Hall of Fame 2011 continued - St. Mary's Central High School

A Publication of the SMCHS Alumni Association and St. Mary’s Central High School
Hall of Fame 2011
William Schmidt Posthumously
Fine Arts
William J. Schmidt was born
and raised in Mandan. He attended St.
Joseph Elementary School in Mandan
and graduated from St. Mary’s Central
High School in May of 1970. In 1974
he graduated from Dickinson State
University with a degree in music
education and in September of that
year he began his teaching career at St.
Mary’s Central High School.
Bill taught music for 35 years,
all of which were with the Bismarck
Catholic Schools. His original responsibilities included director
of instrumental music for grades 6-12. Under his leadership the
instrumental music program continued to grow and he eventually
moved to a full time position at St. Mary’s Central High School.
While at the high school Bill developed one of the strongest high
school concert and jazz band programs in the Tri-State area. He
served as a guest conductor at the International Music Camp from
1987 until 2009. In addition, Bill was the Auditions and Finance
Manager for the North Dakota All-State Band, Choirs, Orchestra,
Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Choir. He enjoyed directing the Bismarck-
Mandan Wind Ensemble, and he was in demand as a clinician,
adjudicator and guest conductor.
Bill gave of his time generously to his profession and his
community, as shown by his many awards and accomplishments. In
1989, the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce selected him to receive
the “Crystal Apple Award” for Excellence in Education – Teacher
of the Year. He was also the recipient of the “1990 Catholic High
School Educator of the Year Award” as selected by the Catholic
School Administrators Association of the Diocese of Bismarck.
Bill received the “Citation of Excellence” award from the National
Band Association and was inducted into the John Philip Sousa
Foundation “Legion of Honor” at the Midwest International Band
and Orchestra Clinic in December 1998. He was also named as a
Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar for travel to Japan for a month of
study in October 1998. Bands under Bill’s direction were selected
to perform for the North Dakota Music Educators Association
conference in 1992, 1999, and 2006. His high school Wind Orchestra
was also selected and performed for the North Central MENC
conference in Lincoln, Nebraska, in November of 2006.
We have known Bill in many ways, but most commonly as
the music man who taught many students using his unique method
of teaching and mentoring. Bill’s students gained a sense of pride
in knowing they excelled beyond their expectations. Bill loved the
challenge of the unknown - the more complicated, the better. His
leadership skills and keen sense of organizational abilities were
unparalleled. Bill lived by his favorite motto: “When you work, work
hard; when you play, play hard; and when you pray, pray hard,” and
his most famous quote, “Early is on time and on time is late.” His
spirit lives on in the hundreds of musicians who have been inspired
by his presence in their lives.
Happy to have been a part of his amazing life were his wife
Linda and son Zach.
Michael Marback
Alumni
Michael Marback is a 1969 Graduate
of SMCHS and a 1965 graduate of St.
Mary’s Grade School. After High School
he served four years in the US Navy,
stationed in Alameda, CA, on the aircraft
Carrier USS Ranger. He also served in
Vietnam.
In April of 1972, he married Debby
Heidt from Mandan and they have two
daughters, Tracy (SMCHS Class of 1992)
and Tara (SMCHS Class of 1995). Both
daughters also attended St. Mary’s Grade School before SMCHS.
Michael became a Master Plumber and opened Marback
Plumbing and Heating in 1974 with his brother Pat. In 1990 he
went into business with Al Thomas and together opened Advanced
Mechanical.
Over the years, Michael served on the St. Mary’s Grade
WHAT’S INSIDE
continued on page 3...
Page 3: Hall of Fame Inductees
Page 5: 2011 Graduation
Page 6: Saints Reconnect
Page 7: Alumni Message
www.smchs.org
issue no.
33
SUMMER
2 0 1 1

issue no.
33
SUMMER
2 0 1 1
DIRECTIONS
is printed four times per
year by St. Mary’s Central
High School (SMCHS) and
the St. Mary’s Central
High School Alumni
Association
ST. MARY’S
CENTRAL HIGH
SCHOOL
1025 North 2nd St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 223-4113
www.smchs.org
Principal
Tom Eberle
Assistant Principal
Gerald Vetter
SMCHS School
Board President
Father Paul Becker
SMCHS Alumni
Association, Inc.
1025 North 2nd St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
(701) 224-9753
www.smchs.org
President
LeeRon Plante
OFFICE
Administrator
Fran Feigitsch
DIRECTIONS EDITOR
Gwen Beckler
CONTRIBUTING
WRITER
Connie Tschider
Send comments
regarding
DIRECTIONS to:
DIRECTIONS Editor
1025 North 2nd St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Friends and Alumni of St. Mary’s Central High School:
In the spring of 2010, the Pastors
of Bismarck requested the assistance of
the Catholic Education Consulting Services
to evaluate the current status of Catholic
Education in Bismarck. Upon completion of
this phase, a committee was established to
develop a vision statement that will direct
Catholic Education into the future. The
following is the vision statement developed as
a result of Phase II of this process.
Vision Statement
The Catholic schools of the Bismarck
area will be jointly operated by the member
parishes (currently Ascension, Cathedral,
Corpus Christi, Saint Anne’s and Saint Mary’s),
for the purpose of educating children whose
families are seeking an academically strong,
early learning through high school education
grounded in the teachings and practices of
the Catholic Church. The schools will work
in partnership with parents, the primary
educators of their children.
The schools will continue to employ
highly qualified administrators, teachers and
staff, passionate about imparting faith and
knowledge, and committed to empowering
students to participate in their faith and
educational development. Innovative and
effective educational practices will be at the
forefront of the students’ learning experience.
The Catholic spirit and academic excellence
of the schools will continue to be enhanced
through the accomplishment of a strategic
plan that will include:
• A plan designed to ensure that the strong
Catholic spirit and culture including
religious education, opportunities for
worship and prayer, and a commitment
to servant leadership, stewardship and
community service will be hallmarks for
the Catholic schools of the Bismarck area.
• An educational plan designed to provide
high academic standards for early
learning through high school, a well
articulated and unified preschool-high
school curriculum and appropriate
accreditation for all schools. As part of the
educational plan, a plan will be developed
for the acquisition, use and update of
technology that supports the educational
goals. Committed to the premise that
together we are stronger than any one
of us is alone, the member parishes
will jointly operate the schools through
an effective and efficient governance
structure designed to provide support and
direction to the schools.
• There will be a comprehensive plan for
the temporal vitality of the schools that is
sustainable, mission driven, responsive to
changing demographics and provides for
the spiritual and educational needs of the
students. The comprehensive plan will
include the following elements:
• A succinct mission statement that clearly
defines the nature and purpose of the
schools and inspires the actions taken on
their behalf.
• A fiscally accountable funding plan
that includes financial management,
responsible compensation, resource
development and investment.
• A unified tuition model that is affordable
and just.
• A facility plan that provides for
maintenance, capital improvements and
appropriate expansion.
• A communication plan that informs
and educates our community about our
schools and encourages support and
participation.
• A marketing plan that identifies target
audiences, provides a compelling
message, encourages recruitment and
development, and includes effective
strategies to reach the target audiences.
• A comprehensive development plan that
includes the creation of a development
office.
It is our vision that the Catholic
schools of the Bismarck area will respond to
the Bishops’ call by being Catholic in spirit
and culture, academically excellent, jointly
operated by the member parishes, and funded
in a manner that makes them available,
accessible and affordable to all families
who wish to choose them for their children.
As we move forward strategic planning
committees have been formed to develop
comprehensive strategic plans that will bring
this vision to fruition. As we continue with
the phases of this process, we will keep you
abreast of new information as it arises.
2

Hall of Fame 2011 continued
Marback continued
School Board and the SMCHS School Board. He got involved over
30 years ago with the St. Mary’s Carnival, serving as Carnival
Chairman and for the past several years has served on the Carnival
Executive Committee. Michael has been involved with the Knights of
Columbus Council 1604 for years, and served in all Council officer
chairs as well as the State Chairs. He became State Deputy from
2000-2001, and later was appointed as Vice Supreme Master of the
4th Degree Knights of Columbus in charge of four delegations in
ND, SD, WY and MT. In 2005, Michael was ordained a Permanent
Deacon by Bishop Zipfel, and has served St. Mary’s Parish as
Deacon for the past 6 years.
Ronald “Spike” Wald
Posthumously
Athletics
Ronald “Spike” Wald 1938-
1995. Graduated From St. Mary’s in
1957. During his years at St. Mary’s,
he was Captain of the football team,
Captain of the basketball team,
state mile champion in track, and
class president his junior year. Spike
was also a representative to Boys
State. He was a huge supporter of
St. Mary’s Central High School. He
started his own food brokerage in
1978 and was very generous with gifts of food to area priests and the
Ruth Meiers Hospitality House. He received national recognition for
his leadership in the food industry. He was instrumental in the start
of the Alumni Phone-a-thon raising thousands of dollars. Spike
opened his office at Tucker Sales for years to host the phon-a-thon.
Over the years, he was extremely generous to the SM Booster Club,
donating uniforms to the girls volleyball team and even chartering
a plane so St. Mary’s Seniors could attend a tennis tournament
and make it back in time for graduation. Spike also received the
distinguished service award at St. Mary’s in 1994.
1991 State Champion Football Team
Athletics
“We Are the Saints…The Mighty, Mighty Saints”
In 2006, NBC aired the television series, “Friday Night Lights,”
based on a fictional Texas football team that showed Texans’
passion for high school football. Well, the decade between the mid
‘80’s and mid 90’s produced a similar passion for football at Saint
Mary’s High. Though not quite the fanatical Texans, the St. Mary’s
Saints starred in their own show, rocking the field virtually every
Friday or Saturday night. And remarkably, in the brief span of just
seven of those years (1988 to 1994), the Saints collected three state
championship trophies.
Sandwiched in the middle of those years were the 1991
North Dakota State Football Champion Saints. Quite possibly the
most formidable of them all, members of this team contributed to
a three-year record of 30 wins to only 4 losses; while in their final
regular season they outscored their opponents 301 points to 71
(including four shutouts), prior to their 21-7 championship victory
over the Darren Erstad-led Jamestown Bluejays.
The Saints fielded an enviable crop of senior talent on
both the offensive and defensive side of the ball: The back field
was made up of veteran three-year starting quarterback, Michael
Tschider; the highly-talented runningback duo of Mike Shafer and
Bob Klooster; and a talented receiving core of Jason Dressler
and Rob Silbernagel. The offensive line boasted an ‘exclusive
brotherhood’: the “Fraternity of Lumberjacks” of Tom Balzer, Ryan
Fennewald, Jim Kalberer, Russ Evenson, Jason Salz, and Shane
Glasser. All, except Glasser, were seniors. On the defensive side,
the Saints were sparked by the talents of many already listed,
along with seniors Garrett Peters, Kevin Glovich, Bill St. Peter, Tim
Mitzel, and Tim Miller; and underclassmen starters, Ben Ahneman,
Travis Goetz, and Ryan Anderson.
Head Coach, Dan Smrekar, weighed in on the ’91 team,
“High expectations were put on that team. They were expected to
win and everyone assumed they would win. Yet anyone who knows
sports also knows that sometimes those high expectations can
make it much tougher to get the job done.” Smrekar added, “What
stands out for me is how close-knit a group of seniors we had. They
had a dream from the outset of being state champs which their
work ethic and leadership enabled them to fulfill.” Senior lineman,
The Painters and Precision Wood Finish Support the Circle of Saints
Continued on pg 4
The Painters, Inc is proud to announce our support to St. Mary’s Circle of Saints.
When a customer calls The Painters and says they saw our ad or heard about our offer, we will give a 10% donation of
the total cost of a residential project. The Circle of Saints will receive 5% and the customer will receive 5% off of the
total cost of their project. We do interior/exterior residential and commercial
painting projects. Serving the Bismarck/Mandan area since 1993.
Call now or check us out on the web at www.thepaintersinc.com for a no
obligation estimate and help us support the St. Mary’s Circle of Saints
Located at:
Serving Bismarck
507 1st St NE
Mandan since 1993 Mandan ND 58554
701-663-1004
“GET THE PROFESSIONAL LOOK”
DIRECTIONS Summer 2011
3

Hall of Fame 2011 continued
Ryan Fennewald, concurred that “a state championship had been
a long-held goal for a large group of Cathedral alumni: This was a
goal we wanted since the seventh grade.”
But winning didn’t come easy in 1991: Early record
snowfalls and bone-chilling winds almost brought North Dakota
football to an early close, with discussions of cancelling the entire
playoff season. Though, fortunately for players and fans that didn’t
happen, the Saints had to face much adversity on the road to their
championship: 35 below-zero degree wind chills postponed the
Saturday semi-final games, which were played in basically the
same weather conditions the following Tuesday in Valley City,
costing the Saints their home field advantage. Also because of
the unplayable condition of Hughes Field, the Saints did not know
exactly when or where their title game would be held until 48 hours
before game time. As Bismarck Tribune sports editor, Abe Winter,
stated, “I applaud the Saint Mary’s community for coming together
to chip the ice and snow from Hughes to make the field playable.”
Nevertheless, the championship game was still described as “chilly
and muddy, and played on wet, frozen turf.”
Despite these challenges, all was forgotten as the Saints
celebrated their victory on Saturday, November 9, 1991. “It was
bittersweet for most of us after that final game,” reflected Mike
Tschider, the only Saint football player to start on two state
champion teams. “We were so appreciative of the opportunity to
win another championship for our school and our fans, but we also
knew that all of those years of playing together had come to an
end.”
Now, twenty years later, the Saints football team members
have the opportunity to come together again to reminisce about all
that they accomplished in 1991 and to share in the honor of being
inducted into the 2011 St. Mary’s Central High School Hall of Fame.
1991 State Football
State Champions
and Cheerleaders
SMCHS Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend 2011
Friday, September 9th, and Saturday, September 10th
St. Mary’s Central High School (SMCHS) welcomes all alumni and
friends for Homecoming and Hall of Fame Weekend 2011! For
more information or to purchase tickets for the Hall of Fame Induction
Banquet, call (701) 223-4113 or visit www.smchs.org.
Friday, September 9th
Homecoming Mass
(SAINTS Gymnasium at 10:30 a.m.)
Hall of Fame Induction Banquet
(Radisson Inn, Bismarck)
Social begins at 5:30 p.m. and Induction Ceremony immediately
follows at 6:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 10th
SMCHS William Schmidt Memorial Alumni Band Concert
St. Mary’s High School Gymnasium, 2:00 pm
SMCHS Homecoming Football Game
The SMCHS SAINTS vs. Bottineau Braves
Bismarck Community Bowl at 6:00 p.m.
Pregame features a parade of the 2011 Homecoming Court
Halftime features a parade of the 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees
Sunday, September 11th
St. Mary’s Central High School’s PRIDE Parents/Alumni Association
Homecoming Breakfast
All friends and alumni of SMCHS are invited to end the weekend
with breakfast at St Mary’s High School.
4
Summer 2011 DIRECTIONS

83 Saints are now
Saint Mary’s Central
High School Alumni
On Sunday, May 22, 2011, a crowd of well wishers comprised of
family, friends, teachers, and administrators gathered to honor the
graduates of the Saint Mary’s Central High School Class of 2011.
Amid the pomp and circumstance of Graduation Day were moments
of celebration tinged with sadness.
It was announced that collectively the Class of 2011 had received
over $900,000 in scholarship awards, an astounding amount for a class
with 83 graduates. Moments of reflection were then expressed by
classmates, John Welk and Adrianna Harris.
It is the special wish of the entire Saint Mary’s community for
a Christ-centered, happy life for the SM Class of 2011. They are wellequipped
with the tools for such a life: Saint PRIDE (Prayer, Responsibility,
Ideals, Desire, and Education). As they embark on their individual journeys,
which will lead them in many different directions, may they remember to
always be of service to others.
John Welk addresses
the Senior Class
Fr. Waltz turns the tassel of
each graduate
DIRECTIONS Summer 2011
5

Minnesota Twins Social Held
SMCHS hosted the annual Minnesota Friends and Alumni Social
prior to the June 19th game at the Target Field. The social served as a
time for members of the St. Mary’s family to reconnect and come together
and reminisce about their Catholic high school, as well as enjoy a great
Minnesota Twins baseball game. The Twins took on San Diego Padres
where the Twins won 5 to 4. A big thank you to all who attended and made
the social such a great success! A special Thank you to Dave St. Peter for
taking the time to be part of this event.
We have already started the planning for another social next season.
Watch for information in future Directions.
DID YOU KNOW
Since the beginning of St. Mary’s, 50% of the actual cost of educating a student at SMCHS has
been paid through the donations of our supporters and alumni
Pay it forward, make a donation to the Circle of Saints, to ensure future generations will have
the same opportunities you did.
KICKBACK FOR SMCHS AT BILL BARTH FORD
Bill Barth Ford will be contributing $50 from every car sold during their “Red Hot
Clear the Lot” sale on July 12th - 19th.
~Register for drawings!
~Hot dogs and beverages will be served.
6
Summer 2011 DIRECTIONS

Alumni Message
Greetings St. Mary’s
Alumni, Families
and Friends
Lanae Bruington, Rich Schulz, Leann Hunke from the class of ’89 take in the game
Looking to buy or sell a home
When you or a
family member
work with Karin
Haskell she’ll
donate $500 to
SMCHS at the
closing of the
sale.
Happy Father’s Day Wishes from the Twins
Young and old alike enjoy the game
Karin Haskell, REALTOR®
Cell: 701-471-3508
Office: 701-222-2217
www.KarinHaskell.com
khaskell@bis.midco.net
St. Mary’s Central High
School recently celebrated
the graduation of 83
students. This means that
there are 83 new St. Mary’s
Alumni who are ready to
embrace there futures and
make their mark on the world. As I think of all that
lies ahead for these young men and women I recall
my own time at St. Mary’s Central High School and
the fond memories I hold of my classmates, teachers
and the school.
As we are well into our summer activities,
many of you may be anticipating your own reunion
with your classmates. I would encourage all of you
to attend your reunions, share in the memories and
visit your school. If you’re not able to make it to
your reunion, there are many opportunities to stay
connected to St. Mary’s throughout the year, including
Homecoming activities in September. Homecoming
is also the weekend of the St. Mary’s Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony. This is a time to recognize
alumni, faculty and staff, and friends and benefactors
who, during and/or after their time at SMCHS, have
achieved a level of excellence deserving of recognition
in Athletics, Fine Arts, in their personal endeavors,
and in their support of St. Mary’s Central High
School. I have attended the Hall of Fame Ceremony
for a number of years, and can attest to what a
fantastic occasion this is. Homecoming weekend is
September 9th, 10th and 11th If you are unable to
attend Homecoming, you are always welcome at any
SM event.
Please remember that our alumni have
played a vital role in the success of our school since
its beginnings. If you’ve been away for a while, you
are always welcome back, and for the Class of 2011,
welcome, you’re in good company.
I would like to remind you to let us know
if you have had a change in address. Contact us at
701-224-9753 or at
www.smchs.org.
Sincerely,
LeeRon Plante
DIRECTIONS Summer 2011
7

RS
RS
ARS
RS
ARS
S
ARS
RS
RS
ARS
Upcoming Class Reunions
5
5YEARS
4
5 3
4 0
YEARS
5
2
3 4
2 1 0
5YEARS
0YEARS
5YEARS
5YEARS
5YEARS
0YEARS
5YEARS
0YEARS
5YEARS
YEARS
5YEARS
3
0YEARS
5YEARS
1 0YEARS
5YEARS
0YEARS
2
0YEARS
1
0YEARS
Class of 1956
September 23-25, 2011
Contact: Carol (Schreiner) Rockwood
peprock@bis.midco.net
5
0YEARS
4
5 0
3
4 0
YEARS
32 21 Class of 1961
July 29-31, 2011
bhs-smchsclassof61.com
YEARS
Class of 66
August 5-7, 2011
Contact: Cheryl (Sloan) Miller
Camill@bis.midco.net
bis.midco.net/bhs_smchs66/
0YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
1
0YEARS
Class of 1971
TBA
5
5YEARS
5YEARS
5YEARS
3
5YEARS
1
5YEARS
2
5YEARS
5YEARS
5YEARS
1
5YEARS
5YEARS
If you have photo’s from your reunion you would like
to share, submit the to gbeckler@smchs.org
5 40
2
4 5
30YEARS
5YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
3
4 5YEARS
YEARS
0
YEARS
5YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
2
0YEARS 5YEARS
0YEARS
0YEARS
1
0YEARS
0YEARS
2
3
0YEARS
1
5
0YEARS
4 0
YEARS
3
Class of 1981
Took place on June 10-12, 2011
1986
Took place on July 2 – 3, 2011
0YEARS
2
0YEARS
1
0YEARS
Class of 1991
Took place on July 1-July 3, 2011
Class of 2001
July 29 – 30, 2011
Contact: Caitlin McDonald
McDonald555@gmail.com
2012 Reunions in the Planning Phase
Class of 67 – TBA
Conact: Marv Heinert or Neal Kalberer
For more information on upcoming reunions,
contact the Alumni Office at (701) 224-9753
St. Mary’s Alumni Association, Inc.
St. Mary’s Central High School
1025 North 2nd St. Bismarck, North Dakota USA 58501
non-profit org
U.S. postage
paid
Bismarck, ND
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
permit no. 433