Spring 2011 - Mercy High School

4Expressions of Gratitude(Speech Written by Student Council President and Presented to FIESTA Guests)I would like to begin by thanking my classmates forallowing me to represent them, thus giving me theopportunity and honor to speak in front of all you tonight,and also by thanking all of my teachers here at Mercy forinstilling in me the confidence to prepare and deliver thisshort, yet essential speech of gratitude.Imagine, if you would, a 13 year-old girl. She’s in themidst of eighth grade, and high school is slowly yet surelyapproaching. For her, the next four years hold everythingshe’s ever imagined, and yet she’s beyond terrified.Her parents encourage her to begin looking around atwhere she would like to attend high school. She beginsthe routine of shadowing at her local high schools, andeverything is a whirlwind of the same thing at each school:plaid skirts, sitting through boring economics classes, andan unenthused feeling at the end of each shadowing date.Until she comes to Mercy High School. Before themorning bell even rings, she’s surrounded by girls askingher about her grade school, what she’s interested in, andgushing about how adorable her hair clip is. Her morningis a whirlwind of excitement. She sits through an AlgebraI class and is amazed at how the girls actually enjoy whatthey’re learning. She goes to an all-school prayer serviceand marvels at the way these girls who are always so fullof life can reflect and pray so deeply and sincerely. Shesits through lunch and laughs along with the animated andupbeat conversations. She watches as girls open doors foreach other, burst into song together, praise each other, andeven pray intentions for one other at the beginning of eachclass. At the conclusion of eighth hour, she finds herselfwishing her day didn’t have to end. She feels like she couldsurround herself with the love and spirit at Mercy HighSchool for the rest of her life.At dinner that evening when her parents ask her abouthow her day went, she can hardly pick one word todescribe her shadowing at Mercy. Exciting? Unique?Fantastic? And then it dawns on her: her day at Mercy wasunparalleled.To those of you sitting here tonight, along with all theother numerous donors who have supported Mercythrough the years, I say “thank you!” You see, that youngeighth grader of four years ago is standing before younow being given the opportunity to express her deepestgratitude towards you in helping to make her Mercyexperience a reality through your financial support ofnegotiated tuition.And I am not alonein my expression ofgratitude, as I comerepresenting my 360classmates.That’s 360 girls who,thanks to every singleone of you, cancontinue to have thebest day of her lifeeach time she putson her navy and grayskirt. And no twoof us have the samestory. We come from Student Council President Kristen Bramhall ’11a proud make-up ofdifferent families, backgrounds, parishes, neighborhoods,personalities, talents, and messy buns. And yet here we allare, enjoying all of Mercy’s blessings—knowledge, faith,service, and, thanks to negotiated tuition, equality. Thereis really no other way to thank all of you who have sharedso much with Mercy other than to promise on the behalfof the student body that your donations truly could not bemore treasured or put to better use.As Mercy girls, we understand how blessed we are toattend a school that is so incredible that its benefactorsremain an active part of our community. To us, you are notdistant and formal donors. You are our friends, neighbors,and partners for whom we pray on a daily basis. We areforever grateful for your monetary contributions throughevents like this that fund negotiated tuition. The impacton our lives is great! It allows any girl who desires thishigh quality educational experience the chance to have it,regardless of her family’s financial circumstances.I think the best way we can show our gratitude to you isto promise you that we are making excellent use of thisopportunity and of this education delivered under thebanner of Mercy. We promise you we will continue to dowhat Mercy girls do best: make lasting and meaningfulcontributions to a more just and loving world. Negotiatedtuition has taken thousands of girls from where they wereas eighth graders and has allowed them a place at MercyHigh School, where Mercy Girls do, indeed, becomeWomen of Mercy.

Ruma is a mental healthpractitioner/therapist forChildren’s Hospital andMedical Center, specificallythe Children’s BehavioralHealth, where she providesadolescent, adult and familytherapy, including outpatient,individual, group and familySarita Ruma ’73therapy. She has a B.S. degreein education with an emphasisin therapeutic recreation and a M.S. degree in counselingwith a specialization in agency counseling, both fromUNO.Culinary ArtsJacqueline Rynes Caniglia’89 is owner and pastry chefof La Charlotte-CanigliaPastries, Inc. Caniglia operatesa small bakery with a focus onthe quality, made-from-scratchproducts which she sells towholesale, retail and corporateaccounts. She received acertificate of cooking andbaking from the BaltimoreInternational Culinary College, Baltimore, Md.Jacqueline Rynes Caniglia ’89EngineeringSarah Gudeman* is amechanical project engineerfor Morrissey Engineering,one of Mercy’s corporatebusiness partners. Gudemanprovides professional HVACand plumbing design servicesSarah Gudemanfor commercial buildings.In addition, she specificallyfocuses on energy modeling, sustainable design, andenvironmentally-friendly practices. Her other areas ofexpertise are in existing building energy audits, energy usebenchmarking, LEED consulting and high-performancesolutions for green building projects. Gudeman holds aB.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa StateUniversity in Ames, Iowa.LawyerFrancie Riedmann Weis ’81 is a shareholder atGross and Welch, PC law firm. She specializes in civillitigation with an emphasis on appellate advocacy. Weisrepresents clients in the state and federal courts as wellFrancie Riedmann Weis ’81Medical SonographerJudy Jarecki Boner ’79 isa diagnostic sonographerfor Lakeside Hospital. Sheperforms ultrasounds onpatients, assists doctorswith special procedures andbiopsies and prepares medicalcases for review. Boner is aregistered diagnostic medicalas the appellate courts. Shecompleted her Juris doctoratefrom Creighton UniversitySchool of Law and a B.S.degree in communicationsfrom the University ofNebraska-Kearney in Kearney,Nebr.sonographer from Immanual Medical Center, Omaha,Nebr. Prior to that, she was a registered radiologictechnologist.Janet Niemoller Murnan ’77Medical TechnologyJanet Niemoller Murnan’77 is employed with AlegentHealth and MidlandsHospital as a medicaltechnologist. Murnan’sresponsibilities include bloodbanking, phlebotomy, qualitycontrol, chemistry testing,microbiology and hematology.She holds a B.S. degree in medical technology from theUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) inOmaha, Nebr.MusicianCo-presenters PhyllisBeda Dunne ’67 and AnneMarie Kenny ’69 sharedtheir expertise as musicians,performing artists, and musicteachers with the sophomoreclass. Dunne is self-employedas a piano teacher andperformer on the mountaindulcimer. Dunne Music is*non-alumna but a staff member or business partnerJudy Jarecki Boner ’79Anne Marie Kenny ’69 and PhyllisBeda Dunne ’677

88Each representative allowed herself to be openfor career shadowing and mentoring, and if Iwanted more information, they didn’t want meto hesitate to call them. - Sam Whiteaffiliated with the Nebraska Arts Council touring andArtist-In School/Community Programs and the NebraskaHumanities Council Speakers Bureau. She strives tomake students independent musicians by laying a strongfoundation in music theory through learning self-disciplineand performance techniques, which aid students inbuilding self-esteem vital for all endeavors in life. In herperformances, Dunne communicates the messages foundin the music and encourages everyone to make music apart of their lives. She holds a bachelor of music degreewith a piano major and voice minor with K-12 teachingcertification from UNO.Kenny is self employed with Anne Marie Kenny’s VocalPerformance Studio and president of WholeworldEnterprises LLC, an intercultural consulting company. Sheis involved in two professional and cultural arenas. In thefield of music, she is a singer and voice teacher. Kennyalso works in the field of intercultural communications,providing assessment, consulting and training tocompanies, non-profits, and governmental organizations,to increase their cultural competency. She has lived andworked overseas for 20 years, owning and operating astaffing and training company in Prague, Czech Republic.Prior to that, she was a professional singer in France. Sheholds a masters degree in organizational leadership fromthe College of Saint Mary (CSM) in Omaha, Nebr.Angela Wieberg Maynard ’83 andAmanda Fulton ’98NursingCo-presenters, AngelaWieberg Maynard ’83 andAmanda Fulton ’98 sharedtheir knowledge in the nursingfield. Maynard works inthe Center for Health andCounseling at CreightonUniversity as the assistantdirector for clinical support.She manages the clinical areafor this center which serves the students at CreightonUniversity. Maynard graduated with an associate degree innursing and her B.S. degree in nursing from UNMC.organ transplant care. She holds a B.S. in nursing fromTexas Christian University in Fort Worth, Tex.Occupational TherapyTheresa Levy Meehan ’97 isemployed with the Papillion-LaVista School District as anoccupational therapist. Herresponsibilities include workingin both the school systemand home environmentshelping children with a varietyof diagnoses. Meehan’s goal is to help the childrencomplete activities of daily living. Some activities mayinclude helping a child get dressed, eat, color, and cut asindependently as possible. Each day is filled with newchallenges. She holds a B.S. degree in occupational therapyfrom CSM.Laura Kowal Straw ’74Theresa Levy Meehan ’97Physical TherapyLaura Kowal Straw ’74is employed atPhysiciansChoice HomeHealth Care as a physicaltherapist. She works almostexclusively with orthopedicpatients, more specifically,those who’ve had total jointreplacements. As a physicaltherapist, it is her job to determine the cause of theproblem and to devise a treatment program accordingly,with an emphasis on healing and teaching the patient howto best deal with the changes they have experienced. Strawholds a B.S. degree in physical therapy from UNMC.PhysicianDr. Christine Chonis Jeffrey’75 is a family medicinephysician for PhysiciansClinic. She cares for patientsin the hospital and office.In addition, she treatspatients in nursing homeand rehabilitation centers. Dr. Christine Chonis Jeffrey ’75Jeffrey received her medicaldegree from UNMC, with herresidency training at Clarkson Family Medicine and her aB.A. degree in biology from UNO.Fulton is a registered nurse at The Nebraska MedicalCenter where she cares for pediatric patients, many ofwhom come from out of state for pre- and post-solid

PsychiatristDr. Gina Oliveto ’85 is a childand adolescent psychiatristat Bergan Mercy Hospital/Alegent Health where sheevaluates and treats children,teenagers, and young adultswith psychiatric illness andsubstance abuse problems. Dr. Gina Oliveto ’85She graduated from the UNOwith a B.S. degree in biology,then from Creighton Medical School upon where shecompleted a general psychiatry residency at Maine MedicalCenter in Portland, Maine. She also completed a childand adolescent psychiatry fellowship at the Creighton-Nebraska program.Sports MedicineLaura Imig* is an athletictrainer for Alegent Health,which partners with Mercy.Her career encompasses theprevention, diagnosis, andintervention of emergency,acute, and chronic medicalconditions involvingimpairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. Shetakes care of all the athletes at Mercy from the time theinjury occurs to their return to the playing field. Imig alsoworks with physicians and other health care providersto ensure the best care possible for Mercy students. Inaddition, at Mercy, she supervises the sports medicinestudents and teaches CPR and first aid to the healthclasses. Imig holds a MS degree in athletic training fromIndiana University, Bloomington, Ill. and a B.S. degreein physical education from the University of Minnesota,Minneapolis, Minn.Teacher (High School)Mary Coyle* has over 25 yearsexperience in teaching Englishand journalism at Mercy.She serves as the Englishdepartment chairperson. Herresponsibilities include teachingEnglish 10, Honors EnglishMary CoyleLaura Imig10 and a Beginning Journalismclass. Coyle also sponsorsthe National Honor Society,Pro-Life group, yearbook committee, and is a senior classsponsor. She received her M.A. degree in communicationfrom UNO and her B.A. degree in journalism/English/secondary education from Creighton University.Teacher (K-5)Co-presenters KimberlyBujarski Prenzlow ’98 andChristine Clines Eisold’96 shared their expertise askindergarten-fifth grade teachers.Prenzlow, as a second gradeteacher at Mary Our QueenCatholic Elementary School, Kimberly Bujarski Prenzlow ’98finds it rewarding to prepare thestudents for Reconciliation and First Communion. She9 9graduated from Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, witha B.A. degree in elementary education with a minor intheology.Eisold, a first grade teacher atReeder Elementary, a MillardPublic School, for 10 yearsexpands the learning of 25children in her class room.She received a M.A. degreein curriculum and instructionChristine Clines Eisold ’96from Doane College, inCrete, Nebr. She receivedher B.S. in elementary education with endorsement in earlychildhood from UNO. She also participated in Millard’sLeadership Academy, which will prepare her for futureadministration roles. Eisold was recently accepted into theEducational Leadership Program at Doane College for heradministration degree.Samantha Nykiel ’00 and Dr. LynnBatenhorstVeterinaryCo-presenters SamanthaNykiel ’00 and Dr. LynnBatenhorst* are co-workersat VCA 80 Dodge AnimalHospital. As office manager,Nykiel ensures the hospitalprovides quality patient careand excellent client services.Her responsibilities includemanagement of financeand accounting, marketingand promotion of services, staffing and human resources,and discretionary activities that serve to support effectivebusiness operations. As associate veterinarian, Batenhorstprovides professional medical, nutritional, dental andsurgical diagnostic and treatment of companion animals.She completed her doctorate of veterinary medicineat Kansas State University, Kansas State, Mo. and herundergraduate studies at CSM.*non-alumna but a staff member or business partner

10Advancement Office UpdateDear Alumnae, Parents, and Friends,Our mission at Mercy High School is one of accessibility, where any young woman who desiresa Catholic education in the Mercy tradition will have equal access and be accepted, regardless offinancial ability. Because we are a private school sponsored by a religious order (the Sisters ofMercy), we receive neither tax support nor parish subsidies. Private and individual donations arethe heart of our support. We are not a tuition-driven school. At Mercy High School, negotiatedtuition guarantees a future of hope to our students. Each family negotiates a customized tuitionrate ranging from minimal amounts to full tuition, and each family pays according to their income. All pay somethingtoward the cost of educating their daughters, and all are expected to participate in fundraising activities. About 46 %of our budget is derived from fundraising and advancement efforts, including endowment interest. Mercy High Schoolcommits $1.5 million annually to negotiated tuition through scholarships, tuition awards, and Mercy grants. Almost 86 %of Mercy’s 360 young women receive financial assistance.Advancement is not an isolated event and we offer many opportunities for support throughout the year. Ouradvancement efforts and special events have all been designed to position Mercy High School for the long term. Ourannual FIESTA and Golf Fest are ‘friend raisers’ as well which serve to acquaint a variety of supporters and constituentswith our mission. While all of our efforts contribute significantly to Mercy’s financial stability, our main thrust is toensure that our Mercy girls grow in Faith, Knowledge, and Service through their educational experience at Mercy HighSchool.Whenever you support the mission of Mercy High School – whether by donating to one of our appeals, including Mercyin your estate plans, attending special events like FIESTA and Golf Fest, purchasing a sponsorship or donating an item,making a pledge to our capital campaign, or supporting our annual Phonathon -- you affirm the “careful instruction ofwomen” that Catherine McAuley advocated when she founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831.Our annual Phonathon will begin on March 19. Next to FIESTA, Phonathon is the second largest component ofour annual fund which provides unrestricted dollars for negotiated tuition, instructional support, and academic programs.Please be generous when your Phonathon volunteer calls. Your support places the priceless gift of a Mercy educationwithin reach of those young women who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attain it.On behalf of our 360 young women of Mercy, thank you! Thank you for your prayers and for sharing your financialresources to keep Mercy High School Omaha’s first name in Catholic education since 1864.With sincere gratitude,Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff ’65Vice President for AdvancementRetreat Provided Support for CaregiversOver 60 alumnae and parents attended Mercy’s retreat, Reflections on the CaregivingJourney: Taking Care of Yourself and Your Loved One, on Saturday, March 5. Presenter,Pat Callone, SM ’55, shared her personal caregiving journey and offered useful tools toattendees. All those present received a booklet “Meet My Loved One” which Callone haddeveloped to support her latest book, The Alzheimer’s Caregiving Puzzle: Putting Togetherthe Pieces. Callone is co-owner of CaringConcepts with Connie Kudlacek.Pat CalloneIf you were unable to attend the retreat and would like more information concerningcaregiving, contact: Pat Callone, CaringConcepts, Inc., 12102 Westover Road, Omaha, NE68154-3003; 402.330.1765; pcallone@cox.net; www.caringconcepts.org.

11Mercy Students SupportOperation OthersStudents gathered 7,371 cans of foodfor Operation Others to distributein Christmas baskets for those inneed. The students were featuredon KETV-Ch. 7 news for the groupefforts in gathering the cans of food.Nocturne 2010A Night in Paris, the Nocturne 2010 Homecoming Dance, proved to be amemorable one for all attendees.L to R: Bri Bailey ’11 and Ryann Woods ’11No Fading Star earns SuperiorRatingThe No Fading Star cast receiveda superior rating at the One ActDistrict Competition and was districtrunner up. Congratulations toMadison Hoge, Kristen Bramhall,Miranda Houston, Rebekah Menzel,Miranda Mayer, and Erin Wolbachwho all received outstanding actressawards.L to R: Junior Princess Rachel Etter, Senior Queen Betty Wulff, and Sophomore Princess Kayla Fowler.Students March on WashingtonMercy students joined youth from all over the Archdiocese of Omaha on theannual March for Life in Washington, D.C. in January.Madison Hoge ’11 (left) and Kristen Bramhall ’11Back row, L to R: Danielle Davis ’11, Rachel Slowik ’12, Dafnis Delgado-Arellanes ’13, Mary Ryck ’13,Ms. Ashley Shrader ’04, Campus Minister.Front row, L to R: Colleen Leahy ’11, Gabby Bash ’14, Catherine Glenn ’12, Elizabeth Nussrallah ’14.

13Varsity Basketball Team Ventures to Atlanta, GAFrom December 27-29, theMonarch varsity basketball teamparticipated in the St. Pius X11 Annual Christmas ClassicTournament December inAtlanta, Calif. They also had theopportunity for some sight seeing,one of which was a tour of CNN.Juniors Delight Seniors with Toy StoryOn Friday, February 4, the Junior class presented Toy Story to the student body.During the performance they announced that prom would be held on Saturday,April 9, and that the theme would be “To Infinity and Beyond.” The promcolors will be silver, turquoise, and black.Student Appreciation DayCelebrated as Part of CatholicSchools WeekOn Friday, February 5, the studentshad a day to remember. After apancake breakfast made and servedby the faculty, a prayer service, andthe surprise of Prom Announcement,the students were taken bowling.Each class bowled for an hour andthen had an hour to play video games,lazer tag, ride go carts or socializewith friends.Becca Veys as Buzz LightyearJessi Lange ’13 enjoys pancakes before her daybegins.Catherine Glenn as AndyFrom left: Mr. PotatoHead - MirandaMayer, Rex -Claudia Brock,Hamm - LeesaRangel , Slinky -Abbey Walker andLarissa Morehead,Bo Peep - ChristineGonderinger andWoody - MadeleineJesse.L to R: Sam Perry ’12 and Shannon Prem ’12relax at the bowling alley.

14Alumnae News1950sJoan Stoffel Sindelar ’59 traveled to Colorado for a familyski trip in February. They have been making this family skitrip for over thirty years.Eileen Van BurenCurran ’58 and herhusband Jim spenttime with family overthe Christmas seasonin Phoenix, Ariz.1960sJoanne Zegar Tusa’67 writes: “After 43years of marriage,Rich and I have threesons, two of whomare married, and onedaughter who is married. We both thank our parents forour Catholic foundation and see our kids hold strongly thesame values with our nine grandchildren.”1970sMary Patrice Montag ’77 and her fiancé, Jerome Birch,will wed on May 28, 2011 at St. John’s Church. Herbrother, John Montag, S.J., will be officiating the ceremonyalong with Jerome’s father, who is a deacon.Mary Patrice Montag ’77 and her fiance Jerome BirchL to R: Elaine Van Buren Marmion ’58 andher twin sister Eileen Van Buren Curran ’58.1990sLaura Kasher Donigan ’96 recently became a boardcertified Internal Medicine Doctor and has taken a jobin Salida, Colo. Her husband Daemon submitted thefollowing in honor of Laura and her accomplishments:“After graduation in 1996, Laura took a daring leap andmoved to New York City to study acting and dance. Somemay wonder how this led to her becoming a doctor, butyou would be surprised at the similar kinds of courageand hard work ittakes in both thesefields. The old saying,‘If you can make itthere, you can makeit anywhere,’ certainlywas not intendedto include medicalschool. However, inher case it seemed to.In 2002, she enteredmedical school atthe University ofNebraska MedicalCenter. WhileLaura Kasher Donigan ’96 with her husbandDaemon and dogs.looking for the right residency program, she visitedSeattle, Portland, Chicago, Cleveland, and San Francisco.Ultimately it was the call of the mountains that lead herto Denver, Colo. Though being so close to the mountainsmay have felt more like an unattainable freedom thana blessing, residency didn’t allow for a lot of free time.Maybe that is why the medical practice in Salida was soappealing. Salida is a town with one stop light, wherepeople raft on the Arkansas River that runs throughtown, skiing and snowboarding can be done at a nice butnot overly touristy resort, and a ten-minute drive in anydirection leads to amazing hiking and mountain climbing.It is place where a traffic jam is waiting for a squirrel tocross the street, and no one has to lock up their bicycles.Laura chose the road less traveled, and it has led her to aRocky Mountain paradise.”Theresa Wieberg Cook ’98 is a writer/reporter forMSNBC in London, England. She posted an article onthe Worldblog by NBC on November 16, 2010 about theengagement announcement of Prince William Windsorand Kate Middleton.Kristen Owen Velazquez ’99 is enrolled at the AvedaInstitute in Denver, Colo., making high honors. She willgraduate in January 2012. Upon graduation, she and herhusband, Hugo, and their two children, Ezekiel – 4 andAdysen – 2 will return to Omaha, Nebraska. Velazquezwrites: “Each day is a blessing, and I look forward to whatthe future holds for us!”

152000sMarie Cusic ’01 and family visited the InternationalHouse of Mercy in Ireland on December 23, 2010. Cusicwrites: “We had a wonderful visit. What a beautiful homeand rich history. The House of Mercy was on my bucketlist!”Save The DateAll SchoolReunionSunday, June 5, 20119:00 a.m. Mass in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel10:30 a.m. Complimentary brunch with program11:30 a.m. Tour the school and shop the MercyMarketAlumnae of St. John, St. Mary, and Mercy HighSchool are welcome to attend the reunion.L to R: Ellie Cusic ’06, Marie Cusic ’01 and Theresa Cusic ’08Stephanie Houston ’02 entered a college ROTC programafter graduating from Mercy. Now an army captain andnurse, Houston was one of a group of American veteranswho was featured in an article in the Omaha World-Heraldnewspaper, “North Korea Threat Beyond Neighbors,”which was part of the newspaper’s ongoing coverage ofthe Korean War’s 60 th anniversary, starting with a MemorialDay special section commemorating the start of the war inJune 1950.Jayne Bartek ’09 is a sophomore at the University ofNebraska at Omaha (UNO). She received a scholarshipto study abroad in Norway via the College of InformationScience and Technology where she was a student worker.For the 2011 spring semester, Bartek is studying inKristiansand, Norway, and has been there for a littleover a month and plans on being there until about June.In Norway, Bartek is taking humanities classes for funbecause she currently an undecided major at UNO.Share Your Story With OtherMercy AlumnaeContact Mary Beacom Emmer ’84 atemmerm@mercyhigh.org or 402.553.9424Classes ending in 1 and 6 are encouraged to plan theirreunion during this weekend and:- Can participate in the Mass and sing with theAlumnae Choir during the Mass- Will be recognized at the brunch during theprogram- Will have reserved seating at the brunch- Will have a class photo taken after the brunchConfirmed classes to hold their reunion during the AllSchool Reunion weekend, June 3-5, 2011 are:60 – 1951 St. John50 – 196140 – 197120 – 199115 – 1996Classes pending confirmation of a reunion during theAll School Reunion:65 – 1946 St. John 35 – 197665 – 1946 St. Mary 30 – 198160 – 1951 St. Mary 25 – 198655 – 195610 – 200145 – 19665 – 2006The Advancement Office will provide you with theclass list and pay the postage for the reunion invitations.Please contact Mary Emmer, alumnae relations atemmerm@mercyhigh.org or 402.553.9424 with anyquestions.

16In CelebrationWeddingsMarcy Harrington ’85 to Paul ThompsonKimberly Bujarski ’98 to Adam PrenzlowJessica Ham ’99 to Daniel StalnakerSarah Tunzer ’00 to Daniel WrightDesirae Greco ’03 to Landon AdebiyiKristin Lenczowski ’03 Danny RoelfsAbigail Engstrom ’06 to Anthony JacksonNicole Ferkinhoff ’06 to Eric ZamisMelissa Cochrane ’07 to Leo NoahrDaniel & Sarah Tunzer Wright ’00Danny & Kristin Lenczowski Roelfs ’03L to R: - Emily Engstrom ’11,Abigail Engstrom Jackson ’06, andHannah Engstrom ’14.L to R: Bridesmaid, Ellen Vulje Bockelman ’98, Kimberly Bujarski Prenzlow’98 and Josah Driml Powers ’98, matron of honor.Leo & MelissaCochrane Noahr ’07Anniversaries60 thJohn M. & Patricia Gauer Hosking ’56Daniel and Jessica Ham Stalnaker ’99Chester & Virginia StefanskiParents of: M. Susan Stefanski Heaney, M.D. ’71, AnnStefanski Thomsen ’72, Barbara Stefanski Vanderbeek ’7950 thTom & Annette Mayer Kutilek ’57

In MemoriamThe Mercy High School community extendssincere sympathy to the families and friends ofthose who have died from October 1, 2010 -January 31, 2011.AlumnaeSr. Catherine Marie Franey, RSM, MSM ’29Margaret Goodhope Ackland, SJ ’30Mary Frances Stewart, SM ’33Josephine Ann Catalano Catania, SJ ’38Stella Mertz Robinson, SJ ’38Mary Lucille Powers Ryan, SJ ’38Rosemary Minton Clare, SJ ’39Rosemary Calvert Ridenour, SJ ’39Catherine Ann Hogan Spiers, SJ ’43Lois Southwick Andersen, SJ ’45Lucille Vasile Guidici, SJ ’48Charlotte Tvrdik Teets, SJ ’48Patricia Sullivan Urlaub, SJ ’48Annamay Erdman Weaver, SM ’49Betty Kastanek Cap, SM ’50Mary Lucille Berigan Kleber, SM ’50Sr. Mary Sparks Lavey, RSM, SM ’52Delores Kempnich Whelan, SJ ’52Josephine Ann Astuto Eby, SM ’53Mary Ellen Menard ’56Catherine Mahr Romero ’57Frances Ciciulla Hofmann ’58Virginia LeGate Johnson ’58Mary Ann Sheppard ’59Sr. Stella Marie Neill, RSM ’60Susan Bell Olson ’63Kathy Tinley Payne ’64Doris Bleach Lordemann ’65Donna Bednarz David ’69Debra Lynne Tessin Aliano ’71Peggy Harwood Maguire ’77HusbandMary Gleeson Jonaitis, SJ ’43Shirley Guthman Maxwell, SM ’44Jean Gaule Curnyn, SJ ’45Rosemary Greger Feldhacker, SM ’46Mary Ann Simon O’Connell, SJ ’47Delores Bathen Hartung, SM ’48Helen Mickells Stanek, SJ ’49Loretta Hanrahan Uehling, SJ ’49Rosemary Traynor Gentile, SM ’51Mary Anderson Bratty ’57Patricia Eckley Granger ’57Jeanette Kilton Sterba ’59Carol Ann Martin Berger ’62Ingrid Cavalieri Netzel ’64Debbie Lynam Troia ’66MotherAlice Olson Rischling ’56Pat Brandt Podjenski ’57Phyllis Olson Norskov ’58Georgia Crosby Langdon ’60Joyce Brandt Schab ’60Kathy Boylan Lupardus ’61Mary Brandt Beziat ’63Dianne Crosby Cordova ’63Susan Quenelle Cody ’65Joan Czarnek ’65Kathy Wells Johnson ’65Susan Tessin Bruning ’67Margaret Mostek ’67Mary Wells ’67Judy Czarnek ’68Rita Mostek McLean ’68Barbara Wells ’68Victoria Maida Lallman ’70Charlene Staroska Milan ’70Nancy Tosone ’71Pamela Tessin Klusaw ’73Michaela Crosby Burns ’74Anna (Lisa) Tosone ’74Cris Lordemann McMahon ’90Mother-in-LawCatherine O’Brien Casey ’57Janet Murphy Wolff ’58Shirley Mach Evans ’66Jeannie Nosal Logemann ’70FatherMary Katherine Hurley Rooney ’60Angela Pattavina ’61Sharon Washington Lee ’63Kathleen Pistillo Campbell ’67Connie Filipowicz ’68Margaret Nissen Badie ’69Kathleen Vana Kensinger ’69Phyllis Pistillo ’70Patricia Lynam Schultz ’70M. Susan Stefanski Heaney, M.D. ’71Carol Nystrom ’72Ann Stefanski Thomsen ’72Paula Pistillo Boyd ’73Carol Filipowicz Gemborys ’73Catherine Filipowicz Hunter ’76Barbara Stefanski Vanderbeek ’79Caroline Hartung Thompson ’90Father-in-LawMargaret Smith Bragg ’66Patricia Beck Lamoureux ’68Barbara (Kay) Dolphin Weiss ’69Nancy Bertagni Wackerhagen ’73DaughterJane Gregg Harwood, SJ ’52SonSylvia Capazo Robino ’63Son-in-LawCatherine Magnuson Ostronic, SM ’46BrotherRita Heavey Hasiak, SJ ’45Shirley Doran Marcil, SJ ’48Merna Wessling Allen ’58Elizabeth Ruffino Lapsley ’62Beth Brant Herrin ’66Rosemary Wessling Lubbers ’71Martha Cherek Davidson ’73Mary Troia Cuva ’60Brother-in-LawMargaret Mullaly Stratman, SJ ’44Sr. M. Eileen Greger, RSM, SM ’44Darlene Watenpaugh Truelsen, SJ ’51Delores Greger Rasmussen, SM ’51Marian Traynor Maschka, SM ’52Marilyn Greger Synowicki, SM ’53Dorothy Mickells Begley, SJ ’55Helen Traynor Smith ’56Carol Longmore Wessling ’58Maureen Greger Bourne ’62Patricia Murnan Hughes ’71Alison Devaney Lux ’97SisterRegina Micek Pawlusiak, SJ ’44Clare Hogan Cholet, SJ ’48Maxine Tvrdik Hilger, SJ ’48Marie Catalano Minkowski, SJ ’50Bette Stessman Wilson, SJ ’51Vinette Southwick Tenopir, SJ ’53Helen Sullivan Coonce, SJ ’54Margaret Rosse Eledge, SM ’54Sr. M. Lucy Astuto ’57Carol Neill Casey ’58Michaele Rosse Pleiss ’60Sharon Neill ’62Susan Tessin Bruning ’67Pamela Tessin Klusaw ’73Sister-in-LawRuth Kalamaja Hogan, SJ ’40Patricia Colchin Lavey, SM ’50Phyllis DiBaise Stessman, SM ’50Marilyn Yechout Stoysich ’57Patricia David Davis ’58Margurite Wagman Stoysich ’58Barbara David Czerwinski ’61Bridget McDonnell Sorys ’76GrandmotherDebbie Podjenski Withrow ’76Diane Podjenski Shedd ’77Denise Podjenski Bartels ’80Denise Schnitker Podjenski ’81Dawn Podjenski Ortgies ’85Patricia Carnazzo Lauritsen ’86Heather Galas Morris ’89Kelly Staup Strukoff ’90Amy Riggs Wheeler ’93Michele Leighton Krajicek ’94Trisha Galas ’95Jessica Cannon Rempe ’96Elizabeth Tiehen Kreikemeier ’98Michayla Cannon ’98Heather Cannon ’01Katie Pearson ’01Melissa Rosin ’01Eleanore Tiehen ’01Rachel Weiss Lepert ’02Sara Pearson ’03Laura Tiehen Deck ’04Sabrina Anania ’06Erica Ordway ’06Sarah Harvey ’09Maria Harvey ’11GrandfatherLisa Bragg Linquist ’87Kristi Walters Wessling ’88Heather Wackerhagen Overton ’92Nicole Buesing ’06Madeline Brush ’10Anna Heavey ’1219

Sister Stella Marie Neill, RSM ’601942-2010A Legacy of LeadershipSister Stella Marie Neill ’60 died suddenly in a caraccident on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Sister Stellaembodied the mission of the Sisters of Mercy as sheanswered the call to serve others in need and passionatelylived the works of Mercy.Her real love was social work and helping the poorand those in need. It was one of the reasons she chosethe Sisters of Mercy as a religious order. She was avisionary woman who had the ability to see needs in thecommunities in which she lived.In the early 1970’s, she and other sisters founded theMcAuley Bergan Center to provide outreach servicesto the elderly. Sister Stella served as the director. Sheand others arranged for transportation services, homevisits, hot meals and opened an adult day care centerlocated at 35 and Farnam Streets in Omaha, Nebraska.The services continue today at the Franciscan Centre onNorth 90 Street.From 1981 to 1987, Sister Stella served as director ofplanning and pastoral councils for the Catholic Dioceseof Des Moines, Iowa. In 1987, she and a group of peoplein Des Moines identified the need for safe, affordablehousing for people with limited incomes. Anawim Housingwas born. During her 22 years as executive director, theorganization grew from the rehabilitation of a singleduplex in 1988 to the development and managementof some 221 units in 2010. Despite her busy ministryschedule with Anawim Housing, she also found time toserve on the Extended Leadership Team for the Sisters ofMercy Omaha Regional Community from 1998 to 2008.In July 2010, Sister Stellabegan her new role asdirector of development forthe West Midwest Sistersof Mercy Community.She had just put her teamtogether and was settlinginto her new job when shedied.Sister Stella is survived bysiblings Sharon Neill ’62and Carol Neill Casey ’58.Sister Joan Martin, RSM1932 -2010Sister Joan Martin, RSM, died Wednesday, December15, 2010, after a 20-year struggle with cancer. Sister Joancelebrated her 60 th jubilee on August 15, 2010.2121A Sister of Mercy for 60 years!For the past eight years, Sister Joan served as assistant tothe president of Mercy High School in Omaha, Nebr.where she oversaw the school’s building and maintenancedepartment. This was no small task considering the schoolcompleted extensive renovations in 2008.Sister Delores Hannon, RSM, the school president,shared, “Sister Joan will be remembered for her quiet,purposeful presence, her quick humor, her ability to sumup a situation, and her quiet support. She will be greatlymissed.”Principal Carolyn Jaworski ’65 said, “Sister Joan wasalways a welcoming and calming presence here at MercyHigh. I never saw her become rattled or overly concernedabout any issue that was causing the rest of us great angstand apprehension. She was the ‘safe and calm’ harbor forall of us. Her wonderful sense of humor and her ability toalways see the good and ‘opportunity’ in any situation wasan inspiration to all of us. Most of all, Joan was a constantreminder to us of the spirit and legacy of CatherineMcAuley -- what an example of a powerful woman whoknew how to lead with gentleness.”She had been a nurse (she spent eleven years serving inMercy Hospitals in Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluffs,Iowa and five years as a psychiatric nurse at the MenningerFoundation, Topeka, Kans.), hospital administrator (St.John Medical Center, Joplin, Mo., and Mercy Hospital,Roseburg,Oreg.), resident managerfor Mercy Housing(Denver, Colo.) andpresident of MercyManagement Services(Boise, Idaho). She alsoserved in leadership ofthe Sisters of MercyOmaha RegionalCommunity where shewas vice president from1990 to 1998.Sr. Stella Marie Neill, RSM ’60Sr. Joan Martin, RSM

22MemorialsThe following have been entered into our Memorial Association from October 1, 2010 - January 31, 2011.Debra Tessin Aliano ’71Tom & Ann ConnellyBrannenJim & Marsha StewartAlbert & KatherineAngeleCarole Lankas AngeleMrs. Frances ApicellaJo RussoDebbie Mowery Battaglia’67Bobbie Mowery WingateJerome (Jerry) BergerBill & Norma Thell BegleyGary & Marlene Thell MachalBernie Thell MartinMaxine Thell VinardiWilma BestaTom & Ann ConnellyBrannenJeanette (Jean) BrandtPatricia L. MoffattPatricia Brandt PodjenskiSally TheilerThomas & Joyce TheilerCharles P. (Chuck) CaseyArt DepartmentLinda Gallagher BayerlPat & Carol Neill CaseySr. Corrine C. Connelly, RSMSancha Gloden CorriganSharon Van Ackeren FulcherJudy Tomasek KoziolMary McCafferty NastaseKay Schuyler OberdinLoretta Kearney SiegeleMarialyce Killeen WalshJoyce Jensen WhalleyThe Castro & RodriguezFamiliesAdriana CastroRita CrosbyMary Merrick BerendzenMaureen Danahy BevinsDr. & Mrs. ChristopherCarrollMary Kay ConnorPatty McCarthy DedenGail GartnerSusan Stahl HohmanKay Morocco MartinKathleen Hanley McGaheyPeg Poffenbarger NeumannKathy Kelly PriestNancy Tanner RosenthalGeri McMahon StoneburnerWillam J. DaleyDenise Matya BarrettSr. Corrine Connelly, RSMMary CoyleBetty Trout EckleyMrs. Margaret LavelleThe MERCIANPublished 3x yearly by the Mercy High SchoolAlumnae/Advancement OfficeIngrid Kalinowski Borghoff ’65Vice President for AdvancementMary Beacom Emmer ’84Alumnae Relations/Special Events CoordinatorMaureen Becka Falcon ’85Communications/PublicationsMichaela Kubat Valentin ’92Alumnae Association PresidentSr. Delores Hannon, RSMPresidentCarolyn Jaworski ’64Principal402.553.9424 FAX 402.553.0394www.mercyhigh.orgElmer & Kay McCannDonna Bednarz David ’69Tom & Ann ConnellyBrannenDeceased Classmates of1956Fran Scalora BergerPatsy Leutenegger BradyTheresa Doll GotchJudy Bosiljevac HardenMarge Hopkins MacaitisBarb Seward McCoyHelen (Sugar) Traynor SmithDeceased Classmates1961Margaret Mary (Peg)McClintick HughesFrank J. DuffyJoe & Sandy SchneiderwindEdward V. EveTerri McGough EveFrank FilipowiczChris Rapier FilipowiczConnie FilipowiczCarol Filipowicz GemborysCathy Filipowicz HunterCindy Filipowicz SerfassCatherine Ann FoleySandy & Jim ErwinSr. Catherine Marie Franey,RSM, MSM ’29Kate Janca AdamsSr. Marie Angele, RSMAnonymousBeverly Marreel AnzaloneCarol Kontor BertoniIngrid Kalinowski BorghoffDan & Sharon PalladinoBurnsBetty Thell BussePatricia CalloneRita Sohler CarlsonVicki Michalski CarpenterMolly CassidyArthur & Mary Beth PetersenCoateMary Kay ConnorTim & Mary CoyleEileen Van Buren CurranMatilda Sturek DargyLynn DeMarcoDr. Peter R. & Loreta L.DeMarcoJackie Rashid DevaneySr. Mary Ellen Devereux,RSMAryn Vacanti ElsasserSr. Rosemary Floersch,RSMFrancia Folda FrodymaMarisa Gilbert & Staff,Knowles Mercy SpiritualityCenterLeonard & Mary Lou NemecGuniaMarianne Beck HallBeth HansenKatie HansenMary Jo HavlicekJohn & Nicole Hahn JesseMelissa LordGary & Marlene Thell MachalElaine Van Buren MarmionBernadette Thell MartinHolly McCoySr. Patricia McDermott, RSMMaureen McGrathAndrea Armstrong McIntoshShirley Sohler MendenhallDennis & Rose AnnMichalskiLeo & Claire Riley MurnanKathleen M. O’BrienSr. Johneen Owens, RSMBecky PackettPat & Mary Lou ParrMargaret PesekMartin & Kathy Murnan PflugMargaret Ann Bock PiersonCathy PotterJerry & Rita BlankenshipReynoldsLori Rowan-HullLynn SchlueterMargaret SeminSr. Susan Severin, RSMJanice Jazynka SgierLoretta Kearney SiegeleMary L. SkupaHelen & Larry SmithLorray SmithSr. Sally Smolen, RSMTeresa Tusa StillmockSr. Theresa Svehla, RSMLaura Vacanti ThoreenAlison VacantiAnthony & Teresa VancuraVacantiMaxine Thell VinardiBernadette Kaczmarek VlockJudy Dargy VohsMary L. Shirley WeberDavid & Julie WilsonRonald C. WilwerdingRita FrischholzGary & Marlene Thell MachalBetty GenovesiJohn LavelleMargaret LavelleAnne GilbertCarolyn JaworskiDr. Michael J. HallerMarla NortonVeron B. HayesJo RussoHarold W. & Agnes HigginsDr. Virginia A. HigginsFrances HollowayMary Beth LavelleM. Marie HoppMr. & Mrs. Larry J. SwansonKathleen Turner Jeffries’62Sue Turner ForemanVirginia LeGate Johnson’58Janice Jazynka SgierEmilija JonusasVirgil Johnson & The LawFirm of Erickson &SederstromJeffrey A. KirkpatrickSr. M. Jude Graham, RSMJo RussoStacey KlingerMary & Tim CoyleCharles & Marie LankasCarole Lankas AngeleSr. Mary Sparks Lavey,RSM, SM ’52Sr. Marie Angele, RSMSr. Rosemary Floersch,RSMSr. Johneen Owens, RSMMary Ann Quinn Linder,SJ ’48Edward J. Quinn, Jr.Doris (Dorie) M.LordemannIngrid Kalinowski BorghoffCarol KeefoverHolly McCoyMarcy Connelly PetersonJosephine Buda MaidaIngrid Kalinowski BorghoffCarol Keefover

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