Winter 2015

G R E A T E R

C I N C I N N A T I ’ S

J E S U I T

H I G H

S C H O O L WINTER 2015

Remembering Two Legends on the Field and in the Classroom THOMAS N. BALLABAN

ST EV EN J . R A S S O

1927-2014

1938-2014

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

TIMOTHY A. HOWE SJ

Perching, Flocking and Nesting Dear friends, Perching, flocking and nesting. These were the terms that Kathryn Theobald, interior designer from MSA Architects, used to describe our students’ behavior on a recent tour of St. Xavier during the midday Flex period. Perching refers to a quick stop before classes, flocking is a place where several students can gather together, and nesting is that default hangout location where you can usually find a particular student when he is not in class.

St. Xavier students have always exhibited these behaviors.

Bombers have had their preferred table in the cafeteria where they could count on finding their friends or teammates each day at lunch. Past generations will remember the Senior Lounge or even the Smoking Lounge when that was permitted on campus. Hard to imagine today!

Kathryn is generously helping us to imagine new ways that our students can perch, flock and nest on campus. Two students, Parker Rogers (’15) and Kyle Wilson (’15) led us on a tour of the building to show us how students currently spread themselves throughout the facility and how we could create even better spaces for them to do that in the future.

We visited Narnia—the cul-de-sac at the very end of the religion wing—passed the alcove outside Mrs. Schulte’s office which is usually home to a vigorous debate about some current event in the news or in popular culture, and we saw many students simply plopped down in the hallway with their backs against their lockers.

phone or tablet and look it up. Our students support each other when they get stuck on a math problem or need help deciding on a thesis for their paper. And we want to provide them with the appropriate places where they can learn collaboratively or just socialize with friends. Our strategic plan calls us to build a 21st century learning-centered culture, but also to foster the formal and informal relationships that make St. Xavier such a special place. Many of our graduates tell us that they found the transition to college easier than their classmates because St. X had treated them like adults, giving them freedom and unstructured time that they learned to manage. There’s a lot of learning and maturing that happens while they are perching, flocking and nesting!

As we move forward with the strategic plan, I am thankful to all Bombers for their continued support to create the best learning environment possible for present and future members of the Long Blue Line.

Yours in Christ,

All of this is important because more and more 21st century learning takes place outside of the classroom. In the past, students needed their teachers to tell them what the Teapot Dome scandal was about; now they can just pull out their

Timothy A. Howe SJ

ADMINISTRATION Rev. Timothy A. Howe SJ, President Rev. William L. Verbryke SJ (’71) Rector Mr. Terrence H. Tyrrell, Principal BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mrs. Ann M. Berger Mr. John C. Bloomstrom Bro. Darrell J. Burns SJ Mr. David J. Cassady (’75), Board Chair Mr. Robert W. Dieckman, Jr. (’82) Rev. Patrick A. Fairbanks SJ Ms. Cynthia A. Fazio Mr. Thomas A. Gill Rev. Michael J. Graham SJ Mr. Gary J. Gruber (’73) Mr. Richard J. Hidy (’81) Rev. Timothy A. Howe SJ, Ex Officio Mr. Walter E. Knox, Jr. Mr. William J. Mulvihill, (’65) Mr. Bryan Y. Norton SJ Mrs. Victoria A. Reynolds Mr. John B. Schmitz (’78) Mr. Michael N. Schuster Mr. Michael G. Stenger, (’79) Mr. Richard E. Thornburgh (’70) Rev. William L. Verbryke SJ (’71) Ex Officio CONTRIBUTORS Cheryl L. Asper Sylvia M. Betz John Paul Bosse (’15) Cathy M. Cionni Heidi B. Eveleigh Edmund L. Franchi James L. Jurgens Colleen S. King Ralph A. Nardini (’77) Anthony E. Schad (’81) John A. Schrantz (’96) Andrew E. Sweeny (’68) EDITOR Becky Schulte DESIGNER Jon Enia (’97), makercreative.com PRINTING Joseph Berning Printing Company St. Xavier Magazine is published three times a year by the alumni, development and communications offices.

St. Xavier High School 600 W. North Bend Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45224-1499 Phone (513) 761-7815 ext. 121 http://www.stxavier.org e-mail bschulte@stxavier.org ALUMNI HOT LINE 1-800-572-5340 ext. 114 Direct all Letters to the Editor, address changes, or other correspondence to the above address.

Postmaster: Send address corrections to: St. Xavier Magazine, 600 W. North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH 45224-1499.

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Alumni Profile

Remembering Legends

Entrepreneurship Club

Patrick Sheehy (’65)

Ballaban & Rasso

Connecting the Long Blue Line

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 02 09 10 11 13

WE ARE ST. X PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT X-TRAVAGANZA 2015 VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

18 FACULTY Q&A 22 X-PEDITIONS 29 CALENDAR

ABOVE Legends in the classroom and on the field, Tom Ballaban and Steve Rasso together in the fall of 2013.

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WE ARE...ST. X

NEWS AND NOTES AROUND THE ST. XAVIER CAMPUS

Think Award On Sunday, January 18, Robot-X, the St. Xavier High School robotics team, competed in the US FIRST FTC Dayton Qualifying Event. The team earned the Think Award for using superior engineering methods showing the strategizing, planning, testing, and development of the Robot-X robot.

The Think Award encourages removing engineering obstacles through creative thinking.

This judged award is given to the team that best reflects the “journey” the team took as they experienced the engineering design process during the build season.

The team moved on to state competition after an exciting FTC Qualifying tournament in Cincinnati on January 31.

Phonathon

St. Xavier students worked the phones during the 2014 Fall Phonathon to make connections with the Long Blue Line.

More than 220 sophomores, juniors, and seniors stayed past school hours for six total nights, giving time back to St. Xavier

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by reaching out to alumni all over the country. Their hard work and dedication to X made a difference! Through their efforts 1,161 pledges for $126,746.64 were secured.

“The Student Phonathon has been taking place at X for close to 20 years. Having students involved with this project is so beneficial.

They truly are the best representatives of St. Xavier. The pride they have for their school is infectious and jumps through the phone to alumni.

This service is one of the few ways they can give back to the school they care so much about. It is an early example of the Long Blue Line in action,” said John Schrantz (’96), Director of the Annual Fund and Alumni Relations. “ I want to thank our students and our fantastic alumni for their continuous generosity and support of the mission of St. Xavier High School.”

If you did not receive a call during the phonathon, alumni, friends and family can still participate in the Annual Fund at www.stxavier.org/annualfund.

Mothers’ Club Christmas Celebration

Perfect ACT Congratulations to the following students who have scored a perfect composite score of 36 on the ACT college entrance exam.

Seniors in the Class of 2015 Nicholas Talbot, Andrew Mooney, Matthew Lekowski and Charles Paul make up the “perfect group.”

The ACT consists of timed tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. Each test is scored on a scale of 1-36, and a student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. According to the ACT, the actual number of students earning a composite score of 36 varies from year to year, though roughly only .1 percent earn the top score.

The Mothers’ Club hosted its annual Luncheon Boutique and Fashion Show (now renamed the Christmas Celebration) on Friday, December 5 at St. Xavier High School. This year titled “It’s a Wonderful Life!” more than 750 guests enjoyed raffles, awards, bidding, Boutique shopping and socializing in the Berning Gym while the Chamber Blues String Ensemble directed by Isaac Watras performed. The Master of Ceremonies, Mike Brown, and the St. Xavier Drumline, directed by Dave Thomas, encouraged all to proceed to the Ellis Gym for the luncheon and fashion show.

The Mothers’ Club presented Principal Terry Tyrrell with a check for $3,000 towards the St. X Canned Food Drive and another check for $25,000 to Fr. Tim Howe SJ for the President’s Fund.

After viewing the modeled fashions from Evereve and Folchi’s Formal Wear, the best moment was the special entertainment featuring St. Xavier Seniors with choreography by St. X 2014 graduate Garrison Mays.

Thank you to all who planned, volunteered, and celebrated Christmas together this year. Mark your calendar for next year’s Mothers’ Club Christmas Celebration – Friday, December 4, 2015! We will see you there!

Music Department Entertains The St. Xavier Music Department was extremely active the first semester of the school year.

Band members in the Marching Bombers were there to support the football team as they made their run through the playoffs. Members of the Drumline gave back to the community by playing in the Buddy Walk and the Butterfly Walk for CancerFree Kids.

The Strings program continued to expand and performed their own fall concert, the first since 2011. Strings musicians enhanced the all school Masses by playing with the liturgical musicians group. This group hosted the Ohio Music Educator Association (OMEA) Solo and Ensemble Adjudicated Event on January 31 and, along with the band and choir, hosted Gem City on February 7. Gem City is a jazz/funk band that includes two St. X alumni, Peter Mills (’09) and David Watanabe (’09).

The St. Xavier Choir Program hosted a fall Concert featuring members of the school’s faculty. Soloists included Scott Martin (Mathematics/Varsity Basketball), Tim Sorensen (Physics), Lucas Schroeder (Assistant Principal), Ivan Fulton (Trainer), Alex Antonelli (Mathematics), Dan Dery (Latin) and Emily Kenkel (Assistant Director of Music.) The choirs also performed a special Christmas Dinner catered by Chef Pete Zimmer. Featured Christmas music was delivered by The Blue52s, Something Blue and Rhythm & Blue. Soloists, duets and monologues combined to deliver the Christmas message.

Together students in the music program performed a Christmas Concert for the public and then a shorter sampling for the school community featuring the Men in Black (String group), Chamber Blues (select Strings group), Jazz Band, The Blue52s (vocal acapella), Something Blue (vocal acapella), Rhythm & Blue (vocal acapella) and the Xmen (large men’s chorus).

Members of the Marching Band and the Xmen gave back to the community delivering food through the St. Xavier Canned Food Drive to more than 90 families.

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Grand Reunion Weekend Welcomes Bombers Home The seventh annual Grand Reunion weekend kicked-off October 24 as golfers tackled Glenview Golf Course. The fun and camaraderie continued as alumni were able to meet up again in the Berning Gym for a stag celebration of the classes of 1969, ’74, ’79 ’84 ’89, ’94, ’99 and 2004.

Amid music, a “Taste of Cincinnati” food, class balloons and school tours, Bomber alumni caught up with one another well into the night.

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The weekend continued on Saturday under perfectly blue skies as alumni and families enjoyed a tailgate with St. Ignatius parents and friends prior to watching the Bombers defeat the Wildcats in the Jesuit Bowl.

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2014 Fall Signing Day

Ignatian Values Day

Congratulations to the St. X student athletes who participated in the fall signing day, Wednesday, November 12 at St. Xavier High School.

St. Xavier High School celebrated the first Ignatian Values Day on Wednesday, November 5. The day was created and designed with the purpose of greater awareness and intentional focus on the Graduate at Graduation values. Students were given the opportunity to spend the day with the school community to gather together to listen, discuss, reflect, and celebrate a particular aspect of Jesuit charism. This year, the day focused on the fourth tenet of the Graduate at Graduation: LOVING.

By the time of graduation, the St. Xavier High School student is well on the way to establishing his own identity. The graduate is also on the threshold of being able to move beyond self-interest or self-centeredness in significant relationships with others. In other words, he is beginning to be able to risk some deeper levels of relationship in which one can disclose self and accept the mystery of another person and cherish the person.

The day began with a moving keynote address from faculty member Dr. Braden Mechley (’88) asking students how they experience God and encouraging them to build one another up and lift one another up to experience God’s love. Dr. Mechley also pushed faculty, staff and students to put their love into something that truly matters. A choral performance by staff member Ivan Fulton showed love in action offering love, praise and glory to God.

Michael Vitucci – Cross Country – University of Cincinnati Connor Stelljes – Track and Field – St. Louis University Liam Moran – Swimming – Kenyon University

2014 Named Endowments Reception St. Xavier High School benefactors gathered for an evening of appreciation at the 2014 Named Endowments Reception at the Walter C. Deye SJ Performance Center on Tuesday, October 14, 2014.

The evening began with a reception where current students and benefactors had the opportunity to get to know one another. After the reception, the group gathered for a short program emceed by Fr. Tim Howe SJ.

Chamber Blues string ensemble performed two pieces followed by Something Blue and the Blue52s choral groups, which entertained guests with new songs.

Mr. Tim Banker (’95) social studies teacher, student Simeon Lane (’15) and parent Mr. Eugene Stallworth offered presentations of thanks.

St. Xavier gives thanks to all benefactors who make generous contributions to the Long Blue Line.

Students then broke into the following sessions: • LOVING What You Do –Faculty member Mr. Thomsen and student choral groups conducted an engaging and interactive session demonstrating their love for music.

• LOVING Each Other—Faculty members Ms. Greiwe, Mr. Schroeder, Mrs. Sepelak, Mrs. Turner, and Ms. Wiegele led a dramatic presentation on the dynamics of effective and loving communication in our relationships.

• LOVING Artistic Expression –Faculty members Mr. Mechley and Mr. Mosley, along with the artists from Voices and Visionaries, created art, displayed art, and answered questions in an art exhibition.

• LOVING Service to those in Need—Alumni guest speakers Mayor John Cranley (’92), Dr. Bob Donovan, S.M. (’72) and Mr. Kevin Finn (’88) led a panel discussion on living out the Grad-at-Grad component of “Loving” in their careers.

The day concluded with a celebration of the Eucharist in an all-school Mass.

Students, faculty and staff enjoyed the day and left with a better understanding and care for how to be LOVING.

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TX Brings Theater Alive

Theatre Xavier has been extremely active. This fall, TX performed an outstanding version of the famous play Peter Pan in the Walter C. Deye SJ Performance Center.

Peter Zimmer (’15), who played Captain Hook in the theater performance of Peter Pan, stated, “Peter Pan was the most fun I’ve had in a TX show. We performed for a bunch of little kids, so the theater magic came true. I felt like I was actually Captain Hook. The show was magical and a wonderful experience as we traveled to Neverland every night.”

On the heels of Peter Pan, TX turned their attention to a winter performance of The Foreigner, in a cabaret style setting in the Black Box Theater.

Limited to about 14 rehearsals, the cast worked late hours right from the start but all felt privileged enough to work closely with Ms. Mascari in her final winter play and really develop the characters.

“I had the amazing opportunity to play the role of Charlie Baker in Theatre Xavier’s The Foreigner. With such a small group of people, all of us were really able to grow closer as a family.

Never in my life have I smiled more, laughed more, or just felt so content. This was by far one of the most positive experiences in my life and my favorite show thus far,” said Jimmy Franklin (’16).

TX is now in the midst of rehearsals for Michele Mascari’s final performance as the Director of Theatre Xavier. The spring show will be Shades (an original musical, book by Michele Mascari and music/ lyrics by Tommy Korbee ’98).

“This is the last show for seniors, and it is the last show with Ms. Mascari. We want it to be a huge success,” said Zimmer. “We are looking to have a great time and put on an amazing performance.”

Shades will take place in the Walter C. Deye SJ Performance Center beginning April 16.

Watch for ticket information at www.stxavier.org.

TOP & MIDDLE TX performs Peter Pan. BOTTOM TX brings The Foreigner to St. X.

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Canned Food Drive The Canned Food Drive is a storied program that spans generations of Bombers, and this year was the best yet. The 2014 Canned Food Drive broke all school records this year collecting a grand total of 182,000 pounds of food and items for those in need. St. X helped more than 1,000 families adopted through more than 25 agencies across Greater Cincinnati. The collection also benefitted three Appalachian communities.

“It was incredible that we actually beat the school record by over 10,000 pounds! Our leadership team worked well together.

Things were organized, and it was fun to inspire our classmates,” said Michael Van Schoik (’16).

Students canvassed neighborhoods all over the Cincinnati area collecting items and spreading the word about those in need.

Junior Drew Dunderman said, “It was great way to get involved with the school mission. When I was on the CFD Student Leadership Team, I felt myself growing as a person.”

For weeks students collected, weighed, transported and sorted items.

“You’ve got to be passionate about helping others through the CFD. It motivates to get up earlier and come to school to help weigh-in and store food,” said Alex Deters (’16).

The end result served thousands in need and made history for the school!

“The students were amazing this year with the Canned Food Drive. There was such fantastic energy. They should be proud that they set a new school record, with 182,000 pounds of food. More importantly, they helped to feed over a thousand families. It is a true example of Men For and With Others,” stated Matt Kemper, Director of Community Service.

4 C Award St. Xavier High School’s Big Buddies project, which involves nearly 100 students in providing positive male role models and emphasizing the importance of education to underserved boys at area Boys & Girls Clubs, is the winner of 4C for Children’s fourth annual Champions for Children: the Next Generation Award.

During the 2013-14 school year, seven student-led volunteer teams visited five Boys & Girls Clubs on a bi-weekly basis in Avondale, Lower Price Hill, Northside, Over the Rhine and the Villages at Roll Hill. Each St. Xavier student was paired with a “little buddy” in kindergarten through sixth grade that the Club determined would benefit from a positive relationship with an older male.

Most of the kids who attend Boys & Girls Clubs “come from single-parent families and are raised by mothers and grand-

mothers,” says Angela Giani, regional education coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. That’s why the St. X volunteers are so important, she says, “providing positive male role models for our boys.”

Each 90-minute Big Buddy visit usually began with one-on-one tutoring and homework help. This not only helped improve the academic achievements of the younger boys, says St. X project advisor J K Klaiber, but it provided “a great opportunity for the kids to see older, ‘cool’ boys who not only take their education seriously, but also enjoy going to school.”

The goal of the Champions for Children: The Next Generation Award, is to honor high school students in grades 9-12 who are taking action on behalf of the children of our community-or of our world. “We want to reinforce in the leaders of tomorrow the importance of investing in the children of today—especially those from birth to age 8,” says 4C President/ CEO Sallie Westheimer.

Congratulations to this group of students who model Men for Others.

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Young Alumni Career Forum Below is a list of alumni who participated during the career forum.

Matt Arand ’07 Michael Berning ’05 Patrick Berning ’08 Jon Conover ’01 Alexander Ewing ’01 Zach Franke ’05 Chris Freese ’05 Steven Gay ’02 David Hall ’07 Patrick Hayes ’01 Michael Hellman ’03 Matthew Hemberger ’03 Steve Kraynik ’01 David Long ’06 Ryan McGraw ’05 John Milligan ’05 Mike Mills ’01 Evan Nolan ’01 Mike Osterbrock ’01 Keith Rosing ’01 Jeff Scheper ’03 Ben Schmidlin ’03 Dylan Schuster ’01 Dennis Spitznagel ’03 Dan Thaler ’08 Jordan Weidner ’02 Andy Wietmarschen ’01

On January 29th and 30th current seniors and juniors were invited to the school’s first ever alumni driven career forum. The goal of the “St. X Young Alumni Career Forum” was to provide students an opportunity to connect with a young professional in the early stages of his career in an industry or subject area that is meaningful to the students’ educational and professional interests.

The Young Alumni who were present discussed related topics to that particular career or college experience including: job opportunities, how they picked that industry, course load in college, and what to expect in an early career.

The alumni available to students covered as many professions as possible: Medicine, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Architecture & Design, Law, Education, and Entrepreneurship.

Patrick Hayes ’01 was the project leader from the Young Alumni committee.

“This was a really great project for both the school and the Young Alumni Committee. We wanted to find ways for our committee to engage with current students and get more involved with the school itself.” Hayes added, “Navigating the questions associated with a career can be difficult and stressful for anyone, but at seventeen, sometimes they can feel overwhelming. This forum gave students the opportunity to have a candid discussion with young alums about what to expect in college, what to expect after college, and what are some of the things that they can do now to set themselves up for success down the road.”

“I want to thank all of the alumni that took time out of their busy days to speak at the forum. In many ways, the event is emblematic of a larger St. Xavier mission: our education and our desire to excel in any path should never stop—as should our desire to give back and help those around us. Next year’s event will be even better.”

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P R I N C I P A L’ S M E S S A G E

TERRENCE TYRRELL

The Best at Getting Better Innovation, creativity and risk-taking are at the heart of the Society of Jesus and their founder, St. Ignatius. Ignatius encouraged the early Jesuits to “set the world on fire,” creating a revolutionary religious movement that influenced leaders in Europe and extended its reach into Asia and South America.

At the heart of the Society of Jesus is a willingness to try new things and go where one is called to serve God. This spirit of innovation continued into the 20th century as Father-General Pedro Arrupe challenged Jesuit schools through his writings, including his statement, “that Jesuit school which believes it has no need to change has set the stage for the slow death of that school; it will only take about one generation. However painful it may be, we need to trim the tree in order to restore it to strength.”

Now as we enter the 21st century, Jesuit schools continue to face many challenges that require us to be innovative and creative in our solutions, including questions such as: • How do we adapt to the changing technology in the world and education?

• How do we address the new skill set required in the ever-changing workforce?

• How do we deal with the lack of balance and negative stress facing our students?

• How do we promote the Catholic faith in a world that sometimes challenges it?

Inspired by a tradition of excellence and the continual effort to better serve our students, the Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and staff have attempted to answer these questions in a variety of ways, including: • The classroom experience continues to improve as St. X moves to create a more student-centered culture. The lecture style prevalent for many years in education has been replaced by “flipped” classrooms, project-based learning, and an emphasis on developing critical-thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in our students.

• Faculty members work in more collaborative ways through learning teams and academic departments, identifying essential learning outcomes and using common assessment to improve student performance.

• New classes, such as Engineering, meet the ever-changing educational needs of our students and help to prepare them for college and beyond.

• The recent move to the iPad program has allowed students quick access to course material, online resources, and textbooks while encouraging peer collaboration. A future transition to a new Learning Management System will make it easier for students and teachers to share course content and assignments.

• The new bell schedule will take advantage of the improvements in technology to create more flexibility, balance, and opportunities for students while reducing bad stress and improving learning.

• The Student Learning Center continues to work with students in a variety of ways to provide support inside and outside the classroom. Tutoring services, including adult and peer tutors, retention services, an intervention specialist, and a psychologist allow students to reach their full academic and social potential.

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• The chaplain program in athletics ties the mission of St. X and our Catholic faith into the athletic arena through prayer services, chapel visits and team masses, allowing athletic teams to truly become an extension of the classroom.

These are just a few of the ways that St. X is using innovation and creativity to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

I want to encourage all of us to continue the work of St. Ignatius and Pedro Arrupe through innovation, creativity and risk taking to be a school that, in the words of our board chairmen, Mr. David Cassidy, “is the best at getting better.”

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J.P. Bosse (’15) has embraced all things St. X. He is a peer tutor, a leader in community service, serves as a Bomber Pilot, leads the school bereavement group and is an academic scholar.

STUDENT Q&A

J.P. BOSSE (’15)

Beginning a New Tradition of Excellence

What relatives do you have that have attended St. X? I am the first one in my family to be part of the Long Blue Line. I am excited to begin a new tradition of excellence in my family.

Why did you decide to attend St. X?

During my shadowing experience at St. Xavier, I felt welcomed by the students, teachers, and faculty at the school. I realized, I would be part of a community where I would be challenged to grow and learn.

Between the variety of classes and community service options offered, I was eager to begin my four years. St. X allowed me to combine my passion for tennis and singing with my hobbies like euchre. Being from the west side of Cincinnati, St. Xavier presented me with the opportunity to meet friends from all over the Greater Cincinnati area.

Talk about your academic experience at St. Xavier.

My academic experience the past few years has been extraordinary. St. Xavier has helped me in a variety of ways and has enabled me to get help from others when I’m in need and give help to others when they are in need. My teachers have always helped me out in my moments of difficulty and celebrated with me in my moments of success. The learning center allowed me to learn from a peer and also provide help to others.

You are extremely involved in Community Service. Talk about these experiences and how they have impacted your life.

Over the past three years, participating in community service has become an integral part of who I am. A few of the organizations I have been most active in over the past couple years are Special Olympics Bowling, Special Needs Dances, Canned Food Drive (Leadership

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Team), Big Buddies, and From Our Angels To Yours (FOATY). Some of the activities are sponsored by St. Xavier, while others I have pursued outside of school. My rich experiences in community service taught me countless lessons and have helped me to become a better person. One experience that was very memorable happened on a Saturday morning at the Special Olympics Bowling league. During my conversation with Nate, I learned of his accident. He was driving home from a late night of studying at the library for a medical school exam when he was hit head on by a drunk driver. Nate’s life was changed forever. He was lucky to be alive but he had many difficulties that arose from the accident. It made me think about how quickly my life or the people’s lives around me could change. Each and every day is a great gift from God.

The organization that is most meaningful to me is FOATY. FOATY is a nonprofit founded in memory of my best friend and his little sister. Through this organization, we help those children and families in our community who are experiencing a difficult time. Just this past year, we had one of the most successful fundraising events.

Through my work with them, I am able to continue to help others while keeping their memory alive.

Giving back to the community is part of my DNA, but I truly believe I receive so much more in return. I have met amazing people along my journey. The countless people I have met while volunteering have changed my life and I pray the work I am doing is impacting their lives as well.

You are midway through your senior, and final, year at St. X. Any words of wisdom for future Bombers?

My words of wisdom to future Bombers are simply to get involved. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new. It is always better to say that you tried something and didn’t like it, than to not try something at all. St. Xavier is a large school and presents an abundance of unique opportunities to you. Find your place, build a strong foundation of friends, be accepting to others and don’t forget to study. Keep God in your life each and every day.

Describe the St. Xavier Advantage and what it means to you.

The St. Xavier advantage is the Long Blue Line. I believe I have a support system I can lean on at any time including classmates, teachers, counselors and alumni. St. Xavier has provided me a bond that will last a lifetime.

ST. X “X-TRAVAGANZA 2015” SUPERHEROES: XPLORING TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE JESUIT WAY

X-Travaganza is an annual St. Xavier High School tradition, bringing together parents, alumni and friends of St. Xavier to enjoy a fun evening while supporting the students.

As the largest fundraiser of the year, X-Travaganza proceeds directly benefit all students by funding educational programs and cocurriculars that contribute to the students’ development as Men for Others.

Themed SUPERHEROES: Xploring Truth, Justice and the Jesuit Way, the 2015 X-Travaganza is a weekend of events. Friday, March 13 kicks off the festivities with Opening Party (formerly known as “First Night”), a casual evening of food, drinks, raffle baskets, exclusive Silent Auction items and a preview of Saturday evening’s X-Travaganza Silent Auction items as well. This Friday evening event, themed X Supermen, is a wonderful time to meet new friends, reconnect with others and enjoy a festive atmosphere that includes a performance from some of St. Xavier’s very own “X Supermen” – the St. X Drumline! Opening Party has a

new name and new games, requires no superhuman powers and promises to be a fun, memorable evening for all who attend!

X-Travaganza on Saturday, March 14 is a SUPER-sized event: Mass in the Chapel, followed by hors d’oeurves and a complimentary bar, Silent Auction bidding on hundreds of exciting and unique items and an elegant sit-down dinner. As the X-Travaganza Live Auction takes off, the excitement builds as items – from coveted tickets to sporting and entertainment events, vacation packages, jewelry and one-of-akind experiences – move quickly to the lucky highest bidder! Will there be raffle baskets with hunks of kryptonite? An auctioned experience to bungee jump with Spiderman? A one-week vacation package in the Bat Cave with use of Bat Mobile included? Join us to see what surprises may materialize before our eyes! The Saturday evening party culminates with the drawing for Grand Raffle cash prizes of $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 – truly capping off an exciting evening.

The chairs for Friday night’s Opening Party are Michelle and Rob Morgan, and Jill and John O’Shea. The 42nd X-Travaganza chairs are Peg and Joe Halpin, and Jean and Cliff Robson – all eight of these dedicated individuals are our real superheroes for the time and talent they give throughout the year to make the events successful. Hundreds more donor and volunteer heroes work together to provide this memorable evening of food and fellowship while fulfilling the long-standing tradition of student support by the St. X community. You too can be an honorary superhero for the young men at St. Xavier High School – attend one event (or both!); purchase Grand Raffle Tickets for a chance to win cash; donate items for the auctions; volunteer to help – all opportunities to support the school’s largest fundraiser, with no cape required!

To register for X-Travaganza events and to purchase Grand Raffle Tickets online, please visit www.stxavier.org/xtravaganza.

X-Travaganza proceeds directly benefit all students by funding educational programs and co-curriculars that contribute to the students’ development as Men for Others.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY www.stxavier.org/xtravaganza WINTER 2015

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PATRICK SHEEHY (’65) ALUMNI PROFILE

A Story for the Ages

by Tony Schad (’81)

LEFT Sheehy today looking over class yearbook.

BELOW 1965 Senior photo

He doesn’t like debt. He pays cash for everything. That was one reason Patrick Sheehy ’65 marked the year of his 50th class reunion with a full tuition gift to St. Xavier.

Patrick Sheehy (’65) lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife Meredith, who he proudly mentions is his lifelong souvenir from a tour of duty on the Hawaiian Islands. They have two grown children; his daughter, now a nurse, went to Sacred Heart in Louisville. His son who has a degree in computer technology and is a web-developer, played football against the Bombers for the Trinity High Shamrocks. However, Pat said he wore a St. X hat and cheered for the Bombers because he will “always be a Bomber!” He has enjoyed an incredible life in the service of our country working 31 years as the Asst. Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service for the state of Kentucky. He helped protect Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Mr. Sheehy even had an interesting trip to China with former first lady “Lady Bird” Johnson, during which his plane had an emergency landing at a Chinese military base where no English was spoken. He had a fascinating career.

He grew up in Walnut Hills and went to St. Rose in the East End for first through sixth grade. His family moved to Anderson Township and he went to Guardian Angels for seventh and eighth grades.

He thought he was going to McNicholas. McNick is where most of his classmates would go. “They had girls, so naturally that was where I wanted to be!” However his dad went to St. X downtown, and although his father had to leave St. X early to serve in the war, that is where his dad asserted he would go. Patrick is grateful to this day for his dad’s decision to send him to St. X.

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Three weeks prior to the beginning of his senior year, his father was tragically killed in a car accident coming home from work. Times were very lean in the Sheehy household. His mother met with then Principal Fr. John Beckman SJ and informed him that Pat was going to need to transfer to Anderson High School. Fr. Beckman told Pat’s mom he wanted Pat to finish his four years at St. X and worked out a way for the full amount of his tuition to be paid. It was $300. That was a lot of money in 1964.

So, for Sheehy, that was from where his “debt” originated. As Patrick said, “The successful career I had would not have been possible without the education, discipline, training and molding I received from the Jesuits and St. Xavier High School.”

He remembers being in Fr. Graf’s algebra class with friends Denny Pellman and Bob Ritter. He learned from legendary St. X faculty such as Doc Brennan, Don Dilg, Coach Behrens, James Dusablon, Karl Hauck and more. He said, “Going to UC was easy compared to St. X.”

For this reason Patrick repaid his tuition debt many times over by giving a gift to St. X in the amount of full tuition ($12,850) for this school year.

His message is simple. “High school is a formative age. I credit a lot of my success in life to my four years at St. X. If you got a lot out of your St. X education and you are in a position to give back to St. X you should do it. It will make you feel good. I know I feel better for making this gift.”

We thank Patrick for not only his financial support but for sharing his story. Even if he maintains it ‘is not much of a story.” We respectfully disagree. It is a story for the ages.

RALPH A. NARDINI (’77) VP DEVELOPMENT’S MESSAGE

Expanding Horizons As I sit at my laptop writing this, my thoughts go back to January 1973.

I remember getting my acceptance letters from St. Xavier and from Moeller. I didn’t have a legacy to St. X; my dad went to St. Charles Prep in Columbus. As an 8th grader at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Reading, my closest friends had already decided that they would attend Moeller. I had attended every summer sport camp at Moeller since I was in 3rd grade. So of course…I enrolled at St. Xavier High School. It was a decision I made, but with input from my mom and dad. My dad graduated from Xavier University, so he was familiar with the Jesuits. I knew I didn’t need to “follow the crowd” and I also knew that I wanted to push myself, expanding my horizons.

That ended up being a great choice for me. As I think back to my freshman year, it was tough, especially from a social standpoint, but I continued to make new friends. The academics were tough, but I could handle that. Who wouldn’t enjoy freshman World Cultures with Tom Ballaban. Every class was a learning “experience” with coach. I remember freshman English with Paul Zook. I was afraid not to learn!

This is decision time for current 8th graders. The Class of 2019 will soon be enrolled to begin their freshman year at St. Xavier High School in August. They will have their own memories and experiences. The Class of 2019 will grow academically and spiritually thanks to the commitment and zeal for teaching of our faculty and staff.

I consistently hear from the alumni I visit that their time at St. X prepared them for college and beyond. In fact, many of them will tell me that St. X was as tough or tougher academically than their undergraduate and graduate work. And I also find that my visits are a chance for alumni to tell me stories about just how much the teachers at St. X affected their lives.

All of us remember those teachers who made a difference in our lives. For me,

Dick Piening and Joan Whitaker made Math interesting and challenged me to strive to do better than I thought I could.

Mike Marchal, Fr. Ahern, Dick Berning, Wally Koral, Jim Cahill and others who I either had in class or had private conversations with (that was when they told me why they were Jugging me) were a positive influence on a maturing adolescent. They all wanted me (us) to be the best we could be and challenged us when we were falling short.

And look at the two great educators featured on the cover of this magazine.

Tom Ballaban and Steve Rasso spent their careers teaching generations of young men either on the field or in the classroom. Both of these men led by example.

As a student, and later as an alumnus, those of us lucky enough to have been touched by these two legends knew there was only one way to proceed, the right way. As coach Ballaban would always remind us, it is better to be outstanding, than to be standing out.

St. Xavier High School continues to be that school. I will add that I think it is even better now than when I was here as a student. The current Chair of our Board of Trustees, David Cassady (’75), has a phrase he uses when talking about the vision for our school. He wants us to

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continue to strive to be “the best at being better.”

So, if any young man asks you if he should attend St. Xavier High School, tell him about your experience and let him know that his will be as good or better.

St. X is blessed to have alumni and friends like you who believe in, and help us to continue, the mission of Jesuit, Catholic education in the greater Cincinnati area.

And, we have some of the best faculty and staff that not only challenge our students to grow spiritually and academically, but model the Ignatian spirit in all they do.

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S T .

X A V I E R

B

y the numbers Tom Ballaban was a history teacher for 45 years at St. Xavier and head football coach for the Bombers from 1953 to 1977 (25 years). During those years, his teams compiled a record of 142-91-8, winning GCL championships in 1957, 1968, and 1970 and finishing second in the GCL in 1971, 1973, and 1976. His best single-season records were in 1968 (9-0-1) and 1957 (9-1). On three other occasions his teams went 8-2.

Ballaban also coached basketball at St. Xavier from 1951 to 1954, compiling a 59-25 record. During these years Tom’s basketball teams won a district championship, a GCL championship and a GCL co-championship. His 1954 team finished second in the GCL. But Tom Ballaban was so much more than the number of wins and losses. He

was more than your first period World Cultures teacher. Everyone who knew him as a teacher, coach, friend or mentor would say that Tom Ballaban was a “oneof-a-kind” iconic figure at St. Xavier High School that will never be forgotten. It is impossible. There are too many “Bal stories” for that ever to happen. He touched so many lives that those numbers cannot be counted. It is also a guarantee that as every memory about Tom Ballaban is recounted, there is a smile on the face of the person telling the story. Tom Ballaban was a coach. He was a football and basketball referee. He was a teacher. And he made us laugh every step of the way.

He retired from teaching in 1998.

After his passing, memorials streamed into the St. Xavier web site with thoughts of Bal. You can find them all at stxavier.org.

All of the memorials conjure up great

R E M E M

memories of Bal. One from St. Xavier alum Marty Mooney (’70) summed up the thoughts of many.

Mooney said, “Besides being a truly legendary man, he also provided me with memories and experiences that I have cherished, and will cherish, my whole life.

He was more than a teacher and a coach to me, he was someone I looked up to and thoroughly enjoyed. He was always the same, whether it was in the classroom or on the field, whether it was 1965 or 2005. You knew he’d have something to say about almost any topic, and you knew he’d have you laughing not more than 30 seconds into the conversation. I’m sure there’s a crowd around him in heaven right now, and he’s got them all laughing.”

In Coach Ballaban’s honor, his family has established the Tom and Claire Ballaban Scholarship Fund at St. Xavier High School.

We encourage you to honor Bal by helping fund this scholarship in his name. Please mail checks made payable to St. Xavier High School, 600 W. North Bend Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 with the Tom and Claire Ballaban Scholarship Fund in the memo line. You can also give online at www.stxavier.org/giftofhonor.

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B E R S

T W O

S

teve Rasso inherited the reigns of the St. Xavier football program from a legend and in turn became a legend in his own right. As with coach Ballaban, Steve Rasso put up some pretty impressive numbers. Rasso’s four-decade career as a teacher and football coach featured a 36-year legacy and a 249-122-6 record. He spent 26 years at St. Xavier, where he amassed a 189-86-2 record and six Greater Cincinnati League championships, 11 playoff appearances and three state runner-up finishes.

“Steve was an inspiration to all of us. His 26 years in the classroom and as the varsity head football coach helped to shape St. Xavier football into the program it is today. Steve truly cared about the student athlete. He was thoughtful, passionate and committed to success in every area of life,” said Athletic Director John Sullivan.

L E G E N D S

Rasso received six GCL Coach of the Year awards, the 1992 Ohio Coach of the Year award and the 1992 and 1999 Cincinnati Coach of the Year awards. He was inducted to the Ohio Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

Rasso, who began coaching at Cleveland Cathedral Latin as an assistant in 1962, also coached at Elder, Covington Catholic, La Salle and Mariemont.

For 26 years at St. Xavier, and for more than 4 decades overall, Steve Rasso touched the hearts and souls of a countless number of individuals. Whether it was in the classroom or on the playing field, Steve Rasso was in the purest sense of the word; an educator. Steve was a leader who led by example and never put himself out in the forefront. It was about what was best for St. X and his students as

a teacher and about the team and his players on the football field. He was known as a person of faith and as an educator and coach with great moral character.

A former student, player and coach for Steve, Mike Bellamah (’91) summed it up when he stated, “He never went out and recruited kids, cheated the system, or played a kid that had talent if the kid did not get it done in the classroom or the kid put himself above the team. It was truly not all about winning; it was about way more than that for him. You could never say he didn’t belong in education because he always represented what was right and moral, which allowed him to be a great role model for me.”

To see more of the comments about Steve Rasso from his students and players go to stxavier.org.

The Rasso family has established the Steve and Sally Rasso Family Scholarship that will benefit young men in need of tuition assistance at St. Xavier. There has also been a generous donor that is matching the first $15,000 given to support the fund. If you would like to support the scholarship fund in Steve’s name please make your check payable to St. Xavier High School at 600 W. North Bend Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 or make your gift online at www.stxavier.org/onlinegiftofhonor.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLUB

Start-up: Entrepreneurship Club Connects the Long Blue Line Student-centered is at the heart of St. Xavier High School. From course work, to athletics to co-curriculars, what is best for the student is always top-of-mind. With this focus over the past few years, a new St. X club has evolved-The Entrepreneurship Club. The club brings successful entrepreneurs from the Long Blue Line back to present, interact and engage with current students.

Founded by Major Gift Officers Ed Franchi and Andy Sweeny (‘68), with the help of alumnus Mark Cappel (’86) and technology teacher Ray Heyob, the club is tapping into the rapidly emerging entrepreneurship environment in Cincinnati.

“Entrepreneurship is a part of the St. X tradition,” said Cappel, owner of Scarlet and Gray Cleaning Service. “This is a rare opportunity for students to interact with local entrepreneurs and acquire real world business experience usually not available to high school students.”

The central goal of the club, in its third year, is to expose students to the life experiences and wisdom of successful St. X entrepreneurs and enlighten the students about expanded opportunities that may exist for them once they launch their careers. Over the past few years, the club has developed an exciting array of speakers, field trips and mentoring opportunities designed to do just that. The Club takes a three-tiered perspective of entrepreneurship – traditional “start-up” entrepreneurship, “Social Entrepreneurship” (“St. Ignatius was a social entrepreneur,” quipped one of the club’s early speakers.) and “Corporate Entrepreneurship.”

“It is so interesting how much alumni have impacted our everyday lives in Cincinnati,” states Andrew Frank (’16).

Senior Johnny Popken agrees, “I’ve learned so much about the business world and how who you are as a person makes more of a difference in business than anything else.”

The thought of entrepreneurship is not a traditional part of learning, but the club allows St. X to stay on the cutting edge.

“When I was in high school I had no idea what I wanted to do,” said Joe Lanni (’96) successful restaurateur. “A club like this offers a variety of mentors in different industries and provides insight into a larger world.”

The club opens doors to tie into the entrepreneurship growth in the region. Leading the Cincinnati charge are two influential alumni, Pat Longo (‘85) Vice President and Business Center Director at the Hamilton County Development Center and Chuck Matthews, PhD (’71) former Executive Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship Education and Research at the University of Cincinnati. (see sidebar)

“St. X is working as a connecting organization for the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the area, driving the message and encouraging students to talk about it earlier,” boasted Matthews.

The club not only offers benefits for students but opportunities for alumni as well.

“To share my passion about owning and building a business with future Bombers is what it’s all about,”

said Mark Stuhlreyer (’86) owner of Contingent Technologies.

Cappel agrees, “We are giving students the opportunity to see success in areas not found on the traditional path of learning.”

Students appreciate the candor and openness of the alumni mentors and speakers.

“The club doesn’t just teach us about entrepreneurship, but about leadership skills we can use the rest of our lives,” said Sean Connaughton (’15).

Alumni agree that it’s a win-win situation.

“It is rewarding to share life-lessons like if you work hard and smart and treat people right, you will see success,” said Pat Gilligan (’85) successful entrepreneur.

“Hopefully we share great information and we help them. After all, they are the future,” said Ed Evers (’79) President of Evers Steel Construction.

“There is a growing connection between leadership, engagement and entrepreneurship so it made sense to bring this program to St. X,” said Ed Franchi. “We want to be a resource for students and give alumni the opportunity to make an impact on the future. By taking the three-tiered approach, every student can benefit from what they learn, even if they work within the context of established organizations for the duration of their careers.”

At the end of the day, the St. X Entrepreneurship Club connects alumni, students and the Cincinnati entrepreneurship environment all at St. Xavier High School.

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Changing the Entrepreneurship Landscape of Cincinnati St. Xavier is tapping into the current entrepreneurship renaissance in the Cincinnati region. Pat Longo (‘85) Vice President and Business Center Director at the HCDC Business Center and Chuck Matthews, PhD (’71) Founder and former Executive Director for the Center for Entrepreneurship Education and Research at the University of Cincinnati have been pivotal parts of the region’s entrepreneurship growth and of the entrepreneurship legacy that is strong among members of The Long Blue Line.

Chuck knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur as early as grade school when he started mowing neighborhood lawns. The interest codified throughout his career and became top-of-mind as he pushed the idea of entrepreneurship as an academic discipline while earning his MBA at Xavier University and his PhD at the University of Cincinnati. His 1987report recommended the establishment of the Goering Center for Family & Private Business at UC. In 1990, he founded the Center for Entrepreneurship and throughout the 90’s a formalized entrepreneurship program removed barriers and created gateways for entrepreneurs in the area. Now the Entrepreneurship major is the third largest in the College of Business and seventh in the university.

Chuck worked closely with Pat, who was the voice for the HCDC Incubator. Pat’s initial interest in entrepreneurship began in college as he realized he liked the idea of finance and capital to help small companies grow. This interest swelled as he began working with the HCDC Business Center in 1997 in the world of economic development. He has been an integral part of the creation, development and growth of almost 200 entrepreneurial entities since that time.

“Our work in Cincinnati has helped different groups work together,” said Longo. “Other cities are now modeling the entrepreneurs and programs in our region.”

The University of Cincinnati, Miami University and other local universities have been highly involved in the Cincinnati entrepreneurship scene. Brett Smith (’87), another strong ally of the St. X club, is Director of Miami’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and Founder of its Center for Social Entrepreneurship. With the help of partners like Pat, Chuck and Brett, St. Xavier High School is now another setting for connectivity in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“It’s important to encourage young men to think about entrepreneurship early, and St. X is the perfect place to start,” said Matthews.

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Mr. Jurgens has been a member of the Social Studies Department since 1971 and has taught Economics, A.P. US Government, US History and an elective Law course. Throughout most of his career he has been the moderator of the World Affairs Council focusing on Model UN Programs and for a number of years he was an instructional coach and served on the Education Committee advising the Board of Trustees and the Admissions Committee.

FA C U LT Y Q & A

JIM JURGENS

Collaborating to Shape the St. Xavier Advantage I have always enjoyed the witty banter and comradery of the Social Studies Department. This spirit was epitomized in Geza Parmentier with his politically incorrect comments and his classroom “events” like tacky Christmas and polyester leisure suit day.

How would you describe the St. Xavier Advantage?

St. X is a place where peer pressure almost always has a positive effect: success is the norm. Students value excellence in every area of pursuit: academic, athletic and artistic. There is a culture of acceptance at St. X that allows students to be who they want to be without fear of harassment.

What is the most rewarding about being part of the St. Xavier community?

I have always enjoyed teaching students who see the value of education and who are motivated to learn. Their positive attitude has continued to motivate my own enthusiasm for teaching. I have enjoyed working with faculty and staff members who are highly competent and dedicated and who are people of integrity. I have appreciated the freedom I have had in the classroom to shape the curriculum and be creative. I appreciate being treated as a professional by the school administrators and parents. Finally, I am grateful that my career goals and my religious ideals are able to be fully integrated at St. X. In all honestly, I could not have created a career for me that could have been more satisfying than the one I have.

You have had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary faculty. Do you have favorite memories of any of them?

One of my most satisfying teaching experiences was teaching a course to juniors that combined US History, Morality/Social Justice and Community Service. In this cooperative teaching endeavor I worked with Ron Stegman, Pete Corrigan and Dave Clapp.

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At the core of the school’s mission, religious formation occurs in an authentic, respectful and engaging way. Students, in my experience, “buy into” the ideals of the school and truly develop in terms of academic competence, moral integrity, service, leadership and overall maturity.

I find it amazing that for 184 years graduates of St. X have felt a pride and strong emotional tie to this school—what we call today The Long Blue Line. When they were students at Miami University, my daughters commented that the bond that St. X alums felt to their high school was atypical—more like a bond a college student felt to his fraternity. As a life-long teacher here, I find it rewarding to be among the very many who collaborated to shape this St. X. Advantage.

ALUMNI X-CERPTS 40’s ’41 Walter Bunker fulfilled a lifelong dream and graduated from Xavier University. ’48 Jerome Hoffman ran the Flying

Pig Marathon at the ages of 73 and 75 and the Boston Marathon at the ages of 74 and 76.

’49 Robert J. (Jack) Eifert retired on

June 30, 2014 after nearly 60 years of service at Jesuit Dallas. The press box at Postell Stadium was named in his honor.

50’s ’51 Bill Myers, lifelong broadcaster, was honored by the Ohio Valley Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences when he was inducted into the Gold Circle in recognition of over five decades of service and contributions to the television industry. Although he is semi-retired he still is heard daily on WMKV 89.3 FM as host of “Comedy Corner” and continues to voice industrial, historical and documentary videos. ’55 Carl Schwing retired after 58 years in water and waste water utility operation, maintenance and administration including 14 years in USAOD & World Bank projects overseas.

60’s ’62 Cdr James Grever USN swam

on the Countryside Masters Swim Team and recently swam Alcatraz to San Francisco Aquatic Park.

’64 Don LePere retired after 41 years of general dentistry in Belfair, WA.

’66 David Quammen wrote the book Ebola: The Natural and Human History of a Deadly Virus.

’69 Randy Overbeck was elected as Vice President for the Ohio Retired Teachers Association serving for 2014 and 2015.

70’s ’72 Jim Grogan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Arizona 2015 Super Bowl Host Committee. Super Bowl XLIX was Jim’s 29th Super Bowl. His first was SB XVI where the Bengals battled the SF 49ers in the Pontiac Super Dome. In 2000, Jim was appointed by the Governor of Arizona to the Board of Directors of the Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority, a public body created to promote tourism and design, build, own and operate a $500 million multi-purpose convention facility and NFL stadium. Jim was elected founding Chairman of the TSA by his fellow board members (www.universityofphoenixstadium.com).

’75 Mike Shannon is now in his eighth year of teaching AP World History at Poolesville High School in Maryland after practicing law for 20 years and running a 25-city hockey league. ’76 Andrew Dorsey is in his sixth year as president of Front Range Community College in Colorado. ’76 Rick Kammerer recently competed in the Masters Swimming World Championships in Montreal where he finished no lower than sixth place in all seven events that he swam, including third place in the 100 meter backstroke. His third place in the 100 meter freestyle now ranks him #2 in the United States. His highlight was anchoring the men’s 200 meter freestyle relay that finished with the gold medal—world champions. Back in 1976 Rick was co-captain of the St. Xavier swim team that won state championship #7.

IN MEMORIAM 1938 1941 1941 1944 1944 1945 1945 1946 1947 1948 1948 1948 1948 1948 1949 1951 1952 1954 1955

Omer A. TRIPPEL Joseph A. BRUEMMER Walter S. BUNKER Paul E. BEHRENDS Paul P. WALTHER Eugene W. KOESTERS John J. VONDER MEULEN Paul E. TABELING Charles J. COOK Mark G. CARROLL James J. DRESSMAN Donald T. GOETZ Donald E. MENDEL Edward S. SMAIN Richard P. TRAME William F. SCHULTE Donald B. FEELEY Donald L. DANIEL Charles D. FANNING

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1955 1957 1957 1959 1961 1962 1962 1963 1964 1965 1965 1970 1971 1971 1971 1972 1974 1981

Albert J. MESTEMAKER William J. BLAZER Harry C. ENSLEIN Dennis M. HARRINGTON John T. NEBEL Dennis M. BARRETT John N. HONERLAW Thomas A. SINGER Paul C. VOET James C. FLEMING Richard LEONARD Frank J. OBERMEYER Bernard E. CLARKE M. Kevin MCCOY Mark F. WEBER Stanley C. SCHNEIDER Jerome T. MUNAFO James J. SCHAEFER

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’77 Pete Nerone scripted an informative history of three people with connections to Linden Grove Cemetery, performed during a special production brought to town

by ArtsWave.

’78 Fr. Paul Mueller SJ is co-author

of the book Would you Baptize an Extraterrestrial? and Other Questions from the Astronomers’ In-box at the Vatican Observatory.

80’s ’83 J. L. Kurkpatrick Dorsey published his second book Whales and Nations and was promoted to full professor at the University of New Hampshire.

’84 Steve Schueler works at Maersk,

the company that just built the largest ship in the world and will build a total of 20. The ships hold more than 18,000 containers, and reduce O2 by 40 percent. Maersk was just featured in a Discovery documentary “Building the largest Ship.”

WEDDINGS & BIRTHS

Weddings • Joey Kern (’95) married Gillian Mahin on August 16, 2014.

• Michael Sucher (’96) married Tiffany Rheaume on September 27, 2014.

• Michael Pater (’00) married Michelle Pembaur on July 12, 2014.

• Tres Studer (’00) married Lauren MacDonald on August 2, 2014.

• Nicholas Curl (‘03) married Christina Lundy on March 1, 2014.

• Kurt Olding (’06) married Andrea Armintrout in August 2014.

Births • Nathan Wanstrath (’95) and his wife, Natalie, welcomed their son, Ross Monroe, on October 6, 2014.

• John Denterlein (‘03) and and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed daughter, Margaret Jane, on October 28th, 2014.

• Donald Tillotson (’03) and his wife, Alicia, welcomed their daughter, Cecelia, on August 28, 2014.

• Joe Hauser (’04) and his wife, Lindsay, welcomed their daughter, Aubrey Elizabeth, on June 22, 2014.

• Nick Mock (’05) and his wife, Kate, welcomed their son, Edward “Thunder” Gabriel, on June 4, 2014.

’86 Steve Specht was an assistant coach in US Army All-American Bowl.

’88 Mark Trageser is in the future of toy making with his startup insaniToy- 3D made toys. ’89 John Pflum, Jr. was hired as the

Vice President of Accounting and Finance for the global research firm 20/20 Research.

90’s ’91 Chris Born was asked by WUSA-9

(CBS affiliate in Washington, DC) to comment on the religious origins of Halloween.

The 3-minute segment aired on Halloween morning and traced the holiday from the Celts to Roman pagans to early Christians (quickly) up to the present era in the United States.

’92 Dave Buten, and his company ProperLiving, has teamed up with H&R Block to bring Budget Challenge not only to St. X, but to schools across the country. Budget Challenge has been at St. X for eight years.

This year the program was featured on Good Morning America.

’92 David Crowe is the president of Star Soccer Club, providing club soccer opportunities to players in Springfield Township and surrounding Cincinnati areas.

’98 Mark Overmann co-authored Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development (2nd edition), published by Georgetown University Press.

’92 Dale Yu had a board game nominated for the 2014 German Kids Game of the Year.

While he didn’t win, he celebrated the victory of his brother Brian Yu (’95) for the same award.

’99 Patrick Osborne made his directing debut with the release of “Feast” and works as one of the animation leaders on “Big Hero 6,” recently in theaters.

’95 Seth Bauguess was promoted to

’99 Josh Torbeck was hired as Delhi

’96 Aaron Molloy is part of the recent expansion of Oxford Physical Therapy.

00’s

Director of Communications for Wright State University.

’96 Alex Smith played, arranged, and

recorded with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga for the album “Cheek to Cheek” which was released September 23 and has already been #1 on the Billboard charts! On October 24th, PBS aired a special live performance Alex did with them at the Rose Theater at Jazz at the Lincoln Center. It’s called “Cheek to Cheek Live!” and will be part of their Great Performances series.

’98 Bobby Maly is the Chief Operating

Officer of Model Group.

Township’s new Parks and Recreation Director.

’00 Jim Harris continues to recover after being critically injured on a photo shoot in Punta Arenas, Chili in November. ’00 Petty Officer Keith Murray served as an operations specialist aboard the USS John S. McCain (DDG 56).

‘01 Dr. Justin Greiwe became associate staff at Bernstein Allergy Group.

’02 Dan Perica is now a club soccer

coach at TFA.

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’05 Joseph Baker graduated from The Ohio State University with a PharmD. degree and passed the Ohio Board exam in June to become a Registered Pharmacist and works for the Kroger Co. as a pharmacist in the Columbus, OH region. ’07 Charley Hessler LTJG earned his wings in March of 2013 and now pilots the new P-8 “Poseidon.” In March of 2015 he will be promoted to Crew Commander. ’08 Dave Albert was named assistant

swim coach for Ohio Northern University.

’08 Drew Enigk traveled to Uganda in

January 2015 for the first of two eight-month field seasons to study the behavior of wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda for his PhD research.

10’s ’10 Michael Conway published an

article entitled “Hot Dog Hospitality: Seeking solidarity on the streets of Chicago” in America The National Catholic Review.

’10 Drew Hart carded a hole-in-one on October 2, on the 288 yard 13th hole at Devou Park. ’11 Chris Gradone, former St. Xavier

football punter, earned Big Ten honors as conference special teams player of the week at Northwestern.

’13 Cameron Stair created a new computer game for Windows- Balance Quest.

’08 Bill Rumpke III has been named

operations manager for Rumpke Waste & Recycling, representing the fourth generation of Rumpke family members taking leadership in the company.

CLASS OF 1965 FOOTBALL REUNION

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X-PEDITIONS On the globe, the long blue line is the equator. In St. X parlance, the Long Blue Line of alumni and student body appears all over the globe. Bomber blue turns up all over the map and we want the evidence. Send us your pictures wearing St. Xavier High School gear or hoisting a copy of St. Xavier magazine at an exotic locale or local landmark. Maybe a picture of Bombers at the Pyramids of Egypt or posing at the Pit. Either way, let us know where you’ve been displaying your X pride. Send your high-resolution digital images to bschulte@stxavier.org or mail prints to Becky Schulte c/o St. Xavier magazine, 600 W. North Bend Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.

1. Nick Tensing (’14) celebrates as part of the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes! 2. The Ficorilli at Thanksgiving 2014. Pictured l to r: Logan (’16), Dawn, Scott (’89), Emma and Tyler (’18). 3. Joe Imbus (’06), Chris Freese (’05) and David Long (’06) at the graduation for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Chris was 1st in the class and David was 2nd. Chris was chosen by

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his classmates to give the graduation speech. 4.

Doug Tuke (’69) backpacking in Glacier National Park, Montana. 5. In July of 2014, the McCullough family climbed all 12,129 feet to the top of Pikes Peak, CO- not really, but here Brian (’11), Robby (’10), JC (’07) and Jim (’75) show their St. X pride at the top of the mountain. 6. Brothers Pat (’77) and Jim (’75) McCullough show off their St. X pride in front of Ballybunion Golf Club in Southwest Ireland in September 2014. Together they played 12 rounds of golf in 10 days while in Ireland on their trip.

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1. Evan Stifel (’14) and Michael Hall (’14) reunite at the NCAA Cross Country South Regional Championships in Tallahassee, FL. 2. Kurt Olding (’06) married Andrea Armintrout at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and stopped by St. X for a Bomber photo after the wedding. Pictured l to r: Katie Sammons, Josh Marvin (’06), Kurt Olding (’06), the bride,

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Andrea (Armintrout) Olding, Brandon Daush (’06), and Daniel Kluener (’06). 3. State Representative Brad Wenstrup (’76) spoke to St. X students about life, goals and politics. 4. Outside their bed and breakfast in Killarney Ireland are three generations of Bombers: Ryan Molony (’14), dad Joe Molony (’84) and grandfather Mike Mullane (’55). 5. From l to r: Tom Harbrecht (’64), John Cassini (’64) and Tom Harig (’64) at John’s house in Anger, France taken on September 28, 2014.

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1. Bill and Pat Lambert (Will ’12), Angela and Doug Dennis (Grayson ’12 and Cole ’10) and Marty (’78) and Deb Haas (Ryan ’11) purchased the Tobin James Winery Tour in Paso Robles, CA at the 2014 X-Travaganza. A great time was had by all! 2. Boston Bombers gather at the Boston Reunion this past fall. 3. The Ed Colina Foundation sign at the St. X Class of ’72 classroom in Kenya. Thank you to Bill Keating and the other ’72 grads that support the cause! 4.

Pictured l to r: Charles Bimmerle (’56), Chris Benson (’11), Kevin Wegman (’11), and J.J. Baker (’11). Kevin became an honorary member of the family while staying with Charles and his family during a Summer Internship at Texas Instruments in Dallas.

Charles and his wife Elaine were friends with Kevin’s grandparents Clem and Elaine Wegman. Before departing Dallas, Chris and J.J. came to visit Kevin and take in the sights of Texas. 5. Connor Bareswilt (’26). Connor proudly sports his Halloween costume, a genuine bomber mascot, just before trick or treating in Taylor’s Creek.

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1. St. X Little Buddies and Big Brothers putt around at the Physics Golf Project on campus.

2. St. X Football moms Lora Bockhorst (Matt and Jonathan), Molly Maness (Cole), Michelle Hopkins (Jeffrey) and Kelly Burke- Clifford (Sean) enjoy a zip line adventure at Camp Kern near Lebanon and Little Miami River. This is what the group does together when they aren’t cheering on the Bombers! Football Moms making plays of their own. 3. Bob Muehlenkamp (’61), Bill Eastlake (’61), and Bob Mackey (’61) on the Owyhee River in Oregon, crossing fly rods in memory of old St. X. Now an annual Intermountain West trout fishing event, the infamous “Bobs’ Tour”, takes place in Idaho and nearby. It also included a week at Last Chance, Idaho, on the renowned Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Wives were included, and no lies were told. 4. Tom Wagner (’62) and Robert Bruns (’62) vacation together in Sint Maarteen, Netherlands June 14 -June 21, 2014. 5. Pete Henkel (’75) and Richard Henkel (’02) at Kahanamoku Lagoon in Honolulu Hawaii celebrating Pete’s 31st anniversary married to Anna Marie Perrino and Richard’s engagement to Crystal Coughlin of Kailua, HI.

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1. Drew Hart (’10) carded a hole-in-one on October 2 on the 288 yard 13th hole at Devou Park. 2. Jack Graves (’15) celebrated his 18th birthday with his uncle Tom Knoblaugh (’00) touring China. They are pictured here at Xi’an, China, the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors.

3. Bob Rielage (’65) and his son, Todd (’99) were among four Greater Cincinnati firefighters who recently spent 12 days in Kenya teaching advanced firefighting techniques to the Nairobi Fire Brigade. The group was sponsored by the Africa Fire Mission, a Cincinnati based non-profit organization, in conjunction with the Mission of Hope International. Todd is a Captain with the Fishers, IN Fire Department, and Bob is the former Fire Marshal for the State of Ohio. They are pictured with Nairobi’s Chief of Fire Training. 4. Dave Zeitz (’69) and Bill Zeitz (’65) outside the Jesuit Church in Heidelberg, Germany on September 8, 2014. 5. Congratulations to Pat Connaughton (’06) and Brien Dulle (’08) who won the Young Alumni Golf League.

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What is up? You can let us know in a variety of ways–send a photo for our X-Peditions feature or tell fellow Bombers about your wedding, a recent move, your latest promotion, a family addition, your retirement or other news via the Alumni X-cerpts pages. Just fill out and send in the form below. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon.

1. Rogar Schneider (‘96) and Susan Kallschmidt with husband Rob Kallschmidt (’91)- parents of Jon (‘13) and Justin (‘17) in July 2014 at the border of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. 2. Long Blue Line of Bombers at the wedding of Joey Kern (’95) and Gillian Mahin. (l to r) cousin Dan Kern (‘97), uncle Pat Kern (‘65), brother Kevin Kern (‘92), cousin Rob Kern (’00), Joey Kern (‘95)

Mail the form to: St. Xavier High School (Magazine) 600 W. North Bend Road Cincinnati, OH 45224 Fax: 513-761-2586 or E-mail: bschulte@stxavier.org

and father Mike Kern (‘64). 3. Charley Wolf (’44) was able to watch his grandson Chase Wolf QB the Freshman Bombers this year. Charley is seen holding his St. Xavier jersey with his grandson.4. Catherine Smith and her son Garrett and Steven Cox (both class of 2011) at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

NAME ST. XAVIER CLASS YEAR HOME ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP HOME PHONE CELL PHONE

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E-MAIL ADDRESS BUSINESS FIRM YOUR POSITION BUSINESS ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP WORK PHONE WIFE’S NAME MAIDEN COLLEGE(S) ATTENDED/DEGREE(S) EARNED

3 YEAR(S) GRADUATED NEWS ABOUT YOU

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WINTER 2015

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GRAND RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015 DIRECTLY BENEFITING TUITION ASSISTANCE

Sponsored by

Name: Address: City/State: Zip Code:

Phone:

E-mail: CC: (Amex, Discover, MC, Visa)

Exp. Date:

CVV:

Ticket Sold By

Card Holder Name

Drawing Saturday, March 14, 2015 at X-Travaganza (Winner need not be present to win.)

Directly Benefiting Tuition Assistance

St. Xavier High School X-Travaganza

2015 Grand Raffle Ticket

What does a St. Xavier education mean to you? With the support of our generous donors, 34 percent of our students are receiving $3.4 million dollars of tuition assistance in the 2014-15 school year. Since all proceeds from Grand Raffle directly benefit tuition assistance, your Grand Raffle ticket purchases help deserving students from throughout the Greater Cincinnati area by offering these young men the opportunity to experience all that a St. X education has come to mean for more than 180 years.

Grand Raffle awards cash prizes of $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000, with the drawing during X-Travaganza SUPERHEROES: Xploring Truth, Justice and the Jesuit Way on Saturday evening, March 14, 2015. Winners need not be present to win. Grand Raffle prices are one ticket for $100, three tickets for $250 and seven tickets for $500 and must be pre-purchased. To make an investment in a young man’s future, purchase your tickets online at www.stxavier.org/ grandraffle; or fill out the form on the left and mail with your payment to: St. Xavier High School, 600 W. North Bend Road, Cincinnati, OH 45224. Thank you for supporting tuition assistance through Grand Raffle!

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE www.stxavier.org/grandraffle

ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL

Calendar MARCH

APRIL

ALUMNI GATHERINGS AND SCHOOL EVENTS

Winter 2015

MAY

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First Friday

Easter Break Begins

First Friday

Music Fest

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First Friday

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Class of 1955- 60 year Reunion

Baccalaureate Mass

Third Quarter Exams

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5 Happy Easter

X-Travaganza First Night

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Class of 1944 Easter Monday Lunch

X-Travaganza Dinner Auction

20 Choir Concert

23 Community Service program reflections

24-26 Spring Phonathon

3 Father/Son Communion Breakfast

25 Memorial Day-No Classes

Mission Trips prayer service

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6 p.m. President’s Dinner at Cintas Center

Father/Son Cincinnati Reds Game

Classes Resume

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Prom at Cintas

Fourth Quarter Exams

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Incoming Freshman Parent Nights

Graduation: Class of 2015 and Reception for the 1965 50th Reunion

Opening Night for TX production of “Shades” in Performance Center

18 1963 Mass and Reunion

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13-15 Spring Music Concerts in Performance Center

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Parents Across Cultures Taste of Diversity

Northern Kentucky Reunion

Fr. Wieber Society Mass and Brunch

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Spring Dance at Moonlight Pavilion

Community Service program reflections

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Community Service Recognition Ceremony

Commissioning Mass in Berning Gym Walk for X

21 Golden and Thensome Reunion

29 Golf at Maketewa Country Club and 50th Reunion for the Class of 1965

31 Mission Trips begin

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Cincinnati, Ohio Permit No. 5253

600 W. North Bend Road Cincinnati, OH 45224-1499 www.StXavier.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

THE 42ND ANNUAL X-TRAVAGANZA DINNER AUCTION AUCTION ITEMS THIS YEAR INCLUDE:

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015

Doors Open at 5:30 p.m.

• Two tickets to the MLB All-Star game and Home Run Derby •Trip to Italy for four •Tickets to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade •Reds, Bengals and Notre Dame tickets •Suite for the Taylor Swift Concert on June 2, 2015

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY www.stxavier.org/reservations