Rock News Spring 2023

THE ROCK NEWS

NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Mr. Frank C. Allen ʼ05 President

Mr. Patrick A. McInerney ʼ82 President-Elect

Mr. Spencer H. Hardwick ʼ07 Secretary

Mr. Gerald W. Brenneman ʼ78 Chairman, Nominating Committe

Mr. James T. Van Dyke ’05 Chairman, Charitable Giving

Mr. Blaise A. Gassman ʼ16 At-Large Member

Mr. James H. Maggard ʼ04 At-Large Member

Mr. Ivan L. Nugent ʼ99 At-Large Member

PHILANTHROPY & ENGAGEMENT OFFICE

Diane J. Marty, EdD, CFRE Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement dmarty@rockhursths.edu; 816.363.2036 x538

Adrianne A. DeWeese Assistant Director of Philanthropy adeweese@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x536

Turner R. “Robbie” Haden ’09 Director of Communications & Branding rhaden@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x552

Moira Kelly Healy Director of Engagement mhealy@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x582

Timothy R. Reidy ’02 Archives Director and Faculty Member treidy@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x255

Sylvia M. Smith Philanthropy & Engagement Supportive Services ssmith@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x588

Mr. Nicholas J. Porto ʼ96 At-Large Member

Mr. Todd A. Schieffer ʼ90 At-Large Member

Mr. James C. Shay, Jr. ʼ11 At-Large Member

Meredith L. Suarez Director of Alumni Engagement msuarez@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x537

Loretta Verbanic Gifts & Stewardship Specialist lverbanic@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x555

George J. Weir Director of Data & Analytics gweir@rockhursths.edu 816.363.2036 x539

This publication includes updates from October 2022 through May 2023. Editions will print in October and May/June each year.

Correction from the 2022 Fall Rock News: Donald Joseph Clarkson Memorial Scholarship Fund was inappropriately named as the Donald P. Clarkson Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund on Page 15.

DEAR ROCKHURST COMMUNITY,

Just past our 107th graduation, each year I observe a class of graduates come across the stage at Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City, and am filled with emotion thinking about the significance of their contributions to our tradition of Jesuit education.

Dressed in their black tuxedos, as they walk across the stage, I see the men that once were young boys entering. I consider the leadership they have provided. I see yell-leaders who stood in front of student sections building up Rockhurst spirit. I see performers on stages who exhibited their instrumental, choral, or acting talents. I see community service leaders who spent time leading peers in their accompaniment of the poor to be in service, but as much for their own growth. I see young men who grew in excellence in public speaking and debate. I see young men who built robots that competed on the world stage. I see students who committed themselves to leading underclassmen in Freshmen Retreat or who led peers on Kairos.

These young men reflect the abundance of talent that God has gifted to them, that their parents have helped to hone and shape over many years. These young men, accompanied by our faculty and staff, have developed themselves as men of competence, conscience, and compassion. They possess both intellectual talent and a developed conscience to guide their service to their fellow mankind. They have grown in an expressed experience of Faith and with Jesus Christ manifested in their commitment to the spirit of Rockhurst.

As they stood arm in arm at graduation singing the “Alma Mater,” I also observed the depth of their friendships and brotherhood with one another. God, the author of life, has shaped in and among these men and their families a Christian community focused on the greater good.

I offer my thanks to the men of the Class of 2023. They lived a most unusual four years of high school during their time at Rockhurst, facing challenges of a generation. To their credit – and that of the faculty and staff who accompanied them, and their parents who guided them – they can truly offer back to Rockhurst a reflection of the success we hope for our young men. In turn, their success was built upon the legacy of Rockhurst that has been built over generations for a mission that looks to eternity.

Offering all of their gifts and talents to God’s greater honor and glory, we are inspired to continue to build upon our great tradition of Jesuit education in Kansas City, for our community, our nation, and our world. We possess a vision for our future, which includes our excellence in building men of competence, conscience, and compassion which also strives to be available to qualifying young men regardless of their families’ economic circumstances. Our vision moves forward with confidence that these young men are important to all of our futures and trusting in God, that vision continues to recognize the importance of the talents of our young men in the context of their needed leadership for tomorrow.

May God bless you and those you love, IN CHRIST,

DAVID J. LAUGHLIN | PRESIDENT ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL

“OFFERING ALL OF THEIR GIFTS AND TALENTS TO GOD’S GREATER HONOR AND GLORY, WE ARE INSPIRED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON OUR GREAT TRADITION OF JESUIT EDUCATION IN KANSAS CITY, FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR NATION, AND OUR WORLD.”

A word from the Director of Alumni Engagement

Dear Rockhurst Alumni,

Another fantastic year draws to a close and because of you, we recall many delightful moments and memories. It has been my pleasure to work alongside you to strengthen our community and engage more and more alumni to participate in volunteering, giving, and the fun and friendship of alumni life. There are so many moments of gratitude we have for all of you and our community of Forever Hawklets who continue to bring energy, nostalgia, and excitement to our hallowed halls. From the traditional “boys in blue” at football games and reunion celebrations to the launching of the RockConnect alumni professional network this past April, you continue to re-energize our community throughout the year.

We are grateful for the dedicated service of Gerry Brenneman ’78, who will complete his service to the Alumni Board of Governors on June 30. Thank you, Gerry, for your longtime commitment to the Rockhurst mission and for the structure, heart, and fun you bring to everything you do!

Also departing the Alumni Board this year is longtime leader and President of the Alumni Board of Governors, Frank Allen ’05. Frank has served in a volunteer leadership capacity on the Board for over 10 years, and his impact is sure to impact our trajectory for years to come. Frank, we are honored to have collaborated with and learned from you. You are a visionary leader and dedicated steward of the Rockhurst mission with a kind and genuine heart. We will miss your thoughtful and strategic voice at

the leadership table but appreciate you staying connected in new ways. A sincere thanks for all your gifts freely given to benefit Rockhurst High School. Thank you to all of you who have given your time, attended an event, shared expertise, mentored students or other alumni, or given of your financial means to support Rockhurst High School. You are our community and YOU make a difference.

With gratitude,

Meredith Suarez Director of Alumni Engagement

Meredith Suarez, Director of Alumni Engagement, and Pat McInerney ’82, Alumni Association President-Elect, welcomed each member of the great Class of 2023 to Rockhurst’s National Alumni Association after receiving their diplomas at the Commencement Exercises on May 14, 2023.

“YOU ARE OUR COMMUNITY AND YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.”

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION RECONSTITUTES RECOGNITION PROCESS

Beginning in mid-2022 and spanning the course of several months, dedicated members of the Rockhurst High School National Alumni Association and the Alumni Recognition Committee took a critical look at the approach to recognizing the remarkable achievements of Rockhurst graduates.

This effort was spearheaded by Spencer Hardwick ’07, Alumni Association Secretary and Chair of the Alumni Recognition Committee, along with members Larry Egan ’81, Ivan Nugent ’99, and Seth Sinovic ’05

Their work led to a well-rounded pool of candidates for the 2022 Alumnus of the Year Award, and an enthusiastic crowd at the annual Fr. Mario Puricelli, SJ, Alumni Spaghetti Dinner in November, during which Pete Browne ’85 was honored with the award.

Following the celebration, Hardwick and his committee continued to search for ways to increase alumni participation, and proposed to the Alumni Board a reconstituted alumni recognition process by both strengthening the nomination process with more alumni input and unveiling a new recognition.

“We understand the power of our alumni network lies not only in its breadth but

also in its depth. With such a diverse pool of talented and impactful alumni, we realized the importance of developing fresh ways to recognize the spectrum of contributions our graduates make in the greater community,” commented Hardwick. “Moreover, we were driven by the desire to create new opportunities for recent graduates to be recognized for their remarkable accomplishments and boundless aspirations.”

In an email to the Rockhurst alumni community on March 2, 2023, Hardwick announced these updates:

The Emerging Hawklet Award is a new award that celebrates the outstanding achievements of a young graduate who has created a meaningful impact through exceptional leadership, service to others, or a commitment to excellence. This award is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated strong adherence to St. Ignatius’ guiding principle, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.” To be eligible for the Emerging Hawklet Award, nominees must be under 31 years of age at the time of nomination.

“The enthusiasm with which alumni have embraced this initiative in providing nominations for the

inaugural Emerging Hawklet Award has been truly inspiring. We hope to build on this momentum, making this award a cherished tradition in the years to come,” said Hardwick.

In addition to the Emerging Hawklet Award, Rockhurst will continue to recognize an Alumnus of the Year, a tradition since 2002, an individual who honors the spirit, mission, and vision of the Society of Jesus through his dedication to being a man for others and by making significant contributions of time, talent, and treasure to Rockhurst High School and the community.

The winners of each award will be celebrated at the Fr. Puricelli, SJ, Alumni Spaghetti Dinner on November 2, 2023.

Rockhurst National Alumni Association’s 2022 Alumnus of the Year, Pete Browne ’85 (middle left) with Frank Allen ’05 - Alumni Association President, Meredith Suarez - Director of Alumni Engagement, and David Laughlin - President, at the 2022 Fr. Mario Puricelli, SJ, Alumni Spaghetti Dinner on November 3, 2022.

Spencer Hardwick ’07, Alumni Recognition Committee Chair, spoke to current students as part of an Alumni Ignatian Leadership Panel on December 2, 2022.

Following the Rockhurst Alumni Association fall events that included the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend that welcomed home more than 400 graduates spanning more than 60 years, and the Fr. Mario Puricelli, SJ, Spaghetti Dinner, which had 150 attendees, Rockhurst continued offering events for alumni to re-engage with their school and classmates.

Dr. Tiffany Rinne, Rockhurst’s new Director of Library Sciences, and Meredith Suarez, Director of Alumni Engagement, organized the Alumni Speaker Series beginning in October 2022. These opportunities invited alumni back to Rockhurst to speak with current students interested in their career or passions. To kick off the series in October, Ivan Nugent ’99, Sean McLaughlin ’01, and Henry Thomas ’06 spoke about their professions in law.

November featured Ben Ismert ’94, Andrew Wade ’15, and Blaise Gassman ’16 talking engineering. In December, Dr. Jed Ervin ’66 and Dr. Kevin Campbell ’05 offered their experiences in the medical field. In February, Jim Cosgrove ’83 and Brad Porter ’91 spoke about media, journalism, and writing. To round out the year in April, Ray Evans ’78 and John Carlos Walton-Nuñez ’15 gave insight on careers in business and finance.

Recent graduates were invited back to campus on December 20 for the annual Young Alumni Pizza Party. More than 50 alumni from the Classes of 2015-2022 reunited for dinner in the Dining Commons

then attended the varsity basketball game against Lee’s Summit West. The event was organized by Jamie Maggard ’04, Blaise Gassman ’16, and David Sandvig III ’16

Rockhurst kicked off its 2023 alumni events with a special 10-year reunion and celebration of the 2013 State Championship Basketball Team Head Coach Mark Nusbaum and eight players from his championship team returned for the January 20 varsity basketball game against Lafayette (Wildwood) and were recognized at halftime. This special group went 26-5 en route to the State Title, winning each of the six playoff games by an average of 16 points.

David Laughlin, President, and Fr. Tom Pesci, SJ, President Emeritus, traveled for alumni gatherings in Arizona and Florida. Brooke & Kevin Kopp ’93 hosted a Rockhurst alumni event in January in Phoenix for 16 local Hawklets. In March, they met a small group of local Hawklets in Naples hosted by Martha & Steve Butler ’65. Laughlin and Fr. Pesci plan to host an event in Chicago next October.

After several months of planning led by alumni, Rockhurst hosted its kick-off event for RockConnect on April 26, 2023. More than 50 alumni representing five decades joined together at Angles Law Firm (Chris Angles ’89) as RockConnect committee members explained the goals of the initiative, which include

professional connections and career guidance. RockConnect is chaired by Todd Schieffer ’90 and Blaise Gassman ’16, and aided by committee members Bob Rodriguez ’80, Kevin Farrell ’92 , Anthony Tarantino ’96, Mitch Kelly ’01, Cornell Ellis ’08, Chris Miller ’11, and Andrew Miller ’16.

On May 13, 2023, in honor of Mother’s Day, members of the Hodes Family gathered for a dedication of the Grotto of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the “Marian Grotto” in honor of Ann and Bill Hodes ’51.

All alumni, regardless of their current location, are encouraged to join the Rockhurst High School Alumni Association on LinkedIn for updates on RockConnect and professional growth opportunities. Join the Group at: www. linkedin.com/groups/111928

Please also save the date for the 2023 Alumni Reunion Weekend over September 6-9, 2023, celebrating graduation years ending in 3’s and 8’s.

ALUMNI EVENTS KEEP HAWKLETS TIED TO ALMA MATER

More than 50 recent graduates attended the Young Alumni Pizza Party in December 2022.

Members of the Hodes Family celebrated the dedication of the Marian Grotto in honor of Ann and Bill Hodes ’51.

Members of the 2013 State Championship Basketball Team were recognized at halftime of a varsity game this season. Scan

Julia Flanagan, wife of Terry Flanagan ’75, was all smiles with the Nigro Brothers after out-bidding the competition to win a Royals suite package.

Eyrie Fund Relies on Faithful Community Support

As we close out another great year at Rockhurst High School, we are privileged to witness the growth and formation of young men at Rockhurst. This observance culminates annually at graduation, and this year 212 members of the Class of 2023 walked across the stage of Municipal Auditorium on May 14 to receive their diploma and a pin welcoming them to the National Alumni Association.

SPECTACULAR AUCTION SETS NEW FUNDRAISING RECORD

April 15, 2023 was indeed spectacular!

Thanks to the incredible selflessness and leadership from our 2023 Spectacular Auction Co-Chair Couples, this year’s event edged out the previous fundraising record from 2021. Shannon & Patrick Lillis served as the first Legacy Co-Chair Couple, returning to service after co-chairing the 2022 auction. They were joined this year for “Rock Solid” by Natalie & Kyle Hartman ’91, Christy & Mike Poe, and Amanda & Lawrence Tynes

Shannon Lillis, who also serves Rockhurst as a Trustee, remarked of herself and her husband, Patrick, “We are both Jesuit-educated, and we deeply believe in the mission of the Catholic, Jesuit education provided by Rockhurst. It can truly be life-changing.” She continued, “We hope that the leadership continuity that the Legacy Co-Chair system provides will create momentum from year to year and set up Rockhurst

Spectacular for even greater success in the future, allowing more students to receive the level of financial assistance they need to receive a Rockhurst education.”

“Rock Solid” reached capacity, selling out at 675 registrations a week before the event. With a full house, Fr. Vince Giacabazi, SJ, Principal, and David Laughlin, President, entertained guests throughout the night of fun and entertainment in support of The Rock. Ten incredible items, ranging from a one-of-a-kind NFL Draft experience to a dinner with the Rockhurst Jesuits to a puppy, were auctioned off live by the Nigro Brothers; and hundreds of other great items were available for bidding online.

Dinner, live music, dancing, and a toast in memory of “Rockhurst’s Mom,” Judie Scanlon, were also highlights of the night.

Spectacular raised more than $1.51 million to support Rockhurst tuition assistance. These proceeds impact 47% of currently-enrolled families, making the Rockhurst experience possible for their sons.

Make sure you are part of the Spectacular fun next year — mark your calendar for April 20, 2024!

This annual blessing would not be possible without the alumni, parents, grandparents, past parents, and friends who annually help build the Rockhurst Eyrie (the nest of a hawk) which supports the young men of our great Catholic, Jesuit tradition at Rockhurst. Thanks to this community support, as our Hawklets soar from this eyrie, they in turn become leaders in the community.

EYRIE FUND contributions are annual gifts supporting the daily operations of Rockhurst High School to keep Jesuit formation and education a vibrant and accessible option for families throughout the Kansas City metropolitan region. Every student at Rockhurst benefits from your support because the operational gap between tuition and operating costs is $2,195 per student.

Gifts to the EYRIE FUND enable us to enact our mission, as your gifts to this fund provide resources supporting everything we do, including academics, co-curriculars, athletics, community service, and pastoral ministry.

Your philanthropic generosity also allows us to provide $2.7 million in financial assistance direct to students who would not be part of our Rockhurst community were it not for donor generosity.

Your prompt commitment to provide support of the EYRIE FUND will enable your gift to create impact right away. If you’d like to speak with someone directly about your philanthropic support, please call Diane Marty, Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement, at 816.363.2036 x538 or email dmarty@ rockhursths.edu.

To make your gift online use the QR code below.

Whether you are an alumnus, parent, grandparent, past parent, or friend you know the impact of a Rockhurst education for our graduates - and, as “men for others” - for the world.

We look forward to embarking on another year of thriving for your collective sons, grandsons, brothers, and friends, and invite you to make Rockhurst High School your top philanthropic priority for the results you are experiencing yourselves… and watching take flight in today’s Hawklets.

Your gift is their present… and their future.

Make your gift to the EYRIE FUND today!

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“Eyrie” (EYE-ree): the nest of a hawk. The place where a Hawklet develops before he can take wing and be prepared to embark in the world on his own.

wonderful image for our Hawklets at Rockhurst High School –the metaphor we use in naming our Annual Fund the EYRIE FUND

Thanks to our Spectacular Co-Chair Couples: Natalie & Kyle Hartman ’91, Shannon & Patrick Lillis, Christy & Mike Poe, and Amanda & Lawrence Tynes. The Hartmans and the Poes have agreed to serve as Legacy Co-Chairs for Spectacular 2024.

Scholarships Aid Past, Current, and Future Hawklets

YOUNG ALUMNI ORGANIZE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

Two members from the great Class of 2016 continue to live out their commitment to service - a calling they began heeding while attending Rockhurst High School.

Nick Jianas ’16 and David Sandvig III ’16 are dedicated members of a Kansas City men’s philanthropic group called OE Ellis, working toward the betterment of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The organization supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City through various means, including a golf tournament. After an eight-year hiatus for the tournament, Jianas and Sandvig volunteered to resurrect the tournament in 2022. They have offered countless hours of

work to benefit the families supported by the Ronald McDonald House.

“Rockhurst did a great job in really shaping me into the person that I am today,” reflected Jianas. “After spending a lot of time in high school working and volunteering at organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Guadalupe Center, and Notre Dame de Sion Lower School, I found myself wanting to do more. Rockhurst really teaches you to be a ‘man for others’ and I took that to heart after graduation and haven’t looked back since.”

Last year’s 2022 tournament was a learning curve for the first-time organizers, but they still led an

event that raised $6,100. They were motivated to improve in year two.

The 2023 OE Ellis Classic was held on April 24 at Falcon Ridge Golf Course with a sold-out field of 124 golfers. Adding a presenting sponsor, hole sponsors, and a post-tournament auction, Jianis and Sandvig led the efforts that generated $16,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.

“I have always been a big supporter of the Ronald McDonald House because of what they do to keep families together during some of their toughest times while their children are in the hospital. We love supporting this amazing organization and look forward to growing this charity golf event each year,” commented Sandvig.

Named Investment Funds (commonly referred to as scholarships) and Named Intent Funds (providing significant passthrough support of programs and financial assistance) provide highly-impactful support to Hawklets yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Contributions are gratefully accepted to continue growing each of the established funds listed here.

To inquire about establishing a Named Investment Fund or Named Intent Fund of your own (or to honor another), please contact Dr. Diane Marty, Vice President of Philanthropy & Engagement, at 816.363.2036 x538 or dmarty@rockhursths.edu.

Named Investment Funds 2022-2023

Named Investment Funds provide critical financial support in the form of annual scholarships from their combined invested earnings. These funds - established as Board-Designated Funds - are legally entrusted donated asset(s) to Rockhurst High School for permanent pooled investment. In the current year, the minimum threshold to establish a Named Investment Fund is $225,000. At this level, after a year of healthy investment, a single fund might provide up to $11,250 in scholarship assistance, calculated on the current 5.00% (2022-2023) spending rate. We remain grateful for the significant investment and trust placed in Rockhurst High School by the individuals and families indicated in the following roster.

Albert and Mary Kleinman Memorial Scholarship Fund

Alexander Family Fund

Alfred and Anita Valenzula Memorial Scholarship Fund

Andrew A. Klughartt Memorial Scholarship Fund

Andrew S. Hagedorn Scholarship Fund

Arrupe Jesuit Community Scholarship Fund

Beach H. Tuckness Memorial Endowment Fund

Bernard J. Glynn Scholarship

Bernie and Sue Dierks Memorial Scholarship Fund

Bessenbacher Family Endowment Fund

Bickimer/Franck Memorial Scholarship

Bill Rocker Fund

Bourk Family Endowment Fund

Bowen Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

Br. Lawrence W. Eilert, S.J. Scholarship

Brenneman Family Endowment Fund

Brian M. Anselmo Memorial Scholarship Fund

Brian P. Euston Memorial Endowment Fund

Brosnahan Family Endowment Fund

Brown Family Scholarship Fund

Bryan A. Gromowsky Memorial Scholarship Fund

Bryan Funk Memorial Scholarship

Cavanaugh Family Scholarship Fund

Charles and Mary Regan Endowment Fund, Honoring Rev. Robert L. Poirier, S.J.

Charles G. Haake, Jr. Scholarship Fund

Christopher Camarena Memorial Scholarship Fund

Class of 1956 Endowment Fund

Class of 1962 Financial Aid Fund

Class of 1968 Endowment Fund

Class of 1970 Scholarship Fund

Bold text indicates a fund created between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023

An asterisk (*) indicates a legally-restricted Named Investment Fund

Class of 1978 Endowment Fund

Cosentino Family Scholarship Fund

Daniel W. Campbell Memorial Trust

Dehaemers Family Endowment Fund

Dominic L. Passantino Memorial Scholarship Fund

Don and Evelyn Foley Fund

Donald Joseph Clarkson Memorial Scholarship Fund *

Donnelly Family Scholarship Fund

Drs. William and Louise Barry Endowment Fund

Ed and Vi Stein and Children's Endowment Fund

Edward J. Reardon Memorial Scholarship Fund

Elizabeth and John Travelent Endowment Fund

Emmett and Barry Scanlan Scholarship

Evans Family Endowment Fund

Find A Way Scholarship Fund Honoring

Tony and Marilyn Severino

Forster-Powers Scholarship Fund *

Frederick W. Hess, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Gabriel M. and Michael A. Rieke Memorial Endowment

Gabriel T. Van Boven Endowment Fund

Gary C. Batz Memorial Fund

Gene and Mary Lib McGannon Scholarship Fund

Gene and Peggy Freeman Scholarship Fund

General Endowment Fund

George B. Byrnes Scholarship

George P. Reintjes Memorial Scholarship

David Sandvig III ’16 and Nick Jianas ’16 are the organizers of the OE Ellis Classic, a golf tournament benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City.

Named Investment Funds 2022-2023 (continued)

Goppert Endowment Fund

Greg A. Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship

Hager Family Scholarship Fund

Hal J. Reno Memorial Scholarship Fund

Harrison Thomas Rupp Memorial Endowment Fund

Hawley Family Endowment Fund

Henry J. Massman, III Scholarship Fund

Holland Family Memorial Scholarship

Howard M. Mayer Memorial Scholarship Fund

Hurtado Scholars Tuition Assistance Fund

Ismert Family Endowment Fund

J. Bernard Finucane Memorial Endowment Fund

Jack and Martha Spence Endowment Fund

Jack S. Accurso Memorial Scholarship Fund *

Jake Marsh Disabilities Fund

James F. Haake Memorial Endowment Fund

James H. Hess Memorial Endowment Fund

James M. Gorman Memorial Endowment Fund

James M. Kuklenski Memorial Scholarship

James T. Glynn Family Scholarship Fund

Janice and William E. Clarkson, Sr. Memorial Endowment Fund

Jed & Sharon Ervin Scholarship Fund

Jim Kennedy Memorial Scholarship

John and Sandra Hess Faculty and Staff Development Fund

John and Sandra Hess Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund

John E. Grier Memorial Endowment Fund

John J. Gramlich Memorial Endowment Fund

John J. Kopp Memorial Scholarship

John J. Reichmeier Memorial Endowment Fund

John M. Lillis Memorial Endowment Fund

John Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Joseph Patrick McCormick Memorial Scholarship Fund

Joseph S. Geisel, III Memorial Scholarship Fund

Joseph Sr. and Maureen Gravino Memorial Endowment Fund

Kahn Family Scholarship Fund

Kairos Retreat Fund

Kathie Pazell Memorial Fund

Kelley Family Foundation Scholarship

L. Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Larry E. Ruby Family Endowment Fund

Laughlin Scholars Fund

Laurence Wade Freeman Man for Others Fund

Laurie and George McLiney Family Scholarship Fund

Lawrence D. Love Memorial Scholarship Fund

Leiker Scholarship Fund

Leonard G. Seck Scholarship Fund

Lou B. Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Louis B. McGee Memorial Scholarship Fund *

Louis R. Trigg Scholarship Fund

M. Kelley Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mabel Batchel Scholarship Fund

Manuel A. Deleon Memorial Scholarship

Marcia and Brien Boggess Scholarship Fund

Margaret and Frank McGee Memorial Scholarship Fund

Marie and Henry Zahner Memorial Scholarship Fund

Mary Liston Family Memorial

Matthew C. McGilley Memorial Endowment Fund

Matthew McCullough Scholarship

Matthew W. Bloskey Memorial Scholarship Fund

McAnany Family Scholarship Fund

McDonnell Family Scholarship (2)

McGurren Family Endowment Fund

McKibbin Family Scholarship Fund

McLaughlin Family Endowment Fund

McMahon Family Scholarship

McNamara Family Scholarship

Meiners-Hodes Family Scholarship Fund

Michael Mangan Scholarship Fund

Michael Patrick Sullivan Fund

Mike Darby Financial Aid Fund

Miller Family Scholarship Fund

Nicholas S. Callegari Endowment Fund

Paul G. Damon Memorial Scholarship Fund

Peakes Family Endowment Fund

Philip and Mary Gravino Scholarship Fund

Phillips Family Scholarship Fund

Pierce M. Lawless Memorial Scholarship Fund

Raymond and Helen Sonnenberg Family Scholarship

Richard F. Bennett Scholarship Fund

Rev. Charles E. Sullivan, S.J. Scholarship Endowment

Rev. Luke J. Byrne, S.J. '52 Memorial Scholarship Fund

Rev. Mario T. Puricelli, S.J. Scholarship Fund

Rev. Ron Windmeuller, S.J. Memorial Fund

Rev. Terrence A. Baum, S.J. Endowment Fund

Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J. Campus Beautification Fund

Rev. Thomas A. Pesci, S.J. Ignatian Scholarship Fund

Rev. Thomas W. Cummings, S.J. Scholarship Fund

Rev. William Steiner, S.J. Scholarship

Rev. William T. Sheahan, S.J. Scholarship

Richard F. Bennett Scholarship Fund

Richard and Bernadette Miller Scholarship Fund

Robert J. and Joan E. Metzler Scholarship Fund

Robert M. Ryan Endowment Fund

Robert W. and Helen C. Jantsch Scholarship Fund

Roche Family Scholarship Fund

Rockfest Scholarship

Rockhurst Jesuit Community Scholarship

Sam Saviano Memorial Scholarship Fund

Samuel L. Woodell Memorial Scholarship Fund

Sean S. Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship Fund

Shea Family Scholarship

St. Peter Claver Jesuit Community Scholarship

Stephen M. McGannon Memorial Scholarship Fund

Stephen Neenan Memorial Scholarship Fund

Steven J. Adams Memorial Fund

Student Council Scholarship

Susie Haake Memorial Food Assistance Fund

T. Michael and Janet Lillis Memorial Scholarship Fund *

Teahan Family Endowment Fund

The Brannan Scholarship

The Jim and Kathy Polsinelli Hurtado Scholars Program Fund

The Murphy Brothers Endowment Fund

The Richard B. and Kathleen S. Connor Scholarship Fund

Thomas E. Murphy, III Endowment Fund

Thomas M. Murphy Faculty Development Fund

Thomas R. McGee, Sr. Leadership Incentive Fund

Thompson Family Scholarship Fund (2)

Tommy Simone Memorial Scholarship Fund

Twenty-Five Year Class Endowment

Tyler Bradley Hansen Memorial Scholarship

Van Dyke Family Endowment Fund

Vines/McCarthy Endowment Fund

Weiford Family Scholarship Fund

Wholey Family Endowment Fund

William E. Franke Memorial Scholarship Fund

William J. McGraw Memorial Scholarship Fund

Intended Named Investment Funds

The following funds have been established at Rockhurst High School, intended to be funded by a legacy giving vehicle (an estate gift, for example) totaling $225,000 or more.

Robert P. and Ellen J. McCarthy Endowment Fund

Wyatt Joseph Hawkinson Scholarship

Named Intent Funds

Named Intent Funds are created with a gift of $50,000 or more to support specific programs, financial assistance, and/or to recognize a loved one. These funds are spent out annually in the fiscal year they are received, applied to the designated purpose as established when the fund was created. For every year after the fund is established that any gift/gifts is/are received to the fund, the fund name will appear on the donor roster, thus perpetuating the memory, honor, and impact as intended by the founding donor(s).

Connor Phillips ’17 Memorial Fund

Garcia Immigration Law Firm Fund

Judie Scanlon Memorial Scholarship Fund

For more information or to inquire about establishing a Named Investment Fund or a Named Intent Fund, contact: Diane Marty, EdD, CFRE dmarty@rockhursths.edu

Meredith Suarez msuarez@rockhursths.edu

Adrianne DeWeese adeweese@rockhursths.edu

Bold text indicates a fund created between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 An asterisk (*) indicates a legally-restricted Named Investment Fund

CLASS OF 2023 JOINS RANKS OF ROCKHURST ALUMNI

It was an extra special Mother’s Day on May 14, 2023, for the mothers and grandmothers of the members of Rockhurst’s Great Class of 2023

The school continued its tradition of hosting the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises at Municipal Auditorium where 212 young men were elevated from Rockhurst students to Rockhurst alumni. They are now part of the 15,370-member Rockhurst High School National Alumni Association.

This year’s commencement speaker was Brian Humphrey ’23, the winner of the Rockhurst Senior Class Award of Excellence and Achievement, chosen by his fellow classmates. The recipient is “recognized for possession of qualities we hope that others find in us, and having experienced and benefited from his extraordinary devotion to our class and our school.”

Humphrey talked about Rockhurst instilling P.R.I.D.E. (personal responsibility in daily excellence) in everything the school and its students undertake, beginning with a Freshman Day For Others on a Hawklet’s first day on

campus, through a class-wide day of reflection on the final day on campus as a senior. Humphrey will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point this Fall. Please scan the QR Code at the right to watch his full speech.

As a whole, the Class of 2023 was accepted to 172 colleges and universities with nearly $2 million awarded in scholarships. Members are attending 63 different four-year colleges, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Notre Dame, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Michigan, University of Southern California, The American University of Paris, and Trinity College Dublin.

Humphrey left his classmates with these parting words:

“To the 212 members of the Rockhurst High School great Class of 2023, always remember that you came from 9301 State Line Road, strived to be the best version of yourself, and always showcased that Rockhurst P.R.I.D.E.”

Members of the great Class of 2023 proudly show off their Rockhurst diplomas following graduation at Municipal Auditorium.

“CLASS OF 2023, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU CAME FROM 9301 STATE LINE ROAD...”

Brian Humphrey ’23 was the Senior Class Award of Excellence and Achievement winner and the commencement speaker.

John Forbush ’23 is all smiles as he and his classmates exit graduation with diplomas in-hand.

Scan to watch the commencement speech from Brian Humphrey ’23.

Alumni Marriages Alumni Deaths Friend Deaths

Ryan Brenneman ’06 and Carey Baldinelli

Sam Sabaugh ’06 and Heidy Bartolo

William Degen ’09 and Maggie Young

Jordan Meadows ’09 and Josie Stadler

Danny Paschang ’09 and Madie Bahlinger

TJ Lawless ’09 and Shira Averbuch

Andrew Endmonds ’10 and Becky Schaller

Colin Nelson ’11 and Mary Franke

Kevin Jantsch ’12 and Taylor Russo

Alumni Births

Greg Owsley ’00 and Caroline, a daughter, Clara Jane

John Phelps ’01 and Sierra, a daughter, Lily Annetta

Tim Fitzpatrick ’02 and Maura, a son, Connell Joseph

Cameron Nordholm ’02 and Morgan, a daughter, Poppy Evans

Adam Sinovic ’02 and Libby, a daughter, Josephine Ann

Colin Groves ’03 and Amanda, a son, Harold Edwin

Lt. Col. Brian Kelly ’03 and Emily, a daughter, Margaret Louise

Mike Comiskey ’03 and Elise, a daughter, Kate Louise

Joe Geisel ’04 and Gretchen, a daughter, Greer Elizabeth

Seamus McLaughlin ’04 and Britttany, a son, Barnds Michael

Kevin Morris ’04 and Annie, a daughter, Molly Kay

Jeff Barnthouse ’05 and Jill, a son, Wyatt Michael

Danny Dougherty ’06 and Megan, a son, William Robert

Chris Kearney ’06 and Cara, a daughter, Quinn Kathryn

Jimmy Oades ’06 and Richelle, a son, Louis Walter

Joseph Privitera ’06 and Kaitlin, a daughter, Delilah May

Alex Cowan ’08 and Abigail, a son, Thomas Henry

Ben McAnany ’08 and Susan, a daughter, Julia Elizabeth

Ryan Miller ’08 and Hannah, a son, Whit Ryan

Tom Sorrentino ’08 and Victoria, a son, Joseph John

Jacob Davis ’09 and Briana, a son, Oliver Reiss

Peter Moorman ’09 and Meg, a son, Patrick McCallum

Kyle Toth ’09 and Melanie, a son, Baker Robert

Adam Ungashick ’09 and Victoria, a daughter, Mary Margaret

Jack Evans ’10 and Rosie, a son, John Peter

Patrick Burns ’11 and Andrea, a son, Whit Patrick

Kevin Berg ’12 and Kelsey, a daughter, Emmy Louise

Jason Huska ’12 and Ellie, a son, Thomas Edward

Derek Schrick ’12 and Megan, a son, Beckham James

Joe Geisel, Jr. ’45

Henry Boppart ’46

Robert Schmeltz ’47

Robert Vogl ’48

Bill Hodes ’51

Fred Hale ’53

James Seck ’54

Kenneth Sprung ’55

Dr. Robert Hughes ’59

David Gillooly ’60

David Oxler ’60

Bud Harvey ’61

Terry Mullane ’61

Bob Johnston ’62

Larry Mailliard ’62

Richard Knopke ’63

Michael Perkins ’64

Bill Brady ’65

Dan Thompson ’65

Thomas Fontana ’66

Mike Burke ’67

Steve DeLap ’67

John Hill ’67

Tim Shramek ’67

Steve Bauer ’68

Jim Sheridan ’68

Michael Vathakos ’69

Michael Tierney ’70

Mark Masciovecchio ’76

Tom Dubbert ’80

Steve Lord ’82

Dr. Jack Hensel ’85

Edward Bock ’01

Connor Phillips ’17

Xavier Stovall ’20

Linda Allen

Harriet West Alvey

Fr. John Apel, SJ

Russ Blatt

Bill Brady

Beverly Campbell

Mary Jo Campbell

Chris Cipolla

Lynda Cox

Donna Kathryn DeGraw

Conrad Dobler

Jean Dunn

Jim Fitzpatrick

Robert Goodwin

Sylvia Grandcolas

Ronald Gulick

Jeanette Hampton

Shirley Jean Jackson

Clarence LeRoy

Mary Looney

Sam Marsalla

Woodie McElduff

Michael McLellan

Helen McManus

Tracy Mears

Matthew Milliard

Kevin Morris

Dr. Richard Mundis

Beattie Muraski

Fr. Chris Pinne, SJ

Michael Prater

Linda Pribyl

Virginia Rau

Mary Therese Reichert

Patty Ries

Nelda Schulenberg

Margy Sonnenberg

Bill Stinson

Dr. Dan Sullivan

Gloria Zipf

COMPETENCE

**Announcements included have been received since October 2022. Any future announcements can be sent to Robbie Haden ’09, Director of Communications & Branding, at rhaden@rockhursths.edu.

CONSCIENCE COMPASSION

Alumni Accomplishments

Fr. Richard Hadel, SJ, ’52 celebrated his 70th anniversary since joining the Jesuits - a calling that he had while a senior at Rockhurst High School. He entered the Society of Jesus on Aug. 17, 1952, one week shy of his 17th birthday. Fr. Hadel notes that gratitude is the theme that runs throughout his life.

Jack Newman ’66 and his wife, Kathy, were the honorees at the 51st annual Benedictine College Scholarship Ball on Feb. 25, 2023. They were presented with the Cross of the Order of St. Benedict, a prestigious award established in 1969 to recognize alumni and friends who have supported charitable institutions, provided civic or religious leadership, and demonstrated professional excellence.

Bill Fagan ’70 announced his retirement from Design Mechanical, where he was a Customer Account Manager for eight-plus years. Prior to that, Fagan served as the Executive Vice President/Partner at The Fagan Co. Mechanical Contractors for 39 years.

Brad Budde ’76 had the opportunity to announce the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2nd Round pick at the NFL Draft on April 28. He and his dad, Ed, both played for the Chiefs and are the only father/son duo in NFL history to be drafted in the 1st Round by the same team at the same position.

Mark Teahan ’78 was part of the 197980 Rockhurst College Men’s Basketball Team that was inducted to the Rockhurst University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Teahan was a three-time Honorable Mention All-American at Rockhurst College and in 2021 was one of 15 players named to the program’s All-Century Team.

Steve Adams ’81 was re-elected as the Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Duval County, FL. Adams is a retired U.S. Navy Commander and current Professor of Aviation Science at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Last year, Adams copublished a textbook that is used in college aviation programs across the country.

Bill Conway ’88 co-created a new experiential MBA course at Rockhurst University. The goal is to give students hands-on exposure to startup formation, scaling revenues, raising VC/PE capital, and ultimately exit/M&A. For more than 14 years, Conway has served as the Managing Director of CC Capital Advisors.

Chris Newman ’90 was named the first Chief Operating and Financial Officer at St. Teresa’s Academy. His prior position was General Manager & Senior Director of Netsmart Technologies in Overland Park, KS. His career also included senior management positions at HNTB, H&R Block, and (Oracle) Cerner Corporation.

Angelo Trozzolo ’93 facilitated a partnership between Marquette University’s College of Communication and Trozzolo Communications Group (TCG) in Kansas City to create a firm in Milwaukee with professionals working alongside students. Trozzolo has served as the president of TCG since 2008 and the president and CEO since 2014.

Dr. Nathan Brummel ’95 and Dr. Alex Arreguin ’14 worked together caring for patients in the medical ICU at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. Dr. Brummel is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Dr. Arreguin is completing his first year as a medical resident.

David Van Noy ’99 established his own real estate brokerage, Van Noy Real Estate. Van Noy was one of Kansas City’s top-producing agents with ReeceNichols Real Estate for 20 years. He closed $45 million in deals in 2022 and over $500 million in his career. He signed on six additional sales agents and four full-time staff members and is still looking to add more experienced agents.

Kevin Ward ’00 earned a spot in the final qualifying for the U.S. Open Championship. Ward was a three-time All-State golfer for Rockhurst from 1998-2000, helping the Hawklets win State all three years. He then played at the University of Kansas and turned pro in 2005. Ward is the founder of The Golf Stable in Prairie Village.

Jeff Angold ’02 and Patrick Roth ’05 created The Angold Roth Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. Forbes’ named Roth a Top Next Gen Wealth Advisor in 2021 and 2022; and in 2022, they ranked him #1 in Missouri and #83 in the country. Angold has also received numerous industry recognitions, including being named a Forbes’ Top Next Gen Wealth Advisor in 2021 and 2022.

Nick Goellner ’02 is the Executive Chef and co-owner of The Antler Room in Kansas City, and has been nominated for the third time as a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest.

Kevin Kane ’02 has been named the new Defensive Coordinator at Purdue University. Most recently, Kane served as the DC at Illinois for two seasons; during that time, Illinois had one of the best defensive turnarounds in the nation in 2021. Prior to Illinois, Kane was the DC and Linebackers Coach at SMU, DC (and multiple other capacities) at Northern Illinois, and Linebackers Coach at Kansas.

Ryan Metzler ’02 started Metzler Legal Strategies, LLC, dedicated to providing clients with practical and creative business solutions, meeting their transactional needs, while creating and maximizing value. The focus is on transactional corporate law for small to medium-sized businesses, on matters involving the entire life cycle of the business, including entity formation, corporate governance, commercial contracts, capital infusions, exit strategies, and other general business issues.

Matt Weglarz ’02 started a new position as Chief Strategy Officer at Triad Partners in Lawrence, KS. Prior to his role at Triad, Weglarz held positions that included the Managing Director of Advisor Solutions at Mariner Wealth Advisors and the Director of Performance, Analytics, and Data Services at Tortoise Capital Advisors.

James Eftink ’03 was appointed as Associate Circuit Judge for Cass County in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Eftink is a partner at Eftink

Law, P.C. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Louis University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri.

Brian Kelly ’03 was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army. Lt. Col. Kelly currently serves as a Logistics Operations Officer for the U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, FL.

Jason Sabaugh ’03 was recognized by the Orange County Business Journal as a Distinguished Leader in Wealth Management. Sabaugh has worked for UBS for nine years, and is the First Vice President of Wealth Management, USA.

Mike Kelly ’04 was sworn in as the Chair of the Johnson County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9, 2023. He was the Mayor of Roeland Park through 2022, is still the Chairman of Climate Action KC, and was selected as a 2023 Ingram’s Magazine 40 Under Forty honoree.

Tony Temple ’04 was inducted into the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame on May 11, 2023. Following his unmatched high school career at Rockhurst, Temple went on to play running back at the University of Missouri. In the 2008 Cotton Bowl against Arkansas, he rushed for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Temple was inducted into the Rockhurst Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.

Jack Faerber ’09 started a new role as Kavar Capital Partners, LLC as a Wealth Advisor in Leawood. Faerber earned his MBA from UMKC and has his CFP designation. He previously spent nearly five years as a Financial Planner at Creative Planning Inc. in Overland Park.

Nate Scheelhaase ’09 has been named the new Offensive Coordinator at Iowa State University. He is noted as one of the “rising stars” in the college football coaching circles. Scheelhaase has been on staff at Iowa State since 2018, having great success working with running backs and wide receivers.

Collin Thompson ’12 joined Country Club Bank in Kansas City as its Vice President of Corporate Administration. His professional experience prior to joining Country Club Bank included FORVIS and BKD CPAs & Advisors.

Henry Weiler ’13 was named to Ingram’s Magazine’s 20 in Their Twenties list. Following four years as a commercial real estate broker a tJLL, Weiler co-founded FWI (Fischer Weiler Industrial) in 2021, a full-service commercial real estate company focused on the KC industrial market.

Timothy Bishop, SJ, ’15 is a Jesuit scholastic finishing degrees in psychology and philosophy in Chicago. One of the ways he celebrates his faith is through music. In February, Bishop released a new song about how we do our best with what we’re given and Jesus is there to do the rest. It’s called “Wounded Hands”: a song about Christ’s Love.

Mark Zimmerman ’15 was promoted to an Account Executive with the Kansas City Royals after leading the Sales Academy in total revenue during the 2022 summer.

Zimmerman began working at Kauffman Stadium as a Rockhurst senior in 2014 as a snow cone and cotton candy vendor, and continued as a vendor throughout college. He officially started in the Sales Academy front office in January 2022.

AJ Taylor ’16 released Bankrupt, a fastpaced card game where players race to collect all of the assets needed to build a business - with sabotage and risk at every corner. Following a successful college football career at the University of Wisconsin, Taylor returned to Rockhurst as a multimedia teacher in 2021-22, and has now turned his focus to running his own small business.

Jacob Sykes ’18 finished his graduate season at UCLA following an impressive college football career at Harvard and UCLA. He earned 1st Team All-Ivy League honors while at Harvard. Sykes was featured in the LA Times for his performance on the field, as well as his

amazing academic background and passion. Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Sykes signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Joe Kelly ’19 was selected to the 2022 All-Ivy League Football 2nd Team. Kelly is an offensive lineman at Cornell University. He is a two-year starter on an offensive line that led the league in fewest sacks allowed and set a school record (9) in 2021.

Grant Auman ’20 and Will Wooden ’22 were recognized by the Beta Theta Pi Chapter at the University of Nebraska. Auman was elected president of the fraternity and Wooden finished first (based on grades, service to the community, etc.) over the course of the 2022 fall semester in his pledge class of 32 members.

Evan Highfill ’20 founded “Visuals By Evan,” which helps clients turn their ideas into visual stories. He runs this business while attending William Jewell College.

Evan Verhulst ’21 and his Apex Legends eSports team, TSM, traveled to London to compete in the 40-team Apex Legends Split 1 Playoffs against the best teams in the world. They qualified for and then dominated the finals in front of more than one million online viewers. TSM took home the grand prize of $1,000,000.

A Word from the Principal

Dear Friends of Rockhurst,

The word competent is a cousin of the word competitive. Some of their synonyms are ability, savoir-faire, knack, aptitude, and skill.

At Rockhurst High School — indeed at all of the Jesuit high schools in our country and throughout the world — we aim to educate and to form young “men and women for others”, who after four years, can demonstrate that they are “Intellectually Competent.”

That short phrase — Intellectually Competent — is one of the five pillars of the Grad at Grad, or, the Profile of the Graduate at Graduation. The accompanying four pillars are: Religious, Loving, Open to Growth, and Committed to Doing Justice.

The higher-echelon colleges and universities to which Rockhurst routinely sends her graduates are recruiting and retaining young men and women who have that skill, that aptitude, that knack, that savoir-faire, that ability, that competitiveness — intellectually speaking — whereby the student will not only succeed but will also flourish as well as contribute to the Common Good of all people, particularly the Common Good of the most vulnerable in our society, a central principle of Catholic Social Teaching.

In the best traditions of the nearly 500-year-old Jesuit Order, the Society of Jesus is aiming toward that end in all of our secondary educational institutions, including at Rockhurst.

With seven Jesuits working full-time at Rockhurst each day of this 2022–23 school year, we partner with our lay collaborators in one common mission, which includes the hiring and retaining of talented, student-centered educators who are steeped in the Jesuit tradition and who look beyond the perpetuation of personal success toward the ultimate goal of human existence, namely: to praise, reverence, and serve God and by these means to one day enter into perfect and eternal union with God in the life to come.

Rockhurst Provides Experiences for Students and Families

Our students, and our faculty and staff, are some of the most intellectually-gifted persons in the region if not beyond, and we are grateful to God for the ongoing Catholic, Jesuit tradition of careful introspection, critical thinking, curiously asking of ultimate and other important questions, and mutually discerning God’s will for the present and future of humanity, starting at our school and moving outward into the world in which we are called by God to fearlessly engage with holy boldness toward God’s good ends.

Indeed, Rockhurst is a Roman Catholic, Jesuit school that strives for intellectual competency for God’s greater glory and for the progress of human persons in God’s Kingdom, and we are beyond grateful for God’s goodness to us!

For Rockhurst, to the greater glory of God,

Throughout the year, Rockhurst High School offers events for Hawklets and their families. On the first or second Tuesday of every month during the academic year, students and their Dads are invited for a Father/Son Mass before the school day.

In the fall, Rockhurst hosted the inaugural Father/Son Bags Tournament on October 29, 2022. More than 70 dad-andson duos competed in the tournament, with Tim Gaarder and Connor Gaarder ’23 winning the championship.

One of Rockhurst’s most treasured traditions, the Mother/Son Dinner

Dance (also known as Mom Prom), continued on February 5, 2023. This year it was held at Municipal Auditorium and more than 1,100 Hawkletts and Rock Moms joined for the fun.

During the night, Patrick O’Farrell ’23 offered a reflection on the unmatched love of mothers and remarked: “Thank you to the Moms involved with Rockhurst High School, because you are so important to our community. And Rockhurst students, remember to give your Mom a hug tonight, because she deserves it.”

To kick off spring, 684 students and Grandparents attended the annual

Grandparents Mass & Brunch at Rockhurst on March 5. The morning started with a celebration of Mass in the performance gym followed by brunch.

The senior class spent its final day on campus on May 12 for the Senior Day of Reflection. Parents and Guardians were invited for Mass in the Rose Theater prior to the seniors spending the morning reflecting on their four years at Rockhurst and how they can carry on the qualities of the grad at graduation (committed to justice, religious, open to growth, intellectually competent, and loving) into college life and beyond.

More than 1,100 Hawklets and moms attended this year’s Mother/Son Dinner Dance.

Rev. Vincent A. Giacabazi, SJ Principal

Hawklets and their dads gather on the first or second Tuesday of each month for Father/Son Mass.

The inaugural Father/Son Bags Tournament was held at Rockhurst in the fall.

Rockhurst offers a Grandparents Mass & Brunch each year. each year. This year, more than 680 were in attendance.

HAWKLETS SERVE COMMUNITY DURING SCHOOL YEAR

During summer months, Rockhurst High School students are required to fulfill service hours in the community. Once the school year begins and academics, co-curriculars, and other commitments resume, Hawklets still take time to assist those in need.

From the first day on campus as freshmen, students are taught that community service is an important part of the Rockhurst experience. They are sent to various locations throughout the city in the first of four Freshmen Days for Others throughout the year. The Class of 2027 embarked on these special days on August 16, October 12, February 27, and March 20. Each day also included group and individual reflections on their experiences.

Athletic teams also include service as an integral part of their programs. On September 24, several months from their opening day, members of the baseball team volunteered at the

of men and women after the county has exhausted all efforts to find family and loved ones. Eight students lived out this ministry on May 4 as they carried the cremains of 32 people, one-by-one, to their final resting place as Fr. Gary Menard, SJ, offered Holy Water to each. Since its inception at Rockhurst, the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society has helped lay to rest more than 200 people.

Continuing the Rockhurst tradition for more than 50 years, each member of the senior class spent the first two and a half weeks of his final semester on a Senior Service Project. Each Hawklet gave his time, talent and treasure at one of 37 local agencies, including hospitals, elementary and preschools, senior living centers, childcare centers, food pantries, and more. In addition, sixty-two seniors opted to attend one of two week-long immersion trips in Guatemala, while working with Habitat for Humanity in Kansas City during the other week.

Kansas State School For the Blind’s run/ walk fundraiser. The State Champion swim & dive team participated in its annual Christmas on October 8, with the AquaHawk athletes, coaches, and many parents painting houses and landscaping yards for those unable to do so themselves. The wrestling team sacrificed a day of practice on January 11 to work at Harvesters food bank.

Rockhurst introduced a new program in the fall, the Junior Leadership Community Days. It’s a two-day experience for all members of the junior class, wherein one day is spent at the Tucker Leadership Lab promoting relationship-building among classmates, and the other is spent visiting with residents of one of five nursing homes around the city.

The St. Joseph of Arimathea Society was founded at Rockhurst in 2015. It is a student group that offers to serve as pallbearers for the unclaimed cremains

As this issue of the Rock News went to press, Fr. Gary Menard, SJ, was missioned to continue his service to the Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus' Provincial, Very Rev. Tom Greene, SJ, by accepting a position as Rector for Regis Jesuit High School in Denver.

This marks a homecoming of sorts for Fr. Menard, who served as a Scholastic at Regis Jesuit High School in the early1990s, and he also served many years in Denver, at Arrupe Jesuit, the Cristo Rey School of Denver. Fr. Menard completed

his tenth total year of service to the Rockhurst High School community, completing four years in this most recent assignment.

His contributions to Rockhurst have been tremendous. Fr. Menard serves on the Board of Members and Board of Trustees for Rockhurst High School, and will continue to serve. Additionally, working alongside Rich Sullivan, he has helped to lead the spiritual formation of our faculty and staff in the Ignatian tradition, both leading individuals in the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

of Loyola, and helping our newest faculty and staff in their orientation to our Jesuit mission. Fr. Menard has also taught in our Mathematics department, and he has been an integral teacher and mentor in the Hurtado Scholars program. During the pandemic, Fr. Menard was a key leader to help organize and guide the school's administration in successfully navigating the care of our young men.

We pray in gratitude for Fr. Menard and for his new mission to serve the Society of Jesus.

The Wrestling Hawklets spent an evening volunteering at Harvesters food bank.

Fr. Gary Menard, SJ, has been missioned to serve as Rector for Regis High School in Denver. Fr Menard completed ten total years of service to Rockhurst High School across two assignments.

Members of the freshman class embark on four Freshmen Day for Others during the school year.

The Class of 2023 joined the legacy of five decades of Rockhurst Senior Service Projects. This included 62 seniors attending immersion trips to Guatemala.

STUDENT-LED DRIVES ASSIST THOSE IN NEED

Compassion is a word heard often at Rockhurst High School. More importantly, it’s also seen frequently in action. Students answer the call to serve those facing unfortunate circumstances.

The annual Harvest Food Drive, led by the Student Government Association (SGA) surpassed its goal of 16,000 lbs. of food by helping the school bring in 17,156 lbs. of canned goods, along with six 55-gallon bags filled with winter clothing. Items were then delivered to nine community organizations:

St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, Don Bosco Center, Avenue of Life, Bishop Sullivan Center, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Christ the King Catholic Church, Redemptorist Center, St. Elizabeth Parish, and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Rockhurst’s Harvest Food Drive results led to $15,000 to support scholarships through The Great Ignatian Challenge, a canned food drive competition between 18 Jesuit high schools throughout the country.

Students led a donation effort of more than 2,000 children’s books for the Lead To Read Program, in partnership with the 15 and The Mahomies Foundation and Lead To Read KC.

Rockhurst’s Pre-Med Club, Future Docklets of America, led a fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The group was able to present a check for $1,500 to Missy’s Boutique at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, a one-stop shopping option for cancer patients.

Two student clubs, the Human Dignity Club and the Culinary Club, collaborated to make tasty Valentine’s Day treats and delivered them to the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker House. SGA also spearheaded Mission Week, a longstanding tradition at Rockhurst. During this week in February, students raised more than $26,000 that went to a charity of each grade’s choosing. Freshmen selected a Jesuit refugee service working for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, sophomores selected the KC Veterans Community

Project, juniors selected St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and seniors selected the Carmelite Convent in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala.

Gio DePalma ’24 and Mrs. Antionette Ishmael, Rockhurst teacher, created a St. Joseph’s Table in March. Food dishes were generously offered by Rockhurst faculty, staff, alumni, and families, as well as local restaurants. Following a special prayer service around the table, the food was donated to the Wyandotte Pregnancy Center.

To close out the year, SGA and Future Docklets of America members organized a “Be The Match” Bone Marrow Registration Drive. This was done in honor of Mickey Jones ’26, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. Upperclassmen 18 years and older, as well as faculty and staff, were encouraged to consider registering to potentially be matched to a patient. More than 60 members of the Rockhurst community made this first step.

The Harvest Food Drive raised more than 17,000 lbs. of canned goods and dozens of winter coats.

More than 60 members of the Rockhurst community registered to be potential bone marrow donors in honor of Mickey Jones ’26, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia.

The Future Docklets of America, Rockhurst’s Pre-Med Club, raised money for Missy’s Boutique at the KU Cancer Center.

Rockhurst Choirs, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Coker, held its Spring Concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES STAND OUT AMONG COMPETITION

Rockhurst High School offers more than 45 co-curricular clubs and activities. While many are simply social hobbies, others also involve competition. In those competitions, Hawklets rose to the occasion.

The Speech & Debate Team had six students qualify for and compete in the MSHSAA Speech, Debate & Theatre Championships, and five students earned event placings. Maddux Radosevic ’23 placed 2nd in Radio Speaking, Thomas Kennedy ’23 placed 3rd in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, the team of Caleb Dawson ’24 and Aidan O’Donnell ’24 placed 4th in Public Forum Debate, and Patrick Sanders ’25 placed 6th in Humorous Interpretation. Seven team members also qualified for the NSDA National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix in June.

Rockhurst’s Robotics Team, the Jesubots, had a historic season. Following the team winning its first Regional Tournament Championship in program history, the Jesubots

qualified for the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston in April. Seventeen Rockhurst students competed among 624 teams representing 59 countries, which was a great experience for the student team responsible for the entire design, build, and fabrication of the robot under the guidance - but not action - of adult mentors.

The Rockhurst Scholar Bowl Team won the Class 5 District 7 Championship after defeating both Center and Warrensburg. Sam Grilliot ’23 and Charlie Lundstrom ’23 were named to the All-District Team, with Lundstrom being the top scorer for the tournament. Rockhurst eventually lost in the State Quarterfinals, but had a great season after reactivating the program two years ago.

Members of the Software Engineering Club competed in the Kansas State University High School Programming Contest. Among 30 teams, Rockhurst placed 3rd in the Advanced Division and 2nd in the Beginner Division.

Two of Rockhurst’s most popular co-curricular programs are choir and instrumental music. Students from both competed in the Missouri State Solo and Ensemble Festival at the University of Missouri. Maddux Radosevic ’23, Jabari Cambridge ’25, Kingston Del Cid ’25, Ian Kennedy ’25, and Soren Ursick ’25 earned Gold Ratings. Joshua Brown Hays ’26 and George Kennedy ’26 earned Silver Ratings. Radosevic was also awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2022 National YoungArts Foundation Competition, placing him in the top 18 high school classical singers in the country.

Rockhurst’s choir program also had the opportunity to perform its Spring Concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, while the Jazz Band had the privilege of playing a show at the historic Gem Theatre in the 18th & Vine Jazz Festival.

THE SCHOLAR BOWL TEAM WON DISTRICTS AND MADE A RUN TO THE STATE QUARTERFINALS.

The Scholar Bowl Team won Districts and made a run to the State Quarterfinals.

Aldric Yang ’25, Benton Diebold ’25, and Ian Morgan ’24 of the Software Engineering Club placed 3rd in the Advanced Division of the K-State Programming Contest.

Rockhurst’s Robotics Team earned a spot in the FIRST Robotics World Championships.

Aidan O’Donnell ’24, Caleb Dawson ’24, Thomas Kennedy ’23, Maddux Radosevic ’23, and Patrick Sanders ’25 earned top-six placings at the MSHSAA Speech, Debate, & Theatre Championships.

IN PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

The 2022-23 year kicked off with two State Championships in the fall. The swim & dive team, known as the AquaHawks, had a historic performance at the State Meet. Rockhurst scored a record 422 points en route to its third straight title, and 14th in program history, the most in Missouri boys’ history. Caden Francois ’23 and Owen Stuckey ’23 were individual State Champions in the 100 Backstroke and Diving, respectively. All three relay teams won their titles, and 14 AquaHawks earned All-State recognition; Francois, Stuckey, and John Tietjen ’23 were named All-Americans.

Not to be outdone, the Soccer Hawklets repeated as State Champions, winning back-to-back titles for the third time in program history, and the ninth championship since 1998. Despite

losing nine starters from the 2021 team, Rockhurst had new players step up as the team finished the season with a 21-22 record, ranked #1 in Missouri, #2 in the central region, and #14 in the nation. Four players were named All-State, including Baka Kante ’24 who was the Missouri Player of the Year and an All-American.

Cross country earned its 16th consecutive State Meet qualification and placed 7th out of 16 teams. Henry Acorn ’25 placed 6th individually, becoming the first Rock runner to place top-10 as a sophomore. The football team faced a challenging regular season schedule, finishing 5-4 including big wins over Blue Springs, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Louis University High School, but lost in the final seconds of a high-scoring District game against Park Hill. Andrew

Sprague ’24, a top-10 ranked offensive tackle in the country, was named 1st Team All-State.

In the winter season, the basketball team dealt with a combination of new players and season-ending injuries. But after a slow start to the season, Rockhurst found its groove and earned a spot in the District Championship before losing to Lee’s Summit West. Hayden Spachman ’23 was named 1st Team All-District and Braden Lamley ’24 was Honorable Mention. The wrestling team, with only two seniors, won two of its final three duals of the season against Bishop Miege and North Kansas City before placing 12th out of 16 teams at Districts. Rockhurst had three juniors, Luke Tyrer ’24, Robert Purcell ’24, and Bobby Clemons ’24 come up one place short of qualifying for State in their weight divisions.

ROCKHURST HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC TEAMS BATTLED IN THE FALL, WINTER, AND SPRING SEASONS

The soccer team followed up its 2021 championship by repeating as champs in 2022.

Spring brought another championship back to The Rock, as the lacrosse team completed an 18-0 undefeated season. Along with going 13-0 in league play, the Hawklets also defeated out-oftown opponents in Strake Jesuit (TX), Episcopal (TX), Creighton Prep (NE), and SLUH and Chaminade from St. Louis. Rockhurst was dominant. The team ended with a +249 goal differential for the season, and won playoff games by scores of 28-3, 16-4, and 14-10.

Eleven players were named to the LAKC All-Metro Team; among them was Luke McNamara ’24 who etched his name all over the Rockhurst Lacrosse record books. In those 18 games, while not playing in the second half of many games due to lopsided scores, McNamara netted 103 goals, shattering the previous record of 72, which McNamara set in his sophomore season. In just the second game of his junior season, he broke the program’s career goal of 133. With still his final year to play, his goal count sits at 226.

The Golf Hawklets came up one stroke short of winning their second straight title. The team cruised to another District Championship, with all five golfers placing in the top 18 and earning AllDistrict honors. Jack Cobb ’23, who was 10th at Districts, shot one-under in both rounds at State to become an individual Co-State Champion - the seventh ever Hawklet to win an individual title.

Volleyball had its final season as a club sport at Rockhurst. In 2024 it will join as an official MSHSAA varsity sport. The team completed its second consecutive undefeated KC High School Boys Volleyball League going 26-0 en route to another championship, and losing only two sets all season. The Kansas City teams were then invited to participate in the Missouri State Tournament for the first time, which included St. Louis schools. The Hawklets advanced to the State Quarterfinals against Parkway South, but lost a very close match 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 23-25, 24-26). All-District selections included Barrett Brewer ’23, Colin Fitzgerald ’23, Connor Gaarder ’23, Gage Heueisen ’23, and Mason Kastel ’25

Rockhurst Baseball made its deepest playoff run since the 2019 season after a strong year-end run. In late-April, the team’s record sat at 8-12, but the Hawklets kept fighting and wrapped up the regular season at 15-14, earning the #3 seed in the district. Behind strong pitching performances from Marco Dumsky ’23 and Cooper Westra ’24, Rockhurst defeated Ray-Pec and the top-two seeds in Lee’s Summit and Lee’s Summit West to earn a spot in the State Quarterfinals against the defending State Champions, Liberty North. The Hawklets fought until the final out, but lost 2-0 to end the season.

The track & field team came just short of winning a District Championship, as Rockhurst took 2nd, just five points behind the winning team. Three relay teams and eight individual events placed in the top four, qualifying for the Sectional Meet for the opportunity to move on to State. At Sectionals, two relays and five individual events made it through the toughest grouping in Missouri to advance for the State Meet. In one of the most competitive State Meets in history, Rockhurst had five All-State performances. Kene Okpareke ’23 placed 5th in the 100-meter and 8th in the 200-meter, Brendan Kerr ’23 placed 4th in the 800-meter, the 4x800 Relay Team placed 5th, and the 4x100 Relay Team placed 2nd.

Each of the top seven players for the tennis team were first-year varsity players following the 2022 season; and the top 12 players were all underclassmen. The Hawklets worked through a difficult regular season of growing pains, but got hot at the right time in the playoffs. Rockhurst won its first two matches of Districts before losing to Pembroke Hill in the State Quarterfinals. On the individual side, two doubles teams, Caleb Bridges ’25 / Henry Stevens ’25 and Nate Dierks ’24 / Luke Johnson ’26, qualified for the State Tournament and the duo of Bridges and Stevens placed 7th.

With another undefeated KC League season, the Volleyball Hawklets won its second straight championship before playing in their first Missouri State Tournament.

Jack Cobb ’23 was the Co-State Championship in golf, leading the Hawkles to a 2nd place team finish.

The lacrosse team won back-to-backto-back league championships for the first time in program history.

PROGRAMS, ATHLETES, COACHES RECOGNIZED

FOR ACHIEVEMENTS

The Rockhurst High School football program was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on April 23, 2023. Rockhurst became the 11th high school program deserving of the honor, and the second big class school, joining Jefferson City High School. Currently, the Hawklet program is the only Class 6 football team in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Since its first season in 1916, Rockhurst is 760-263-35 with 16 State Championship appearances and nine State Titles. Coach Tony Severino, who led the Hawklets from 1983-2019, was inducted in 2018. Coach Kelly Donohoe,

who took over at The Rock in 2020, is also a Missouri Sports Hall of Fame member for his storied tenure at Blue Springs High School.

“We’re talking about decades and decades of teams that have had a lot of success, and many head coaches that have had a profound impact on Rockhurst, so that’s what this honor is really about,” said Donohoe.

Coaches play a big role in the success of teams, and Rockhurst is fortunate to have highly-qualified, experienced, and

dedicated coaches at every level in every sport. All three head coaches that won championships in the 2022-23 year were honored with coaching awards.

Coach Paul Winkeler won his 15th MISCA Coach of the Year in his 21st season leading the AquaHawks. Coach Matt Darby ’00 was named the Missouri Private School Coach of the Year and the Central Region Private School Coach of the Year. Coach Tim Reidy ’02 was awarded the LAKC Coach of the Year and the USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year, both for the third time in 12 seasons.

Coach Paul Winkeler won the Missouri Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year for the 15th time.

Eric Berg, Rockhurst football assistant coach from 19812019, accepted Rockhurst Football’s induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on behalf of the program.

While each year of athletics includes dozens of All-District honors, several All-State performances, and even a few AllAmericans, the awards most celebrated at Rockhurst are for recognition off the playing field. Grant Anielak ’23 was one of 36 soccer players named to the Academic All-State Team. John Tietjen ’23, along with being a swim & dive All-American in the 500 Freestyle, was an Academic All-American.

Brian Humphrey ’23 was honored with the NAIA’s High School Student-Athlete of Character Award for demonstrating the characteristics of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. There is only one recipient of this award each year from the Kansas City Metro area. Brock Narciso ’23 was selected as a 2023 recipient of USA Lacrosse’s Bob Scott Service Award, given to one player from each area across the country who goes “above and beyond” in service to his team, school, and community.

Rockhurst was also proud to host signing ceremonies for 16 student-athletes in the Class of 2023 who will continue their academic and athletic careers in college.

Coach Tim Reidy ’02 was honored with the LAKC and USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year Awards.

Coach Matt Darby ’00 was named both the Missouri and Central Region Private School Soccer Coach of the Year.

Brian Humphrey ’23 received the NAIA High School StudentAthlete of Character Award.

Brock Narciso ’23 was selected for the USA Lacrosse Bob Scott Service Award.

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