Technology and Jesuit Education

Winter 2006
the
CHRONICLE
OF
STRAKE
JESUIT
COLLEGE
PREPARATORY
I N
T H I S
I S S U E
Technology and
Jesuit Education
This
This is
is not
not the
the
Strake
Strake Jesuit
Jesuit you
you
used
to
know
used to know or
or is
is it?
it?
Houston, Texas
the
CHRONI
OF
STRAKE
JESUIT
The Crusaders salute their fans after winning their first UIL playoff game in school
history, 21-20 over previously unbeaten Fort Bend Marshall.
COLLEG
CLE
E
PREPARATORY
Table of Contents
Features
Technology and
Jesuit Education
p. 4
Jesuit New Orleans
Students Return Home
p. 7
Crusasders Win First
UIL Football Playoff Game
p. 15
Departments
President’s Message 3
School News 7 - 10
Development 11
Pastoral Ministry 14
Athletics 15 - 16
Principal's Perspective 17
A View from the Art Museum 18
Alumni News 19 - 20
Class Notes 21 - 23
In Memoriam 23
Births 23
By George 24
THE COVER:A montage of technology seen in
and around Jesuit including computers, the
internet, Smartboards and, of course, cell
phones.
Winter 2006
Editor
Rick Rivers, Director of Communications
Contributors
Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ
Mr. Richard Nevle
Mrs. Ellen Orseck
Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ
The Chronicle is published four times a year by
the Development Office of Strake Jesuit
College Preparatory, Houston, Texas
President
Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ
Principal
Richard Nevle
Director of Development
N.J. Santarcangelo ‘67
G
L
The Loyola Society at Strake Jesuit
The
ift of a
ifetime
The Loyola Society at Strake
Jesuit includes those individuals
who have made Strake Jesuit
College Preparatory a beneficiary
through a will, a charitable trust
agreement, a gift annuity agreement, a retirement fund, or a life
“Time is
the school
in which
we learn.”
insurance policy. These gifts
are considered part of
Planned Giving.
Such gifts, truly the Gift
of a Lifetime, ensure that the
mission of Strake Jesuit - to
train young boys to become
Men for Others - continues
for generations into the
future.
If you would like more
information on Planned Giving at
Strake Jesuit, visit our web site at
www.strakejesuit.org and click on
‘Giving to Strake Jesuit’ and then
‘Planned Giving’. Or contact NJ
Santarcangelo '67 in the Office of
Development at 713.490.8152.
President’s Message
"When I was in high school…" To hear this from my father or any other grownup was to be reminded how much easier I had it than the generations before me. I
never made 6 cents an hour, walked to school - uphill both ways, naturally - or
endured six periods of Latin every week. Painfully, I came to understand how things
had changed since the "old days." Early on, I vowed never to be caught saying
"when I was in high school."
How wrong I was.
When I was in high school, at the early dawn of the digital age, I used punch
cards in computer class. One error, no matter how minor, on a card ruined the entire
program. I would have to wait in line to retype the one error, and then wait in line to
run the cards through the computer again, hoping that I had made only the one error.
More errors meant more waiting.
Fr. Daniel K. Lahart, SJ
President
When I was in high school, teachers used pull-down maps above the chalk
board for history class. Many of the maps were out-of-date when the teacher's grandfather sat in my desk. When I saw Europe, I saw boundaries current maybe during
Napoleon's campaigns.
When I was in high school, I wrote papers out long hand, then typed them at
home on our new, up-to-date electric typewriter, using that fancy new invention Liquid
Paper to correct mistakes.
When I was in high school, researching papers entailed working through reel
after reel of microfilm, a tedious, slow, and inefficient task.
When I was in high school, I never could have conceived the marvels so routine
in today's classrooms.
Luckily, today is not my day.
Our students enjoy easy access to cutting-edge resources. Smart Boards,
combputers with internet access for research, and up-to-the-minute maps for history
class. Gone are the punch cards and the lines to run programs. Computers are in
virtually every classroom, throughout the library, and in our three computer labs.
Teachers use PowerPoint presentations, Moodle for online quizzes and homework,
and software to ensure that papers do not include plagiarized work.
Yet we remember that technology is a tool, not an end in itself. We make conscious decisions about what we will and will not use. Like most other Jesuit high
schools in the United States, we have made a pedagogical choice not to require or
even encourage our students to have laptops. Technology should enhance the
learning experience, not replace it.
Technology is a learning and teaching tool that can never replace essential
knowledge and skill. Spell check cannot craft elegant sentences. Excel cannot solve
word problems. And nothing can replace the need for students to read old fashioned
books.
We are proud of the technology at Strake Jesuit. Every year, we invest a great
deal of money in hardware, software, and training. We believe that we maintain an
appropriate balance between the old and the new.
When I was in high school, I was the one my mother asked for help with technical stuff. (I almost said to program the phone and the VCR, but those things came
along after I was out of high school.) Today, I rely on our students and staff to teach
me the latest technology.
Technology and its uses change all the time. Our mission does not. It is the
same mission my father's Jesuit high school had when he was in high school: training young boys to be Men for Others.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your family in this New Year.
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 3
Technology
&
Jesuit Education
This is not the Strake Jesuit you used to know. Or is it?
T
hough it may seem that only with the advent of the
computer and, more recently, the internet that the topic
of how to integrate technology and education has been
an issue. The fact is that the story of technology and
education is one that has been around for many years.
Long before educators had to grapple with more
recent technological advancements, they had to deal
with the inventions of an earlier day. These included
such new conveniences as pocket calculators and slide
projectors. Though by today's standards these don't
seem particularly advanced, in their day they caused
many administrators to pause and express the same
questions and concerns that more modern technological
instruments do today.
As an example, it's not difficult to imagine school
administrators sitting around a conference table
decades ago discussing the pros and cons of television.
How will it impact our students' lives? How will we deal
with that in the classroom? Is there a way to make it a
positive tool in a teaching environment?
4 Winter 2006
www.strakejesuit.org
At Strake Jesuit, this same story has
tunity) that educators have faced.
1984, its first computer lab. All of these as
been played out almost since the doors to
Making the challenge of an educator
a result of that 'tone' set by SJET to
the school first opened in 1961. The tale
in today's world even more unique is that,
embrace technology.
of SJET (Strake Jesuit Educational
in most cases, the teenagers they are
Aside from the mere existence of the
Television), the school's closed circuit telteaching are more proficient with the new
computer and the internet in today's teen
evision system, is a good example.
world, the level of speed and sense of
Introduced in 1970, such a closed-circuit
immediacy at which it operates must be
system on a high school campus was cutdealt with by teachers. It has served to
ting edge, to say the least. Almost since
change how information is presented,
its inception, it has been an integral part
accessed, and processed.
of the school. Almost. In fact, when curOn this issue, Principal Richard
rent SJET moderator Jim Gilbert was
Nevle raises his voice of concern.
handed the network in 1976, he was told
"Because we can access information as
by then school Principal Fr. Philip Postell,
well as communicate so quickly," he
SJ that his job could very well be to shut
notes, "we don't reflect on what we have
Richard Nevle
the entire operation down.
read or on what we are about to say,
"Up to that point, the network had not
before we embrace it as truth or express
fulfilled its promise in the classroom,"
technology than they are.
it. The challenge is to slow things down
recalls Gilbert. "It was used to produce
"Kids today don't know of a time
and reflect."
TGIF News, but teachers were using it
when there wasn't a computer and the
Aside from the mere speed at which
less and less. The challenge was to coninternet," points out Glenn Hymel,
information can be accessed is the sheer
vince them of its value and get them
Jesuit's IT (Information Technology)
volume of 'information' that is available
involved in its use. We did this through an
Director. "For them these tools have
and the ease with which anyone can proeducational program which explained
become second nature and they don't
vide that information. There was a time
how the system could be used in their
know life without them. They just assume
when the school library, which could conclasses coupled with a program of sumthat they will use these tools in relation to
trol the information that it provided to stumer workshops in television production.
their schoolwork."
dents for their research, ensured that
We also kept up the news broadcasts that
As with SJET, Jesuit was again out
what the students read and used was relieventually evolved into the morning
front as it introduced computers in the
able.
announcements show we do today."
classroom in the late '70's. In 1979 it had
"The free flow of information on the
One long-range impact that the
its' first computer science class and in
internet has changed that," Hymel states.
advent of SJET had on the
"Schools are now faced with teachschool was that it served to
ing a student to discern if the inforset a tone at Jesuit. A tone
mation they are accessing is reliStrake Jesuit entered the online classroom world last year able. Is it accurate? So this is also
that sounded a willingness to
embrace the technology of when it introduced what it has termed Online Courseware. The where the reflection time comes into
Courseware, which the school hosts on its own server, is supplied
the day, but to do so only in
play."
by Moodle, which stands
such a way that kept the
Still, while proceeding with caufor Modular Object
school true to its pedation,
Jesuit has chosen to find ways
Oriented
Dynamic
gogy.
to
work
with the technological trends
Learning Environment.
Fast forward thirty
In Online Courseware, rather than avoid them, but to do so
years and we find that
Jesuit teachers can post while remaining true to the Jesuit
the Strake Jesuit of
homework assignments, education pedagogy which is built
administer
online on the interaction between the stutoday, as with all schools,
quizzes, host discussion dent and the teacher.
faces an almost daily
boards, provide stuchallenge to balance a
"Today teenagers get all this 'in
dents with links, and your face' stuff," points out Trip
seemingly
endless
upload files. Each stu- Norkus '95, member of the IT
stream of technological
dent and teacher must login to
advancements and their
department as well as the faculty. "If
access the system using a User Name and Password that is supplied
mission
of
education.
we as teachers don't try to connect
by the school. A student only has access to those classes in which
Certainly the introduction of
with them when they are at home,
they are enrolled.
the computer and all the digWhile similar distance learning software can be purchased surfing the internet on their computital means of communication under such familiar names as WebCT that can cost $1,000 per ers, we are missing an opportunity."
that followed have posed the month, Moodle is open-source software and is free. At the time of
As one effort to address that
greatest challenge (or, as publication, there are 1077 users and 178 courses and clubs in the need, last year the school introsome would propose, oppor- system.
duced their Online Courseware.
"Because we can access
information as well as
communicate so quickly.......the challenge is to
slow things down and
reflect."
MOODLE
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 5
The system,
Available through a
which consists of an
company
called
interactive projection
Moodle,
Jesuit's
A Smart Board is an interactive, touch-sensitive projection screen that also serves as
screen that can also
Online Courseware
a dry erase whiteboard. Each Smartboard system, which is unique to Jesuit, includes a
serve as a high-tech
allows teachers, stuPC with internet access and a prodry erase board,
dents, and class- jector that is mounted from the ceildoes not come
mates to extend their ing. Smart Boards can be used to
without its chalclassroom
experi- display video from a DVD, videolenges for teachers.
ence.
tape or SJET; to interact with softAs with any class"It extends the ware for a specific subject such as
room tool, including
relationship already Geometer's Sketchpad or software
the slide projector or
in place in the physi- included with a textbook for teachoverhead that precal
classroom ing; Powerpoint presentations; to
ceded it, the task for
between teacher and display Internet content, websites
or images that augment a particular
teachers is to find a
students
and
lesson.
way to incorporate it
between the students
As a replacement for the trainto their own teachthemselves by time
ditional white markerboard and by
ing style.
and space," says using the Smart Notebook soft"One of the
Hymel. "They no ware - teachers can digitally caplessons we learned
longer have to be in ture everything "written" on the
from SJET," explains
the same place at the board and it allows the storing of
Hymel, "is that the
same time to make multiple "pages" in the software
technology that we
that connection, or for saving, printing or publishing
use must be demand
r e - c o n n e c t i o n , on the Internet. The complete system
because it is already also consists of six ceiling-mounted JBL speakers and a TOA amplifier that distributes driven. At Jesuit the
a relationship that sound throughout each classroom. Power, input selection, volume control, VCR control, faculty have a great
etc. are all controlled from a wall-mounted LCD panel.
deal of freedom on
exists."
how they conduct their
As the moderaclassroom,
so
they
have to see the value
tor of the Online Courseware at Jesuit,
istration will become more moderators
in it and then demand to have it as
Norkus sees the network for connecting
than initiators of activity.
opposed to it being driven from the top
students and their classes while at home
Extending the classroom to students'
down."
only expanding over time. "Before
homes is just one way that Jesuit has
As Jesuit continues to try to keep
Moodle," he recalls, "many teachers were
taken today's technology and made it
pace with the rapid advancements in
overwhelmed with creating and maintainwork for them. There have also been sigtechnology that the 21st century has
ing a web page for their students to
nificant technological advancements in
brought, it realizes it must do so while
access at night and on the weekends. But
the classroom itself. The most significant
remaining true to the school's mission. An
with Moodle, it gives them more flexibility
embracer of technology himself (though
of what they can do online to meet the
sometimes reluctantly) Nevle is all too
students where they are when they are at
well aware of the pitfalls that await a
home - online."
school that moves too quickly.
While today teachers use the online
"There are cases where the technoltool to post homework, create online disogy obfuscates. That everyone is so
cussions that a student may be required
impressed with the technology that they
to take part in or even conduct quizzes,
miss the point of the lesson," he reminds.
that utilization will only expand. That
"We have to remember that we are about
expansion will come about in part as a
Richard Nevle
training the mind, opening the heart, and
generational factor takes place. As
not about the crispness of the technoloyounger teachers who grew up with much
gy."
of the technology join the staff. Norkus
of these has been the introduction of
Whether talking about a television, a
also sees the school's online network
Smart Boards into almost every classslide projector or a computer, he offered a
becoming
more
student
driven.
room on campus.
cautionary word that has undoubtedly
Particularly as clubs, the student council
"Smart Boards give teachers all the
been expressed over and over for
and other organizations begin to leverage
flexibility of a black board," expressed Mr.
decades, "Technology in and of itself
it more and more. The student-to-student
Nevle, "while giving them all the power of
doesn't make the classroom better, it is
communication will expand with discusa computer and the internet. They are
how the teachers use it."
sion boards where the faculty and admintremendous."
Smart Boards
"We have to remember
that we are about training
the mind, opening the
heart, and not about the
crispness of the
technology."
6 Winter 2006
www.strakejesuit.org
SCHOOL NEWS
Scenes from the Second Session: (top to bottom)
-Students move between classes that carried on into the darkness.
-A pair of New Orleans Jesuit cheerleaders, Ian Hoerner and James
Linn, appeared at Crusader football games
-the New Orleans Marine Junior ROTC celebrated the birthday of
the Marine Corps in the quadrangle at Strake Jesuit with Principal
Richard Nevle serving as the keynote speaker.
-the New Orleans annual Faculty-Senior football game was held in
Crusader Stadium with the students prevailing.
school new
New Orleans Students Heading Home
What started out as a normal school year and
over Labor Day weekend turned to just the opposite,
began to return to a sense of normalcy in January.
The almost 400 students from Jesuit High School
New Orleans who have been attending a Second
Session at Strake Jesuit as a result of Hurricane
Katrina have, for the most part, returned to their
school. Only a handful were either required by their
family situation or made the decision to remain in
Houston and at Strake Jesuit.
Among the most significant remaining evidence that there had even been a Second Session
are the two temporary buildings on campus.
Originally installed to serve as classrooms, the buildings actually were utilized as much needed office space.
Jesuit High School New Orleans actually reopened its doors
immediately after Thanksgiving. School adminstration had been
able to use the model of the Second Session devloped in
Houston to begin another such session at St. Martin's Episcopal
High School in Metairie, Louisiana. That Second Session was
able to accommodate those students in the area who had not
found schools elsewhere as well as those students who could
return home.
For the four months that the New Orleans students
walked the hallways and attended classes during the evening
at Strake Jesuit, they managed to bring their own sense of
normalcy to their situation. Though taking a dinner break
rather than a lunch break and despite still being in class long
after the sun went down, the New Orleans adminsitration and
faculty on hand creatively found way to give their students a
sense of a ‘normal’ school environment.
A significant number of the displaced students were residing with Strake Jesuit households for the duration of their time
in Houston. In that time, personal bonds and connections were
formed that will stay with everyone for a long time to come.
The same can be said of the New Orleans faculty and members of the administration that interacted with the Strake Jesuit
faculty and administration. In those early days of September,
when it seemed that each new day brought an entire change to
the situation they were facing, they worked together to find a
solution. The Second Session has been recognized on a national level and even received international attention.
If ever the Jesuit goal of developing Men for Others could be
evident in action, it was in those early days. And the result is a
legacy for both schools that will live on for years and decades to
come.
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 7
school news
SCHOOL NEWS
First Grandparents' Day
a Big Success
was a big success. Over 250 grandmothers and grandfathers of current Strake Jesuit stu-
Senior Receives
National, Local
Recognition
dents came to campus for the occasion. In addition to a Mass, they enjoyed lunch with
This fall, Jesuit Senior Luis Vallejo
The first Strake Jesuit Grandparents' Day was held on Thursday, October 13 and
their grandsons and many took advantage of the opportunity to tour the campus.
the
Congrssional Award
by
U.S.
Congressman John Culberson. The
award offers young people the opportunity to set a personal goal and achieve it.
During the process they learn about
responsibility, citizenship, and the ability
to plan and organize.
In addition, at a reception at the Bank
of America Center in downtown Houston,
he received an award as one of five
Houston Community Service Student
Leaders. The award is a part of Bank of
America's
Neighborhood Excellence
Program.
Houston Congressman John
Culberson presents Jesuit senior Luis
Vallejo with the Congressional Bronze
Medal.
Sophomores Continue Tradition of Giving
The sophomores at Jesuit continued
sophomore then
with an annual tradition this year when
purchases an item (or items)
each student sponsored a child through
for that adopted child. This
Houston Children's Protective Services.
year all 221 sophomores
The CPS's BEAR (Be A Resource) pro-
took part and as a result
gram allows each student to adopt one
some 225 CPS children had
child under CPS care. That child provides
a very Merry Christmas.
information about himself including age,
clothes size, and a wish list. Each Jesuit
8 Winter 2006
was presented with the Bronze Medal of
www.strakejesuit.org
school news
SCHOOL NEWS
'Bus for Others' Program Enhances
Community Service Efforts
This fall, the Pastoral Ministry Center and, more specifically,
the ultimate goal would be to have a dedicated vehicle and day
Service Projects Director Robert Cremins, introduced the 'Bus for
for all Bus for Others trips. On other days, the vehicle could be
Others' program. Obviously borrowing from the Jesuit tradition of
used for other school transportation needs.
building Men for Others, the Bus for Others was begun to reinforce the idea that community service starts in the community.
"The real purpose of the program was to make our local
In the first semester of operation, the Bus for Others has
made three very successful trips. The Tennis Team took part in
Operation Hope, an inter-denominational response to the victims
outreach in the Houston community both more consistent
of
and more tangible," explained Mr.
Katrina, the Strake
Cremins.
Hurricane
Jesuit/St.
Under the pro-
Agnes
Academy Thespian
gram, any group on
Society volunteered
campus
at
from
a
the
Children's
sports team to a
Museum of Houston,
club, can work with
and the Strake Jesuit
Mr. Cremins' office
Orchestra made a
and arrange a day
trip to The Concierge
trip to a community
retirement community
service
project. LEFT: Jesuit and St. Agnes Thespian Socety members at the Children's Museum of
Initially utilizing exist- Houston.
where
ing school vans, as RIGHT: The Jesuit Orchestra performs for the residence of The Concierge retirement
the program grows, community.
concert.
they
per-
formed a special
Jesuit Debaters Climb in
National Rankings
team was ranked 5th
in the nation in mid-
national tournaments.
Strong contributions have also been
December.
turned in by juniors Joseph Clifton, Brian
Those same national
Kwik, sophomores David Donatti and
rankings also found
Phillips Wiggins, and senior Parth Worah.
several key Jesuit
Overall, the first half of the season
individual members
has been the debate team's most suc-
A few members of the success- on the list. Junior
ful Jesuit Debate Team include (l to r): Nick Garza, David Donatti, Patrick Mahoney was
cessful yet. The debaters work hard,
Phillip Wiggins, Head Coach Jerry Crist, Shane O’Neal, Brian
Kwik, Thomas Murickan, and Parth Worah.
at seventh in the
that their success is also a consequence
nation, senior Andy
of the support they receive from the entire
Werner
Strake Jesuit community.
stood
at
however, they gratefully acknowledge
They greatly
At this writing, the debate season is
eleventh, and senior Shane O’Neal was
anticipate the challenges and opportuni-
more than half over and the Jesuit
at thirty-first. Both the impressive team
ties to come in the second half of the sea-
Debate Team has greatly exceeded
and the individual national rankings are
son, and in future years.
expectations. Their collective perform-
based on consistent strong performances
ances have not gone unnoticed as the
by the Jesuit team at highly competitive
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 9
school news
SCHOOL NEWS
Jesuit Again Named Among
Top 50 Catholic High Schools
ful vocations in politics, business, and
For the second consecutive year,
the Church.
Strake Jesuit has been named one of the
Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the coun-
Strength in each of the three
try. By recognizing the nation's top 50
areas - academics, Catholic identity,
high schools, the Honor Roll promotes
and civic education - was key to plac-
quality Catholic secondary education.
ing on the Honor Roll.
The primary goal of the Honor Roll is
The Catholic High School Honor
to encourage schools to educate students
Roll is an independent project of the
as effectively as possible, in a way that
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion
integrates Catholic faith and prepares stu-
& Liberty, an international research
dents for active engagement with the
and educational organization based in
world. By supporting this constructive
Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Honor
competition, the Honor Roll provides
Roll was produced in consultation with
insight into the character of Catholic sec-
tion given to America's youth. In promot-
a national advisory board comprised of
ondary education and calls everyone to
ing rigorous educations, the Honor Roll
Catholic college presidents and noted
improve the academic and spiritual forma-
desires to better prepare students for fruit-
Catholic scholars.
Jesuit Students Receive Academic Recognition
Seven Seniors National Merit Semifinalists
Werner.
Seven Strake Jesuit students were Semifinalists in the
Another 8 students qualified for the AP State Scholar
National Merit Scholarship Program. They are: Joseph Bernica,
Award. Seven of those graduated last May and include: David
Juan-Manuel Duran, Kevin Miller, Adam Perkins, Paul Ramirez,
Cassel, Nathan
Will Sommer, and Andrew Werner.
C h i a n g ,
Approximately 15,000 Semifinalists will advance to the Finalist
Jeremy-John
level and, from that group, all Merit Scholarship winners will be cho-
Darling,
sen.
Brian
Dillon, Matthew Parks, Robert Roach, and
Matthew Waters. One current senior,
46 Recognized by College Board
Kevin Miller, was among the qualifiers.
In September it was announced that
Still another 8 qualified for the AP
46 Strake Jesuit current students and
Scholar with Distinction Award. Of these,
recent graduates earned the designation
7 graduated in May and include: Justin
of AP Scholar by the College Board in
Anglin,
recognition of their exceptional achieve-
Goodyear, Wesley Graham, Thaddaeus
ment on the college-level Advanced
Lancton, Alexander Masdomian, and
Placement Program Exams.
Christopher Nissman. The other is cur-
Thirty qualified for the National AP
Gregory
Arbogast,
William
rent senior, Adam Perkins.
Scholar Award. Of those, 24 graduated last
Nine Earn National Hispanic Recognition
year and include: Jordan Butler, Jonathan
Chang, Gregory Gangelhoff, Justin Gimotea, Jordan Hahn, Albert
The National Hispanic Recognition Program has recog-
Ho, Jerry Hung, Kristopher Lee, Christopher Lemming, Nicholas
nized nine current Strake Jesuit students. They are among
Lovell, Alejandro Maurer, Robert Meara, Tom Nguyen, Jason
4,800 such students to receive the honor from an original num-
Peters, Paolo Puccini, Alexander Radcliffe, Carlos Ramirez,
ber of over 150,000 students nationwide, are Bryan Allgeier,
Jonathan Schubert, Charles Schwartzel, Daniel Sheets, Collin
Tomas Diaz, Juan-Manuel Duran, Peter Graham, James
Talhelm, John Weems, Paul Wozniak, and Vincent Vu. The other 6
McLean, Mario Portocarrero, Eduardo Roman, Amir Tavoli, and
students are current seniors Joseph Bernica, William Moran,
Luis Vallejo.
Fergus O'Leary, William Sommer, Phillip Sterbenz, and Andrew
10 Winter 2006
www.strakejesuit.org
developmen
DEVELOPMENT
The Greater Glory:
Athletic Center Construction Underway
Lately there have been few dull
moments around the Jesuit campus.
Signs of progress on The efforts of The
Greater Glory Capital Campaign are
abundant. From projects completed to
projects just beginning. This fall, construction began on the
latest and most ambitious project, the
new Athletic Center Complex.
In July, the school said farewell to
the Johnny Keane Field House. The
structure served Jesuit athletes and
coaches well for over 30 years since
it opened in August, 1973. The leveling
of the building was necessary to clear the way for the all new
In conjunction with these two new buildings, the new
Athletic Center Complex.
The new Complex, which should be completed in time for the
Athletic Complex will also feature an outdoor competition pool
start of the 2006-07 school year, will stretch from the site of the old
just west of the new Field House. This exciting new addition will
Field House all the way to the western edge of the school property
allow the Water Polo and Swimming teams to practice and com-
adjacent to and just south of the baseball field. This much needed
pete on campus for the first time in school history. Additionally,
and magnificent new facility will catapult Jesuit athletics far into the
at the far west end of the complex, four lighted tennis courts will
future.
be constructed to house the Jesuit tennis teams on campus for
Included will be a new 2,400 seat competition gymnasium at
the first time.
the far east end of the Complex. Immediately west of the new gym-
Continued support for this and other projects are still need-
nasium will be a new Field House. This facility will house three
ed. There are numerous naming opportunities still available at
practice courts, a new state-of-the-art weight training facility, locker
various giving levels related to the new Athletic Complex. For
rooms for all teams, athletic administration and coaches offices,
more information contact Director of Development NJ
training
Santarcangelo '67 at 713.490.8152.
room,
and
conference
and
instruction
rooms.
Fantasy Auction: ‘Beneath the Tuscan Sun’ Nears
$10,000 per table.
It’s time to start thinking about the
26th annual Strake Jesuit Fantasy
- From pre-auction planning to the
Auction. “Beneath the Tuscan Sun” will
final take down, it requires many hands
be held Saturday, April 22, 2006 at the
to assure that everything runs smoothly.
Marriott Sugar Land Town Square.
- Invitations will be in the mail mid-
Proceeds benefit the school’s financial
March, so mark your calendars now and
aid endowment.
plan for an enjoyable evening of food,
fellowship, and fun, along with lots of
There are still many items on the
lively and competitive bidding.
auction wish list including a bottle or
January 24 is the deadline to get
basket of favorite wine, use of a vaca-
your donation, advertisement or spon-
tion home, airline miles, gift certificates,
sports memorabilia, and event tickets.
easy way to congratulate a soon to be
Any would be great additions.
graduate or wish an underclassman good
There are many other ways to support this important project:
luck.
- Get together with friends and pur-
sorship included in the auction booklet,
so act quickly.
To help in any way, please contact
Sharon Venables at 713.490.8107, e-mail
- Promote your business with an ad
chase an auction table. Major sponsor-
svenables@strakejesuit.org,
in the auction booklet. At only $100 each,
ships are available at 3 levels: Siena -
Braun,
Crusader Classified ads are a quick and
$3,000, Pisa - $5,000 and Florence -
lbraun@dsbureau.com.
www.strakejesuit.org
at
281.980.6500,
or
Lou
e-mail
The Chronicle 11
Because others gave then.
Mike Doyle '83
B.A. History from University of Virginia
J.D. from University of Texas School of Law
Member of Texas Bar since 1990
Partner - Doyle Raizner LLP
Vice PresidentMember Board of Directors Houston Trial Lawyers Assoc.
Strake Jesuit Financial Aid Recipient
It doesn't just happen.
12 Winter 2006
www.strakejesuit.org
Because you give now.
Kelly Halaszyn '06
Crusader of the Year
Senior Class Representative
National Honor Society President
St. Michael's College Book Award
Freshman Retreat Leader and Kairos Leader
Member of the Crusader Guard
Strake Jesuit Financial Aid Recipient
Choose to give to Strake Jesuit.
Visit www.strakejesuit.org and click on Giving to Strake Jesuit.
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 13
astoral min
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Ignatian Repetitions and the 800 Building
"For what fills and satisfies the soul consists, not in knowing much,
but in our understanding the realities profoundly and in savoring them interiorly."
(Spiritual Exercises # 2)
by Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ
Today, as I was leaving my office in the Pastoral
Ministry Center in Moran Hall to teach a freshman
Spanish class in the 800 Building, I found myself in a
split second of awareness--remembering my encounters with the sacred at Strake Jesuit. As I finished
stuffing the week-old quizzes into my book bag, I
thought to myself, "Did I not grade these quizzes four
years ago? Did I forget to return them?" I kept walking and halfway through the hallway I ran into a student who greeted me under his breath, "Hello,
Father." "Hola" I replied, trying to be funny. He
shrugged his shoulders and said, "I take French."
"Well, Ciao!" I said, and dashed through the doors for
the 800 Building.
I think I can walk to the 800 Building with my
eyes closed. When I was a Jesuit regent in formation
for the priesthood, this was my hangout. I taught and
had my office in this building. Smart Boards were what people talked
about and UIL was a dream. That was only four years ago and I was
getting ready to leave Strake Jesuit to continue my theology studies at
Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, California.
My years of teaching at Strake Jesuit as a regent had been a time
of grace and of profound spiritual and personal growth. I came to know
God in my interaction with students inside and outside the classroom. I
prayed for them and with them. I grew accustomed to the title of "Mr.
Bravo," the "baby Jesuit" and perhaps a few other nicknames too. In my
interaction with the students, God felt very close and amazingly, I felt
very close to God. In my heart, I knew I was experiencing growth and
consolation. My relationship with God was deepening. Nevertheless,
with sadness, I left in the spring of 2002. Fortunately, God was not done
with me, and God is certainly not done with Strake Jesuit.
Much of what came to memory that late morning was nothing new
or necessarily worth remembering. Yet, it was a profound experience
recalling it. More importantly, in my remembering the experience of
my regency years at Strake Jesuit, I found myself wanting to deepen the
experience. God's grace abounds for all and I have come to believe that
God is never finished with us. Just as in any of our relationships, there
are nuances that require deep pondering and relishing in order to grasp
and to be grasped by the grace received. There is always more to discover and more to savor in our relationship with God.
In my early years as a Jesuit, I made the mistake of thinking that
repetitions, especially Ignatian repetitions were tedious, laborious and
redundant. It was not until my philosophy years in a class taught by
David Fleming, S.J., that I came to know what Ignatian repetition is.
Reading over my notes from that class, I reflect on what Fr. Fleming
said: "For Ignatius, a repetition is never the simple reduplication of a
prior exercise. Rather, it means returning to and dwelling on those
14 Winter 2006
points in that exercise where affective responses or
spiritual experiences were stimulated." My rushing to
the 800 building this late morning engulfed the reality
of my coming and going to teach a class in one of the
classrooms there. The exercise is repeated countless
times a day. Yet, the experience of going to and from,
and what I do and experience while I am in the building is never the same. My memory was summoning
me to reflect on the experience and to return to the
experience of being graced by God. Each day, in my
daily encounter with the students in the hallways and
in the classroom, as I open the textbook to review the
previous lesson, God summons me to deepen our relationship.
I am back at Strake Jesuit since my ordination to
the priesthood the summer of June 2005. In a way, I
am experiencing an Ignatian repetition. I am back in
the classroom teaching and learning with my students. I am now administering and celebrating the Sacraments. Now that I am a Jesuit priest,
after thirteen years of Jesuit formation, you would think I would want
to rest and set the cruise control to navigate the hallways and the daily
routine. Yet, each day, sudden moments of grace come unexpectedly
and awaken me to the renewing presence of God. This blessed awakening may occur during my presiding at morning liturgy; quite often, it
happens when I see one of my students overcoming his fear of speaking Spanish in class. Other times, it comes wrapped in the daily struggles and frustrations every teacher experiences. Indeed, God is not finished with me. God continues inviting me to deepen our relationship. In
my repeated walks around campus and the daily routine that a rotating
schedule offers, God calls me to grow into the reality of being a Jesuit
priest at Strake Jesuit and to savor it. What often begins as simple rumination is becoming a conversation with God. In the Ignatian manner of
speaking, I am encountering God in my renewed experience of living
and working at Strake Jesuit.
Strake Jesuit is not the same as when I left in 2002. Some teachers
and administrators have changed. I myself have changed. The new field
house is being built and new projects continue to develop. But two
things remain the same: the 800 Building is still filled with young men
studying and reaching for their spiritual, intellectual and physical magis
each day and God's abundant grace and love still summon all of us here
at Strake Jesuit. Let us relish and savor these graces because what
counts in repetitions is not new content, but
renewed encounter.
www.strakejesuit.org
Fr. Flavio Bravo, SJ works in the Pastoral Ministry
Office assisting Fr. Mark Thibodeaux, SJ. In addition to his duties there, he teaches Spanish and
also works with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in
Houston.
ATHLETICS
Crusaders Chased District Football Title,
Qualified for Playoffs in Second UIL Season
attempt.
0 on the season and 3-0 in district play.
was magical in many ways. Faced with a
They followed that with a 23-20 win over
With one playoff win under their belt,
seemingly never-ending string of injuries,
Katy Taylor and a 24-6 victory over Alief
the Crusaders next took on Cypress Falls.
particularly to the offense, time after time
Elsik which secured Jesuit a spot in the
The Crusaders fell behind early 19-0 but
the players stepped up and made plays
playoffs.
staged a great comeback. A fourth down
when they had to. The result was a near
However, the Crusaders still had their
perfect regular season record and a first
eyes on at least a share of the District 19-
ever berth in the UIL state playoffs.
5A title with an undefeated Katy team. In
The Crusaders went through the pre-
their way was Cinco Ranch in the final
district schedule at 3-0 with wins over
regular season game. Trailing 15-10 late
Baytown Lee, rival St. Thomas, and St.
in the game, Jesuit failed to push across
Pius X. As they prepared to open District
the winning touchdown from inside the
19-5A play against powerhouse Katy,
Cinco Ranch 5-yard line and suffered their
Hurricane Rita struck the Texas-Louisiana
first loss of the season.
coast. All games for that weekend were
It was then onto their first UIL
canceled and the decision was made to
playoff appearance and they found them-
not make them up.
selves facing an undefeated Fort Bend
Jesuit instead opened district play
the following week with a 31-0 victory
Marshall team which won the Disrtict 205A title.
over Alief Taylor. It would prove to be their
Jesuit came out ready to play and
easist victory in district competition. Next
took a 14-0 early lead. Late in the game,
up was Alief Hastings and what may have
Tim Bandy threw what proved to be a
been their most 'magical' win as they
game-winning touchdown pass to Davis
scored two safeties in the game's final
Burck to go up 21-20. The Crusaders had
minute to edge the Bears 14-13.
to make on final goal-line stand and then
After struggling in the first half
clinch the win when Marshall suffered a
against Mayde Creek the following week,
bad snap on their game-winning field goal
the Crusaders pulled away 48-19 to go 6-
athletics
The 2005 football season at Jesuit
pass that fell incomplete in the end zone
ended the year with a 27-22 loss.
POST SEASON HONORS ABOUND
After such a successful season, it
was no surprise that many members of
the Jesuit football team were recognized
with post season honors. And, it didn't
stop at the players.
Senior Stephen Tyree led the way as
he was named First Team All-District on
both Offense, as a wide receiver, and
Defense, as a free safety. Joining him on
the First Team were senior linebacker
Scott Coffman and senior kicker Jonathan
Madsen.
Named to the Second Team AllDistrict were senior
offensive lineman
Carlos Garcia,
senior tailback
and all-purpose
player Jonathan
Moore, senior
quaterback Tim
Bandy, and senior
defensive tackle
Bryan Allgeier.
Also receiving
much deserved post season recognition
was Head Coach Ron Counter (right) who
was nominated by the Touchdown Club of
Houston for Coach of the Year.
LEFT: The Crusaders celebrate their first
playoff win over Fort Bend Marshall.
RIGHT: Senior Stephen Tyree, who led the
team in receptions and interceptions, was
selected first team All-District on Offense
and Defense.
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 15
ATHLETICS
Young Water Polo Team
Exceeds Expectations
Cross Country Can
Build On Best Season
Young teams normally are accompanied by guarded, if not
In 2005 the Jesuit Cross Country team had what Coach
low, expectations. The 2005 Jesuit Water Polo team was indeed
Mike Kerley regarded as its more successful season ever. And
young, but whatever the expectations were, they certainly
with all seven of the top runners from this year's team returning
exceeded them.
next year, there is no place to
athletics
Starting five juniors and two sophomores, Coach Bob Horn's
go but up.
young Crusaders posted a 15-13 record on the season. The
Competing in the very
squad definitely saved their best for last as they entered the
tough and competitive District
Regional Tournament.
19-5A, the Crusaders finished
Needing a win to earn a trip to the State Tournament in
second behind perennial power
Dallas, the Crusaders faced Clear Creek, who they had lost to
Cinco Ranch. From that strong
twice previously in the year. Jesuit responded with their strongest
showing it was on to the
game of the season. "We held their top player to one goal,
Regional meet where Jesuit fin-
played great defense and scored often and early," recalled
ished a very strong 4th, just
Coach Horn.
missing out on a berth in the
The result was an 8-1
State Meet. However, on an indi-
win and a berth in the State
vidual level, one Crusader man-
Tournament. At the year end
aged to earn a trip to Round
event the Crusader dropped
Rock for the State Meet as junior
two close contests to St.
Greg Casar finished 8th overall,
Mark's and Westside to
qualifying him for the final meet
close out the season.
of the season. He went on to cut
As an example of what
41 seconds off his best time ever
the Crusaders have to look
at the Round Rock course, good Junior Greg Casar qualified for
forward to next year, soph-
enough for a 24th place finish.
the State Meet and turned in an
"This team worked really impressive finish.
omore Mark Strickland led
hard all summer," said Coach
the team with 77 goals on
Sophomore Mark Strickland has
already set school records for
goals in a season and in a career.
Kerley. "And they run year round to maintain a high standard of
Highberger led the team with a single season record 51 assists
next season are Casar, juniors Jake DeLouche, Colin Chambers,
and in on track to top his older brother Jack's career assist
Robert Ontko, Jr., David Horrell, Will Herrington, and sophomore
record. And junior Santiago Lombo had a team high 70 steals to
Greg York, Jr. They will all be joined by junior Mike Nawrocki.
44% shooting
and
has
already set both the single
season and career school
excellence. Also, senior team captain Phillip Sterbentz did an
outstanding job of leadership."
Among the returning top seven runners who will be back
scoring records. Junior Mark
So come next fall, the Jesuit Cross Country team should be
give him 123 career thefts and a shot at the school record.
one to watch.
As the saying goes, stayed tuned.
Senior Tyree to Play Basketball at Bucknell
he
"He had some schools
will be attending Bucknell next year where
earned All-District honors as
recruiting him for football,"
he
Strake Jesuit senior Stephen Tyree
football
field
where
Bucknell
a wide receiver and as a free
noted Jesuit head basketball
University, which competes in the NCAA
safety, Tyree averaged a dou-
coach Wayne Jones, "but his
Division 1-A level in the Patriot League is
ble-double in his first five
heart was always with bas-
located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania near
games with the basketball
ketball. I think that Bucknell
Philadelphia.
team, despite missing all the
is getting themselves a
pre-season practices.
tremendous steal."
will
play
basketball.
Coming off a strong season on the
16 Winter 2006
www.strakejesuit.org
Without ever leaving our homeland, we have become immigrants in a new country. Somehow, a great tectonic shift has
occurred and a new world has slipped in under our feet. The generation that grew up in a world of corded telephones, typewriters,
workbooks, pencils, pens, ink, and black boards has found itself
lost in a new world - Cyberia. Like immigrants who settle in a
new world, the new language comes slowly to the older generation, but their children take to their new homeland and its language with relish and abandon. They are better at their new language than they are with their parents' mother tongue; they have
even developed a distinct dialect of their own that has its own
vocabulary and grammar. Those of us who receive emails from
college-student children are having to go through the pains of
learning this new patois.
The impact of technology on our culture and particularly on
education has been overwhelming; it determines how we design
our schools, how we spend our money, how we staff our faculties,
how we teach, keep records and communicate to one another and
to students and their families. When computers first appeared
there was a rush to put a computer in every classroom, and then
at every student's desk. (No one quite knew what students and
teachers were going to do with them, but they knew they had to
have one.) I remember first hearing such proposals and telling an
alumnus, it's just too expensive and too cumbersome. That alumnus, who had been at the school when we first added our own
closed circuit TV system, countered with his memory of hearing
a parent say the same thing about a television monitor in every
classroom.
Today, we have a computer in nearly every classroom and
even more in some of the science labs; we do not require laptops
and we have some good pedagogical reasons not to do so. (They
serve more to interrupt the interaction of a classroom, than augment it.) Instead we make use of Smart Boards, which illuminate
almost every classroom. Even retro-grouches like me have come
to rely on what is probably the best
piece of educational technology since
the invention of the black board.
It has been my experience that one
of the greatest uses for computers as a
teaching tool is that they enable students to "rewrite." Any English teacher
will tell you that the key to learning to
write is learning to rewrite. Computers
make "rewriting" a realistic option - not
just when the student is preparing a
paper for class, but after the teacher has
seen it and corrected it. It is very easy
to tell a student to reorganize a paper, or
move this or that sentence, or add a
paragraph that make the difference
between a poor paper and a good one.
The greatest difficulty that the citizens of Cyberia face is a
lack of reflection. Computers, emails and cell phones all enable
work to be done and delivered, and letters to be emailed instantly, without considering the content, tone, or even the necessity of
the message. Such urgency also characterizes the way that we
use modular telephones. Even adult Cyberians have this problem.
In the old days of letter writing, elementary students were
cautioned to let some letters sit overnight before mailing them; it
was good advice and a great way of avoiding injured feelings and
embarrassment. But emails are composed and delivered in a
medium that has little use for delay or caution, and forwarding an
email message is even faster. Even though electronic media
measures time in nanoseconds, emails once sent have a life of
their own - a very long life that empowers them to haunt their
writers long after their composition.
The same tendency of Cyberians to compose and deliver
their electronic correspondence so quickly shows up in the academic use of word processors. Because students can write a
paper quickly, they do write papers quickly. Computer-composed
papers may be far more legible than those hand written essays of
yesteryear, but they are not necessarily more comprehensible.
Students can and do write papers, give them a spell-check and if
they are ambitious, a grammar check, and then email them to their
teachers all at a single sitting. Computers were still on the technological horizon when Marshall McLuhan laid down his dictum
that "The medium is the message," but computers and their
celebrity are taking over what we say; we may be communicating
more, but there is a good chance that we are saying less than we
can and more than we mean.
New techniques of communication, however, seem to generate their own brand of curmudgeonry. Even Homer who sang his
tales without benefit of a script or text had little use for what was
for him a new technology-writing. In the sixth book of The Iliad
he takes a passing shot at those who
wrote out their text, describing writing
as "murderous signs scratched in a folded tablet." Homer's oral bardic tradition
lost out, replaced by a better and more
lasting system of communication; the
new era of electronic communication the language of our new homeland,
Cyberia, will surely prevail, but the
trick for us, especially we who teach, is
to make sure that we teach our students
how to master it, lest it master them.
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 17
art museum
A VIEW FROM THE STRAKE JESUIT ART MUSEUM
Woman Sitting on a Bed
by George Segal
by Ellen Orseck, Strake Jesuit Art Museum Curator
Although George Segal's sculptures are identified as Pop Art
refuge. Of the three, Van Gogh's bedroom is the most humane.
genre, they also communicate the solitary nature of modern urban
Despite that fact that the room is devoid of its inhabitant, the sim-
man. The British and American Pop Art movement from the 1950s
ple room is filled with pictures, items of toiletry, clothing and a win-
and 1960s often reacted against the elitism of abstract art with
dow. Hopper on the other hand, shows us the occupant of the
humor. Little of that humor is found in Segal's work.
hotel room as she sits reading alone. Even in her uncomplicated
`
While teaching an adult education class in New Brunswick,
chamber she seems more hopeful than Segal's main character.
New Jersey, a student gave Segal a box of plaster gauze band-
Both women appear similar in size, age and position. But the sub-
With the help of his wife
ject in Segal's hands takes on a
Helen, Segal began experimenting
depth of loneliness and despair
with the material, applying them to
amplified by his use of white to
himself until he was able to cast
drench the tableaux in an austere
parts of his body and assemble
space.
ages.
He
Segal was born to eastern
added a chair and table to the
European immigrants who settled in
tableaux and Man Sitting at a Table
the Bronx. After running a butcher
became the turning point in his
shop, his parents moved to a New
career.
Jersey poultry farm, where Segal
them into a seated figure.
The 1996 bronze casting of
spent many years helping his family.
Woman Sitting on a Bed, displayed
While living with his aunt in Brooklyn
in the lobby of the 800 Building,
and
bears the same melancholy angst.
Technical High School, he discov-
The work, on loan from Dallas col-
ered his love of art.
attending
the
Stuyvesant
lector Frank Ribelin, depicts a soli-
From there he went on to
tary figure perched at the edge of a
study at Pratt Institute of Design,
Artist: George Segal (American 1924- 2000)
Title: Woman Sitting on a Bed, 1996
Media:
Cooper, bronze, wood, Plexiglass, electric light a sadness that comes with experi21 x 15 x 25.5 inches
ence, age and loneliness. Her simSource: On loan from Frank Ribelin
ple room - the Spartan chair, rum- Location: Lobby of the 800 Building
Copper
pled bed and illuminated window -
in 1963. As he focused on real life
bed.
The downward cast of her
head and shoulders communicates
Union
University.
and
New
York
Between teaching and
making art, Segal continued his education and earned a Masters of Fine
Arts degree from Rutgers University
calls to mind bedrooms captured by other artists - Edward
tableaux using family, friends and himself as subjects, Segal's
Hopper's Hotel Room of 1931 (below left) and Vincent van Gogh's
work became increasingly autobiographical. His unique style dis-
Bedroom at Arles from 1888 (below right).
tinguished his work from other Pop artists such as Andy Warhol,
Each artist explores the notion of the bedroom as a solitary
18 Winter 2006
Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Indiana, who took their subjects from
objects of everyday use, advertising, comic strips, film and television.
Among his credits are numerous honorary doctorate degrees
and lifetime achievement awards from Japan, Israel, Venezuela,
and the United States. His best-known work includes The Franklin
D. Roosevelt Monument in Washington, D.C. and the Holocaust
Memorial which sits in Legion of Honor Park in San Francisco, CA.
www.strakejesuit.org
ALUMNI NEWS
lumni new
Alumni Receptions Hit
New York, Texas
This fall Alumni from various parts of the country turned
out for receptions in their area. From the east coast to the
Texas hill country, Jesuit alums gathered to catch up on old
times and hear news of what has been happening back on
campus.
In early October, school President Fr. Lahart, Director of
Development NJ Santarcangelo '67 and Director of Alumni
Relations Tim Scalzitti '90, journeyed to the Hill Country of Texas
for a pair of receptions, one each in Austin and San Antonio. The
Austin reception was held at The Mansion at Judges' Hill, owned
by Jesuit alum Bill Gurasich '66.
From there, the trio of Jesuit administrators traveled to New
York in early November where they hosted a reception at the
TOP: In New York, attendees included Rick Rodney '79, James
Daly '97, Aaron Sokolik '01, host Jim Loughlin '74, Matt Lambert
'00, Aaron Spear '93, NJ Santarcangelo '67, Hector Chavez '02,
Eugene Song '94, Bryce Gama '97, Fr. Daniel Lahart, Larry
Loeffler '65 and his wife Joni.
BOTTOM: In Austin is was a Class of '67 gathering of Olle
Lorehn, Sey Zimmerman, NJ Santarcangelo, Jeff Woodruff, and
John Courtade who were among the attendees.
offices of alum Jim Loughlin '74 on Madison Avenue. Almost
every decade in Jesuit history was represented.
More alumni gatherings are in the plans for this spring and
summer with a stop planned in Chicago and other locations being
planned. Alumni in all areas of the country are encouraged to
watch their mail boxes and e-mail for plans for events in their
area.
Alumni Drive Gift Club Reception
Honors Alumni Benefactors
On Thursday, December 1, Strake
Jesuit hosted its first Alumni Drive Gift
Club Reception. The special occasion
was the school’s way of recognizing and
thanking those alumni who had contributed to the Annual Alumni Drive at the
Magis Club Level or above.
Gathering in the Parsley Center,
alumni and school administrators spent
time reminiscing about school days.
Eventually, much of the conversation
turned to how the school had changed
and the exciting new developments on
campus.
But mostly it was an opportunity to
recognize the many alumni benefactors
and for school President Fr. Daniel Lahart
to personally thank them for their continued support of Strake Jesuit’s mission.
TOP: Alumni gather in the lobby of the Parsley Center where they reconnect with past
classmates.
BOTTOM: A quintet from the Strake Jesuit Orchestra added to the evening’s ambiance.
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 19
ALUMNI NEWS
lumni new
Reunion Weekend 2006:
The Planning Begins
Anonymous Alum
Treats at Homecoming
In August, 2005, the largest Reunion in Strake Jesuit history
An anonymous member of the
was held when members of eight different classes returned to
Class of 1980 picked up the restuar-
campus. It also included the first ever 40th Reunion with the class
ant tab for a group of Jesuit students
of 1965.
and their dates at this year's
Those
Homecoming on October 15, 2005.
numbers will
As the story goes, one of the
?
be repeated in
students went to find their waiter to
August, 2006
ask for the check and were told to
when another
talk to the gentleman at the next
eight classes, the ones from 1966, '71, '76, '81, '86, '91, '96, and
table. The gentleman in question
'01 reunite at Jesuit, and it will also mark the 40th Reunion for the
went on to inform them that he was a Jesuit alum from the class
members of he class of 1966.
of '80 and that the check had been taken care of. The group was
Plans are already in the works for a wonderful weekend of
shocked but managed to collect themselves enough to thank
fun, reminiscing and catching up with old friends on August 11 &
him. Unfortunately they failed to get his name. The Jesuit stu-
12, 2006. If you are in a Reunion Class for 2006 and would be
dents are very grateful and appreciate the alum's kindness in
interested in helping to plan your reunion, contact Tim Scalzitti,
truly being a Man for Others. The students - Phillip Chbeeb,
Director of Alumni Relations at 713.490.8153 or by e-mail at
Julian Gonzalez, Steven Rife, and Marc Vasquez - want to let
tscalzitti@strakejesuit.org.
this Jesuit alum from the class of 1980 know that he provided a
Otherwise, watch your mailbox and e-mail inbox for more
Homecoming that they will never forget.
information on this year's Reunion Weekend in the coming
months.
Basketball Farewell to
Smith Gymnasium!
1965
2005
20 Winter 2006
Tuesday, February 7
Jesuit vs. Alief Taylor
7:00 p.m.
Join us for the final basketball game
in the Smith Gymnasium, home of
the Crusaders since 1965. Watch your
mail box and e-mail in-box for details.
www.strakejesuit.org
‘60’s
‘60’s
Members of the
Class of '67 gather
for their annual
luncheon (l to r): NJ
Santarcangelo,
George Gaensler,
Rick Sindelar, Mike
Lallinger, Bruce
Duger, Glen
Boudreaux, and
John Webre.
Glen Boudreaux '67 and his
wife Honi await the arrival of their
first grandchild in February, 2006
from their daughter Elizabeth and
her husband, Chris.
Ed Murr '67, having just paid for
the grand wedding of his first
daughter, Meredith, has just
learned that he will do it again this
coming summer for his second
daughter, Alice Ann.
Tom Standish's '67 daughter,
Jennifer,
married
David
Wilhelm on August 6th at St.
Michael's. Her brother Mark '01
served as an usher and lector. Tom
and his wife Joyce celebrated their
30th anniversary this summer in
the Caribbean, while Tom was promoted to Group President at
CenterPoint, putting him in charge
of all gas and electric operations in
six states.
‘70’s
‘70’s
Miguel Suderman '70 has
launched a new company, Cell
Systems-3D, located in League
City, Texas. The new biotech company develops and markets threedimensional (3D) human and animal cell culture models to academic medicine, government and pharmaceutical investigators. The models are used in studies involving
viral and microbial pathogens, cell
responses to these pathogens and
testing of early pharmaceutical
products.
David Uecker '79 and his wife
Laura welcomed the birth of their
son, Stephen Edward, last August
in Jackson, Mississippi.
‘80’s
‘80’s
David J. Sanguesa '81
International) in Salt Lake City,
Utah, as Vice President of
returned to his home of Miami,
Florida in which he grew up before
Mark Davidson '71 recently
earned his 25 gallon "blood mug"
Research.
He lives in Reno,
Nevada with his wife, Naniece, and
coming to Texas. He lives in South
Miami and enjoys it very much.
as a blood donor.
three French Bulldogs. He is also
a national reviewer for the
The fishing is great here and
invites his fellow alumni to come
Mike Kowalski '71 lives in
The Woodlands and is President
International Plastic Modeler
Society, specializing in WW2 war-
visit him. He is Director of
Construction for a construction
and owner of Sunbelt Steel, a distributor of alloy bar. His three children, Mike, Jr., Meagan and Kevin,
were all married during the 13
months from August, 2003 to
September, 2004. He and his wife
ships.
company in Miami where they do
Hi-rises and Custom Homes.
Claudia recently became grandparents as Meagan delivered Cody
Ryan in October.
Peter Hoyt '73 recently took a
position of Research Associate
Professor at Oklahoma State
University, in the Department of
Biochemistry
and
Molecular
Biology. He and his wife Mary
recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. His oldest daughter just graduated
from the
University of Tennessee with a
degree in Advertising, and wants to
Dion McInnis '74 has had his
first book, "Listen to Life: Wisdom
in Life's Stories," published by
Xlibris. The book uses short
vignettes of experiences from daily
life that reveal wisdom to us and
there are a few stories from the
Jesuit years. The book reveals the
importance of listening in all roles,
all professions and all phases of
our lives.
Perry LaForge '76 lives in
the globe will be inspired top study
and travel the world.
San Juan Capistrano, California
and had a chance to catch up on
Jesuit news with Director of
Development NJ Santarcangelo
'67 when he was in California in
December.
be an Event Planner.
Michael Albrecht '78 was
Dr. Luke R. Bucci '74 recently celebrated his ten year anniversary at Schiff Nutrition International
(formerly
Weider
Nutrition
Charles Joseph Clark '82 had a globe donated by his family
and his wife's family, the Hudgins,
to the school in his memory. He
was very interested in georgraphy
and traveling and visiting other
countries and cultures was a true
educational experience for him.
The Clark and Hudgins families
hope that the young men who use
named President of Freed
Advertising in Sugar Land, Texas
this past October. He was promoted from Senior Vice President. He
lives in Sugar Land with his wife,
Nancy, and their three children.
Mark Davidson '71
class notes
CLASS NOTES
Michael Albrecht '78
www.strakejesuit.org
Dr. James Versalovic '82
was honored with the College of
American Pathologists Foundation
Lansky Award at College of
American Pathologists 2005 this
past fall. The award is presented to
a board-certitifed pathogist who
has demonstrated respected leadership consistent with the goals of
the CAP Foundation and who has
made significant contributions to
the field of pathology.
NJ Santarcangelo '67 and Perry LaForge '76
The Chronicle 21
CLASS NOTES
class notes
David Jansen '92 and his wife
Sigrun are expecting their first child
in of April, 2006. He is in his 9th
year of full time missionary service
with Covenant Players international drama ministry. He served in
South America for 2 years, Mexico
for half a year, the USA for 3 and a
The family of Charles Joseph Clark '82 half years, and has been serving in
Taiwan, Hong Kong, S. Korea,
Mickal Todd Vlasak '84 and his wife, Niysaan
Alex Vitale '83 was granted
John Harris ‘84 has been pro-
tenure
Brooklyn
moted to President of Karsh &
Springs. He and his wife Lisa now
have 3 girls and 1 boy. They will
College, where he has been teaching the last seven years. He was
Hagan
Communications,
in
Denver, Colorado after almost 12
celebrate our 10th anniversary this
next July.
recently featured in a documentary
on Court TV and the Sundance
years of leading the marketing for
the Coors Brewing Company
Channel called "Some Assembly
Required," about the policing of
account at the Integer Group.
Karsh & Hagan is Integer’s sister
demonstrations at the 2004
Republican National Convention in
agency. They are the premier
agency in the Rockly Mountain
New York City.
region, developing advertising
campaigns
for
McDonald’s,
Robert S. Clark '84 joined
Regions Bank as Vice President
last April. He is handling both the
legal matters for the bank and originating commercial loans. He and
his wife Whitney live in Houston
with their children Reagan and
Robert.
Adelphia Cable, The Colorado
Lottery, and Globus and Cosmos
Travel.
Matias Adrogue '90 welcomed the birth of his first son,
Matias Esteban Adrogue, on
October 1, 2005. He also has a
daughter, Athena Mariam Adrogue,
who is 3 years old.
Rauli Garcia '87 and his wife,
Carlos Cuervo '91 and his
Danna, are living in Houston with
their two children, Alex and Joey.
Rauli is a relationship manager for
the Paul L Comstock Company and
is working on his MBA at Rice
University.
wife Kim had a son, Juan Carlos, in
January, 2005.
this
year
at
Judd Fruia '84 has accepted a
position with Consilient Restaurant
Group, as Director of Operations,
for Fireside Pies. His office is on
Carlisle Street in the Turtle Creek
area of Dallas. The company has
one location open and three more
under construction in the Dallas
area.
Mickal Todd Vlasak '84 was
Nelson G. Uzquiano '88 has
returned from a 6 month deployment to Mosul, Iraq in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom. He
returned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma
where he lives with his wife, Crystal
and their three daughters Carolina,
Jewel and Olivia.
‘90’s
‘90’s
Josh M. McMorrow '91 was
married on October 8, 2005 to
Priya Chouhan McMorrow in
Houston, Texas.
Luke Neslage '91 and Tim
Lynch '91 recently caught up
with Director of Development NJ
Santarcangelo '67 on a recent trip
to California, and they enjoyed
hearing about all the latest news
from Jesuit.
married on April 16, 2005 to
Niysaan Eve Bowne of Forked
River, New Jersey. Services were
Sean S. Donohue '89 welcomed the birth of his fourth child,
Colin Smith '91 and his wife
Angela welcomed their first child,
held at Christ Church Cathedral in
downtown Houston and presided
over by Reverend Blake Rider.
McKenna Jo Donohue, on
November 13, 2005 in Colorado
Brendan Joseph, who was born on
September 9, 2005.
Afterwards,
they
toured
Macau, and China for 2 and a half
years.
Chris Powell '93 and his wife
Catherine welcomed the birth of
Hannah Michele Powell. On
October 9, 2005. He is assistant
general counsel for U.S. Concrete.
Catherine is a veterinarian at
Montrose Veterinary Clinic.
Geoffrey Bixby '94 just
began a new job working for United
Space Alliance on the Space
Shuttle in Flight Design in the Clear
Lake.
Sean M. O'Connell '95 was
hired as a Public Defender in
Dallas County this past October.
Matt Wong '95 married Lisa
Wang October 8, 2005 at St.
Laurence Catholic Parish in Sugar
Land, Texas. They met at Rice
University and Lisa works as an
attorney at Baker Botts in Houston.
Matt is finishing his Ph.D. in
Chemical Engineering at MIT.
Andrew Koska '96 graduated
from The University of Texas at
Austin
with
a
degree
in
Mathematics in 2000. He recently
graduated
from Texas A&M
University
with
a
Master
New
Zealand for two weeks for our honeymoon.
Frank Zequieira '84 lives in
Katy, Texas with his, son and
daughter. He works for Mustang
Engineering
in
Purchasing group.
22 Winter 2006
the
Project
Luke Neslage '91, Tim Lynch '91 and NJ
Santarcagelo '67
www.strakejesuit.org
of
Architecture and will be employed
with a firm in Houston starting early
January.
David Jansen '92 and his wife Sigrun
class notes
CLASS NOTES
Jason McArdle '96 lives in
Universal City, Texas, just outside
agents and developing management to work with American cus-
of San Antonio. He started a new
job with The Scooter Store as an
tomers over the phone.
Inventory/Purchasing Specialist in
New Braunfels.
Alex Hoffman ‘04 is stationed
at Camp Pendleton in California
William Brewer '97 and his
serving in the Marine Corps. He is
a Navy Religious Pograms
wife Anna have recently moved
back to Fort Worth. William is a
commercial real estate broker with
Specialist and his job is to protect
the non-combatant priest when
Eric Mueller '98 and his wife
Guo Diwen
they deploy to Iraq. He is attending
Miracosta College in Oceanside,
NAI Huff Partners.
Matthew Byrne, '97, is a currently serving as a fellowship attorney in the Capital Habeas Unit of
the Federal Defenders of Eastern
Washington and Idaho, in Moscow,
Idaho. Mr. Byrne's habeas corpus
Brian C. Smith '98 graduated
from Columbia Law School in May
of 2005 and recently passed the
New York Bar Exam. He has taken
a job with a Washington, DC law
firm - Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering,
Hale & Dorr.
work involves appellate review of
state capital trials and sentencing
Eric Mueller '98 and Guo
for prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, and
Diwen were married in South
Dakota on December 28th, 2005.
other constitutional errors.
Steven Rowe '98 and his wife,
Monica, welcomed the birth of their
daughter, Audrey Therese, last
May. He finished last season playing for the Oklahoma City
RedHawks, the Texas Rangers
AAA affiliate and expects to begin
the upcoming season in Oklahoma
City from where he will hopefully
California where he lives with his
wife, Delaney.
1st Lt Peter J. Wetterauer
'98 and Rachel Leigh Schaider
were married on May 29, 2005 in
LaPorte, Texas and currently
reside in El Paso. Rachel is pursuing a Master's Degree in Speech
Therapy at UTEP.
Peter is
attached to the 978th Military
Police Company at Fort Bliss and
is currently serving in Iraq.
break into the Big Leagues soon.
Alvaro Interiano ‘99 graduated from Texas A&M University in
Zane Keller ‘04 has been
1st Lt Peter J. Wetterauer '98
and Rachel Leigh Schaider.
2003 and then earned his Masters
in Psychology at the University of
Houston in 2005. He has begun his
first year as a seminarian for the
Arhdiocese of Galveston-Houston
and is currently at Holy Trinity
Seminary in Irving, Texas.
‘00’s
‘00’s
Stephen Johnson '00 has
been working in a call center in
Gandhinagar, India since June,
2005. His duties include training
IN MEMORIAM
accepted
into
the
McCombs
School of Business at
University of Texas in Austin.
Savie Maneen '05 made
anchor for Syracuse University's
version of Sportscenter. The show
is aired weekly throughout the
entire city on Time Warner. He is
also the new lead lacrosse analyst
and the first freshman in nearly 5
years to be named an associate
producer.
BIRTHS
Robert Adolph
Father of Bob ‘73, Tom ‘75 and Randy ‘78
and Grandfather of Brian ‘98 and John ‘00
Stephen Edward Uecker on January 25, 2005
David ‘87 and Laura Uecker
Rachel Berardi
Mother of John ‘80 and David ‘81
McKenna Jo Donohue on November 13, 2005
Sean ‘89 and Lisa Donohue
Irene Brasseaux
Mother of Brian ‘81
Matias Esteban Adrouge on October 1, 2005
Matias ‘90
Athena Mariam
Timothy Grothues
Father of Richard ‘89 and Trent ‘92
Therese Leeds
Mother of Robert ‘72 and Tim ‘78
the
Brenden Joseph Smith on September 9, 2005
Colin ‘91 and Angela Smith
Hannah Michelle Powell on October 9, 2005
Chris '93 and Catherine Powell
Mary Zapp
Mother of Ted ‘69
www.strakejesuit.org
The Chronicle 23
The Great Celica Caper of 1983
athletics
provide good cover. I was also on the track team that year and I
The high school prank is neither a new phenomenon nor an
was able to enlist the help of a few of my teammates. One of
uncommon occurrence at any number of schools, especially at
those was Mike Wells '84. Since Mike was running for Vice
Jesuit schools. I imagine that the first recorded Jebbie schoolboy
President and we were both on the track team, he was the perprank must have taken place somewhere in colonial Maryland,
fect choice. Mike and the track guys helped
perhaps at the very first North American
me to un-screw and remove the center post
Jesuit school. It probably happened no later
from the Foyer doors. Once the post was
than on the second day of class as I am sure
removed, we were able to squeeze the Celica
the boys got to it post haste.
through. We put the post back and that part of
But there is another side to this equathe prank has been our little secret for over
tion. The Jesuit Fathers have an equally long
twenty years. I parked right in the middle of
and legendary history of success in thwartthe Foyer. The guys helped me to paper the
ing these sophomoric indiscretions.
car with placards listing my campaign promSometimes the prankster does succeed, but
ises. Amazingly we did all of that and were
the joy of the prank is often short lived. The
not caught."
culprit is always found and the inevitable
As students arrived for assembly,
Penance Hall will result. That's why every
everyone pretended not to notice the new
Jesuit school has a very smart man in charge
addition. Brother Casey recalls that he saw
of discipline. They may call him the Dean of
Students or The Prefect of Discipline. No Jim Koch '84 - Student Council President, win- the car and thought that it must be a part of
the student elections. "I figured that Jim
matter the title, every student knows that he ner of the John F. Kennedy Award, and legendary Jesuit prankster.
Koch had been given permission. I became
can and will ferret out even the most innosuspicious as the students passed by on the
vative of offenders.
way to the assembly. Not a one of them seemed to notice or
Pranksters are still alive and well at Strake Jesuit and here's
react to the Toyota. When Mr. McArdle (Dean of Students),
the story of one of the greatest tricks ever played, a deed done
arrived I asked him about the car. He didn't know anything
long ago. The Penance Hall was served, therefore at last, the
about it and we both assumed that Father Orlando (Principal)
story can be told.
must have given the OK. Later, he showed up and the three of
In 1983, Jim Koch '84 was a senior and, like most seniors,
us compared notes. Our conclusion was that Mr. Koch and his
thought that the Jebbie world revolved around his class. One
now infamous Toyota Celica had earned yet another PH."
privilege was an assigned parking space. Unfortunately, that was
Brother Casey did offer Jim a bit of a face saving concesthe year that the theater was under construction. Jim's assigned
sion, "I will leave the building for one hour. I don't know how
space was right in front of the theater and, much to his chagrin,
you got the car in here and I don't want to know. I don't know
the contractor needed that part of the parking lot to store matewho else is involved and I don't want to know that either. All I
rials and equipment. Soon Jim was a senior without a place to
know is that you have one hour to get your vehicle out of here."
park. He was indignant, "They left me with no place to park. I
And that is exactly what happened. The car mysteriously exited
tried parking in the faculty slot and I got a PH. I parked on the
the building and was exiled to the parking lot for the remainder
grass and got a PH. The handicapped-parking slot earned me yet
of the school year. In the end, no persons or property were hurt
another PH. It was surreal. Once I even parked behind the
or damaged. And that is why is the Toyota prank of 1983 has
administration building and camouflaged my car with brush and
become a legendary part of SJ lore.
bamboo! This resulted in yet another PH."
There are a number of morals to this story - boys will be
That year Jim ran for Student Council President and that is
boys, PH is inevitable, Brother Casey always gets his man!
when he came up with his scheme for a very innovative prank
To fond memories of pranks and to not so fond memories
designed to sooth his senior pride by extracting a small measure
of PH, I pledge my shield and my sword.
of revenge. "I decided to escalate the parking space battle by
parking my '78 Toyota Celica in the cafeteria foyer. I was scheduled to make my campaign speech during an assembly in the
gymnasium. I believed that all of the activity that day would
George
24 Fall 2005
www.strakejesuit.org
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January
14
Prep Bowl
15
Father-Son Pool Tournament
17-20 Kairos XIX
25
Spring Fling Kickoff Luncheon
Annual Alumni Meeting
26
Opening Reception for Art Exhibit
February
2
Open House
4
Entrance Exam
7
Basketball Smith Gymnasium Farewell
The Next Three Years
12
President's Dinner
26
Father-Son Basketball Tournament
March
1
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
4
Entrance Exam
5
Spring Fling
13-17 Spring Break
21
College Information Night
28-31 Kairos XX
April
1
SAT Exam
2
Father-Son Breakfast
4
Entrance Exam
8
Fr. Billac Alumni Mothers Retreat
9
Mass and Easter Egg Hunt
For up to date event information,
go to www.strakejesuit.org
La Familia, circa 1990-1992 by Charmaine Locke and James
Surls measures 240 x 95 x 57 inches and is composed of a
mixed media, glass and porcelain. It is on loan from the
artists and is located outside the northwest corner of the
Parsley Center
Save these dates!
PARENTS, if you are still receiving your
son’s Chronicle although he no longer
lives with you, let us know so we can
change our records and send the magazine directly to him. If you enjoy reading
the publication but do not receive a copy
of your own, let us know that too. We
would be glad to send a copy to your
son’s new address and continue to send
you one.
Contact the Alumni Office at
tscalzitti@strakejesuit.org or at
713.490.8153
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
8900 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77036
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