eCrusader-Chronicles_Winter2018

A Publication of the CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Alumni Community blu 293 yelo 116

Crusader WINTER 2018
Chronicles

IN this ISSUE

Class Notes
The 1967 Reunion Effect
New Principal Introduction
Alumni Inspiring

Young Engineers
Our Lady of Memorial Chapel

Blessing & Ribbon Cutting

memorial faith

TrustEXCELLENCE

inclusivenessCaritas in Omnibus

PROFESSIONALISM RESPECT

Events Calendar

CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS REUNIONS
MAY 11, 2018 JUNE 23, 2018
Celebrating Lives of Service Mass & Lunch Class of 1972 - 45+1 Reunion
Blessing & Dedication of Memorial Wall Class of 1998 - 20-Year Reunion
MAY 27, 2018 JULY 27-29, 2018
Commencement Class of 1968 - 50-Year Reunion
JUNE 11, 2018 AUGUST 25, 2018
30th Annual Crusader Golf Outing Class of 1978 - 40-Year Reunion
JULY 19, 2018 NOVEMBER 23, 2018
Young Alumni Golf Outing Class of 1983 - 35-Year Reunion
JULY 21, 2018 DATES TBD
Alumni Volleyball Tournament Class of 1958, Class of 1973
JULY 31, 2018
Reunion Zero - Class of 2018 Front cover image:
SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 Isaac Barta ‘18, Josie Beres ‘18, Fr. Paul
Athletic Hall of Fame Hartmann ‘84, and Ally Kormanik ‘18 cut the
Homecoming ribbon to the new Our Lady of Memorial
5th Quarter Chapel on February 1, 2018 alongside CMH
NOVEMBER 21, 2018 chaplain Fr. John Gibson.
Crusader Day of Service Alumni Project
DECEMBER 22, 2018 On November 5, 2017,
Alumni Basketball Tournament CMH Drama Teacher Chris
Andacht hosted a CMH
alumni social at Carmine’s
while visiting New York City
for the Dramatist Guild
Fund Gala with Bob Buchen
‘56. Pictured: Derek Ewing,
Jennifer Andacht Ewing
‘03, Jenny Loeffler ‘10, Tyler
Agnew ‘14, Mitchell
Matayas ‘14, Lizzy Wesley
‘14, Jenny Matthews Cullert
‘93, Chris Andacht, Patrick
McCarthy ‘67, and Hope
Feller ‘17.

2 For updates and complete information on Catholic Memorial events, please visit www.catholicmemorial.net.

2017-2018 CMH BOARD OF DIRECTORS A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Ann Marie Wick ‘88, Chair Greetings! This winter season finds the Catholic Memorial
Mark Mirsberger, Treasurer community celebrating in many wonderful ways. In this edition
Thomas Taugher ‘79, Secretary you will read about some of those exciting developments.
Michael Grubich, HR Chair
Laura Anderson First and foremost, CMH announced Laura Anderson as our new
Rev. Mark Brandl principal effective July 1, 2018. Laura is a tremendous addition to
Lawrence Brown the leadership team. She brings to CMH a passion for her Catholic
Patrick Dragani faith, proven success as a school leader and someone with deep
Marcy Hinkes Dunlap ‘76 ties to our community. In addition to being a current CMH parent,
Carlos Garces she is also a parent of two CMH alumni. Laura is an active
William Henk volunteer and is often seen at school events and in parishes across
Very Rev. Dan Janasik ’97 Waukesha County.
Susan Nelson
Randy North ‘84 Additionally, CMH was recently named one of only 109 high
Eric Oechsner schools in the country as a School of Distinction for Project Lead
Kelly Cleary-Rebholz the Way. Of course, this recognition is due to the great leadership
Shawn Reilly ‘79 of Mary Petrie, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Dept. Chair and
Christopher Rosecky ’88 Engineering Faculty but she would be the first to point to the
Rev. Tony Zimmer amazing support we receive from the business community. In this
issue of Crusader Chronicles, you’ll read about just a few who
2017-2018 ADMINISTRATION dedicate their time and financial resources to help us grow our
engineering program. As of this publication, I am pleased to share
Donna Bembenek, President that 59% of our incoming freshman class have registered for PLTW
Laura Anderson, Leadership Council classes in all 3 strands. It is the largest growth of freshmen ever!
John Burke, Leadership Council This momentum is due to alumni like those featured in this issue.
Stephanie Diedrich, Leadership Council As always, CMH success is made possible through the multiple
Steve Plechaty ‘74, Leadership Council ways alumni support the school. For that, we thank you.

and Dean of Students A very important step we will take this spring is a CMH Brand
Dawn Keller, Director of Finance Survey of alumni. When you receive your email and survey link, we
hope you will participate. Your feedback is vitally important.
and Business Administration
Julie Lindahl ‘91, Director of Admissions God has blessed CMH in many ways. While our future is bright,
we will continue to depend on all of you to help us plan our way
and Recruitment forward as we prepare today’s students for their futures in a world
Matt Bergan ‘02, Director of Athletics filled with innovation, entrepreneurship and new career paths that
Jon Brzeski ‘99, Director of Campus Ministry were not even imagined five years ago. The country needs
effective faith-based leaders more than ever and at CMH, we are
Contact the Development Office to help stop developing them every day!
duplicate and undeliverable mail by updating your
address. Your help is appreciated. Peace to you always,

For information about making a donation, setting Our Lady of Memorial, pray for us!
up a scholarship, sponsoring an event or attending
an upcoming alumni event, please contact the Donna Bembenek
Development Office at 262-542-7102. President

Printed by Crossmark Graphics

www.crossmarkgraphicsinc.com Michael Popke ‘86
www.twolakesmedia.com

601 E College Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186 | 262-542-7102 3
www.catholicmemorial.net | [email protected]

Alumni Class Notes

MAX COOPER ’17 is enjoying success KATHRYN HARVEY ’10 moved back to BRIAN COOPER ’03 is the new
as a wide receiver for the University of the Milwaukee area to join the St. Assistant Executive Director of Hope
Iowa Hawkeyes Anthony High School staff as Director Street Ministry - the Greenhouse for
Football Team. of Campus Ministry. Welcome home! People on 26th and Capitol.
Read the article: Congratulations!
goo.gl/VQ3RFW ERIC LAURIA-BANTA ’09 graduated
Magna Cum Laude from the University JEFF KRAUSE ’03 was named as one
LAURA ELLINGEN of Minnesota Law School and was of the Top-500 Next-Generation
‘15 and JESSICA accepted into the Order of the Coif Wealth Advisors by Forbes.
PAWLAK ’14 − an honor society for United States
starred in the law school graduates. Congratulations, KRISTIN GAMALSKI HARTUNG ’02
Milwaukee Eric! and PATRICK HARTUNG
Premiere of The ’01 welcomed a second
Burials by Caitlin LINDSAY son, Thomas Patrick on
Parrish BEMBENEK ‘07 Sept. 29, 2017. He joins
Performances were married Mark big brother, Joe.
Oct. 20-29, 2017 at Bednar on Nov. 11,
Cardinal Stritch University. 2017 at Cathedral of MEGAN ZINTEK ’01
St. John the Evangelist and her husband Geof Daczyk
COLIN QUINN ’14 is working with a in Milwaukee, WI. welcomed son Ethan James Arthur on
team at Marquette University whose Feb. 18, 2018.
main priority is to MIKE SMITH ‘07 was hired
eradicate malaria. He as an Estimator/Project LISA GAMALSKI ’00 and her husband
was featured on the Manager for Moore Matt Walsh
cover of Marquette Construction Services. welcomed
Magazine’s Fall 2017 daughter, Avery
issue. goo.gl/xr8x5z CHRISTA CONNOR ARMELI ’05 and Quinn on Feb. 5,
her husband Joseph welcomed 2018. She joins
MARA APARNIEKS ’11 daughter Reagan Jo on Jan. 20, 2018. big brother,
was awarded the Top Teacher Award She joins big brother, Anthony. Cole.
from WISN 12 News. She is a teacher
at Whittier Elementary in Waukesha. AUSTIN MOORE ’05 and RACHEL MARY BASEL CHRISTOPHER ’98 and
BERGHOUSE MOORE ’05 welcomed her husband Alexander welcomed
LIZZY FRANTL POLHEBER ’11 and their second child, baby Owen
AUSTIN MOORE ’05 were honored on Brooklyn Grace on Sept. Charles into
Mar. 15 by The Daily Reporter as Rising 9, 2017. She joins big the world on
Young Professionals of Construction. brother Donovan. Oct. 5, 2017.
Lizzy with VJS Construction and Austin He joins big
with Moore Construction. HOLLY KREITZER sister Amelia
WALTER ’04 and her husband Jamey Ruth, 2.
welcomed their second daughter,
Kahliah Elizabeth on Sept. 29, 2017.
She joins big sister Eliahna.

TELL US YOUR NEWS UPDATE YOUR INFO ALUMNI CONTACT

Keep us posted on the exciting Keeping your alumni information Karri Spataro,
things happening in your life! up-to-date means you get the most Alumni Relations Coordinator
Job changes, engagements, recent publications, invitations, and [email protected]
weddings, anniversaries, news from your alma mater. Contact 262-542-1229
accomplishments...anything information is not shared or published
you’re proud of! Send news and without your consent. To update your
photos to: info, go to the alumni section of the
[email protected]. CMH website and fill out the form.
4

DAVID EMERICK ’97 was named In Memoriam
Senior Associate Director of
Athletics/Chief of Staff for September 2017 - February 2018 Joan Janasik, mother of Michael
Football at Washington State
University. We prayerfully remember all those in Janasik ‘96, Fr. Dan Janasik ‘97 and
ROSE MONDLOCH LANGE ’83, the Catholic Memorial community who Michelle Janasik Zuhlke ‘98
who is an active artist in the
Waukesha and Milwaukee areas, have passed away. John A Karpinski, father of Julie
had her artwork featured in the
100th Art Crawl on Mar. 3, 2018 Michael S Baxa, husband of Mary Karpinski Bunczak ‘88 and Brighton
in Waukesha. Bruders Baxa ’77 West ‘90
DAN NEEDLES ’81 received the
Silver Circle Award from WISN Walter Bembenek, father-in-law of Thomas Kuemmel ‘73, brother of
12. The honor goes to journalists CMH president Donna Bembenek; Daniel ’66, Ted ’70 and Mary Petrie
with at least 25 years in the grandfather of Lindsay Bembenek ‘76; brother-in-law of Mary Pagano
business. Watch his highlight Bednar ’07 and Scott Bembenek ’13 Kuemmel ‘70; uncle of Angela
reel: goo.gl/x1VX2D Kuemmel ’00, Tim Petrie ’02, Rebecca
MARIE SMITH O’BRIEN ’80 and
JERRY JENDUSA ’85 spoke at Mary Griffith Berg ’73 Kuemmel Perry ’03, Steve Petrie ’05,
the 90 Ideas in 90 Minutes event Katie Kuemmel Powell ’08, Robert
on Dec. 7th. Andrew Casper, son of the late Nancy Petrie ’08 and Laura Petrie ‘11; uncle-
CHRIS Ohberg Casper ’55; brother of in-law of Joe Powell ‘08
MILLER ’69 Therese Casper ’79, Peter Casper ’81
was named and Karen Casper Kardian ’83 James Mack, father of Julie Ott ’00
Music and Kathryn Kuwik ’02
Director for Richard Casper, husband of the late
Tallahassee Nancy Ohberg Casper ’55; father of Sandra Mertes ’62
Youth Orchestras in June 2017.
JERRY RABAS ’68 retired after 39 Therese Casper ’79, Peter Casper ’81 John Nadolny, father of Ann Luckey
years as Senior Construction and Karen Casper Kardian ’83 ’73, Mary Garrity ’76, Steve ’83;
Manager at UnityPoint Health-
Meriter. Elmer C Dalebroux, grandfather of father-in-law of Tami Ryan-Nadolny

Over 300 guests gathered to Ben ’18 and Alyssa ’21 Nimz ’83; grandfather of Kim Nadolny Sloan
celebrate our 2017 LEGACY
AWARD winners on Nov. 8, 2017. Mary Ebel, mother-in-law of CMH staff ’01 and Nicole Nadolny Matuka ’08
L to R:
JEFF KRAUSE ’03 - Distinguished member, Jennifer Ebel Lori O’Brien, sister-in-law of Marie
Young Alumni Award
TOM & KRISTI CZARNECKI, Alumni Michael F Flaherty, father of Michael Smith O’Brien ’80
Parents - Memorial Award
ANN STOLLENWERK MAAS ’77 - ’72, Cathy McAleavey ’77, Mary Pat Thomas Putz, husband of Carli Berns
Caritas Service Award
JERRY JENDUSA ’85 - Professional ’79, William ’82, Daniel ’90; father-in- Putz ’98; brother-in-law of Alex ’04
Achievement Award. and Phillip ’05 Berns
law of Brian McAleavey ’77;

grandfather of Megan McAleavey ’00 Mike Sager, former CMH coach,

James (Jim) W Flory ’83, brother of teacher and administrator

Jean Schueler ’66, Susan Fox ’78 and Audrey Sauer, grandmother of
Mike Flory ’81; brother-in-law of Connor ’11, Mary Kate ’15 and Forrest
Gerald Schueler ’66 ’21 Sauer

Diane Gray, mother of Carol Gray Jack Sichterman ‘83, brother of Scott
Harden ’88 Sichterman ’80

Raymond Hoffmann, husband of Thomas Smith, companion of Denise
Rose Hoffmann, CMH faculty member; Ryan ’68
father of Paul ’99, Tom ’00 and
Michael ’03 Hoffmann Karl T Wieland, husband of Barb
Griffin Wieland ’89
Ivona M Holubowicz, grandmother of
Matthew ’12 and Kate ’14 Holubowicz Please notify CMH of the death of any
alumni by emailing Alumni@
Joan Jeffords, grandmother of catholicmemorial.net. We apologize
Kimberly Nadolny Sloan ’01 and for any errors or omissions that occur
Nicole Nadolny Matuka ’08 in this In Memoriam section.

Denotes memorials donated to CMH per family’s request. 5

Reconnecting & New Friends
THE CLASS OF 1967 REUNION EFFECT

Catholic Memorial High School’s Class of 1967 family at home. They thought everybody else

has raised the bar for all alumni when it comes led practically perfect lives. That’s not true,” he

to reunions. Not only has this class celebrated said. “And, quite honestly, the Holy Spirit shows

reunions every five years since 1972 with the up when we talk about these things.”

typical dinner and dancing model, but it also “The honest revelations from classmates about
now supplements that with a pre-reunion “Day their problems growing up, or as adults, opened
of Discussion.” my eyes as to how few of us had perfect

Since the 30th reunion in 1997, a small group of childhoods or have problem-free adult lives,”

classmates convenes at CMH (first in the library said Margie Steckbauer Krauski, who had not

and now in the Academic Resource Center) for attended Class of 1967 reunions since 1977 but

serious talks about serious topics. decided to return for the 50th reunion in 2017,

“By the time of our 25th reunion, reality was after the 2016 death of her husband. “We
starting to hit a lot of us — disease, death, bonded in ways that were impossible as
divorce, drugs, alcohol, financial distress,” said teenagers. Maturity has made us inclusive rather
John Bunce, who lives outside of Pittsburgh and than exclusive.”

helped establish the Day of Discussion with “Everyone experienced the joy, relief and love in

CMH administrators. “We have created a space embracing and sharing our vulnerability,” added

for people to talk about those things. All are Bob Bluhm, who now oversees the Day of

welcome. All are safe. There’s no need for Discussion. “It was a pure gift. People felt it.”

people to be alone during the dark periods of “We’re all 68 years old now, and we’ve lost
their life.” about 15 percent of our class,” Bunce

Conversations run dark and deep: Think of concluded. “We need a safe place to talk, a

CMH’s Senior Retreat, times 10. The first time place to help us know we’re not alone. As

Bunce introduced this concept, about 20 former classmates, we have a common

classmates showed up. “I asked them, ‘Who background and are reconnecting and forming

here still believes in God?’ And from there we new friendships. I’m not sure I ever talked to

had a constructive discussion,” he said. “About Margie in my life before our 50th reunion. But

half of the people said they didn’t believe or had this has enabled me to reach out, and it lets

serious questions about Catholicism.” others reach out, too.”

Five years later, in 2002, several of the 24 Catholic Memorial helps the Class of 1967

attendees revealed that one or both of their facilitate the Day of Discussion at the school;

parents were alcoholics when they were students being in the same building where they once

at Catholic Memorial. Other topics have were students strengthens the emotional bonds

included drug addiction, suicidal behavior and for participants. The Alumni Relations

life after death. Department also helps track down missing

Despite the heavy discussions, the experience is classmates. CMH classes seeking to model their
enlightening and fulfilling, according to Bunce. own reunions after the Day of Discussion or to
“Everybody thought they were the only ones at create similar shared experiences are
Catholic Memorial that had a dysfunctional encouraged to contact the school.

Article by Michael Popke ‘86

LOOKING TO PLAN YOUR REUNION?

It’s never too early to start planning your next class reunion! Catholic
Memorial makes it very simple to plan reunions by implementing several
ways to help you connect with classmates, get communications out, and
secure reunion locations. We can even manage registrations if you’d like.
The Alumni Manager works closely with you to take care of the details!

Please reach out if you are interested in partnering with
CMH to plan your next reunion!

Contact the Alumni Manager to get started!
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 262-542-1229

6

(L to R) Laura, John ‘15, Kyle ‘19,
Zach ‘19, Haley ‘13 and Gary
Anderson on vacation.

MRS. LAURA ANDERSON

Catholic Memorial Principal

Catholic Memorial High School is pleased to announce Mrs. Laura Additionally, Anderson led initiatives in technology, STEM and
Anderson as its new principal. curriculum work, and was involved in a multi-million-dollar
campaign and campus expansion. Prior to her role with St.
Donna Bembenek, president of CMH, shared the news with Charles, she taught middle school mathematics at Holy Apostles
faculty and staff on March 12, 2018. “We are so pleased to have Catholic School in New Berlin. Anderson has an undergraduate
Laura Anderson join the leadership team as principal. Laura is a degree from Cardinal Stritch University, a master’s degree from
strong spiritual leader and exemplary school administrator.” Aurora University, and completed her certificate in Educational
Bembenek added, “Laura is well known among the CMH Policy and Leadership from Marquette University. She and her
community as a parent of alumni Haley ‘13, John ’15 and two family are members of Holy Apostles Catholic Parish.
current juniors, Kyle and Zachary. She is an active volunteer and is
often seen at school events and in parishes across Waukesha Bembenek added, “Throughout the process, Laura impressed the
County.” Search Committee with her passion for developing faith-based
leaders and building on the exemplary education received by
The Principal Search Committee collaborated with the school CMH students.”
community to identify the attributes for a successful candidate. A
record of academic success, a leader who is a role models in their When asked about her appointment as principal, Anderson said,
Catholic faith, and a collaborator with faculty and parents to “I am humbled by the opportunity and look forward to serving
continue the strong outcomes for which CMH is known, were the CMH community and nurturing and expanding the strong
identified as key priorities. “In Laura, we are blessed to have hired Catholic culture and rigorous academics that are well established.
someone who has a record of being a successful academic I am committed to preparing students to serve others.”
administrator, leads with faith, and has pre-established
relationships with the extended CMH community,” said Ann Anderson will assume her duties on July 1, 2018.
Marie Wick ’88, CMH Board Chair and member of the Search
Committee.

Anderson comes to (Left) Laura Anderson poses at St. Charles School in Hartland where she will serve as principal until the 7
CMH from St. end of the 2017-2018 school year. (Right) Laura with her husband, Gary and sons Zach and Kyle, both
Charles Parish juniors, at Parent Night during the CMH Wrestling 2017-2018 season.
School in Hartland,
where she currently
serves as principal.
Under the
leadership of
Anderson, St.
Charles earned
Exemplary
Recognition in
Mission and
Catholic Identity
from the Archdiocese
of Milwaukee.

NICK KROLL

Aries Industries

Nick Kroll didn’t intend to become chief pushed into a four-year degree program they

executive officer of a company that makes either can’t afford, won’t like, or are unsure about.

underground video and rehabilitation I also want them to understand that they can

equipment for sewer, water, oil/gas and pursue a career in manufacturing while also going

mining applications. to college. That’s what I did.”

Upon graduating from Catholic Memorial in Organizations are starving for leaders, Kroll

1988, he attended Marquette University and stressed in his two PLTW presentations, assuring

St. Norbert College, obtaining a degree in students that young talent will be recognized and

economics and a minor in Spanish. Kroll rewarded.

THANK YOU to the CMH took jobs in customer service and sales As a member of the Waukesha County Business
alumni who have dedicated before returning to Marquette to earn a Alliance, Kroll also is increasingly concerned about
their time to helping CMH master’s degree in business administration while workforce development and the widening skills
also starting a family and working full time for an gap. To that end, he encourages young people
students be successful! industrial equipment supplier. A decade later, from the Waukesha area to tour not only Aries
he was named CEO and president of Aries Industries but other manufacturing plants as well.
Chris Esser ’08 - Dielectric Corp. Industries.

Dan Knapp ’97 - Standard Electric “I want to help people think of different Additionally, Aries co-sponsors CMH’s STEM
pathways to a career,” said Kroll, who has initiatives and CyberSaders Robotics team.
Joe Maas ’07 - D.O.T.
recounted his CMH-to-CEO journey for students “Going back to Memorial was a bit surreal, and it’s
Rob Petrie ’08 - Ledgeview in Catholic Memorial’s STEM-focused Project been a humbling experience,” Kroll said. “But I

Joe Powell ’08 - ABB Lead the Way curriculum, which stresses critical have been profoundly impressed with the students’
thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world willingness to learn and interact with me.”
Dan Semrad ’08 - Boldt
problem solving. “Students shouldn’t feel

Alumni Inspiring Young

Articles by Michael Popke ‘86

KYLE STOEHR

Oconomowoc Manufacturing Corp.

When Kyle Stoehr was a student at Catholic Memorial, he didn’t know “I look at this as part of a 10-year solution,” he said.
what kind of job he wanted. Upon graduating, he attended Arizona “Bringing back vocations is not a quick fix. But I love the
State University, earned a degree in communications and didn’t plan idea of looking at the STEM curriculum as a craft and an art.
on returning to Wisconsin. We’re in a renaissance period when it comes to the creativity
happening in STEM-related fields right now.”
Then his stepfather, Donald Sydow, asked him to come back and work
for the company he owned, Oconomowoc Manufacturing Corp., Stoehr, whose son, Owen, is a sophomore at CMH, also
which makes custom bearings. Stoehr held positions in sales and does volunteer video work for CMH’s
quality control before becoming a managing partner overseeing football team, and he previously organized
product development. the Alumni Golf Outing. But his involvement
with PLTW might be the most valuable.
“I realized what we’re doing under the roof here in
Oconomowoc has importance out in the world,” he said. “Whenever I can

In addition to “doubling down” on recruiting, training and product advocate for Memorial,
development at Oconomowoc Manufacturing, Stoehr also became
involved with CMH’s Project Lead the Way, a four-year engineering I do,” Stoehr said. “If
program with a heavy emphasis on STEM education (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math). we’re lucky, we have

Stoehr recently spoke to students in the PLTW program about the 40 to 50 years after
importance of remaining flexible when pursuing a career in
manufacturing and focusing on acquiring both hard and soft skills. we graduate from
Vocational work, he said, requires much more creativity than most
people think. college to make our
8
mark. Hopefully,

today’s students can

learn from some of my

ideas.”

TONY MALLINGER

Metal-Era Engineered Roof Solutions

Manufacturing is in Tony Mallinger’s blood. His dynamics and understanding the value of hard

family founded Metal-Era Engineered Roof work. We don’t want them to be thrust into the

Solutions in Waukesha in 1980. After graduation business world and then wonder what to do.”

from UW-Milwaukee and working at a couple “My message to them was simple: I learned a lot
Milwaukee-based manufacturers, he joined the
of lessons along the way because I tried to be a
family business as controller in 2001.

“I spent years jumping from one role to another,” well-rounded person,” he said.

said Mallinger, who was promoted to chief
executive officer of Metal-Era in 2009. He now Mallinger—who lives in Brookfield with his
oversees 150 employees, and company revenue wife and three kids—has held a job since age
has increased an average of 11 percent every year. 14, beginning at Burger King on Bluemound
Road, and he played soccer for the Crusaders,
Nothing like Catholic Memorial’s four-year Project
Lead the Way (PLTW) engineering program existed which helped him build character and
exposed him to different personalities.
when Mallinger was a student at the school. But
when program chair Mary Kuemmel Petrie ’76 Eventually, Mallinger hopes his face-to-face
invited him to come speak to two classes about his interaction with Catholic Memorial’s PLTW
own journey from CMH to CEO, he jumped at the students also creates a path for future Metal-
opportunity because he recognized his story’s Era employees. For now, though, returning
to the halls of his alma mater 25 years after
impact.
“These kids can go in any direction they want and graduating has sparked some nostalgia.

be successful,” Mallinger said. “But they also need

to learn soft skills, such as navigating group

Engineers “I enjoy it when alumni come in to speak to us because it shows me that
CMH prepares us well for the future. Hearing the successes of alumni

inspires me to continue working hard in school. Through hard work, they
achieved their goals, and I can do the same thing.” - Rebekah Gratz ’19

ASHLEY MILLER ’01, JENNY GERSCHKE ’06 & MEREDITH JOHNSON ’09

SPX Transformer Solutions

Three Catholic Memorial alumnae work at the SPX Johnson, Miller and Gerschke work

Transformer Solutions, a manufacturing company with students in two CMH

in Waukesha. Sisters Ashley Dentice Miller and engineering classes four times during

Meredith Dentice Johnson are both industrial the school year, overseeing activities

engineers, and Jenny Gerschke is a planner and that supplement concepts they’re

industrial engineer. Two years ago, they developed currently learning. They also serve as

SPX’s Outreach Program and brought it to CMH. judges for a year-end design

A group of about 35 volunteers from SPX visit competition.

middle schools and high schools in Waukesha and “There is a very special feeling when

Brookfield to work with students on STEM subjects you can return to a place that shaped

— Science, Technology, Engineering and your life and who you are today,”

Mathematics — via presentations and hands-on Gerschke said. “Not only can I give

activities. Johnson, Miller and Gerschke lead the back to my school, but hopefully I can also make an impact on a couple

SPX team at CMH. students’ lives. Maybe I can spark an interest that they never knew they

“Catholic Memorial gave us a great education and had.”

helped us do well in college,” Johnson said. “We The fact that all three of the mentors are women is making a big impact,

really wanted to work with current students at our too. “After the bell rings, some girls come up to me and say, ‘Thank you

high school. Not only do we get to educate them — I needed to see a successful female in engineering,” Johnson said.

on what SPX does, but we also get to help mentor “There are not many females in this field, and we want to
students and prepare them for their future help change that.”
endeavors.”

9

Our Lady of Memorial Chapel

OFFICIAL BLESSING & RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES

Photos by John Kimpel ‘58 and Kristin Gamalski Hartung ‘02

The new Our Lady of Memorial Chapel is now in full use after its Dedication of
the Altar and Blessing Ceremony on January 10, 2018 and the Official Ribbon
Cutting Ceremony on February 1, 2018. Thank you to all those who contributed
time, talent and gifts to Catholic Memorial High School to make the completion
of this capstone project possible.

(Left) Bishop Jeffrey Haines presided over the Chapel Blessing Mass. Here he blesses every part of the chapel with
holy water. (Center) Fr. Paul Hartmann ’84 fills the air with incense as he blesses the Blessed Virgin Mary statue.
(Right) Alumnae Jennifer Poshek Ogren ‘89 and Pauline Beres Rosecky ‘87 cover the altar after Bishop Haines
anointed and blessed it with holy chrism oil.
(Below) A view from the back of the chapel during the Blessing Mass on January 10, 2018.

(1)

(1) Alumni parents at the Chapel Blessing Ceremony (L to R) Pauline Beres Rosecky ‘87,
Bill West ‘79, Michelle West, CMH president Donna Bembenek, Betsy Janssen and Leon
Janssen.
(2) Bishop Haines and Deacon Dennis Petrie, alumni parent, bless the Narthex.
(3) Deacon Petrie, Fr. Hartmann, Bishop Haines and CMH chaplain Fr. John Gibson
concelebrated at the Dedication of the Altar and Blessing Mass.

(2) (4) The two stained glass windows in the chapel were installed by Liturgical Environments,

owned by alumni Jerry ‘56 and Theresa Mauerer Krauski ‘58.
(5) Jack Fleming ‘09, alumni parents Paul Wojnowski, Stefanie Cristan and Monica Fleming,
Tommy Fleming ‘17 and Tony Wojnowski ‘17 pose next to the plaque and sconce honoring
their mother and grandmother, Mary Cristan.

(3)

(5) 11
(4)

Crusaderblu293 yelo116 Pre-Sorted First Class
Chronicles U.S. Postage
Paid
WINTER 2018 Permit No. 589
Waukesha, WI
Catholic Memorial High School
601 East College Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186

The Class of 2004 reclaimed their championship title on Dec. 23, 2017 by defeating the Class of 2014 in the
final game of the Alumni Basketball Tournament! Thanks to the 80 players who came out to play this year!

Pictured L to R: Sean Marek, Chris Fehrenbach,
Rob Hanley, Bill Kolinske, Mike Hanley and
Mike Heritsch, all Class of 2004

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