A Publication of the CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Alumni Community & Friends FALL 2022/WINTER 2023 CRUSADER CHRONICLES ® IN thisISSUE Alumni Class Notes Alumni Profiles Infinity Fields News RISE Campaign Update
UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 26, 2023 Parents’ Club Fashion Show & Luncheon Milwaukee Marriott West Hotel, Waukesha MARCH 31, 2023 Crusader Card Party – 7 pm Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha APRIL 30, 2023 Crusader Fest Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha MAY 5, 2023 Celebrating Lives of Service Mass & Luncheon Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha May 10, 2023 One Day in May Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha May 26, 2023 Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha June 12 2023 Crusader Golf Outing Westmoor Country Club, Brookfield UPCOMING REUNIONS 2023 has the following milestone reunions! Class of 1973 - August 25th & 26th at Oconomowoc Golf Club Class of 1983 - September 23 Additional reunion details and sign-up later this Spring. To Be Announced: Class of 1993 – 30th Reunion Class of 1998 – 25th Reunion Class of 2003 – 20th Reunion Class of 2013 – 10th Reunion Contact Katie Riesch for information on getting your class reunion scheduled: [email protected], 262.542.7102 2
2022-2023 CMH BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michelle Gross, Board Chair Larry Brown, Treasurer Dan Plas, Secretary Kelly Cleary-Rebholz, Past Chair Zach Berghouse '03 Bethany Bohmann Dr. Chris Fox '88 Rev. John Gibson TJ Goedheer Monica Hocum '85 Very Rev. Dan Janasik '97 Glenn Kormanik Kathy Lang John Paul Marchan '98 Tom McInerny ’03 Jane Menheer '83 Tammie Miller Michael Sarner ’91 Dr. Suzanne Schmidt Mark Tomchek '89 Rev. Mathew Widder Susan Nelson Associate Superintendent Archdiocese of Milwaukee 2022-2023 ADMINISTRATION Donna Bembenek, President Bonnie Scholz, Principal Laura Anderson, Dean of Students Dawn Keller, Chief Financial Officer Spencer Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications Susan Hornung, Director of Development Jeffery Mazurczak, Director of Strategic Giving Matt Bergan ’02, Director of Athletics Randy Vorwalske, Director of Facilities Cindi Petre, Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Mark Niehaus, Chaplin ON THE COVER: Students smiled after celebrating the start of the school year with an all-school Mass. Hello Crusader Alumni & Friends, It is hard to believe that we are already more than halfway through another school year – a year that has been filled with shining examples of Catholic Memorial’s excellence as demonstrated in the classroom, in the field of play, in service, and in living out our Catholic identity. We have so much to be proud of as our students, faculty, and staff continue to build on our school community’s tremendous positive momentum. Now more than ever is a time to take great pride in being a Crusader. On December 19, 2022, we were thrilled to announce the official closing of a deal to purchase real estate in Waukesha that has been home to Infinity Fields Baseball Park and NX Level Sports Performance as a part of Catholic Memorial’s campus expansion efforts. This move is in alignment with our strategic plan objective of enhancing the student experience. As we navigate the competitive landscape of attracting students and families to our school community, enhancing the student experience and investing in facilities is a key element to remaining a top school choice. As you’ll read later, the new campus facility will provide extensive benefits to our athletic teams, Jr. Crusaders program and will offer educational opportunities to our students. We are so grateful for the generosity of our community to help make this vision a reality, especially Tim Sullivan ’71 who generously donated $1 million towards the project. While working to expand our campus, focus was also placed on the advancement of our academic excellence, rigor, and the college preparation resources families expect from Catholic Memorial. After extensive research of comparable elite schools and numerous discussions with college admissions professionals, changes were made to our academic policies to align with the changing expectations of college admissions offices and to provide a competitive advantage to our students. Changes include increasing the credit minimum senior year which is intended to add breadth and depth of study to college applications and several exciting additions to course offerings. One of the new courses is an Introduction into Education Seminar that, in partnership with Cardinal Stritch University, will be offered as a concurrent enrollment course where students can earn both high school and college credits. We are excited to offer this course to encourage students who are interested in becoming teaching professionals and help address the teacher shortage the education industry is facing. These changes will be effective beginning with the 2023-24 school year. In the field of play, Catholic Memorial’s athletic excellence was once again on display, first in Green Bay where our boys volleyball team earned its fourth state championship, and then by state tournament berths by several individuals and teams. In November, our community once again came together in prayer for those who lost their lives in the Christmas parade tragedy one year ago. In partnership with Waukesha Catholic, students joined hands around the track in a moment of silence to remember those lost and to support those still recovering. Then, a mass of remembrance was held for the six victims who were lost and all those who were injured as the community came together to let everyone know that we will always remember. Our alumni make Catholic Memorial what it is today as volunteers, offering internships, and through financial support. I ask that you keep spreading the word of all the great things happening at the school. Our enrollment continues to grow and interest in joining our community is as positive as ever. This is a testament to everyone who makes Catholic Memorial such a special place. Thank you! Our Lady of Memorial, pray for usI Donna Bembenek President 3
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES Class of 1982 Celebrates 40-Year Reunion The CMH Class of 1982 had a great time getting back together with fellow classmates to celebrate their 40-year reunion. Members of their class enjoyed a tour of CMH to visit some of their favorite locations and see the most recent building updates. The festivities continued at Thunder Bay Grille, where the group was able to reconnect and share their fondest Catholic Memorial memories. Caron Gray Bureta Neddersen '60 & Thomas Neddersen '60 Congratulations to CMH alumni Caron Gray Bureta Neddersen '60 and Thomas Neddersen '60, who were married on August 6th, 2022 in the Our Lady of Memorial Chapel. CMH was honored to host the ceremony for this adorable couple, who were joined by a group of CMH alumni to celebrate this amazing love story. Jeff Krause '03 Congratulations to CMH alumnus, Jeff Krause '03, who earned the distinction of Family Wealth Director at Morgan Stanley. Family Wealth Director is an internal title given at Morgan Stanley to less than 4% of financial advisors. The recognition is a testament to Jeff's hard work and dedication to his clients. David Kelnhofer '05 & Megan Kelnhofer Congratulations to David Kelnhofer '05 and his wife Megan Kelnhofer on the birth of their first baby, Madison Marie Kelnhofer. Madison was born on October 3rd, 2022 and is already enjoying spending time with her overjoyed parents. Ryan Stenstrup '05 Congratulations to CMH alumnus, Ryan Stenstrup '05, and the Steny's Family, who will be opening a second Steny's Tavern location in Pewaukee. The success of their first location in Milwaukee has led to this exciting expansion into the Lake Country area. We can't wait! Teresa Cage '08 & Logan Hollensteiner Congratulations to Teresa Cage '08 and Logan Hollensteiner, who were married on September 10th, 2022 in Milwaukee. We are so excited for the lovely couple. Jack Fleming '09 & Anna Carron Congratulations to Jack Fleming ‘09 and his bride Anna Carron who were married on September 3rd, 2022. The couple exchanged vows at the Church of the Gesu alongside CMH alumni in their wedding party and celebrated the entire weekend with so many CMH alumni and alumni parents! TJ Bray '10 Congratulations to CMH alum, TJ Bray '10, and Annie Bray, who were married on August 6th, 2022. The couple celebrated their ceremony and reception surrounded by CMH family and friends. We are so excited for the newlyweds. Ty Johnson ’08 Congratulations to Ty Johnson ’08, who was named the CMH’s Head Varsity Baseball Coach in November. Ty was an assistant baseball coach at CMH from 2009 - 2017. Most recently he was the Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Brookfield East High School for five seasons. Sr. Kaitlin Trokan '14 Congratulations to CMH alumna, Sr. Kaitlin Trokan '14, (pictured far right) who was recently received as a novice with the Salesian Sisters. This phase begins the final two years of formation before first vows as a Salesian Sister, when a Sister receives the religious habit. We wish her many blessings in this amazing journey. Benjamin Piatt '17 Congratulations to CMH alumnus, Benjamin Piatt '17, who was highlighted by The Catholic University of America for his success as a recent graduate with a Certificate in European Studies and for earning his master's degree from KU Leuven's selective Advanced Master in European Policies and Public Administration program. After earning both degrees, Benjamin is now applying his knowledge as an intern in the Eurobubble in Brussels focusing on European energy and sustainability policy. C.J. Goetz '18 Congratulations to CMH alumnus, C.J. Goetz '18, who earned the honor of All-Big 10 Honorable Mention after his outstanding regular season performance at linebacker with the Wisconsin Badgers football team. McKenna Domach '22 Congratulations to McKenna Domach ’22, who received First Team Academic All-State recognition from the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association. The honor recognizes McKenna’s hard work on and off the field. To receive the honor, student athletes need to play on a varsity team for at least two years, maintain a GPA of 3.85 or higher and earn a minimum ACT score of 29. 4
IN MEMORIAM The Dominguez and West Families, mourning the loss of Omar Dominguez, husband of Annie West Dominguez '14. The Doyle Family, mourning the loss of Mary Ellen Koehn Kuehne, grandmother of CMH faculty member and coach, Nick Doyle. The Doyle Family, mourning the loss of Michael J. Doyle, grandfather of Courtney Doyle '12, Emily Doyle Peterson '12, Megan Doyle Drees '15, Drew Doyle '18 and Michael R. Doyle '19 The Erdmann Family, mourning the loss of Richard Erdmann, grandfather of Paul Coates '08, Mark Mutza '12, Morgan Mutza Buttke '14, and Max Mutza '16. The Feather Family, mourning the loss of Dale Feather '57, brother of Beverly Feather O’Keefe '56, the late Sandra Feather Elliott '59; father of Sean Feather '86 and Dawn Feather Sigmund '87. The Felsmann Family, mourning the loss of Stephen Felsmann, father of Brian Felsmann '90 and Diana Felsmann '91. The Furrer Family, mourning the loss of Don Furrer, father of Paul Furrer '78, Christopher Furrer '79, Donna Furrer Wilson '82, Walter Furrer '84, Barbara Furrer Esser '86, Richard Furrer '88; grandfather of Veronica Furrer Weidman '01, Kristen Furrer Dahlgren '06, Angela Furrer Schiraj '08, Jessica Furrer '12, Samantha Furrer Janusz '13, Emily Esser '14, Megan Esser '16; father in-law of Colleen Held Furrer '82 and Charles Schiraj '08. The Gamalski Families, mourning the loss of Marcella Gamalski, mother of former CMH Athletic Director, Greg Gamalski; grandmother of Lori Gamalski Brenegan '97, Lisa Gamalski Walsh '00, and Krissy Gamalski Hartung '02. The Gromacki Family, mourning the loss of Gary Gromacki '70, brother of Kay Gromacki Moen '65, Alan Gromacki '68, Carol Gromacki Jinik '75, Fred Gromacki '80, and Chris Gromacki Kimble; uncle of Alex Gromacki '12, Isaac Gromacki '15 and Sam '18 Gromacki. The Glueckstein Family, mourning the loss of Sister Mary Elizabeth Glueckstein, sister of the late Dan Glueckstein '65, Henry Glueckstein '66, Kathryn Glueckstein Peri '68, Margaret Glueckstein Kuehnemann '69, and Janet Glueckstein Boemer '73. The Hanley Family, mourning the loss of Mary Hanley, wife of Mark Hanley '81; mother of Melanie Hanley '09, Cathrine Hanley '21 and Robert Hanley. The Heckel and Doyle Families, mourning the loss of Deborah Heckel Doyle '84, sister of John Heckel Jr. '85 and Kevin Heckel '90. The Hickok and Gerbensky families, mourning the loss of Karen Gerbensky Hickok '64, sister of Steve Gerbensky '66; grandmother of Andrew Hickok '19 and Abigail Hickok '22. The Houle Family, mourning the loss of Pauline Luepke, grandmother of CMH faculty member, Mari Houle. The Hubley Family, mourning the loss of Mary Hubley, mother-in-law of Jenny Hunt Hubley '82; grandmother of Cole Hubley '12, Matthew Hubley '13, Luke Hubley '19 and Ty Hubley '20. The Kastner Family, mourning the loss of John Kastner Sr., father of Kristin Kastner '85, John Kastner Jr. '87, Kelly Kastner Fouts '89 and Ryan Kastner '93. The Lingle Family, mourning the loss of Michael Lingle '67, brother of Patrick Lingle '69. The MacGregor Family, mourning the loss of former CMH faculty member, Joan MacGregor, mother of John MacGregor '78, Julie MacGregor '79, Mary Jo MacGregor '81 and William MacGregor '82; mother-in-law of Margaret Lynch MacGregor '82; grandmother of Jennifer MacGregor Poths '10, Thomas MacGregor '11, Ryan MacGregor '12 and Sarah MacGregor Hall '13. The McElwee Family, mourning the loss of Kathleen McElwee, grandmother of Madison McElwee'25. The Nettesheim Family, mourning the loss of James Nettesheim '60, husband of Peg Madden Nettesheim '62. The Nettesheim Family, mourning the loss of Greg Nettesheim '61, brother of Lynn Nettesheim Goetz '62 and Rita Nettesheim Fedel '64. The Oestreich Family, mourning the loss of Richard Oestreich, husband of Jeanne Oestreich '57. The Piacsek Family, mourning the loss of Bela Piacsek, grandfather of Mitchell '16, Carsen '19, Trevor '20 and Kendrick ‘22. The Piette Family, mourning the loss of Elenore Piette, mother of Therese Piette Lyons '81, Tom Piette '83, Mary Piette Lai '84, Robert Piette '85, Jeanne Piette '87 and Joe Piette '89; mother-in-law of Patrice Lindner Piette '83 and Sue Roeske Piette '89; grandmother of Joseph Lyons '11, Jacob Piette '14, Carolyn Lyons '15, Nicole Piette '15, John Lyons '17, Benjamin Piette '17, Abigail Piette '19, William Piette '20, Elenore Rose Piette '22, Sophia Piette '22 and Hannah Piette '25. The Plechaty Family, mourning the loss of Jane Plechaty, mother of former CMH staff member and current coach, Steve Plechaty '74, William Plechaty '76, Anne Plechaty Woltring '78, Tom Plechaty '79, Kathy Plechaty Coxey '82, and Teresa Plechaty Grinde '84; grandmother Dan Plechaty '07, Greg Plechaty '09 and Laura Plechaty '12. The Pyng Family, mourning the loss of Charlie Pyng '96, brother of Shirley Pyng '93. The Rowan and Domach Families, mourning the loss of Wes Rowan, grandfather of McKenna Domach '22. The Ruetten Family, mourning the loss of Thomas Ruetten '67, brother of Alan Ruetten '55. The Salentine & Keller Families, mourning the loss of Loyd Salentine, father of CMH staff member, Dawn Keller; grandfather of Nicole Keller '20 and Frank Keller '25. The Schmit Family, mourning the loss of James Schmit '81, brother of Susan Schmit Achtenhagen '76, Thomas Schmit '78 and Cynthia Schmit Stemper ‘85. The Schultz and Schneider Families, mourning the loss of Mary Helen Schultz, grandmother of Morgan Schneider '12 and Quinn Schneider '15. The Seegers Family, mourning the loss of Gerald Seegers '55, grandfather of Sadie Alber Carpenter '10 and Tess Alber Floski '12. The Smart Family, mourning the loss of Ann Fauerbach Smart '73, sister of Mary Ellen Fauerbach Aspenson '71 and Kathleen Fauerbach Best '75; mother of Michael Smart '93; grandmother of Tanner Smart '24; aunt of Peter Aspenson '16. The Szymanski Family, mourning the loss of Steven Szymanski, grandfather of Ava Szymanski '24. The Tomasik Family, mourning the loss of Mary Tomasik, mother of Robert Tomasik '88 and Cindy Tomasik Van Valin '90; grandmother of Nicholas Van Valin '19 and Matthew Van Valin '21. The Wiese Family, mourning the loss of Diane Wiese '64. The Winkelman Family, mourning the loss of former CMH coach, Kurt Winkelman, father of Joseph Winkelman ‘91 and Candi Winkelman Genrich ‘88. Please notify CMH of the death of any alumni by emailing: [email protected]. We apologize for any errors or omissions that occur in this In Memoriam section. July 2022 - December 2022 We prayerfully remember all those in the Catholic Memorial community who have passed away. The Albanese Family, mourning the loss of Dominic Albanese, father of Lori Albanese Syverson '79; grandfather of Christopher Syverson '04; family member of CMH faculty member, Tanya Albanese. The Anderson and Ackeret Families, mourning the loss of Bruce Ackeret, father of CMH Dean of Students, Laura Anderson, Brian Ackeret '81, Kevin Ackeret '82, and Steve Ackeret '85; grandfather of Haley Anderson '13, John Anderson '15, Kyle Anderson '19 and Zach Anderson '19; cousin of Fr. Dennis Ackeret. The Anderson Family, mourning the loss of Bonnie Anderson, mother-in-law of CMH Dean of Students, Laura Anderson; grandmother of Haley Anderson '13, John Anderson '15, Kyle Anderson '19 and Zach Anderson '19. The Auer and Pfankuch Families, mourning the loss of Teresa Auer, grandmother of Joe Pfankuch '17, Julia Pfankuch '20, Kristina Pfankuch '23 and Noelle Pfankuch '23. The Bauer and Falk Families, mourning the loss of James Bauer, husband of Mary Falk Bauer '71. The Beres Family, mourning the loss of Elizabeth Beres, mother of David Beres '96; aunt of David Beres Jr. '86, Jeff Beres '87, Mike Beres '88, and Paul Beres '91. The Bergan and Bobillo Families, mourning the loss of Virginia Bobillo, grandmother of Beth Bergan Garvey '99, Mike Bergan '01, Matt Bergan '02, Andy Bergan '03 and Eileen Bergan Abitz '04. The Bethia Family, mourning the loss of Sue Ann Bethia, mother of Judy Bethia Winzenried '76, Jennifer Bethia Boltz '87 and Angela Bethia O’Regan '90. The Carrigan Family, mourning the loss of John Carrigan, father of Char Carrigan Floryance '71, Joseph Carrigan '73 and Tom Carrigan '76. The Cherek Family, mourning the loss of Bill Cherek '57, brother of Tom Cherek '54 and Mary Cherek Moose '62. The Cicero Family, mourning the loss of Pauline Cicero, grandmother of Megan Culich Butman '89. The Czarnecki Family, mourning the loss of Colleen Czarnecki, grandmother to Elizabeth Czarnecki Ellis '03, Kathryn Czarnecki Foley '04, Phillip Czarnecki '08, Joseph Chiappetta '10, Jacob Czarnecki '10, Daniel Czarnecki '12, Margaret Czarnecki '13 and Erin Chiappetta '14. 5
MOORE CONSTRUCTION SERVICES BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Mike Moore’s story didn’t begin with strong ties to the Catholic Memorial community. Four CMH graduates and more than two decades of support later, Mike and his business, Moore Construction Services, have become synonymous with the Crusader community, with no end in sight. While Mike's journey didn't start with Catholic Memorial, there was a common thread through his life that made the connection possible – Catholic education and faith. After attending Immaculate Conception grade school – where he met his wife Paula in the second grade – and graduating from Regis High School, Mike earned a degree in Construction Management from UW-Stout in 1984. With the economy slowly recovering from the 1980 recession, Mike was having a difficult time finding employment opportunities in the construction industry. Mike’s aunt, Sister Rita - one of three of Mike’s aunts of who were Nuns in the Milwaukee Archdiocese – offered to make a connection. Sister Rita was running Catholic Social Services at the time and connected Mike with a Milwaukee-based construction company as an estimator. Fatefully, Mike moved to Milwaukee where he would live in the St. Pius Convent on 76th Street in Wauwatosa for two weeks before finding his first apartment. The Catholic community played an integral role in Mike’s upbringing and the beginning of his career. It’s no surprise that his family and his business would eventually find its way to being connected with a strong faith-based community like Catholic Memorial High School. However, before that could happen, Mike had to navigate his way through the construction business. After settling in Milwaukee, Mike began working for PDC, a national design builder of medical office buildings and a related division of Maslowski-Hassinger. It was at PDC where Mike was mentored by long-time CMH supporter Fred Kinateder. Shortly after joining Maslowski-Hassinger, the Maslowski side of the business was looking to sell. Mike and his partner at the time chose to venture out on their own, forming JH Hassinger. Launching a new career, living in a new city, and starting a business, what could go wrong? “I looked at what could be the worst-case scenario. It seemed that worst-case I would earn a master’s degree in running a business into the ground,” Mike recalled. The opportunity turned out to be much better than that, however, as the company would grow over the next 22 years to employ more than 90 construction tradesmen. Facing another economic downturn in 2007, Mike wanted to take a The Moore Family Mike Moore Bridget '13, Rebecca '09, Rachael '06, Austin '05 6
different approach within the construction business. He decided to sell his stake in JH Hassinger and formed Moore Construction Services. Moore Construction Services quickly became a family business as Mike’s son Austin ’05 became the company’s second employee. Austin was following in his dad’s footsteps as a senior at UW-Stout and was in need of an internship to meet a requirement for graduation. The rest is history. From there the family business continued to grow over the years as Rachael ’06 and Bridget ’13 also came aboard. With three out of four children a part of the business, the Moore connection to Catholic Memorial is strong. Exemplifying his support of Catholic Memorial, Mike helped create the facilities committee in the early 2000’s and continues to be an active member today as the committee chair. The committee has spearheaded a number of school improvements including: an updated heating system, addition of air conditioning, the design and build of the Innovation Wing and Our Lady of Memorial Chapel, the creation of the Academic Resource Center, a new turf football field, and the recently renovated entryway. For as much as Moore Construction Services has impacted CMH over the years, the school has had an equally positive effect on the family. Each of the Moore children – Austin ’05, Rachael ’06, Rebecca ’09, and Bridget ’13 –built a personal connection with the Catholic Memorial school community. The Moore siblings especially valued the faith component of the Catholic Memorial experience and the foundation it built for each of them. CMH provided a faith-filled environment where they were surrounded by students with similar morals and values, creating a community of people who all wanted to be an active member of the school community. “I appreciate the education and workethic that was instilled in me during my high school years and cherish the relationships created there,” Austin ’05 said. This connection to the school has lead to their continued engagement with CMH years later and still living the school’s mission and values, exuding great pride for being Crusader alumni. “I am proud to be part of the CMH community of late, where I notice the school’s mission staying true to the core Catholic values that I experienced." Bridget '13 said. "From the dedicated staff, many of whom I still stay in touch with, to the many lessons I learned during my four years on the Poms team, to meeting my hubby, and the many business and personal connections that remain pertinent, I'm so lucky to have spent those pivotal, teenage years at Catholic Memorial High School." Paula Moore weighs in by saying, "I was fortunate to serve on a number of committees at CMH, in addition to working the health room on a regular basis for many years. Because of this involvement, I've made lifelong friendships with parents we met there while our kids attended." With more than a decade of at least one of the Moore siblings attending Catholic Memorial, there are countless memories and connections. Some of the family’s favorites include Austin meeting his wife, Rachel, in morality class, Bridget and her husband, Kyle, attending TWIRP together freshman year after being set up by their older sisters, Becca (Moore) Kubek '09 and Molly (Fritz) Wint '09. A recent memory demonstrating the CMH connection was when Mike received the Larry Stewart Humanitarian Award from the local Chamber of Commerce, and while only family attended, long-time Catholic Memorial Director of Facilities, Randy Vorwalske, showed up as a surprise to support Mike, much to the delight of the family. It is memories, relationships, and connections like this, along with the values CMH instills in its students every day, that Mike and his family appreciate the most. “I can tell you that the end result is this: our kids breezed through college and they still go to church. That tells me our investment was worth it,” Mike said. “Also, given today’s political and social discourse, having the CMH students say a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance every morning before class is a great way to start the day and instill the values we appreciate. What more can you ask for?” Kyle and Bridget at TWIRP as freshmen Austin and Rachel WE WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY! Are you interested? Do you know someone we should feature? Contact the Alumni Office • [email protected] • 262-542-7102 Paula and Mike Moore 7
The Catholic Memorial volleyball programs boast a long history of success with 13 state championships, over 20 conference championships, and countless regional and sectional titles between the boys and girls varsity teams. With two first-year head coaches taking the helm of the CMH volleyball programs in 2022, the Crusaders’ history of sustained success might have been intimidating, but not in this case. Apart from their extensive experience playing and coaching volleyball, for both Samantha Derynda ’09 and Danny Brozynski ’15, confidence comes from their support and connection within the Catholic Memorial community. Both Brozynski and Derynda are CMH alumni surrounded by a fleet of alumni assistant coaches and student-athletes from alumni families. Coach Derynda was named the Head Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach in 2022 after working as a varsity assistant coach for more than five years. During her time as an assistant coach and playing with the Crusaders, Derynda became well-versed on the “Memorial Way” of playing volleyball. With fellow CMH alumnae Maddy Rondeau ’15 as the Head JV Girls Volleyball Coach and four student-athletes on the team with alumni parents, the program is in very capable hands that understands what it means to play Catholic Memorial Volleyball. In Coach Derynda’s first year leading the program, the Crusaders demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the season and earned two playoff wins before falling in a hardfought WIAA Regional Final match in five sets. Similar to Coach Derynda, Coach Danny Brozynski began his tenure as the Head Boys Varsity Volleyball Coach in 2022 with alumni-laden support up and down the program. Trevor Novotny ’12 serves as an assistant varsity coach, Peter Aspenson is the JV2 head coach and four student-athletes on this year’s team are children of alumni parents. "As a CMH Alumni, it is very motivating for me to be back trying to make a difference for the program that helped me to become the individual I am today,” Coach Brozynski said. “This team was excited, motivated and demanded the best out of each other.” Expectations for the boys volley program were high entering the season with a talent-filled roster. Under the leadership of Coach Brozynski and his staff, the Crusaders met and exceeded those expectations. Earning a three seed in the WIAA playoffs, the Crusaders won their first three matches to earn their second-straight trip to the WIAA State Tournament in Green Bay. At the state tournament, the Crusaders took care of Middleton in four sets before an epic five-set match versus Marquette University High School that saw CMH earn a berth in the championship match after winning the final set 15-11. In the championship round, the Crusaders had their chance at revenge against Arrowhead, the team that had knocked them out of the state tournament a year ago. It was no match this year as the Crusaders cruised to a three-set victory, earning the school’s 115th state championship and the fourth in Catholic Memorial Boys Volleyball history. With one year under the belt for both Coach Derynda and Coach Brozynski, it’s safe to say that they Catholic Memorial volleyball programs are in very capable hands and confidence of the coaches, players, and all involved, is not an issue. THE LEGACY CONTINUES WE WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY! Are you interested? Do you know someone we should feature? Contact the Alumni Office • [email protected] • 262-542-7102 CATHOLIC MEMORIAL ALUMNI TAKE THE REIGNS OF THE CRUSADER VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM Danny Brozynski ’15 & Samantha Derynda ’09 8
Our alumni and friends had a blast at the CMH Dockhounds baseball event over the summer. The group had the best time laughing, sharing stories, watching exciting baseball and participating in the various Dockhounds festivities. Special thanks to everyone who was able to join us! Thank you to everyone for joining us at the Alumni & Friends Homecoming Tailgate event! It was a beautiful night at the Tap Yard to celebrate all things CMH with food, friends and a homecoming football victory. We can't wait to see everyone at the next Alumni & Friends event coming soon! Basketball skills were on full display in December for the CMH Alumni & Friends Basketball Tournament! It was an outstanding turnout with close to 100 participants and so many classes represented. The class of 2004 came away with the first-place finish and bragging rights. We can't wait to see everyone next year! CMH Hosts Inagural Business After 5 Event Thank you to everyone who attended the kickoff event of our upcoming series of Alumni & Friends Business After 5 Networking Event. The group had a fantastic time connecting with other CMH professionals, sharing stories, and learning about ways to collaborate. The influential network of Crusader alumni and community members is stronger than ever and we cannot wait to see everyone at our next Business After 5 event coming soon! ALUMNI EVENTS CMH Alumni & Friends Dockhounds Event! CMH Alumni & Friends Homecoming Tailgate Class of '04 Wins Alumni Basketball Tournament 9
CATHOLIC MEMORIAL OFFICIALLY CLOSES ON CAMPUS EXPANSION PURCHASE On December 19, 2022, Catholic Memorial closed on the purchase of real estate located on Les Paul Parkway / Highway 59, just 2.5 miles from the main school campus. The property has been home to Infinity Fields Baseball Park and NX Level Sports Performance. The acquisition adds 36 acres and a 51,000-square-foot indoor athletic facility. The immediate plans for the property include improving storm water management and adding turf to create home fields for baseball, softball, soccer, and rugby. The Miishkooki Wetlands located on the property provide exciting educational opportunities for the science program. The indoor space will continue to be leased by NX Level Sports Performance. This expansion for Catholic Memorial is in alignment with the school’s strategic plan. One of the major objectives of the plan involved enhancing the student experience. With 96% of the student body involved in at least one sport, all students will have the opportunity to benefit from the facility. “We are thrilled to take this step forward,” Catholic Memorial President Donna Bembenek said. “The expansion of our extracurricular spaces has been a goal for many years. We are excited for the opportunities this additional campus will bring to every student at CMH today and long into the future. Improving our facilities can continue to elevate our programs and help CMH remain relevant in a competitive educational landscape." Not only will the facility impact athletics, but the academic opportunities are significant. Science classes will have the unique opportunity to access the Miishkooki Wetlands and ecological spaces for classes. Catholic Memorial's internship students will have the opportunity to work side by side with engineers as work commences on site improvements. "The additional academic opportunities that this space provides allows CMH to continue to offer the top-tier education we are known for and lead the way in innovative, interactive, and collaborative educational experiences,” Bembenek said. There is also a significant brand and marketing benefit for CMH. The new facility presents additional revenue options through sponsorships, events, rentals, and long-term lease agreements, ensuring all align with the school’s mission. CMH has been blessed with positive feedback regarding the project and support from the community in anticipation of the close. CMH alumnus Tim Sullivan ’71, kicked off the contributions with a lead gift of $1 million. The property will undergo a name change this spring to the Catholic Memorial - Sullivan Campus. Several other CMH families have also donated to support the project with opportunities to name various aspects of the fields, scoreboards, and concession areas. The timeline for improvements launches after the summer baseball season wraps up in 2023. Site improvements including storm water management will be done this fall. With successful fundraising, turf fields will begin to be installed next spring. These fields will serve as practice and game spaces for several athletic teams including, baseball, softball, soccer, rugby, and Junior Crusaders. CMH President Donna Bembenek invites the Crusader Community to help make these improvements a reality by contributing to the effort. Those interested can reach Donna at dbembenek@catholicmemorial. net or by calling the school at 262-542-7101. 10
TIM SULLIVAN '71 DONATES $1 MILLION GIFT FOR CAMPUS EXPANSION With an ambitious goal comes the need for generous support. Before the deal to purchase Infinity Fields was even complete, Tim Sullivan ’71 recognized the opportunity the potential campus expansion would provide to Catholic Memorial, its students, and the community. Shortly thereafter, staying true to his prolific track record of philanthropy, the Crusader alumnus stepped up to the plate, committing a remarkable donation of $1 million in support of the project. Sullivan, the former President, CEO and Director of Bucyrus International, appreciates the impact extracurricular involvement has on a Catholic Memorial student. He was an active participant in several teams and clubs, participating in the football, basketball, and track teams, along with the Letterman’s Club and Senior Drama Club. The positive impact the campus expansion provides to athletics and extracurriculars, combine with academic opportunities, such as engineering internships and STEM projects, and additional avenues to diversify income through tournaments and facility rentals, all lead to Sullivan’s belief in the project. “We are pleased to participate in Catholic Memorial’s expansion of its athletic facilities with the purchase of the Infinity Sports Complex,” Sullivan said. “Success in life is built on a solid foundation in academics, but also in skills learned while participating in athletics. Sports provide the basis for learning – dedication, teamwork, perseverance, and figuring out how to win. All these attributes are critical in achieving life’s goals. We hope this expansion further enhances CMH’s ability to teach young adults the skills necessary to be successful.” If anyone knows what it takes to be successful, it is Tim Sullivan. After graduating from Carroll University with a degree in business administration, and then earning a master’s degree in business administration at the American Graduate School of International Management, he began an illustrious career in business. Notably, under Sullivan’s leadership as the President, CEO and Director, Bucyrus International Inc. was the 15th fastest growing company in the U.S. in 2009, and the eighth fastest in 2010. In conjunction with his professional success, Sullivan has been dedicated to giving back through numerous philanthropic efforts. He has been a key voice in workforce development issues in Wisconsin and the importance of education, serving in many key community roles including as the Chair of the Wisconsin Council on Workforce Investment. He has also been active in assisting in a variety of non-profit organizations. For his commitment to philanthropy, business successes, and entrepreneurship, Sullivan has earned several prestigious awards, including the Catholic Memorial Alumni Legacy Award for Professional Achievement in 2011. With his leadership gift towards Catholic Memorial’s campus expansion, Sullivan wants his generosity to serve as a catalyst for others within the Crusader community to support the project. “This campus expansion project positions Catholic Memorial for the long term,” Catholic Memorial President, Donna Bembenek, said. “Tim’s gift sets a challenge for the Crusader community to ensure we can deliver on this exciting opportunity for students today and tomorrow. We are eternally grateful for his leadership and for his generosity.” “” We hope this expansion further enhances CMH’s ability to teach young adults the skills necessary to be successful. - Tim Sullivan '71 Sullivan's senior photo Tim Sullivan '71 11
SCHOOL HAPPENINGS CMH Recognized as a Top STEM School in the Nation for the 5th Consecutive Year! Catholic Memorial made headlines after being recognized as a top STEM school in the nation for the fifth consecutive year! CMH was honored as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through computer science, biomedical science and engineering. CMH has continued to expand the STEM program offerings including added biomedical science, computer science courses and internships for students interested in the medical and information technology fields. Catholic Memorial is one of just 191 schools across the United States and one of only 14 high schools in Wisconsin to receive the honor. Even more impressive, CMH is one of only two schools in Wisconsin to earn the honor for a fifth consecutive year. Special Homecoming Week Blessing To kick off Homecoming Week, the entire school celebrated Mass. During Mass, Catholic Memorial Chaplain, Fr. Mark Niehaus, surprised CMH students with a cross for each of them that he had blessed by Pope Francis during his recent visit to Rome! Fr. Mark spoke about how the cross could be a reminder of how close God really is to us all. It was a perfect way to start such a special week. National Honor Society Induction It was an amazing evening at CMH celebrating the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony in September. The group listened to inspiring speeches from students, administration, and a wonderful message from CMH Chaplain, Fr. Mark Niehaus. We are so proud of this wonderful group of students for their hard work, dedication, and service to the community. Congratulations to all!.
Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial Mass at CMH On Monday, November 21 CMH hosted a special moment of silence and prayer on the track with Waukesha Catholic, followed by a Memorial Mass to remember and pray for all those affected by last year’s Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy. The CMH community stood side by side in unity and prayer participating in a Mass led by the student body to continue the healing process for the community. Crusader Boys Volleyball Wins State Championship! The Crusader Boys Volleyball team completed their quest for a State Title! Our players left it all out on the court in Green Bay at the state tournament. Catholic Memorial battled for every point and beat their regional rivals, Marquette, in an epic 3-2 set victory in the semifinals. The championship match was a Classic 8 Conference showdown with Arrowhead, and the Crusaders put together a dominant performance like no other, coming away with a 3-0 sweep to take home the gold ball! What an amazing season for the players, coaches, families, and fans! We are so proud of everyone! CMH Students Recognized as National Merit Semifinalist and Commended Scholars! Congratulations to our outstanding students that were recognized by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Evelyn Case (pictured far right) was announced as one of only 16,000 students across the U.S. to be named a Semifinalist. Sophia King (pictured middle right), Madelyn Kosmoski (pictured far left) and Maria Valdez (pictured middle left) were announced as three of 34,000 students across the U.S. to be named Commended Scholars. NMSC recognized our students for their exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. We are so proud of them for their dedication and hard work inside and outside the classroom! 13
Crusader Day of Service The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was an inspiring day filled with positivity and love as over 600 of our CMH students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni came together for the 9th Annual Crusader Day of Service. Everyone joined forces to support the greater community, supporting over 15 nonprofits and charitable organizations. Projects included: packing lunches for the Street Angels, organizing packages for veterans, tying fleece blankets for shelters, writing cards for teens dealing with mental health issues through NAMI, preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for the community, and much more. It was an amazing day that showcased Catholic Memorial's motto of Caritas In Omnibus "Charity in All Things"! A very special thank you to the donors and volunteers that made this day possible! CMH Fall Production of "Perchance To Dream" The CMH Fall Production of "Perchance to Dream," was an outstanding showcase of the talent and creativity of our students. The weekend of shows entranced the audience with the beautiful blend of Shakespeare and choreographed movements inspired by sleep and dreams. We are so proud of the entire cast and crew for their hard work and dedication that made this production such a success. Congratulations to everyone. CMH Jazz Ensemble Performs at Saint Kate Our CMH Jazz Ensemble put together a brilliant performance led by CMH Band Director, Mr. Barry Applewhite. The group performed to kick off a United Way fundraiser held at Saint Kate The Arts Hotel in Milwaukee! The audience was so impressed with the talent of this outstanding group. 14
CMH President, Donna Bembenek, Named Award Recipient by Archdiocese of Milwaukee Congratulations to our CMH President, Donna Bembenek, who was announced as a recipient of the 2023 Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee! The awardees will be honored at the Catholic Schools Dinner on March 7, 2023. This is an incredible honor recognizing the hard work and dedication that Donna has shown to the Catholic Memorial community and the entire Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Choir and Jazz Ensemble Hold Winter Concert The CMH Theater was filled with amazing music as our students involved in the choir and Jazz Ensemble put together a brilliant Winter Concert performance. Everyone was extremely impressed with the vocal and instrumental talents of our students. We can't wait to see what they put together for their next concert! CMH Students Spread Christmas Cheer with the National Honor Society Christmas Toy Drive One of our favorite CMH traditions is the annual National Honor Society Christmas Toy Drive. CMH partnered with the Christmas Clearing House of Waukesha County to connect with families in need to donate gifts for 18 children this Christmas. The outpouring of support was inspiring! Our NHS students organized the donations and went out after school to shop for the toys, clothes and winter essentials! This project was a heartwarming way to share our blessings and spread joy to the greater community. 15
CMH SWEETHEARTS Madeline Ogren Mutza '15 and Max Mutza '16 Did you date in high school? Did you reconnect after high school? We started dating towards the end of high school after we played roles in the CMH musical, "The Pajama Game," where our characters were a couple. Apparently, that meant we would also be a good couple outside the show. Low and behold we started dating and then continued with a pseudo-long-distance relationship throughout college (Maddy went to UW-Madison and Max went to MSOE). Now 7 years later we are happily married! What year did you get married? Were there any CMH alumni in or at your wedding? We got married July 17, 2021. Including ourselves, there were eight CMH alumni in the wedding party and 17 CMH alumni at the wedding in total. What is your connection to Catholic Memorial since graduating? Since graduating, we have stayed connected with CMH in a few different ways. Maddy's mother is the assistant to the CMH president so we stay in the loop for most major school news. We enjoy attending the CMH auction, keeping up with how various CMH sports teams are doing, and Max is currently mentoring a team of PLTW EDD students for this year's set of capstone engineering projects. Jillian Cervenansky Schulz '04 and Eric Schulz '01 Did you date in high school? Did you reconnect after high school? We did not date in high school. Eric was a senior when I was a freshman. We didn’t know each other. It wasn’t until 2006 when fellow CMH alumni played matchmakers that we started dating. Our matchmakers are CMH sweethearts as well. What year did you get married? Were there any CMH alumni in or at your wedding? We were married in 2012. We just celebrated our 10th anniversary. Alumni in our wedding party included: - Joe Milazzo '01, John Muchka '01, Michael Kleber '01, Lorena Gorow Lorino '04, and Adam Schulz '13. We also had a great group of alumni who attended our wedding including: Pat Hartung '01, Krissy Gamalski Hartung '02, Tony Lorino '01, Roy Eder '01, Shaun Dempsey '01 and Dan Costello '02. Coach Young was also there. What is your connection to Catholic Memorial since graduating? Since graduating, we like to show our support of CMH by attending various events. We love to attend the Crusader Auction and cheer on the Crusaders at football games. Also, our 4-year-old daughter, Wynnie, is sure to be a future Crusader! 16
Did you date in high school? Did you reconnect after high school? Kyle and I started dating in March of 1992. Kyle was a Senior and I was a Junior. We met in study hall and after many, many times of Kyle asking me out I finally said yes. I still remember him buying me lunch in the hot lunch line as he continued to pester me to ask me out until I finally gave in! We went to Prom together Kyle’s Senior year and then the rest is history! We both attended St. Norbert College, Kyle graduated in 1996 and I graduated in 1997. We lived blocks apart on the Eastside of Milwaukee, until we bought our first house in Shorewood two weeks before our wedding. What year did you get married? Were there any CMH alumni in or at your wedding? We ended up getting engaged on New Year’s Eve on the lakefront when the clock hit midnight to turn into the year 2000! We were actually celebrating our engagement with lots of CMH friends that night! We are so lucky that CMH has given us so many lifelong friends to share in almost all of our memories over the past 30 years! Just a couple of years ago we went on spring break to Gulf Shores, Alabama with four families, all who are high school sweethearts (Vanderveldt, Topp, Scrima and us!) We tied the knot August 12, 2000, at St. Robert’s Church in Shorewood. Our wedding party included such friends as Jamie Vanderveldt '92, Pete Fox '92, Billy Seidel '92, Joe Scrima '94, John Topp '92, Pat Rusch '91 and Justin Germaine '92. As well as, Lisa Bortolotti Schumacher '86, Ann Marie Bortolotti Lewein '88, Sarah Ladish Yancey '94 and Lisabeth Ladish Dyan '96. Not only was our wedding party filled with lots and lots of CMH alumni, our wedding itself had a ton of our high school friends celebrating with us that night including Paula Palessee Filardo '92, Dan Filardo '91, Nicole Vanderveldt Scrima '94 and Andrea Varner Vanderveldt '92 just to name a few. What is your connection to Catholic Memorial since graduating? Catholic Memorial has always held a special place in our hearts, it is a place that we hold dear. It is not only where we met, but where we have made so many best friends whom we see weekly still to this day and travel with every year! Not only are we alumni, but we have two daughters who currently attend CMH, Maddie '23 and Nora '26 along with Andrew, who is in 6th grade at St. Charles Hartland. We have also been very involved with CMH as all of our kids have played Junior Crusaders basketball. Kyle is the head coach for Andrew’s Junior Crusaders football team, Maddie plays varsity basketball and varsity soccer and Nora is on the CMH rugby and basketball teams. To say the least, we spend many, many days at CMH a week! It is a place we can truly call home and so happy we are able to send our children to such a great place to learn, grow and create lasting memories like we did! Sara Bortollotti Ladish '93 & Kyle Ladish '92 Are you or your spouse a CMH alum? Are you both CMH alumni? Would you like to be included in our CMH Sweethearts section? We would love to hear from you! Scan the QR code or visit CatholicMemorial.net/tell-us-your-news 17
CMH INTERNSHIP GROWTH – BIOMEDICAL ADDITION SUCCESS Catholic Memorial’s internship program is an educational opportunity that sets CMH apart, offering hands-on, real-world work experience for qualified Seniors. The internship program began in 2019 and will be entering its 5th year in the 2023-2024 school year. Catholic Memorial’s internship program originally offered 11 engineering students the opportunity to work in this line of work at local companies. Over the years, the program has grown to include business, IT, and biomedical internships, growing to a group of 47 students participating in the program during the 2022-2023 school year. The growth and success of the program over the past four years has impacted more than 100 students, giving them a competitive advantage over their peers, and helping to gain admission into their top college choices. Feedback from past internship participants repeatedly conveys that this experience on their resume was the determining factor in their college admission success. The most recently added tract, the Biomedical tract, has seen substantial interest from our students – and is one of the fastest growing areas within the program. The biomedical opportunities include pharmacy technician positions at Walgreen’s, physical therapy at Athletico and Team Rehab, dental and oral surgery at the Milwaukee VA Medical center, veterinary care at Pewaukee Veterinary Service, and CNA and patient care at Capri Communities. Our Catholic Memorial student interns have positively represented themselves and the school, as evidenced by mid-year evaluations from their supervisors. Athletico Physical Therapist Nicole Nemcek pointed out the extensive practice and positive experience her intern is having through the program. “I have been working with Ryan (Brown) ’23 during his entire internship so far. Things are going great and he seems to really be enjoying the experience,” Nemcek said. “Ryan is getting a lot of practice taking patients through their therapy exercises and learning the ins and outs of how to function as a PT in a clinic. He has even been able to experience dry needling and blood flow restriction training himself, so he can better understand what patients are feeling during those specific treatments. Ryan has been doing an excellent job!” In a self-evaluation, Clare Gundrum ’23, an International Baccalaureate Certificate Program (IBCP) candidate described her experience in her internship as something that will give her an advantage in college and has provided a clearer idea of the profession. “I have an observational internship in the dental clinic at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. I am interning under Dr. Jesse Smith, a prosthodontist. I have chosen to participate in an internship to continue my education in a real-world situation. After graduating from Catholic Memorial High School, I will already have experience with what a clinical rotation may look like. In the profession I am going into I will have clinicals throughout most of my college career and because of my internship I already have an idea of what those may be. I also will be able to use this on resumes to be able to be a better candidate for future opportunities. (Additionally), three important personal skills (I am learning) are focus, wisdom, and empathy. All three of these attributes are necessary for working with others in the professional world.” At Catholic Memorial, we are thrilled to offer this educational experience to our students, while also offering a program that positively impacts our local companies. If you would like more information regarding the internship program, please reach out to Katie Riesch (KRiesch@ catholicmemorial.net) with questions or to become involved in hosting an engineering, IT, business or biomedical intern. Kate Holzman at Pewaukee Veterinary Services Ryan Brown at Athletico Physical Therapy Abby Rankin at Walgreens 18
RISE UPDATE Those who visited Catholic Memorial over the summer might have noticed quite bit of commotion and construction taking place to update the front entrance space at CMH. The unveiling of the renovated main entrance was met with excitement from our students and families who loved the new welcome area, updated wall coverings, dynamic lighting, and versatile seating and décor. The updated spaces build continuity between the Academic Resource Center and the Innovation Wing. The restrooms on the main floor were remodeled and an updated Spirit Shop has created an elevated and collegiate atmosphere. We are so grateful to our generous CMH community that made these updates possible, including alumni parent-owned, Enterprise Lighting, and CMH family-owned, Moore Construction. This project is an example of what is possible through our Rise Campaign. Improving our welcome area creates a positive environment for visiting guests and prospective parents. AFTER BEFORE 19
Catholic Memorial High School 601 East College Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186 FALL2022/WINTER 2023 CRUSADER CHRONICLES 262-542-7102 • www.catholicmemorial.net If you receive duplicate copies of Crusader Chronicles, please email [email protected] or call 262-542-7102. Thank you for helping conserve our resources. Please recycle. ® 2022 Alumni Basketball Tournament Congratulations to the CMH Class of 2004, who took home the bragging rights after winning the CMH Alumni & Friends 2022 Basketball Tournament!