BEARFACTSII - Catholic High School

June 2009 Volume 27, No. 4
Alumni Gather for 50-Year Reunion,
Page 4
Alumni Chapters Formed in Texas,
Page 5
Class of 1999 To Start Endowment Fund,
Page 9
Track Team Takes State Title Again,
Page 10
Golf Classic Draws 50 Teams,
Page 13
Athletes Sign To Play Collegiate Sports,
Page 14
Class of 2009 Receives $4,299,758 in
Scholarships, Page 16

’40s
Edward Picou ’49,
representing the LSU
Department of Geology
& Geophysics, was
recognized by the LSU
Alumni Association and
inducted into its 2009 Hall
of Distinction. The LSU
Alumni Association Hall | Edward Picou ’49
of Distinction recognizes
alumni who have distinguished themselves and
LSU through their careers, their personal and civic
accomplishments, their volunteer activities and
their loyalty to their alma mater.
| Mike Reitz ’70
Mike Reitz ’70 has been
named president and
CEO of Blue Cross and
Blue Shield of Louisiana.
He had previously served as the
company’s senior vice president and
chief marketing officer since 2000
and also served as interim president
in 2004.
Perry Key ’78 completed a
professional certification in
loan review and received the
designation as loan review
professional from Bankers
Training & Certification
Center. He was promoted
to vice president at First
National Bankers Bank,
Baton Rouge.
Clint Conque ’79, former Nicholls
State All-American, entered his 10th
season as head football coach for
the University of Central Arkansas
where he led the Bears in Division
I to win the Southland Conference.
He was named 2008 Southland
Coach of the Year.
| Clint Conque ’79
John-Paul “J.P.” Piper
’84, head basketball ’80s
coach at Nicholls State University,
was named the 2008-2009 Southland
Conference Basketball Coach of the
Year. He was also named the 2008-2009 Southland
Conference Coach of the Year by the Collegeinsider.
com.
’90s
Chad Melancon ’91,
National Account
Manager for United
Networks of America,
served as Ball Chairman for
the 42nd Annual Cancer Ball
hosted by the Men of Capital
Sertoma and the Ladies of
Artemis.
| Kevin Ainsworth ’92
| Perry Key ’78
’70s
| Chad Melancon ’91
Kevin
Ainsworth ’92 has been named
partner at Jones Walker in Baton
Rouge where he practices business
and commercial litigation/real
estate law.
Kelly English ’96 is chef and
owner of Restaurant Iris, a midtown
Memphis French-Creole restaurant.
| Kelly English ’96
He was named “2009 Best
New Chef” by Food and Wine
Magazine, Memphis, Tenn.
Kelly and other chefs will
appear on the cover of Food &
Wine’s July ’09 issue and will
cook for an audience of 800
at the Food & Wine Classic in
Aspen, Colo.
Kyle Johnston ’96 graduated
cum laude from Tulane
University Law School and is
now employed as an attorney
with the law firm of Fenwich
and West, LLP in Mountain
View, Calif.
| Kyle Johnston ’96
Beau
Diez ’99 was promoted to
associate executive director
of real estate development for
commercial and residential
properties for MIE and Pelican
Point Properties.
| Beau Diez ’99
Justin
Peno ’00 received a Master of
Business Administration from
Tulane University’s
’00s
A. B. Freeman
School of Business
in May.
| Justin Peno ’00
Port Fourchon Marina & Motel
Fourchon, Louisiana
Registration and Captains’
Meeting: June 24, 2009
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
CHS Union and Courtyard
Free Food and Drinks Provided
(All attendees must be
18+ or graduates.)
Register online TODAY at
www.catholichigh.org.
Matthew Robichaux ’00
graduated from LSU Health
Science Center in New
Orleans with his Masters in
Occupational Therapy. He is
employed as an OT at Our
Lady of the Lake Hospital.
Matthew Douglas Smith
| Matthew Robichaux ’00
’00 graduated from the
LSU Health Sciences Center where he received the
degree of Doctor of Medicine.
| Jared Larpenteur
’03
Dillon Couvillon ’04,
former video documentary
producer for the Louisiana
Recovery Authority and
news producer for WAFB-
TV 9 News “This Morning,”
accepted the position of
Broadcast Associate with
VISIT. Jason Peters ’07
(center) returns to campus
to visit his former coaches
(l to r) Assistant Athletic
Director Don Hood and
Head Football Coach Dale
Weiner. Peters is beginning
his junior year at Georgia
Tech University and plays on
the football team.
Jared Larpenteur ’03 was
Commander of LSU’s Tiger
Battalion and LSU’s Bengal
Raiders. He is a 1st Lieutenant,
U.S. Army Airborne Rangers,
Platoon Commander, serving
with the 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Cavalry Division and
is on deployment in Iraq.
| Dillon Couvillon ’04
editor
assistant editor
Contributors:
www.catholichigh.org
2

the Food Network based in New York City. He
is working on the Food Network’s reality show
“The Next Food Network Star: Season 5” which
premieres this summer.
Dane Lambert ’04 graduated from LSU’s College of
Engineering and accepted the position of assistant
project manager for Cajun Deep Foundations, LLC
at Chevron Chemical in Pascagoula, Miss.
Donovan McClelland ’04 was accepted into La
Sorbonne and began his studies as a Russian and
German major. He is enrolled in the International
Business School where he studies law, economics,
accounting and Spanish. This summer he will serve
an internship with L’Oreal Paris where he will assist
the director of marketing of Eastern Europe.
Tommy Stryjewski ’04,
a Harvard Medical School
student, was one of 31
students nationwide to be
awarded a Paul and Daisy
Soros Fellowship for New
Americans. He will be the
principal investigator of a
study examining the outcome
| Tommy Stryjewski of surgical eye services this
’04
summer in Trujillo, Peru,
as part of Peru’s National
Cataract Elimination Program.
Blaine Aydell ’05 received
a Bachelor of Science
from LSU in Business
Management with magna
cum laude and Rucks
Fellow honors. Blaine has
been accepted into the LSU
Law Center in the fall.
| Blaine Aydell ’05
David Butler ’05 received the W.A. Tarr Award,
which is presented to geology majors for
outstanding service to the Zeta Omicron chapter of
Sigma Gamma Epsilon at Millsaps College.
Matthew Dardenne ’05 was creative director
and presenter of Red Pant Advertising at the 2009
National Student Advertising Competition, leading
LSU to a 3rd place finish in District 7.
Edward Garitty ’05 graduated from Louisiana
State University Ourso College of Business with a
Bachelor of Science and received The University
Medal for “Highest Academic Achievement” for
maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
Jason Gremillion ’05 graduated from Louisiana
State University College of Basic Sciences with a
Bachelor of Science and received The University
Medal for “Highest Academic Achievement” for
maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
Kevin Hanegan ’05 received a B.S. in Civil
Engineering from the LSU
College of Engineering and
received The University and
McLaughlin Medals for
perfect 4.0 GPA. He will
pursue a Master’s Degree in
Coastal Engineering at Delft
University of Technology in
the Netherlands.
| Kevin Hanegan ’05
Maverick LeBlanc ’05 graduated from Louisiana
State University College of Basic Sciences with a
Bachelor of Science and received The University
Medal for “Highest Academic Achievement” for
maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.
Matthew Neumann ’05 graduated from Louisiana
State University College of Basic Science with a
Bachelor of Science and
received The University
Medal for “Highest
Academic Achievement”
for maintaining a 4.0 grade
point average.
Justin Scott ’05 graduated
from Louisiana State
University, earning a B.S. in | Justin Scott ’05
Information Systems and
Decision Science (ISDS). He accepted a position
with Mozilla Corporation, the
makers of Firefox web browser,
and is working in the add-ons
product/project management
department and living in the
San Francisco Bay area.
| Evans Falgoust ’07
Evans Falgoust ’07 was
elected to represent the Class
of 2011 as a Rhodes Student
Government Senator.
Mark your calendars
Mandatory PAGE
Program Meeting
Sunday, August 30 at 6 p.m.
or
Tuesday, September 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Raphael Malbrue ’07,
a junior at Tuskegee
University with a 3.88 GPA,
was selected to participate
in summer research at
Purdue University and The
National Institute of Health
and Science Undergrad
Summer Research Program
regarding cancer of the
liver.
| Matthew Zito ’08
(Left) DONOR.
Donating blood
at the annual
blood drive were
alumni (l to r) Kyle
Heath ’87 and Jim
Richard ’74.
(Right) ALUMNI.
Alumni
participating at
the annual blood
drive were (l to r)
Steven Berthelot
’92 and Jay
Berthelot ’80.
| Raphael Malbrue ’07
Matthew Zito ’08 earned his
private pilot’s license through
Louisiana Tech University,
where he is pursuing a degree
in professional aviation.
Homecoming Tailgate Party
September 24, 2009
Taste Fair - November 8, 2009
Businessmen’s Prayer Breakfast
November 23, 2009
Breakfast with Santa - December 12, 2009
Prayer Breakfast - January 30, 2010
Bro. Eldon 5K Race - February 27, 2010
Career Day - March 2, 2010
Clay Shoot - March 27, 2010
Golf Classic - April 19, 2010
50-Year Reunion - May 15, 2010
Fishing Rodeo - June 25-26, 2010
3

50-YEAR REUNION. Gathering at the Catholic High 50-Year Reunion Dinner were
Class of 1959 graduates (l to r) Roger Dornier, Larry Braud, and Bobby Comeaux;
Committee Chair David Broussard, Class of 1955; Vernon Broussard, Class of
1934 and a 75-year graduate, and David Beach, Class of 1996 and CHS Alumni
Association President.
REUNION. Members of the class of 1959
celebrating their 50-Year Reunion on May 16,
2009 were front row (l to r) Bobby Comeaux,
Peter Hirschey, Jackie Culotta, Frank Culotta,
Nickie Dimaio, Bruce Broussard, Sal Martrain,
Bill Benedetto, Donald Hudgens, Jim Holliday
and Basil Nola. Second row (l to r) George
Gonzales, Pete Boudreaux, Tommy McGuire,
Jack Burk, John Sanchez, Frank Polozola,
Donald Braud, Jerome Roberts, John Ellis,
Thomas Halligan and Alvin Dranguet. Third
row (l to r) Thomas Montagnino, Patrick
Clark, Gerald Harrison, John Babin, Raymond
Arbour, Ben Ragusa, Timothy Many, Roger
Dornier, James LaBauve, Robin Alello and
Lyle Hernandez. Top row (l to r) Leonard
Carmouche, Gerald Dicharry, Clifford
Normand, Dale Roberts, August Levert, Peter
Dazzio, Ron Landry, Joseph Baker, Lawrence
Braud, James Millet and David Cannon.
(Photos by Michael’s Photography)
(Left) 75-YEAR ALUMS. Celebrating
their 75-Year Reunion were (l to r)
Thomas Gibbens ’34 and Vernon
Broussard ’34.
(Right) GATHERED. Reminiscing
with Brother Virgil Harris, SC
(center) were Pete Dazzio ’59 (left)
and his wife, Carol (right).
4

DALLAS. Attending the Alumni
Social in Dallas on March 24,
2009, were (l to r) Doug Gaudin
’81, Hal Dupuy ’73, Jim Burke ’86,
Savino Motragrano ‘00, Craig
Wall ’79 and Mike Arbour ‘79.
HOUSTON. Attending the Houston Alumni gathering were front row (l to r) Gary Clark ’74, Alan Wilson
’97, Eric Epton ’99, Randy Fernandez ’76, Charles D’Agostino ’02, Tim Booth ’93 and Michael Prochaska
‘88. Back row (l to r) Brian Velardo ’97, Tim Lanier ’92, Alan Svoboda ’80, Jay Harmon ’78, Rick Burk ’89,
Matt Borgmeyer ‘99, Michael Whatley ’71, Will Dakmak ’73 and Philip D’Antoni ‘79.
AUSTIN. Visiting in Austin on March 25, 2009, were
(l to r) Jeff Pizzolato ‘85, Adam Tate ’95, Hal Dupuy ’73
and Major Applewhite ‘87.
(Top left) Dale Ramirez ’44 (right) presents
his class ring to Brother Eldon Crifasi, SC
’39 (left).
(Top center) James LaBauve ’59 (left)
donates his ring to CHS Alumni Director
Glen Randow.
(Top right) Tony Oubre ’67 (right) donates
his ring to the CHS Ring Display.
(Bottom left) Michael Frenzel ’60
(right) donates his ring, also worn by
Michael Frenzel ’88 (left), to Brother
Eldon Crifasi, SC ’39.
(Bottom center) Josh Mascaro ’90
(left) presents his class ring to Hal
Dupuy ’73.
(Bottom right) Steven Gremillion ’04
(right) presents his class ring to Glen
Randow.
(Not pictured) Ewart Adams Jr. ’53 of
Florissant, Mo. donated his class ring.
5

ORDINATION. Gathered at St. Joseph Cathedral on Saturday, May 30, 2009,
were (l to r) Father Cary Bani ’76, Father Michael Alello ’98, Father Mark
Beard ’79 and Father Paul Gros ’00.
“See the gifts God
has placed within
you and give them
freely to others.”
6

ADVANCING THE MISSION. The Office of Advancement serves to ensure that
Catholic High is able to teach Gospel values in an environment of academic
excellence for current and future generations of students.
2009 CHS Football Program
“We Will!”
To purchase an ad in the
2009 CHS Football Program,
please contact Vicki Melancon at
(225)383-0397 or vmelancon@catholichigh.org
Deadline: June 26, 2009
Costs range from $50 to $175.
Programs will be sold at home games.
7

GRATITUDE. Frank McArdle (center) gives CHS President Gene Tullier (right)
a check in gratitude for financial aid his son received while attending CHS.
Advancement Director Hal Dupuy (left) thanks McArdle for his generosity.
8

ENDOWED FUND. Members of the Class of 1999, (from left) Ben Brown,
Matthew Graham and Norman Ryan, discuss the Class of 1999 Endowment.
(Top left) FATHERS/SONS. Two generation families attending the hamburger
supper on April 1, 2009, honoring incoming 8th and 9th grade students were
front row (l to r) Patrick Cunningham, George Cunningham ’81, Ryan Gaudin,
Stephen Gaudin ’83, Trey Fruge and Farrell Fruge ’78. Second row (l to r) Ryan
McGinty, Andy McGinty ’78, Christian Facundus, Eddy Facundus ’81, Jon Pat
Claitor and Jon Claitor ’83. Third row (l to r) David Losavio, Tommy Losavio ’74,
Matthew Hannaman and David Hannaman. Fourth row (l to r) Matthew Rhorer,
Paul Rhorer ’77, Hudson Gerald, Todd Gerald ’79, Logan Schexnayder and Doug
Schexnayder ’81. Fifth row (l to r) Christian Key, Perry Key ’78, Aaron Belanger,
Paul Belanger ’85, Joe Stephens and Ralph Stephens ’73.
(Bottom left) THREE
GENERATIONS. Robert Claitor ’43
(left) joins his grandson, Jon Pat
(center) and his son Jon ’83 (right)
at the Men’s Club Supper.
(Bottom right) FRIENDS. Visiting at
the hamburger supper were
(l to r) Perry Key ’78, his son
Christian, Matthew Rhorer and his
father Paul Rhorer ’77.
9

(Top) STATE CHAMPIONS. Members
of the CHS State Track Championship
Team celebrate their state title. The
Bears won the title for the second
year in a row.
(Bottom) FAST. Members of the
4x200 and 4x100 relay teams (from
left) Marcus Thomas, Andrew Rhorer,
Kevin Taylor, Ben Guarisco and Ryan
Frick celebrate their victories.
PRACTICE. Members of the basketball team (from left) Anthony Brock, Kevin
Caire, Tanner Breaux and Andrew Rabalais join new CHS Head Basketball
Coach Michael Toups (center) before practice.
10

OPPORUNITIES. Members of the class of 2009 will attend colleges and universities throughout the United States.
(Top left) CLASS OF 1969. Michel Fourrier and Paul Kadair
are members of the Class of 1969. The class will gather July
31and August 1 for their 40-year reunion.
(Top right) CLASS OF 1953. Gathered for a 56-year reunion
are (l to r) Don Delaville, Larry Cumbo, Bill Drago, Andrew
Sceroler and Bill Bankhead.
(Left) CLASS OF 1964. Planning committee members for the
class of 1964 reunion were, front row (l to r), Don Plaisance,
Richard Daviet and Duz Hamilton. Back row (l ro r), Mike
Lamana and Steve Myshrall.
11

(Top) TEAM. Members of the Goldmedal
winning team were (l to r)
Russell Young, Dana Vutera, Lee
Milton and Brett Milton of the Dana
Vutera & Associates team.
(Bottom left) RAFFLE WINNER. Flint
Virgets ’78 (left) congratulates raffle
winner Sammy DiVincenti ’67 (right).
(Bottom right) TARGET. James
Culotta ’55 (right) takes aim at the
target at the annual alumni Sporting
Clay Shoot.
As of May 26, 2009, the following alumni and friends of CHS have died
since the last issue of Bear Facts II. Please remember them and their
families in your prayers.
12

Title Sponsor: Cajun Industries, L.L.C.
Grizzly Sponsors: Amedisys Home Health Services; McDonald’s
Valluzzo Management
Hole-In-One Sponsor: Ritter Maher Architects
Grizzly Gift Sponsor: Nike Corporation
Photography Sponsor: Musemeche Photography
Banner & Sign Sponsor: LAMAR Advertising
Short Game Sponsor: Golf Etc.
Big Hole Sponsors: Windance Golf Club; Grand Bear Golf Club
Door Prize Sponsors: Carter Plantation; Marucci Bats; Ritter Maher
Architects; Golf Etc.; Zippy’s.
Food Sponsors: Baton Rouge Coca-Cola; Carrabba’s Italian Grill;
Carter Plantation; Kellogg Company; Manda Fine Meats;
Baton Rouge Beer Agency; Piggly Wiggly Stores; Pete Hymel;
Zippy’s.
GOLF. Gathered for the 20th Annual Alumni Golf Classic are (l to r) Camp
Matens ’60, Charlie Pace, Charlie Tramonte ’61 and Kramer Diel ’61.
Hole Sponsors: Airtrol, Inc.; Arrighi Construction, Inc.; Calandro’s
Supermarket; Conveying & Screening Machinery, Inc.; Donohue-
Patrick,LLC; D. Honoré Construction; Employment Services, Inc.;
Milton J. Womack, Inc.; Peregrine Corporation; Plaquemine Bank &
Trust; Saia Electric, Inc.
(Top) TAKING A BREAK. Enjoying lunch following a round of golf at the Annual
Golf Classic were (l to r) Sonny Calandro ’58, Richard Daviet ’64, Jake Berret
’84 and Jimmy Lyles ’62.
(Bottom) FINISHED. Relaxing after the Alumni Golf Classic were (l to r) Blake
Hodges ’83, Chris Wagner ’83, Terry Orillion ’77 and Ronnie Doran.
13

(Top left) MILLER. Joining Kevin are (l to r) his mom, Angela Shiloh,
Head Xavier Basketball Coach Dannton Jackson, Former CHS
Basketball Coach Kemper Todd and Kevin’s dad, Darryl Shiloh.
(Top Right) GUARISCO. Ben Guarisco signs to run track at LSU. He is
joined by (from left) mom Gerre, sister Emily, dad Pete and Coach Pete
Boudreaux.
(Middle row, left) HAUSSE. Danny Hausse (right in picture) played
midfielder for the Bears and will play soccer at Mississippi College.
(Middle right) LANDRY. Ryan Landry (seated) committed to play soccer
at Rhodes College. Joining him at the signing were (from left) father
Mark, mom Nathalie, brother Matthew ’11, Head Soccer Coach Bo
Cassidy ’98 and Soccer Coach Ed Lamy ’78.
(Bottom left) NAQUIN. CHS Pitcher Tyler Naquin will play baseball at
Southern University.
14

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE. André Wiggins (center) was named outstanding
graduate of the Class of 2009. Congratulating him are CHS President Gene
Tullier (left) and CHS Principal Brother Barry Landry, SC (right)
(Top left) MEN OF THE YEAR. Seniors
recognized as CHS Men of the Year
were (front row, l to r) André Wiggins,
Craig Young, Mark Rolfsen and Jeremy
Mannino. Second row (l to r) are David
Benedetto, Robert Brown and Ryan
Landry. Top row (l to r) are Daniel
Nelson, Todd Gerald and Brennan
Herrmann.
(Top right) ART HONOR. Matthew
Darouse (right) received the Golden Bear
in Art from Mrs. Margaret Smith, art
department chair.
(Bottom left) ACADEMIC AWARD.
Bennett Caldwell (right) received the
academic Golden Bear for French from
French teacher Mrs. Jacquelyn Holden.
(Bottom right) SPANISH CLUB. Receiving
the Golden Bear for Spanish Club from
moderators Mrs. Dolores Brennan (left)
and Mr. Keith Rumfola ’01 (right) is
Robert Florida (center).
15

Valedictorian
Daniel Gray Nelson
Salutatorian
Mark Lawrence Rolfsen
16

17

18

There are many special occasions during our lives when we choose to memorialize or honor in a special way those we hold dear. The following
are acknowledged for their gifts to Catholic High School from February 27, 2009 through May 26, 2009 in honor or memory of loved ones. Please
remember these alumni and friends, as well as their families, in your prayers.
19

EIGHTH GRADE. Cody Abshire celebrates his
graduation from 8th grade on May 29th with
his mom and dad, Sue and Barry. Catholic High
eighth graders participated in a graduation Mass
at St. Joseph Chapel at the Catholic Life Center.
David Butler ’77
20