Spring 2012 - Mercy High School
Spring 2012 - Mercy High School
Spring 2012 - Mercy High School
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A publication of the <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> Alumnae and Advancement Office<br />
The<br />
MERCIAN<br />
Vol. 36 No. 2 <strong>Spring</strong> <strong>2012</strong>
Reflections from the President<br />
Dear Friends of <strong>Mercy</strong>,<br />
Welcome to Jim Pogge, <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s vice president<br />
for advancement. I am delighted that Jim is part of our<br />
team. He understands our commitment to making a quality<br />
Catholic education accessible to all young women. As a<br />
former parent, his daughter Lauren graduated in 2010, he<br />
embraces the <strong>Mercy</strong> mission. We are grateful to Ingrid<br />
Kalinowski Borghoff ’65 for her excellent leadership in the<br />
advancement department and wish her many blessings on her<br />
retirement.<br />
FIESTA <strong>2012</strong> Celebrating <strong>Mercy</strong>’s Heritage was a great event this<br />
year. Our gross income has exceeded $285,000. If you have<br />
not heard, we had a $30,000 matching gift for technology. That added a new vibrancy to the live<br />
auction. Andy and Amy Gaughan McAuliffe ’86 were the excellent chairs for the event. They<br />
worked with all the parents who volunteered their time to create such a wonderful evening for our<br />
guests. It was my pleasure to honor Wayne and Eileen Krebs Ryan SM ’45 that evening with the<br />
Cor Misericordiae Award, an award recognizing our partners in ministry who espouse the mission<br />
of careful instruction of women. I am grateful to Eileen who shared a few stories from her<br />
days at St. Mary’s. She made us laugh and remember how the Sisters of <strong>Mercy</strong> have supported<br />
countless students since arriving in Omaha in 1864.<br />
Thank you to all who supported FIESTA by volunteering, attending, donating, and keeping the<br />
event in your prayers. FIESTA is an essential part or our $1,500,000 tuition assistance program.<br />
Phonathon is quickly approaching this month. Please be generous in your contribution to our<br />
annual fund as it directly impacts our academic programs, faculty salaries, technology, and tuition<br />
assistance. Many people volunteer to make this a successful event.<br />
Plant Sale information will be mailed to you soon. Be sure to order your colorful annual bedding<br />
plants and hanging baskets during <strong>Mercy</strong>’s Plant Sale. All proceeds from the plant sale will<br />
support the negotiated tuition program.<br />
<strong>2012</strong>-2013 Academic Year is anticipated to begin near capacity due to a large freshman class.<br />
Please pray for these young women as they begin their journey at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
Many blessing to you,<br />
Sr. Delores Hannon, RSM<br />
From the cover:<br />
Top Left: Theology teacher Laura Forbes ’04 with Annie Elston ’14 and Hunter Washington ’14<br />
Top right: History teacher Brooks Humphreys with Alex Trebek on the Jeopardy! set.<br />
Bottom left: Art teacher Jane Langenfeld helps Claire O’Connell ’12 as Anna Heavey ’12 looks on.<br />
Bottom right, L to R: Treasure Pascal ’13, Katie Goetzinger ’13, Abby Wright ’13 work in the physics lab with teacher Scot Rainbolt.<br />
-2-
<strong>Mercy</strong> Hires New Vice<br />
President for Advancement<br />
Jim Pogge serves as the new vice president for<br />
advancement of <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> as of February<br />
1, <strong>2012</strong>. Pogge was most recently the director of<br />
philanthropy for Creighton University and was the<br />
director of the Hire4Ed program at St. Peter Claver<br />
Cristo Rey Catholic <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> prior to that.<br />
“We are pleased to have Jim Pogge lead our<br />
advancement efforts. His experience and enthusiasm<br />
will serve <strong>Mercy</strong> well,” said Jim Stewart, board<br />
president.<br />
Pogge shares, “My goal is to ensure that this<br />
top educational opportunity is accessible to new<br />
generations of students who seek this experience and<br />
who have the desire to transform into Women of<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong>. <strong>Mercy</strong> has been important to my family since<br />
the first day our daughter entered these doors. We<br />
know that her success in college and her moral<br />
grounding are due in large part to her experience and<br />
education at <strong>Mercy</strong>.”<br />
The MERCIAN<br />
Published 3x yearly by the <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> Advancement Office<br />
Jim Pogge<br />
Vice President for Advancement<br />
Mary Beacom Emmer ’84<br />
Alumnae Relations/Special Events Coordinator<br />
Maureen Becka Falcon ’85<br />
Communications/Publications<br />
Stacia Slezak Luther ’01<br />
Alumnae Association President<br />
Sr. Delores Hannon, RSM<br />
President<br />
Carolyn Jaworski ’64<br />
Principal<br />
Advancement Office Update<br />
It gives me infinite pleasure<br />
to walk these halls, peer into<br />
the classrooms, and to cheer<br />
in the stands, knowing that<br />
I am retracing the steps that<br />
my daughter took just a few<br />
years ago. My wife and I<br />
took that leap of faith and let<br />
our daughter walk through<br />
this doorway. To paraphrase<br />
Robert Frost, that decision<br />
“has made all the difference.”<br />
There’s a unique bond that I, as a <strong>Mercy</strong> dad, share with<br />
an elite corps—you! You know the stories, you know the<br />
traditions, you know the transformation that occurs within<br />
the walls at 48 th and Woolworth, and took place within the<br />
halls of St. Mary and on the grounds of St. John. There<br />
are so many traditions, so many faces, so many changed<br />
lives.<br />
I began my new role at <strong>Mercy</strong> during the frantic, final<br />
preparations for FIESTA. For those of you who could<br />
attend, the energy of the room was palpable, and the<br />
fellowship of the patrons was boisterous; and all of that<br />
was movingly juxtaposed against the stillness of the room<br />
as our choir—your choir—sang the Suscipe of Catherine<br />
McAuley to an audience of watery eyes.<br />
This is our <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, and I am honored and<br />
humbled to be entrusted to stand on the shoulders of a<br />
giant—Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff ’65. The foundation<br />
that she has built here is truly remarkable, and I will need<br />
your insight and assistance to fill her shoes and take that<br />
next giant step for the next generation of <strong>Mercy</strong> girls.<br />
When we get the chance to meet, please ask me about my<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> grad and be prepared to tell me about your <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
experience. I cannot wait to hear it.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Jim Pogge<br />
402.553-9424 Fax: 402.553.0394<br />
www.mercyhigh.org<br />
-3-
General Chairs and current parents, Andy and Amy<br />
Gaughan McAuliffe ’86, and the parent committees<br />
prepared for months for FIESTA <strong>2012</strong>, ensuring it was a<br />
memorable experience for all guests.<br />
The parent raffle winners were: first place, Chris and<br />
Teresa Casey, parents of Ashley Casey ’14 (one year<br />
tuition); second place, Scott and Jenni Herchenbach,<br />
parents of Meagan Dabbs ’12 and Erin Dabbs ’14 (<strong>2012</strong>-<br />
2013 fees); and third place Cathy Justice, parent of Emma<br />
Justice ’15 ($250 book voucher). The lucky winners of<br />
the $10,000 grand prize raffle were The Temme Family<br />
(John, Jonathan, Justin and Joe), Kevin and Lana Molczyk,<br />
parents of Allison Molczyk ’13, and Phil VanDecar.<br />
On February 11, over 470 friends of <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
enjoyed an evening of entertainment and excitement<br />
at <strong>Mercy</strong>’s FIESTA <strong>2012</strong> – Celebrating <strong>Mercy</strong>’s Heritage in<br />
support of <strong>Mercy</strong>’s unique negotiated tuition. FIESTA<br />
is an acronym for<br />
Friends in Earnest<br />
Supporting Tuition<br />
Assistance.<br />
Guests enjoyed hors<br />
d’oevures served<br />
by <strong>Mercy</strong> students<br />
while they socialized<br />
and bid on the<br />
super silent and<br />
silent auction items.<br />
Before dinner the <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> singers performed<br />
“The Suscipe,” “The Irish Blessing,” and “O’Danny Boy.”<br />
L to R: Mary Lincoln ’74, Connie Mangano ’73 and Lisa Tosone ’74 *<br />
For the ninth year,<br />
John Glenn, father<br />
of Amanda Glenn<br />
’07, served as emcee<br />
for the evening with<br />
live auctioneer, John<br />
Temme. The 32 live<br />
auction items lead<br />
to spirited bidding<br />
among the guests<br />
which included golf,<br />
trips, special dinners,<br />
and artwork. FIESTA <strong>2012</strong> grossed over $285,000.<br />
Joyce Glenn, Mandy Glenn ’07, John Glenn *<br />
Student council president, Melissa Nigrin ’12 expressed<br />
her gratitude to all who give of their time and money to<br />
support <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> (read speech on opposite<br />
page).<br />
Andy McAuliffe, Wayne Ryan, Eileen Krebs Ryan, SM ’45, Sr. Delores<br />
Hannon, RSM, Amy Gaughan McAuliffe ’86<br />
* Photos provided by metroMAGAZINE<br />
-4-
Appreciation for Donors,<br />
Faculty and Negotiated Tuition<br />
FIESTA guests addressed<br />
by Student Council president<br />
Melissa Nigrin ’12<br />
Four short years ago,<br />
I began the difficult<br />
task of searching for<br />
a high school. As I<br />
looked into my many<br />
options one stuck out<br />
for its quality education,<br />
exciting atmosphere, and<br />
remarkable teachers. That<br />
school was <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>. I quickly began the<br />
process of shadowing, and it was a chilly winter day, much<br />
like this evening, when I first entered <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
I instantly fell in love; the students and faculty were so<br />
kind and welcoming, the day was non-stop fun, and I<br />
could picture myself perfectly in the lively lunch room<br />
conversations. I had found the perfect school!<br />
As I progress towards graduation, I continue to believe<br />
that <strong>Mercy</strong> is the perfect high school. Every day I come to<br />
school excited for what the day holds. <strong>Mercy</strong> teachers really<br />
want students to succeed and are dedicated to ensuring<br />
that they will. When students don’t understand something,<br />
teachers will take extra time to assist them. <strong>Mercy</strong> teachers<br />
are also dedicated to keeping lessons exciting. Take for<br />
instance just this Thursday, where in my Social Justice class<br />
we debated the pros and cons of mandatory minimum<br />
drug sentencing for drug offenders. Let’s just say things<br />
got a little heated!<br />
At <strong>Mercy</strong>, young ladies have a plethora of opportunities.<br />
Besides learning about the sciences, history, and English;<br />
we are able to learn about ourselves, our faith, and how to<br />
be strong female leaders. Personally, I have been able to<br />
participate in many clubs and extracurricular like Student<br />
Council, National Honor Society, Student ambassadors,<br />
Justice and Peace Club, and even a Bridge club where girls<br />
gather to play the popular card game each week. Through<br />
these clubs, I have been able to grow in my abilities as a<br />
leader. I have been able to participate in many new service<br />
opportunities such as a service trip to Belize with 12 fellow<br />
students and three teachers. I have grown in my faith<br />
through the guidance of the <strong>Mercy</strong> tradition and finally, I<br />
have been able to prepare academically for college.<br />
Because of negotiated tuition, young ladies from every<br />
walk of life and part of the community can come together<br />
and receive a quality education. I live in Blair, but I have<br />
friends who live in Elkhorn, Papillion, and every part of<br />
Omaha. Along with having in classmates from many parts<br />
of the community, negotiated tuition ensures that there is<br />
a great diversity within the student population. I have met<br />
so many new people whom I would not have been able to<br />
know without the benefits of negotiated tuition.<br />
However, without each and every one of you in this room<br />
these many experiences would not be possible. Without<br />
your time and monetary support, many girls, like me,<br />
would not be able to attend <strong>Mercy</strong>. Your support of<br />
negotiated tuition ensures that every girl who desires to be<br />
a Monarch can indeed be one.<br />
On behalf of all the students at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>…<br />
thank you. Thank you for your time, your spiritual support,<br />
and your donations. Catherine McAuley, the foundress<br />
of the Sisters of <strong>Mercy</strong>, once said, “No work of charity<br />
is more conducive to the good of society than the<br />
careful instruction of young women.” I believe Catherine<br />
McAuley would have been very pleased to see how<br />
wonderfully that has been carried out here at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong>.<br />
Thank you!<br />
Lorray Smith ’67 is served an<br />
appetizer by Madeleine<br />
Randall ’13 during the silent<br />
auction.<br />
L to R: Julie<br />
Shymkwich<br />
Matya ’59<br />
with her<br />
daughter,<br />
Denise Matya<br />
Barrett ’88,<br />
gift box cash<br />
prize winner.<br />
-5-
Wayne & Eileen Krebs Ryan Receive Cor Misericordiae Award<br />
The Cor Misericordiae Award recognizes our partners in<br />
ministry at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> who espouse our mission<br />
of careful instruction of young women. <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> bestowed with great honor the Cor Misericordiae<br />
award to Wayne & Eileen Krebs Ryan, SM ’45 at FIESTA<br />
<strong>2012</strong>. Wayne and Eileen enable <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> to<br />
serve our girls in a true spirit of <strong>Mercy</strong>, without reference<br />
to a family’s ability to pay.<br />
Wayne and<br />
Eileen have been<br />
longstanding<br />
supporters<br />
of Catholic<br />
education and<br />
of <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>. Eileen,<br />
a 1945 St. Mary<br />
Wayne & Eileen Krebs Ryan<br />
graduate, married<br />
Wayne three years<br />
after graduation, on the feast of the Guardian Angels,<br />
October 2, 1948. They have five successful adult children<br />
including two attorneys, a dentist, a small business owner<br />
and a corporate executive, all of whom attended Catholic<br />
schools. Their daughter Connie, a 1970 <strong>Mercy</strong> graduate,<br />
succeeded her father as president of Streck Laboratories.<br />
As the founder, chairman, and CEO of Streck<br />
Laboratories, Wayne Ryan forged an illustrious career,<br />
earning 25 patents and authoring nearly 80 scientific<br />
works. He earned his first patent when he created the first<br />
The <strong>Mercy</strong> nuns just really<br />
formed my life as I grew up.<br />
That’s why I really wanted to<br />
do something for them.”<br />
Eileen Krebs Ryan, SM ’45<br />
hematology quality<br />
control product.<br />
Streck eventually<br />
produced control and<br />
calibration materials<br />
for hematology labs<br />
throughout the world<br />
in addition to products for chemistry, immunology, and<br />
histology laboratories. He has received numerous local,<br />
regional, and national achievement awards for the work he<br />
loves.<br />
Eileen Krebs Ryan was born in Humphrey, Nebr. and<br />
grew up on a ranch about 18 miles from Petersburg,<br />
Nebr. The family later moved to Albion, where her<br />
father, M. J. Krebs, was a builder, and Eileen completed<br />
a year of high school there. As a child, she watched her<br />
father create building plans for clients and developed an<br />
interest in building herself. The Krebs family moved to<br />
Omaha in the early 1940s and lived near Park Avenue and<br />
Leavenworth Street. Eileen transferred to St. Mary when<br />
the family moved. “I loved the Sisters and the girls,” she<br />
said. “I made lifelong friends and wonderful memories at<br />
St. Mary.”<br />
In 2007, <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> received the single largest<br />
individual gift in the school’s history, thanks to Wayne and<br />
Eileen Krebs Ryan. The gift enabled <strong>Mercy</strong> to renovate<br />
the front of the building and establish the Eileen Krebs Ryan<br />
Plaza.<br />
“I am happy to support <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>,” said Eileen,<br />
whose parents attended Mass at Holy Cross Church,<br />
located across the street from the school, when the family<br />
lived in the neighborhood years ago. “My parents would<br />
be proud to drive by and see their name on the front of<br />
the building. The main thing,” she said, “is that the <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
nuns just really formed my life as I grew up. That’s why I<br />
really wanted to do something for them.”<br />
The Ryan’s have<br />
been strong and<br />
generous <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
supporters over<br />
the years. Their<br />
example and<br />
financial support<br />
have positively<br />
impacted <strong>Mercy</strong>’s<br />
mission – the<br />
careful instruction<br />
of young women<br />
– and will make a<br />
difference for years<br />
to come.<br />
Eileen Krebs Ryan and Sr. Delores Hannon, RSM<br />
Previous Cor Misericordiae<br />
Award Recipients<br />
2001 John and Ann Louise Micek, SM ’49<br />
Msgr. Paul F. Peter Posthumous<br />
2002 Michael T. DeFreece<br />
2003 Gene & Marilyn Spence<br />
2004 Maurice E. Cox, Jr.<br />
2005 Gloria Jezewski Flynn, SJ ’50<br />
2006 Robert H. Matt<br />
2007 Dick & Mary Pat Smola McCormick ’58<br />
2008 The Sisters of <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
2009 Kevin McCoy<br />
2010 Larry B. Good<br />
2011 Edward T. Regan<br />
-6-
Answer the Call to Benefit the Young Women of <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
There is a need. There is an urgency. Answer the call and<br />
make a lifetime difference for the young women of <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Pledge your support to <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>’s<br />
Phonathon <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
• Currently, there are 385 students who are engaged<br />
in the diverse college-prep curriculum and liberal<br />
arts education, including:<br />
Advance Placement (AP) courses offered<br />
in calculus, chemistry, US history, English<br />
literature, European history, and Spanish.<br />
Dual enrollment with area colleges for 11<br />
course offerings.<br />
Courses offered in fine arts include<br />
speech, art, dance, vocal music, drama, and<br />
instrumental music.<br />
Fine arts program performs in competitions<br />
on local, state, regional, and national levels.<br />
• The student/teacher ratio is 12 to 1 with an<br />
average class size of 18-20.<br />
• A large freshman class will put us near capacity for<br />
the <strong>2012</strong>-2013 academic year.<br />
• <strong>Mercy</strong>’s negotiated tuition provides grants, awards,<br />
and scholarships of more than $1.5 million<br />
annually to more than 86% of our families in need<br />
of financial assistance.<br />
• Today, the full cost of educating a young woman<br />
at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> is $9,500. Currently, tuition<br />
is $8,500.<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> relies on your generosity to bridge the difference<br />
between expense and tuition through annual investments.<br />
Your gift will directly impact our technology, academic<br />
programs, faculty salaries, and negotiated tuition for<br />
students in need.<br />
Mid March, during our annual Phonathon, you will be<br />
invited to pledge your support to <strong>Mercy</strong>’s annual fund.<br />
Please prayerfully consider to:<br />
• Access our website at www.mercyhigh.org to<br />
donate now.<br />
• If you haven’t given a gift previously, begin today<br />
with a one-time or monthly gift of $20.12.<br />
• Increase your annual pledge amount by $50, $100,<br />
or more.<br />
• Make a monthly gift as a part of your annual<br />
pledge, some options follow:<br />
Monthly Annual Club<br />
Gift Pledge<br />
$10 $120 President’s Club ($100-$499)<br />
$50 $600 <strong>Mercy</strong> Circle ($500-$999)<br />
$100 $1,200 McAuley Society ($1000-$4999)<br />
$425 $5,100 Heart of <strong>Mercy</strong> ($5000+)<br />
Gifts can be billed monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or<br />
annually and can be charged to to Master Card or Visa.<br />
If your company, or your spouse’s, matches gifts, please<br />
include the appropriate form with your donation, or apply<br />
online if your company supports this method.<br />
Gifts of any amount are deeply appreciated. We are<br />
grateful for your continued dedication to <strong>Mercy</strong>, and thank<br />
you for your gift on behalf of our future graduates.<br />
Volunteer Opportunity to<br />
Make the Call<br />
Please consider volunteering your time to make calls or<br />
provide clerical support on behalf of Phonathon <strong>2012</strong><br />
at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Contact your classmates and<br />
volunteer as a group on a specific date.<br />
Date and Time<br />
Saturday, March 17<br />
Monday, March 19<br />
Tuesday, March 20<br />
Wednesday, March 21<br />
Thursday, March 22<br />
Sunday, March 25<br />
Monday, March 26<br />
Tuesday, March 27<br />
Wednesday, March 28<br />
Thursday, March 29<br />
9:00-12:00 noon<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
6:00-9:00 p.m.<br />
Great prize drawings for volunteers:<br />
- <strong>Mercy</strong>’s Golf Fest (foursome) - $600 value<br />
- FIESTA 2013 (2 tickets) - $150 value<br />
- Food Sale gift certificate - $100 value<br />
- Plant Sale gift certificate - $50 value<br />
- <strong>Mercy</strong> Wear gift certificate - $50 value<br />
- Fall Musical (4 front row seats) - Priceless<br />
Snacks and beverages will be provided. Don’t miss this<br />
great way to give back to <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. Please<br />
contact Mary Emmer at 402.553.9424 or emmerm@<br />
mercyhigh.org to volunteer.<br />
-7-
Humphreys Fullfills Life-Long<br />
Dream on Jeopardy!<br />
Answer: This <strong>Mercy</strong> teacher placed 2 nd at the Jeopardy! Teacher<br />
tournament during February 16-28.<br />
Question: Who is Brooks Humphreys, AP European, AP<br />
US history, and World History teacher at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>?<br />
As a child, he watched the show and had a life-long<br />
dream to be a contestant on Jeopardy! After six<br />
auditions to be on the show, his dream became a reality.<br />
A lesson to the <strong>Mercy</strong> students – be persistent and never<br />
give up on your dreams.<br />
Question: Name<br />
those who participated<br />
in a pep rally for<br />
Humphreys prior to<br />
his going to the taping<br />
of the show, attended<br />
special viewings<br />
of the tournament<br />
at the school, and<br />
gave Humphreys a<br />
standing ovation.<br />
Answer: Who<br />
are the faculty, staff,<br />
and 385 students of<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>?<br />
The excitement was contagious. Humphreys said,<br />
“Honestly, I thought the students would get bored<br />
after the first episode. I’ve never seen people watch<br />
‘Jeopardy!’ like they’re watching a football game. It is<br />
so cool to see all the girls get excited about learning<br />
something new.”<br />
Answer: Name those who are proud of Brooks Humphreys.<br />
Question: Who is the <strong>Mercy</strong> community?<br />
The alumnae, <strong>Mercy</strong> parents, faculty/staff, students<br />
plus those from other <strong>Mercy</strong> schools nationally and<br />
internationally.<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> Teachers All Top-Notch<br />
The faculty and staff at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> are truly<br />
dedicated and very passionate to ensure a premier Catholic<br />
education rooted in faith, knowledge, and service for<br />
all <strong>Mercy</strong> students. Over 65% of the faculty have their<br />
master’s degrees. The average tenure of teachers at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
is 14 years. The helpfulness of the faculty extends beyond<br />
the classroom, as they can be seen before and after school<br />
tutoring students, coaching a sport, directing a play, or<br />
sponsoring a student organization.<br />
The following testimonials are from our faculty and staff<br />
as to why they choose to serve at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
I serve at <strong>Mercy</strong> because I believe<br />
that <strong>Mercy</strong>’s negotiated tuition<br />
program works for social justice<br />
in our economically divided<br />
community. I serve at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
because I consistently see the<br />
faculty and staff go the extra<br />
mile to bring hope and happiness<br />
into the lives of our student<br />
Tom Andreasen<br />
body. I serve at <strong>Mercy</strong> because I<br />
continually see <strong>Mercy</strong> graduating<br />
young women who are committed to justice and serving<br />
others in our world. I serve at <strong>Mercy</strong> because our students<br />
and alumnae serve as wonderful examples of what it<br />
means to live the mission of Christ. – Tom Andreasen,<br />
theology, social justice and world religion teacher<br />
For the last 25 years, each time spring rolls around and the<br />
question of continuing my educational ministry at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
arises, the conclusion has been<br />
clear—<strong>Mercy</strong> is where I want to be.<br />
It is a community of committed,<br />
talented people striving always to<br />
provide the best for each of our<br />
students. <strong>Mercy</strong> people—students,<br />
staff, parents, alumnae--take care<br />
of each other in ways large and<br />
small. – Maureen Davis, director of<br />
Maureen Davis curriculum, AP calculus, pre-calculus,<br />
calculus teacher<br />
Principal Carolyn Jaworski shares from the faculty, staff,<br />
and students, “Thank you for letting us share in your joy<br />
and your victories. This has been a fun and a wonderful<br />
time for all of us associated with the ‘<strong>Mercy</strong> World!’<br />
You have made us all very proud!”<br />
-8-
<strong>Mercy</strong> is composed of caring<br />
individuals who come from diverse<br />
socioeconomic backgrounds. All<br />
members of the <strong>Mercy</strong> community<br />
strive to continually make the<br />
world around them a better place.<br />
– Heather Newville, science department<br />
chair, human anatomy and physiology I<br />
and II, amd biology teacher<br />
Heather Newville<br />
I love my job at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>. Being the school secretary,<br />
I get to see a lot of the girls and<br />
also have quite a few who work for<br />
me for their work study jobs. It is<br />
fun to see the girls start out as shy<br />
freshmen and grow and blossom<br />
by the end of their senior year.<br />
– Ruth Gross Harre, school secretary<br />
and <strong>Mercy</strong> alumna 1976<br />
Ruth Gross Harre ’76<br />
I have taught in eight other schools.<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> has the best students and<br />
BY FAR the best faculty, staff, and<br />
administration. The ability to keep<br />
God in my classroom at all times<br />
through prayer, the crucifix, or<br />
just comments that I am allowed<br />
to make and discussions that I am<br />
allowed to have has been amazing.<br />
Pat Yunker<br />
I hope to be able to give back<br />
through my ministry of teaching at<br />
least a part of the enormous blessing I receive in teaching<br />
at <strong>Mercy</strong>. – Pat Yunker, vocal music and math teacher<br />
I love the fact that <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
encourages its students to excel in<br />
the natural sciences by providing<br />
them with opportunities for<br />
hands-on investigation and inquiry<br />
learning. I value the way that<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> merges its<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> heritage and charism with<br />
the desire to be on the cutting edge<br />
of twenty-first century education.<br />
– Erin Walsh, chemistry, ecology and<br />
geology teacher<br />
Erin Walsh<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> has been such an influential part of my life. I<br />
know that during my years here, I truly became a woman<br />
of <strong>Mercy</strong> and grew so much in<br />
learning and living the mission<br />
of Catherine McAuley. The<br />
environment created at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> is one that supports<br />
the whole person and allows each<br />
girl to reach her full potential. It<br />
is such a privilege to now teach at<br />
the school which has had such an<br />
Laura Forbes ’04 impact in my life. – Laura Forbes,<br />
theology teacher and 2004 <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
alumna<br />
It is a privilege working at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> because<br />
an environment is created here that allows me to minister<br />
to my students intellectually,<br />
spiritually, and emotionally. I<br />
appreciate that at <strong>Mercy</strong> I can<br />
touch my students with both my<br />
faith and caring. I am so delighted<br />
that my students think of Theatre<br />
at <strong>Mercy</strong> as a second home and<br />
look at me as a mentor and a role<br />
model. – Angela M. Dashner, director<br />
Angela Dashner<br />
of theatre<br />
The girls at <strong>Mercy</strong> are the best. I<br />
taught in several schools and knew<br />
when I came here this was where<br />
I wanted to stay; that was in 1995,<br />
and I still think the girls are the<br />
best. – Maureen Losee, social studies<br />
and consumer science teacher<br />
Maureen Losee<br />
I have been<br />
a part of Catholic schools since<br />
the first grade. Working at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
has been a great experience for me<br />
within my Catholic faith. – Chris<br />
Rosenthal, biology teacher<br />
As a first year teacher at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
Chris Rosenthal <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, I appreciate the<br />
welcoming<br />
atmosphere<br />
that the faculty, staff, and students<br />
provide. From the moment I walk<br />
into the school until the moment<br />
I leave, I feel comfortable and<br />
valued. – Josh Riesberg, social studies<br />
teacher<br />
Josh Riesberg<br />
-9-
Alumnae News<br />
1940s<br />
Mary Ann Cunningham Filippi, SJ ’42 is known as<br />
the “Dancing Grandma” to Creighton University Bluejay<br />
basketball fans, players, and coaches. For more than 60<br />
years, Filippi has attended the basketball games. Her<br />
late husband John graduated from dental school in the<br />
mid 1940s from Creighton University. They enjoyed<br />
attending the basketball games together. John passed<br />
away in 1996. They were married 52 years and have three<br />
children. When Filippi isn’t attending a game, she enjoys<br />
spending time with her family, five grandchildren, and<br />
three great-grandchildren.<br />
1950s<br />
Mary Beth Petersen Coate ’59 celebrated her 70 th<br />
birthday in January with her family and friends. Her<br />
daughter, Catherine Coate ’94 shared the following: “It<br />
was six weeks of party planning, including a card shower,<br />
for my mom’s 70 th birthday<br />
party on January 28 at the<br />
German American Society<br />
(two days after her actual<br />
birthday, January 26).<br />
Everything was ready, as we<br />
awaited her arrival. Then,<br />
we received a text message<br />
Mary Beth Petersen Coate‘s Senior<br />
Picture<br />
from my niece, Lisa Render<br />
’15 ‘we’re here’. As Mary<br />
Beth came in the door,<br />
over 100 guests of family<br />
and friends shouted ‘Happy Birthday’ and sang with<br />
enthusiasm. She was<br />
truly surprised, shocked,<br />
and grateful for all that<br />
was done in her honor.<br />
She really enjoyed<br />
reading all the cards and<br />
well wishes of those far<br />
and near.”<br />
Coate was featured in an<br />
Omaha World-Herald story<br />
on Children’s Hospital.<br />
In the 1940s and 1950s,<br />
she had been diagnosed<br />
Mary Beth Petersen Coate ’59 at her<br />
and treated for polio at<br />
birthday party.<br />
the hospital. The disease<br />
left her walking with<br />
the aid of crutches, and other mobility assist devices from<br />
a very early age. Her personality is one of perseverance,<br />
strength, courage, has allowed her to overcome challenges<br />
with the disease. Mary Beth has lived an active life,<br />
dedicated to her family, her faith, and to her students.<br />
For over 25 years, Coate taught chemistry and other<br />
science classes, including over 10 years at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>. She still returns to <strong>Mercy</strong> to substitute as needed.<br />
She and her husband Art have been married for 44 years<br />
and together raised three daughters.<br />
1960s<br />
Barb Frederick<br />
Murphy ’60 was<br />
injured in a fall on<br />
October 8, 2011. She<br />
broke her neck at the<br />
C-2 position and has<br />
been in a neck brace<br />
ever since.<br />
JoAnn Havranek<br />
Arnold’s ’62<br />
granddaughter,<br />
Annabelle Greger,<br />
will be graduating<br />
from <strong>Mercy</strong> in May.<br />
Barb Frederick Murphy ’60<br />
In addition, Arnold<br />
and her classmates will be inducted into the Golden Guild<br />
Society as they celebrate their 50 th class reunion on Sunday,<br />
June 3 at the All <strong>School</strong> Reunion.<br />
Marlene Klimek Janda ’65 married John Talmon on<br />
November 19, 2011 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. The<br />
wedding was attended by family and close friends.<br />
Mary Carol Zitka Lynch ’65 has overcome the many<br />
challenges she has faced with cancer. Her family, also<br />
known as her five angels, submitted the following:<br />
“Mary’s brave, courageous, and overwhelming fight with<br />
esophageal cancer ended on a GREAT note at the end of<br />
the 2011 year. Diagnosed in June 2011 and undergoing<br />
treatments all through the summer, Mary underwent major<br />
surgery on November 3, 2011, removing 9 1/2 inches<br />
of her esophagus and 1/3 of her stomach. With a 40%<br />
chance of a total cure, Mary beat the odds, recovering and<br />
gaining some of the 57 pounds she lost. Mary enjoyed<br />
her 65 th birthday on Christmas Day and was able to ring<br />
in the <strong>2012</strong> New Year with Don, her husband of 45 years.<br />
-10-
Congratulations Mary Carol; we are so PROUD of you!<br />
Thank you ALL for your thoughts, prayers, and cards<br />
sent to Mary over the last six months. Please feel free to<br />
send ‘well wishes’ to her at 8022 Valley Street Omaha, NE<br />
68124.”<br />
1970s<br />
Connie Ryan ’70 received an honorary doctor of<br />
science degree from Creighton University at the winter<br />
commencement on December 17, 2011. Ryan is a<br />
Creighton University board member. For 19 years, she<br />
has been the president of Streck Laboratories.<br />
Connie Chatwood Hull ’71 deals in antiques and her<br />
husband, Mike, practices law while living in San Clemente,<br />
Calif. For the first time in seven years, both their children<br />
are back in southern California. Their daughter Michelle,<br />
26, after graduating from Harvard magna cum laude in 2008,<br />
attended Columbia University <strong>School</strong> of Law where she<br />
received her Juris Doctor as a James Kent Scholar in 2011.<br />
She is now a first year associate in the Los Angeles office<br />
of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker. Their son Thomas,<br />
23, having earned his biology degree at Harvard in 2010,<br />
is preparing for the Medical College Admission Test while<br />
working in two emergency rooms in Orange County, Calif.<br />
1980s<br />
Karen Kripal Favor ’85 is the administrative assistant in<br />
the counseling department at Creighton Preparatory <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> in Omaha, Nebr. She has been married to Jim, her<br />
high school sweetheart, for almost 22 years. They have<br />
two children, twins, now 20 years old. Daniel is employed<br />
at Alegent Health at Lakeside Hospital, and Erica is a<br />
junior at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo.<br />
Lisa Schneiderwind Jacoba ’85 and her family moved to<br />
London as she will lead the human resources efforts for a<br />
newly created business union for Western Union. She and<br />
friends gathered<br />
and celebrated<br />
over the Christmas<br />
holiday before they<br />
moved to London.<br />
L to R from the class of 1985: Laurie Matya Czyz,<br />
Zibby Gillen Cambridge, Lisa Schneiderwind Jacoba,<br />
& Jackie Hughes Latka<br />
Margie Walsh Haik ’88 has been hired as the director<br />
of communications for the Missionaries of the Precious<br />
Blood, Kansas City Province. She previously worked for<br />
12 years for St. Peter’s Parish in Kansas City as a music<br />
teacher, then youth minister and bulletin editor. Finding<br />
that she loved the design aspect of her bulletin duties,<br />
she pursued a certificate in graphic design at the Kansas<br />
City Art Institute, which she completed in 2009. The Missionaries<br />
of the Precious Blood provincial office is located<br />
in Liberty, Mo. and is an Apostolic Society made up of<br />
priests, brothers, and lay companions who are dedicated to<br />
facilitating reconciliation and renewal in the Church. She is<br />
responsible for their website, three print publications, and<br />
other communications from the province headquarters.<br />
Haik lives in Kansas City, Mo. with her husband David and<br />
children, Marian and Jonathan.<br />
2000s<br />
Stacia Slezak Luther ’01 shares: “We have been blessed<br />
with our second daughter (and future <strong>Mercy</strong> Girl)!<br />
Emmery Nadine Luther, born February 23, <strong>2012</strong>, at 12:05<br />
a.m. Big sister Jayci, 16-months, and Seth and I could not<br />
be happier.”<br />
Sarah Brandeau ’05 began the accelerated nursing<br />
program at Creighton University this spring. “This year<br />
is going to be challenging yet rewarding as I work towards<br />
becoming a nurse!” said Brandeau. “I am very excited to<br />
start this new chapter of my life.”<br />
Maggie Waltz ’06 married Chris Myers on October<br />
1, 2011, at St. Robert Bellarmine. Classmates who<br />
participated in the wedding were Meredith Wright ’06,<br />
Sarah Lang ’06, and Abbey Engstrom Jackson ’06.<br />
Briana Jordan ’08 married<br />
Chris Brabbin on September<br />
21, 2011.<br />
2010s<br />
Tiffany Anzalone ’11 and<br />
Madeline Jewell ’11 were<br />
debutantes at the Omaha<br />
Symphony Ball in December.<br />
L to R: Madeline Jewell ’11 and<br />
Tiffany Anzalone ’11<br />
-11- -11-
Reunion Notes<br />
All <strong>School</strong> Reunion<br />
Sunday, June 3, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Alumnae of St. John, St. Mary, and <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> are<br />
invited to attend the All <strong>School</strong> Reunion.<br />
9:00 a.m. Mass in Our Lady of <strong>Mercy</strong> Chapel<br />
10:30 a.m. Complimentary brunch with program<br />
11:30 a.m. Tour the school and shop the <strong>Mercy</strong> Market<br />
Classes ending in 2 and 7 are encouraged to plan their<br />
reunion during this weekend and:<br />
- Can participate in the Mass and sing with the<br />
Alumnae Choir during the Mass<br />
- Will be recognized at the brunch<br />
- Will have reserved seating at the brunch<br />
- Will have a class photo taken after the brunch<br />
The Advancement Office will:<br />
- provide you with the class list<br />
- pay the postage for the reunion invitations<br />
Save the Date<br />
Young Alumnae Event<br />
(for 2007-2011 alumnae)<br />
Wednesday, May 30<br />
Reunion Planning<br />
65 th – 1947 St. Mary<br />
The class will celebrate on Saturday, June 2 with an 11:00<br />
a.m. luncheon at Olive Garden (7505 Dodge St.). On<br />
Sunday, June 3 at 9:00 a.m. the class will attend the All<br />
<strong>School</strong> Reunion. The invitation will be coming soon.<br />
60 th – 1952 St. Mary<br />
Reunion activities will be held June 1-3 during the All<br />
<strong>School</strong> Reunion weekend. The reunion invitation will be<br />
mailed soon.<br />
50 th – 1962<br />
Reunion activities include: Friday, June 1 a “Yak ‘n’ Snak”<br />
party at Venice Inn (72 & Pacific) at 7:30 p.m., Saturday,<br />
June 2 a luncheon at La Casa West (8216 Grover St.) from<br />
12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 3 at 9:00 a.m. the<br />
All <strong>School</strong> Reunion. The class will continue celebrating at<br />
the Regency Marriott Lounge (10220 Regency Circle) after<br />
the All <strong>School</strong> Reunion. For alumnae out of town, rooms<br />
have been reserved for “<strong>Mercy</strong> 50 th <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> Reunion”<br />
at the Regency Marriott Hotel. Call 1.800.228.9290 to<br />
make your reservations.<br />
40 th – 1972<br />
The activities will be held the weekend of the All <strong>School</strong><br />
Reunion. The invitation will be mailed in March. Note to<br />
classmates: We do not have current address information<br />
on the following classmates: Myron Adams, Sally Becker,<br />
Maureen Clawson, Lynn Conley, Alfina Dombrowski,<br />
Catherine Hansen, Marcia Garcia Jones, Mary Buscher<br />
Koziel, Maureen Walsh, and Julie Incontro Wyman. Please<br />
contact Liz James Joyce at lijoyce425@gmail.com with<br />
your current contact information. Also, if you didn’t<br />
receive a save-the-date postcard, please contact Liz.<br />
30 th – 1982<br />
Reunion activities will be held June 1-3 during the All<br />
<strong>School</strong> Reunion weekend. The reunion invitation will be<br />
mailed soon with details of the events.<br />
20 th – 1992<br />
Reunion activities include: Friday, June 1 with a “Girls<br />
Night Out” at Barrett’s Barleycorn Pub & Grill (4322<br />
Leavenworth St.) party room from 7:00 p.m. to midnight,<br />
Saturday, June 2 a “Dinner Out on the Town” at La Casa<br />
Pizzaria (4432 Leavenworth St.) party room at 6:00 p.m.<br />
(significant others are welcome), and Sunday, June 3 at 9:00<br />
a.m. the All <strong>School</strong> Reunion.<br />
-12-
15 th – 1997<br />
Reunion activities will be held June 1-3 during the All<br />
<strong>School</strong> Reunion weekend. The reunion invitation will be<br />
mailed soon with details of the events.<br />
10 th – 2002<br />
Reunion activities will be held June 1-3 during the All<br />
<strong>School</strong> Reunion weekend. The reunion invitation will be<br />
mailed soon with details of the events.<br />
Classes pending confirmation of a reunion during the All<br />
<strong>School</strong> Reunion weekend:<br />
75 th – 1937 St. John<br />
75 th – 1937 St. Mary<br />
70 th – 1942 St. John<br />
70 th – 1942 St. Mary<br />
65 th – 1946 St. John<br />
60 th – 1952 St. John<br />
55 th – 1957<br />
45 th – 1967 – It is time to start planning our 45 th class<br />
reunion! I can’t believe the time has passed so quickly.<br />
It seems like just a few months ago we were getting<br />
ready for the November Nocturne. We’re in the<br />
process of updating the contact information for<br />
everyone, please send your address, phone number and<br />
email address to Katherine Burrows Wilkins at the<br />
following address: kateburrowswilkins@gmail.com.<br />
All information will be updated and provided to <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
to be used for planning our reunion. Please also let me<br />
know whether you’d be interested in working on the<br />
reunion committee. This is a big milestone for us and<br />
we need to start planning now. Please respond as<br />
quickly as possible.<br />
35 th – 1977<br />
30 th – 1982<br />
25 th – 1987<br />
5 th – 2007 – The details are in the planning stages. Please<br />
contact Molly Elston at melston1@nd.edu or<br />
402.216.6363 with any questions.<br />
Please contact Mary Emmer, alumnae relations at<br />
emmerm@mercyhigh.org or 402.553.9424 with any<br />
reunion questions or with any updates, such as a change of<br />
address, phone number or e-mail.<br />
8th Grade Scholarship Winners<br />
(Effective for the <strong>2012</strong>-13 <strong>School</strong> Year)<br />
$6000 / $1500 per Year Scholarships<br />
JOHN J. FRANEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Emma Ecker – St. Columbkille<br />
ARCHBISHOP DANIEL E. SHEEHAN MEMORIAL<br />
SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Margaret Lewis – St Bernard<br />
$4000 / $1000 per Year Scholarship<br />
CLIFFORD J. MILLER MEMORIAL<br />
SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Michelle Allen – St. James<br />
$3200 / $800 per Year Scholarships<br />
MARY RONCKA URZENDOWSKI<br />
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Ellen Schroll - St. Robert Bellarmine<br />
SR. MARY BRENDAN O’MALLEY<br />
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Madelyn Kazmierski – Logan-Fontenelle<br />
Vivian Parr – Holy Cross<br />
SMOLA-McCORMICK MEMORIAL<br />
SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Jenny Gilbert – St. Vincent de Paul<br />
$2000 / $500 per Year Scholarships<br />
MSGR. JOHN A. FLYNN MEMORIAL<br />
SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Andrea Huber – Mary Our Queen<br />
JOSEPH & HELEN CLARE MURPHY<br />
SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Josette Wren – St. Bernard<br />
CHARLES & RENE GARVEY SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Mikayla Rosenthal – St. Columbkille<br />
MARY JANE SMITH GERST SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Claire Harsh – Mary Our Queen<br />
CURNYN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Claire Gaeta – St. Robert Bellarmine<br />
SR. MARY JOHANNA BURNELL SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Meagan Austin – Mary Our Queen<br />
PRINCIPAL’S SCHOLARSHIP<br />
Cecilia Cohen – St. James<br />
-13-
Blood Drive Success<br />
The National Honor Society and<br />
Holy Cross parish sponsored a<br />
blood drive on January 28 where<br />
they collected 80 units of blood.<br />
In addition to current students and<br />
teachers donating, a number of<br />
current parents, past parents and<br />
alumnae also donated blood.<br />
Treble Makers Place in Competitions<br />
In January, the <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> Treble Makers placed second in the Unisex division<br />
at “Singsation,” an all-day show choir competition involving over 1,000<br />
show choir members from across Nebraska. In February they also placed<br />
second in the Women’s Division at the UNO Show Choir competition. Show<br />
choir routines are judged on singing, dancing, stage presence, choreography,<br />
interpretation, accompaniment, and costumes. The show this year is about<br />
relationships: “And So it Goes” is about wanting to give your heart to someone<br />
but being afraid it will get broken again; “Popular” is about dealing with cliques<br />
and popularity issues; “A Change is Gonna Come” is a song about realizing<br />
that things have to get better; “Firework” expressesd the idea that each girl<br />
needs to value and respect herself for what she is and the gifts she has; and<br />
finally “<strong>High</strong>er Love” is about the ultimate relationship--that between a girl and<br />
God. The choreography was completely done by students Monica Keenan,<br />
Tori Krol, Allison Harsh, Hannah Engstrom, Michelle Waldhauser, Becca Veys,<br />
Megan McAuliffe, Erin Dabbs, Elise Weinbach and Hannah Vankat. The show<br />
features solos by Megan McAuliffe, Becca Veys, Elise Weinbach, and Micaela<br />
Hoyer, as well as a dance solo by Allison Harsh.<br />
Janice Riesberg ’10, sophomore at Wayne State<br />
College donating blood.<br />
Operation Others<br />
Benefits Community<br />
The <strong>Mercy</strong> girls collected over<br />
8,000 cans of fruit and vegetables<br />
for Operation Others. These were<br />
combined with donations from<br />
other area high schools to provide<br />
meals for 1,600 Omaha families.<br />
L to R: Mr. Josh Riesberg, Shannon Prem ’12,<br />
and MaKayla Riesberg ’13<br />
The Treble Makers<br />
Students Join March for Life<br />
The <strong>2012</strong> March for Life pilgrimage went from late afternoon on Thursday,<br />
January 19 until the afternoon on Tuesday, January 24. Students participated<br />
in two rallies (one with a concert<br />
by Matt Maher and one where<br />
the Pope sent a letter to the<br />
youth attending the March), and<br />
the March itself. The group<br />
also visited the battle fields at<br />
Gettysburg, Pa., toured the<br />
Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann<br />
Seton, Mount St. Mary’s Grotto,<br />
the National Mall, Holocaust<br />
Museum, and the Natural History<br />
L to R: Breanna Brichacek ’12, Archbishop Lucas, Rachel<br />
Slowik ’12<br />
-14-
National Honor Society Recognizes Scholars<br />
On November 15, 38 young women were inducted into the National Honor<br />
Society (NHS). Alumna and recruitment director, Anne Zadina ’00, was the<br />
keynote speaker. There are now 54 NHS members at <strong>Mercy</strong>.<br />
The 2011-12 National Honor Society<br />
Nocturne Royalty Crowned<br />
Congratulations to the<br />
Nocturne Royalty. Senior<br />
Queen: Melissa Nigrin,<br />
Junior Princess: Emily<br />
Janda, and Sophomore<br />
Princess: Elise Weinbach.<br />
Freshman Wins<br />
Basketball Contest<br />
Freshman Sidnea Brown won<br />
the State Farm Holiday Hoops<br />
Three Point Shooting Contest on<br />
January 5 in Jefferson City, Mo.<br />
Sidnea surprised everyone in the<br />
gym, with the exception of her<br />
teammates, coaches, family and<br />
friends, by winning both the girls<br />
division as well as the overall (boys<br />
and girls) championship. After<br />
getting into the final round, Sidnea<br />
needed to win the girls division in<br />
a shoot off when both players shot<br />
a 21. In the shoot off, Sidnea<br />
won the girls title and moved on<br />
to the head to head match against<br />
the boys winner. In the boys/girls<br />
finals, Sidnea blew away the boys<br />
winner by dropping 37 total points<br />
(including bonus points for the<br />
bonus balls) in the competition.<br />
L to R: Elise Weinbach ’14, Melissa<br />
Nigrin ’12, and Emily Janda ’13.<br />
Catherine McAuley<br />
Remembered During<br />
Prayer Service<br />
Sidnea Brown ’15<br />
A prayer service was held in honor of<br />
the 170th Anniversary of Catherine<br />
McAuley’s death in the Our Lady of<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> Chapel. A collection was taken<br />
up for the <strong>Mercy</strong> International Center.<br />
-15-
Kairos Retreat<br />
Benefited Students<br />
In early March, 30 juniors and seniors<br />
made a four-day retreat known as<br />
Kairos. They were led on the retreat<br />
by a group of six senior peer-leaders<br />
and nine faculty adult-leaders. The retreat<br />
covered themes including “Who<br />
am I?,” “Who is Jesus in my life?,”<br />
“What is Jesus’ message for me?,”<br />
and “How do I choose to respond to<br />
this message?”<br />
PA Tradition Continues<br />
The junior class performed their version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory<br />
for P.A. (Prom Announcement) on January 18. During the performance, they<br />
revealed the theme Pure Imagination and that prom would be on April 28 at<br />
the Field Club.<br />
Lenten Prayer Service<br />
Students join in prayer service offered<br />
Wednesday mornings before school<br />
during Lent. Each meeting has a<br />
different topic, such as praying with<br />
the Saints and Station Meditations.<br />
Artists Recognized<br />
for Their Work<br />
<strong>Mercy</strong> artists were recognized in<br />
the Nebraska State Scholastic Art<br />
Competition. Abby Berg received an<br />
Honorable Mention for her fused<br />
glass earrings and pendant. Gabbie<br />
Sylvester received an Honorable<br />
Mention for her fused glass slumped<br />
bowl and Sam White earned a Silver<br />
Key for her charcoal self portrait.<br />
By Gabbie Sylvester<br />
Back row, L to R: Allie Hennes, Ashleigh Broughton, Shannon Moore, Haley Kalskett, Shelby Siderewicz<br />
Front row, L to R: Sharon Tighe-Dolan, Sarah Locati, and Sam Cox<br />
Catholic <strong>School</strong>s Week Celebrates Faith,<br />
Academics, and Service<br />
During Catholic <strong>School</strong>s<br />
Week, celebrated the week<br />
of January 31-Febraury<br />
3, the girls were involved<br />
in many activities which<br />
included a faculty-led<br />
prayer service, studentled<br />
educator of impact,<br />
where the students wrote<br />
personal letters to teachers<br />
who have influenced<br />
them through the years,<br />
faculty-led pancake feed<br />
to the student body, and<br />
morning at the movies.<br />
The events brought about<br />
a celebration of a Catholic<br />
education at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>.<br />
Treasure Pascal ’13 enjoying pancakes that the teachers made during<br />
Catholic <strong>School</strong>s Week.<br />
-16-
In Celebration<br />
Anniversaries<br />
60 th<br />
Joseph & Betty Kuzela<br />
Parents of Susan Kuzela ’72<br />
50 th<br />
Nick & Lucille Palermo Mickells ’59<br />
Robert & Judy Cox Price ’59<br />
John & Ann Marie Keenan Bowen ’61<br />
Parents of Elizabeth Bowen Kalkman ’90<br />
Births<br />
Zailey Ryan to Matt & Rachel Kowal Hemmingson ’09<br />
Mallory Jean to Brandon & Lori Rowan Hull ’92<br />
Paige Elizabeth to Mark & Beth McCann Jewett ’93<br />
Leo Stanley Ervin to Chris Ervin & Lanmana Parys ’95<br />
Eleanor Sandra to Chris Farrow & Heidi Connealy ’97<br />
Savannah Kay to Howard & Meagan Velehradsky<br />
Williams ’97<br />
Emmery Nadine Luther to Seth & Stacia Slezak Luther ’01<br />
Eleanor Sandra Farrow with big sister Lucy<br />
Savannah Kay Williams<br />
Zailey Ryan Hemmingson<br />
Emmery Nadine Luther<br />
Social Media a Vital Component to Communication from <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
Did you know that we have a facebook page, tweet, and send monthly emails to all alums with the latest news<br />
from <strong>Mercy</strong>? Stay in touch with <strong>Mercy</strong> by liking our facebook page, following us on twitter, and sending your current<br />
email address to Mary Emmer at emmerm@mercyhigh.org.<br />
Scan here with your<br />
smart phone scanner app<br />
to like us on Facebook.<br />
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Alumnae offer Mentoring<br />
Opportunities at Career Fair<br />
In January, 88 sophomores explored 23 careers of interest<br />
and received first-hand expertise from 26 alumnae<br />
professionals at the sixth annual Alumnae/Sophomore<br />
Career Fair. The fair provided small group discussions<br />
between the career representatives and students.<br />
“To me, knowing the career representatives were<br />
alumnae of <strong>Mercy</strong> showed me that once I graduate, I<br />
can accomplish my dreams and can be successful in my<br />
career,” Megan Schneider said. “One of the careers I<br />
visited, the dentist, Dr. Judith Belitz really made me want<br />
to be a dentist. I loved all the teeth props she showed us.”<br />
The sophomores received an insider’s look at the careers,<br />
what education/certificates are needed for the careers,<br />
and opportunities for mentoring the careers. Jenny Wolfe<br />
commented, “The highlight for me was visiting with<br />
Liz James Joyce. I could tell she is passionate about her<br />
accounting profession.” Tess Lewis shared, “I’m excited<br />
to shadow the pharmacy and law enforcement career<br />
representatives at their worksites.”<br />
Communications<br />
Kimberly Bryant Vavra ’01 – marketing communication<br />
specialist at Blue Cross Blue Shield<br />
Cosmetologist<br />
Melissa Haire ’00 and Gina Bataillon Scott ’00 – both<br />
AVEDA stylists at Five Salon<br />
Counselor<br />
Mary F. Lincoln ’74 – education guidance counselor at<br />
Omaha Public <strong>School</strong>s<br />
Culinary Arts<br />
Jacqueline Rynes Caniglia ’89 – owner-pastry chef of<br />
La Charlotte-Caniglia Pastries, Inc.<br />
Dentistry<br />
Dr. Judith A. Belitz ’83 – dentist with Drs. John & Judith<br />
Belitz Dentist Office<br />
Doctor/Physician<br />
Dr. Christine Chonis Jeffrey ’75 – physician at<br />
Physicians Clinic<br />
Engineer*<br />
Sarah Gudeman – project engineer-mechanical at<br />
Morrissey Engineering, Inc.<br />
Journalism-Media-Television News<br />
Kayla Haire ’93 – producer/report for the KMTV3 News<br />
“The Morning Blend”<br />
Law Enforcement<br />
Colene Hinchey ’88 – lieutenant with the<br />
Inspection/Customer service Unit with the Omaha<br />
Police Department<br />
Dr. Judith Belitz, D.D.S. explains her career to students.<br />
Career Field & Alumnae Representatives<br />
Accounting, Auditing, & Tax<br />
Elizabeth James Joyce ’72 – senior project manager -tax<br />
at Union Pacific Railroad<br />
Actor<br />
Daena Schweiger ’87 – actress/director/writer with<br />
various theatres in the Omaha community<br />
Business<br />
Nicole Hahn Jesse ’80 – co-owner of La Casa Pizzaria<br />
Lawyer/Attorney<br />
Francie Riedmann Weis ’81 – attorney at Gross & Welch<br />
Medical Sonographer<br />
Judy Jarecki Boner ’79 – medical sonographer at Alegent<br />
Lakeside Hospital<br />
Musician/Singer<br />
Anne Marie Kenny ’69 – performing artist/voice teacher<br />
at Anne Marie Kenny’s Vocal Performance Studio<br />
Nursing<br />
Dr. Ann Franco Laughlin ’72 – professor of nursing and<br />
registered nurse at Creighton University<br />
Angela Wieberg Maynard ’83 – registered nurse at<br />
-18-
Creighton University University-<br />
Center for Health and Counseling<br />
assistant director<br />
Amanda M. Fulton ’98 – pediatric<br />
nurse at the University of<br />
Nebraska Medical Center<br />
Occupational Therapy<br />
Theresa Levy Meehan ’97 –<br />
occupational therapist at<br />
Papillion-LaVista <strong>School</strong> District<br />
Pharmacy<br />
Dr. Kelly K. Nystrom ’86 – board<br />
certified oncology pharmacist and<br />
Creighton University professor<br />
Psychiatrist/Psychologist<br />
Dr. Gina Oliveto ’85 - child/<br />
adolescent psychiatrist at<br />
Bergan <strong>Mercy</strong>/Alegent<br />
Sports Medicine*<br />
Laura Imig - athletic trainer at<br />
Alegent Health/<strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Social Work<br />
Sara Taylor ’00 – program manager<br />
for Autism Action Partnership<br />
Teacher (9-12)*<br />
Mary Coyle – high school teacher<br />
(9-12) at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
Teacher Primary (PS-5)<br />
Christine Clines Eisold ’96 – first<br />
grade teacher at Reeder Elementary<br />
* - affiliated with <strong>Mercy</strong>, but not an<br />
alumnae of <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
Thank You for Choosing <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
At the Donors of Distinction event in November, Christine Gonderinger, senior and<br />
National Honor Society president, shared these words of appreciation.<br />
You have chosen to donate your time,<br />
talents, and treasures here at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, as you must be familiar<br />
with the ideals and traditions of <strong>Mercy</strong>.<br />
As you well know, <strong>Mercy</strong> focuses on<br />
faith, knowledge, and service.<br />
But I would be willing to bet that not<br />
every one of you knows what a typical<br />
day is like at <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. So if<br />
you don’t mind, I would love to share a<br />
few of my favorite daily moments with<br />
you.<br />
First, we start the day with prayer.<br />
How fitting it is that the first thing<br />
Christine Gonderinger ’12<br />
we do is remind ourselves that God<br />
is with us? This is just one of many times throughout the day that we<br />
focus on our faith. Next, we go to our first four class periods. This is of<br />
course when we develop our knowledge, and not just in reading, writing,<br />
and arithmetic, but in social justice, music, and physics. Then, after fourth<br />
hour, we will occasionally meet as a whole for an assembly, Mass, or my<br />
personal favorite, a prayer service. During prayer services, we often focus<br />
on, go figure, how we can serve others through Christ. Next is lunch,<br />
where we get to relax and enjoy ourselves for 25 minutes of respite. After<br />
lunch, we finish our final four classes and mostly look forward to the end<br />
of the day.<br />
By this time we are tired and physically exhausted. At the end of the day,<br />
what really matters is how much we want to return the next day. And we<br />
would not be able to do so without the help of each of you.<br />
It is an understatement to say that I and my 385 schoolmates appreciate<br />
it. All of us <strong>Mercy</strong> girls had quite a bit to be thankful for this year, due<br />
in great part to your generosity. Your donations enable all <strong>Mercy</strong> girls,<br />
present, past, and future, to become women of <strong>Mercy</strong>.<br />
So it is with the greatest amount of sincerity that I say, “thank you.” We<br />
understand the sacrifices you had to make, and we are that much more<br />
grateful. God bless you.<br />
-19-
Memorials<br />
The following have been entered into our Memorial Association from October 1, 2011 - January 31, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Samantha Allen<br />
Megan Caster<br />
Jeffrey R. Alseth<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Joan Bader<br />
Joe & Jayne Riedmann<br />
Mollner<br />
Rick & Jane Neneman<br />
Ed & Carol Bader Nicola<br />
Nancy Vitale Bisbee<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
Sr. Zita Marie Bruns, RSM<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Mary A. Bryg<br />
Virginia Bryg<br />
William Norris<br />
Pat Brandt Podjenski<br />
Sally Groves Theiler<br />
Ann Godek Tomcykowski<br />
Kay Mahoney Zielinski<br />
Jeannine Burbach<br />
Max J. Burbach<br />
Ann Christian<br />
Bob & Nancy Nystrom<br />
M. Eileen Clark, SM ’37<br />
Kris Hasbargen<br />
Patricia Hobza Cloutier<br />
’58<br />
Mary Joan Stoffel Sindelar<br />
Jan Cohen<br />
Mary Coyle<br />
Carolyn Jaworski<br />
Holly McCoy<br />
Gerrie McCafferty<br />
Zimmerman<br />
Robert J. Connelly, Jr.<br />
Sr. Marie Angele, RSM<br />
John & Clarice Bartek<br />
Eldon & Cathy Nielsen<br />
Boone<br />
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff<br />
James N. Brennan<br />
Rich (dec.) & Debbie<br />
Bujarski<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Corrine Casey Burnett<br />
Dan & Sharon Paladino<br />
Burns<br />
Eileen Byrne<br />
Karen M. Callaghan<br />
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM<br />
Pat & Carol Neill Casey<br />
Rich & Mary Lynn Sortino<br />
Cerveny<br />
Sr. Carolyn Coffey, RSM<br />
Arthur & Mary Beth<br />
Petersen Coate<br />
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM<br />
Joseph F. Connelly<br />
Terrence M. Connelly (dec.)<br />
Tim Connelly<br />
Tish Connelly<br />
Mary Kay Connor<br />
Sancha Gloden Corrigan<br />
Carmella Cosentino<br />
Connie Cosentino<br />
Mary Coyle<br />
Rose Crowley<br />
Eileen Van Buren Curran<br />
Karen Curtis<br />
Sr. Mary Ellen Devereux,<br />
RSM<br />
Mary Dishman<br />
Frani Herek Fitzpatrick<br />
Jeanette Boe Fleer<br />
Sr. Rosemary Floersch,<br />
RSM<br />
Sheila Hearity Gleason<br />
Sandy Goetzinger-Comer<br />
Sr. M. Jude Graham, RSM<br />
Ray & Bridget Gudenrath<br />
Sr. Pat Guziec, RSM<br />
Jay Harrington<br />
Mary Harrington<br />
Thomas Heafey<br />
Carolyn Jaworski<br />
Barb Kaine & Wally Petersen<br />
Carol Keefover<br />
Joe & Judy Tomasek Koziol<br />
Jerri Kraniewski<br />
Marj Kastl Krawczyk<br />
Jim & Sheryl Krueger<br />
William & Susan Laird<br />
James & Lorri Linenbrink<br />
Larry & Marianne Fowler<br />
Loftus<br />
Gary & Marlene Thell<br />
Machal<br />
Holly McCoy<br />
Maureen McGrath<br />
Sr. Marie Micheletto, RSM<br />
Jane Tourek Morinelli<br />
Sharon Neill<br />
Joy Neneman<br />
Charles & Mickie Baratta<br />
Olsen<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Sr. Johneen Owens, RSM<br />
Kathy Parsons<br />
Rich & Mary Ellen Peers<br />
Jo Penning<br />
Frank & Trudy Murphy<br />
Perrone<br />
Marcy Connelly Peterson<br />
Sr. Rita Marie Pickhinke,<br />
RSM<br />
Carol Ann Cooney Pitzer<br />
Bernadette Votek Pogge<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Prusa<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
Betty Quinn<br />
Larry & Margaret Reynolds<br />
Pat Linstrom Rudolph<br />
Jo Russo<br />
Nancy Ryan<br />
Sr. Jeanine Salak, RSM<br />
Jane Turner Schumaker<br />
Loretta Kearney Siegele<br />
Lyle L. & Rosemary<br />
Stewart<br />
Paul & Peggy Wagman<br />
Stoysich<br />
Gloria A. Thompson<br />
Ann M. Thurmond<br />
Robert & Judy Dargy Vohs<br />
Tom & Maryialyce Killeen<br />
Walsh<br />
John & Catherine Sobetski<br />
Weiss<br />
Joyce Jensen Whalley<br />
Sr. Rosalima Wilkinson,<br />
RSM<br />
John & Janet Murphy Wolff<br />
Molly & Ryan Zabrowski<br />
Helen Zahm-Honaker<br />
Terrence M. Connelly<br />
Sr. Norene Arcand, RSM<br />
Hugh & Linda Atkinson<br />
Subby & Joanne Downey<br />
Belfi ore<br />
Eldon & Cathy Nielsen<br />
Boone<br />
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff<br />
James Brennan<br />
Catherine Buckley<br />
Rich (dec.) & Debbie<br />
Bujarski<br />
Sheila Burke<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Michael & Corrine Casey<br />
Burnett<br />
Dan & Sharon Paladino<br />
Burns<br />
Eileen Byrne<br />
Phyllis Cain<br />
Karen Callaghan<br />
Pat & Carol Neill Casey<br />
Rich & Mary Lynn Sortino<br />
Cerveny<br />
Arthur & Mary Beth<br />
Petersen Coate<br />
Sr. Madeleva Comiskey,<br />
RSM<br />
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM<br />
Joseph Connelly<br />
Timothy & Gay Lynn<br />
Connelly<br />
Tish Connelly<br />
Mary Kay Connor<br />
Carmella Cosentino<br />
Connie Cosentino<br />
Mary Coyle<br />
Rose Crowley<br />
James & Eileen Van Buren<br />
Curran<br />
Robert & Carol Smola<br />
Dargy<br />
Jacqueline Rashid<br />
Devaney<br />
Sr. Mary Ellen Devereux,<br />
RSM<br />
William & Kathryn Sloup<br />
Duffy<br />
Gerald & Debbie Egermier<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Glen Eich<br />
Lisa Gaughan Eldrige<br />
Lois Engman<br />
Cecilia Finley<br />
Frani Herek Fitzpatrick<br />
Jeanette Boe Fleer<br />
Kathleen Owens Flott<br />
Sr. Rosemary Floersch,<br />
RSM<br />
Michael & Margaret<br />
Gaughan<br />
Armand & Mary Rae Metz<br />
Gibbons<br />
Sheila Hearity Gleason<br />
Charles & Maureen Casey<br />
Graziano<br />
Leonard & Mary Lou<br />
Nemec Gunia<br />
Sr. Pat Guziec, RSM<br />
Jerry & Marianne Beck Hall<br />
Lawrence & Mary Hall<br />
Mary Harrington<br />
Mary Jo Havlicek<br />
Thomas Heafey<br />
William & Barbara<br />
Weinfurtner Hinchey<br />
Clare Horning<br />
Stephen Houston<br />
Elizabeth Hug<br />
Gary & Mary Huliska<br />
Ken Kass<br />
Carol Keefover<br />
Clyde & Mary Ann<br />
Brosnihan Knoblaugh<br />
Marj Kastl Krawczyk<br />
William & Susan Laird<br />
Leonard Larson<br />
Michael & Suzie Lawler<br />
Bruce & Katherine Pokorny<br />
Lechowicz<br />
Deborah Pokorny Lhotak<br />
Jim & Lorri Linenbrink<br />
Mike & Renee Loftus<br />
Joanne Lopez<br />
Tom & Mary Lyn Lynch<br />
Gary & Marlene Thell<br />
Machal<br />
Donald Marhenke<br />
Holly McCoy<br />
Maureen McGrath<br />
Connie Martin McNabb<br />
Jane Tourek Morinelli<br />
Ronald & Kathleeen Morris<br />
Sharon Muckey<br />
Robert Mulcahy<br />
Sharon Neill<br />
Kirk & Patricia Connelly<br />
Nelson<br />
Joy Neneman<br />
Michael & Maurine Nuschy<br />
Ruth O’Connor<br />
Mary Jane O’Donnell<br />
Rosemary O’Hanlon<br />
Charles & Mickie Baratta<br />
Olsen<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Terry & Mary Kay<br />
Grandinetti<br />
O’Shaughnessy<br />
Sr. Johneen Owens, RSM<br />
John Owens Family<br />
Rose Pachunka<br />
William J. Parr, DDS<br />
Joellen Penning<br />
Frank & Trudy Murphy<br />
Perrone<br />
Larry & Kathy Peterson<br />
Marcella Connelly Peterson<br />
Bernadette Votek Pogge<br />
Barbara Seitz Putnam<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
Wyatt & Janice Ramsey<br />
Sr. Monica Marie<br />
Reichmuth, RSM<br />
Larry & Margaret Reynolds<br />
Marcella Riesberg<br />
Howard Rudloff<br />
Larry & Pat Linstrom<br />
Rudolph<br />
Sr. Jeannine Salak, RSM<br />
Brian & Amy Sauser<br />
Dr. & Mrs. W. J. Schlueter<br />
Dave & Catherine Casey<br />
Schremmer<br />
-20-
Sharon Schumacher<br />
Chuck & Pat Sheik<br />
Larry & Alice Silverstrand<br />
Lorray Smith<br />
Cindy Soukup<br />
John & Georgia Kriegler<br />
Stevens<br />
Mark & Teresa Tusa<br />
Stillmock<br />
Paul & Peggy Wagman<br />
Stoysich<br />
James & Lorraine Terrell<br />
Gloria A. Thompson<br />
Ann Thurmond<br />
Ann Godek Tomcykowski<br />
Katherine Trenolone<br />
Sancha Corrigan Trust<br />
Robert & Judy Dargy Vohs<br />
Reid & Claire Von Tersch<br />
Paul & Connie Wade<br />
Tom & Maryialyce Killeen<br />
Walsh<br />
Sr. Jeanne Ward, RSM<br />
Pat Rocheford Weaver<br />
James & Margaret Wegner<br />
Joyce Jensen Whalley<br />
Ann Bendon Wieberg<br />
Theresa Wilwerding<br />
John & Jan Murphy Wolff<br />
Lonnie & Lucretia Younie<br />
Mrs. Evelyn Yowell<br />
Helen Zahm-Honaker<br />
Frank & Shannon Sullivan<br />
Zitek<br />
Frank Zitnik<br />
Margaret Zook<br />
Marianne Cosentino<br />
Sr. Johneen Owens, RSM<br />
Deceased Classmates St.<br />
John 1944<br />
Katherine Cook Nelson<br />
LaVerne Deitchler<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Dr. John DeMeulenaere<br />
Carolyn Jaworski<br />
Matt Donohoe<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Vondra<br />
Buz Dworak<br />
Leonard Jarecki<br />
Margaret Peter<br />
Egenberger, SJ ’39<br />
Michaela Hill Bredar<br />
Mr. Michael C. Davlin<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Lou Dimauro<br />
Dr. & Mrs. Tom Dobleman<br />
Kathleen Peter Fenger<br />
Frankel, Zacharia, Nissen<br />
& Stamp<br />
Barbara Koory Goodrich<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hoarty,<br />
Jr.<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Larson<br />
Jessica Moeschler-Miller<br />
Eileen P. Peter<br />
Eugene W. Peter<br />
Suzanne Peter Sullivan<br />
Sr. Catherine Marie<br />
Franey, MSM ’29<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Russell Freedman<br />
Betty Hill<br />
Sr. Charlotte Gates<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Patrice Staskiewicz<br />
Gurnon ’57<br />
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM<br />
Joy Neneman<br />
Sr. Johneen Owens, RSM<br />
Ann Godek Tomcykowski<br />
Rosemarie Hernandez<br />
Juliana Hernandez<br />
Doris Hopp<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Clarice (Pat) Horgan<br />
Mike & Sue Horgan<br />
Mary E. McGroarty<br />
Huelskamp, SM ’49<br />
Mr. Raymond L.<br />
Huelskamp<br />
Howard Ireland<br />
Helen M. Ireland<br />
Alyce Jacoby Johnson,<br />
SJ ’37<br />
Phyllis Atkisson<br />
Benevolent Patriotic Order<br />
of Does - Omaha Drove<br />
#1<br />
Mrs. Josephine Byrne<br />
Alice Christensen<br />
Terri & John Connell<br />
John & Robin Dolinsky<br />
Judy & Duane Dow<br />
David Eads<br />
Rob & Amy Jones<br />
Barry & Virginia Kuhl<br />
Chris Labadie<br />
Maureen Murphy Masters<br />
Frank & Trudy Murphy<br />
Perrone<br />
Chris & Denise Perrone<br />
Eva Swanson<br />
Emilija Jonusas<br />
Richard & Heidi Anzalone -<br />
Sunridge Village, LLC<br />
Tiffany Anzalone<br />
Lynne Katzenberger<br />
Mary Joan Stoffel Sindelar<br />
Helen Kava<br />
Marcy Connelly Peterson<br />
Daniel D. Kelly II<br />
Bob & Carol Simon Kelly<br />
Loretta Kennedy<br />
David & Mary Franco Levy<br />
Mr. Dana Kinsel<br />
Albert & Carole Lankas<br />
Angele<br />
Donald Korff<br />
Mrs. Jean Korff<br />
Donald J. Kraft<br />
Judith Kraft Stoughton<br />
Paul & Pauline<br />
Lamoureux<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
Margaret E. Lavelle<br />
Mary Beth Lavelle<br />
Sr. Mary Lavey, RSM,<br />
SM ’52<br />
Bob & Pat Colchin Lavey<br />
Nuncio Lazzaro<br />
Yvonne Buresh Kros<br />
Robert Lee<br />
Sally Groves Theiler<br />
Joan Leuck<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Jeanne M. Lux<br />
Jo Russo<br />
Sharon McNally Mark<br />
Jack & Gerrie McCafferty<br />
Zimmerman<br />
Sr. Joan Martin, RSM<br />
Anonymous<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Marcel Matya<br />
Holly McCoy<br />
Sally Groves Theiler<br />
Nina Theiler<br />
Rusty Maxwell<br />
Shirley Guthman Maxwell<br />
John P. McCann<br />
Elmer & Kay McCann<br />
Delores R. McKenzie<br />
Larri Caniglia<br />
Theresa Ganapini<br />
Angeline M. Meyers<br />
Larry & Connie Swanson<br />
David (Joe) Money<br />
Bob & Nancy Nystrom<br />
Louise P. Morello<br />
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff<br />
Tish Connelly<br />
Mary Jane Monico Herron<br />
Cheryl Emsick Morrow<br />
Anonymous (2)<br />
Sr. Stella Marie Neill,<br />
RSM ’60<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Jean Scott Nisi<br />
Rose G. Cuka<br />
Kathleen Herek Norris ’57<br />
Mr. William Norris<br />
Larry Pachunka<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
Theresa Paladino<br />
Gerrie McCafferty<br />
Zimmerman<br />
Jerome Pecoraro<br />
Tom & Jean Rogers Lund<br />
Cindy Pesek ’68<br />
Tammy Linstrom Fonfara<br />
Mary Beth Lavelle<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
Lois Pfeifer<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Joy Neneman<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Jo Penning<br />
Sr. Monica Marie<br />
Reichmuth, RSM<br />
Elizabeth Svoboda<br />
Joan Konon Pilus, SM ’55<br />
Carol Keefover<br />
Yvonne Buresh Kros<br />
Gary & Marlene Thell<br />
Machal<br />
Sam & Lucy Buda Marasco<br />
Andy & Amy Gaughan<br />
McAuliffe<br />
Joseph & Jean Ward<br />
Nekola<br />
Pat & Peggy Gassman<br />
O’Malley<br />
Steve & Laura Welsh<br />
Osborn<br />
Frank & Trudy Murphy<br />
Perrone<br />
Raymond & Margaret Bock<br />
Pierson<br />
Ed & Barbara Krupski<br />
Rider<br />
Harvey & Alice Olson<br />
Rischling<br />
Sr. Michon Rozmajzl, RSM<br />
Mary Catherine Dasovic<br />
Rudol<br />
Sr. Susan Severin, RSM<br />
Mary Jean O’Brien Sims<br />
Jerry & Sondra<br />
Tomaszkiewicz<br />
Sam & Judy<br />
Tomaszkiewicz<br />
Bernadette Kaczmarek<br />
Vlock<br />
Keith & Rosemary Begley<br />
Weide<br />
Robert & Judith Wichert<br />
Don & Kathy Wieczorek<br />
Adrienne Mohatt Zoila<br />
Sam Procopio<br />
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff<br />
Dale Prudhon<br />
Gary & Marlene Thell<br />
Machal<br />
Lori Godek Railsback ’88<br />
Barb & Gus Godek<br />
Michaela Harrington<br />
April Riesberg<br />
Peter & Jeanne Wylie<br />
Scott Rischling<br />
Joyce Hebert Stander<br />
Bette Skorka Rudloff,<br />
SM ’51<br />
Mr. Howard Rudloff<br />
Frank Santi<br />
Priscilla “Cilla” Connelly<br />
Quinn<br />
-21-
Memorials (cont.)<br />
Sr. Regina Selenke, RSM<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Chloe Shea<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Dennis & Angela Shea<br />
Catherine Hogan Spiers,<br />
SJ ’43<br />
Clare Hogan Cholet<br />
Paul L. Stander<br />
Friends of Paul L. Stander<br />
Joyce Hebert Stander<br />
Virginia Stefanski<br />
Jim & Susan Franco<br />
Louise Battaglia Franco<br />
Frank Subject<br />
Judy Subject Alley<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Arnone<br />
JoAnn Subject Bartolomei<br />
William & Diane Gunia<br />
Blessie<br />
Mary Kay Subject Brown<br />
Cindy Subject Carlson<br />
Thomas & Elizabeth<br />
Champion<br />
Jenifer L. Dahir<br />
Jeanette & Michael<br />
Dresslar<br />
Donald R. Hempel<br />
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Martin<br />
Richard & Jane Neneman<br />
Linda & Gerald Norris<br />
Margaret A. Parks<br />
Betty Schuler-Weingarten<br />
Robert N. Thurmond, Jr.<br />
Ann Marie Thurmond<br />
Frank J. G. Tourek<br />
Joe & Kathy Polski Baratta<br />
Mary Beth Barmettler<br />
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff<br />
Eugene C. Carlson<br />
Mary Lynn Sortino Cerveny<br />
Norman & Phyllis Choat<br />
Richard & Patricia Polski<br />
Coenen<br />
Joseph F. Connelly<br />
Tish Connelly<br />
Carmella Cosentino<br />
Connie Cosentino<br />
Joseph Creel<br />
Larry & Marcia Cusic<br />
Dr. John & Mrs. Mary Kay<br />
Heine Fitzpatrick<br />
Dr. Anne M. Fitzpatrick<br />
William & Doris Gillespie<br />
Sheila Hearity Gleason<br />
Robert & Mary<br />
Gonderinger<br />
Judy Hasenjager<br />
Donald R. Hempel<br />
Francene Kotera Holstein<br />
William & Connie Jones<br />
Ursula Kalinowski<br />
Carol Keefover<br />
David & Marilyn Keller<br />
Mary Holmgren King<br />
Helen Koznarek Kopfl e<br />
Doris Kuhl<br />
Edwin & Lois Lefebvre<br />
Gene & Roseann Lilla<br />
Gary & Marlene Thell<br />
Machal<br />
Bernadette Thell Martin<br />
John & Margie McDonald<br />
Ellie Morinelli<br />
Tom & Mary Morinelli<br />
Sandra Nee<br />
Marcy Connelly Peterson<br />
Margaret Kotera Quinn<br />
Tena Salerno Southworth<br />
Joseph & Karen Dugan<br />
Stock<br />
Virgil & Merlyn Strecker<br />
William & Patricia Urban<br />
Karen Kirkwood<br />
Vampola, SM ’53<br />
Dan & Sharon Paladino<br />
Burns<br />
Edwin Veleba<br />
David & Mary Franco Levy<br />
Therese Rizzo Ward<br />
John Carmello Rizzo<br />
Tyler G. Watson<br />
Mr. & Mrs. James Lavelle<br />
Sr. Laetice Williams, RSM<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Tribute Gifts<br />
October 1, 2011 – January 31, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Bill & Norma Thell Begley ’56<br />
(in honor of their 50 th wedding anniversary)<br />
Betty Thell Busse<br />
Marlene Thell Machal<br />
Bernadette Thell Martin<br />
Maxine Thell Tvrdik<br />
Rebecca Bezy ’12<br />
Don & Madelene Gowing<br />
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff ’65<br />
(in honor of her retirement)<br />
Dan & Sharon Paladino Burns<br />
Mary Jo Havlicek<br />
Ruth Anne Kenney<br />
Gene & Karen Zurek Family<br />
Scholarship Memorials,<br />
Scholarship & Tuition Awards<br />
October 1, 2011 - January 31, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Callone-Flynn Family Tuition Award<br />
Patricia Callone & William Flynn<br />
In honor of Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff’s<br />
great work in advancement at <strong>Mercy</strong><br />
Patricia Callone & William Flynn<br />
Carol Kastl Memorial Mathematics<br />
Scholarship<br />
In memory of Russell Freedman<br />
Betty Hill<br />
In memory of Frank Tourek & Ed Veleba<br />
Marj Kastl Krawczyk<br />
Jeanne (J. B.) Agnes Wingender<br />
Memorial Scholarship<br />
Andrew R. Wingender<br />
Sisters of <strong>Mercy</strong> 2011 Jubilarians<br />
70 years<br />
Sr. M. Janet Daul, RSM<br />
Sr. M. Norbert Flesch, RSM<br />
Sr. Mary Angelo Lobato, RSM<br />
Sr. Rose Elizabeth Stec, RSM<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
60 years<br />
Sr. Lorraine Hauptman, RSM, SM ’51<br />
Sr. Mary Lucina Kozeny, RSM, SM ’51<br />
Sr. M. Clare Manhart, RSM, SM ’51<br />
Sr. Maureen O’Sullivan, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanine Salak, RSM<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
50 years<br />
Sr. Jeanne Marie Christensen, RSM<br />
Sr. Sally Smolen, RSM ’61<br />
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM<br />
Sr. Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM<br />
Katherine A. Borghoff & Ingrid<br />
Kalinowski Borghoff Tuition Award<br />
In honor of Ingrid Borghoff’s retirement<br />
Maurice & June Cox<br />
Jo Marie Guastello<br />
Judy Hasenjager<br />
Gene & Marilyn Spence<br />
Mary Jane Smith Gerst Memorial<br />
Scholarship<br />
Marilyn Smith Havel<br />
Renae C. Von Tersch Art Scholarship<br />
In memory of Joan Konon Pilus, SM ’55<br />
Reid & Claire Von Tersch<br />
-22-
In Memoriam<br />
The <strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> community extends sincere sympathy<br />
to the families and friends of those who have died from<br />
Octotober 1, 2011 - January 31, <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
Alumnae<br />
Fena Caniglia Venditte, SJ ’33<br />
Henrietta Alex Thomas, SM ’34<br />
Alyce Jacoby Johnson, SJ ’37<br />
Sr. M. Loretta Stefacek, OSF, SM<br />
’38<br />
Anna Bauer, SM ’38<br />
Loretta Cullen Donahoe, SJ ’39<br />
Margaret Peter Egenberger, SJ ’39<br />
Virginia Otto Sperry, SM ’40<br />
Regina Micek Pawlusiak, SJ ’44<br />
Lucille Prusha Willoughby, SJ ’49<br />
Delores Greger Rasmussen, SM<br />
’51<br />
Jean Kontor Cooney, SM ’52<br />
Elaine Finn Tate, SM ’53<br />
Karen Kirkwood Vampola, SM ’53<br />
Ann Louise Gorzany Christian, SJ<br />
’54<br />
Rosemarie Tedesco Mortenson,<br />
SM ’55<br />
Joan Konon Pilus, SM ’55<br />
Patrice Staskiewicz Gurnon ’57<br />
Patricia Beister ’60<br />
Janice Hertzig Davis ’60<br />
Cindy Pesek ’68<br />
Husband<br />
Jane Lodge Shanahan, SM ’52<br />
Arlene Lampe Schulester, SM ’53<br />
Joyce Hebert Stander ’56<br />
Janice Daly Spethman ’56<br />
Diane Tegels Blakley ’57<br />
Janice Kutilek Freedman ’59<br />
Shirley Pollreis Lee ’61<br />
Mother<br />
Josephine Cuva Caliendo, SJ ’49<br />
Jeanette Boe Fleer, SJ ’55<br />
Glenda Mausbach Merwald ’56<br />
Virginia Bryg, Ed. D. ’57<br />
Joan Sheehan ’60<br />
Norma Jean DeWitt Almaguer ’63<br />
Linda DeWitt ’65<br />
Carmen Grasso ’65<br />
Pamela Morello ’65<br />
Anita Marino Force ’68<br />
Patricia Castro Gound ’68<br />
Mary Bondi Miller ’68<br />
Linda Belsky-Lohr ’71<br />
M. Susan Stefanski Heaney ’71<br />
Constance Dworak Novacek ’71<br />
Ann Stefanski Thomsen ’72<br />
Mary Jane Horgan Harrison ’73<br />
Mary Jean Bader Cook ’75<br />
Debbie Tubrick Rushlau ’75<br />
Susan Bader Cogdill ’76<br />
Patricia Belsky Cooper ’78<br />
Carol Bader Nicola ’78<br />
Pamela Belsky Rowland ’78<br />
Barbara Stefanski Vanderbeek ’79<br />
Mother-in-Law<br />
Cecilia Vidlak Hozhey ’66<br />
Ruth Vidlak Clark ’69<br />
Sharyl Tomasek Freer ’71<br />
Dr. Jane Dethlefs Roccaforte ’74<br />
Deborah Ramsey Lehman ’80<br />
Father<br />
Amy Lazzaro Galyardt ’61<br />
Nancy Lazzaro Tiedemann ’61<br />
Mary Kleine Tyrcha ’63<br />
Janet Kleine Farha ’64<br />
Dorothy Lazzaro Spencer ’64<br />
Katherine Wells Johnson ’65<br />
Catherine Schaefer Brisby ’66<br />
Mary Lazzaro Gibson ’66<br />
Jane Tourek Morinelli ’66<br />
Judy Subject Alley ’68<br />
Barbara Wells ’68<br />
Therese Schaefer Comyns ’71<br />
Jeanmarie Powers Fonfara ’73<br />
Regina Shafer Beisch ’75<br />
Cindy Subject Carlson ’75<br />
Laura Schmidt Cloutier ’80<br />
Jo Ann Subject Bartolomei ’81<br />
Mary Kay Subject Brown ’84<br />
Sharon Matya ’84<br />
Sandra Matya Scheuler ’85<br />
Kim Money ’86<br />
Jessica Youngs ’03<br />
Father-in-Law<br />
Dolly Rothermund Crandall ’62<br />
Connie Dworak Novacek ’71<br />
Patricia Robino Rosholm ’73<br />
Patty Batenhorst Cohlmia ’75<br />
Cari Goldman Tokheim ’82<br />
Maureen Becka Falcon ’85<br />
Heidi Connealy ’97<br />
Son<br />
Alice Olson Rischling ’56<br />
Brother<br />
Margaret Targy Webb, SM ’45<br />
Mary McEvoy Gruttemeyer, SM ’51<br />
Mary Lou “Mimi” Targy, SM ’52<br />
Ruth Daly Trede, SM ’52<br />
Janice Daly Spethman ’56<br />
Mary Jean Connelly Harrington<br />
’57 (2)<br />
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM ’58 (2)<br />
Sharon Miller ’58<br />
Sophie Miller White ’58<br />
Judy Brewster McCoy ’59<br />
Marcella Connelly Peterson ’64 (2)<br />
Tish Connelly ’65 (2)<br />
Sally Miller Storr ’66<br />
Pricilla Connelly Quinn ’68 (2)<br />
Rita Ptacek Wesely ’70<br />
Sheila Magnuson Kitzmiller ’73<br />
Mary Magnuson Fischer-Golda ’76<br />
January Langle Salvador ’99<br />
Michele Zach Walker ’85<br />
Brother-in-Law<br />
Regina Van Buren Hoody, SJ ’45<br />
Ruth Daly Trede, SM ’52<br />
Ann Bandiera Uhing, SM ’52<br />
Marjorie Ostransky Fibich, SM ’54<br />
Joyce Lampe Connolly, SM ’55<br />
Angela Spenceri Brewster ’56<br />
Annette Mayer Kutilek ’57<br />
Catherine Bryg Kantor ’59<br />
Raydelle Kaline Meehan ’59<br />
Janice Tegels Siragusa ’59<br />
Patricia Loftus Stander ’59<br />
Victoria Kafka Kirchner ’66<br />
Jeanne Cepuran Birnjak ’70<br />
Carol Simon Kelly ’78<br />
Mary Ann Wieberg Tietjen ’90<br />
Sister<br />
Elizabeth Bauer, SM ’36<br />
Marion Otto Pietig-Martin, SM ’38<br />
Patricia Brennan Abell, SJ ’41<br />
Josephine Bauer, SM ’41<br />
Mary Brennan Fogarty, SJ ’43<br />
Helen Caniglia Minarik, SJ ’43<br />
Sr. M. Eileen Greger, RSM, SM<br />
’44<br />
Mary Jane Caniglia Ferraguti, SJ<br />
’45<br />
Agnes Vocelka Fila, SM ’45<br />
Margurite Fangman Stejskal, SJ ’45<br />
Rosemary Greger Feldhacker, SM<br />
’46<br />
Josephine Caniglia Lohmeier, SJ<br />
’51<br />
Janice Otto Holzaphel, SM ’53<br />
Marilyn Greger Synowicki, SM ’53<br />
Therese Hertzig Welsh, SM ’54<br />
Joan Staskiewicz Belitz ’56<br />
Patricia Fangman Courage ’58<br />
Carol Kontor Bertoni ’61<br />
Maureen Greger Bourne ’62<br />
Joyce Hertzig ’65<br />
Paula Tedesco Spanheimer ’66<br />
Cathy Katzenberger ’68<br />
Cathy Pesek Brazeal ’70<br />
Frances Scalora Berger ’56<br />
Sister-in-Law<br />
Virginia Lorenc Boler, SJ ’42<br />
Maxine Tvrdik Hilger, SJ ’48<br />
Dorothy Andrlik Brennan, SM ’49<br />
Ann Louise Urzendowski Micek,<br />
SM ’49<br />
Mary Ann Finnegan Lemon, SJ ’51<br />
Peggy Crawford Kontor ’56<br />
Darlene Rayer Wehner ’56<br />
Carol Vacanti Keating ’58<br />
Loretta Kearney Siegel ’58<br />
Virginia Koziol Graniewski ’59<br />
Patricia Tarascio Vocelka ’60<br />
Maureen McDonnell Quinlan ’79<br />
Grandmother<br />
Rebecca Nitsch Cooke ’86<br />
Carrie Zuerlein George ’91<br />
Maureen Casey Graziano ’94<br />
Brandi Kapoun ’97<br />
Danielle Zuerlein McBride ’00<br />
Ann Nicola Oleson ’01<br />
Chelsea Horgan O’Larey ’02<br />
Kathy Roccaforte ’03<br />
Joan Nicola ’04<br />
Jessica Brannen Ryan ’04<br />
Erin Von Dollen ’04<br />
Hannah Vlach ’05<br />
Emily Von Dollen ’06<br />
Rachel Brannen ’10<br />
Elissa Von Dollen ’10<br />
Melissas Nigrin ’12<br />
Stephanie Bushman ’13<br />
Grandfather<br />
Marcia Lucas Scarberry ’64<br />
Kate Hilger ’01<br />
Michelle Daly ’12<br />
Olivia Reber ’14<br />
Julia McKinley ’15<br />
-23-
<strong>Mercy</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
1501 S. 48th Street<br />
Omaha, NE 68106-2504<br />
Non Profi t<br />
Organization<br />
US Postage<br />
PAID<br />
Omaha, NE<br />
Permit NO 879<br />
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED<br />
A Benefit for <strong>Mercy</strong> Negotiated Tuition<br />
Sponsored by:<br />
Monday, July 23, <strong>2012</strong><br />
The Players Club at Deer Creek