Fall 2011 Shield

FALL 2011

SentinelShield A bi-annual publication for alumni and friends of

SE ON CATHOLIC P r e p a r a t o r y High School

Seton Catholic Preparatory High School / Chandler, Arizona

A Look

Inside & Out New facility brings Seton’s future to present day

TheShield

Table of Contents

Cover Story: A Look Inside & Out...................3 Alumni Bits...........................................................6 The Fund for Seton Catholic................................8 Capital Campaign................................................9 Hall of Fame Inductees.................................... 10 Saying Goodbye................................................ 10 Welcome New Staff.......................................... 10 Bishop Leads Blessing of New Building.......... 10 Seton After Dark............................................... 11 Seton Volunteers at Special Olympics............ 12 Seton SCRIP Program...................................... 13 Seton Senior Helps Poor.................................. 13 From the Admission Office.............................. 14 Welcome David Sorkin..................................... 14 Educational Speaker Series............................. 15 Calendar of Events............................. Back Cover

Parent Advisor y Board

UPDATE

From the Principal’s Desk

Building for Excellence Inspiring the Future Patricia Collins

Dear Friends, As fall approaches, I am looking forward to an exciting school year. Our new building has been completed with the first classes having been held on August 29, 2011. Students and teachers alike are overjoyed with their new learning environment. A creative energy is palpable as new ideas and strategies are being developed to utilize our new space and maximize the educational experience for all of our students. We were honored to have Bishop Olmsted conduct our Building Dedication and Blessing in late September.

As we welcome the Class of 2015 and their parents, I send my congratulations to our recent graduates, the Class of 2011. 99% of the class went on to college and earned over $3 million in college scholarships.

I also wish to thank our staff retirees Louann Walther, Mary Ann Rich, Rudy Martinez and Karen Larson for their dedication and service to the Seton community. You will be missed!

I am very grateful to all our benefactors and volunteers who help to make our school so successful. A $500,000 challenge grant gift from the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation will assist us in acquiring the additional interior furnishings and equipment needed for the building. An anonymous donor offered a challenge grant for gifts to the Fund for Seton Catholic, helping to bring that campaign to a successful conclusion. The Sentinel Booster Club, led by current parent, Mr. Greg Gesicki, installed new visitor bleachers for our football stadium. Over 100 volunteers participated in moving into our new building, saving the school thousands of dollars. My heartfelt thanks for all of their efforts!

I am honored to serve as your principal during this important time in our school’s history and I invite you to visit our campus and enjoy the many activities and events that are planned this fall. Please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s many blessings to the Seton community.

Once a Sentinel, Always a Sentinel! Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!

ll as one of the top a true community as we w ne the re pa pre s in the countr y. at seeing and helping to 50 Catholic high school Rich Zawtocki . nts de t we coordinate building for our stu We want to ensure tha parent advisory t No g. ch other so that, itin ea exc ist nt ecially board preside our efforts and ass For me, this year is esp re for Seton and who will be part together, we can do mo only is my son a senior w r the Advisory duate in the ne our community. This yea of the first class to gra ve ser a ser vice project g to r rin no ard will be sponso I also have the ho t Bo bu r, ate the en be to give back to the ool year has t Advisory that will allow all of us The beginning of the sch President of the Paren the as are o wh the d to join our students all of us ny of you know, community at large an a ver y exciting time for Board this year. As ma ory rat are pa mitment to ard Pre Bo com lic t Advisory as they expand their part of the Seton Catho members of the Paren s Art e to Fin is the look-out for e w rol ne on r r Be ou Ou e. s. of community ser vic cted representative family. The opening ele r you of n at tio project in the near culmina administration details concerning this Building represents the ser ve as advisors to the ny ma all t by en lief be re to repres future. years of hard work and the school and to be the Catholic community. ton Catholic.

Se in st ere all you do to make int r you d members of the Seton of you an Thank you so much for the e ing fre l see d fee an l, ase tifu ple , au be nce special place it The building is If we can be of assista Seton Catholic Prep the The chers and . tea ard Bo the of the es of fac er building. If you mb the w smiles on to contact any me is. Please enjoy the ne is available ed the building made on ter ati en y orm take the time for inf the t as ase tac ple nts , con de d stu names an haven’t seen it yet ile. wh rth wo y . smile and will add a the entire journe on the school web site a tour. It will make you ly tru to ng g nel pride. buildi ng on helpin little luster to your Senti The move into the new This year we are focusi lic tho d Ca an ton s Se lve rse kes en ou year and a bright represented what ma establish bridges betwe I look for ward to a great 0 b, 10 Clu n er tha ost re Bo Mo the ce. as pla such a special the other groups, such future for Seton Catholic. of 7:00 am on a hot Association, the Board s Art volunteers turned out at e Fin the rning to assist ts Association, all and muggy Saturday mo Trustees and the Paren y nit mu com of se sen ke Seton Catholic with the move. The who work so hard to ma excitement the s wa as , ing elm was overwh

2

Seton Catholic Preparatory High School

A Look C O V E R

S T O R Y

Inside & Out

Seton’s future is today’s reality The long-awaited new academic/fine arts classroom building became a reality on Thursday, August 25, 2011, thanks to the prayers, planning and financial resources provided by so many people in the Seton community and beyond.

Over the years, the Seton community has provided “sweat equity” for many projects, including building our current campus after a 1980 fire which destroyed most of the school at its original location in downtown Chandler; building the Msgr. John McMahon Gymnasium; constructing our athletic fields; and, most recently, constructing our new visitor bleachers.

Moving into the new building was no exception, as over 100 volunteers from the Seton community, armed with their own dollies and moving equipment, gathered on a warm Saturday morning to move classroom items and faculty belongings into their new home. “It felt like a ‘barn-raiser’ as instructions and teams were sent out. There was much laughter and hard work. Although we were sweating, nothing could have fulfilled us more than seeing this beautiful building, while the teachers continually thanked us,” said Paula Moore, Seton parent and Advisory Board member.

SPECIAL NOTE: Building receives special blessing from Gila River Indian Community Current Seton parents who are also members of the Gila River Indian Community requested that a special ceremony be held to bless all those who would pass through the doors of our new academic/fine arts building. On August 4, 2011, with full support of Bishop Olmsted, tribal member Barnaby Lewis, along with our Gila River Seton families and board members, conducted the ceremony on the front entry steps of the new building.

FALL 2011

d SentinelShiel tion A bi-annual publica

for alumni and

friends of

Seton Catholic

Preparatory High

ON SE CATHOLIC a t o r y P r e p a r hool High Sc

ler, Arizona

School / Chand

ok A Le o & Out

sid ngs Seton’s In New facility bri

nt day future to prese

ABOUT THE COVER

Looking from one of the many new classrooms from the fine and performing arts building students see the dome of the chapel. The new facility houses a 400 seat black box theater, multiple artist, practice and performance spaces along with many standard classrooms.

MAIN Photo by LYLE BONFIGT

Developing Strong Hearts, Strong Minds, and Strong Leaders

3

Seton’s Intangible Element Excerpted remarks from the blessing and dedication of the new building executive director, div. of education & evangelization of the diocese of phoenix

As one enters Seton Catholic Preparatory it is evident that Seton Catholic is making a difference as a Catholic school in this community. Seton does a wonderful job of academic education- look at the excelling test scores and a graduation rate of 100%. That is why Seton Catholic is prized in this community, they offer the best opportunity for students to receive a first-rate education. But there is something more.

Seton staff members Karen Hill and Linda Barkyoumb embraced the opportunity to become our Moving Coordinators, putting in countless hours to plan and coordinate the moving process. “Everything went smoothly, and with so many volunteers, we were finished in only three hours,” said Karen Hill. Our thanks go to all who participated, as their efforts saved the school thousands of dollars in professional moving expenses.

The first day of classes in the new building brought much excitement to the lives of faculty and students alike.

“It’s so nice to have a classroom of my

own! The kids were so excited when they came into class. I’ve never seen our kids so happy!” remarked Beth Ruggiero, an English department teacher whose classes now occupy one of the new multi-purpose classrooms.

Both students and faculty adjusted quickly to their new digs, although the size of the building can be a little confusing at first. Faculty member Jennifer Kohl was on the lower level of the building and shared that she was feeling a little lost and then she ran into some students looking for band practice. As they roamed the halls, one said “just follow the music.” “Hey, getting

lost is just part of the new building,” she laughed.

The new building will meet one of Seton Catholic Prep’s most pressing needs – space for our fine arts programs. Tim Smith, our band director, shared how thrilled he is to be in the new space, however, he was surprised by the reactions of the students. “They had so much joy and energy as they first came in. They literally skipped through the halls and new spaces,” he said.

Our principal, Patricia Collins, along with the faculty and staff, were overjoyed to host the Building Blessing and Dedication Ceremony on Tuesday,

There is an intangible element we might call “environment “an atmosphere of faith, prayer, discipline, respect, order, virtue, safety, with the presence of Jesus-the One called ”Teacher” and “Master” by His students, His disciples - everywhere.

Hanging on the wall in every school is the following.” Let it be known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but every-present teacher in all its classes, the model of its faculty and the inspiration for its students.” These are powerful words that beautifully

September 27 at 4:00 pm. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted was present to conduct the blessing ceremony and spoke of his love and support for Catholic education and his gratitude to all who made the building possible. MaryBeth Mueller, School Superintendent, encouraged the Seton community to continue building the campus to provide the opportunity for even more students to have the Seton experience. Mayor of Chandler, Jay Tibshraeny, congratulated the Seton community on this great accomplishment and thanked them for providing quality, values-based education for the citizens

and succinctly describe what a Catholic School is all about.

The aim of Catholic schools is to produce young adults who are more alive because they have been taught and experienced the love of God with a sense that there is an inner meaning and coherence in life and all creation.

This building will enhance a commitment to excellence, an individually and collectively shared spirituality, and ministry to others, inspires students, teachers and parents to actively participate in the living community

of the school through the example of their lives. This spirit as practiced in community reveals the Church in the truest sense of its mission.

As St. Elizabeth Ann Seton reminds us “the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it his will.”

To the Seton Catholic Preparatory community, may you continue to do the will of God in the manner he wills it and because it is His will!

‘‘

of Chandler and for contributing to a well-educated workforce for area businesses. Following the ceremony, attendees enjoyed refreshments and building tours provided by our Student Ambassadors.

We look forward to the coming months as the impact of this building, and the opportunities it will provide, will be felt by students, faculty and the larger community. For now, we are grateful to God for His many blessings and to the legacy of our patroness, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

September 27, 2011

While we certainly can teach our subjects in any environment, to have such beautiful surroundings is uplifting for teachers and students alike. We were all nearly giddy with delight, and it opened a wonderful opportunity for us to remember to be thankful to God and everyone who had a part in making this terrific facility a reality.

‘‘

by MaryBeth Mueller

--Cynthia Hoffman Seton Faculty

4

Seton Catholic Preparatory High School

5

Leadership Spirituality Character Making a Alumnibits Difference FreedomVolunteerism Medicine Music

1979

2004

Theresa Ratti ’79 graduated from Arizona State University with a PhD in education.

2001

Congratulations to Deborah Kirby Stanton ’01, recently named Director of the Washington, Iowa Public Library.

2002

Ann E. Adams ’02 graduated in May from Colorado State University and is now Dr. Anne E. Adams, DVM! ________________________ Congratulations to Anthony Grubbs ’02 and his wife Alysse on the birth of their first child, Ethan Joseph, on April 25, 2011. The Grubbs family currently resides in El Paso, Texas, where Anthony is the Operations Manager for Ferguson Enterprises, a wholesale plumbing company based in New Port News, Virginia. Anthony and Alysse met at Northern Arizona University where they both graduated in 2006.

2003

Prayers and best wishes to Stewart J. Dandorf ’03, who is in Ecuador doing HIV research for Yale University.

Stewart J. Dandorf ’03 doing HIV research in Ecuador. ____________________________________________________

Once a Sentinel, Always a Sentinel—even 8,000 miles away! A group of NFL coaches, including Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals, visited troops in Iraq with the USO Tour this past summer. Included was a stop at a military installation in southern Iraq, where Seton alumnus c is stationed. Eager to meet the Marines, Coach Whisenhunt walked up to Joe, not knowing the Arizona connection, and asked him his name and where he was from. Joe replied, “the Phoenix area, sir.” Coach Whisenhunt said, “Wow, what a small world!” to which Joe replied, “It’s about to get smaller,

sir. My younger brother played football with your son at Seton Catholic, and I am, in fact, a 2003 grad.”

Joe said the look on Coach Whisenhunt’s face was priceless! It is a small world, indeed!

Congratulations to Amy Barlow ’04 and JJ Vaughan ’04, who were married in 2010. Amy graduated from Rollins College in Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English.

JJ graduated from DeVry Institute, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Project Management. JJ currently works for Pearson, Inc. The couple and their children, Olivia and Sophie, reside in New Milford, New Jersey.

2006

Congratulations to Alexander Amato ’06! Alex graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University in December 2010 with a degree in Communication.

Amato currently works at Antique Electronics with several other Seton Catholic alumni. This past July Alex travelled to Brussels, Missouri and Seattle, where he competed in a Magic the Gathering tournament.

Joseph Waters ‘03 and Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt. ________________________

Making a difference through the Peace Corps Nicole Ethier ‘06 has had a busy year and a half! After graduating in May of 2010 from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School with a BA in Digital Journalism and a Minor in Spanish, she went on to hold a variety of positions, most notably as an associate news producer for the 5 o’clock and 6 o’clock evening newscasts at Channel 12 News in Phoenix. Then in October, she was honored to accept an invitation by the German government to participate in a week-long cultural exchange trip offered to top recentlygraduated journalism students from across the nation.

This past April, Nicole left for Indonesia to complete three-months of training in order to become a Secondary Education Peace Corps Volunteer. She was sworn in on June 15th and will serve there for the next two years, returning in June of 2013. She currently teaches English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at a local high school in the Bondowoso Province, East Java—and tells us that so far she loves it! Nicole is keeping a blog to share her experiences, both in Indonesian culture and as a Peace Corps volunteer. You can read about it at http://thepersonette. wordpress.com.

6

Shannon Desmond ’07 graduated Summa Cum Laude on May 14 from Seton Hall University and delivered the valedictory address for the Stillman School of Business at the academic awards ceremony on May 15th. Shannon has been named a Female ScholarAthlete of the Year, has been a member of the women’s soccer team at Seton Hall and made the Dean’s List every semester, carrying a perfect 4.0 GPA as a sport management major.

________________________ Kudos to Victoria Roman ’07, who has received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Central Asia. Victoria was chosen from among hundreds of applicants, including those with postgraduate degrees, for this prestigious program. Earlier in the year, Victoria was a member of the team from George Washington University that won the Atlantic area division of the World Geography Bowl Competition. The team traveled to the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Seattle, where they played another seven rounds and came in second place in the national competition.

2011 MTV Music Awards Seton Connection

Alumni and friends gathered to bid adieu to members of the Class of 2011 at Majerle’s at Chandler Fashion Center.

The Seton Send-Off began last year as a gesture by area Seton alumni to wish the newest graduates luck as they head off to college or the workplace.

Ernesto Elias ’99, Carolina Elias ’02 and Matt Baker ’02 were again fortunate to be working on the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in August. This year’s award show had the biggest rating in MTV’s history! ____________________________________________________________________________________

(Mizzou) campus. She was among 21 Missouri School of Journalism students and one faculty member who were tapped into five of the six University of Missouri’s secret honorary societies.

Current members chose the new “taps” based on exemplary academic performance, extracurricular activities, scholarship, leadership and service. The new members’ identities were secret until the ceremony. Amato was tapped into the Mystical Seven, which honors those seven men and women of the University who have displayed selfless leadership and exemplary character.

Adrianna is majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science at Mizzou. She is currently studying in Brussels, Belgium while interning at Thomson Reuters in the broadcast journalism department, covering the European Union summits and NATO conferences.

2007

Michael L. Barlow, Jr. ’07 graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Hobart College in Geneva, New York, in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science. He is working as an investment banking credit analyst for J.P. Morgan at their corporate headquarters in New York City. ________________________

Seton Catholic Preparatory High School

2008

Adrianna Amato ’08 was“Tapped for Excellence.” during the recent 84th annual Tap Day on the University of Missouri

Seton Send Off 2011

________________________ Congratulations to Ryan P. Harrigan ’08 who recently completed his second year of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.

2010

Congratulations to Lauren M. Harrigan ’10 who recently completed her first year at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Connecticut. ________________________ The Seton Catholic Prep community extends congratulations to Eduardo Rivera ‘10. Eduardo has been officially accepted as a seminarian for the Congregation of St. Basil (C.S.B.). This religious order founded and operates the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, where Eduardo is currently a student. Their focus is education and evangelization. A liturgical celebration was held in Houston in August where his acceptance was publicly recognized. Please continue to pray for Eduardo and his discernment. God worked through the Seton community to help him discern this vocation. Let’s continue to help him with our prayers. ________________________ Congratulations to Kevin Spinner ’10! Kevin received an award in September from the University of Arizona for academic distinction based on a GPA of between 3.5 and 3.9. He also received a scholarship for his academics and work with the Eller College Ambassadors program at U of A. The Eller ambassadors serve as peer mentors and representatives of the

college when talking with prospective students and families.

Making a Difference through Music

At the University of Arizona Newman Center, former Seton band member Sam Vergel De Dios ’10 is leading music at the 11:00 am Mass and Amanda Pfeifer ’09 is leading music at the Sunday evening 5:00 pm Mass.

Further north, Bernadette Smith ’10 is coordinating all the Masses at the Northern Arizona University Newman Center in Flagstaff. ________________________

DO YOU have news?

Learning Abroad

Send it in! Be sure to include your class year along with your accomplishment, accolade or other significant news item.

Email to Cindy Gould: CGould@SetonCHS.org

Seton students travelled to Spain and France this past summer and earned college credit as part of the Classroom Without Walls Program through Seton Hill University. Here they are pictured at the grotto of our Lady of Lourdes in southern France, one of the many highlights of their tour. ______________________________________________________

Developing Strong Hearts, Strong Minds, and Strong Leaders

7

Strong Hearts Strong Minds

The Seton Experience...

Building for Excellence

Seton Catholic Prep

HELP US CONTINUE OUR TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUND FOR SETON CATHOLIC

The Fund for Seton Catholic serves to provide an annual opportunity for donors to make tax deductible gifts to the school to be used to support our educational programs. It enables Seton Catholic Prep to offer learning and teaching experiences that make a Seton education unique and exciting for the students. The goal of The Fund

t Who

is asked to support The Fund for Seton Catholic? All alumni and friends of Seton Catholic Prep.

t

What is it? The Fund for Seton Catholic is our annual giving program.

It supports the operational budget of the school and helps to keep tuition manageable for our families. It helps to make up the difference between tuition revenue and what it actually costs to run Seton Catholic Prep.

When can I contribute to The Fund for Seton Catholic? Solicitation is

t

an ongoing process and coincides with our fiscal year, which begins on July 1. Our first mailing is sent in the fall, with follow-up in the spring.

Gifts received through June 30th of 2011 will be credited to this year’s fund. All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Why should I support The Fund for Seton Catholic? If you are an

t

alumnus, supporting the school with an annual gift is a way to give back and give thanks for the education you received as a student. For others, it is a way to ensure that a quality educational experience in keeping with the mission of our school is available for future generations.

Fund

the

t

for Seton Catholic

for Seton Catholic is to generate the resources to fund our school’s long term strategic goals that advance the mission of the school.

Annual gifts help to pay teacher salaries and benefits; purchase updated teaching tools; enhance our educational technology and equipment; and more.

Giving to The Fund for Seton Catholic signifies your belief in the Seton legacy. Seton Catholic Prep is a strong community of faith, guided by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s charisms of Love, Courage, Faith

FINE ARTS BUILDING

$8,200,000 TOTAL COST

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

we count on your support to help us create a success story for every student.

C A P I TA L C A M PA I G N U P D AT E

$1,000,000 Challenge 2010-2011

As the New Year begins, the Seton Catholic Prep community is blessed with steady progress on our new Academic/Fine Arts building.

The Seton Catholic Capital Campaign Committee is excited to report that it has secured a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation. The Foundation will match all gifts and pledges to the campaign, up to $500,000, until December 31, 2011.

These needed funds will pay for the interior building furnishings and equipment.

The new building is critical to our ability to expand and enhance our college preparatory curriculum, providing much needed educational and arts spaces for our students and faculty. Your contributions, large and small, are urgently needed to accomplish our goal this year. We invite you to join us in continuing to provide a premier high school experience for our young men and women.

$2,200,000 AFTER REACHING THE $1,000,000 GOAL for Fiscal Year

$1,000,000 Goal Defined

(7/01/10 - 6/30/11)

Fixtures/Furniture/Equipment*..... $1,000,000 *Fixtures/Furniture/Equipment Details Theater Seats Acoustical/Theater/Multimedia, etc.

Computers/Printers etc.

Art/Dance/Music Rooms Classroom/Offices - Furniture Security System Security Cameras Lockers PA system Cabling Network Language Lab Phones Tax / Freight TOTAL . .....................................$1,000,000

$1,200,000 RAISED PRIOR TO THIS CAMPAIGN

and Determination. Our legacy of personal and academic excellence has endured and evolved since 1954, and with your financial support, it can continue. Thank you for considering a gift in support of Seton Catholic Preparatory High School.

Every gift counts... no matter the size.

Your support is helping students achieve their goals and move toward their full potential—personally, professionally and spiritually.

For more information about The Fund for Seton Catholic, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement.

SE ON CATHOLIC Seton Catholic Preparatory High School P r e p a r a t o r y High School

www.SetonCatholic.org • 480.963.1900 • CGould@SetonCHS.org 1150 North Dobson Road • Chandler, AZ 85224-4004

To Make a Difference!

or for more information, please contact:

Paula Osterday

Director of Advancement • Seton Catholic Prep phone:

480.963.1900 Ext. 2011

email:

posterday@setonchs.org

All gifts are tax deductible in accordance with federal and Arizona state laws.

Hall Fame

Seton Says Goodbye to Retiring Faculty and Staff Members

Congratulations to the 2011 Seton Catholic Prep Hall of Fame Inductees

four staff members who retired over this past summer. With a combined total of 60 years of service to Seton (that’s more years than Seton has been in existence!), they have each left their own mark on our school and in our memories. We will be forever thankful for their devoted work and their loyalty to our mission.

S E T O N C AT H O L I C P R E PA R AT O RY H I G H S C H O O L

of

I

N

D

U

C

T

This year’s honorees were welcomed at the Eighth Annual Alumni Mass and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held at Seton on Saturday, October 15th.

Mass was celebrated by Fr. Chris Fraser ’89 and the induction ceremony was led by Hall of Fame committee member and past inductee Paul S. Girvan, Jr. ’64. A reception followed in the lobby of the new Fine Arts & Academic Classroom Building, where Seton Ambassadors led alumni and friends on tours. Honored at the event were: Distinguished Alumnus Award

Steven F. Turkovich, Jr. Distinguished Service Award

P r e p a r a t o r y High School

is with the deepest of gratitude that Seton EES Itwishes the best of luck and Godspeed to

Yearly awards honor those who live by Seton Catholic Prep’s ideals in all parts of their life

Nicole G. Harrison ’88

SE ON CATHOLIC

Dr. Vincent A. Sheridan Athletic Hall of Fame Award

The Seton community is proud of the accomplishments of these alumni and extends heartfelt congratulations and best wishes.

Bishop leads blessing of new building

Mary Ann Rich – Registrar (25 years) Louann Walther – Administrative Assistant to

the Principal (23 years) Rudy Martinez – Spanish Teacher (8 years) Karen Larson – Finance Department (4 years)

Seton Welcomes New Faculty and Staff Ms. Susan Fleming Art Teacher

Ms. Fleming is a native to Arizona who majored in Art Education with a minor in Fine Arts; her bachelor’s degree is from ASU and master’s is from NAU. Ms. Fleming taught visual art courses for seven years within the Red Mountain High School Art Department (Mesa public schools). Prior to that, she taught for four years in the Scottsdale public schools.

Those high school classes were predominately Photography (dry and wet lab), Digital Imaging /Graphic Arts, Ceramics, Drawing, & Basic Design.

Mrs. Brandy Martinez

Administrative Assistant to the Principal

Mrs. Brandy Martinez and her husband moved with their family from Austin, Texas this past summer. They have two daughters.

Though a true Austinite, Mrs. Martinez and her family have also lived in Naperville, Illinois, and Frisco, Texas. Mrs. Martinez’s work experience includes ten years at Motorola, working as an executive assistant and working at her daughters’ schools in Austin. She has enjoyed volunteering and working with youth programs, including coaching youth softball and basketball, being an elementary substitute teacher, a Religious Education teacher for second graders receiving their First Communion, and Girl Scout leader. Most of her time away from Seton is spent with her husband watching their daughters play sports!

When asked how she liked Seton Catholic Prep, she said, “I feel as if I am where I should be.” Welcome Brandy!

Mrs. Lucille Ruchensky Advancement Associate

Mrs. Ruchensky is no stranger to Seton! Her son Jared graduated from Seton in 2010, and is now attending Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. During her years as a parent at Seton—and beyond—Lucille has worn many hats as a volunteer, helping out in the lunchroom, for the counseling department and drama department. Until recently she volunteered in the Advancement Office and has now joined that staff on a part-time basis. Lucille and her husband Michael moved to the East Valley from the Kansas City area six years ago. Their older son Eric is in his third year of law school at ASU. Lucille and Michael reside in Chandler.

10 Seton Catholic Preparatory High School

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 Fiesta Resort Conference Center Tempe, Arizona

This fundraising event provides community awareness of the excellence in education at Seton Catholic Preparatory High School and raises vital funds for enrichment programs for the students of Seton Catholic Prep.

The evening begins with a Silent Auction and Cocktails at 5:00 pm followed by Dinner and Live Auction!

Tickets will be available online through the Seton website at www.SetonCatholic.org

24th Annual Dinner and Auction

PRESENTS:

  

For more information about Seton After Dark, Please contact: Imelda & Nunie Castro

2011 EVENT CHAIRPERSONS & SETON PARENTS

imelda.g.castro@intel.com nunie_castro@yahoo.com or visit www.SetonCatholic.org

Seton SCRIP Program Parents and friends of Seton can help financially by just shopping like normal

Did you know that you can help Seton…

• by simply buying your groceries or putting gas in your car?

• or by purchasing gift cards for birthdays, holidays, or just because?

• or by shopping for that book you’ve always wanted to read or that pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on?

• or by enjoying dinner at your favorite restaurant?

The possibilities are endless…read on!

What is SCRIP?

Seton Baseball Team Volunteers at the Arizona Special Olympics Summer Games An appreciative Coach Maier and the Seton baseball program extended their gratitude to players and parents who volunteered this past April in support of the Special Olympics.

While it was truly a rewarding experience for the volunteers, most importantly our participation greatly contributed to the success of the track and field events, and ensured

an exciting and fun experience for the participants. It is important to note that the Special Olympics officials were very appreciative of and impressed with the contribution of the Seton team and especially of how the players conducted themselves.

The parents, the baseball program, and the entire Seton community have much to be proud of.

SCRIP is a nationally recognized program for non-profit organizations to raise funds for their cause within their community. SCRIP is an acronym for Substitute Cash Redeem In Person.

Seton Catholic Prep has one of the most successful SCRIP programs in the East Valley. Just last year, Seton families reloaded SCRIP cards with over $1 million at Fry’s and Basha’s grocery stores, resulting in a return of $85,000 back to Seton! Half of this return goes to help with the operations of the school and half goes to help families with tuition or to a specified school department of the purchaser’s choice! It is a win-win program and you can be a part of it.

Reloadable Fry’s and Basha’s grocery store cards give a 6% return to Seton. What a wonderful way to give back with money you are already spending at these stores! In addition, Fry’s allows you purchase other store’s gift cards and fuel with your reloadable card! Think of gift cards as cash, not just for gift-giving. Consider buying a Starbucks or Shell gift card at Fry’s with your reloadable card—and then use those cards to buy your next latte or to fill up your tank! Can you imagine the possibilities?

You don’t have to have a current student at Seton in order to participate— the program is open to alumni, friends and family of the entire Seton community. Visit www.setoncatholic.org for more information and a complete list of participating vendors. You can use the form below to order reloadable Fry’s (Kroger, Ralph’s, Fred Meyer, Smith’s) or Basha’s (AJ’s Fine Foods, Food City, Eddie’s Country Store) gift cards—which you can then use to purchase other vendor’s gift cards carried by these stores. Or visit the Seton website, choose a card, and send us a check—we’ll mail the card directly to you.

Order Your Seton SCRIP

If you would be willing to use a reloadable Fry’s or Basha’s card on behalf of Seton, please return this form and we’ll send you one. If you see something else on our website that you’d like to purchase, please indicate below, include a check for the face value (see list on the website for denominations offered) and send to us. We’ll return your card(s) to the address you provide. SCRIP can also be purchased directly through our website.

Name:______________________________________________________________ Address:_ ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ ____Fry’s

____Basha’s ____Other: ___________________________________

Please designate profits to: _ ___________________________________________ Mail to: Seton Catholic Prep SCRIP/Spirit Store • 1150 N. Dobson Road • Chandler, AZ 85224

12 Seton Catholic Preparatory High School

Seton Senior Cedric Santos helps poor Filipino children by spearheading an outreach project During the summer of 2011, Seton senior Cedric Santos headed to the Philippines for a short visit, as he has done many times in the past. This year, he visited the Montemaria Shrine in the city of Alfonso, Cavite, which is one of the projects of the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, where miraculous healings are said to have occurred.

Cedric attended a healing mass there and was so touched by the messages he heard from the priests that he was inspired to do something that would make a difference. Understanding the financial struggles of the country and recognizing the tremendous difficulties in receiving an education there, Cedric took it upon himself to create an outreach project to gather school supplies for Filipino children. Pictured are piles of supplies collected thus far in a testament to his success.

Cedric has clearly embodied the mission of Seton Catholic Preparatory High School through this project by assuming a leadership role and giving of himself in loving service to others. In a letter that he wrote to ask for donations of school supplies he writes, “Education is one of the most important things that you can give a child and by providing them with the tools they need, you can help that child display his or her Godgiven talents to the rest of the world.” The Seton community is proud of Cedric and students like him whose hearts and minds are moved toward change in our world.

If you are interested in learning more about the Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation and the Montemaria Shrine, visit the Foundation website at www.marymotherofthepoor.org.

Developing Strong Hearts, Strong Minds, and Strong Leaders

13

season, September – January, we continue to host students from all of our feeder schools and a strong number from the greater community as well. Our shadow days are filling up very nicely. To date we have scheduled a total of 17, consisting of 15 students per visit. Please visit our website at www.setoncatholic.org for all the available dates. Additionally, I have started school visitations where I am given the opportunity to talk with seventh and eighth grade students about the possibilities for them at Seton Catholic Prep.

Save the date for Seton Catholic Prep’s Open House. The annual Open House will take place this year on Saturday, October 22nd from 9:00 am to noon.

Please join us that day for a campus tour, including the new stateof-the-art performing facility and classrooms, and an opportunity to meet our faculty and staff.

Prospective parents and students are always welcome on campus.

Choosing the school that will best serve your family, both in and out of the classroom, is one of the most important decisions parents will make during the course of their child’s education. It is important for you to know that we are always happy to welcome families to our campus to learn more about our school and how we can serve your child and family in preparation for college. We feel very strongly about supporting all families throughout the admission process and appreciate the time you take away from a busy day to come and learn more about us. We will make sure we are here to welcome you.

OPEN

HOUSE

scheduled for

OCT.

22 9:00am

Principal Patricia Collins was pleased to announce the appointment in July of Mr. David Sorkin as the new assistant principal at Seton. David most recently served as the Dean of Students at Providence Academy, a Catholic Independent School for grades pre-Kindergarten through 12 in Plymouth, Minnesota.

He brings to Seton his experiences with curriculum and has served as a teacher and department chair. As assistant principal, David will be responsible for supervision of the faculty and oversight of the academic and summer programs. He will work closely with the administrative team to further Seton’s mission of providing a premier college preparatory Catholic education for students in the east valley.

David received his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and his master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. He has relocated to Arizona with his wife Kelly and their two sons, Aaron and Eli, ages 5 and 3. The Seton Catholic Prep community welcomes them to Chandler.

Chandler’s All Class and Retiree Reunion Presented by the Chandler Unified School District Alumni Assoc.

The final Chandler All Alumni and Retiree Reunion (Seton Catholic Preparatory High School and Chandler High Schools) will be held on Saturday evening, April 28, 2012, in the San Marcos Pavilion from 7:00pm to midnight. The evening will include a band (8:00 PM), dancing, hors d’oeuvres, open bar, slide show of previous reunions, raffle drawings, reminiscing with old classmates, and just having a good time. There will also be an afternoon storytelling event for any “classic” stories that now can be told.

For more information: visit www.celebratechandler2012.com or call Elaine Bartell at 602-363-5811 or contact Ann Debold Ayala, Seton alumnus Class of 1969, at abmdayala@cox.net.

14 Seton Catholic Preparatory High School

EDUCATIONAL S P E A K E R SERIES

To develop an awareness and understanding of current social and moral issues that challenge teens.

Kevin’s Last W A Father’s Fin alk a with His Son l Journey Our liv

es are defined by how we resp to adversity. Ba ond rry Adkins desc ribes how one night of bi son, Kevin, impa nge drinking by his Barry Adkins cted his life an d how he responded to it. In an effo rt to aw raise ar en es s about the da abuse and to m nger ak death of his so e “something very good com s of alcohol n,” e from the his story. Barry he walked from Arizona to M ontana telling has been featur ed in numerou radio and newsp s television, aper articles.

Seton Parent an d McCarville, will Pinal County Superior Court Judge, Steve also join us to brie and civil liabilit y parents and st fly discuss the criminal ud attending parti es where alcoho ents face when hosting or l is present.

Barry Adkin

s is the Author of Kevin’s Last Journey with Hi Walk, A Father s So ’s Final graduating from n. Barry grew up in Kalispell, M high school, Ba rry worked on co ontana. After boats in Alaska un mmercial fishin g his wife, childre til he moved to Arizona wher e he now resid n, and grandchi es with ldren.

ine Decisions Determ ny our Desti powering

ion is em Mike McCoy’s pass m develop a larger the ng lpi he d an youth Mike will deliver vision for their lives. age of hope and a faith-based mess students that will our to nt encourageme e ly focused, overcom ral mo be m the lp he to ure ss pre with peer Mike McCoy challenges and deal ccess. During the e su fidence to achieve tru develop the self-con will ask the parents the question, “Who ke evening program Mi a discussion that no friends?” followed by are your children’s miss.

Cathedral Seton parent should

of vania and a graduate me tive of Erie, Pennsyl rsity of Notre Da ive Mike McCoy is a na Un the m fro d graduate nsensus Prep High School. He where he played football and was a Co th in ics s six with a BA in Econom osen UPI Lineman of the Year and wa choice s ch He was the #1 draft All-American. He wa ing his senior year. yed llot pla ba y He . ph kle Tro tac an e the Heism yed defensiv ckers where he pla with the Oakland two y, Ba of the Green Bay Pa n ee Gr h NFL – seven wit e Kia live in eleven years in the nts. Mike and his wif h the New York Gia wit two d an . rs en ide Ra childr the parents of four Jefferson, GA and are

Happen?

Did That Juesoft the Fantasy

Making Sens sion, Movies, Televi and Reality of d Facebook an Video Games, et

• 11 4 1 R E B M E V NO

The Admission Office has moved—to the brand new Fine Arts and Academic Classroom Building! As Director of Admission, I would like to extend an open invitation to the entire Seton community to come and experience our new digs. I would be happy to show you around and give you a tour of the new 400 seat black box theatre, music and dance rooms and our new SCTV studio.

Our community is truly blessed to have this impressive new facility.

Once again, another fantastic admission season has produced a strong, well-engaged freshman class. We are all very excited about the personal quality, diversity and overall academic strength of the class of 2015.

These students will continue the Seton Catholic Prep tradition of laying a strong and unique foundation for all who follow.

With the class of 2015 well ensconced, we are now looking forward to the next admission season and to meeting all the candidates for the class of 2016.

As always, the Admission Office continues to identify ways to improve the admission process in order to better serve our prospective families as they progress through the school identification process.

As in years past, we will offer two application options for our families. The first will be an online application that will offer the ability for each family to directly track their application progress from start to finish. The second is the physical application which can be easily obtained by calling or emailing a request.

During our primary recruitment

Parent & Student

Intern the director of Matt Smith is international e th , en Te fe Li Ministries for in Phoenix. ministry based industrial Catholic youth in ee gr de d with a Matt graduate Institute of a gi or Ge e Matt Smith th design from Technology. al ar on MTV’s Re witness as a st traveled the country n tia ris Ch a s Since bringing Rules Challenge, Matt ha ic parishes. ad s, and Cathol World and Ro s, high school on ge lle ith co fa ic at ol ng th speaki t his Ca t writes t writing abou istry.com, Mat in hm ut yo When he is no ic ol th o ca tw d ve an ha m fe co wi att and his www.lifeteen. oenix Suns. M Ph s A’ NB e th for . nor, and Stella children, Elea

A Nite of Catholic Com edy for the Entire Family!

MARCH 26 • 12

chris moore • director of admission

SEPTEMBER 2 6 • 11

Admission Office

JANUARY 30 • 12

From the

David Sorkin Joins Seton Catholic Prep as Assistant Principal

2011-12

EVENT TIMES: Student Programs:

8:15 AM

Parent Programs:

7:00 PM

This program is a specia l event for the entire family to share tog ether in our new Black Box Theatre. Judy McDonald has been a professional com edianne for 16 years but a Catholic for all her life. Judy Judy McDonald uses her sense of humor as a vehicle to evangelize to the young and not so young. Song writer Tom Bo oth writes, “She is funny.

Actually, she is very funny, and she gets people laughing.”

An

alumnus of University of San Diego, Judy has bee stand-upsince 1994. In n performing college, she worked at KFMB studios in radio and television. She also worked for the Rep ublican National Convention, the Commis sion on Presidential Deb ates and the Academy Awards.

Judy’s professional com edic experience includ es an appearance on the De nnis Miller show, the we ather channel and opening for such com edians as Paula Pounds Curry, Caroline Rea and tone, Mark Mitch Hedberg. She per forms at corporate and private events, and universities is a regular at the La Jolla Comedy Sto re in San Diego.

There will NOT be a separa te student assembly. This program is for the entire family and will beg in at 7:00pm in the Black Box Theatre.

Seton Gymnasium St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel

Sponsored by the Seton Parents Association and the Office of the Dean of Students

non-profit org. u.s. postage

SE ON CATHOLIC

PAID

Chandler, Arizona Permit No. 188

P r e p a r a t o r y High School

1150 North Dobson Road Chandler, AZ 85224-4004 www.SetonCatholic.org

ofupcoming Calendarevents

Homecoming Football Game October 14

vs. Valley Christian

8th Annual Alumni Mass and Hall of Fame Induction

24th Annual Seton After Dark Dinner & Auction VE “Magic of the Orient” SA THE

DATE!

October 15

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel and Fine Arts Building Lobby Register at www.SetonCatholic.org

Drama Department Variety Show and Fall Play Variety Show October 13

Fall Play – “Hercules” October 21,22,23,28,29

SEE THE NEW THEATER

Prospective Student Open House October 22

All Souls Mass November 1

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel For information on making a gift in memory of a loved one for All Souls Day, visit the Seton website at www.SetonCatholic.org

November 5

Fiesta Resort Conference Center – Tempe See page 11 for details and sponsorship opportunities

Seton Admissions Interviews Begin December 1 Call the Admissions Office to Schedule!

Drama Department Holiday Fine Arts Night December 1 and 8

High School Placement Test January 7

Seton Admissions Application Deadline January 31

For details on campus events,

visit www.SetonCatholic.org

Order SCRIP in the Seton Spirit Store!

Located next to the Seton Library Open: M-Th 7:30-8:30 am & 2:30-3:30 pm Fri. 7:30-8:30 am & 12:30-1:30 pm