‘Spectacular season’ beginning in January with the car raffle and culminating in the event on April 9th. It takes an army to produce Spectacular. am most grateful for the time and effort of this year’s chairs!”

APRIL

Spectacular Auction Co-Chairs, 2022.

The Junior Leadership Mass on April 22, 2022 celebrated the Class of 2023 as the new leaders of Rockhurst High School. Each student received a ring or pin honoring the Class of 2023 and all it has done and will continue to do for the greater glory of God.

Two juniors were also honored with annual awards at the celebration.

Brian Humphrey ’23 received the Thomas R. McGee, Sr. Leadership Award, presented in recognition of outstanding leadership qualities demonstrated during junior year.

Jack Ryan ’23 received the Joseph Patrick McCormick Memorial Award, presented to a member of the junior class who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, co-curricular involvement, service to the school, and Christian values in a superior manner in his life. This was the 50th year of the McCormick Award, commemorated by the participation of Walter McCormick ’72 and Bill McCormick ’76, who traveled from Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, in presenting the award in honor and memory of their brother. The first recipient of the award in 1972, Mike Hilboldt ’73 also helped make the presentation.

JUNIORS RECEIVE LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Brain Humphrey ’23 received the Thomas R. McGee, Sr. Leadership Award, pictured with President David Laughlin (Top).

Jack Ryan ’23 received the 50th annual Joseph Patrick McCormick Memorial Award, pictured with (L-R): Mike Hilboldt ’73 (the first recipient), Walter McCormick ’76, Bill McCormick ’72, and President David Laughlin.

Class of 2022 Joins Alumni Ranks

Members of Rockhurst’s Class of 2022 and their families and friends gathered in Municipal Auditorium on May 15 to celebrate the four years of hard work and dedication by the students. The graduating class included 220 young men who earned the honor of being recognized as alumni of Rockhurst High School. Following the Mass, the Commencement Exercises were highlighted by the graduation speech given by Eddie Kuklenski ’22, Student Government Association (SGA) president.

Kuklenski reflected on the class’ maturation from freshmen to seniors, and how they wanted to recapture the essence of Rockhurst following the craziness of the pandemic.

“In our first Student Government meeting in August, the senior members designed this year’s spirit shirt emblazoned with the motto ‘Tradition Never Dies’,” said Kuklenski. “This school year was a moment of hope, no matter how different or chaotic or depressing the past few years had been. We were determined to refocus and re-energize Rockhurst Tradition.”

The Class of 2022 did just that. From bringing back raucous crowds at home sporting events to enlisting local celebrities like Tyreek Hill and Gary Lezak to help lead pep rallies to planning an outdoor Homecoming Dance, the senior class brilliantly added new spins on old traditions.

Kuklenski centered his speech around a long-standing Rockhurst chant heard in the student section: The Rock Don’t Quit! He touched on many successes of the Class of 2022, including founding new student clubs, athletic championships, co-curricular accolades, earning college scholarships, and community service. He noted how those words should remain with each of them long after leaving the halls of Rockhurst.

“All of us will succeed. We will all face trying times in life, but we will not quit on our goals and our dreams,” remarked Kuklenski. “And when we face those trying times, just stop, remember our time at Rockhurst, and loudly and proudly proclaim: ‘I Don’t Quit. We Don’t Quit. The Rock Don’t Quit!’”

The great Class of 2022 will spread their talents across the globe for the next four years and beyond. They are headed to 70 different colleges and universities

spanning 26 states and four countries. They will likely never have all 220 classmates together in one space again, but they are united for life in brotherhood and the responsibility of living as “men for others” for the greater glory of God.

The class will be commemorated on campus through its senior class gift. Members of the Class of 2022 raised more than $5,700 to leave a Hawklet statue in the Jack Nestor ’34 Outdoor Lab & Classroom, to be completed in Fall 2022.

Kuklenski left his fellow graduates with inspiration as they move on to the next chapters in their lives.

“Yes, today our time at Rockhurst comes to an end. We will walk across the stage, accept our diploma, and graduate. But tomorrow we must go out and share with the world what we have learned at Rockhurst: to never give up, to defy expectations, to never quit in the face of adversity or disappointment, to seize opportunity. We only had one opportunity to make our senior year great - and we did. This motivation, this drive, this grit is something we must never lose.”

Eddie Kuklenski ’22, Student Government Association President, addressed his fellow graduates and their families during his commencement speech.

Kai Barnes ’22 was one of 220 members of the great Class of 2022 to receive Rockhurst High School diplomas from President David Laughlin.

“WHEN I REFLECT ON THE GREATNESS OF THE CLASS OF 2022 AND HOW THEY HAVE LED WITH THEIR GIFTS AND TALENTS THESE PAST YEARS, I SEE GOD. I SEE YOUNG MEN WHO LOVED ONE ANOTHER, WORKED HARD THROUGH OBSTACLES TO DEVELOP THEIR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS, AND WHO REFLECTED THE LOVE OF GOD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF ROCKHURST.”

-DAVID LAUGHLIN, PRESIDENT

Hurtado Scholars Program Showcases Results

Celebrating a decade since its inception, the Hurtado Scholars Program has snowballed the successes of its students, as 110 young men have been positively impacted by the program. The year-round dedication of the Scholars resulted in academic improvement, as well as social and spiritual growth.

Two 2022 graduates of the Hurtado Scholars Program, now incoming freshmen at Rockhurst, scored in the top-5 percent of all Rockhurst testtakers on the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Over the last three years, Scholars have increased their HSPT scores, on average, from 38.1 to 63.7.

Jabari Cambridge ’25, a Hurtado graduate, was invited to attend a drum and percussion workshop at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. All seven Hurtado graduates in Rockhurst’s Class of 2022 will attend a four-year college or university, and four of them received scholarships from the Hispanic Development Fund (HDF).

Students, families, and benefactors of the Hurtado Scholars Program gathered on June 9 for the annual

“The Fire That Kindles Other Fires /El Fuego Que Enciende Otros Fuegos” event. Mateo De La Torre ’22 received the Green Truck Award, given to a Program graduate who has made the most of his time at Rockhurst upon his high school graduation through his commitment to the values and skills he learned while a Hurtado Scholar.

“I continuously seek ways to give up my time and talents as a way to help me be better so that I might help others, which is why I’ve chosen a Pre-Law track at KU so that I might pursue a career in Immigration Law,” De La Torre told the crowd.

Marvin Grilliot, who tirelessly served as the program’s director for the last seven years, received The Fire That Kindles Other Fires Award. He is referred to as

“Un Buen Pastor” (A Good Shepherd) for his incredible dedication to the students and families of the Hurtado Scholars Program. Grilliot is stepping down from his role in July as he returns to being a full-time teacher at Rockhurst, which includes designing and leading Rockhurst’s first Hispanic History course this fall.

Anthony Re takes over as the program director after serving as the middle school director, and Spanish faculty member Vanessa Wiegman joins as the assistant director.

“If we can quantify love through tears and laughter, deep listening and understanding, a sense of belonging, hope-filled sacrifice, holding one another accountable, heartache and triumph, forgiveness, and challenging one another to be better, then I think the Hurtado Program has been successful,” said Grilliot in his remarks.

These successes would not be possible without significant community moral and financial support.

You can add your support at www.rockhursths.edu/ hurtado/donate.

Campers Keep Rockhurst Busy in Summer

Rockhurst High School let out for summer on May 25, 2022, but within days campus was bustling again as summer camps began.

Rockhurst faculty members and coaches lead camps, courses, and programs throughout June and July for grade school and high school students. Athletic camps include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling. Academic camps for grade school students include future scientists, HSPT prep, musical theater, robotics, science enrichment, and study skills. Academic courses for high school students include Magis Academy, PSAT prep, and summer credit courses.

In total, more than 1,750 students enrolled in these camps and courses for summer 2022.

“We are proud of the high-quality camps that our faculty and staff members at Rockhurst lead,” said Matt Daby ’00, summer camp director. “It’s evident that campers enjoy themselves and improve their skills, whether that’s in a classroom, in an activity, or on a playing field.”

Kelley Wilson ’92 Memorial BBQ Supports Hawklets

In January of 1993, the Rockhurst High School community lost three good friends in a fatal car accident. Among them was Kelley Wilson ’92, who had graduated from Rockhurst just months prior.

The Kelley Wilson Memorial BBQ Competition (KWBBQ) was established in 2011 to memorialize Kelley’s life, have fun, and raise funds for the scholarship in his name, which is granted to a student in financial need who otherwise could not afford to attend Rockhurst.

The 11th annual KWBBQ was hosted over June 3-4, and was a Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) State Championship event, with more than 40 teams competing. Entertainment on Friday night was provided by local classic rock band, Road Trip.

Jimmy Connell ’92 and Billy Hodes ’92 once again spearheaded the event in their classmate’s honor, as they have done since the KWBBQ inception.

The 2022 event netted just under $40,000 for deposit to the M. Kelley Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Marvin Grilliot (right) received “The Fire That Kindles Other Fires/El Fuego Que Enciende Otros Fuegos” Award on June 9, 2022.

Hurtado Scholars Summer Program, June 2022.

View the list of Hurtado Scholars Donors for 2021-22

ROCKHURST RECAP

Co-Curriculars Academics Community Service

• Four seniors were selected as National Merit Finalists; eight were selected as National Merit Commended Students

• Thirty-six seniors earned AP Scholar designation (eight with Honor, six with Distinction)

• Four seniors were selected as recipients of Hispanic Development Fund College Scholarships

• Five swimmers/divers were named Academic All-Americans; 14 football players were named to the Academic All-State Team; five cross country runners were named to the Academic All-State Team; four soccer players were named Academic All-State (average of 4.0 GPA and 30 ACT)

• Three Speech & Debate Team members were named Academic All-Americans

• Five students were members of the winning team of Burns & McDonnell’s Innovation and Problem Solving Pitch Event

• Ryan Thompson ’22 was selected as the Kansas City Star’s top boys Scholar-Athlete

• Robotics Team won the Central Missouri Regional Competition and qualified for the World Championships in Houston

• Speech & Debate had six State qualifiers and three were top4 individuals at State, including Lincoln-Douglas State Champion Isaiah Moncrieffe ’22

• Seven Speech & Debate Team members competed at Nationals and five earned out-round performances

• Eighteen musicians earned Exemplary 1 Ratings at the District Music Contest and performed at the State Music Contest

• Seven musicians were selected to one of the KC Metro District Music Ensembles; three were selected to All-State Ensembles

• Zach Gamble ’22 will be attending the prestigious Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at Pepperdine University on a full-ride scholarship for his guitar abilities.

• Three seniors were selected as finalists for the Arts Council of Johnson County

• Coding Team won the Beginners Divisions of the K-State Computer Science’s Programming Contest

• Newly-reactivated Scholar Bowl Team placed 2nd at the District Competition

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) attended the National Leadership Conference in Milwaukee; Collin Murphy ’22 won FBLA Districts in Business Law and advanced to the State Competition

• Model UN Team Team won Outstanding Delegation at the Arkansas Model UN Conference

• Mock Trial Team was one of 18 across Missouri to qualify for the State Championship

• Seniors continued the 50-year tradition of Senior Service Projects, volunteering for three weeks at one of 48 local agencies

• Twelve students participated in the ministry of St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, helping lay to rest 120 men and women with no known family or friends (page 31)

• All freshmen participated in two Freshman Day For Others service projects

• Twenty-eight students spent two weeks of their summer break volunteering on Total Ignatian Experience (T.I.E.) Tennessee, working with Habitat for Humanity Appalachia

• Annual Harvest Food Drive raised 12,000 canned goods

• Sixteen students traveled to Washington, D.C. for the 49th annual March For Life, the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world

• Human Dignity Club and the Culinary Club made Valentine’s Day treats and delivered them to the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker House

• Hurtado Scholars volunteered at Cherith Brook Catholic Worker House, making 150 sandwiches for distribution and helping with projects at the center

Will Wooden ’22 on his Senior Service Project at Operation Breakthrough (Top), Total Ignatian Experience Tennessee (Middle), Mock Trial Team (Bottom).

Robotics Team (Left) Speech & Debate Team (Middle), Instrumental Musicians (Right).

ATHLETICS

BASEBALL

• 13-19 record; District Runner-Up

• Metro Senior All-Stars:

Nick Dunn ’22

Isaac Koch ’22

• Baseball - All-District:

Nick Dunn ’22

Marco Dumsky ’23

Colton Wemhoff ’23

Cooper Westra ’24

BASKETBALL

• 15-11 record; District Semifinalist

• 1st Team All-District:

Miles White ’22

Andrew Sprague ’24

• Honorable Mention

All-District:

Brian Humphrey ’23

CROSS COUNTRY

• 4th at Districts

• 7th at State

• All-State:

Brian Humphrey ’23

Henry Acorn ’25

• All-District:

Max Hertenstein ’22

Brian Humphrey ’23

Henry Acorn ’25

FOOTBALL

• 4-6 record

• District Semifinalist

• 2nd Team All-State:

Isaac Koch ’22

• Nine players named to Missouri

All-Independent Team

GOLF

• State Champions

• All-District:

Alex Hogan ’24 (T-1st)

Will King ’22 (3rd)

Jack Cobb ’23 (T-4th)

JP Hepler ’24 (T-11th)

Luke Walsh ’23 (13th)

• All-State: Will King ’22 (Co-State Champion)

Luke Walsh ’23 (T-11th)

• All-American: Will King ’22

Luke Walsh ’23 (T-11th)

HOCKEY (CLUB)

• 12-8-2 record

• MAHSHL Semifinalist

• 1st Team All-Conference:

Michael Boma ’22

Andrew Finn ’22

Michael Torlina ’22

• Honorable Mention

All-Conference:

Patrick Franke ’22

Eddie Kuklenski ’22

Tommy O’Leary ’22

Caleb Teeven ’23

Hayes Holmes ’24

Roy Postlethwait

LACROSSE

• LAKC Champions; 13-2 record

• All-LAKC:

Andrew Finn ’22

Will Gormsen ’22

Luke McNamara ’24

Zach Giangreco ’22

Brock Narciso ’23

Henry Kemp ’23

Colin Komenda ’24

• All-American:

Andrew Finn ’22

SOCCER

• State Champions; 24-2 record

• All-State:

Ryder Barrett ’22 (Player of the Year & Gatorade MO Player of the Year)

Simon Gansner ’22

Josh Pileggi ’22

Ryan Thompson ’22

• All-Americans:

Ryder Barrett ’22

Ryan Thompson ’22

SWIM & DIVE

• State Champions

• All-State:

PJ Axtell ’22

Dominic Damico ’22

George Rebman ’23

Carson Smith ’23

Owen Stuckey ’23

John Switzer ’23

Blake Francois ’24

Andy Baklanov ’25

Joey Douglas ’25

• All-State & All-American:

Joey DeVreugd ’22

Nicholas Salido ’22

Caden Francois ’23

John Tietjen ’23

TENNIS

• 3rd at State; 11-4 record

• 5th in doubles:

Charlie Duethman ’22

Rohan Joseph ’22

• 2nd in doubles:

Grant Wiedeman ’22

Nick Koca ’23

TRACK & FIELD

• 3rd at Districts

• 7th at Sectionals

• 14th at State

• All-State individual:

Jordan Campbell ’22

• All-State relays:

Jordan Campbell ’22

Peter Stoltz ’22

Brian Humphrey ’23

Brendan Kerr ’23

August Thompson ’23

Liam VerMeer ’24

VOLLEYBALL (CLUB)

• KCHSBVL Champions; 22-0 record

• Lost only 4 games all season

• Led by:

Jackson Hiesberger ’22

Joe Leggio ’22

Gavin O’Boyle ’22

WRESTLING

• 4-12 record; 13th at Districts

• Robert Purcell ’24: 21-22 record, District Quarterfinalist

• Eli Franklin ’22: 14-14 record

Golf State Champions, 2022 (Top), Lacrosse LAKC Champions, 2022 (Middle), Volleyball KCHSBVL Champions, 2022 (Bottom).