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44 Pages·2015·39.42 MB·English

Rebels Have Much
To Celebrate!
Fall 2014
inside this edition
MISSION STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
As a Catholic high school, our pledge
Point Of View ...................................................................................................2 is to provide, in concert with parents,
parish and community, an educational
13 National Merit Scholars ................................................................................3
opportunity which seeks to form Christian
Weisenbach Earns Outstanding Leadership Award ............................................4
leaders in body, mind and spirit.
Roncalli Opens The Doors For Prospective Families ...........................................5 Guided by prayer and the Gospel
700 Visit On Grandparents Day .........................................................................6 values of faith, love and justice, students
Roncalli Celebrates Four Eagle Scouts ..............................................................6 are challenged to respond to the call of
discipleship and to fulfill their potential as
A Word With Wilmoth .......................................................................................7
lifelong learners in service to others.
Celebrating Catholic School Values And The Honorees ......................................8
Our end is to make God’s love
Cabalan Selected For Youth Advisory Board ......................................................9 complete among us.
Students Broaden Their Horizons ....................................................................10
Sacred Sounds Concerts .................................................................................11 ADMINISTRATION
Welcome, New Faculty And Staff .....................................................................11 PRESIDENT:
Myers Dances With Radio City Rockettes .........................................................12 Joseph D. Hollowell Hon'97
PRINCIPAL:
Johnston Is Ready To Sing His Heart Out..........................................................12
Charles Weisenbach R‘79
Cinderella The Musical ....................................................................................13 VICE PRESIDENT FOR
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT:
Dye Hard Rebels .............................................................................................15
Terese R. Carson
Roncalli’s Yearbook Awarded Hoosier Star Award ............................................17 ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR
Ratliff Recognized For Students’ Success ........................................................17 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS:
James Kedra
Roncalli Eats More Chicken .............................................................................17
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR
Alumni Of The Year .........................................................................................18 STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
Weather Could Not Dampen Homecoming Spirit ...............................................18 Shellie Hartford Hon'14
DEAN OF STUDENTS:
Hartfords And Mullens Named 2014 Honorary Alumni ........................................19
Tim Puntarelli Hon'99
Spartans Honored At Homecoming .................................................................20 GUIDANCE CO-DIRECTORS:
The Spirit Store Has A New Look .....................................................................20 Shelly Fitzgerald R'91 & Lynn Starkey Hon'07
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR:
Conner Writt Designs New Kicks For Converse .................................................21
Dave Toner C‘67
Student Council Officers For 2014-15 School Year ............................................22 VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND
Advancement Angle: We Are Growing .............................................................23 FACILITIES:
Dave Gervasio R‘85
Annual Fund Update.......................................................................................24
VICE PRESIDENT OF MISSION AND
Roncalli Trivia Night .......................................................................................25 MINISTRY:
Robert Tully Hon'93
Fall Sports In Review .....................................................................................26
CHAPLAIN:
Kroll Hired As Baseball Coach.........................................................................34
Father Jim Wilmoth Hon'11
Seniors Show Spirit Of Family ........................................................................34
Bruster's Bits ................................................................................................35
Bishop Chartrand Class Of 1969 Returns To Roncalli ........................................36
1990 Rebel Football Team Comes Back For Celebration ....................................36
Class Notes ...................................................................................................37
New Champion Crowned In Alumni Basketball League Tournament ..................40
The Last Word ................................................................................................41
Update Magazine is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement under the direction of Terese R. Carson, Vice
President for Institutional Advancement. Its intent is to be a vehicle to inform alumni, family and friends of recent and
upcoming happenings and achievements at the school, as well as showcase the talents and gifts of its students and
alumni. Editor-in-Chief: Terese Carson | Deputy Editors: Rachel Brown and Gary Armbruster R’81 | Design Director: Kory Marks |
Inquiries/Correspondence: Fran Davey, Roncalli High School, 3300 Prague Road, Indianapolis, IN 46227, [phone] ext. 238 [email protected]
Website: www.roncalli.org Circulation: 13,500 Email: [email protected]
FOR EDITORIAL INFORMATION, CONTACT TERESE CARSON AT [phone], EXT. 240 OR [email protected]
1 UPDATE MAGAZINE FALL 2014
QUO VADIS? -
FLEEING FROM LEADERSHIP
JOE HOLLOWELL
PRESIDENT
The apocryphal Acts of Peter tell the only to have an epiphany of sorts
story of St. Peter, who is fleeing the that leads them to reverse direction
rising persecution of Christians in and head back toward the struggle.
Rome, encountering a vision of Jesus When Peter returns to the persecution
on the road leading away from Rome as awaiting him in Rome and when the
he is escaping from likely crucifixion. two disciples at Emmaus return to the
Peter asks Jesus "Domine, quo vadis?” chaos in Jerusalem we get a glimpse families to be educated, the inevitable
(“Where are you going Lord?”). Jesus of what is at the essence of both shortcomings of administrators,
replies, "My people in Rome have discipleship and leadership. When we coaches, and teachers who are all
need of you. And because you have encounter Jesus we can expect to be prone to make mistakes from time to
left them, I am going to Rome to be both strengthened and inspired to take time. Those of us participating in the
crucified again." Deeply moved by a course of action that feels as if it will conference were encouraged to reflect
this vision, Peter immediately resolves be a challenge. At times like this it is on the value of struggling with these
to return to Rome, continue his work good to remember that God often tells "intractable problems" as Shulman
with the new Church, and ultimately us in Scripture, “Be not afraid.” called them. Though they never seem
is martyred by being crucified upside to go away, it is the struggle with these
down. Back when I had the privilege of intractable problems that makes us
coaching football at Roncalli we would stronger even though we may never
Elements of this story are reminiscent spend a lot of time reinforcing the idea attain the final result for which we
of a passage from Scripture. The to our players that the good teams were strive. Embracing this ongoing struggle
Gospel of Luke tells us of two disciples filled with athletes that force themselves is at the heart of leadership and
traveling on the road to Emmaus. These to “do the hard things” that go against discipleship.
dispirited disciples are leaving the chaos our general human tendencies to be
of Jerusalem following the crucifixion lazy. That was over 25 years ago now. There do not seem to be many clean
of Jesus and are walking along the road Looking back I realize that perhaps victories in human progress. Human
to Emmaus when they encounter a even then God was using those of us on affairs are far too complicated for clean
stranger whom they do not recognize. the coaching staff to teach an important victories – especially at the outer edges
The stranger explains to the disciples all lesson in matters of faith. We cannot be of these intractable problems. But
of the events surrounding Jesus’ death afraid of heading back into the chaos, when we look back on our work we
in a way that made their "hearts burn." we cannot be fearful of persecution, can see that progress has been made
As the day draws to an end the two and we cannot be afraid to do the hard and that progress was attained through
disciples convince the stranger to spend thing. participating in the struggle.
the evening with them. As the stranger
Recently, I had an opportunity to Perhaps you have some of these sorts of
joins them for a meal they recognize
attend a gathering of Catholic leaders problems in your life today. I encourage
that the stranger is actually Jesus at
at Notre Dame. Lee Shulman, who you to ask God to help you see the best
the moment He broke the bread for
is the president of the Carnegie course of action, to prepare the hearts
the meal. Thus St. Luke tells us that
Foundation, spoke of the great of those you are working with in a way
they recognized him in the "breaking
challenges to all Catholic educators that only God can, and to look for
of the bread" at which point Jesus
today. Some of these problems never glimpses of encouragement along the
immediately vanishes. Luke tells us that
seem to go away – finding teachers way. God often gives such signs if we
the disciples then “set out at once and
who are truly passionate about their seek them.
returned to Jerusalem" (Luke 24:33).
faith, the elimination of the tendency
And they headed back into the chaos.
Our young people need leaders in their
toward racial prejudice in our students,
lives. Our young people need you.
In both of these cases disciples are the quest for just wages for teachers,
fleeing toward what they perceive to the search for adequate resources
be a more safe and secure environment for children from impoverished
RONCALLI • SACRED HEART CENTRAL • CHARTRAND • KENNEDY MEMORIAL 2
13 NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS
Roncalli seniors Rachel McKay (St. designation is the second highest (Nativity) and Oscar Thomas (Holy
Jude) and Abby Whalen (Saints national academic honor a high school Name) join National Merit Semi-
Francis & Clare) have earned the student can receive. Commended Finalists, Abby Whalen and Rachel
highest academic distinction a high student status means that from the McKay, to make 13 members of this
school senior can receive. They have over 1.5 million seniors who took the Roncalli Class of 2015 that have
been named National Merit Semi- PSAT last year, these students scored in been recognized in what is the most
Finalists. This recognition is based on the top 3% of the country’s brightest prestigious, competitive academic
performance on the PSAT during their seniors. honors program in the country.
junior year. Over 1.4 million seniors
took the PSAT last year and only the Joe Below (St. Barnabas), Matt Roncalli is proud of these outstanding
top 1% are identified as National Merit Cunningham (St. Barnabas), Sarah students and extend congratulations to
Semi-Finalists. Elam (St. Barnabas), Brian Hayden (St. their families and elementary schools
Jude), Alex Kelley (St. Jude), Nicky who prepared them so well for the vigor
Additionally, The College Board Marino (Our Lady of the Greenwood), of a Roncalli High School education.
has named 11 members of the Matt Payne (St. Jude), Nick Sayre
Roncalli Class of 2015 National (Our Lady of the Greenwood), Noah
Merit Commended Students. This Scheer (St. Barnabas), Adam Schubach
3 UPDATE MAGAZINE FALL 2014
Weisenbach
Earns

Outstanding
Leadership
Award
Roncalli High School Principal Chuck Weisenbach was
honored with this year’s Outstanding Leadership Award
from the Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA).
Weisenbach is in his 20th year as principal of Roncalli and
served on the INPEA Board of Directors for 10 years, two of
those years as president.
”Chuck Weisenbach has not only served Roncalli in
extraordinary fashion for the past 20 years, he has served
the entire State of Indiana with his passionate commitment
to providing the best possible learning environment for
all students. Chuck's dedication to student learning, his
incredible work ethic and his support for the development of
great teachers has been a gift to all who care about young
people in our state,” said Roncalli President Joe Hollowell.
RONCALLI • SACRED HEART CENTRAL • CHARTRAND • KENNEDY MEMORIAL 4
OPEN HOUSE
Photos by Molly Sahm R'08
Roncalli High School opened its doors to
prospective students and their parents on Thursday,
November 6, 2014 for the annual Open House.
All facets of school life at Roncalli were on display
for students in fifth through eighth grades. Students
visited information booths on all academic,
athletic, extracurricular and service organizations
and had an opportunity to speak with teachers,
students, coaches, club moderators and school
administrators. Tours of the school were given
throughout the entire two hour time period.
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VISIT ON GRANDPARENTS DAY
Grandparents Day was held at Roncalli High School
on Friday, October 10, 2014. Over 700 grandparents
participated in the annual event. Grandparents gathered
in the gym for a day that included an all-school mass, a
short program led by Roncalli President Joe Hollowell,
a pep rally, class visits and lunch with their grandchild.
Roncalli
Celebrates
Four Eagle
Scouts
Roncalli seniors, Mitchell Sims,
Matthew Long, Adam Schubach
and James Bruhn, were recently
awarded the highest rank
attainable in Boy Scouts – the
Eagle Scout. Roncalli is proud of
the many Eagle Scouts we have
on campus as only about 5
percent of all Boy Scouts ever
earn this recognition.
L-R: Mitchell Sims, Matthew Long,
Adam Schubach and James Bruhn
RONCALLI • SACRED HEART CENTRAL • CHARTRAND • KENNEDY MEMORIAL 6
A Word With
Wilmoth
Fr. Jim Wilmoth, Chaplain
A while ago, a friend of mine, and one more refusal. This time
retired Archabbot Lambert Reilly Joseph begged for a room with
of St. Meinrad Archabbey, related all his heart. The little innkeeper
a story to me. It has to do with boldly began his refusal, but could
a very wonderful woman named not continue. Instead, he simply
Sister Celine. Sister Celine was broke down, sobbing, crying and
the administrator of a school for saying, “You can have my room.”
mentally challenged children. This The teachers struggled courageously
one particular Christmas season, to get the play back on track, but fun. It truly is a great time of the
the children were presenting a it didn’t work. But the audience year. But from my perspective, you
Christmas play for their parents saw the true meaning of Christmas people are most kind and generous
and friends. demonstrated in the boy’s response. and you truly do reach out to those
in need—not only at the holiday
The production had three I guess, folks, because of Sister
season, but also throughout the
acts. The opening scene was in Celine and Danny, we can remind
year. Your generosity and kindness
Nazareth, featuring the decree of ourselves, that to some degree, all of
is very much appreciated. It
Caesar Augustus. The second scene us play the role of the innkeeper—
never ceases to amaze me—all the
was in Bethlehem, featuring the we accept or reject others. At this
goodness that I see shown in so
refusal of the innkeeper. The third time of year, we are reminded to
many different areas. May we all
act was to be the manger site in the reach out to those in need. I see
continue to spread Jesus’ message
hill country. The faculty, parents, many wonderful examples of that
of accepting and caring for those
friends and Sister Celine were happening in our parishes and
around us. May God continue to
anxious about the children’s ability schools in the South Deanery. It
bless and guide all of you and your
to perform the play. is also evident to me in the lives
families. And also, may St. John
of our benefactors for Roncalli
XXIII Roncalli pray for all of us.
To their delight, the first act came
High School. All of you, young
off very well. In the second act,
people and adults, understand that
Joseph and Mary knocked at the
message of Jesus when he said,
door of the Inn and were politely Bless your hearts,
“Whatsoever you do for the least
and quickly refused entrance by the Father Jim Wilmoth
of my sisters and brothers, you do
innkeeper, Danny. He spoke his
for me.” This time of year gives us
words forcefully and clearly, “there
an opportunity to thank God for
is no room.” The second time he
all the blessings and gifts that God
heard the knock, Mary and Joseph
gives to each of us, to our families,
pleaded again and this time very
to our parishes and to our schools.
sorrowfully, Danny hesitated a bit,
but then again said his line, “there You know, it is wonderful to get
is no room.” The script called for all involved in all the preparations
one more knock, one more plea for the holidays. It is all good and
7 UPDATE MAGAZINE FALL 2014
Left to Right: Gina Kuntz Fleming, Superintendent of Catholic
Schools, Rev. Jim Wilmoth and Archbishop Joseph Tobin.
Photos by Rob Banayote
Celebrating Catholic School
Values and the Honorees
Roncalli High School chaplain, Rev. James Wilmoth, In addition to honoring those who have given their
along with Roncalli 2014 Saint John XXIII Award time to Catholic schools, the CCSV event also raised
winners, Dan and Beth Elsener were recognized at this money for scholarships to help low income families
year’s Celebrating Catholic School Values: Scholarship enroll their children in the Catholic school of their
and Career Achievement Awards (CCSV). The event choice.
was held Wednesday, November 5, at the Crown Plaza
Union Station in downtown Indianapolis.
Father Wilmoth, who has been involved in Catholic
schools for 50 years, celebrates daily Mass at Roncalli.
He played an integral role in the building of the
Sacred Heart Chapel at Roncalli High School that was
dedicated in December 2010.
“My life as a priest is my life,” Father Wilmoth said. “It
is not a career. It’s not a job. It’s my life.”
Dan and Beth Elsener were recognized as a Community
Service Honoree at the CCSV event. They are the
proud parents of nine children, all of whom graduated
from Roncalli High School. Dan is the current Front Row (L-R): Dan & Beth Elsener and Robert Desautels
president of Marian University. Back Row (L-R): Rev. Jim Wilmoth, Archbishop Joseph Tobin and
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
RONCALLI • SACRED HEART CENTRAL • CHARTRAND • KENNEDY MEMORIAL 8
CABALAN SELECTED FOR YOUTH
ADVISORY BOARD
Junior, Shayla Cabalan, was selected to be a member
of the Youth Advisory Board for the 2015 Washington
Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) held at
George Mason University.
Shayla was a part of a select group of students from all
over the country who attended the 2014 conference as
a National Youth Correspondent. As a correspondent
she participated in solving creative, practical and
ethical problems inherent in journalism and media.
As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, Shayla will
consult with the conference organizers about program
development, speakers, curriculum, marketing and
recruitment of students. The WJMC is a student
leadership conference designed to develop and
encourage future leaders in media in the 21st century.
RPO SPICES THINGS UP WITH CHILI COOK-OFF
All ten South Deanery grade schools competed in the first Roncalli
Parents Organization Chili Cook-Off on Friday, September 19. Over
350 guests purchased a meal at the chili supper, which entitled them to
one ticket to use as their vote for best chili. Additional votes could be
purchased for one dollar.
Nativity Catholic School walked away with the first place win. Saints
Francis & Clare came in second place with Saint Roch coming in a
close third. The hottest chili award, as judged by Roncalli’s Principal
Chuck Weisenbach, went to Saint Mark Catholic School.
The primary goal of the chili supper was to create a community event
that would bring people together before the football game and raise
money to directly benefit student activities, such as the Academic
Honors Reception, After Prom, Senior Retreat and the Appalachia
Christian Service Trip.
The event was a huge success because Fresh Thyme Market donated 125
pounds of ground beef for the chili, and over 100 parents, faculty and
students donated food and volunteered their time.
Allison Leffler from Nativity with her winning chili.
9 UPDATE MAGAZINE FALL 2014