The Beacon - Summer 2017

Volume 36, No. 2 Summer 2017

A Time to Celebrate

Pig & Chicken Roast and Fall Fest Fundraiser — Homecoming Weekend

Saturday, October 7, 2017 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. – Annual OBAA sponsored Pig & Chicken Roast Featuring the Fall Fest Fundraiser sponsored by SJNMA: • Festive social atmosphere • Fun games and activities including a dunk tank • Silent auction items

• • • •

Raffles Cash bar FUND-A-NEED at 12:00 p.m.

Sponsorships available

Farrand Hall Gymnasium – Entrance is FREE! Pig & Chicken Roast: $20 adult; Free for children 10 and under; Cadets eat as part of their regular meal plan. Visit www.sjnma.org/event-registration.cfm to register. Proceeds benefit the Old Boys Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

Fall Fest Fundraiser: Proceeds benefit the Academy’s Annual Fund. Watch for more details at www.bidpal.net/sjnma or call (262) 646-7289.

CHICAGO • MARCH 17, 2018 Join fellow alumni, families and friends for the annual Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Academy will provide free parking at Plumbers’ Hall and bus transportation from the hall to the parade meeting area. After the parade, join the Academy at Plumbers’ Hall for a reception. Cost is $20 per adult, and $10 for children 12 and under; cadets eat free.

For tickets and details, visit www.sjnma.org/event-registration.cfm.

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL PRIDE!

Keep your cadet close to heart with these NEW adorable custom designed teddy bears.

The SJNMA Cadet Store is your first place for official SJNMA logo wear and gifts.

Adult and Children’s Apparel, Fine Drinkware, Decorative Office Supplies, and much more!

All major credit cards accepted.

SJNMA Cadet Bears . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20

SJNMA is partnering with Support the Troops WI. Each bear donated through the Cadet Store will be given to children of local military personnel on send-off days to hold close while their loved one is away.

Visit or contact the Cadet Store to purchase a bear for yourself or to donate one for a child of a military member.

Phone (262) 646-7133 • cadetstore@sjnma.org • www.sjnma.org/sjnma-cadet-store.cfm

4

“LEST WE FORGET”– WAR MEMORIAL ROOM

8

COSTA RICA GLOBAL SERVICE LEARNING TRIP

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

Editor-in-Chief Jaime L. Buege

Contributors

Lynette Ahlgren Ping Braatz Paul Havel Jennifer Henery, Ph.D. Stephanie Ihler Peg Koller H2017 Anita Kopaczewski H2009 Stephen Matz Duane Mlachnik S1980 Nicole Rutherford Cindy A. Trione Deborah Turnbull H2012 St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy 1101 Genesee St., Delafield, WI 53018 (800) 752-2338 www.sjnma.org The Beacon is published two times per year by the Advancement Department of St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. The editorial staff welcomes your ideas and comments.

Please submit correspondence to the editor at jbuege@sjnma.org.

Board of Trustees

Jack H. Albert Jr. D.Min., Academy President Dr. Crain Bliwas N1965, Chair Joe LaRocca N1969, Vice Chair Fred Leach S1974, Vice Chair Bard Boand N1967, Secretary Michael F. Henn H2016, Treasurer

Members

Bob Bramlett S1970 Lee Breitkopf S1973 Andrew Filipowski S1968 Joseph Giammanco N1970 Bill Hummel N1968 Charles Krametbauer S1978 Anthony Lazzara S1948 John Leone The Rt. Rev. Steven Miller Kenneth Schneider Kathy Snodell Lilah Stangeland H1999 Victor E. Treviño S1958 John D. Wietzel S1964

12

In May 2017, the new War Memorial Room was dedicated in the DeKoven Hall rotunda, which honors all Academy men who died in service from World War I to the present Global War on Terrorism. Previously located in Farrand Hall Gymnasium, the room’s intended purpose is now being served—a tribute to honor our beloved cadets and a reminder to future generations of what has been bestowed upon them.

In March 2017, cadets in the Global Service Learning program visited Costa Rica for an 11-day immersion course. Cadets explored the Veragua Rainforest and dug frog ponds, cleared the beaches in Estacion Las Tortugas for leatherback turtles to nest, and visited students at a local school.

COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND 2017 The Class of 2017 enjoyed an evening music performance, held the traditional Class Stone Ceremony, and participated in a formal parade before receiving diplomas during Commencement Exercises on May 27, 2017.

Departments 2 3 15 16 20 22 26 27

This Side Front & Center Giving Development Update Athletics International Connections Old Boys Alumni Association

28 30 32 33 36 37 40

Reunion 2017 Inspiring Alumni Academy Crests Alumni News Military Men in Service Taps Glimpses from the Past

Alumni Office Update

On the Cover Peg Koller congratulates First Captain Robert Hall 2017 on his graduation after Commencement Exercises on May 27, 2017. Mrs. Koller will retire this summer after 21 years as the Academy librarian and archivist. First Captain Hall will attend the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay this fall.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

1

This Side

Office of the President St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy Our Mission: St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy immerses young men in a culture of leadership that inspires personal growth through a commitment to excellence in Academics, Spiritual and Character Development, Athletics, and our Military Traditions.

The end of each year causes reflection. It appears to me as each year rolls by—and this is the end of 13 years for me at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy—my reflection grows more deeply and I study the year longer. I always hope my contemplation serves some greater meaning than to merely review the past days. Actually, my desire is to improve the next year by studying the victories and the defeats of each passing year. I guess it is my love of history that brings me to this desire. George Santayana, a Spanish American philosopher and a man of letters, is ascribed as saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

We, of course, do not want to be condemned to repeating our failures, but can rejoice in replicating our victories. This should be our goal as we close each chapter of the school year. We should not reflect merely to live in the past, but study those moments where we were courageous, bold, forthright, and even noble in our efforts to do what is right for our fellows. We should meditate on those times where we eased the pain or hurt of some friend or a child who was fearful or lost in their efforts. These times of closing rumination hopefully will enable us to be causal agents of hope, especially for the young men for whom we are called to minister. For you see, I do believe this work at this place is a ministry— a sacred work where the vestments of hope and change, growth and healthy maturing, finding one’s way and living well with others, are worn up on our shoulders as emblems of the pillars of our foundation. So the homily for the future must be fashioned by the moments of silent thought as each year ends. This silence is a good thing.

Jack H. Albert Jr. D.Min. H2015

Editor’s note: Dr. Albert was recognized as Alumnus of the Year

by Glenville State College in West Virginia where he graduated in 1970. He received the award during an alumni banquet on April 22, 2017.

2

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Front & Center

Librarian, Mentor and Friend – Peg Koller Retires After 21 years as librarian and archivist at SJNMA, Margaret “Peg” Koller is retiring. Capturing just a glimpse of the imprint she leaves on this Academy and those she had contact with is a challenge.

Some of her major contributions include establishing the online library database, overseeing the museum and archives, contributing to the Academy’s military history book, transitioning the library to the new Learning Commons, and most recently, overseeing the content of the new War Memorial Room.

Mentor. Peg always sought to teach and encourage others whenever she could. Her main goal was to help cadets learn by challenging them to think, research and dig deep to find the answers. Stacks of books were often taken off the shelves for topic research. Hours were spent guiding cadets through assignments like Jon Bennett’s civil war project. She would also teach cadets who had extra time how to laminate, scan photos, restock library books and conduct historical research. With that mentoring came a lot of patience because things weren’t always done right.

Dedicated. Often, Peg would be seen leaving campus late—there was just one more thing that needed to be done or a cadet would come in seeking help with homework, never to be turned away. She worked tirelessly finding tools faculty could use in their teaching, always staying on top of the latest trends. Her passion for the Academy produced countless hours spent working on historical displays and articles, helping alumni and friends look for family historical information, combing through numerous donations of books, artifacts and photos, and keeping the library up-to-date with the newest novels and research material.

Selfless. Peg always sought to help others. She would lend a

listening ear, volunteer time and energy beyond the work day, and offer her home to the cross-country team or international cadets.

She was genuinely concerned about each cadet and staff member who crossed her path and often reached out to them after they left the Academy.

Persistent. It wasn’t easy working in the Old Boys’ Memorial Library for so many years, but Peg didn’t let the physical

“ Peg has always put the needs of cadets and the school first. Every single alumnus I speak with always has kind words to say about her.

She has helped countless cadets with research, support, guidance and a kind smile. Peg will be missed by everyone on campus.”

– Timothy C. Shramek, history teacher

surroundings hamper her zeal for the job. She worked through the cold winters and hot, humid summers; she made do with leaking pipes and old carpeting; and she moved heavy tables.

Chuck Miller is grateful to her for all the chess matches she endured and set up. Converting from a 14,000+ volume library to The Armer Family Learning Commons library in 2015 was monumental, but Peg got it done without ado. Even through her biggest personal trial, she remained strong.

Enthusiastic. Peg tried to find ways to encourage others even

if it was through a quick, “Hi, how are you?” At Halloween, she would dress up, bring candy, share ghost stories from past cadets. She loved to tell stories behind the original Memorial Hall Gymnasium and the Waterloo diorama. Newspaper articles about cadets were proudly displayed in the library. Home-baked goods were made for the annual snow contest and other bake sales.

Seniors would see their new boy pictures displayed on the big red board at the end of the school year.

We will never entirely know Peg’s impact here. Those of you who know her can probably think of some way she has touched your life. The Academy wishes her the best on her retirement!

Peg Koller with cadets at the National Honor Society brunch on May 27, 2017.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

3

4

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

War Memorial Room

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

5

S

ince 1949, the War Memorial Room has been a hallowed place to honor the sacrifices made by Academy men in the service of our country.

Thanks to the generosity of several contributors, the War Memorial Room has been relocated from Farrand Hall Gymnasium to the DeKoven Hall rotunda. This new elegant space honors all 141 Gold Star Academy men who died in service from World War I to the current Global War on Terrorism.

Designed and constructed by MSI General, the new War Memorial Room was formally dedicated on May 19, 2017, as part of the Academy’s Armed Forces Day activities. Several veterans were present to witness the unveiling.

PRECEDING PAGE: The DeKoven Hall rotunda is the new home of the War Memorial Room. Special thanks to Karen Kebisek for creating the black SJMA and SJNMA ribbons and gold war ribbons on display, which continues a tradition started at NMNA. LEFT: This beautiful wooden pillar was relocated and refurbished. It lists all Old Boys and alumni who served in World War II and notes those who died.

6

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

“When you go in this room it tells a story, and it’s a sacred story.

It is an emotional story. And you think about this, some of these boys were 19 years old,” said Dr. Jack H. Albert Jr., president of SJNMA. “They walked these halls, they played in these fields, they went to these classrooms, and as I say, served our country with dignity and honor and some did not return. So we honor them here today, and we say thank you.”

Cadet Benjamin Kelley 2018 developed a mobile app for his Eagle Scout project, which allows users to search for information about each Academy cadet who died in service. The app is available on a tablet for

visitors to use in the War Memorial Room. Cadet Kelley collaborated with Peg Koller, Academy librarian and archivist, and spent many hours during the 2016-2017 school year developing the app, scanning photos, and uploading information about each serviceman.

The Academy secured a generous lead gift of $25,000 from VFW Soat-Vergenz Post #721 to fund the relocation, and a $15,000 gift from Don Mullet S1960 to complete the project. This new space continues to honor the sacrifices made by Academy servicemen and to remind future generations of what has been bestowed upon them.

See Glimpses from the Past on pages 40-41 for stories on a few Academy servicemen who died in service.

BELOW: LCpl Harrison Kampling 2015 (center) and visiting veterans view photos of Academy alumni who served in World War II and the Global War on Terrorism.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

7

8

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Global Service Learning Program

Costa Rica Global Service Learning Trip

OPPOSITE PAGE: The group stands at the base of a Dussia macroprophyllata tree in Veragua.

ABOVE, LEFT: Students dig frog ponds in Veragua.

ABOVE, RIGHT: Amplexus red-eyed tree frogs

T

his past school year starting in the fall of 2016 and culminating in a Global Service Learning trip to Costa Rica, six cadets from SJNMA and two students from other schools had an adventure!

All eight students met with Deborah Turnbull, Science Department chair, and Dr. Jennifer Henery, director of Spiritual Life and Character Development, once a month on weekends, and conducted classes on the geology of Costa Rica and on its flora and fauna. They also examined environmental ethical issues by studying Costa Rica as an example of a country that is very environmentally conscientious and one of the major ecotourism spots in the world. The students volunteered at local environmental community service projects working with the Waukesha County Parks system to get warmed up for their service work in Costa Rica.

They departed for their trip in March 2017 and landed in San Jose, and spent their first and last night in Atenas, a nearby town. All quotes are taken from the journals that the students kept while on their trip. On the first morning, Cadet Alexander Moore 2018 wrote, “Today I woke up and got my first look at Costa Rica, looking off the balcony into the mountains.” Local student Ally Noles said, “… we saw the most beautiful scenery ever. Mountains were all around us and it appeared as if we were in a little valley.”

From Atenas, they drove to Veragua, the largest state park in Costa Rica in the middle of the rainforest. They set out right away to help the visiting scientists that are called herpetologists because they work with amphibians on their projects.

Cadet Joseph Quilici 2017 recorded their first adventure, “We rode down

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

a tram through the rainforest and hiked to the Cougar Waterfall and saw Howler Monkeys! There was one large mature male and two babies and they were howling at us and we woke up to hear them every morning.”

They took a night hike during which Cadet Alan Cameron 2019 stated, “We learned a little bit about the Golden Orb Spider; apparently its silk is stronger than Kevlar.”

They also saw snakes and many species of frogs. The students worked on ponds to help build habitat for the Tiger Frogs, and swam and jumped off a cliff in the nearby river.

“We visited the butterfly garden on our tour of the forest,” recorded Cadet Killian O’Rourke 2017. Cadet Moore exclaimed, “I got a cool picture of the red-eyed tree frogs making babies!”

The group was sad to depart Veragua, but on their way to the Estacion Las Tortugas, SUMMER 2017

9

“The end of one journey is just the beginning of the next.”

— Cadet Alexander Moore 2018

ABOVE, LEFT: Ally Noles visits with students at Las Brisas School.

ABOVE, RIGHT: Hatchling (Photo by Neil Ever Osborne/SEE Turtles)

they stopped at a local school to help with a project and play with the children there.

This turned out to be many students’ favorite part of the trip. Miss Noles reflected, “The kids were wonderful and don’t take anything for granted.”

Then off to the Estacion Las Tortugas, an island on the Caribbean side where the giant leatherback turtles go to nest from March through June. These ancient animals can reach weights of 600 to 1,100 pounds and lengths of four to six feet. They can live up to 100 years and are listed as threatened or endangered mostly due from incidental take during commercial fishing and floating pollution, such as the ingestion of plastic bags, which they mistake for their main food source, jellyfish. They can lay several times during the season, but the survival/return rate of the hatchlings is very low. As Cadet Skyler Chauff 2020 stated, “One in one thousand 10

SUMMER 2017

turtles will mature to become an adult, making becoming a leatherback turtle adult a longshot.”

While the students were at the Estacion, they cleared the beaches, so that the leatherback turtles would have nothing in their way when they landed and as they crawled up the beach to lay their eggs.

During their night patrols, the students were very fortunate in that they were able to see three adult turtles and watch two lay eggs. They then worked with the scientists to measure them, look for signs of injury, collect the eggs, and put them in a nursery to help insure that more could possibly survive. Maggie Henery, daughter of Dr. Henery, said of this experience, “The night when I got to hold the turtle’s flipper was amazing. I was so nervous that I would hurt the turtle, but so excited to help collect 129 eggs. I even kept the glove I wore as a souvenir.”

One day, the students took a boat ride up the canal to go looking for wildlife. They saw many species of birds and reptiles, including a crocodile cautiously guarding her nest.

Then off to a much needed play day on the beach at Cahuita. Not only did they get to swim, but as Cadet Moore stated, “I had a great time at the beach, riding the waves and body surfing, and we saw White-faced Capuchin monkeys and three-toed sloths.”

The next day, the students took the bus to a river, which they motored up and then hiked up a mountain to visit the BriBri Community, one of the three indigenous tribes in Costa Rica. The people make their living by farming, especially cacao beans to make chocolate. They also learned quite a lot about the medicinal uses of many local plants. As stated by Cadet Parker Anderson 2020, “After we saw how the

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

ABOVE: Students clear the beaches in Estacion Las Tortugas.

RIGHT, TOP: Cadet Alan Cameron 2019 gives a piggyback ride to a student at Las Brisas School.

MIDDLE: White-faced Capuchin monkey in Cahuita BOTTOM: A BriBri woman separates the shell from the chocolate.

cacao beans were dried, we walked a little before we came up to a star fruit tree. We just picked the fruit off and ate it.”

They then traveled back to Atenas and prepared to fly home. Again, they were sad to leave, but as stated by Cadet Moore, “The end of one journey is just the beginning of the next.”

And so the journey continues. In the 2017-2018 school year, the Global Service Learning program will return to Haiti with the benefit of learning trip management from Eco-Teach and partnering with the Haiti Project.

After the inaugural trip to Haiti in 2016, Dr. Henery has partnered with the Haiti Project (haitiproject.org) and has become a part of its Board of Directors. This partnership has allowed for an ongoing relationship with St. Marc’s School and

the community in Jeanette, Haiti. The 2018 trip will not only work with the community in Jeanette, but will also explore the history of Haiti in Port au Prince and take a field trip with students from St. Marc’s to the nursing school in Leogane to learn about the training of the nurses for the clinic in Jeanette.

If you are interested in learning more about the 2017-2018 Global Service Learning course and trip, contact Dr. Henery at jhenery@sjnma.org.

Congratulations to Cadet Alexander Moore 2018 for receiving Best in Class for the Global Service Learning – Costa Rica trip. He is planning to go on the Haiti trip!

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

11

ABOVE: First Captain Robert Hall 2017 and the Battalion Staff lead the Formal Parade on May 27, 2017.

2017 Year-End Awards

Letterman’s Banquet Awards

Cadet Zachary Wiberg 2017 – Valedictorian, Most Respected Senior Award

3-Season Varsity Letter Winners:

Cadet Christopher Slosar 2017 – Salutatorian, President’s Award, President’s Medal in Honor of Gen. Douglas MacArthur First Captain Robert Hall 2017 – Doctor Delafield Trustee’s Medal Cadet Yoon Jae Kim 2017 – Zelma Garriot Morris Medal Cadet Andrew Burrow 2017 – President’s Award, Colonel Frank W. Mouso Medal, James T. Regas S1951 Most Likeable Senior Award Cadet Marco Breceda Martos 2017 – Priscilla Rose Medal Cadet Jose Rodarte Soto 2017 – Elizabeth Ross Smythe Medal Cadet James Riese McClellan 2017 – Alexander Roth Senior Leadership Award Cadet Cadet Mohammad Basij-Rasikh 2017 – Senior Speech Award Cadet Zhaole Liang 2017 – The Order of the White Rose 12

SUMMER 2017

Cadet Andrew Burrow 2017 – Soccer/Wrestling/Lacrosse Cadet Gerald Gittens 2020 – Football/Basketball/Baseball Cadet Sang Soo Ha 2018 – Soccer/Swimming/Baseball Cadet Denzel Legree-Simmons 2019 – Football/Basketball/Track Cadet Nigel Matthews 2018 – Football/Basketball/Track Cadet Tyrese Seefeldt 2017 – Football/Wrestling/Track Midwest Classic Conference Scholar Athlete Award – Cadet Jose Rodarte Soto 2017 WIAA Scholar Athletes – First Captain Robert Hall 2017 and Cadet James Riese McClellan 2017 Dolly Gray Medal (Scholar Athlete) – First Captain Robert Hall 2017 White Knight Award (Sportsmanship) – Cadet Allen Watson 2017 Pattee Brothers’ Award (Top Athlete) – Cadet Andrew Burrow 2017 School Record Award (Swimming – 50 Meter Freestyle) – Cadet James Riese McClellan 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Commencement Weekend 2017 1

2

4

3

5

6

7

8

THIS PAGE: 1: The senior class walks through the Senior Gate to begin

5: Cadets John “Max” Johnson 2018 (left) and Christopher Slosar

2: Cadet Clayton Nelson 2022 performs with The Pipes and Drums

6: Dr. Jack H. Albert Jr. presents Cadet Andrew Burrow 2017 with

Commencement Exercises on May 27, 2017. of SJNMA on May 26, 2017.

3: Cadet Zachary Wiberg 2017 gives the valedictorian speech during Commencement Exercises.

4: Dr. Jack H. Albert Jr. (left) and Adam Fox S1988 present the

Zelma Garriot Morris medal to Cadet Yoon Jae Kim 2017 during Commencement Exercises. Named after Mr. Fox’s great grandmother, the award is given to a graduating senior who has attended SJNMA for at least three years and personifies the Academy’s goal of transforming boys into young men.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

2017 pose after Commencement Exercises on May 27, 2017.

the President’s Award, which is awarded to a cadet who gets off track and returns overcoming great difficulties, or who had a difficult time in his early days at the Academy and overcame the obstacles.

7: Cadet HanYu Zhang 2017 receives his diploma during

Commencement Exercises from Dr. Crain Bliwas N1965, Chair of the SJNMA Board of Trustees.

8: Dr. Crain Bliwas N1965 presents a diploma to Cadet J. Riese McClellan 2017 during Commencement Exercises.

SUMMER 2017

13

Senior Class Michael Baek – University of Dayton Mohammad Basij-Rasikh – University of Wisconsin-Waukesha Marco Breceda Martos – Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara Andrew Burrow – University of Wisconsin-Madison Mario Cano Perez – Tecnológico de Monterrey Sawyer Cartwright – Copper Mountain, Colorado, ski school staff Christian Cunningham – McHenry County College Zachary Daily – University of WisconsinMadison Evan Demarais – Norwich University Traevion Donley – Marian University Mohamed El Sayed – DePaul University Victor Fuentes Perez – Universidad Anáhuac Nicholas Galvin – Elmhurst College Emilio Garcia Cano Gomez – Tecnológico de Monterrey Pablo Garza Ramones – Gap Year/ Community Service Project, Mexico Matthew Grotkiewicz – United States Navy Class Stone Ceremony 2017

Jonathan Guffy – Milwaukee Area Technical College Robert Hall III – University of WisconsinGreen Bay Qujinsheng He – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee John Hirstein – Indiana State University Nicholas Illgen – University of Wisconsin-Madison Yoon Jae Kim – Purdue University Zhaole Liang – University of WisconsinMadison Eric Ligas – University of Redlands James Riese McClellan – Western Michigan University Daniel McParland – Moraine Valley Community College John Justin Miselnicky – Illinois State University Killian O’Rourke – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Peter Panagiotaros II – DePaul University James Petersen – Yavapai College Joseph Quilici – Illinois State University Neema Radfar – College of DuPage James Ramirez – College of DuPage

Brandon Rivera Gaviria – Marian University Jose Rodarte Soto – Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey Jose Sanchez Rendon – Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Tyrese Seefeldt – University of Wisconsin-Waukesha Kenneth Seo – Adams State University Christopher Slosar – United States Military Academy at West Point Daniel Timm – Carroll University Kees Van Der Aa – University of North Georgia Armand Vasquez – United States Merchant Marine Academy Cole Venus – United States Army Conor Vitt – Inver Hills Community College Allen Watson Jr. – Kents Hill School Zachary Wiberg – Georgia Institute of Technology Zhenbang Yu – Seattle Central College Robert Zalenas – Heidelberg University HanYu Zhang – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Jiale Zhang – Santa Monica College

Post Graduate Class Charles Bain – Robert Morris University Illinois Courtney Carter – South Suburban College Abdoul Latif Lucky Diop – University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Adeoke Karl-Elie Djankale – Madison Area Technical College Kevin Major – Ranger College Galvin McCall – Marian University Paris Parham Jr. – Lincoln University, Missouri

14

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Giving

Stephen Matz, Director of Development

T

o win, to develop into an elite version of oneself, to be the best—regardless of mission, pursuit, game, dream, or life scenario—securing your seat as a champion takes more commitment than just participation. Champions know this as truth. I would further suggest that all alumni from SJMA, NMNA and SJNMA would subscribe to this notion as well.

Several weeks from late May to early June were a roller coaster of emotion on social media for those associated with the Academy. As surveys and other communications were sent out requesting feedback on strategic topics associated with SJNMA, a firestorm of opinions, ideas, attitudes, philosophies, and viewpoints emerged onto our social media feeds. Yet through the noise of the collective voice, a single thread of clarity became evident: an unrivaled passion exists for a small school in Wisconsin.

Securing your seat as a champion takes more commitment than just participation.

Participation was expected by SJMA founder Reverend Smythe and illustrated through one of his storied quotes, “Play the Game.” Yet I find no reference to the early years of SJMA where he handed out participation trophies. I contend, Reverend Smythe held his academy and cadets to a greater standard and purpose. I find a similar philosophy from NMNA founder Harlan Page Davidson. They both were men who demanded the paramount from their cadets and would almost certainly expect the subsequent generations to follow suit. So while participation was expected, best efforts and successes were rewarded. In short, for SJNMA to be a champion, an elite version of itself, the best of the best, our constituents need not only to “play the game,” but give at their very best.

So how does this all tie together? Over an amazing Commencement & Reunion Weekend, as the dust settled on social media, an echoing message emerged throughout campus that alumni’s philanthropic participation was vital to the Academy’s success. It is true. Participation rates are used by philanthropic organizations to evaluate the financial health and stability of an organization requesting funds. Last fiscal year, SJNMA saw an alumni giving percentage of 6.5% with approximately 3% of annual fund donors sustaining over 70% of the total dollars raised. Simply stated, the Academy has a small group of generous individuals supporting much of the heavy philanthropic lifting. And the mission moving forward is clear – the Academy needs our constituent base to give in a greater percentage and impact.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

15

Development Update

“This school changes lives!

It makes boys into men. Love, love it!”

– Kathleen Goggins, Parent

Cadet Charlie Rosen 2018 enjoyed The Excalibur with his family.

A

n evening of celebration and philanthropy was held in Farrand Hall Gymnasium during Spring Families Weekend on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Over 285 people attended The Excalibur dinner and auction fundraiser in support of the Academy and the Corps of Cadets. The event was a huge success raising $283,216 – the highest raised at any Excalibur!

The experience included a silent auction, a mini live auction, raffles, delicious food, and a chance for everyone to show their support for SJNMA. Lancer Hospitality created an elegant atmosphere replete with beautiful linens, a sumptuous buffet, and a stunning ice sculpture featuring a knight with his sword and The Excalibur logo.

The crowd enjoyed some time mingling, perusing silent auction items, and bidding on the mini live auction before taking their seats as directed by emcee/auctioneer Stephen Matz, director of development. Our 28 generous sponsors of The Excalibur were recognized and thanked for helping to underwrite the event. The FUND-A-NEED was then kicked off by Kathleen Goggins, parent of Cody Goggins 2016 and Tad Goggins 2018. Cadet Chris Slosar 2017 was introduced and shared what the Academy has meant to him since enrolling his freshman year. Cadet Slosar received 16 16

SUMMER 2017

Parent Kathleen Goggins kicked off this year’s FUND-A-NEED, which raised $150,000 to bolster our marketing initiatives.

an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and credits SJNMA for this accomplishment.

A video was played and featured the voice of parent Kelly Nelson who talked about her experience sending her son, Kees VanDerAa 2017, to the Academy. “Military schools are not for bad, worthless boys. They are not for boys whose parents gave up. They are not for kids with drug problems or kids who have been arrested. They are not reform schools,” Mrs. Nelson said. “It’s always easier to not make hard decisions, to hope for the best. But as someone once said, hope is not a strategy. For one of my boys, this [sending my son to St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy] was the best strategy.” This year’s FUND-A-NEED raised an incredible $150,000 to bolster our marketing initiatives so that stories like these can be heard.

A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to everyone who attended, sponsored the event with a cash gift, donated an auction item, purchased an auction item, and/or supported the FUND-A-NEED! We also had a lot of helpers working hard to acquire more than 200 auction items, transform the gym on set up day, and help us at the event. Thank you to each and every one of our wonderful volunteers.

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

We hope you will join us at next year’s Excalibur dinner and auction fundraiser on

Saturday, April 28, 2018, during Spring Families Weekend!

With your support, we look ahead with great confidence.

Contact: Cindy A. Trione Director of Donor Relations and Special Events (262) 646-7289 ctrione@sjnma.org

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

17

Leaders Circle Reception Thank you, Leaders Circle and 1884 Society members!

T

he Academy’s Leaders Circle celebrated its 10th annual recognition ceremony on Friday, May 26 during Commencement & Reunion Weekend. Gathering in the backyard of the president’s home for a champagne reception, a special group of donors was honored for their minimum $1,000 contributions during fiscal year 2017. Leaders Circle gifts support the Academy’s Annual Fund, which benefits every cadet, teacher, program and department on campus. Membership must be renewed annually, and several folks were recognized as renewing their membership for each of the 10 years the Leaders Circle has existed.

Cadet Chris Slosar 2017 spoke to the group and thanked the Academy for all it has done for him since he enrolled as a freshman. “This school has helped me through my worst times and given me the support I needed. It has made me into the leader I am today and the adult I will be later in my life. What a journey I have had. I believe that every young man who goes through the challenges and hardships of this school will learn to be more persistent, and it will teach them to never give up on their goals.”

Cadet Slosar will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point in the fall.

So far this fiscal year (July 1-June 30), there are 180 households that belong to the Leaders Circle, including 52 first-year members, 17 who have elevated their membership to a higher level, and one generous estate gift. Together, Leaders Circle members have contributed more than $2.5 million to the Academy’s Annual Fund (operations and non-budget dollars).

This year we also honor eight households that have joined The 1884 Society. This new gift club was established last fiscal year and honors Leaders Circle members who have committed a minimum three-year pledge to the Annual Fund at a minimum level of $1,884.

Because Annual Fund investments are essential to every part of life at St. John’s Northwestern, the Leaders Circle continues to be a lifeline for the Academy. Thank you, Leaders Circle and 1884 Society members, for demonstrating your leadership by supporting the Academy and the Corps of Cadets so generously.

Your continued allegiance and personal involvement in our success is profoundly appreciated!

Save the date ... for The Heritage Society Appreciation Dinner,

Thursday, October 5, 2017, in Welles Dining Hall.

18 18

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

The 1884 Society Levels

Leaders Circle Levels

Diamond ($25,000+) Ruby ($10,000-$24,999) Sapphire ($5,000-$9,999) Emerald ($2,500-$4,999) Premier ($1,884-$2,499)

Diamond ($25,000+) Ruby ($10,000-$24,999) Sapphire ($5,000-$9,999) Emerald ($2,500-$4,999) Premier ($1,000-$2,499)

1

3

For more information about the Leaders Circle or The 1884 Society, contact Cindy A. Trione, director of donor relations and special events, at (262) 646-7289 or ctrione@sjnma.org.

2

4

1: New Leaders Circle member Catherine Bennett (left) received her Emerald level lapel pin from President Albert. Her daughter, Ann Schoper (right), has worked at the SJNMA Birk Infirmary since 2009.

2: New Leaders Circle members Keith and Kelly Nelson received their Premier level lapel pins from President Albert. Mrs. Nelson’s son, Kees VanDerAa 2017, attended the Academy for two years.

3: Bard Boand N1967 is a Sapphire level member of the Leaders Circle and Premier level member of The 1884 Society and has renewed his Leaders Circle membership for each of the 10 years it has existed. Mr. Boand serves as secretary on the Academy’s Board of Trustees. He is celebrating his 50th class reunion this year!

5

6

4: Upgraded Ruby level Leaders Circle member Tom Polivka S1977 received new lapel pins for himself and his wife, Susan. Mr. Polivka is celebrating his 40th class reunion this year. His son, Cadet Vlad Polivka 2018, will graduate from the Academy next year. His late father, Jack Polivka S1944, served on the Academy’s Board of Trustees.

5: Craig Smith S1976 received new Premier level 1884 Society pins for himself and his wife, Lisa, for committing to three consecutive yeas of Annual Fund giving at the level of $1,884.

6: President Albert recognized Tyler Tobin S1967.

Mr. Tobin and his wife, Sarah, are Premier level members in both the Leaders Circle and The 1884 Society. He enjoyed a wonderful weekend on campus celebrating his 50th class reunion!

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

19

Winter and Spring Sports

Sports

MVP

TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHTT: Cadet Brandon Weston 2020 Cadet Douglas Kirkhofer 2019 Cadet J. Riese McClellan 2017 BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHTT: Cadet Thaddeus Goggins 2018 Cadet Tyrese Seefeldt 2017 Cadet Charles Rosen 2018

2016-17 BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

GOLF

Cadet Brandon Weston 2020 earned 1st Team All-Conference in the Midwest Classic Conference. First Captain Robert Hall 2017 and Cadet Allen Watson 2017 were also named All-Conference Honorable Mention. Cadet Weston was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for the Lancers basketball team.

The Lancers wrestling team welcomed Brookfield Academy for the 2016-2017 wrestling season as a co-op team. Brookfield Academy freshman Aidan Medora finished 2nd in the WIAA Division 2 State Wrestling Tournament at 126 pounds for the Lancers, becoming only the second WIAA State Wrestling medalist in school history. Medora compiled a 38-4 record and was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for the Lancers wrestling team.

Cadet Nicholas Illgen 2017 shot an 82 and finished 5th in the Midwest Classic Conference Major Golf Meet. Cadet Illgen was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for golf. The Lancers captured the “Nag” Cup for the second consecutive season when they defeated University Lake School.

HOCKEY Cadet Douglas Kirkhofer 2019 made the trip to the WIAA State Hockey Tournament for the second consecutive year as a member of the Waukesha Wings co-op hockey team.

Cadet Kirkhofer, a defenseman, along with his Wings teammates finished as State Runner-Ups.

SWIMMING Cadet J. Riese McClellan 2017 broke a school record that Kurt Nickel S1983 set in 1982 in the 50 yard freestyle. Cadet McClellan was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for swimming, his fourth consecutive MVP award in swimming.

20

SUMMER 2017

BASEBALL Cadet Justin Miselnicky 2017 led the team with a .294 batting average and 13 RBIs. On May 9 and 11, 2017, the Lancers defeated Midwest Classic Conference foe Messmer High School. The Lancers scored a combined 27 runs on 23 hits in the two game series sweep.

Cadet Thaddeus Goggins 2018 was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for baseball.

LACROSSE Cadet Joseph Quilici 2017 was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for lacrosse.

TENNIS Cadet Charles Rosen 2018 was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for tennis.

Cadet Rosen had a three-match win streak during the 2017 spring season while playing #1 singles.

TRACK & FIELD Cadet Tyrese Seefeldt 2017 was named the 2017 Most Valuable Player for track & field. Cadet Seefeldt qualified for the WIAA Sectional Track meet. Joining him as Sectionals qualifier were First Captain Robert Hall 2017 and Cadets Nigel Matthews 2018, Denzel Legree-Simmons 2019 and Conor Vitt 2017.

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Great Things to Come for Lancers Basketball O

Athletics

n September 2, 2016, I was hired as the head basketball coach at SJNMA. What an honor and exciting opportunity! Being a 1980 graduate of St. John’s Military Academy and playing on two consecutive conference champion and state tournament teams in 1978-1979 and 1979-1980, this brought a sense of pride and responsibility; not to mention being a past parent of a 2011 SJNMA graduate in my son, DJ, who played on a conference contender in 2009-2010 and a conference championship team during the 20102011 season. In addition, DJ would become part of our staff as the varsity assistant head coach.

The season began slowly as we put in a new system with eight returning players (seven of them seniors) and five young new players; starting out with a 2-8 record. After Christmas break and a good long stretch of practice, games and no leaves or breaks, we were able to gel as a team and understand not only the system, but trust one another as teammates and coaches. Our experienced yet young team closed out the season going 10-3, finishing with a winning record for the first time in six seasons going 12-11. Our conference opponents took notice as we finished the conference part of our schedule going 6-9 after winning six of the last seven conference games; our team also placed one player on the first team, one on the second team and two on the honorable mention Midwest Classic Conference All-Conference teams.

All of this would not have been possible without the commitment and leadership of our eight upperclassmen. These young men have set the foundation of our program for years to come through buying into the system, while taking on roles as players, mentors and leaders. As we move forward and grow our program, the classes of 2017 and 2018 will be directly responsible for our future success.

With the additions of Steve Matz as our junior varsity head coach/ varsity assistant coach and Steve Stowe as our varsity assistant coach this past season, we have a very capable and stable staff for years to come. As we move forward teaching and coaching our young men the same system at both the varsity and junior varsity level, and as we continue to set the continuity of the program, our goal will be to have the system move down to our seventh and eighth grade prep team as well—a team coached by Perry Siebers this past season—developing a complete basketball program.

In one short year, we have changed the culture of our basketball program—brought excitement to our corps by the end of the season and had southeastern Wisconsin and the state of Wisconsin beginning to take notice of SJNMA basketball again. With that, the hard work now begins with a very challenging non-conference schedule set for the 2017-2018 season. Coupled with the always tough Midwest Classic Conference schedule, all involved are up to and very excited for the challenge and to see what is in store for the future.

TOP: Duane Mlachnik S1980 and his son, DJ Mlachnik 2011, coaching the Lancers varsity basketball team from the sideline during a game at Farrand Hall Gymnasium on December 13, 2016.

BOTTOM: (left to right) Dwayne Johnson S1981, Duane Mlachnik S1980 and Ronnie Williams S1980 after a 1980 basketball away game.

We look forward to seeing as many alumni, Old Boys, staff, faculty, family, friends and basketball fans alike supporting next year’s team!

– Duane Mlachnik S1980 THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

21

Senior Speech Each year, all cadets in senior English class write a senior speech and six cadets are chosen to present their speeches in chapel. A group of faculty members evaluates the speeches according to set criteria and choses one senior cadet to give his speech during Commencement & Reunion Weekend. This year, the chosen senior speech was given by Cadet Mohammad Basij-Rasikh 2017 from Kabul, Afghanistan.

T

his is my first year in the USA. Not only that, but it is my first time being an overseas student! I come from a country where every two hours someone dies of a natural disease, suicide, poverty, pollution, or kidnapped and killed by friends and relatives. I come from a country where there has been a war going on for the past 35 years. I come from a country where it no longer belongs to us, but a few well-known and unknown groups. I come from a country where when you leave your home, you are not sure if you will return alive; therefore, you have to say goodbye to everyone before you leave and hope to return alive. A country where kids should be studying; instead they are doing labor to feed their family. A country where the poor father is willing to sell his own son in order to feed the rest of the family. A country where different countries interfered in the name of terrorists at different periods of times. All they did was turn my country into ashes. I come from Afghanistan where the level of education is very low, and where there is no place such as a school, but only a mosque or a ruin. There are no chairs to sit on, only the ground; and no markers and whiteboards to write on, but point on the wall with a piece of chalk.

This did not stop me from what I wanted to achieve and learn. I was not as strong back then as I am right now [standing here in front of you] giving my senior speech. That does mean I was lazy or did nothing to get a good education. I did have friends around who encouraged me to study well. After evening prayer, we would sit in a corner of the mosque and practice our lessons together every day. My cousin, Shabana Basij-Rasikh, provided me this opportunity to study in the USA so that I’ll be able to help my country someday. My goal is to get a good education and gain the required skills to rebuild my country. It did not make me weak to see my country getting worse every day, with the government and people’s situations, and especially the poverty. Instead, it gave me the power to stand for my country and countrymen who are suffering every minute. Someone should put an end to everything bad that is happening in Afghanistan. But who? Everyone knows that the whole government is corrupt. The one and only hope is the younger generation. Now that I have found an opportunity to study overseas, why should I not be the one to put an end to everything bad?

When first I came to SJNMA, I could not speak English very well. Now, I am giving my senior speech. Whenever a teacher taught me a lesson or gave me homework, I was confused by how to do it. What did it mean? I could only think of the suffering of my countrymen, dying every day. However, it gave me the power to evaluate some things. For example, it really is not that hard to use Google Translate and put some effort into my homework, rather than to see someone who is suffering to death. It will be joyful to be a hero for my country, which is what people need at the moment, rather than give up and waste my time and tell my teachers that English is my third language! What an excuse! Or, I could choose to be one of the worst cadets at SJNMA. I have no mother, father, brother and sister around to tell me what to do! I could be careless and free, enjoy my time, not do my homework, or not listen to others. What would they do to me? Send me back to Afghanistan?

Really! How could I refuse it? Going back to my country and being carefree! I care because I am not just representing myself and my family, but my country as well. It is not that easy to represent a big country by yourself. Since I am the only cadet from Afghanistan, I have learned to deal with it. I have carried the responsibility to represent my country as well as I can throughout this year, and I will continue as long as I am alive.

I have truly had a good year, and we seniors made it through. It is a big day for all of us, not just seniors, but all the undergraduates as well. You guys will be on this stage presenting your senior speeches sooner or later. The seniors you see not only know about math, science and computers, but they know what life is and what it is about! They have already followed the path that you guys are about to step on. They have so much experience that sometimes they wish to go back and fulfil what they failed to do. To prevent the same situation from happening to you, just go talk to them and figure out what it is that they regret, and start to do those things properly today.

Once again, I wish all seniors a happy life and a successful future ahead! And juniors, from now on, set a goal for yourselves to become better seniors. Not just that, but achieve your goals and set a good example for others. Remember if Mohammad can do it, definitely you can do it as well. Live with these words: WORK HARD! PLAY HARD! And PRAY HARD! Article by Cadet CPL Mohammad Basij-Rasikh 2017

22

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

International Connections

What if your child attended school on the other side of the world and was not able to return home during school breaks?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to host an international student?

The Comforts of Home Away from Home

One family shares their story about their first year participating in the SJNMA Homestay Program and explains why it was a rewarding experience.

The Reynolds family, (left to right) Hannah, Jeff, Julie and Ethan (holding Lulu), with the cadets from China they hosted during the 2016-2017 school year, (left to right) Cadets Zhigang Zhang 2019, Yu Zhou 2019 and Wenhao Mai 2020.

W

e have had several exchange students from different agencies stay with us over the past few years. Each time, it was an unplanned, impromptu decision. I guess since the first time worked out so well (a college student from Germany for a threeweek stay), we continued to assume all the rest would work out well, too. A fellow Pewaukee family and teacher from SJNMA sought out families through a private Facebook community group. She posted about the SJNMA Homestay Program indicating that international students from China were looking for families to stay with during school breaks. My 7th grader, Ethan, had just convinced me that he should change his language course from Spanish to Chinese, which he began at the beginning of the school year. Once I heard that the cadets were from China, I thought this would be a great learning opportunity for our family, especially Ethan. I was excited to learn about the differences and similarities.

We asked to meet the boys before the homestay. Hosting teenagers and having teenagers of my own, I felt it would be helpful to meet them and give them a tour of our home before they “moved in.” I sent them emails with pictures introducing our family prior to our first time meeting. The first time meeting them was not exactly what I was predicting. The language barrier was stronger than I expected. Little did I know, it was more of a cultural barrier than a language issue. With time, as the boys became more comfortable, the language fluency became less of an issue. Hosting international students reaps so many

rewards. We instantly got to learn about where the boys live, and saw pictures of their homes, families and neighborhoods. After spending more time with them, we learned about the Chinese teen culture, parenting styles, cultural values, and the (confusing) language. Ethan had “live in” tutors for Chinese homework. He got to hear the native language. The boys taught him proper pronunciation.

The adjustment for the boys seemed to come pretty easily. I think it was helpful to host two boys at the same time. I run a casual household with teens coming in and out of the house all of the time. My daughter, Hannah, and Ethan’s friends make themselves at home while visiting and we provided that same expectation for the boys.

They learned and respected the “Reynolds family culture.” They were treated as part of the family. As with all of the kids we have hosted, we have learned that there is a fine line of entertaining and “real life.”

The boys experienced new things and were entertained, but for the most part, “real life” continued. We worked, carpooled kids to activities, went out with friends, visited family, etc., and the boys came along when they wanted. The boys did experience several “firsts” while they were at our home. It was fun to see the boys touch snow, sled, help make chocolate chip cookies, volunteer at

a public high school teaching American kids how to speak Chinese, watch a professional basketball game, and observe the lives of a busy American family.

Of course, when we welcomed the boys in as part of our family, we bonded and welcomed them back into our home for the rest of the school breaks. As the boys felt more comfortable at our house, they felt more comfortable asking if they could come over on open weekends from SJNMA. I welcomed this and encouraged the boys to text me when they wanted to visit. They enjoyed the break from school and spent a lot of time, like every other teenage boy, staying up late, sleeping in, and playing video games.

I believe hosting students is a way to travel the world without leaving your home. Ethan has been invited to travel to China with Cadet Zhigang Zhang by Zhang’s family, we now have friends in China, we learned about the Chinese culture, and most of all, I have learned that is doesn’t matter if you are German, Spanish, Pakistani, or Chinese … teens are teens! Believe it or not, it didn’t even seem like I had four teenagers in my house. I am still living to tell the story!

Take the risk, host a student! The benefits outweigh the risks, hands down.

Article by Jeff and Julie Reynolds.

They reside in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

If your family is interested in a fun, rewarding cross-cultural opportunity, please consider hosting an SJNMA international cadet! To learn more about the SJNMA Homestay Program, contact Stephanie Ihler, ESL coordinator, at (262) 646-7186 or sihler@sjnma.org.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

23

A

Cadets share their own unique thoughts about making a decision to learn Mandarin Chinese at SJNMA

t SJNMA, we offer Mandarin Chinese to cadets in order to prepare them for a rapidly growing, globalized world. Our purpose is to engage cadets in learning Chinese and enhance their opportunities for further study and career advancement after they graduate.

SJNMA cadets have their own unique thoughts when it comes to making a decision to learn Chinese language. The most common ones include: challenging class, enhance bilingual language skills, career opportunities, business advantages, understanding Chinese culture, family roots, learning more about Chinese history, study abroad, and travel to China.

Ping Braatz, Chinese language instructor, still remembers the Chinese class group picture in 2008, which was the first time Chinese was offered at SJNMA. Eight years later in 2016, she received an email from one former cadet from that class who asked about our current Chinese class. He expressed how grateful he was to have Chinese as a class offering and shared pleasant memories about his Chinese learning.

Many cadet stories have been shared with Mrs. Braatz over the years. After attending SJNMA, these cadets had confidence, persistent desires, abilities, and opportunities to connect to the Chinese language and culture, which is largely spoken and used in the world.

Jorge Sierra 2010 went to Tecnológico de Monterrey for university study. She met him at a TABS conference a couple years ago when he was studying abroad in Shanghai, China.

Joseph Miller 2011 enrolled into the University of Mississippi with a full scholarship for five years that included one year study abroad in Nanjing, China. Charles Hernandez 2011 graduated from Georgetown University and later graduated from the United States Army Airborne School. Hernandez met with SJNMA cadets in Silver Rifles at Fort Benning, Georgia, in November 2016 and spoke fluent Chinese with the Chinese-speaking cadets.

Right before he graduated from SJNMA, Dennis Blatt 2011 passed the HSK Chinese proficiency exam, which met the language requirement to be able to enroll at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China, in 2012. He received his undergraduate degree and master’s degree. Currently, he is admitted to Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China, for a doctoral degree program in the Science of Law. Jin-Han Jun 2013 went to Michigan State University, Kang Ryul Min 2014 went to the University of California Berkeley, and Jae Yeon Seo 2016 went to Florida Institute of Technology. All three alumni started their Chinese characters learning when they were very young ages in Korea and continued their Chinese learning until graduation from SJNMA. Jackie Huang 2015 took Chinese class for two years at SJNMA. He takes a weekly Chinese class at Tippie School of Business at the University of Iowa, and he has made friends with students from Taiwan and China. Paddy Zheng 2015, former First Captain at SJNMA, is currently studying at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and has been selected to study abroad at Beijing University in China. The family of William Johnson, a former one-year cadet, shared great news of his acceptance to West Point in fall 2016, and expressed thanks to SJNMA. Johnson engaged in Chinese language at SJNMA and will minor in Chinese at West Point.

ABOVE: Cadet Zachary Wiberg 2017 BELOW: Cadet Yoon Jae Kim 2017

24

SUMMER 2017

These are just some examples of how cadets have continued their Chinese language and culture journey. For information about our Chinese program, contact Ping Braatz at pbraatz@sjnma.org. As we celebrate graduation, two current cadets share their Chinese class experiences.

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

International Connections

Cadet CPT Zachary Wiberg 2017, Chinese 2 Hometown: Burr Ridge, Illinois

Cadet CPT Yoon Jae Kim 2017, Chinese 4 Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Ever since I can remember, my mother has been pushing me to learn Spanish, her native language. In the beginning, I believed that it was unimportant to learn and understand another language. I never really planned to live outside of the United States, so I did not see a logical purpose for it. After years of learning the language, visiting Mexico, and encountering people in the United States who speak Spanish, I finally understood the importance of knowing Spanish. Once I began at SJNMA, the plethora of international students from Mexico allowed me to use my Spanish like never before, but in the back of my mind something bothered me. Although I knew Spanish very well and was capable of communicating with all Hispanic cadets, I was unable to communicate with some of the Chinese cadets.

The first time I got interested in Chinese was when I was in elementary school. Every morning after we got to our classroom, students were required to do the Chinese workbook because the Korean teacher claimed that we need treat Chinese like our language since Korea used the Chinese language for more than 2,000 years. Because Koreans were using Chinese as their language before Koreans developed their own language, Chinese is absorbed in Korean life. For example, the name of Koreans are most likely made up by Chinese characters. So there is both Korean and Chinese name written in my ID card. Also, about 35% of Korean words are based on Chinese characters.

There are words that came directly from China, and there are words combined between Chinese and Korean that became the words only Koreans are using. This is a part of cultural exchange and it is great for us to have multiple cultures in our society.

My first roommate, HanYu Zhang 2017, was from China. He and I learned much about each other’s culture. The Chinese culture, with all of the festivals, dining etiquette, respect, and ancient stories, captivated my mind, and I desired to learn more. Luckily, I had already signed up for Chinese 1, most likely one of the best decisions of my life. The main reason for my enrollment into the Chinese course was because of the challenge that it offered. Prior to my attendance at SJNMA, I was taking courses in Latin, one of the most difficult languages to grasp. Latin intrigued me because of its grammatical complexity and of its fascinating culture in ancient Rome.

Chinese offered a new challenge with new cultures to learn and even a new system of writing. As soon as I began the course, I immediately knew that the speaking portion of the curriculum would be the most difficult. Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, so speaking is essential in the Chinese curriculum. The different tones and the speed at which the sentences ought to be spoken drove my mind insane, but I was able to forge on. I continually looked forward to the cultural experiences, such as the Chinese New Year, throughout the year to keep my sanity in the course. These immersive cultural experiences were enjoyable and intriguing because I was able to experience these Chinese festivities with my Chinese friends.

Because this is my last year at SJNMA, I constantly see the benefits of going through with these Chinese experiences. I will now be able to sympathize and understand the culture and background much clearer than before, whether it be in college or in the workforce. I have also expanded my opportunities for studies while in college, and I am now confident that I am capable of studying abroad in China. But I believe the best benefit of taking Chinese and attending SJNMA are the friends you make. I now have friends who live all the way in China.

So when I go there, those friends can assist me and help me understand the country, and I can do the same for them once they visit the United States again. All in all, my experience with the Chinese language, culture and people have made me into a more knowledgeable and aware person in this world.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

Furthermore, I was influenced by my uncle. My uncle learned Chinese by himself, which is extremely hard and challenging, for 10 years. My uncle was my role model, so I just started taking Chinese class to become a fluent language speaker such as my uncle. However, after taking Chinese class, my purpose of taking class has changed. At first, I just wanted to be a good Chinese speaker; however, now I just want to learn about different cultures, experience different cultures, and how to deal with different cultures. When I first came to SJNMA, I could not only speak English, but also had a very hard time understanding different cultures and how to communicate with people who have different national backgrounds and cultures. As I was talking with Mrs. Braatz about Mid-Autumn Festival, lunar calendar, or other Chinese cultural elements, I started to learn that it would be better if I respect other cultures by understanding the Chinese culture. Since I put effort into understanding different cultures, I felt proud and confident that I will have no problems to meet people from other countries.

When I first took Chinese 1 class, I was not really confident because I have not used Chinese language for five years and I have never been deeply into Chinese culture. However, I got used to it by being active in the class such as doing more work than just homework. Because I tried and worked hard in the class, my status in Chinese class increased higher than other students. At the end of last year (2016), I got Best in Class awards for Chinese 3 Honors class. It was the best time ever in my Chinese learning to achieve some kind of award.

Obviously I told my parents and my uncle, and the response from them was fabulous. They were so proud of me and I was more confident than when I first attended Chinese class. I also thought that maybe I can step up and actually push myself towards the limit by studying more advanced Chinese. Also, I thought it was a really worthy decision to attend Chinese class for four years. Chinese class is a great experience to get to know about different cultures, and it is a privilege for us to become a part of a multicultural society as young men.

SUMMER 2017

25

Old Boys Alumni Association

A Message from the OBAA President Old Boys Alumni Association Board of Directors 2017-2018 Officers Chuck Krametbauer S1978 President Jim Hoover S1976 1st Vice President Michael Fillichio S1988 2nd Vice President David Zirngibl 2002 Treasurer Michael Dayton S1971 Secretary

Board Members John Bartizal S1986 Cory Byrnes 2009 J. C. Fairvalley II S1976 David Hess S1959 Michael Hoover S1971 Joe LaRocca N1969 Keith Pabish S1977 Scott Pace N1969 Ted Roth S1974 Bill Sanders S1974 Greg Van Praag S1972 Pete Waskel S1976 John Wiechers N1954 Bill Wiles S1966

Thank you to all for a great Commencement & Reunion Weekend 2017.

The weather this year was something else. Prior to graduation, we had rain and colder temps, but thankfully Saturday for all the festivities, the sky cleared and the sun shined brightly. Again no matter where on campus I found myself, fun, laughter and memories were being shared by all. By the numbers of returning Old Boys Friday and Saturday nights up at Price Davis, I would definitely say we had a great turnout. Congratulations to all of the honored reunion classes for attending this year’s graduation.

I would like to again reach out to the Price Davis gentlemen and Fred and Jennifer Falbo S1988 who are going to hopefully take over with the food at Price Davis. Thank you to Bill and Theresa Wiles S1966 for their contribution of breakfast every morning at Price Davis.

Other activities that were a success were Back the Lancers in January, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, and The Excalibur in April. I want to thank everyone supporting all of these great events, but most of all to those who helped make it possible and supported with great generosity. Our golf outing is July 21, 2017, with plenty of openings for golf. If you’re not a golfer, come out and have dinner and participate in the auction. We need items for the auction, big or small, so please donate.

Contact Anita Kopaczewski at the Alumni Office for details. I look forward to seeing you there.

Congratulations to our newest member on the executive board, David Zirngibl 2002, who is our new treasurer. Congratulations to the remainder of the executive board on their elections, and to our board of directors for their elections as well.

As I sit here and reflect back on the weekends mentioned above, I’m so glad to be a part of the great organization of the OBAA. Alumni, please support our great academy. Without your support, we cannot grow and we cannot produce outstanding young men, so please give generously.

“Your best teacher is your last mistake.”

Charles “Chuck” Krametbauer S1978 OBAA President

H.M./Davidson and Smith/Slavin Walkway Brick Program Donate a brick in memory of a classmate or engrave a brick in your name!

For a tax-deductible gift of $300, a brick can be personalized with the name and year, as appropriate.

For more information about the H.M./Davidson and Smith/Slavin Walkway Brick Program, call the Alumni Office at (262) 646-7220 or (800) 234-9097.

26

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Fellow Old Boys and Alumni,

Alumni Office Update

Since you last received the Winter 2017 issue of The Beacon, some exciting changes have been made regarding the Alumni and Development Departments. Anita Kopaczewski continues to do an outstanding job of “running the show” and helping keep all of you updated through emails, mailings and social networks, among her many other duties. Do keep her updated with your current contact information as well as any noteworthy news in your lives.

Earlier in the school year, Duane Mlachnik S1980 was hired as the varsity basketball head coach for SJNMA. Not only does Duane bring an impressive coaching record with him, but he also has the distinction of being a father of an Old Boy, DJ Mlachnik 2011. Duane has been a great addition to the Alumni and Development teams as our new director of Alumni. You will read more about his strong family affinity to the school below.

With Duane’s addition to the Alumni Department, it allows me to become more involved with development. My primary focus will be on fundraising and special projects. Keep an eye out for upcoming gatherings and events.

— David Carl S1983

O

n January 9, 2017, a very new and exciting journey began for me as the director of Alumni at our beloved academy!

Beginning this new role mid-year and under the guidance of David Carl S1983 and Anita Kopaczewski, it has been an enjoyable and smooth transition. Coupled with my position of becoming the basketball head coach, alumni, staff and cadets have all been so helpful and welcoming, working together for the good of our academy. Being a 1980 graduate of SJMA and past parent of 2011 graduate, DJ, who is also working on campus as the assistant director of Athletics, teaching and coaching has made my short time here even more rewarding; knowing that he has as much gratitude and commitment to our school as I do.

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy is a very special place to me and my family.

My wife, Kathy, and I begin dating as juniors in 1978 thanks to a weekend leave that had a good friend and fellow cadet convince me into striking up a conversation! The rest is history as we were married in Noble Victory Memorial Chapel 35 years ago. We have also had three of our daughters married there during the past 10 years.

Since January, I have had the pleasure of connecting with many old faces and new alike, while also creating positive experiences with the current cadets who freely come into our offices to share their stories from home and on campus. To see these young men graduate and join the ranks of our alumni community is very exciting to see.

One thing that truly stands out is the passion for our academy—it is alive and well. Whether it is talking on the phone, or meeting in person for lunch, dinner or at one of our events, the message from alumni, current parents and past parents of SJMA, NMNA and SJNMA alike are the messages that are heartfelt in describing how we became the men we are today, which is directly related to the time spent at our academy. No matter how long or how short our time here was, our academy has profoundly impacted all of us. The hard work and commitment learned, lifelong friendships established, and a bond that truly cannot be explained unless you shared the experience.

We want everyone to know our successful alumni stories, and I am happy to be working and meeting all of you, and hearing what you have to say. If you have not been back to campus, make it a point to visit. The campus is alive and beautiful. The team spirit that is on display daily by our administration, staff and faculty, and the cadets themselves makes the atmosphere of developing young men a wonderful experience to everyone involved. This makes me proud to be part of this life changing adventure our cadets embark on and the paths we as alumni have traveled.

What I have found along the way is that many of you are looking to support our academy, and we have many ways to become involved, utilizing your professional skills through mentoring, networking, getting people connected

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

and engaged in your area, helping out on campus, and being part of the social and fundraising gatherings offered throughout the course of a school year. Be open to the opportunities that surround you and take the first step by participating. It is very rewarding and I promise you will not be disappointed!

Events coming up this summer are going to be small gatherings in the Louisville, Kentucky, and Bloomington, Minnesota, areas in July. The OBAA golf outing is July 21. This fall, we have a 5th Thursday alumni gathering on September 21 at T.G.I. Friday’s at Miller Park for a Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago Cubs baseball game.

Homecoming & Families Weekend is October 6-8. Details will follow on these events and others.

Please stop in and visit our Alumni Office in Memorial Hall anytime you are on or around campus.

If you would like more information, to set up a meeting or get involved in any way, please contact me at (262) 646-7191 or dmlachnik@sjnma.org. You can also stay connected through Facebook or LinkedIn. Sincerely,

Duane A. Mlachnik Jr. S1980 Director of Alumni SUMMER 2017

27

Reunion 2017 Honored Anniversary Classes

50th Reunion — Class of S1967 Front row (left to right): Grant Rogers, Greg Koss, William Mosher, Charlie Less, Steve Schroeppel, Bob Kelly and Frank Merrill; Second row: Dale Hilding, David Christenson, Henry Spunar, Bruce Adreani and Tyler Tobin

25th Reunion — Class of S1992 Front row (left to right): Eduardo Cassab, Jorge Mario Otero Velderrain, Richard Sokol Baldwin, Mike Susk and Alberto Silva Guerra; Second row: Gabriel Fernandez Gomez, Kevin Dryman, Charles Grant and Roger Bailey

2017 Honorees (left to right): David Hess S1959, Honored Old Boy 2017; Fred Leach S1974, Distinguished Service Award 2017; Tyler Merrill 2002, Notable Man of the Academy 2017; Peg Koller, Honorary Old Boy 2017

28

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Reunion 2017

50th Reunion —Class of N1967 Front row (left to right): Michael Libmann, Will Askew, Michael Schaughnessy and William Himmelman; Second row: Bard Boand, William Wallace and Terry Dearborn

ALUMNI FROM S1950s: (left to right) Larry Staral S1957, Stephen Buck S1957 and Floyd Schlossberg S1955

10th Reunion - Class of 2007 (LEFT): Juan Jose Navarro (left) and Nathan True, (RIGHT) Luis Valdez (left) and Stephen Kleitsch

Timothy Eger S1997 at his class stone with his son, Travis.

And many more ...

NMNA ALUMNI (left to right): Tom Busse N1960, Mike Barrett N1952, Robert Gericke N1952, Waring Jenkins N1952 and David Harman N1960

Check out more Reunion 2017 photos at sjnma.smugmug.com.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

29

Inspiring Alumni

Loving Life at a Gallop An Interview with Frank Merrill S1967

ABOVE: Frank Merrill’s 1967 yearbook entry RIGHT: Frank Merrill’s photo for his “Frankly Speaking” column in Quarter Horse News.

orse. Ralph and Dorothy Scott “Scotti” Merrill told

their son, Frank Gerber Merrill S1967, this was the first word he spoke as a child. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in July 1948, Mr. Frank Merrill was an outgoing child and began riding horses at age five, a hobby that would evolve into a lifelong passion and career. “As a child, I was very rambunctious and precocious,” he recalls. “I enjoyed a lot of activities—played hockey in the winter, golf in the summer, rode horses, and hunted. I also sailed with my Grandfather Merrill who was a competitive sailor, but it was like sailing for Captain Bligh. I hated it.”

Wanting a better education than a small, rural school in Fremont, Michigan, could provide their son, Mr. Merrill’s family enrolled him at St. John’s Military Academy. He said, “I was tricked into taking the entrance exam! In 1962, I visited SJMA at the invitation of my Grandfather Daniel Gerber S1916 [founder of Gerber Baby Foods] who was receiving his graduation diploma at long last since he left St. John’s before graduation to fight the Kaiser. Little did I know, there was a conspiracy afoot between school officials and my family to corral me into joining the corps.” Mr. Merrill explains the people responsible for his enrollment included his father; his grandfather; Col. Louis Rutte S1918, SJMA commandant of cadets; Ralph Mehlos, SJMA German teacher and alumni director; and LTC David Fierke, SJNMA academic dean.

Throughout the next five years at SJMA, Mr. Merrill flourished as a student, participating in many activities in addition to his studies.

He enjoyed geometry, senior English, physics, and although he did 30

SUMMER 2017

not like it at first, he grew to enjoy Spanish. “Our senior English teacher was Richard Longfellow, a descendent of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,” he added. Nicknamed “Fast Frankie Francois” in his senior yearbook, he was company commander of “B” Company his senior year. He was captain of the swim team for two years, a member of the Honor Guard, and was active in Silver Rifles. He was a member of the Riding Club all five years.

“I had many good memories from St. John’s, but the best ones were when I was company commander of “B” Company in Smythe Hall,” Mr. Merrill remembers. “We called ourselves Merrill’s Marauders and were generally known for being the black sheep of the corps.

Back then, we had about 435 cadets in the corps and I had around 65 young men in my care, custody and control. When something needed to get done at school and nobody wanted the job, “B” Company always rose to the occasion and performed the tasks with speed and efficiency. The men of “B” Company in 1967 were the best—the very best! We took no prisoners!”

After graduation from SJMA in 1967, Mr. Merrill studied agricultural business and animal husbandry at Michigan State University. Due to his education at SJMA, he said, “I felt prepared to face any problem or issue. I was disciplined, organized and confident.

I learned to never give up, stay the course, and be decisive.” Reflecting on his education overall, Mr. Merrill added, “I learned how to have a good time in college, but it didn’t afford me anything that I hadn’t already acquired at St. John’s.”

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

ABOVE LEFT: Daniel and Dorothy Gerber S1916, Frank Merrill’s grandparents, attend the dedication of Gerber Pool at SJMA in 1965 with Major General Edward G. Farrand, president of SJMA (left). CENTER: Frank’s father, Ralph Merrill, presents him with his officer’s sword during the Sword Ceremony in 1966. RIGHT: Portrait of Frank Merrill after graduation.

After college, Mr. Merrill moved to Gainesville, Texas, to become a horseman. Two years later, he moved to Purcell, Oklahoma, where he made his way through the equine industry for the next 45 years.

“The Academy was the best damn thing that ever happened to my son, Tyler, and me to prepare us for the rest of our lives!”

In Purcell in 1972, Mr. Merrill started Frank Merrill’s Windward Stud, Ltd., where he managed and/or syndicated more than 100 stallions, managed and bred more than 25,000 mares, and represented thousands of clients worldwide with their equine needs. In 1987, he commuted between Windward Stud and Schvaneveldt Ranch in Hemet, California, to manage and promote stallions as well as oversee ranch operations and sales. In 2006, he become CEO of Cowan Select Horses, LLC, at Windward Stud, responsible for a privately owned, family operation managing employees, horses and facilities. In 2012, he became general manager of Bob Moore Farms Group, LLC, in Norman, Oklahoma, a commercial breeding farm for American Quarter Horse race horses.

Also that year, he began managing the Dogwood Foundation in Poolville, Texas, a family foundation that grants requests semiannually to deserving charities and 501(c)(3) organizations.

In addition to working in the equine industry, Mr. Merrill has been a member of many equine associations and civic organizations. Most notably among them, since 1960 he has been and remains an active member of the American Quarter Horse Association, currently serving on the board of directors for more than 24 years, including being the board president from 2007 to 2008. He has been a member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association since 1971, an American Society of Equine appraiser since 1995, and a member of the board of directors for the National Cowboy & Western THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

Heritage Museum since 2000. Since 2011, he has authored a popular monthly column in Quarter Horse News called “Frankly Speaking.” In addition, he served on the SJMA/SJNMA Board of Trustees from 1985 to 2012.

Frank Merrill S1967

Mr. Merrill has been married for 42 years to Robin Severinsen, daughter of Carl Hilding “Doc” Severinsen, a jazz trumpeter who was music director of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” They have three children, McKenzie, Megan and Tyler, and three grandchildren. Tyler attended SJNMA for three years and graduated in 2002. Mr. Merrill said, “The Academy was the best damn thing that ever happened to my son, Tyler, and me to prepare us for the rest of our lives!” Since October 2012, Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have resided in Poolville to be closer to their children and grandchildren, and to live in the heart of the horse industry in North Texas. Mr. Merrill enjoys golf, hunting, sporting clays and skeet shooting, team roping, showing cutting horses, and fast race horses.

“I can’t think of a better, more well-rounded program to affect the rest of one’s life in a positive way than at least four years at St. John’ Northwestern Military Academy for a boy to turn into a man,” Mr. Merrill said. “Follow the four orders that appear on each side of the beacon at St. John’s Northwestern [Don’t be a mollycoddle. Play the game. Carry on. The game is not over until the whistle blows.]. My advice to parents would be to let the process at SJNMA work for your son and don’t meddle in the details. You’ll love the result. One more piece of advice to both parties, and this comes from my grandfather when I complained to him about how rough it was as a new boy, he said, ‘I didn’t think we were sending you to a ladies’ seminary!’”

SUMMER 2017

31

Academy Crests

Showcase of Academy Crests T

wenty-two years have passed since Northwestern Military & Naval Academy (NMNA) merged with St. John’s Military Academy (SJMA) and became St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy (SJNMA). The journey to assimilate into one Academy had not always been tranquil, but the realization that the similarities far outweighed any differences settled in as time passed. The merger of NMNA and SJMA melded two great academies together to preserve their tradition and secure their future. It is for this reason that SJNMA chose to revere that symbol, the SJNMA crest, while preserving the original crests of both schools.

On May 27, 2017, St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy unveiled a showcase that honors the long-standing histories, traditions and pillars of its founding academies. As long as anyone can recall, the St. John’s Military Academy crest was an admired symbol of the school, literally embedded into the school’s foundation. And as any cadet or former SJMA alumnus can profess, foot traffic over the tiled crest in the DeKoven Hall rotunda was to be avoided. The tradition reinforced pride in the Academy and any cadet who violated this honored tradition usually received a rebuke in the form of an unspecified amount of push-ups.

The program commenced with an introduction of the showcase’s origination and purpose followed by a blessing onto the Academy.

Assisting Dr. Jack H. Albert Jr., president of SJNMA, with the unveiling were Dr. Crain Bliwas, chairman of the SJNMA Board of Trustees and a 1965 graduate of NMNA; Charles Krametbauer, president of the Old Boys Alumni Association and a 1978 graduate of SJMA; and Robert Hall, First Captain of the 133rd Corps of Cadets and a 2017 graduate of SJNMA. The project was made possible through the generous contributions of Dirk and Terry Debbink, and Tom and Susan Polivka S1977.

And so it is set—a new symbol honoring the past while proclaiming the future. If you have yet to see it, we encourage you to visit the showcase of Academy crests located in the DeKoven Hall rotunda.

32

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Alumni News Dave Rafoth S1962 (left) and Frank Morley S1963

Dave Rafoth S1962 of

Author Frank Costigliola and his wife, Diane, visited campus on May 17, 2017, to present his signed book on George Kennan S1921, The Kennan Diaries, to Dr. Jack H. Albert Jr. George Kennan S1921, an American diplomat and historian, passed away in 2005. He wrote a famous article in 1947 called “The Sources of Soviet Conduct” under the pen name Mr. X. He Frank and Diane Costigliola also wrote several books about U.S. policy and won two Pulitzer Prizes. Mr. Costigliola is writing another book about Mr. Kennan during his early years as a cadet living at the Academy and was researching those times spent here in the 1920s.

Asheville, North Carolina, and Frank Morley S1963 of Naples, Florida, decided a fly fishing adventure would be an excellent way to catch up and reminisce about their days together at the Academy.

In April 2017, they spent three days catching large rainbow trout with a guide on the Missouri River near Wolf Creek, Montana.

The section of the river they were on was named The Gates of the Rocky Mountains by Lewis and Clark during their expedition in 1805. Rafoth and Morley have been friends since they first met at SJMA in 1961.

Richard S. Ellbogen S1968 received the

sacrament of Baptism on April 6, 2017, in Noble Victory Memorial Chapel on the SJNMA campus.

He was surrounded by family members, alumni, faculty and staff along with the 133rd Corps of Cadets during the chapel service. His daughter, Heidi Duckworth, was his sponsor.

Richard Ellbogen S1968 and his daughter, Heidi Duckworth

left to right: David Carl S1983, Anita Kopaczewski, Duane Mlachnik S1980, Bud Hoffberg S1933 and his daughter, Ronna Hoffberg, and Steve Matz

Jerome “Bud” Hoffberg S1933 celebrated his 101st birthday on January 31, 2017. He was Parade Marshall during Commencement & Reunion Weekend in May 2017.

Kevin Patrowsky S1970 spent the last 47 years collecting high school football records for the state of Wisconsin. You can find his statistics on the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) website at www.wifca.org/staterecords. In the spring of 2005, he attended Commencement & Reunion Weekend for his 35th reunion and received a copy of the Academy’s History of Athletic Records. He is updating one of the record files posted on the WFCA website entitled “Wisconsin Honors” and has expanded the file greatly with updates, some of the information about three of the great SJMA football teams, 1929, 1932 and 1942. On April 11, 2017, he spent the day on campus researching Academy records to assist in updating the History of Athletic Records.

Continued on next page THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

33

James Aung S1985 visited

campus with his family on June 5, 2017. He had not been on campus for more than 26 years. He and his family live in Idaho where he is a computer programmer.

James Aung S1985 and his wife, Judy, and children, Adelle, Arial and Aaron

Mike Lyons S1985 shared this story on March 31, 2017:

“How we carry our time at SJNMA with us into our later lives is of course, variable from person to person. I recently left my position to move our family back to the Twin Cities for my wife’s career. During the last few days at the plant, I was approached by someone I was never very well acquainted with. He is a Gulf War, Iraq War and Afghanistan vet. Special Forces would be my guess—I never asked him. He wears a heavy leg/knee brace to compensate for damage from an IED that ended his active service.

On his hard hat is printed “Dysfunctional Veteran – Leave Me Alone!” Similar bumper stickers can be seen on his personal vehicle in the employee lot. People tend to leave him be. We have done the head nod and the odd good morning for the last couple of years, never more than that.

One of the last days I worked at the plant, I fixed a minor electrical issue on his equipment station. He said something I think rings true for a lot of us as Old Boys: ‘You served, didn’t you Lyons? Let me guess, Army? You don’t move like a civilian.’

Well, no, I never had that honor. I went to a military academy for high school, but that was all. ‘Really? Man, you don’t move like a civilian. Whenever I see you, you’re always squared away, moving like a man on a mission, not just trying to look busy, like most people here. That must have been one hell of a place.’ Yes sir, indeed it was. Apparently, we carry it with us.”

Jorge Eduardo Vela S1988 visited campus with his wife,

Adrianna Vela Rodriguez, on April 6, 2017. They are moving from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania where they will welcome the birth of their first child. They wish to have their son attend the Academy in 15 years. Vela’s brother, Rene Vela S1985, also attended the Academy.

Eathan Guler S1990 and Christopher Cassata Bobby Shows 1997 share connections with NASA astronaut John

Glenn who passed away December 8, 2016. Major General R.H. Spanjer was SJMA president from 1994 to 1999. Guler was General Spanjer’s graduate intern from 1997 to 1999.

General Spanjer and Colonel Glenn flew together in the Korea War, and remained friends for years until General Spanjer’s passing. In addition, Shows’ grandfather, John Hergenrother, also flew with General Spanjer and Colonel Glenn in the Korean War. Jorge Gomez S1993 visited campus on January 20, 2017, with his daughter, Dani. They live in Mexico City, Mexico. He attended the Universidad Anáhuac Mexico Campus Sur. Omar Haque N1993 with Deborah Turnbull, his biology teacher from NMNA.

Omar Haque N1993

visited campus on April 20, 2017, from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and currently works in the turnover of manufacturing and steel businesses. He was pleased to meet his former biology teacher from NMNA, Deborah (Barnes) Turnbull.

Brian Ernst 1995 and his wife, JoAnna, visited campus on

April 5, 2017, on their way to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, for a business venture.

He had not been on campus for 10 years.

They have two middle school age sons and toured campus for possible enrollment in Camp St. John’s Northwestern 2017.

Brian and JoAnna Ernst 1995

Jorge and Adrianna Vela S1988

34

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Alumni News Continued Joshua Atkinson 2001 has had quite a journey since he

graduated from SJNMA, and 2016 was a year of change and reflection. He serves as a regular monthly guest on the Gulf Region’s talk radio station, Dubai Eye 103.8, sharing updates on U.S. Politics and the effects of the new Trump Administration. In addition, he regularly travels around the Gulf Region providing corporate training and motivational speaking engagements. He developed the Rise Above Series of talks and workshops in 2016 to help people and companies unlock innovative potential, reimagine boundaries, and successfully surf the waves of change toward sustained success.

He serves as an entrepreneurial mentor and speaker at the 1776 Business Accelerator Hub. He stays in touch with other SJNMA graduates in the region, and wears his OBAA pin to serve as a memory of where he came from and as a conversation piece to spread news about the Academy.

Alex “AJ” Kramer 2006 received a degree in social welfare

from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2014. He recalls having no direction as a youth, but said SJNMA taught him the value of respect, routines, to take pride in his achievements, and to know that if he sets his mind to it, there is no obstacle he can’t overcome. He said the Academy helped to provide him with the tools he needed to succeed after graduation. Today, he is an account executive at 2.7 Strategies, LLC (27 Strategies), a data solutions company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He connects clients with solutions that lead to the right path as well as enable desired growth and success, just as he says the Academy did for him.

Brian McClaren 2006 visited

campus on February 7, 2017, with his wife, Margaret Mary.

They built a non-for-profit horse riding school business for challenged individuals on 17 acres in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, called Heaven’s Gait Ranch. This was a lifelong dream of his mother who passed away five years ago. The McClarens met on a blind date in the eighth grade, introduced by her brother, Brian and Margaret Mary David Zirngibl 2002. They were McClaren 2006 dates at Midwinter Ball in 2006, remained friends, and married in August 2017. They are currently finishing their undergraduates at Marquette University where he is an exam proctor. She is the daughter of Mark Zirngibl, a former faculty member at SJNMA, and is following in his footsteps to receive a degree in teaching.

Shuoqiu Liu 2010 married Yanwen on May 20, 2017, during a ceremony in Shanghai, China. They plan to travel to the United States for their honeymoon.

Alejandro Gomes Morales 2012 earned

a degree in business management from Universidad Iberoamericana in spring 2017. He is working toward becoming a real estate developer and investor. He thanks everyone at SJNMA for helping to shape him into who he is today.

Alejandro Gomes Morales 2012

Continued on next page Bill and Sharon Schroeder of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, visited campus on May 10, 2017, on their way to The Delafield Hotel to receive an award for his 50 years as a member of the bar.

Mr. Schroeder attended St. John’s Summer Camp from 1946 to 1950. He graduated from Custer High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then the United States Naval Academy, where their daughter also graduated. His father, Gilbert Schroeder S1928, played semi-pro football in Milwaukee after graduating from SJMA. Mr. Schroeder wore his father’s SJMA class ring, which he said is a family treasure. Mrs. Schroeder was a classmate of Coach Darryl Kaufman, a faculty member at SJMA in the 1970s.

Hans Billerbeck retired and closed his shop, Hans Billerbeck’s Tailor Shop, on May 20,

Bill and Sharon Schroeder

2017. He began working as the tailor at SJMA in 1959 when came to the United States from Germany. He became a U.S. citizen in 1964. In 1972, he left SJMA when he opened his tailor shop in Bay View, Wisconsin. During his time at SJMA, astronaut James Lovell’s son was a student at the Academy. Billerbeck was asked to create a flag that would go on an Apollo mission to the moon as well as one for SJMA and one for himself. The intention was that the Academy would sell recreations of the flag as a fundraising initiative. The flag was part of the Apollo 13 flight, which never made it to the moon. Billerbeck still has that flag today!

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

35

Alumni News Continued Jordan Newman 2013 is in his junior year at the University

of Wisconsin-Whitewater majoring in health and human performance. He won the 2017 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in March 2017 by pinning his opponent four minutes and three seconds into the championship match. He entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed at 184 pounds. He earned All-American status as a sophomore at the 2015 NCAA Division III Championships where he placed eighth. He then competed in the 2016 GrecoRoman University National Championships in Akron, Ohio, were he was an All-American after placing seventh. In June 2017, he placed fourth in the 2017 Greco-Roman University National Championships. Ned Shuck, wrestling head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, said, “Jordan is right there with the best in the weight classes. With a couple more

Military Men in Service

positional adjustments, he is going to contend with anyone. He is continuing to grow his wrestling like most champions do, and as a coach, it’s encouraging for his future success and our programs.”

Jordan Newman 2013 at the 2017 Greco-Roman University National Championships.

Military Men in Service

Michael Allen 2005 will be commissioning for the U.S. Coast Guard in November 2017. If anyone

is interested in receiving information about the U.S. Coast Guard enlisted workforce, academy or commissioning processes, feel free to contact him via email at michael.b.allen@uscg.mil or through the SJNMA COAST GUARD Facebook group.

Matthew Cutshall 2006 is a technical sergeant in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller and was

deployed overseas for an assignment in January 2017. He has been in the USAF since May 2009 and is based in Tucson, Arizona. His mother, Mary Ellen Cutshall, said, “It was SJNMA that set the stage for Matt’s interest in the military. He has matured into a fine man and leverages many of the values he learned during his two years at SJNMA.”

Matthew Cutshall 2006

Carter Lindley 2008 was feeling very fit after playing football at SJNMA, so he decided his country needed him to fight. He joined the U.S. Army in March 2009, went to Fort Benning for basic training, and was admitted to United States Army Airborne School to become a paratrooper. He was stationed in Italy for training. In mid-December that year, he was deployed to a remote outpost in Afghanistan in midst of the worst part of the fighting with the Taliban. He was in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and was stationed at COP Carwile in Afghanistan. In 2011, he returned to Italy where he was stationed as a paratrooper. In May 2017, Lindley graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, with a major in history and a minor in studio art.

Frank T. Murray 2013 graduated from Great Lakes in November 2013 with an expert marksmanship ribbon,

and then from his “A” school in Groton, Connecticut, in October 2014 as a sonar tech submarine seaman. He is stationed at Kings Bay, Georgia, and is assigned to the Ohio class USS Maryland SSBN-738. He currently holds the rank of STS3. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Murray, said, “Being a sonar tech on one of the world’s deadliest weapons, a part of the Navy elite, and having top secret clearance is something we couldn’t have ever imagined him obtaining. Sending Frank to SJNMA was worth every penny in the long run!”

Frank T. Murray 2013

36

SUMMER 2017

The SJNMA Alumni Office thanks everyone who serves and will continue to update our men in the service of our country.

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Taps

Alumni Charles A. Gorsuch S1940 passed away January 9, 2017, in Zanesville, Ohio. He was a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After a three-year tour in the Armoured Force in World War II, he joined the Ayers Mineral Co. of Zanesville. He became president of the company along with its associates, the Millwood Sand Co. and the Central Silica Co. He had a second home in Palm Desert, California. He married Shirley Digby in 1943 and they had three children. After Mrs. Gorsuch passed away in 1998, he married Barbara Parsons. He had eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He loved golf, tennis and fishing.

Salvatore “Sam” P. Terracina S1941 passed away December 15, 2016, in Western Springs, Illinois, from lung cancer. He was a U.S. Army veteran who proudly served his country in the Philippines for four years, and was chief of payroll for International Harvester for 40 years. He was married to his wife, Ilean “Ivy,” for 67 years.

Howard Mechalovitz S1942 passed away January 22, 2017, in Foster City, California. He grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University. In 2014, he was honored by the United Service Organizations for his service of more than 5,000 hours over 28 years.

George B. Gates, Jr. S1943 passed away December 11, 2016, in Palm Harbor, Florida. He was president of the family-owned Red Cross Drug Co. chain of stores in Racine, Wisconsin, until Aurora Health Care purchased the last one in 1996.

Sidney Stinson McAlister S1943 passed away January 20, 2017, in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is a veteran of World War II where he served in the U.S. Army for three years. He worked in his family business, The Nashville Sash and Door Company, serving as president and chairman.

Darst Eugene Waters S1943 passed away February 12, 2017, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a marketing representative for the National Research and Education Network Program in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

John “Bradley” Young S1944 passed away October 12, 2015,

in Des Plaines, Iowa. He lived in Centerville, Iowa, and was CEO of Iowa Trust and Savings Bank. He attended four years of high school and ROTC training at SJMA. During this period, he became commander of his company and played varsity football, basketball and track. He was elected senior class president and at graduation, he was awarded the school’s highest honor as Most Outstanding Cadet. He attended Northwestern University where he received a Bachelor of Science in business administration and played football for the Northwestern Wildcats.

William Hollatz S1944 passed away January 9, 2017, in

Sherman Rowe Miller S1945 passed away April 24, 2017,

in Tucson, Arizona. He attended Amherst College in Massachusetts, but his education was interrupted by World War II where he served as Technician 5th Grade in the U.S. Army. After the war, he received a degree in economics at Lake Forest College in Illinois. He was a professional business management consultant for 46 years.

Philip P. Coffaro S1948 passed away January 15, 2017,

in Sarasota, Florida. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he moved to Wisconsin after graduating from SJMA. Shortly after graduation, his father, Joseph, passed away. He and his brother, Charles, took over the family pasta business and later opened a food brokerage business in Brookfield, Wisconsin called Coffaro & Matakis, which he owned and managed for 25 years until he retired to Sarasota in 1994.

Richard “Dick” K. Miller S1949 passed away August 6, 2016,

in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant and was stationed at Ft. Lee, Virginia.

Following his U.S. Army tenure, he and his wife, Lee, returned to Michigan, purchased their first house in Grosse Pointe Woods, and started their family. He worked for his father at Machine Products and Standard Pattern Works in Detroit for several years. Then with a partner, he started Beaver Industries in the early 1970s in Ferndale, manufacturing metal tubular parts primarily for the automotive industry, especially to General Motors Corp. He retired as chairman of the board at Beaver Industries.

Herman “Carl” Runge Jr. S1951 of Collinsville, Illinois,

passed away December 31, 2016, in Edwardsville, Illinois. He was an attorney and operated Runge Law Office, LTD, until he retired in 2016. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners.

Albert Jourdan S1952 passed away February 25, 2017, in

Chicago, Illinois. He was a political consultant, past McHenry County Republican Chairman, McHenry County Auditor, and Illinois State Republican Chair.

Dr. Arthur J. Grana S1953 passed away April 30, 2016, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He graduated from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, and Chicago Osteopathic School of Medicine.

He practiced surgery in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for three decades where he had a cabin in the Rockies. He and his wife, Anita, moved to La Crosse in 2008.

Continued on next page

Glenview, Illinois, at the age of 90. He was the father of Casey Hollatz S1969.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

SUMMER 2017

37

John J. Uphues S1953 passed away December 21, 2016, in

Dallas, Texas.

William J. Britton III S1954 passed away October 26, 2015, in Memphis, Tennessee, after a long battle with multiple illnesses.

He attended Pentecost-Garrison School in Memphis prior to SJMA. He was in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with several trips abroad, and transferred to the USAR Tenn Millington District where he completed his reserve obligation. After the service, he graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and returned to Memphis where he worked for several real estate development companies before forming his own company and also managing the family farm. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

Dr. Charles S. Hirsch S1954 passed away April 8, 2016, in Westwood, New Jersey, at the age of 79. Born in Chicago, he was a forensic pathologist and chief medical examiner for New York City from 1989 to 2013. When the World Trade Center was struck on September 11, 2001, he rushed to downtown New York City to set up a temporary morgue, but he was thrown to the ground and broke all his ribs when the North Tower collapsed. He pledged to do whatever it took for as long as it took to identify every victim. By the time he retired, he and his team had identified 1,634 of the 2,753 people killed or missing.

His wife, Marie-Claude Fenart, predeceased him in 2010. He is survived by a daughter.

Alex E. Miller S1955 passed away April 18, 2017, in Palm

Springs, California.

Kent A. Follett S1956 passed away May 28, 2017, in Tierra

Verde, Florida. Formerly of River Forest, Illinois, he was a U.S. Army veteran, and president of Follett Educational Services where he served from 1960 to 2003.

CDR Terry J. Myron, USN (Ret.) S1957 passed away June 27,

2016.

Gary B. Clark S1959 passed away April 23, 2017, from a heart attack after a heart procedure performed two days prior his death. He was a resident of San Antonio, Texas.

John M. Harrington N1960 passed away November 28, 2016,

in Petoskey, Michigan, his home for over 40 years. He was the owner of Harrington Marina and Resort in Walloon Lake, Michigan.

David Klein S1960 passed away February 23, 2017, in

Glenview, Illinois.

Thomas Zafros N1962 passed away January 21, 2017,

in Wellington, Florida. He was the owner of Earthstone International, a granite and marble company.

Robert W. Spunar S1963 passed away December 28, 2016, in

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. He earned an associate’s degree in public administration from Northern Virginia Community College in 1975 and earned a bachelor’s degree in management from National-Louis University in 2001. He was a Vietnam veteran serving the U.S. Navy as a first class aviation fire control technician. In 2015, he retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington, D.C., as a business financial manager with the Department of Transportation. He was the brother of Dr. Henry Spunar S1967.

Contact: Anita Kopaczewski Director of The Columbarium and Assistant Director of Alumni (262) 646-7220 or akopaczewski@sjnma.org

Visit us online at www.thecolumbarium.com 38

SUMMER 2017

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy | THE BEACON

Bruce Harl Strotz S1963 passed away December 20, 2016, in

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Beverly Hills, California, and Kauai, Hawaii, he attended SJMA for four years. He attended the United States Air Force Academy for two years and then graduated from Loyola University in Los Angeles in 1968. He earned his law degree from the University of Southern California Law School in 1971. In 1972, he was an Air Force captain commissioned to the JAG office at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. After retirement, he established permanent residency in Albuquerque and opened his own law practice. He and his wife, Cheryl, were married for 47 years and had two daughters.

Ronald K. Mack S1974 passed away November 15, 2016, in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. He is a 20-year survivor of a liver transplant for hepatitis C, and his family encourages everyone to be a donor.

Howard Grossman S1976 passed away June 3, 2017. Formerly

of Chicago, Illinois, he recently lived in Cambodia and the Philippines where he spent his career in education.

Francisco Javier Gaxiola Balsa 2005 passed away March 2017

in Mexico City, Mexico. He attended SJNMA from 2000 to 2003.

William Richardson 2008 passed away May 13, 2017, in South

Tampa, Florida.

Zachary Bickett 2009 of Ottowa, Illinois, passed away

December 2, 2016, after a battle with cancer. In 2013, he received his Bachelors of Arts in finance at Illinois College and was a member of Phi Alpha. He enjoyed sports, especially football and wrestling.

Carol Knudsen passed away February 14, 2017, in Payson,

Arizona. She was married to B. Erik Knudsen and was the mother of Alex Knudsen 2000. She was treasurer of the SJNMA Parents Club from 1997 to 1998.

Dottie Mehlos H1979 passed away February 24, 2017, in

Dousman, Wisconsin. She received the Honorary Old Boy Award in 1979, and attended reunion and other Academy functions for many years. Her husband, Ralph, passed away in December 1997. He worked at SJMA for 35 years in several roles including instructor of English and German, director of Alumni and Public Relations, director of Admissions, and coach. Their three sons, Van S1969, Lon S1970 and Kim S1977, graduated from SJMA.

Frank H. “Bud” Paschen II, father of Frank Paschen III N1985,

passed away December 12, 2017. He was a resident of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, at the time of his passing. He founded his construction company, F.H. Paschen, in 1975, but the family name has been linked to Chicago construction ever since the Great Fire of 1871 when his great-grandfather, an immigrant from Germany, used his tuckpointing skills to help rebuild the charred city.

John L. Schmidt passed away September 8, 2016, in Henrico,

North Carolina, where he owned the Western Mechanical & Sheet Metal Company. He was the brother of William Schmidt S1963.

Rebecca Sherer passed away December 15, 2016, in Lake Worth, Florida, at the age of 27. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and studied kinesiology. She was the daughter of Charles Sherer and Deborah Guerrera and sister of Charles Sherer 2010. She had a passion for music and travel, which took her to Greece, Norway and London.

Aaron (Shane Theodore Novy) Kennelly 2009 passed away

March 10, 2017, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Richard Sokol, father of Glenn Sokol N1985, passed away May 17, 2017, in Carol Stream, Illinois.

William Schardan 2017 passed away May 26, 2017.

Mary E. “Lib” Temme, mother of Jason Temme S1982, passed

Faculty and Friends Catalina Borgwardt, granddaughter of George “Curt”

Borgwardt S1963, passed away February 24, 2017, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, at the age of 15.

Dr. William Randolph Cantrall passed away February 8, 2017,

in Oakbrook, Illinois. He taught English at Northwestern Military & Naval Academy from 1955 to 1959.

Michael Fillichio passed away June 14, 2017, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the father of Michael A. Fillichio S1988, vice president of the OBAA. Bridget Rose Kennicott, daughter of David and Sara Kennicott

N1988 and niece of Steve Kennicott N1987, passed away February 16, 2017, in Carpentersville, Illinois, after a long illness.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

away June 14, 2017, at the age of 78. She was married to her husband, James, for 55 years and had three children.

Virginia “Ginny” Waskel, mother of Pete Waskel S1976, passed

away June 6, 2017, in Niles, Illinois, at the age of 75 after a threeyear battle with cancer. Golfing and sailing were her passions. She was the first female commodore of the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club, and her pride and joy was the Junior Fleet sailing program as well as her family. She was a yearly supporter and participant in the OBAA golf outing.

The SJNMA Alumni Office thanks all alumni who provide us with information on your fellow classmates.

Please continue to notify us at (262) 646-7220, (800) 234-9097 or akopaczewski@sjnma.org.

SUMMER 2017

39

The Academy’s War Memorial Room was recently moved to the DeKoven Hall rotunda. This elegant memorial honors the 141 former cadets from St. John’s Northwestern and its founding academies who died in service. These men were all young cadets at one time who walked the halls and played on the fields of NMNA or SJMA. This article includes only a few of their stories.

WORLD WAR I The stories of these two brothers reflect the many tragic losses of The Great War. Elliott Durand, Jr. – Attended SJMA 1895-1897 1st Lieutenant, United States Aviation Corps Elliott Durand enlisted to fight in the Spanish-American War, but was not called. When the U.S. entered the war in Europe, Durand enlisted in the Aviation Corps, and was sent overseas on March 17, 1918. As a member of the 24th Aero Squadron, he flew in a Breguet 14 as an observer/gunner. On September 14, 1918, Durand and his flight partner, 1st Lt. John James Goodfellow, Jr., were on a routine flight check near Thiaucourt, France, recording any enemy movement or advancements. Unexpectedly, seven German fighter planes came into view and began shooting at Durand and Goodfellow. American soldiers in the trenches below cheered them on as Durand took out the first German Fokker with his machine gun. Durand kept shooting as more planes came into range until only two German planes remained. The Germans regrouped and prepared a counterattack; the Breuget’s gas tank was hit and other bullets pierced the wings. Goodfellow attempted to land the plane before it hit the ground, but failed. Durand jumped just before the Breguet hit a group of trees and died on impact. Goodfellow was later found strapped in the plane, but did not survive. 1ST LT Elliott Durand was awarded the Croix de Guerre with one battle star. He is buried at St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France, Plot D Row 3 Grave 14.

Eugene Durand – Attended NMNA 1900-1902 Lieutenant, United States Aviation Corps Eugene Durand enlisted in the Aviation Corps in June 1917 and trained to be an aviator. Durand was en route to Garden City, New York, to be sent overseas when he was taken ill. He returned to his parents’ home and died on October 14, 1918, five days after he was taken ill. While the cause of death was listed as pneumonia, his death was undoubtedly the result of the virulent H1N1 influenza pandemic. It has been determined that at least 50% of the 116,000 Americans who died in service during World War I were victims of the influenza pandemic; as many as 30,000 servicemen died before they arrived in France.

LT Eugene Durand’s obituary indicates that his parents had not been notified of his brother, Elliott Durand’s, death when Eugene died; announcement of Elliott’s death appeared in late October.

Their father, COL Elliott Durand, died in October 1919.

40 40

ISSUE YEAR SUMMER 2017

RIGHT:

Robert Irving Heller S1943 d. Ardennes, Belgium, December 16, 1944

WORLD WAR II In World War II, 1,365 alumni and Old Boys served on land, on sea and in the air in Europe, Asia, North Africa and the United States. SGT Robert Heller was one of the 95 who gave their lives.

Robert Irving Heller – SJMA 1943 Sergeant, United States Army Robert Heller was a member of Company D, 393rd Infantry, 99th Division. The 393rd landed in England in October 1944. They were transferred to Le Havre France on November 3 and entered the front lines six days later. These were the early days of what became known as the Battle of the Bulge, the largest European battle of the war. Heller’s citation states, “Sergeant Robert I. Heller … on 16 December 1944 displayed conspicuous gallantry in action at the Siegfried Line, in the Ardennes, Belgium. In the pre-dawn enemy attack, from a position which bore the brunt of the first enemy action, he directed his machine gun fire on the advancing foe, inflicting heavy casualties. Despite intense enemy artillery, mortar, rifle, and machine gun fire, he held his position in the face of repeated enemy attacks, again and again driving back the foe under his deadly fire. By his heroic stand, in which ultimately he made the supreme sacrifice, Heller did much to repel the first furious assaults of the concerted enemy drive, presenting an example of soldierly courage in keeping with high traditions of the military service.” SGT Robert Heller is buried in Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

St. St.John’s John’sNorthwestern NorthwesternMilitary MilitaryAcademy Academy || THE THE BEACON BEACON

Glimpses from the Past

KOREA While many alumni and Old Boys served during the Korean War, only one paid the ultimate price.

Pierre C. Chrissis – NMNA 1944 1st Lieutenant, United States Army Pierre Chrissis enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation. He received his commission in the infantry, and later served as a transportation officer in the Quartermaster Corps. He was honorably discharged in September 1946, but was recalled to duty in October 1950 and served as company executive officer.

Chrissis was shipped overseas in December 1950 and served as field communications chief as a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was wounded near Mugar, South Korea. His citation states, “On Feb 5, 1951, Lt. Chrissis’ platoon was bearing the brunt of strong enemy attack near Mugar. He moved among his men directing fire and encouraging them to hold their position. Lt. Chrissis expended the ammunition of his carbine and used it as a club. He finally fought with his bare hands until he fell, mortally wounded. Inspired by his action his platoon repulsed the attack.”

1LT Pierre Chrissis died in Han River, South Korea, on February 6, 1951. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

ABOVE:

Pierre Christ Chrissis N1944 d. Han River, South Korea, February 6, 1951

VIETNAM Kenneth J. Yonan is one of the 11 alumni and Old Boys who made the ultimate sacrifice between 1965 and 1973.

Kenneth J. Yonan – SJMA 1965, United States Military Academy at West Point 1969 Major, United States Army

ABOVE:

Kenneth J. Yonan S1965 P.O.W., South Vietnam, remains returned April 1988

Kenneth Yonan began his tour in South Vietnam in October 1971. He served as a Military Assistance Command, Vietnam advisor in the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division.

In April 1972, Yonan was assisting the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 42nd Regiment in Tanh Canh base camp compound near Dak To, Kontum Province, South Vietnam. On April 23, 1972, three North Vietnamese tanks approached the camp. Yonan and his ARVN counterpart scaled a water tower to call in jets. He was unable to do so because of low visibility and the two were trapped on the tower. Sixteen years later in April 1988, the remains of an American soldier were returned to the United States, and in June 1988, they were identified as MAJ Kenneth Yonan. He is buried in West Point National Cemetery in West Point, New York.

GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM Four young men from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy have given their lives in the Global War on Terrorism. Here is one of their stories.

Michael Joseph Metcalf – SJNMA 2008 Private First Class, United States Army Michael “Cowboy Mike” Metcalf of West Palm Beach, Florida, entered the U.S. Army on March 8, 2011. He trained as a paratrooper and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Metcalf was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2012 and served as a member of a Quick Response Team. On April 22, 2012, he was traveling to assist injured comrades when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device in Paktia, Afghanistan. He had been in Afghanistan for only one month. PVC Michael Metcalf is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy

ABOVE:

Michael J. Metcalf 2008 d. Paktia, Afghanistan, April 22, 2012

SUMMER 2017

41

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID DELAFIELD, WI PERMIT NO. 14

St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy 1101 Genesee Street Delafield, WI 53018-1498 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

2017

Upcoming SJNMA Events 2018

July 21 ............... OBAA Chris Madding Memorial Golf Outing, Mt. Prospect, Illinois *

January 13 ... Back the Lancers – Bowling & Buckets, Brookfield, Wisconsin (bowling) & SJNMA Campus (basketball)

September 10 ... Founders’ Day Ceremony and Parade, SJNMA Campus

March 3-4..... Midwinter Ball, SJNMA Campus

October 5 .......... The Heritage Society Appreciation Dinner, SJNMA Campus

March 17 ...... St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Chicago *

October 6-8 ....... Homecoming & Families Weekend, SJNMA Campus

April 28 ........ The Excalibur, SJNMA Campus

October 7 .......... OBAA Pig & Chicken Roast and Fall Fest Fundraiser, SJNMA Campus *

May 25 ......... Leaders Circle Reception, SJNMA Campus

Late October / Early November ...... Cadet Phonathon

April 27-29... Families Weekend, SJNMA Campus May 24-27 .... Commencement & Reunion Weekend, SJNMA Campus *

For more information on upcoming Academy events, visit www.sjnma.org.

November 10 .... Veterans Day Flag Pageant, SJNMA Campus December 17..... Festival of Lessons and Carols, SJNMA Campus

* To register online, visit www.sjnma.org/event-registration.cfm.

Don’t miss any of the action...

Stay in Touch Contact the Alumni Office at (262) 646-7220, (800) 234-9097 or akopaczewski@sjnma.org for event details and registration or to update the Academy with your news and information.

Also, be sure to follow us online:

www.facebook.com/sjnma

twitter.com/sjnmaathletics

www.sjnma.org

Parents of Alumni: If The Beacon is addressed to your son who no longer maintains a permanent residence at your home, or for any change of address, please notify the Alumni Office by calling (800) 234-9097. Thank you!