WALLA WALLA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
SPRING 2018
CONNECTIONS
we are
walla walla catholic schools
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RESTORING A TRADITION We are so happy to introduce you to “Connections”, the digital magazine of Walla Walla Catholic Schools. Reimagining a community communication piece that allows us to focus on our storied history, alumni of all decades, current happenings at the schools, and a focus on our values is the intent of the magazine. The goal of this volunteer-produced magazine is to have one ready for your enjoyment during each quarter of the year.
For this Spring 2018 edition, “Servants” are our focus, hence the feature title WE ARE SERVANTS. A servant in our mind is anyone who follows in the footsteps of Jesus by serving our future generations, our elderly, our youth, our less fortunate, and our larger community and world. These are teachers, social workers, nurses, policemen, youth program leaders, coaches, mentors, and the religious. In this and each following edition you will be treated to a different theme that expresses our values and faith mission while featuring alumni peers from each decade of our schools’ history. In addition to the servants in our alumni community we have chosen several interest pieces that illustrate how service runs through everything we do in our schools. Connections is a digital magazine, therefore the only way to get this great publication is via an emailed link or by looking it up on our website. Please send your current email address to marketing@wearewwcs.com and we will provide you with the publication. We are hopeful that you enjoy learning about what your fellow alumni have been doing as well as the happenings of our schools each quarter. If you would like to provide content, something to the alumni connection areas, the here and there section or just some of your great ideas and volunteer time please send us an email at marketing@wearewwcs.com or call us at 509-525-3030 and speak with Melissa Theissen. Thank you for the part you play in the Walla Walla Catholic Schools community, and enjoy Connections!
In this first edition we want to thank Dick and Karen Heinzman for the many years that they worked on and produced the newsletter of the Walla Walla Catholic Schools Alumni Association which over time had several names, but was most recently known as “Connections.” We are so happy to dust off the name; Connections is so poignant as we in the Walla Walla Catholic Schools community are connected by so many things that add to the value of our lives and the friendships that last a lifetime. We will bring back many of the great areas that Connections featured in the past such as: here and there, an alumni connection area, the occasional cartoon, and featured articles by our students.
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featured alumni
connections volunteer staff EDITOR MELISSA THIESSEN SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS CHRISTY RICHARD MIKE SPIESS LYNNE KUNTZ PHOTOGRAPHERS TIM NEELY CHERYL SUTLICK GIGI HICKMAN DESALES JOURNALISM CLASS PROOF READING AMY GRAHAM SUZAN DALTOSO ALUMNI COORDINATION CHRIS HUETHER AMY GRAHAM DESIGN TIM NEELY
TO GET ON THE EMAIL LIST COMMUNICATING THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF “CONNECTIONS” PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL AT MARKETING@WEAREWWCS.COM
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THE SPRING 2018 EDITION
WE ARE SERVANTS
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CONTENTS 4
RESTORING A TRADITION
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ALUMNI FAMILY OF THE YEAR
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SISTER HELEN MASON
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MRS. MICHELE ACOCK
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VIRTUES ASSEMBLIES AND SERVICE
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MR. TIM MELIAH
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MR. ALLEN STANLEY
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CHALLENGER CHEER AND FOOTBALL
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MRS. STEPHANIE WOLFRAM HECTOR
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MR. BRADEN KIMBALL
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HERE AND THERE
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ALUMNI NEWS
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WHAT’S HAPPENING
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ALUMNI FAMILY OF THE YEAR
THE MARTUSCELLI FAM This fall, Walla Walla Catholic Schools staff and students were honored to recognize the Martuscelli family as the 2017 Homecoming Alumni Family. Dom and Kathy Martuscelli raised seven children in our community, each of whom graduated from DeSales High School. Lisa, Lynn, Greg, Michelle, Jeff, Dean, and Eric shared their talents and passion for life with our schools, and stories are still shared today about each of their educational journeys. If you were to sit and review DeSales yearbooks from 1961 through 2017, you would find a Martuscelli family member in every single one. Dom and Kathy raised their children with a focus on faith and family. Their family grew up with the cornerstones of the Sacraments. As you can imagine with a family of nine, life has not always been simple. But Dom and Kathy have always drawn strength from their faith, from the rosary, from their beloved priests over the years – the legendary Father Adrian Van der Heyden – and from the love of family. It was an honor and a pleasure to recognize them as the 2017 Homecoming Alumni Family.
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THE MARTUSCELLI FAMILY
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SISTER HELEN MASON WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY? I currenly work for the Providence Heath System, as a “Chronicles Annalist” writing annual reports for fourteen of our hospitals and other ministries in Eastern Washington and Montana. The work is perfect for me becasue it is going all year and gives me time to do some volunteer parish ministry here as well. I am only one of a few Sisters that get to know the ongoing work of our hospitals and other ministries we started and how they are still serving others in need. In 2015, I celebrated 50 years as a Sister and enjoyed a special mass and reception here at St. Patrick’s, where I recieved all of my sacraments. WHAT CALLED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT VOCATION? While at DeSales there were several Sisters that were teaching and they inspired me to join them. I joined the Sisters of Providence who are the first Sisters to come to Walla Walla to teach and found St. Mary’s Hospital.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESALES / WWCS MEMORY? My favorite memory of DeSales is of Fr. Bill Kelley who taught us Latin and shared a lot with us about his time in the Marines. Fr. Kelley inspired me to use my gifts to help others and to never give up. He and our other priests there, including our principal, Fr. Ed Caffrey, were HUMAN. We could talk to them personally and be inspired by their dedication to their vocation and to the Church. WHAT WAS YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT DESALES / WWCS? My funniest memory actully did not happen at DeSales, but is worth sharing as we never know where we might have an impact. One day I was driving and was stopped by an Idaho State Patrolman! I was not given a ticket. I got to know him since his wife was Catholic, and in a short time he attended the class I taught for those who wanted to become Catholic! He later became a Deacon in the Church, and example of the Providence of God.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? I volunteer in our local parish ministries.
WHAT DESALES ALUMNI DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FROM YOUR CLASS OR OTHER CLASSES?
WHAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE AFTER DESALES GRADUATION?
I keep in touch with most of my DeSales classmates by email or visting locally. We lost some in the Vietnam War. I continue to pray for all of my classmates and other alumni and for the welfare of our schools here in Walla Walla.
When I graduated from Seattle University, the Sisters sent me to teach 6th grade in Missoula, Montana. I had the most special and fun students a person could ever teach! Then I felt called to study Religious Education ministry, since there was a need for that. I earned a Master’s degree in that field in summers from Seattle University. Bishop Treinen of Idaho asked our Sisters to do Religious Education work in all of North Idaho since all of the Catholic Schools had closed. The timing was right: I was one of two of our Sisters who responded to that need and loved every minute of it, much more than teaching. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT DESALES (WWCS)? To look after and care about each other. I would also say the other most important thing I learned was to be myself and to follow what God asked of me.
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CLASS OF 1964
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REVERENT
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MRS. MICHELE (ANHORN)ACOCK
CLASS OF 1978
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MRS. MICHELE (ANHORN) ACOCK WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY? I am presently in my 36th year as an educator at Assumption School. I was a teacher, then moved to principal for 18 years. I really missed teaching and I had the opportunity to go back into the classroom to teach and I took it! For the last 10 years I have been teaching Kindergarten and love it! WHAT CALLED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT VOCATION? My senior year at DeSales, my service project was helping in the first grade classroom at Assumption. I fell in love with teaching and knew that was what I wanted to pursue as a career. I graduated from EWU in 1982 with a Bachelors in Ed. I finished my Masters in Ed in 1987 and then completed my school administrative credentials in 1991. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? I love to garden! I also do decorative work on gourds as well as crafting with driftwood and shells. WHAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE AFTER DESALES GRADUATION? My husband and I have a son Chad, who graduated from DeSales in 2005. Our two daughters who are also DeSales graduates are adopted. Roxana, who graduated in 2010 was adopted from Romania. Teresa, who graduated in 2016 was adopted from Russia. I would have to say that going to both Romania and Russia to bring our daughters home were experiences that I will never forget. I spent a week in Romania and two weeks in eastern Russia. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT DESALES (WWCS)? To be of service to others! I try very hard to instill this message in my kindergarteners. This is what Jesus calls all of us to do! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESALES / WWCS MEMORY? Our senior class trip to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm was so much fun but I would have to say my favorite memories all relate to special teachers: Sr. Anita Marie, Mrs. Janene Michels and Brother John Samaha. I had so much fun with Sr. Anita Marie in drama my senior year. Mrs. Janene Michels always had so much energy and was a great teacher! Brother John Samaha always asked us “Who are You?” and “Where are you going?” I think we wrote on that once a quarter! He really connected with our class of 1978 and even met up with us on our senior trip when we were in San Francisco for a night.
FAVORITES FOOD FRESH PRAWNS TV SHOW DANCING WITH THE STARS AND THIS IS US VACATION SPOT OUR CONDO IN NEWPORT, OREGON SATURDAY ACTIVITY SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY AND GARDENING
WHAT WAS YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT DESALES / WWCS? At our graduation in 1978 Fr. Gary Steeves was sitting on the stage with Mr. Lapke, principal and my dad, Jerry Anhorn, school board president. At that time the stage was very tall. Father Gary scooted his chair back and actually fell off the stage and was stuck between the stage and the bleachers. He had to be pulled out of his predicament. Luckily he was just fine! Nothing hurt except maybe a little pride! WHAT DESALES ALUMNI DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FROM YOUR CLASS OR OTHER CLASSES? In my class of 1978 I talk to Gerald Lyons and Dwayne Clark the most. However, working in the Catholic schools there are many graduates that are my colleagues at Assumption School including: Lorie Richard Spiess, Mike Spiess, Mary Solbach Hammond, Jenny Dutton Baffney Wood, Greg Fazzari, Bowe Ebding, Mike Mele, Geriann Mele Graham, Kim Cox, Nick Hazeltine, John Lesko, Eric Rhode, Lynn Daltoso Buckley, Paul Castoldi. At DeSales: Amy Morkert Graham, Susan Kowalkoski Daltoso, Christy Spiess Richard. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH FELLOW WWCS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS? It has been a privilege to teach in the Catholic Schools. I love imparting our faith to my students! It is very rewarding! It has also been very rewarding to teach the children of previous students as well as the grandchildren of classmates and alumni!
CONNECTIONS
ASSUMPTION VIRTUES PROGRAM Virtues in Practice is a program for children in grades pre-kindergarten through eight to grow in virtues and see the virtues as concrete expressions of their Catholic faith. It is set up in such a way that the whole school studies the same virtue each month, to provide a whole-school (and at home, whole-family) focus. Each month, the children learn about the same virtue, but primary, intermediate, and middle school students learn about different saints that exemplify the virtue. In this way, students who are in the program throughout their elementary school career will have a basic introduction to a virtue at the primary level with one saint, cover the same virtue again in more detail at the intermediate level with a different saint, and delve into a deeper meaning of the virtue at the middle school level with a third saint. Assumption students meet every Monday in the gym at the beginning of the school day to pray together as a whole school. This is a wonderful way to begin our week. A list of suggested home projects related to the virtue of focus and the saints is sent home each month. We feel this program is a valuable addition to school and family life. This first year of the program is the Year of Faith. We began our year by focusing on the following virtues: faith, reverence, stewardship, and generosity. We will continue the year with a focus on gratitude, honesty, mercy,
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justice, and zeal. We look forward to continuing this extend a charity that feeds the bodies and souls of so program through the Year of Service and the Year of many. Charity before beginning the cycle again. Another tradition of service at DeSales is our November service day where students and faculty work as teams in the community. Much of the work that day typically involves raking leaves for elderly parishioners, Catholic Charities’ properties, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, students assist St. Vincent DePaul volunteers with their Christmas basket preparation. DeSales students also serve at coffee call and the Knights of Columbus Lenten dinners.
SERVICE A WAY OF LIFE FOR THE WWCS FAMILY St. Francis taught that “Charity never enters a heart without bringing with it all the other virtues, empowering them and marshalling them as needed as a captain does his soldiers.” Within WWCS, we bring to life these words through many and varied community service projects. Once again this year, our students played an integral role in the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Truly an ecumenical effort, DeSales hosted over 600 community members who might not have otherwise enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal. Our Catholic parishes, St. Vincent DePaul, and several other churches work in concert each year to
Currently the Class of 2018 is initiating contacts for their Senior Service Project. The major component of the second semester of the senior religion curriculum stresses service. Each senior will spend approximately three days a week during second semester to serve the community. For example, one of our seniors plans to help with the caretaking of the soon- to- be- planted garden at the St. Michael’s Veterans’ Homes run by Catholic Charities on the VA complex. Others will spend time tutoring elementary students and working with senior citizens. The students are still in the process of proposing their projects, and they will work with Father Smedley to ensure the integrity of the projects. The senior service project consistently proves to be one of the most memorable elements of our students’ high school experience. The phone in the DeSales’ office often rings with service requests because the Walla Walla community knows that the WWCS community knows how to serve – how to live the virtue of charity.
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TIM MELIAH CLASS OF 1987
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TIM MELIAH WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY? I am the Director of Catholic Charities Walla Walla. We provide various programs and services, including housing, emergency youth shelter, counseling, diaper assistance, and Immigration Legal Services to assist those in need in our community. WHAT CALLED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT VOCATION? I am not sure how I got where I am today. I started out as a teacher and have made slight career changes over the years before becoming a Social Worker. Two factors that have been important to me concerning vocation have been 1) service to others and 2) helping to create meaningful change, whether it be for individuals or on a larger community-wide scale. I am glad to work for Catholic Charities where these elements are an important part of the mission. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? I enjoy spending time with my family, which includes my wife and one-year-old son. When time allows I enjoy running, farm work, and theatre. WHAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE AFTER DESALES GRADUATION? I’ve been able to drive across the United States a couple of times, visit a remote region of Thailand, skydive, watch my brothers play college and pro baseball, witness the birth of my child and the death of loved ones. Family, friendships, joy, and love have been the best experiences of my life. WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT DESALES (WWCS)?
FAVORITES FOOD WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF ME TV SHOW STRANGER THINGS VACATION SPOT BEACH SATURDAY ACTIVITY HANGING OUT WITH MY FAMILY
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESALES / WWCS MEMORY? Playing football in the Kingdome; creating a huge bonfire made of wood pallets for Homecoming; sitting in Senior Hall; Brother Frank in Physics Class; road trips for Track. WHAT WAS YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT DESALES / WWCS? I was a teenage idiot. I did things that I smile at now and others that I shake my head at. I am grateful for the patience and forgiveness of others. WHAT DESALES ALUMNI DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FROM YOUR CLASS OR OTHER CLASSES? Living in Walla Walla gives me the opportunity to see and connect with many WWCS alumni. I enjoy the opportunities to continue to be a member of this community.
I learned the importance of community, hard work, honesty, and faith. I resisted some of those lessons when I was a teen but I learned so much from the experiences I loved and the ones I hated. I am a better person as a result of how others treated me during my time at DeSales.
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ALLEN STANLEY
FAVORITES FOOD ANY KIND OF SEAFOOD TV SHOW GEORGIA FOOTBALL GAMES VACATION SPOT JEKYLL ISLAND, GA SATURDAY ACTIVITY GOLF
WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY? I am the Executive Director of Camp Fire Walla Walla.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT DESALES (WWCS)? To look after and care about each other. I always felt like the student body, teachers, and parents cared about me and wanted to help me anyway they could. I think that is one main thing that separates WWCS and I hope that will always continue. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESALES / WWCS MEMORY? Any of the 5 state titles I was a part of would rank up there. WHAT WAS YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT DESALES / WWCS?
WHAT CALLED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT VOCATION?
I laughed through most of my 4 years at DeSales but the skits we did as a class for Homecoming were always a lot of fun. There are plenty of funny locker room stories that probably would not be acceptable for the newsletter!
I started working with kids when I was 21 and really enjoyed the experience. There were so many people that played a part in my development as a kid; I wanted to be able to give back to youth of today. I have been in youth development for roughly 16 years.
WHAT DESALES ALUMNI DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FROM YOUR CLASS OR OTHER CLASSES?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? I enjoy golf, run, watch college football, and spend time with family and friends. WHAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE AFTER DESALES GRADUATION? I lived in the Virgin Islands for about a year back in 2005. I also had the opportunity to work with kids on an Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona in 2013.
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I keep up with quite a few. Brian Lindgren, Matt & Greg Heinzman, Chris Huether, Colin Baffney, Jen Wood, Jen Lindgren, Stef Harrison, Tyson Basel, Dave & Chris Meliah. There are probably several more that I am leaving out. DO YOU HAVE A FINAL THOUGHT TO SHARE? I just want to thank all of the teachers, coaches, and admin that were involved in my years at DeSales. So many of them made a positive impact on my life and I continue to remember those lessons today. And of course, I would put our 1997 football team and 1998 baseball team up against anyone in DeSales history!
ALLEN STANLEY
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CLASS OF 1998
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Challenger Football and Cheerleading Program
During the 2014 DeSales football season one of my players asked me why I don’t have a Challenger Football TEAM. My response was. “Great idea.” I told the TEAM I would provide them with some resources to get started, and they would be responsible for getting it going. TEAM Captains By Mike Speiss took charge. They collaborated with Cheerleader classmates to develop a one day skills camp. My only involvement was contacting parents In the spring of 1989 my wife Lorie (Richard, Class from Challenger LL to make them aware of the of 1980) and I signed our oldest son Christopher opportunity. (Class of 2001) up for Little League Baseball. We received a copy of LL Magazine which included an article about Challenger Baseball. Challengers was created for children with mental and/or physical “challenges” that prevent them from participating in “regular” Little League. Challengers provides an opportunity for these children and their FAMILIES to participate in Little League. Lorie and I decided to begin a Challenger TEAM in Walla Walla. In the spring of 1990 Challenger LL started in Walla Walla and still operates. A major component of Challengers is the “Buddy system”. Able-bodied We choose a Saturday after a home game to “buddies” assist Challenged players. Without host the Challenger Football and Cheer Camp. buddies, Challengers would not be possible. Participants work with cheerleaders and/or the Lorie and I have been blessed to work with many football TEAM on various drills. The typical camp children in this program, both players and buddies. agenda involves; Meet and greet, where players We recruit buddies each year. Our main source put an IRISH game jersey on football participants is students I teach and coach. Students from and cheer participants receive pompoms. Next Walla Walla Catholic Schools are a critical part of comes warm up activities. Participants then split Challengers. into football and cheer groups. Cheerleaders work on cheers, dance routines, and the IRISH Fight Song. Football TEAM captains create groups to work on drills similar to what we do in practice. Attacking blocking dummies is a favorite, as is field goal kicking which consists of participants kicking a nerf ball through a scaled down version of a goal post built by players using PVC pipe. After group activities is a TEAM scrimmage where every participant scores a touchdown as the cheer group cheers. Next, all participants and buddies gather together and sing the IRISH Fight Song.
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Finally, each DeSales and Challenger participant signs the goal post. Each year the activities vary, however, the goal post signing has become a tradition. To conclude the event each Challenger participant is invited to attend the next home football game. At that game they wear a TEAM jersey and are announced with the starting lineup, selected Challengers participate in the Captain meeting and Coin Toss. All Challenger participants are invited to spend the game on the sideline with the TEAM and Cheer Squad. After the game they participate in our post game huddle and PRAYER. I was asked to describe the Challenger Football – Cheer program at DeSales. I cannot possibly describe the expressions of joy on the faces of the participants, both buddies and players. Or the tears of joy often present on the faces of the parents. I hope this gives you an idea of the program, which has now been run by DeSales student athletes for 4 years. One of my most gratifying moments as a teacher and coach is the DeSales Challenger Football/ Cheer program. That it was started by players who sought to serve others is special. In the DeSales football program we stress to our players that God has created them to be Men of Service. I have been asked by students and parents why God would create some children less than “perfect”. The best response I have learned is; God’s perfection is realized in how we treat these children.
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STEPHANIE WOLFRAM HECTOR CLASS OF 2004
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WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY? I graduated from Seattle University in 2008 with my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. I spent my first 5 years as a nurse at Seattle Children’s Hospital on the Hematology/Oncology unit. Upon moving back home to Walla Walla in 2013, I started working with Providence Medical Group Neurosurgery. I am currently working on call so I can stay home and take care of my little boys. WHAT CALLED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT VOCATION? During my junior year of high school I spent 3 weeks in Cape Town, South Africa learning about poverty, AIDS, hunger, justice, and race relations. It was during this trip that I knew I wanted to spend my life helping other people as a nurse. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? Spending time with my husband, Fred, and chasing around our two boys, Leland and Robert. We love visiting our family and friends in town. I enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, knitting, baking, reading, and learning to play the piano. WHAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE AFTER DESALES GRADUATION? I completed Basic Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia after my freshman year in ROTC. This was a very unique experience because I am deathly afraid of climbing a ladder let alone jumping out of an airplane. During my senior year at SU, I spent two months in Nicaragua for my community health nursing quarter teaching in a small town and living with a local family. Working at Seattle Children’s Hospital on the cancer unit was a special experience I will always hold close to my heart. To see for yourself, search “Stronger Seattle Childrens Hospital” video on YouTube!
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FAVORITES SPOUSE FRED HECTOR (1994) FOOD PIZZA TV SHOW GREY’S ANATOMY VACATION SPOT HAWAII SATURDAY ACTIVITY VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT DESALES (WWCS)? One of the most important things I learned during my time at DeSales is the importance of surrounding yourself with a strong community that supports you, cares about you, and shares your same values. The DeSales community while I was in high school was like a big family that did just that. This is one of the many reasons my husband and I plan to send our children to WWCS. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESALES / WWCS MEMORY? I look at my time at DeSales and have so many fond memories but one of my favorites is when our 4x4 relay team broke the state record. WHAT WAS YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT DESALES / WWCS? When Levi Ferraro duct taped Duane Tompkins to a rolling desk chair and then wheeled him throughout the halls and into classrooms while class was going on. (We had a sub) WHAT DESALES ALUMNI DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FROM YOUR CLASS OR OTHER CLASSES? I love spending time with friends I went to DeSales with. I don’t get to see them very often but when I do, it feels like nothing has changed and we are still back in high school.
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corporal braden kimball
FAVORITES FOOD ANYTHING MY MOM MAKES TV SHOW THE RANCH
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED DURING YOUR TIME AT DESALES (WWCS)? That nothing is more important than community, if you work together anything can be accomplished. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DESALES / WWCS MEMORY?
Graduation. Not because its finally over but because of how we went out, our senior party. It was held at my mother’s house where we had giant inflatable balls we SATURDAY ACTIVITY HIKING could put our torsos in and run into each other playing AND CAMPING WITH MY WIFE soccer and football. We had a giant inflatable obstacle course as well as an inflatable twister ring. It started out with food and music and just hanging out playing pickup games of frisbee, soccer, football and basketball. WHAT DO YOU DO PROFESSIONALLY? Then we ate and lit a very large bonfire. As the flames I am a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. My started simmering down we all laid on the twister primary job is a vehicle commander in a Combined Anti and watched the stars swapping stories, memories, Armor Team, where I have 4 marines under my charge. reminisced the good times and the bad. And we We are currently forward deployed in Okinawa, Japan realized that it wasn’t as bad as we thought. Whether as a Quick Reaction force in this section of the world. we spent every year of school together since preschool We are the ones who are the 911 call in all the Pacific. or just senior year, we were a family and it wasn’t going We conduct sustainment training such as jungle warfare to stop there. It wasn’t over it was just beginning. training and cold weather training both here on the island and Mt. Fuji on the mainland of Japan. All while being ready to go anywhere when we get the call. WHAT WAS YOUR FUNNIEST MOMENT AS A STUDENT AT DESALES / WWCS?
VACATION SPOT YOSEMITE
WHAT CALLED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT VOCATION? I’ve wanted to be a marine ever since I was little. I’ve always wanted to be the protector of what I love. I wanted to make a difference in the world and help others. I also liked the dress blues. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK? I enjoy adventure. I rarely have a plan, whether it’s going camping or going out in town in one of the various countries I’ve been too. I see the sights and go to the places well known, but my best memories come from getting lost. That’s how we found our camping spot, the hot springs, that’s how you experience true culture. So, in short terms I enjoy going somewhere I’ve never been with the ones I love and getting lost. WHAT HAVE BEEN UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN YOUR LIFE AFTER DESALES GRADUATION? I have had many amazing experiences throughout my time in the marines. From getting lost in the backstreets of Hong Kong to exploring caverns in Oman I have learned a lot about a lot of different cultures. I have been to Hong Kong, Djibouti, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.
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Freshman year we were playing Dayton and I was on kick return. Darryl was set back to receive the kick and I was a front row blocker on the left and we were returning right. The kick goes deep so we do what we’ve done probably 100 times. I get hit and the guy I’m supposed to block runs right past me and I turn to chase him. As soon as I turn around I come facemask to facemask with Darryl, who is carrying the ball and we collide and both of us end up on the ground. As far as I know I am the only DeSales player to be awarded a tackle against my own team. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH FELLOW WWCS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS? Keep the traditions alive, in a world as messed up as ours it’s the little things that become the best memories.
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CORPORAL BRADEN KIMBALL
CLASS OF 2014
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HERE AND THERE SAUSAGEFEST 2017
Sausagefest was another great success this past fall as Walla Walla Catholic Schools brought out record crowds to enjoy the weekend festivities of food, music, games, and an alumni reception. Sausagefest received a rebranding in the fall of 2016 and the new approach to getting the word out and getting the larger community to experience the Catholic Schools community has been greatly successful.
WE ARE BLESSED CHRISTMAS COFFEE During the Christmas Season Walla Walla Catholic Schools produced with the help of the Walla Walla Roastery the first edition of the WE ARE BLESSED Christmas Coffee. The Catholic Schools community purchased over 200 pounds of coffee during the 4 week offering. The marketing committee would like to establish a year-round coffee. Help us brand it by sending your ideas to marketing@wallawallacatholicschools.com .
CLASS OF 2018 MAKING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Seniors Juan Montero, Joann Carmody, Juston Kimball and Irish Clark (not pictured) are the latest DeSales Fighting Irish to set their sights on being Whitman College Blues. All four were recently presented with their #officialwhittie care package. See the summer editon of Connections to see full list of acceptances.
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TOM SAWYER 2017 FALL PLAY
ASSUMPTION MATH AND CATHOLIC FAITH CHALLENGE TEAMS COMPETE IN LOCAL COMPETITIONS
Recently the “Mathletes” as they like to be known finished third in the district wide math competiton. While the Assumption Knights Catholic Faith Challenge team, coached by Ms. Jenny Escobar, finished third in the Division II competitons and Division I team won more than half of thir matches. The competions is like a Jeopardy game for grade and middle school children and focuses on the student’s knowledge of their Catholic faith and traditions.
During the weekend of December 8,9, and 10 the DeSales student body and drama class produced the annual play at the Little Theater of Walla Walla. This year’s play directed by Mr. Eric Rhode under the watchful eye of stage manager Irish Clark was an excellent example of how at Walla Walla Catholic Schools the focus is on the whole student. The play gives budding actors and non-actors the opportunity to spread their wings and experience the life of drama.
ANNUAL DESALES GIRLS LEAGUE BUDDY LUNCH SCIENCE FAIR 2018
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ALUMNI NEWS SAUSAGEFEST 2017 ALUMNI OUTREACH During Sausagefest the Walla Walla Catholic Schools Marketing Committee invited DeSales Alumni to “Have one On Us.” Made possible by a generous anonymous alumni donation a small reunion of about twenty DeSales graduates descended upon the school during Saturday evening to enjoy their common love for DeSales. Join us at Sausagefest this year October 5 and 6, 2018.
A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
MEET THE NEXT ALUMNI CLASS - THE CLASS OF 2018
DeSales seniors have always met for the traditonal class photo and recently the 2018 grad class met under the Ty Baffney Field gate to enjoy a photo opportunity before they all go their indiviual ways later this spring. Look for a full edition to detail the graduates goals and future plans.
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WHAT IS HAPPENING AN EVENING OF HOPE
Please mark you calendars, dawn your best dress, and fancy mask for an evening of HOPE. Rosalie Lesko and the many volunteers that continue to make the largest annual fundraising event for Walla Walla Catholic Schools a possibility are hurriedly working to create an incredible eveing for you to enjoy once again this year. The event, themed “Masquerade of Hope” will feature as always many wonderful live and silent auction items, a great dinner, time with friends, and of course DANCING!! Please plan on getting your tickets and thank you in advance for making a Catholic education possilbe for the children of the Walla Walla valley.
ALUMNI CLASSIC ANNOUNCED
YOUR STORY Do you have a story, event, or a reunion that you would like to see written and shared with the greater Walla Walla Catholic Schools community. Share it with us by emailing marketing@ wallawallacatholicschools.com
The Walla Walla Sweets, members of the West Coast League and a community leader in using baseball and Borleske Stadium as a fundraising platform for community improvement, have partnered with Wonderboy Creative, a local marketing, web and design firm with roots in Sweets baseball and the Walla Walla Valley, to launch the Inaugural Alumni Classic. The event will pit alumni from the Walla Walla High School Blue Devils baseball program against alumni from the DeSales Catholic High School Fighting Irish baseball program in a 7-inning, wood-bat baseball game – with umpires and all. The game will be played at Borleske Stadium on Monday, July 16, 2018. While the competition on the field will be fierce, both alumni programs are coming together with the Sweets and Wonderboy to raise money for the respective school programs, with a portion of NET proceeds of the game being donated to the schools.
HOMECOMING-SEPT 28, 2018 SAVE THE DATE!
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