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<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SENTINEL</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

MAGAZINE OF SETON CATHOLIC PREPARATORY | FALL 2015<br />

A Tradition of Giving,<br />

Rooted in Faith


FROM <strong>THE</strong> PRINCIPAL’S DESK<br />

PRAYING FOR COURAGE<br />

Each year we focus on one of the four charisms (spiritual gifts)<br />

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was given: courage, determination,<br />

faith and love. For the 2015-2016 school year, our emphasis is<br />

on the charism of courage.<br />

When reflecting on St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s life, we see how she prayed for<br />

strength and courage while struggling with her husband’s death, raising her<br />

children as a widow, starting the first parochial schools in America and founding<br />

the American Sisters of Charity. She had the courage to stand up to those who<br />

stood as obstacles in her path to do God’s will.<br />

We know that St. Elizabeth Ann Seton lived a life that demanded her<br />

to exhibit her faith, love, courage and determination daily.<br />

Throughout this school year, our Seton community will be asking<br />

God for the courage to turn to Him for help in the difficult<br />

situations we face and know that it is through prayer the answers<br />

we seek are whispers in our hearts.<br />

Blessings,<br />

Patricia L. Collins<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

FALL 2015<br />

Seton Catholic Preparatory<br />

1150 North Dobson Road • Chandler, AZ 85224 • 480.963.1900 • SetonCatholic.org<br />

ADMINISTRATION<br />

Principal Patricia Collins<br />

Assistant Principal David Sorkin<br />

Dean of Students Julie Grindey<br />

Director of Admissions Brandon Harris<br />

Director of Athletics Matt Mayo ’98<br />

Director of Campus Ministry Rob Curtis<br />

Director of Counseling Jerry Mullin<br />

Director of Finance Bob Esposito<br />

Director of Student Activities Beth Pattock<br />

Chaplain Fr. Chris Axline<br />

ADVANCEMENT<br />

Director Paula Osterday<br />

Assistant Director<br />

Becky Sanchez<br />

Communications &<br />

Marketing Manager<br />

Sheri Collins-Merkel<br />

Alumni Relations Manager<br />

Krista Cunningham ’95<br />

Advancement Associates<br />

Karen Hill, Lucille Ruchensky<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

Assistant Director,<br />

Advancement<br />

Becky Sanchez<br />

Communications &<br />

Marketing Manager<br />

Sheri Collins-Merkel<br />

Editor Kim Cecere,<br />

On Point Communications<br />

Designer t-squared design<br />

Printer International<br />

Minute Press, Chandler<br />

ADVISORY BOARD<br />

President Eddie Cook<br />

Vice President Susan Fugger<br />

Secretary Craig Echeveste<br />

Principal, Ex-Officio<br />

Patricia Collins<br />

Fr. Chris Axline<br />

Nelsonja Bastian<br />

Larry Dorsey<br />

Christine Klee<br />

Brandy Martinez<br />

Fr. Dan McBride<br />

Norm Mendoza<br />

Fidencio Rivera<br />

Tom Walentitsch<br />

Shannon Wilson<br />

Board of Trustees Liaison<br />

Rich Zawtocki


CONTENTS<br />

2 FROM <strong>THE</strong> PRINCIPAL’S DESK<br />

Praying for Courage<br />

4-5 <strong>SENTINEL</strong> NEWS<br />

6-7 CHARISM: COURAGE<br />

Reverend Scott Sperry ’04<br />

8-9 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE<br />

Hats Off to the Class of 2015<br />

10-11 COVER STORY<br />

A Profile on the Silver Family<br />

12-13 FEATURE STORY<br />

The Pursuit of Passion<br />

14 ATHLETICS<br />

Coach Gary Galante on Influencing the End Game<br />

15 FINE ARTS<br />

Sharing the Healing Power of Music<br />

17-18 ALUMNI NOTES<br />

Reba the Elephant, Jim Ryan and More<br />

19 MARK YOUR CALENDAR<br />

Alexis Dorsey ’14 stopped by the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel to tune and<br />

play the recently-donated harp by the Silver family. Dorsey began playing the<br />

harp in 4th grade and completed her teen harp therapy certification through<br />

the International Harp Therapy Program. She is a sophomore at the University<br />

of Notre Dame, studying industrial design.<br />

WHO WILL<br />

TAKE YOUR<br />

PLACE?<br />

Mr. Bruce Johnson and Mrs. Ann Glose Johnson ‘62,<br />

Mother Seton Legacy Society Charter Members<br />

As a generous benefactor of<br />

Seton Catholic Prep,<br />

your generosity helps to<br />

continue God’s work.<br />

A bequest in your will can<br />

help to continue that work<br />

long after you’ve passed<br />

into God’s hands.<br />

OUR MISSION To provide a college preparatory curriculum within a Catholic faith<br />

community focusing on academic excellence, leadership and loving service to others.<br />

2015-’16 BOARD OF TRUSTEES<br />

Mr. Gabe Ortiz ’88, Board President<br />

Medtronic Inc., Medical Device Sales<br />

Mr. Ryan Corry ’04, The Society of St.<br />

Vincent de Paul, Development Officer<br />

Mrs. Carol Dobson, Dobson Family<br />

Farms, Owner<br />

Mrs. Tracy Dorsey, CPA, Seton Catholic Prep<br />

and Resurrection Parish volunteer<br />

Mr. Sal Flores, Flores Wealth Management,<br />

Registered Principal<br />

Mrs. Kim Silver, M.Ed, CPA<br />

St. Mary-Basha Catholic School,<br />

Teacher<br />

Mr. Steve Smitham, Retired COO of<br />

Jennings, Strouss and Salmon P.L.C., CPA<br />

Mr. Rich Zawtocki, Zawtocki Law Offices,<br />

Attorney at Law<br />

Mrs. Pat Collins, Ex-Officio<br />

Mrs. Paula Osterday, Staff Support<br />

Mrs. Brandy Martinez, Staff Support<br />

The Sentinel Shield Magazine<br />

is published bi-annually by<br />

the Seton Catholic Preparatory<br />

Advancement Office<br />

SetonAlumni@SetonCatholic.org<br />

Note: Are you receiving multiple<br />

copies of The Sentinel Shield?<br />

If so, please contact Lucille Ruchensky<br />

in the Advancement Office at<br />

480.963.1900, Ext. 2031 or by emailing<br />

lruchensky@SetonCatholic.org<br />

For more information,<br />

please call<br />

Paula Osterday,<br />

Director of Advancement<br />

480.963.1900 Ext. 2011


<strong>SENTINEL</strong> NEWS<br />

(left to right) David Baier ’15, Joey Lynch ’15, Tom Mager ’15, Matt Rapier ’15; u<br />

Bottom (left to right) John Roberts ’15, Mike Vetti, Kristy Arty ’15, Madeline<br />

McLean ’15, Maggie Harrington ’15, Hannah Bustos ’15, Isabel Ewan ’15, Liam<br />

Fry ’15, Samantha Nowak ’15, Gaby Mazza ’15 (Not pictured: Lily Arma)<br />

ROBOTICS REVS UP POWER WHEELS FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS<br />

For the past two years, Robotics Club students have worked with<br />

the staff at Advanced Therapy Solutions in Gilbert, Ariz. to modify<br />

Power Wheels and other children’s cars for kids with physical<br />

and occupational therapy needs. The Seton students’ specialized<br />

adaptions to the cars included remote control access, on/off<br />

switch accessibility, and changes to seating and steering systems.<br />

The children, ages 2 to 7, then got to drive the modified cars<br />

during Advanced Therapy Solutions’ annual Kids in Motion Derby,<br />

held on April 25.<br />

“Thank you to Seton Robotics students for all their work<br />

in helping provide the opportunity for these children to be ‘in<br />

control’ behind the wheel and experience the thrill of driving<br />

children’s cars,” said Melanie Conaster, occupational therapist at<br />

Advanced Therapy Solutions. “It was a fun-filled derby!”<br />

(left to right) Mia Gomez, Jim Witter, Mike Gomez, Angie Gillette; u<br />

Bottom (left to right) Emma Gillette, Cal Gillette, Liam Gomez,<br />

Christian Yousif, Bernie McBryan<br />

Master artist Chris Ho in Mandarin class q<br />

SO LONG, FAREWELL<br />

Seton Catholic Prep would like to wish a warm farewell to retiring<br />

teachers and staff: Dennis Boetto, Maintenance, nine years;<br />

Rex Bowser, Physical Education and varsity football coach,<br />

seven years; Dennis Clinch, History, 25 years; Don Huentleman,<br />

Maintenance, seven years; and Cyd Totten, Art, eight years.<br />

Thank you for your excellence, dedication and loving service<br />

to the Seton Catholic community!<br />

CHINESE MANDARIN WELCOMES<br />

GLOBAL MASTER ARTIST<br />

On May 4, students in Chinese Mandarin classes welcomed<br />

a special guest: Chris Ho, internationally-renowned and awardwinning<br />

Taiwanese master artist and poet. Ho demonstrated the<br />

art of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy to students, creating<br />

two original pieces which he presented to the school.<br />

The Chinese brush painter has dedicated his art to the<br />

endangered species he paints and has written several articles,<br />

notably on the tiger and the eagle. His symbolic painting,<br />

“Eagle Soaring to the Moon,” was presented to President George<br />

W. Bush in 1999. Today, he resides in the Los Angeles area,<br />

teaching Chinese Brush Painting at Saddleback College since<br />

1997, and giving private lessons in many places.<br />

p (left to right) Dora Klamar ’14, Halle Brady ’14, Sarah Naldo (senior),<br />

Dennis Clinch ’77, Robbie Culibrk ’14, Jessica Lopez ’15, Austin Weigel ’14,<br />

Janek Benigno ’14, William Hietter ’15. Eddie Hietter ’12; Bottom (left to right)<br />

Kelly Rzonca ’09, Lisette Cole ’09, Connor Greenawalt ’14<br />

4<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong>


(left to right) q<br />

Tylor Garrison, first place;<br />

Diep Tran, second place;<br />

Lauren Shapiro, third place<br />

<strong>SENTINEL</strong> NEWS<br />

INSIDE SCOOP ON <strong>THE</strong> BELTWAY<br />

In the spring, 14 Seton seniors traveled with government and politics<br />

teacher Mike Vetti on an exciting journey to Washington D.C. The<br />

program, Close Up Washington, was more than a field trip—students<br />

had the opportunity to experience the political process firsthand<br />

with a rare, inside look at our nation’s capital.<br />

Students toured monuments and participated in a Mock Congress<br />

Workshop where they debated, amended and voted on the<br />

same issues considered by elected representatives. On Capitol Hill<br />

Day, they had the opportunity to meet with staff from the offices<br />

of Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema and Congressman Matt<br />

Salmon. In the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building,<br />

students met with Senator Jeff Flake as well as Senator John<br />

McCain who gave them a private, unscripted tour and shared<br />

focal points of the building. A trip highlight was a visit to a Senate<br />

Foreign Relations Committee hearing where a debate sparked<br />

between Secretary of State John Kerry and Senator Marco Rubio.<br />

“Our students asked pointed questions on Capitol Hill,” said<br />

Vetti. “Through the whole trip, they displayed a tremendous<br />

amount of passion, substance and depth. I was proud to be part<br />

of such an amazing group representing our school. It was an<br />

incredible experience—one we will never forget.”<br />

TALK OF <strong>THE</strong> TOWN<br />

Congratulations to<br />

the Toastmasters Youth<br />

Leadership Speech<br />

Contest winners! Tylor<br />

Garrison, Diep Tran and<br />

Lauren Shapiro earned<br />

first, second and third<br />

place, respectively, in the<br />

contest held in the Fine<br />

Arts theatre on April 21.<br />

To prepare for the competition,<br />

they participated<br />

in an eight-week program<br />

with the East Valley<br />

Echoes Toastmasters.<br />

‘AD’ UPDATE Matt Mayo ’98 was named Athletic Director (AD) in May.<br />

Prior to his new role, Mayo spent three years as assistant athletic director alongside<br />

former AD Bob Bitler and taught finance at Seton Catholic. Be sure to congratulate<br />

him when you see him on campus, field and court!<br />

Bitler served as AD from June 2008 to January 2015. He began his tenure at<br />

Seton in 2001, also serving as assistant football coach, head track coach, and health<br />

and physical education teacher. This school year, he will teach health and PE classes<br />

full time in addition to faculty and student wellness programs.<br />

NEW TRACK GOES <strong>THE</strong> DISTANCE<br />

WELCOME ABOARD!<br />

Please join us in welcoming<br />

the following outstanding<br />

teachers, coaches and staff<br />

to the Seton Catholic Prep<br />

community:<br />

Daniel Barba, BA, Theology<br />

Gary Galante, BS<br />

Varsity Football Coach<br />

Physical Education<br />

Brandon Harris<br />

Admissions Director<br />

Assistant Varsity Football<br />

Coach<br />

Daryl O’Neil, BA<br />

AP Social Studies<br />

Christine Remmel ’08, BFA, Art<br />

Ann Rogitz, MA, English<br />

Patti Schoenhardt, BA<br />

Varsity Girls Volleyball Coach<br />

Brian Stephenson, BA<br />

Assistant Athletic Director<br />

Varsity Baseball Coach<br />

Track & Field at Seton will enjoy victory laps on a new track! Construction of the new track<br />

was completed in August by Phoenix-based Sunland Sports. It features an all-weather, high<br />

performance surface, two pole vault event areas in the north D-Zone, two long jump event<br />

areas (one on each sideline of the football field), and a high jump pad in the south D-Zone.<br />

Other improvements to the Sentinel Athletic Complex include a new LED scoreboard<br />

sound system and new walkways between the visitor and home bleachers.<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

5


CHARISM: COURAGE<br />

IN <strong>THE</strong> FACE OF HARDSHIP,<br />

‘WE NEED A FIRM DISPOSITION OF COURAGE’<br />

With the 2015-’16 school year, the Year of Courage is upon us at Seton Catholic.<br />

Courage is a life force that knows many faces. It takes courage to serve<br />

our country, to stand up for what you believe in, to risk one’s life to save<br />

another’s. Courage is no small feat. As a charism, courage is given as a grace by the Holy Spirit.<br />

For Rev. Scott Sperry ‘04, he knows firsthand how the Holy Spirit has led him to be courageous.<br />

“We give thanks to God for this grace<br />

of the Holy Spirit given to St. Elizabeth<br />

Ann Seton to build up the Church as<br />

her missionary. We are called to be<br />

missionaries in the world, following<br />

God’s direction and leading others to<br />

our Lord. We pray that the Holy Spirit<br />

will bestow on us the same spiritual<br />

gifts He gave our patroness that<br />

we might receive them with the same<br />

gratitude. May we have hearts to<br />

trust in His call, increase in knowledge<br />

of God’s plan, and live out the<br />

direction we receive with a firm<br />

disposition of fortitude or courage.”<br />

p Fr. Scott receiving the vows at the wedding<br />

of Jencine and Danny Carrieres '04<br />

– A prayer on the charism<br />

of courage by Fr. Scott Sperry<br />

6<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

p Baptism of Brennen Corry, son of<br />

Rachel and Ryan Corry '04 by Fr. Scott


q After Easter Mass with Fr. Scott Sperry and the Dame family:<br />

Kaitlin, Leon ‘04 and their sons Aidan and Matthew<br />

q St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine at Christ<br />

the King Catholic Church, Mesa, Ariz.<br />

FEATURE STORY<br />

A<br />

native of Tempe, Ariz. (his parents still live in the same<br />

loving home he grew up in), Fr. Scott was the middle child<br />

of an older brother and younger sister. His years attending<br />

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (OLMC) are what set the foundation for<br />

his faith, he recalls. And when it came time for high school, he was<br />

steadfast on Seton.<br />

“I chose to go to Seton,” said Fr. Scott, who remembers writing<br />

a letter to the school when he was in 7th grade, expressing<br />

his interest to attend. His fondest high school memories revolve<br />

around faith and sports, particularly developing a deeper<br />

understanding of his faith during a Kairos retreat and spending<br />

three years on the Seton Golf Team. Most of all, it was the deep<br />

relationships he formed with his classmates. Leon Dame and<br />

Ryan Corry, both ’04, remain his best friends today.<br />

Upon graduation, Fr. Scott attended the University of Dallas as<br />

a pre-med major. During his first semester, he realized the field of<br />

medicine was not for him, returning home to Tempe and enrolling<br />

at Mesa Community College. He also returned to Seton—this<br />

time as a Kairos alumni leader. He continued to practice his faith<br />

regularly at Mass and at adoration, and when the music minister<br />

at OLMC took note of it and asked him if he had ever considered<br />

the priesthood, Fr. Scott admits, “I ran from it.”<br />

According to Fr. Scott, the process of discerning a vocation<br />

has many steps. “God must call first. We must freely say ‘yes.’ The<br />

Church must confirm this calling. It takes a lot of courage to hear<br />

God’s call and act on it. God had been preparing me for a life of<br />

holiness through my love of the Mass and altar serving as a child,<br />

but I had my own plans as I got older.<br />

“Celebrating the sacraments<br />

is the best part,” said Fr. Scott.<br />

“Certainly lawyers and doctors make enough to support a large<br />

family which I had planned on having (Fr. Scott’s mom was one of<br />

13 children), but studying biochemistry in my first year of college<br />

was not fulfilling. As I left to search for another career path, I<br />

prayed about what the music minister had asked me. That’s when<br />

I realized God had already completed the first step.”<br />

Looking back, Fr. Scott realizes he was called to the priesthood<br />

at the Easter Vigil Mass in 2001 at OLMC. “I remember where I<br />

was standing as I watched my father receive the Sacrament of<br />

Confirmation, and I knew God was calling me to play the role<br />

of the priest. It took me five years to answer God’s call but, once<br />

I had the courage to pray, God made my vocation clear to me.<br />

When we have the courage to answer God’s authentic call, he fills<br />

us with all we need to continue answering His call every day.”<br />

In the fall 2005, Fr. Scott began at the Pontifical College<br />

Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. One year into his seminary<br />

studies, he was diagnosed with leukemia.<br />

“We need a firm disposition of courage to face whatever<br />

comes up in life,” said Fr. Scott. “Upon my diagnosis, I had the<br />

choice to fight it as well as I could, or give up. I chose life, and I<br />

am thankful for my family and friends who modeled courage for<br />

me. They walked every step with me, financially supported me<br />

and created a storm of prayers God couldn’t help but hear loudly.<br />

They had the courage to fight the battle with me that gave me<br />

the strength I needed to live for them.<br />

“God is at work in strengthening us, even in times He permits<br />

us to suffer. He prepares us for the hardships we face and<br />

continues to support and lead us with His grace. It is hard to<br />

see when we are facing our trials, but we can have courage to<br />

fight, trusting that God is there. I named my cancer as a disease<br />

that would not kill me and trusted God would support me in<br />

whatever outcome came.”<br />

After 18 months of intense treatment and a cancer-free<br />

diagnosis, Fr. Scott returned to the Josephinum in the spring<br />

2008 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy one year<br />

later. In the fall 2009, he began at St. John Vianney Theological<br />

Seminary. He earned a Master of Arts in Divinity and a Sacred<br />

Theology Baccalaureate, STB, in the spring 2014.<br />

Fr. Scott was excited to be ordained on June 28, 2014. Today,<br />

he serves at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mesa, Ariz., known<br />

throughout the diocese for its St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine. One<br />

year into the priesthood, Fr. Scott doesn’t hesitate when asked his<br />

favorite parts of being a priest: Presiding over his grandmother’s<br />

funeral mass, baptizing a best friend’s child, celebrating the<br />

marriage of a Seton classmate.<br />

“Celebrating the sacraments is the best part,” said Fr. Scott.<br />

God prepared me through my Catholic education and the<br />

seminary. Just as the Holy Spirit bestowed His grace upon our<br />

patroness with courage to cross an ocean and serve where God<br />

called, I pray that God bestows the same grace upon me to go<br />

wherever I am called.” =<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

7


q (left to right) Sarah Naldo, Andy Vega, Robert Dalton Beach,<br />

Kylie Vanarsdale, Kohl Dorsey and Zuzanna Latocha<br />

q Juniors Nathan Zimmerer and Alicia Derr with<br />

Physics and Engineering teacher Ryan Horn<br />

This year, 62 percent of Seton’s 119 graduates received one or more scholarships. These outstanding grads<br />

earned nearly $4.4 million in combined total scholarships to top private, national and state universities.<br />

SIX ACHIEVE ENTRY TO <strong>THE</strong> 2016 NATIONAL MERIT<br />

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM<br />

Six Seton students achieved entry into the National Merit<br />

Scholarship Program (NMSP) as juniors in the spring 2015, thus<br />

allowing them to compete in the 2016 NMSP. They are Robert<br />

Dalton Beach, Kohl Dorsey, Zuzanna Latocha, Sarah Naldo, Kylie<br />

VanArsdale and Andy Vega. These students were among the top<br />

juniors in the nation who took the PSAT in the fall 2014. Of the 1.5<br />

million juniors who take the PSAT/NMSQT, approximately 50,000<br />

juniors with the highest total PSAT scores qualify for the NMSP,<br />

which is about the top three percent of 11th grade testers.<br />

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation uses the PSAT/<br />

NMSQT as an initial screen of program entrants. Congratulations<br />

to this impressive group of six, now seniors, who are on the official<br />

route to the NMSP! =<br />

“Beyond mastering engineering<br />

fundamentals—which will be an<br />

advantage in and of itself as<br />

students start their post-secondary<br />

career—they will create a portfolio<br />

of work which will put them well<br />

ahead of their peers when applying<br />

for admittance to competitive<br />

colleges and universities.”<br />

– Ryan Horn, physics and engineering teacher<br />

MEMBERS OF FRESHMAN CLASS SET FOOT ON<br />

INAUGURAL PATHWAY TO INNOVATION<br />

Seton Catholic’s inaugural Pathway to Innovation: Science and<br />

Engineering (PTI) program kicked off this fall with 21 eligible<br />

freshmen. The class consists of 36 percent female and 45 percent<br />

non-Caucasian students. Seton adopted the high school-level<br />

engineering program from Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the<br />

nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering and<br />

math (STEM) programs.<br />

Through PLTW Engineering, students learn the fundamentals<br />

of engineering: modeling, statistics, design and many other skills<br />

to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context.<br />

Students focus on the process of defining a problem, not getting<br />

the “right” answer. Further along in the program, students will<br />

learn and apply more advanced STEM knowledge and skills as<br />

they begin to specialize their academic journey, according to<br />

Ryan Horn, physics and engineering teacher.<br />

Horn took part in PLTW’s three-phase professional development<br />

program to equip teachers with the content, skills and<br />

pedagogy required to teach the curriculum. “Beyond mastering<br />

engineering fundamentals—which will be an advantage in and<br />

of itself as students start their post-secondary career—they will<br />

create a portfolio of work which will put them well ahead of their<br />

peers when applying for admittance to competitive colleges and<br />

universities,” said Horn. =<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

9


FEATURE STORY<br />

A Tradition Of Giving, Rooted In Faith<br />

A PROFILE OF <strong>THE</strong> SILVER FAMILY<br />

“I wanted to see the<br />

harp played and<br />

enjoyed on a<br />

regular basis, and<br />

I know my<br />

grandmother<br />

would, too.”<br />

- Kim Silver<br />

Seton past parent<br />

Board of Trustees member<br />

10<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong>


“ Through my own children and their<br />

classmates, I witness how students go<br />

on to live these charisms every day,<br />

even well beyond their time at Seton.”<br />

To the Catholic community, the harp has long been<br />

associated with joy in praising God. Its soothing vibrations<br />

uplift and enhance our moments of worship. This past<br />

May, the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel was gifted with a very<br />

special harp—a family heirloom from within Seton’s inner circle.<br />

In sharing her beloved grandmother’s harp with the Seton<br />

community, Seton past parent Kim Silver has graced the chapel<br />

and the student body with a beautiful instrument of worship.<br />

Yet, for the Silver family, the passing along of the harp represents<br />

much more than an in-kind gift. It is symbolic of the family’s<br />

tradition of loving service and generous giving that has been<br />

perpetuated for generations.<br />

Education and service were two traits firmly embedded in<br />

Kim’s DNA. Her mother, Linda Hickey Barkdoll, served for many<br />

years on the Kyrene School District Board and was involved in<br />

many other community endeavors. Linda also modeled and instilled<br />

in Kim and her siblings a commitment to serving the community<br />

and giving back as a family. Kim’s father Tom served in<br />

administration and as a baseball coach in the Diocese of Phoenix.<br />

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Kim earned an advanced<br />

degree in education to accompany her business degree. She<br />

currently fulfills her calling and passion for Catholic education<br />

as a 4th grade teacher at St. Mary-Basha Catholic School in<br />

Chandler, Ariz. Husband Corky is a director at Phoenix-based law<br />

firm Fennemore Craig. He has given countless volunteer hours<br />

to Seton’s technology committee and also served as president<br />

of Seton’s Advisory Board. Kim currently serves as a member of<br />

the Seton Catholic Board of Trustees while both Kim and Corky<br />

actively volunteer their time, support and leadership to local<br />

charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Central<br />

Arizona and Hospice of the Valley.<br />

As parents of young children in 2001, Kim and Corky were<br />

excited to transition their son Chris from public school to the<br />

newly opened St. John Bosco Catholic School in Ahwatukee, Ariz.<br />

Daughter Julia joined Chris at St. John Bosco two years later, and<br />

they quickly became involved parent volunteers and developed<br />

a love and appreciation for Catholic education while watching<br />

Chris and Julia thrive in a parochial school setting. Both Chris<br />

and Julia went on to attend Seton Catholic Prep, with Chris<br />

graduating in 2013 and Julia graduating this past May. Chris is<br />

currently a junior at Northern Arizona University studying<br />

advertising while Julia is excited to attend Loyola Marymount<br />

University in Los Angeles in the spring 2016.<br />

From both a parent and Catholic educator’s perspective, Kim<br />

feels strongly that a Catholic school environment can deeply cultivate<br />

a student’s passion for lifelong learning and service while<br />

providing the foundation for strong character, values and identity.<br />

“Seton students are given the gift and ability to practice their<br />

faith freely and fully; it’s embedded in everything they do while<br />

giving them an underlying sense of belonging and community,”<br />

says Kim. She adds, “The charisms of courage, determination, faith<br />

and love are brought to life in every aspect of Seton’s academic<br />

and extracurricular life. Through my own children and their<br />

classmates, I witness how students go on to live these charisms<br />

every day, even well beyond their time at Seton.”<br />

While the Silvers feel blessed to have belonged to such a<br />

loving, supportive Catholic school community, they are also<br />

quick to praise Seton’s rigorous academic curriculum. Both highly<br />

educated, the Silvers consider Seton to be academically on par or<br />

above any given university’s typical workload. In fact, Kim used<br />

to tell Chris, “If you can make it through Seton, you can thrive at<br />

Northern Arizona University or any other academic experience!”<br />

In addition to instilling an appreciation for faith and service<br />

within their family, the Silvers have also passed along a love of<br />

music and arts. The family plays piano while Corky and Julia also<br />

play guitar. Kim’s grandmother’s harp held special meaning for<br />

the family, yet it sat untouched in their home. It occurred to Kim<br />

there were harpists within the Seton community who could be<br />

relishing her grandmother’s gift. “I wanted to see the harp played<br />

and enjoyed on a regular basis, and I know my grandmother<br />

would, too.”<br />

The Silvers firmly believe their children have benefitted<br />

immeasurably by attending Seton versus going the traditional<br />

public school route. Catholic traditions and rituals have rounded<br />

out their academics, while a strong sense of self-identity and<br />

community have been instilled both at home and on campus.<br />

Friendships and the support of the Seton community have left<br />

an indelible mark. And now, so too will the harp that sits grandly<br />

within the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel for the entire Seton<br />

community to enjoy for years to come. =<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

11


FEATURE STORY<br />

The Pursuit of Passion:<br />

GO FOR IT. STICK WITH IT. INSPIRE.<br />

S<br />

eton<br />

Catholic Prep is characterized by its supportive and safe community.<br />

Sentinels learn early on everyone has unique God-given gifts and<br />

it is by exploring their passions, tapping into their individual talents<br />

and following God’s plan, they go on to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives.<br />

Meet three Seton alumni who are doing just that!<br />

Creating a World of Whimsy<br />

For Katelyn (McCaigue) Blodgett ’10, doodling in class was the beginning of a lifelong passion and career path. While she<br />

was occasionally reprimanded by her teachers, it was ultimately the encouragement she received from the Seton community<br />

that motivated Blodgett to pursue her dream of becoming a comic book artist. Today, she is gaining notoriety as a specialty<br />

comic book author/illustrator who creates manga, a Japanese-style comic book.<br />

Blodgett was first introduced to the whimsical world of manga as a 7th grader with a burgeoning artistic side. She instantly<br />

loved the style and feel of manga and actively<br />

began crafting her first comic creation during<br />

her senior year at Seton. Her aptitude for comic<br />

book artistry was noticed—and encouraged—<br />

by Seton faculty, friends and family. She recalls<br />

“amazing teachers” who helped her refine the<br />

technical side of her early artwork and is appreciative of<br />

others who encouraged her and simply enjoyed looking at<br />

her creations.<br />

What prompted Blodgett to make her love of comics more<br />

than a hobby? “I love creating any world I want. Developing<br />

comics gives me the opportunity to share stories, characters,<br />

and life experiences in a fun and creative way; the possibilities<br />

are endless!” says Blodgett.<br />

COMIC<br />

BOOK<br />

ARTIST<br />

Most recently, you can find Blodgett attending comic conventions,<br />

where she enjoys interacting with fans and getting<br />

their feedback about her “Jade Dragon” comic series. She<br />

is close to completing book two of an anticipated 22-book<br />

series. However, Blodgett concedes that a life in comics is not always easy, requiring a lot of hard work, dedication and long hours. In fact,<br />

she also works as a graphic designer to support her passion. Her body of work is available to view at katelynmccaigue.com.<br />

KATELYN (MCCAIGUE) BLODGETT<br />

Ultimately, Blodgett encourages Seton students to work hard in order to pursue their dreams, suggesting, “Don’t be afraid to just break out<br />

and start creating, You won’t get any better sitting around and waiting for your art or writing ‘to be good.’ You’ve just got to go for it!”<br />

12<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong>


PEDIATRIC<br />

RESIDENT<br />

MAT<strong>THE</strong>W MOLLOY<br />

Staying<br />

the Course<br />

Matthew Molloy ’06, an inquisitive Seton student with a passion for<br />

science, became well acquainted with the tenets of service, science<br />

and study. These traits are instrumental today as a pediatric resident at<br />

Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md.<br />

Reflecting on his Seton experience, Molloy credits the dedicated faculty,<br />

particularly science teacher Ms. Olivieri, with helping to foster his interest<br />

in both the sciences and humanities while exposing him to the joy of<br />

learning and teaching of others. Learning to write well, think critically and<br />

work as part of a team were skills he acquired at Seton— and they remain<br />

essential to his role as a pediatrician. Molloy believes that participating in<br />

student council, helping to lead Kairos retreats and acting in school drama<br />

productions helped him to develop the skills required to work with a wide<br />

variety of people.<br />

Upon graduating from Seton, Molloy attended the University of Notre<br />

Dame and later Johns Hopkins University, where he studied at both the<br />

School of Medicine and School of Public Health. As a pediatric resident, he<br />

finds fulfillment in learning something new every day, and he is continually<br />

awed by the resilience of children and their families in the face of illness.<br />

He also relishes the chance to advocate for his patients in areas that impact<br />

their health and well-being.<br />

Molloy encourages students interested in a career in science or medicine<br />

to simply, “Stick with it. The path to becoming a scientist or physician<br />

is a long one.” He cites several potentially rewarding career paths—<br />

physician, nurse practitioner, researcher, engineer or teacher—and advises<br />

that studying science, engineering, math or medicine is key to opening<br />

a lot of future doors.<br />

Molloy adds, “Attending Seton is a privilege. We have a responsibility to<br />

use what we learned for the betterment of our communities. I graduated<br />

from Seton knowing that whatever I ended up choosing as a career path<br />

would be something where I felt like I was serving others.” His peers, young<br />

patients and their families would no doubt agree.<br />

WEDDING<br />

PHOTOGRAPHER<br />

SARAH HAGERTY<br />

Chronicling<br />

Life Unscripted<br />

Going to work every day literally makes Sarah Haggerty ’98 giddy. As<br />

a wedding photographer and mom of three young boys, she turned a<br />

passion for snapping pictures into a successful full-time business. Hagerty<br />

and her husband, Nick Hagerty, are the duo behind Tempe-based Hagerty<br />

Photograpy. Check out their stunning work at hagertyphotography.net.<br />

Hagerty’s penchant for photography began at Seton, where, under<br />

Mrs. Pattock’s guidance, she was part of the yearbook committee.<br />

“From the excitement of capturing the perfect shot to the satisfaction of<br />

chronicling life unscripted, I was hooked from the start! “ says Hagerty.<br />

She credits Seton for academically preparing her to pursue photography<br />

and sociology at Northern Arizona University (NAU), where she continued<br />

to hone her photography skills and develop a defined style. Even while<br />

enjoying her college years at NAU, Hagerty remained connected to Seton,<br />

donating her time as a Kairos alumna volunteer.<br />

Hagerty also values the strong and long-lasting circle of friendships she<br />

made while a student at Seton, a social network that continues today.<br />

Most of her bridal party was comprised of former Seton classmates.<br />

Now she is thrilled to capture the wedding portraits of other Seton<br />

alumni. “Even as Seton continues to grow and I grow personally<br />

and professionally, the relationships keep building. The friendships are<br />

never-ending,” says Hagerty.<br />

Looking back on her Seton experience, Hagerty counts numerous teachers<br />

among her mentors, including Sr. Jeanne Bartholomeaux, Carrie Graham,<br />

and Senora Rich. She feels fortunate to have been challenged by the<br />

rigorous academic curriculum while<br />

appreciative of the support and<br />

camaraderie she received from<br />

faculty and friends. Like the portraits<br />

she snaps, one thing is perfectly<br />

captured about Hagerty and her<br />

Seton experience — her years as a<br />

student helped lay the foundation<br />

for a profession that inspires<br />

her every day!<br />

Barbara (Usher) ’04 and<br />

Stephen Dombrowski u<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

13


ATHLETICS<br />

Coach Gary Galante fits senior Garrett<br />

Boyd with a new Sentinel uniform. u<br />

COACH GARY GALANTE:<br />

INFLUENCING ‘<strong>THE</strong> END GAME’<br />

Seton Catholic named Gary<br />

Galante head varsity football<br />

coach and PE teacher<br />

in May. Prior to Seton, Galante<br />

served as Brophy Prep’s defensive<br />

coordinator and weight<br />

training instructor for 10 years.<br />

Galante’s career spans 26 years<br />

and includes a unique strength<br />

and conditioning program<br />

to help student-athletes at all<br />

levels excel.<br />

During his time with the<br />

Brophy Broncos, they won two<br />

Division I State Football Championships<br />

in 2005 and 2007,<br />

were state runner ups in 2008,<br />

and had semifinal appearances<br />

in 2012 and 2014. Galante<br />

was named the 2007 Assistant<br />

Coach of the Year. Before<br />

Brophy, he coached at Gilbert<br />

High School and Arizona Boys<br />

Ranch, where he led them to<br />

a 12-1 record and a Class 3A<br />

runner-up finish in 1997.<br />

Galante took a timeout<br />

from his first Seton summer<br />

camps to chat with The Sentinel<br />

Shield about his plans for<br />

the Seton football program<br />

and how he hopes to influence<br />

young people’s lives.<br />

SS: Where did you attend<br />

school?<br />

GG: I received a degree in<br />

Exercise Science at NAU. At<br />

the time, no one hired people<br />

like me to coach, so I started<br />

working with holistic physical<br />

therapy. Here, I learned<br />

different ideas. I was always<br />

a power lifter, and physical<br />

therapy taught me kinetics<br />

and different ways of looking<br />

at fitness. By 1992, I was<br />

coaching at Mountain View<br />

High School in Mesa. I realized<br />

this was my calling, what God<br />

wants me to do.<br />

SS: What led you to coaching?<br />

GG: Growing up, I played<br />

football and every sport possible.<br />

I was a preacher’s son<br />

and didn’t go to movies or<br />

attend dances. So, I enveloped<br />

myself in sports and extracurricular<br />

activities. I also played<br />

in the band, sang in the choir<br />

and performed in plays. Music<br />

is my second passion. I played<br />

football at NAU as an inside<br />

linebacker.<br />

When I finished playing<br />

football, coaching was a<br />

natural fit for me. Early on, I<br />

realized coaches had a great<br />

impact on kids. I had some<br />

great coaches that really<br />

influenced my life. I want<br />

to be that coach and help<br />

influence my players’ adulthood.<br />

My passion is kids and<br />

helping to guide their future.<br />

The end game is really,<br />

‘What are they going to do<br />

when they graduate Seton?’<br />

SS: How does your prior<br />

experience help prepare you<br />

for this opportunity at Seton?<br />

GG: Football has been a part<br />

of my whole life, and I feel like<br />

Seton is my destiny. Seton’s<br />

close-knit community, where<br />

the program is now and what<br />

it could be in the future has<br />

always intrigued me. I’ve<br />

coached in the public school<br />

system, at a juvenile detention<br />

center and Brophy, a Jesuit<br />

school. I’ve seen all aspects of<br />

education. While at Brophy, I<br />

was introduced to a Catholic<br />

education and sought<br />

spiritual guidance from the<br />

team chaplain. My time at<br />

Brophy fulfilled me not only<br />

as a coach but spiritually. God<br />

cannot be taken out of the<br />

picture, and the greater glory<br />

of God is more important<br />

than wins and losses.<br />

SS: Do you consider strength<br />

and conditioning as the hallmark<br />

of your program?<br />

GG: Strength and conditioning<br />

is just a part of the<br />

program. The real hallmark<br />

is that we dig deeper, work<br />

harder and get better. We all<br />

can become stagnate and<br />

happy where we are, but we<br />

need to raise the bar and<br />

continue to raise it. That’s how<br />

to get better.<br />

SS: What is your coaching<br />

philosophy?<br />

GG: Most of us do less than<br />

we think we do, and most<br />

of us can do more than we<br />

think we can do. It’s all about<br />

character and attitude. You<br />

find greatness when someone<br />

goes above and beyond—<br />

that’s when you get noticed.<br />

I tell my kids to get the fear<br />

wolf out of your brain and<br />

overcome what your brain<br />

says you cannot do. I want<br />

to give the kids the ability<br />

to shine.<br />

SS: What is your vision for<br />

the Seton football team?<br />

GG: To be the best we can<br />

possibly be. I want the players<br />

to see what Christ’s love<br />

can do in their lives. I also<br />

want them to be leaders on<br />

campus and help out younger<br />

students. I see this as a unique<br />

opportunity to take things<br />

where coach Bowser left off<br />

and move forward.<br />

SS: What can fans expect for<br />

the 2015 football season?<br />

GG: Fans will see a competitive<br />

team that never quits. At<br />

the end of the day, we’ll shake<br />

hands with our opponent and<br />

keep our heads held high. I<br />

see each player as David— a<br />

giant slayer! That’s a great<br />

football team. =<br />

<strong>SENTINEL</strong> PRIDE<br />

​Congratulations to these 2015<br />

student-athlete graduates who are<br />

now competing at the college level: ​<br />

Olivia Burdick – Softball<br />

St. Edwards University, Texas<br />

Antonio Campanella – Football<br />

Northern State, S.D.<br />

Connor Dunn – Baseball<br />

University of Puget Sound, Wash.<br />

Alex Friedl – Baseball<br />

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Ariz.<br />

Zach Fulmer – Football<br />

Western State, Colo.<br />

Erin Gesicki – Volleyball<br />

Grand Canyon University, Ariz.<br />

14<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

Sergio Chavez – Wrestling<br />

Grand Canyon University, Ariz.<br />

Stephen Fugger – Football<br />

Western State, Colo.<br />

Rielyn Hoffman – Volleyball<br />

Hastings College, Neb.


Spot Light<br />

FINE ARTS<br />

KATRINA JACQUES<br />

SHARING <strong>THE</strong> HEALING POWER OF MUSIC<br />

H<br />

ow does singing<br />

a familiar song<br />

soothe and enliven<br />

the listener? Just ask Seton<br />

Catholic junior Katrina<br />

Jacques, who shares her<br />

gift of music with elderly<br />

patients as a volunteer<br />

music therapist at Mi Casa<br />

Nursing Center in Mesa, Ariz.<br />

A few years ago, Jacques<br />

discovered the power of music<br />

therapy as a way to manage<br />

stress and anxiety. In sharing<br />

it with others, she is paving an<br />

impressive musical path that<br />

began at an early age.<br />

Jacques joined the Gold<br />

Canyon United Methodist<br />

Church children’s choir when<br />

she was 5 years old, performing<br />

biblical plays and<br />

Christmas programs. In 4th<br />

through 8th grade at Christ<br />

the King Catholic School in<br />

Mesa, she played the flute in<br />

the advanced band and was<br />

in the choir. When Jacques<br />

joined the Phoenix Children’s<br />

Chorus (PCC) seven years ago,<br />

she was placed into Cadet<br />

Choir, the top training choir.<br />

Today, she travels the world in<br />

PCC’s advanced high school<br />

touring choir from Chicago to<br />

Rome, Italy and Catania, Sicily.<br />

This summer, she performed<br />

in Argentina and Uruguay.<br />

“There is no<br />

better feeling<br />

than giving<br />

and experiencing<br />

the healing<br />

power of music.”<br />

– Katrina Jacques ’17<br />

“I love<br />

singing with the Phoenix<br />

Children’s Chorus,” said<br />

Jacques. “Besides being an<br />

incredible experience, it<br />

continues to shape me into<br />

the musician and singer I am<br />

today. PCC has become my<br />

second home and my family.<br />

It has made me fully understand<br />

and strengthen my<br />

passion and love for music.”<br />

A PCC friend told Jacques<br />

about the Optum Palliative<br />

and Hospice Care volunteer<br />

program. Intrigued, she<br />

applied at Mi Casa and now<br />

works with the nursing home<br />

residents one on one, many<br />

of whom are unresponsive.<br />

Upon meeting a patient, she<br />

identifies their favorite genre<br />

of music and sings popular<br />

songs to them from their era.<br />

“It’s so amazing to watch<br />

my patients come to life<br />

when they recognize a<br />

song and start moving to<br />

it when they can’t speak,”<br />

said Jacques. “There is no<br />

better feeling than giving<br />

and experiencing the<br />

healing power of music.<br />

When I visit my patients<br />

who are usually unresponsive,<br />

I will just stand by their<br />

bedside and sing. When they<br />

are sleeping, I will start to sing<br />

and they slowly wake and will<br />

move a hand or even open<br />

an eye.”<br />

Last year, Jacques presented<br />

a “TED Talk” at Seton on her<br />

experience at Mi Casa, how<br />

the power of music affects<br />

the brain in nonresponsive<br />

patients. She also shares her<br />

talent with Seton Fine Arts<br />

in chorus and Mass choir. In<br />

February, she played the Giant<br />

in her first Seton production,<br />

Into the Woods. =<br />

p Volunteer Katrina Jacques<br />

visiting patients at<br />

Mi Casa Nursing Center<br />

p Jacques and Mi Casa<br />

resident Jacqueline Fields<br />

p Mi Casa volunteer<br />

coordinator Amy Despain<br />

with Jacques<br />

Andrew Klee – Baseball<br />

University of Rochester, N.Y.<br />

Ryan Santarone – Baseball<br />

University of St Francis, Ill.<br />

Reggie VanDevender – Volleyball<br />

St. Leos, Fla.<br />

George Wolter – Football<br />

Northern Arizona University, Ariz.<br />

Alexis Navarro – Softball<br />

Benedictine University, Ariz.<br />

James Terrill – Football<br />

Dakota State, S.D.<br />

Zach Wade – Football<br />

Lake Forest College, Ill.<br />

Austin Navarro – Football & Baseball<br />

Phoenix College, Ariz.<br />

Nik Thomas – Boys Basketball<br />

Benedictine University, Ill.<br />

Hailey Wilson – Softball<br />

Trinity University, Texas<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

15


ALUMNI NOTES<br />

1961<br />

Michael Cohen ’61 published a memoir<br />

collection, “A Place to Read,” in the fall<br />

2014. Michael is the author of five books.<br />

He lives in Murray, Ky. and Tucson, Ariz.<br />

1996<br />

Eric Hochstatter ‘96 lives in Colchester,<br />

England with his wife, Vicky, and their<br />

three-year-old son, Henry. They moved<br />

to Colchester from London. Toward the<br />

end of 2011, Eric left his job as a criminal<br />

barrister to take care of Henry full time.<br />

Henry is being raised bilingual as Vicky<br />

is German. Eric’s recent visit to Phoenix<br />

was in May when he and Henry came<br />

home to celebrate his mother’s birthday.<br />

2009<br />

Timothy Molloy ‘09 graduated from<br />

Arizona State University with a Masters<br />

in Accountancy in May 2014. He<br />

works at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)<br />

and recently passed all four sections<br />

of the Certified Public Accountant<br />

Examination.<br />

p Katelyn & Joshua’s wedding<br />

(left to right) Tho Nguyen ’10, Kiefer<br />

Placette ’09, Joshua Blodgett ’08,<br />

Katelyn (McCaigue) Blodgett ’10,<br />

Jacob Scott ’10, Amber Blechschmidt;<br />

Bottom (left to right) Jesse Klein,<br />

Laura Rollins, Daniel Vergel de Dios ’10,<br />

Hailey Marshall, Michael McCaigue,<br />

Janelle Wilke<br />

q Amanda Prahl<br />

16<br />

1978<br />

The class of 1978 had a reunion in<br />

April at the home of Dianne Spruit.<br />

p Nancy Langston, Sonny Savarino,<br />

Gina Navarette, Kathleen Lynch,<br />

Dianne Spruit and Mary Haler at<br />

the class of 1978 reunion.<br />

1995<br />

Save the Date! Celebrating 20 years!<br />

The class of 1995 reunion will be held<br />

homecoming weekend, September 25.<br />

For information contact Kelly Henry<br />

at kelbel23@bellsouth.net.<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

p Eric Hochstatter and his wife, Vicky,<br />

with their son, Henry<br />

2006<br />

Corena (Thomas) Barr ’06 married<br />

Thomas Barr on April 11 at The Farm at<br />

South Mountain. Thomas is a St. Mary’s<br />

High School alumnus.<br />

p Susanne Elizabeth Wolfe<br />

2007<br />

Susanne Elizabeth Wolfe ’07<br />

graduated from the University of the<br />

Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of<br />

Dentistry in June. The Dugoni School is<br />

a premier dental school in the nation.<br />

Susanne began the Advanced Education<br />

in General Dentistry Residency (AEGD)<br />

program at the Lutheran Medical Center<br />

in Phoenix in July.<br />

Nathan DeLaTorre performing<br />

in A Thousand Cranes u<br />

2010<br />

Nathan DeLaTorre ’10 goes on the<br />

road with Childsplay in The Cat in the<br />

Hat, performing in theaters and other<br />

venues across more than 25 states and<br />

Canada from September through April.<br />

The national tour kicks off at the Mesa<br />

Arts Center, September 16-18. David<br />

Barker, former theater director and<br />

parent at Seton, directs the show.<br />

Katelyn (McCaigue) Blodgett ’10 and<br />

Joshua Blodgett ’08 married on July<br />

19, 2014. They were high school sweethearts<br />

while attending Seton. Katelyn<br />

and Joshua’s bridal party included Seton<br />

alumni: Tho Nguyen ’10, maid of honor;<br />

Kiefer Placette ’09, best man; Daniel<br />

Vergel De Dios ’08; and Jacob Scott ’10.<br />

Andrea Thomas ’10 graduated from the<br />

University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May<br />

2014. She received a Bachelor of Science<br />

in Health Sciences and Nutrition.<br />

2011<br />

Amanda Prahl ’11 graduated summa<br />

cum laude from Barrett, The Honors College<br />

at Arizona State University in May.<br />

She received a Bachelor of Arts in English,<br />

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science<br />

and a minor in Italian. This past spring,<br />

Amanda wrote a full-length stage play<br />

as part of her honors senior thesis. Her<br />

play made it to the workshop reading<br />

stage. Amanda was also accepted into<br />

the Master of Fine Arts Dramatic Writing<br />

program at ASU which she began this<br />

semester. She is a floor manager at ASU<br />

Gammage and teaches private piano<br />

lessons.<br />

Josh Tracy ’11 joined Ryan Companies<br />

US, Inc. as associate developer for the<br />

Southwest region in March. He supports<br />

the development team in the Phoenix<br />

office by analyzing opportunities for<br />

business growth through financial and<br />

market analysis. Additionally, he works<br />

with Ryan’s leasing teams to market<br />

existing sites and track prospective tenants.<br />

Josh graduated from Arizona State<br />

University with a Bachelor of Science in<br />

Business Management and a minor in<br />

Real Estate.


q Corey on the tractor in the elephant yard.<br />

With a boundless passion for animals,<br />

working at a zoo seemed like a<br />

perfect fit for Corey (Thomas) Barr ’06. Although she always<br />

hoped to one day work with animals, she never dreamed she would be<br />

caring for one of the largest land animals on Earth, the Asian elephant.<br />

Seven years ago, Barr began her career at the Phoenix Zoo driving<br />

the Safari Train as an exhibit guide in the Programs department. She<br />

supervised interactive exhibits from Monkey Village to Stingray Bay.<br />

Motivated to learn more, she also volunteered her time as a keeper<br />

assistant with the “hoofstock” animals at the zoo. Tending to the hoofed<br />

animals, she cared for various species of giraffe, zebra and antelope<br />

from all over the world. When a zoo keeper position opened up a few<br />

years ago, Corey seized the opportunity to apply. She landed the hefty<br />

job of elephant keeper for three female Asian elephants.<br />

Weighing in at a collective 12 tons, Sheena (43 years old), Reba (44)<br />

and Indu (49) fill Barr’s days with their high-maintenance husbandry<br />

routines. According to Barr, “husbandry” for the elephants means the<br />

daily care they receive. Each day, the elephants have a routine that<br />

includes a foot or leg soak, a shower, and eye, ear and foot checks.<br />

Routines vary on the needs of the individual elephant.<br />

As for feeding, these amazing herbivores consume between 150<br />

to 200 pounds per day. Their diet consists of Bermuda hay, alfalfa hay,<br />

herbivore pellets, carrots, whole fruit, and various pieces of cut up fruit<br />

and vegetables, according to the Phoenix Zoo’s Asian elephant fact sheet.<br />

“Working with the elephants is awesome!” said Barr. “The best part<br />

of my job is the relationships I have built with Sheena, Reba and Indu—<br />

they are incredible. My relationships with them are always changing<br />

because each day we are all in different moods. Overall, I’m lucky to have<br />

a bond with all three.”<br />

Reba, the elephant, u<br />

enjoying some sun.<br />

(Photo courtesy<br />

of the Phoenix Zoo)<br />

ALUMNI NOTES<br />

Tending<br />

to the<br />

Hullabaloo<br />

at the Zoo<br />

“Working with<br />

the elephants<br />

is awesome!”<br />

– Corey (Thomas) Barr ‘06<br />

IN MEMORIAM<br />

Gabriel Alvarez<br />

(Seton alumnus ’67)<br />

February 2015<br />

Kathleen Procek<br />

(Patricia Collins’ mother)<br />

March 2015<br />

Cecilia (Cissy) Frakes<br />

(Seton friend)<br />

May 2015<br />

Michael (Mike) Frakes<br />

(Seton friend)<br />

May 2015<br />

Bart Nigro<br />

(Seton alumnus ’87)<br />

June 2015<br />

Laura Schmidt<br />

(Seton alumna ’10)<br />

June 2015<br />

Thurman Simmons<br />

(Former Seton football coach)<br />

July 2015<br />

The Seton Catholic Prep<br />

community extends its<br />

deepest sympathy to friends<br />

and family members of the<br />

deceased. May they rest in<br />

peace in the arms of the Lord.<br />

If you are aware of alumni who<br />

have recently passed, please notify<br />

the Advancement Office at Seton<br />

so that we may remember them<br />

in this column. Send an email to<br />

SetonAlumni@SetonCatholic.org<br />

or call 480.963.1900 Ext 3011.<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

17


ALUMNI NOTES<br />

AN APTITUDE FOR LANGUAGE LEADS<br />

TO INTELLIGENCE AGENT, ‘TOP LAWYER’<br />

Jim Ryan ’68 was selected as a Top Arizona Lawyer, featured in<br />

the 2015 Southwest issue of Super Lawyers Magazine. Ryan is a<br />

partner in the Phoenix office of Quarles & Brady LLP. Prior to his<br />

law career, spanning 33 years, his professional path began as<br />

a kid working in Chandler, Ariz. with Spanish-speaking migrant<br />

farmers—and eventually landed Ryan as an intelligence agent<br />

with the National Security Agency (NSA).<br />

Ryan spent summers working the fields alongside the Hispanic<br />

immigrants, and learning to speak Spanish came naturally for him.<br />

In 1971, Ryan was drafted by the Army and assigned to Vietnam.<br />

However, due to his language-learning aptitude, he was never<br />

sent to Vietnam. Instead, after receiving an impressive score on<br />

the Army language aptitude test, he was sent to study foreign<br />

language at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio in<br />

Monterey, Calif.<br />

After working for the Army Security Agency as a linguist, Ryan<br />

moved into military intelligence with the NSA. He also entered<br />

law school. Upon graduating from the University of Baltimore, the<br />

General Counsel’s Office of the NSA hired Ryan as an attorney.<br />

In 1983, Ryan returned<br />

home and joined the<br />

Phoenix law firm Streich<br />

Lang, which eventually<br />

became part of Quarles &<br />

Brady.<br />

For nine years, Ryan<br />

served on the board of<br />

directors of Xico, an arts<br />

organization that supports<br />

local Chicano and Native<br />

p Jim Ryan<br />

American artists. He also<br />

provides pro bono legal assistance to Romanian immigrants.<br />

Ryan and his wife, Laura, have three children, all of whom are<br />

Seton graduates: Rachel (Ryan) Salanga ’94, James Ryan Jr. ’97 and<br />

Megan Ryan ’02. In fact, a long line of Seton Catholic alumni run in<br />

Ryan’s family: All of his 10 siblings have attended Seton along with<br />

three sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.<br />

t Jacob Flores<br />

Paulina Acuna u<br />

2013<br />

Paulina Acuña ’13 is a junior studying<br />

Join Us Homecoming<br />

Weekend!<br />

2012<br />

Jacob Flores ’12 has enjoyed a successful<br />

track and field career at Scottsdale<br />

Community College, Mesa Community<br />

College and now at Arizona State<br />

University. One of his most memorable<br />

moments (in addition to being selected<br />

as a walk-on to the ASU team) was in<br />

May 2014 when he claimed the title of<br />

National Junior College Athletic Association’s<br />

Outdoor National Champion with<br />

a vault of 15 feet, 11 inches. Jacob joined<br />

the ASU track and field team last year.<br />

Management Information Systems with<br />

a minor in Spanish at the University of<br />

Arizona. This summer, she interned with<br />

Aetna Insurance in Global Information<br />

Security in Hartford, Conn. Paulina<br />

holds a part-time job as a technical<br />

consultant for UA within their Office of<br />

Global Initiatives (study abroad). She is<br />

vice president of Community Service<br />

for Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business<br />

Fraternity, the largest club in the Eller<br />

College of Management. Also, she is<br />

an event coordinator for Eller Hispanic<br />

Honorary and a student ambassador for<br />

Eller Ambassadors. Paulina was initiated<br />

into Chain Gang Junior Honorary, comprised<br />

of 35 outstanding juniors at UA<br />

and one of the longest-running clubs on<br />

campus. She was named to Eller’s Top<br />

50 Hispanic Scholar and Top 50 Women<br />

Scholar lists.<br />

Stanci Snow ’13 interned in Senator<br />

John McCain’s Washington D.C. office<br />

for the second consecutive summer. She<br />

spent six weeks learning the legislative<br />

process and receiving firsthand experience.<br />

She was also accepted to the<br />

Alliance Defending Freedom’s Collegiate<br />

Academy. The weeklong program<br />

focuses on natural and constitutional<br />

law, preparing delegates for application<br />

to law school.<br />

Don’t miss out on all the festivities<br />

during homecoming weekend,<br />

September 25-27!<br />

Visit setoncatholic.org/alumni/events.<br />

For more information and to RSVP,<br />

contact Alumni Relations<br />

Manager Krista Cunningham ‘96<br />

at 480.963.1900, ext. 4011 or<br />

kcunningham@setoncatholic.org.<br />

Have alumni news to share?<br />

We want to hear from you! Email<br />

SetonAlumni@SetonCatholic.org.<br />

Alumni Notes may be edited for<br />

length and clarity. Photos must be<br />

high resolution, so please adjust<br />

camera settings accordingly.<br />

18<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong>


2015 CALENDAR<br />

Mark Your Calendar<br />

SEPTEMBER 21<br />

SEPTEMBER 25<br />

SEPTEMBER 26<br />

OCTOBER 8<br />

STRAIGHT TALK<br />

GO <strong>SENTINEL</strong>S!<br />

WELCOME HOME<br />

CURTAIN CALL<br />

Educational Speaker Series<br />

Accepting Daily Crosses:<br />

Athletes Train their Body,<br />

Saints Train their Soul<br />

Chris Horn–Former NFL Player<br />

Monday, Sept. 21 at 8:15 a.m.<br />

Msgr. McMahon Gymnasium<br />

*No evening presentation. Parents are<br />

welcome to attend the morning program.<br />

Sentinel Homecoming<br />

Football Game<br />

7 p.m. kickoff<br />

Friday, Sept. 25<br />

Photo courtesy of Greg Herriman<br />

12th Annual Alumni Mass<br />

& Hall of Fame Induction<br />

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.<br />

Saturday, Sept. 26<br />

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel<br />

Fall Play: Little Women<br />

7 p.m.,<br />

Thursday, Oct. 8 through<br />

Saturday, Oct. 10,<br />

with a 3 p.m. matinee<br />

on Sunday, Oct. 11<br />

Fine Arts Theatre<br />

Performance for elementary schools<br />

is 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7<br />

(Pictured: cast of Into the Woods)<br />

NOVEMBER 10 & 18<br />

NOVEMBER 10 & 18<br />

NOVEMBER 11<br />

DECEMBER 5<br />

DECEMBER 8<br />

BE OUR GUEST<br />

CELEBRATING HEROES<br />

HOLE-IN-ONE<br />

CELEBRATING MASS<br />

Open House<br />

6 to 8 p.m.<br />

Tuesday, Nov. 10 and<br />

Wednesday, Nov. 18<br />

3rd Annual Seton Catholic<br />

Veterans Appreciation Day<br />

& All School Rosary<br />

8:15 to 9:45 a.m.<br />

Wednesday, Nov. 11<br />

22nd Annual<br />

Seton Classic<br />

Golf Tournament<br />

Hosted by the<br />

Sentinel Booster Club<br />

Sunday, Dec. 5<br />

Ocotillo Golf Resort<br />

Feast of the<br />

Immaculate Conception<br />

– Annual Mothers’ Mass<br />

1 p.m.<br />

Tuesday, Dec. 8<br />

Msgr. McMahon Gymnasium<br />

<strong>THE</strong> <strong>SHIELD</strong><br />

19


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Chandler, Arizona 85224<br />

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