A publication of the Mercy High School Alumnae

A publication of the Mercy High School Alumnae and Advancement Office
The
MERCIAN
Vol. 33 No. 3
June 2009
President’s Letter
Advancement Update
Alum Lines
Alumnae News
Reunion Notes
Faculty Focus
P. 2
P. 3
P. 6
P. 10
P. 18
P. 19
2
Reflections
from the President
Dear Friend of Mercy,
In this, my last letter to all of our faithful and faith-filled
alumnae, friends and supporters, I have the great honor
of thanking each and every one of you for your amazing
and generous support of the mission of this very special
institution over the last twenty-plus years. I have received
countless accolades these past few weeks—some earned and
legitimate, many very kind and loving, and just as many that
truly belong to you, not me. Any success enjoyed as president
of Mercy can only be attributed to our loving God and to his
people who have supported this mission of access to premier
Catholic education.
By God’s good grace, Mercy High School today stands
proudly on a foundation that reaches back to 1864, when the
Sisters of Mercy first arrived in Omaha. That foundation has
been enhanced by all the people, religious and lay, who have
taught and administered here down through the ages. That
foundation, steeped in Catholicity and our beloved MHS
traditions, has opened the doors of Mercy Catholic education
to hundreds and thousands of young women.
Here at Mercy, twenty-one years ago, I walked into an
educational treasure-trove of schooling that was a dynamic
of excellent instruction; full of intrigue, financial challenge,
and substantial obstacles. It was here, at Mercy High School,
Omaha, that Catherine McAuley came alive to me, that my
convictions about the value and effectiveness of Catholic
education crystallized. It is here at Mercy, that I came to
realize and embrace the reality that nothing is more important
to society, to families, to the growth and development of
our faith, to our humanity, to service to the poor, sick and
ignorant…Nothing is more important than the careful
instruction of women.
Your generosity and support have made this school accessible,
truly Catholic, to any girl who wants to be here. At Mercy, the
astounding educational leadership of our principal Carolyn
Jaworski ’64 has motivated our teachers to truly teach; her
leadership has allowed and inspired our girls to truly learn,
regardless of whether they come from Fortune 500 or welfare
families, whether they score in the 90th or the 10th percentile,
whether they live in North, South, or West Omaha, whether
they are Caucasian, Black, Hispanic or Asian. Mercy is
accessible…thanks to your generosity and support.
In addition to gratitude for Carolyn’s educational leadership,
thanks is due to the amazing support and investment of the
material, moral and spiritual resources of the Sisters of Mercy,
to the generosity and creativity of you—our donors, to the
wisdom, faithfulness, and decisiveness of our directors and
trustees, and to the expertise and tenacity of our advancement
office, under the guidance of Ingrid Borghoff ’65.
I leave Mercy in your good hands and hearts. Joining Carolyn
Jaworski ’64 in the leadership of Mercy will be Sister Delores
Hannon, RSM. She is a wonderful educational leader
whose gifts and talents will serve you and all of the Mercy
community in the years ahead.
Thank you—ALL—for allowing me the great privilege and
honor of serving you here at Mercy High School.
In God’s tender Mercy,
Sister Johanna Burnell, RSM
President
Farewell Sr. Johanna
Approximately 300 friends and family members joined for a
Mass and reception honoring Sr. Johanna Burnell on May 31.
Alumnae will be able to wish Sister well at the All School
Reunion on Sunday, July 26 at Mercy.
Seated, Sisters of Mercy: Helena Naviaux, Judy Eby, Corrine Connelly
’58, Jeanine Solak. Standing: Jeanne O’Rourke, Ms. Jo Russo, SJ ’48, Jude
Graham, SM ’37, Marie Micheletto ’57, Madeleva Comiskey, Norita Cooney
’57.
Picture at Left. Seated: Don Schinzel, Sue Schinzel. Standing: Bob Callahan,
Sr. Johanna Burnell, Joe Kueper, Linda Kueper, Laura Caniglia Callahan
’71.
3
Advancement Office Update
Mercy Completes A Campaign Planning Assessment
Members of Mercy’s Board and the administrative staff
met with representatives of The Steier Group on May
4 to hear the results of the recent Campaign Planning
Assessment. Based on the information gathered during the
Assessment, The Steier Group has reported its findings and
recommendations to Mercy High School’s leadership.
Some of the encouraging observations are as follows:
• Negotiated tuition embodies Mercy’s mission; it is a
distinguishing characteristic of Mercy and sets Mercy
apart from other Omaha schools.
• Eighty-six percent (86%) of the respondents
reported satisfactory information about Mercy,
saying that they were moderately informed, well
informed or very well informed regarding the
needs at Mercy.
• Seventy-six percent (76%) of the respondents
indicated that they were personally in favor
of Mercy High School embarking on a capital
campaign.
• Twenty-seven (27) of the respondents have
included Mercy within their estate planning.
An additional 27 respondents indicated they
would like to learn more about planned giving
opportunities at Mercy.
From these statistics and the additional responses to survey
questions, the Steier Group provided both general and
specific recommendations. Summarized below are some of
those recommendations:
• Based upon the positive results of the Campaign
Planning Assessment, Mercy should continue to
move forward with planning for a capital campaign.
• Organize campaign activities to engage and
expand the number of volunteers involved in
securing Mercy’s mission by utilizing them in
numerous communication, donor relation and
solicitation plans.
• Initiate a long-term strategy to grow Mercy’s
endowment through planned giving.
The high level of participation in this critical campaign
preparation process has been most encouraging. Responses
reflected insight into the current economic situation of
our country and genuine love of Mercy High School. The
assessment results are extremely beneficial and will help to
ensure the success of our campaign planning.
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff ‘65
Vice President for Advancement
Don’t Forget to Visit www.mercyhigh.org
Our Mercy website is definitely one you will want to bookmark and visit often. You can see what is happening at the school,
read online versions of The Mercian, make a donation and purchase Mercy wear.
Natalie Mawson, daughter of Chris
and Jenny Taylor Mawson ’93, models
a Mercy onesie.
Julia Krolikowski ’08
and Heather McLain
’08 model the new
alumnae t-shirts.
4
In Celebration
Weddings
Erin O’Donnell ’00 and Jeremy Davern
Rachel Markey ’04 and David Andersen
Anniversaries
60th
Mel & Maryann Ritzdorf
Parents of: Ellen Ritzdorf Lierk ’70, Denise Ritzdorf Grubbs ’72
and Mary Beth Ritzdorf Branscombe ’76
Jack & Ceilia Stillmock Teshack, SJ ’46
50th
Marty & Pat Murphy Greteman, SM ’47
Maury & Dorothy Seitzer Rule, SM ’47
Dan & Sharon Palladino Burns, SM ’53
Ray & Margaret Ann Bock Pierson, SM ’55
James & Janice Seitz Bentle ’56
Gene & Marlene McGuire Wolski ’57
Loyal & Marlene Noonan Drey ’58
Joseph & Suzanne Micek
Grandparents of: Jessica Johnson Reafleng ’02
James & Judy Brewster McCoy ’59
40th
Martin & Kathryn (Kay) Miller Baye ’57
Terry & Ann Standeven Charles ’67
Mel & Maryann Ritzdorf
Dan & Sharon Palladino Burns
Births
Charles William to Michael & Janel Elster Myers ’90
Molly Elaine to Torrey & Denise Leuck Robb ’91
Reece Eliot to Keith & Karen Shafer Waters ’92
Nicolas Rabih Steven to Rabih & Stephanie Tripp Gholam ’94
Jonas Cameron to Matt & Katie Bovick Leopard ’95
Winston Clark to Philip & Nicole Krayneski James ’96
Dominic Charles to Robb & Helen Holmes Giambrone ’97
Calix Terrell to Stacey & Rachael Battialo Pierce ’97
Braylon Leon to Trevor & Sarah Haxton Lee ’98
Kaine Patrick to Brian & Jennifer Harre O’Neill ’98
Conor William to Kevin & Josah Driml Powers ’98
Brooklyn Grace & Olivia Judith to Travis & Sharie Weinard
Keller ’99
Robert Holden to Jeremy & Amanda Hassler Taylor ’99
Mitchell August to Matthew & Elizabeth Derry Watkins ’99
Ethan Michael to Ryan & Chelsea Horgan O’Larey ’02
35th
Bob & Margie Stewart Hladik ’66
Parents of Jennifer Hladik ’96 and Christine Hladik ’98
15th
Stan & Joan Stoffel Sindelar ’59
Corrections
March 2009 Mercian
Molly Elaine Robb
Births
Lincoln Danger to Lucas
& Kelly Beck Ward ’99.
Augustine Joshua to
David & Angela Burton
Vogel ’00 was pictured
with his brother,
Ignatius.
David & Rachel Markey Andersen
Jonas Cameron Leopard
5
Winston Clark James
Robert Holden Taylor
Ethan Michael O’Larey
Calix Terrell Pierce with
siblings Stella and Dante
Mitchell August Watkins
Seraphim Angels Available for Purchase
Braylon Leon Lee
Thanks to a generous donation, Mercy High School has
a number of collectible Seraphim angels available for you
to purchase. These angels are sculpted by Gaylord Ho and
manufactured by Roman Inc. They come from a nonsmoking home and are in perfect condition. Boxes and
paperwork are not available.
For a complete listing of angels available please go to our
website: www.mercyhigh.org or call Maureen Falcon at
402-553-9424.
Kaine Patrick O’Neill
Brooklyn Grace and Olivia Judith Keller
6
AlumLINES....another chapter in the story of our alums
Strong Influences Leave a Lifetime of Impressions
Nancy Kenny ’66 admiringly
remembers the women in her life who
have had a strong impact on her and
left lasting impressions for a lifetime.
“Those who were always there for me
were my mother, Veronica Kenny, my
siblings, Susan Kenny Stevens ’64,
Mary Lou Kenny ’68, Anne Marie
Kenny ’69, Joe Kenny, and the Sisters
of Mercy,” said Kenny. Although
the words were never spoken, it was
always a given to Kenny that women
were strong, powerful and complete
people. “My mother led by her
example of hard work, passion for
music and volunteerism,” said Kenny.
“The Sisters of Mercy enriched
those disciplines during my academic
experiences in grade school, at St.
Peter’s, and Mercy High School.”
in learning the Mercy traditions and
gaining more knowledge of the
faculty,” said Kenny. Her fondest
memories include the Mercy traditions
of May Crowning, big/little sisters,
Will Day/P.A. and music competitions.
Kenny was active in debate and music
clubs.
When Kenny was 5, her father passed
way. Her mother managed and raised
her family of five children. “One top
priority for my mother was to see that
her children were provided a Catholic
education,” said Kenny.
“I didn’t realize just how wonderful an
education I’d received until I started
college,” said Kenny. “I was very well
prepared for collegiate level courses
At an early age, Kenny learned that
and I credit my preparation to the
small acts of kindness paid huge
excellent teachers at Mercy.” She has
dividends as she
earned a
witnessed her
bachelor’s
“I didn’t realize just how
mother volunteer
degree in
wonderful an education I’d
at St. James
accounting
received until I started college.” Orphanage, sewing
and is a
and mending
certified
clothes for the
public
children. “Throughout my life a
accountant. Kenny is the chief
number of very generous people have
financial officer and associate
given their time to me,” said Kenny.
athletic director for the University of
“I doubt that these good people ever
Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) Athletics
really understood how their kindness
Program. She manages a $75 million
impacted me.” Kenny has spent her
dollar budget, with broad operational
life “paying it forward” as she shares
responsibilities including contract
her musical gifts by teaching children
negotiation and fulfillment, and new
at Elliot Elementary school how to
business development. The athletic
play the piano. In addition, she serves
department generates 100% of its
on the YMCA Community Learning
own funds and contributes several
Center management committee,
million dollars annually to UNL to
supports the Lincoln Food Bank and
help support a variety of academic
other local charities.
initiatives. “My friends from Mercy
Another strong influence in Kenny’s
life was her 8th grade teacher, Sr. Jean
Marie Ward, RSM, MSM ’27+. “Sr.
Jean Marie told us we may not be able
to control many things in our lives as
we grew older, but for the rest of our
lives people would judge us in part by
the way we spoke, and that issue was
under our control,” said Kenny. “She
then did her best to inculcate in us
the importance of grammar, sentence
structure and syntax.”
At Mercy High School, the all-girl
aspect coupled with the all-female
faculty, provided Kenny the foundation
to excel in her academics including
fine arts. “With my sisters who
attended Mercy when I did, the shared
education provided a great benefit
Nancy Kenny
will remember me as the girl who
could barely touch her toes, let alone
participate in athletics,” Kenny said.
“I’m proud to say that I now know a
football from a tennis ball and feel very
comfortable managing the finances for
23 sports and 24 administrative units!”
The study of music was another
priority instilled in Kenny by her
mother. Her parents and extended
relatives were trained, accomplished
musicians, composers, band members,
singers and pianists. She and her
siblings all learned how to play
the piano, perform and sing. “We
studied piano in the early years with
Sr. Mary Lee Stephenson, RSM and
Sr. Catherine Marie Franey, RSM,
MSM ’29,” said Kenny. “I learned that
music is a powerful and uniting force,
bridging and eliminating whatever
generational or other gaps might
otherwise occur among people.”
7
Planner Makes Events Unforgettable
At age 4, Rachel Richards ’95
planned her 5th birthday party and
shared with her mother all the details,
which included the need for clowns,
ponies and magicians. She wanted
to be sure that all who attended were
entertained. This passion for details
aided Richards in her decision to attend Mercy High School. “During 8th
grade, I visited three high schools, but
I kept going back to visit Mercy,” said
Richards. “When I visited, I felt like I
could be myself and loved the intimate
community.”
“Mercy taught me to take on academic challenges, express my thoughts
and opinions and participate in new
learning experiences, which may have
been more difficult in a co-ed setting,”
said Richards. She was very involved
in extra-curricular activities while at
Mercy which helped make her high
school experience complete. In 1999,
Richards graduated from the University
of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor
degree in journalism and double minor
in marketing and design.
Richards owns two small businesses,
Rachel Richards Events (www.rachelsevents.com) and Omaha Picture Party
(www.omahapictureparty.com).
of it for you. Richards thinks outside
the box and she will transform your
dreams into a reality.
The Omaha Picture Party is Omaha’s
event photo booth without the booth.
It is perfect for proms/homecomings,
reunions, receptions, charity events and
much, much more.
In addition to being a business owner,
Richards is the marketing and events
director and general manager for
Nomad Lounge (www.nomadlounge.
com). Nomad is an upscale lounge for
Omaha’s creative class and it produces
and hosts Omaha’s most cutting edge
events that celebrate art, design, music,
fashion, and international culture.
“I’ve luckily had the opportunity to
be involved in so many creative and
successful events here at Nomad, with
Omaha Fashion Week being on the
top of my list,” said Richards. “I am
the event director for Omaha Fashion
Week, which will be held September
15-19, 2009.” Fashion Week was created to give Omaha designers, models
and other industry workers an opportunity for exposure. In 2008, nearly
2,000 spectators jammed into seats and
along walkways for the event.
Rachel Richards
“Mercy taught me to take on academic
Events designs and
challenges, express my thoughts and
coordinates weddings,
opinions and participate in new learning
birthdays, charity
experiences, which may have been more
events and every type
of gala in between.
difficult in a co-ed setting.”
With her all-aboutyou approach to event
planning, Richards is known for her
Her typical day at Nomad is non-stop.
one-on-one service and her ability
From the time the alarm goes off in
to create fabulous events. She can
the morning, Richards is continuously
produce an entire event from start to
working on marketing and promotions
finish or she can manage any portion
plans, attending meetings to discuss ex-
Rachel Richards
ternal events, showing potential clients
the venue and coming up with new
creative ideas for Nomad. At the day’s
end, she can be found on the computer
doing research and preparing for the
next day.
Richards sits on the board of directors
for the Omaha Arts and Entertainment
Awards, which recognizes the performing arts, visual arts and live music in
the Metropolitan Omaha area.
“My job is my hobby and my hobby
is my job,” said Richards. “When
the party is over, I immediately start
thinking of an event I can throw to
entertain my family and friends.” She
receives many trade publications to
stay on top of the constant changes in
the planning world.
Richards advice for starting your own
business: Make sure you are 100%
passionate about the business you want
to start. If you aren’t, you won’t be
100% motivated and in return won’t
receive 100% satisfaction and return.
8
AlumLINES....another chapter in the story of our alums
A Familiar Face ~ The Sisters of Mercy
Who are the people in your
neighborhood? They usually live
nearby or within walking distance to
your home, school, church or local
store. They may be recognized by a
uniform, such as the mail carrier or the
police officer. Perhaps they attend the
same community events as you.
For Anita Bower Dillon, SM ’54,
those in her neighborhood were the
Sisters of Mercy, friends and family
who attended St. Peter church and
grade school and St. Mary High
School.
said Dillon. “It was like old home
week.”
“We didn’t have a car, so I walked nine
blocks to and from school, regardless
of the weather,” said Dillon.
Dillon enjoyed May Day and May
Crowning traditions, the latter of
which still continues to be a solid
foundation for the girls at Mercy High
School. She also pursued her passion
for writing, as she helped write the
play for her class production of Mercy
Day. In addition, she participated in
journalism and wrote for
the school paper.
The Catholic education at St. Mary’s
High School has endured through the
years to Mercy High School, which
offers not merely a college-prep
curriculum but a complete liberal arts
education characterized by diversified
curriculum, personal attention and
extensive course offerings. This
curriculum empowers girls to recognize
their abilities and talents by expanding
their interests, thinking, and creativity
in an environment where all gifts are
valued and all learning is celebrated.
“The Sisters of Mercy have played
“The Sisters of Mercy have played an
integral part in my life both as a student
and as an adult.”
Anita Bower Dillon
Dillon easily recognized the St. Mary
girls in their navy blue a-line skirt
and white cotton blouse uniform,
navy jerkin zippered on the side and
v-necked with a Mercy medal pinned
at the neckline. Her aunt, Gertrude
Kaizer Haley, SM ’30+ and sisters-inlaw, Helen Dillon Griffith, SM ’43,
Margaret Dillon Kalina, SM ’47 and
Leone Dillon Tantillo, SM 49+ and
neighbor Eleanor Lynch Heaston,
SM ’30 shared their experiences of
Catholic education and traditions of
Catherine McAuley with Dillon. “I
looked forward to attending St. Mary,”
Dillon’s passion for
music, which stemmed
from her family, was
nurtured and blossomed
at St. Mary. “Sr. Catherine Marie
Franey, RSM, MSM ’27 believed
that if God gave you a gift, you
should use it and give back as much
as you could with it,” Dillon said. As
a member of the Glee club, drama
and music clubs, Dillon performed
in the trios and sextets as well as
solo work. She was involved in the
spring plays and musicals. “One of
my fondest memories during my senior
year was singing a solo on the radio for
an Easter program where St. Mary’s
provided the music.”
In addition to the liberal arts
curriculum, which included music,
drama and journalism, she also took
Latin, typing, English, history, math,
science and theology. “The education
I received at St. Mary’s taught me to
have self-discipline in the littlest of
circumstances so that I could also
handle the big ones when they came
along,” said Dillon.
an integral part in my life both as a
student and as an adult,” said Dillon.
“I am so thankful that I was able to
have them in my life.”
She and Jerry, her husband of 52 years,
have lived in the same neighborhood
where they grew up. They raised their
five children there who attended Our
Lady of Lourdes grade school and
Catholic high schools. Two of their
daughters, Corrinne Dillon Watson
’76 and Kathleen Dillon Johnson ’84,
attended Mercy.
Since 1953, Dillon has been an active
member of Our Lady of Lourdes
choir and was one of the first cantors.
Dillon continues to play the piano,
organ, and a little autoharp. She has
instilled a love of music and art in their
children. She and Jerry have twentyone grandchildren and eleven great
grandchildren.
9
Sacrifices Worthwhile for Quality Education
During the Great Depression, money
was scarce and parents had to make
sacrifices for their children to attend
Catholic schools. Mildred Gruidel
Zadina, SJ ’45 understands the value
of the Catholic education she received
at St. John High School, taught by the
Sisters of Mercy, as she witnessed her
parents make sacrifices for their family.
“My younger sister, Betty Gruidel
Vankat, SJ ’47, followed me to St.
John. She enjoyed her high school
experience and the Mercy traditions
as I did,” said Zadina. “Betty could
see that I was becoming a faith-filled,
strong, independent woman and was
excited to attend St. John and grow in
her education and faith.”
Zadina’s grade school friend, Joanne
Preiner Circo, SJ ’45, joined her at
St. John and they walked to school
together in their tan and brown
uniform.
She recalls as a freshman, she had to
wear a brown beanie the first week of
school, so others would recognize that
she was new to the school. Zadina
and her classmates giggled as they
participated in the beanie tradition,
which became an opportunity to build
friendships with classmates from
other grades. St. John’s girls with the
Creighton Prep boys also had daily
Mass.
The courses were taught by the
Sisters of Mercy and included typing,
shorthand, algebra, biology, ancient
history, and Latin. They were held in
the basement of St. John church. Sr.
Mary Martin taught choir and arranged
with a local radio station for Zadina
and her classmates to sing on the air.
grandchildren (three deceased), and 32
great grandchildren. Family members
who continued the Mercy tradition
by attending Mercy High School
are; her daughters, Janet Zadina
Schott ’76 and Terri Zadina Jewell
’79; daughter-in-law Chris Franco
Zadina ’71 and granddaughters,
Carrie Zuerlein George ’90, Danielle
Zuerlein McBride ’00, Kate Zadina
Kerniskey ’97, and Anne Zadina ’00.
“St. John was the best place for me to
get a Catholic education,” said Zadina.
“It was a joy for me to watch my
daughters become women of Mercy
and see my granddaughters share in the
same experience.”
Mildred Gruidel Zadina
Zadina did have some fun during the
day when she would meet up with her
friends, Therese Haller, SJ ’45+,
Mary McQuade Palais, SJ ’45, and
Shirley Blake Brennan, SJ ’45, at
lunch and dance to the music playing
on the jukebox.
Over the years, the Mercy curriculum
has expanded, enrollment has
increased, along with a wide variety of
extra-curricular activities. At the heart
of Mercy are Catholic teachings, and
the Mercy traditions created over 150
years ago by Catherine McAuley, the
founder of the Sisters of Mercy order.
After school, Zadina and her friends
would take the bus to
Woolworth’s, the local dime
“The all-girl environment provided
store, and enjoy a dish of ice
a solid foundation where I could
cream for only a nickel.
be focused on my education and
centered on learning.”
“The all-girl environment
provided a solid foundation
where I could be focused
on my education and centered
on learning,” said Zadina. “The
education and experience I had at St.
John is very close to my heart.”
The influence of the St. John
education led Zadina and her late
husband, Joseph, to continue the
Catholic education tradition for their
seven children. Zadina also has 32
Zadina’s hobbies include playing cards
with her friends, especially double
Pinochle; volunteering her time at
church and the St. Joseph Villa; and
spending time with family. She has
traveled to Washington, DC with
family three times.
10
Alumnae News
Sharon Palladino Burns, SM ’53 and her husband, Dan,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to
Hawaii in April and a reception for family and friends
in June. They have nearly seventy years of treasured
association with the Sisters of Mercy. Burns graduated
from Holy Cross and St. Mary High School. She has
been a volunteer at Bergan Mercy Hospital for 38 years.
She now serves on the Mercy High School Alumnae
Association Council. Dan has been a pharmacist at St.
Catherine Hospital and at Bergan Mercy Medical Center
for 50 years. They have four grown children and five
grandchildren.
Margaret Ann (Margie) Pierson Bock, SM ’55 and her
husband, Ray, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
with family and friends in May with a Mass at St. John
Vianney, followed by a family dinner. They have four
grown children and seven grandchildren. “We are most
grateful for these 50 years and for our family,” said Bock.
Janice Seitz Bentle ’56 and her husband, James,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family.
Nine grown children, 26 grandchildren, and 10 greatgrandchildren honored them with a Mass and anniversary
party. Bentle writes: “The Mercy name is very big in the
‘Bible Belt’ state. I have been attending a class called
Strong Women, Strong Bones, which is an exercise class
using weights at the McAuley Center right outside Hot
Springs Village, Arkansas. The leader has been asking the
ladies to tell the class something that nobody would ever
guess about them. Recently, she called on me so I told
them about graduating from a girl’s school run by the
Sisters of Mercy and every time I walk into the building I
see a picture of Catherine McAuley and am reminded of
playing the part of Catherine McAuley in our Mercy Day
play.”
Kathryn (Kay) Miller Baye ’57 and her husband, Martin,
celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in April. Their
3 grown children planned a celebration Mass at St. Pius
X which included a renewal of their vows followed by an
open house. They are both retired now and spend a lot of
time volunteering in the community.
Mary Rae Metz Gibbons ’58 retired from teaching after
37 years in the private and public schools. She plans to
spend time with her grandsons in Omaha: Ian, Isaac and
Michael, who are the sons of Becky Gibbons Alfieri ’92.
Gibbons and her husband, Armand, will travel to visit their
granddaughters in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Otherwise,
she will be at home with Armand and their son Matt.
Gibbons’ hobbies include swimming, biking, sewing,
knitting, and reading.
Judy Brewster McCoy ’59 and her husband, James,
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They live in
Glenbrook, Nevada. She and James have five grown
children and 18 grandchildren ranging from ages 2-17.
McCoy is still in a wheelchair from her accident in 1958.
Joan Sindelar ’59 writes: “Stan and I will celebrate our
15th anniversary on September 10, 2009. We are still
farming in Northeast Nebraska and at this time I’m still
custodian at St John Neumann Catholic Grade School
(grades 1-6 plus pre-school). Please pray for our teachers
and our school. As long as it continues, no matter how big
or small, it’s preaching the Gospel of Christ in many ways.
I still manage a ski trip each year for a week. I found
out that shorter skis are better!!! We skied Winter Park
this year, the best skiing I have done in years! My sister,
Sharon Stoffel Chatterton ’60 and I have gone to the past
two all school reunions and our looking forward to the
next one.”
Marianne Beck Hall ’66 took nineteen 7th and 8th grade
students from Holy Cross Grade School to Washington,
DC on April 15-20, 2009 to participate in America Sings,
a national youth program. The 20th anniversary of this
event drew over 2,000+ students from all across the United
Marianne Beck Hall ’66 and some Holy Cross students
States. Marianne’s students were the only participants
from Nebraska. They toured the Capital and the White
House along with visits to the Holocaust Museum and the
Smithsonian. Students also viewed the new World War
II site and the Franklin D. Roosevelt park museum. They
also spent a day volunteering at a soup kitchen making
peanut butter sandwiches and preparing care boxes full of
toiletries, bandages, tooth paste and other hygiene items
11
for the homeless. “This program provides students with an
opportunity to be a part of a national music event as well
as serving as an outreach to the poor and marginalized
needy in our country,” said Hall. The students
performed their own “original skit” for the other America
Sings participants prior to main event where all 2,000+
youth sang the songs that were chosen for this year’s
concert. Marianne and her students have been a part of the
America Sings program for the past 10 years. Cities from
all across the nation have served as hosts to this annual
musical event held each spring.
Ann Standeven Charles ’67 and her husband,
Terry, spent four months of the winter in Florida and when
they returned to Omaha in April, their children and their
spouses hosted a reception for them to celebrate their 40th
wedding anniversary and their 60th birthdays. Currently,
they live in Spirit Lake, Iowa, but hope to sell their lake
house and move back to Omaha. “We miss our family
and our nine grandchildren are growing up too fast,” said
Charles. “I joined Facebook and have heard from some of
the ‘Mercy Girls’. It’s great to find out what others have
been doing.”
Ann Standeven Charles with her family at Thanksgiving
Mary Kirby Denney ’68 writes: “There were 14 siblings
in our family, 2 boys and 12 girls. Ten of the girls attended
and nine graduated from Mercy High School. My parents
moved to Seattle when the 10th one was in high school. If
my parents hadn’t moved, all 12 girls would have
graduated from Mercy High School. I think we hold the
record for most girls attending and graduating from one
family.”
Mary Beth Lavelle ’68 writes: “After graduating from
Creighton University I went on to graduate school at
Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. I started working
for the Chicago department of health in 1974 with a
master’s degree in audiology and aural rehabilitation.
During my 31 years with the Chicago health department,
I completed a master’s degree in public administration/
public policy and planning from the University of Illinois
at Chicago. My work in Chicago progressed from director
of speech, audiology and hearing aid dispensing services
to director of the CDC-funded diabetes control program,
chronic disease program and breast and cervical cancer
screening and treatment program. My husband, John, is
an engineer who has a private pilot’s license and loves to
fly. He works for an engineering company that specializes
in “expert witness” testimony and analysis. Other than
our frequent trips to Omaha to visit family and friends
our favorite trips have been to Alaska, Canada and living
in Chicago! I am fortunate to have all my nieces and
nephews, and their friends, wanting to come visit and....I
LOVE it. Some of my favorite Mercy memories are the
speech contests, plays and theater productions, Mercy
Days, November Nocturne, Latin classes (my favorite),
the “old” cafeteria, after-hours volunteer activities, the
nuns (again my favorites), all-school assemblies, retreats
with Fr. Ryan, SJ, the old basement locker room, choral
choir, Sr. Brendan, Sr. Kateri, Sr. Rita, journalism class,
Sr. Roger, and hearing the Mercy “honk”, through open
windows, during class. I LOVE Mercy!”
Donna Bednarz David ’69 and her husband, Mike,
have been married for 36 years. They recently quit high
stress corporate jobs and moved from Kansas City to live
full time in their summer home at Lake of the Ozarks.
They purchased a small Inn in Laurie, Missouri for their
retirement “hobby”. David writes: “We are now living
our dream of business ownership and enjoying life in this
small community. The two-mile commute from our lake
home to the Inn with no stop lights or traffic jams is
wonderful. We wake up to the peaceful water outside our
window each day, which is truly a gift. Our children, son,
Matthew, 31, and daughter, Emily, 27, call the Lake their
‘happy place’. We are truly blessed to have this life. Look
us up, if you are ever in the Lake Ozark area, The Lake
House Inn at thelakehouseinn@yahoo.com.”
Therese McGrath ’69 has been employed with Creighton
University in the student employment and federal work
student program for twenty-three years.
Sandy Goetzinger-Comer ’70 writes: “This has been an
exciting year for the Comer family. I left the University of
Nebraska Medical Center after nearly 20 years to become
director of communications for the Sisters of Mercy West
Midwest Community. My daughter, Lauren, was just
12
Alumnae News
confirmed and graduated from 8th grade at St. Stephen
the Martyr. She will be a freshman at Mercy this fall!
Lauren’s passion is showing Saddlebred horses. My son,
Eric, just announced his engagement to his fiancée, Megan.
They will be married sometime next year. My husband,
Buddy, is enjoying his job as supervisor at Harrah’s
Casino. We are very blessed as a family.”
Janet Daly Melia ’73 writes: “A lot happens in the life
of a Mercy girl! We are looking forward to the upcoming
college graduation of our daughter Angela. It is an
especially big milestone for her. Please visit us at my
web site: www.lovedtolife.homestead.com where you can
read about the release of the 20th Anniversary edition of
the book I wrote about her premature birth. On my web
site you can see pictures of our family and read some
interesting letters I received through the years. You can
also write comments and leave me a message. My life
is full and centered around her children’s activities. My
oldest daughter Anne will be getting married at St. Anne’s
Parish in Pensacola, Florida in October so we are excited
about that big event. My third daughter, Julia, is a high
school junior so I am kept busy attending concerts, track
meets, and many other interesting events. My son is a
fourth grader and just was accepted into the Cheyenne
Youth Symphony Orchestra. He plays the viola, is active
in track at his school and has just signed up for his fifth
season of baseball with the Cheyenne Junior League. My
husband, Steve, works for the State of Wyoming Dept. of
Health and I am employed with Laramie County School
District #1.”
James’ parents, Rick and
Kathy Shank, from Tacoma,
Washington. We “Moms”
thought it was a great way to
spend Mother’s Day! Molly
and James live in Wahiawa,
Hawaii where James is
stationed with the Air Force.
Janet Lavelle Stracke
’75 and her sister, Mary
Beth Lavelle ’68 share
the following tribute to
their mother: “Mrs. James
Judy Niemoller Sorenson (right) and
A. (Margaret) Lavelle,
daughter Molly in Hawaii
Mercy Alumnae mother,
grandmother and aunt and
long time Mercy supporter celebrated her 90th birthday
on April 25, 2009 with her family, relatives and numerous
friends at the UNO Thompson Alumni Center. Mrs.
Lavelle, known as Peggy, is pictured here with her
children Maggie Lavelle McCrea ’70, John Lavelle, Jim
(JJ) Lavelle, Mary Beth Lavelle ’68, Larry Lavelle, and
Janet Lavelle Stracke ’75 following a Mass celebrated
in her honor on Sunday, the 26th, at Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic Church. Her granddaughters, also Mercy
alumnae, are Joce Lavelle Masasi ’00 and Anne Lavelle
’07 and her alumnae nieces include Barb Lavelle Shaffer
’70, Liz Lavelle Wagner ’75, Eileen Lavelle Darby
’77, and Kathy Lavelle ’80. Mom has been a long time
Mercy supporter and we can probably discover the roots
of her dedication to Mercy in the fact that her mother,
Louise Philbin, taught at St. John’s in the mid-1940s after
The Melia Family
Judy Niemoller Sorenson ’75 and her husband, Chris,
paid a surprise visit to their daughter Molly Sorenson
Shank ’05 in May. Molly’s husband James started
planning the surprise last December. Visitors also included
Margaret (Peggy) Lavelle, wearing the birthday hat, celebrates her 90th birthday
with family.
13
the family moved to Omaha from their home in Greeley
County, NE. Mom would proudly tell you that she guided
two senior class presidents, one senior vice president, a
Mother McAuley and at least six National Honor Society
members through Mercy. Although Mom was not an
alumna herself, she probably attended every musical, play
and cantata from 1964 until 1975 and many more from
1996 until 2007. She and Dad worked as Bingo volunteers
long after I graduated and they may have attended more
Mercy dances back in the ’70s (as chaperones) than some
Mercy girls! Although not an alumna on paper, Peggy
Lavelle is a Mercy girl through and through and she truly
reflects the Spirit of Mercy.”
Karen Allgire ’76 is the owner and main teacher at Green
Tara Yoga & Healing Arts in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
Allgire writes: “I truly enjoy the process of deepening
my yoga practice and sharing that knowledge with my
students. I feel I have been blessed to have a livelihood
that both fulfills me and
serves others. Our exciting
recent project at the studio
was the installation of
a yoga rope wall. The
ropes allow students to
do poses with traction,
balance and suspension.
It is a wonderful learning
tool and also a lot of fun!
I am also blessed with
my wonderful husband
of 22 years, Cliff Berns.
Cliff is the supplements
buyer for Whole Foods,
and he earns praise for
his outstanding customer
Karen Allgire
service skills. My most
recent adventure took me
to Pune, India for a month of study at the Iyengar Yoga
Institute in August 2009. Being away for a whole month
was difficult, but created the time to go deeply into my
yoga studies for a very rewarding experience. I have many
happy memories of those Mercy days, and send my best
wishes and prayers to all my classmates and teachers.”
Judi Reynolds Hand ’79 and her husband, Greg, have
been married for 26 years. They live in Scottsdale,
Arizona. Their two sons, Christopher, is a sophomore at
Arizona State University and Ryan attends Horizon High
School as a sophomore. Hand is president of a sales and
marketing for Direct Alliance. Her position has allowed
her to travel to some fascinating places, such as the
Philippines and Sidney and Melbourne, Australia.
Tricia Jonyka Eckley ’93 and her husband, Larry,
celebrated their 10 year wedding anniversary on September
4, 2008. They have two children, Tommy, 5, and Patrick,
5 months, plus 2 dogs, Abbie and Jack. Eckley is a stay
at home mom with a small in-home daycare and also a
consultant for Scentsy Wickless Candles. Larry manages
Eckley Auto Brokers. “I have so many great memories of
Mercy High,” writes Eckley. “If anyone wants to contact
me, please e-mail me at ttteckley@cox.net. I’d love to
hear from you.”
Sarah Hillebrandt Eltiste ’95 is a soccer coach for the
YMCA 3-4 year old team, where she coaches her twin
daughters, Grace and Emma, 3, and Zachary, 4. The
children have fun learning the basics of the sport and
the importance of team work and good sportsmanship.
One teammate, Madelyn, daughter of Mercy alum, Amy
Wheeler Riggs ’93, is also on Eltiste’s team. “It’s been so
fun for me to
watch the kids
play soccer
and see how
they enjoy
the sport
like I did at
Mercy,” said
Eltiste. Her
son, Jacob, 6,
plays soccer
for Papillion
Soccer
Club and is
Zachary, Emma and Grace Eltiste
definitely
putting his
excellent soccer skills to use on his team.
Jennifer Harre O’Neill ’98 and her husband, Brian, are
proud to announce their newest addition, Kaine Patrick
O’Neill, born on May 8, 2009, his sister’s first birthday!
Brian is the vice president of O’Neill Packing Company,
and Jennifer is a stay at home Mom. “I am very busy as I
currently have three under three! My son Deklan is 2 1/2
and learns something new everyday! Lora is 1 and spends
her days working on her walking, and sitting with Mommy
every chance she gets! Kaine is an amazing little boy...
he spent his first week in the NICU and now fits right in at
home with his big brother and sister!”
14
Alumnae News
Erin O’Donnell ’00 wed Jeremy Davern on August 2,
2008. Jeremy is an accountant. They have a one child,
Alexander William, 2, and are expecting their second
child.
for a honeymoon. Markey is currently working as a social
worker at Maple Crest Care Center and will begin graduate
school in the fall of 2009. Andersen is a transportation
engineer for Albeck Gerken Inc.
Katie Woodrich ’00 graduated from the University of
Nebraska at Omaha in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in
elementary education and an emphasis in early childhood.
She began
working at
Cottonwood
Elementary,
while studying
at Doane
College for
her master’s
degree.
Woodrich
completed
her master’s
degree in 2008 Katie Woodrich with fiancé, Tory Lethcoe, and his daughter
Zoe.
in curriculum
and instruction.
Currently,
she is a 2nd grade teacher at Reagan Elementary. She
has taught for four years and enjoys every minute of
it. In July, Woodrich will marry Tory Lethcoe and will
become a stepmother to Zoe, 7. Lethcoe works for Cox
Communications.
Lisa Stephenson ’04 graduated in May, 2009 with a
bachelor of science in biology and minor in leadership
from Emporia State University. For the year of 20092010, she will be traveling across the U.S. for Alpha
Sigma Alpha National Headquarters as a leadership
consultant. Alpha Sigma Alpha Headquarters is located
in Indianapolis, Indiana where Stephenson will live when
not traveling to individual chapters. Stephenson will
get the chance to help Alpha Sigma Alpha chapters with
recruitment, leadership skills, discipline matters and other
needs. She plans to attend graduate school to get her
masters’ in higher education/college student personnel in
fall 2010.
Carli Cominoli ’02 has been employed with the Omaha
Henry Doorly Zoo as the graphics department supervisor
for four years.
Lisa Boone
’03 is studying
abroad in Ireland.
Rachel Markey Andersen had several Mercy attendants
in her wedding: Heather Sawaged ’04 (far left), Becky
Markey ’06 (second from left) and Ruthie Markey (top
left)
Rachel Markey
’04 married
David Andersen
on October
4, 2008 at St.
Elizabeth Ann
Seton Catholic
Church. A
reception was
held at the UNO
Alumni Center.
They spent a
week in Jamaica
Stacey Klich ’05 recently
became engaged to Jason
Zelasney. The wedding is
planned for June of 2010.
Klich graduated from
Hastings College in May,
2009 with a bachelor’s
degree in psychology with
special emphasis in child
development. This summer
she will move back to
Omaha. She has applied for
a child life internship for fall
2009. Her fiancé, Jason, is a
2nd grade teacher in Grand
Island, Nebraska.
Stacey Klich with fiancé Jason Zelasney
Laura Swiniarski ’06 married Sam Bellanti on December
26, 2008 at St. Columbkille. Swiniarski is attending Iowa
Western Community College to receive her degree as
a registered nurse. She already is a licensed practical
nurse.
Julia Krolikowski ’08 wrote of her experience on a
service trip to El Salvador sponsored by Rockhurst
College, where Krolikowski was a freshman. “What I saw
in El Salvador was unlike anything I had ever witnessed
before. Yes, I had done service in Omaha, and I continue
to do service in Kansas City. So I guess it wasn’t the actual
service part that changed me so much. In all honesty, I
felt like I accomplished very little. But maybe that was it;
maybe it was that I didn’t try to take over and change the
15
ways of the El Salvadorians that was so impacting to me.
I could speak very little Spanish, and many of the people I
worked with knew very little English. Together we shared
the stories of our lives, whether it was by acting a word
out, drawing a picture in the dirt, or simply looking into
the other’s eyes. The people I met changed me forever.
They taught me how to live and work in solidarity. Service
can be done anywhere, anytime. But taking the time to
slow down, learn different ways, and listen to the stories
of those around us is different. I didn’t always understand
what the little kids were telling me, I just had to laugh and
play with all my heart. I didn’t understand everything that
the grandparents were telling me about their village, I just
had to listen and look into their eyes. I didn’t understand
everything I was seeing; I just had to keep my heart
open. Services trips are misunderstood. Americans spend
all this money to visit a country for a week when they
could simply donate the money to the country for better
use. I was one of these persons. Then I listened to an El
Salvadorian speak to us about our time in his country.
What he said changed my view. He told us that while
we could donate the money, being in the country means
more. Sending money is the easy way to solve problems.
But working one on one with the people, we were treating
them as equals. And that was the only way to learn to live
in solidarity.” Classmates of Julia’s and Mercy alumnae
who also participated in the service trip to El Salvador are
Maddie Emsick ‘08 and Elizabeth Ferrante ‘08.
Begin Reunion Planning Today
Reunions are great way to reconnect with classmates and
reminisce about your unforgettable high school years. Start
thinking about when you may want to get together. Contact
your classmates. Meet and begin planning your reunion
today. You may want to consider having a Mass in Our
Lady of Mercy Chapel and/or taking a tour of the school.
Do you want to plan a whole weekend of activities or just a
simple evening get-together? Access reunion details at www.
mercyhigh.org, the alumnae section. You can request a class
list and utilize the reunion planning/liturgy planning forms.
Leadership is needed to plan and organization these
reunions:
1949 St. John - 60th Reunion
1949 St. Mary – 60th Reunion
1954 St. Mary – 55th Reunion
1964 – 45th Reunion
1969- 40th Reunion
1974 – 35th Reunion
1994 – 15th Reunion
Please contact Mary Emmer, alumnae relations at (402) 5539424 or emmerm@mercyhigh.org with any questions.
SIGN UP NOW!
Elizabeth Ferrante, Julia Krolikowski and Maddie Emsick
Driving for Excellence
Golf Classic
Monday, July 27
Tiburon Golf Course
Call Katie Hansen at 402-553-9424
or go to the web at
www.mercyhigh.org
16
Student Life
by Kathryn Wright ’09
“What we are is God’s gift to us.
What we become is our gift to God.” So
goes the Class of 2009’s motto which we
took to heart all during second semester.
The Seniors felt we were aboard a train speeding toward
graduation but that didn’t stop us from having a great time
during our last months at Mercy!
On March 26, 27 and 28 the Theatre Department
delighted audiences with their production of A Midsummer
Night’s Dream. The classic Shakespeare comedy was brought
to life with the help of director Mrs. Angela Dashner
and dance teacher Mrs. Sherry Cohen-Vollmer who
choreographed elegant, exotic dances for the forest fairies.
From spouting off three minute Shakespearean monologues
to swinging from vines across the stage the students
involved in the
production
learned a lot
and had a
wonderful
time.
The
sophomores
came together
to put on
their first class
production on
April 23. The
talent show,
entitled “If
You Give a
L to R: Monica Pflug, Kelsie Thomas and Roz Parr during
Sophomore
the fall play.
a Cookie…”
was full of
wonderful acts. Singers, dancers, comedians and musicians
wowed the school with their talent. The sophomores also
recited their class prayer and sang their class song “At the
Beginning” for the very first time.
Prom took place at the UNO Alumni Center on
April 25th. The juniors and seniors danced the night away
and enjoyed the music, the Emerald City-themed decorations
and the tradition of coronation. Senior Jayne Bartek was
crowned prom queen, Morganne Cernik and I were senior
princesses and Jaime Larsen and Amy Slater were junior
princesses. Senior Cora Dietzschold said, “It was definitely a
top ten Senior moment and it’s really hard to believe this was
our final school dance.” The party continued long into the
night at post-prom which took place at Coco Key, a water
park and arcade located at the Holiday Inn Central.
L to R: Kathryn Wright, Morganne Cernik, Jayne Bartek, Jaime Larsen and
Amy Slater.
Every other year students enjoy Day of Discovery,
when they choose short day trips to interesting locations and
learn new things. This year the trips to choose from included
a trip to Mr. Stara’s family farm, a day at Worlds of Fun,
dinner at Spaghetti Works and a Jazz concert, a two day trip
to Chicago, a day at the zoo and many more! Sophomore
Rachel Sortino said, “This was my first Day of Discovery
and it was great! I wish we could have it every year!”
As fourth
quarter moved
on it became
harder and harder
to concentrate
on school work,
especially for the
seniors. The sun
was shining, the
sky was clear and
before we knew
it, only two weeks
separated us from
the freedoms
of summer.
The reasons to
celebrate were
plenty: the varsity
soccer team
competed in two
games at the state
Junior Brittney Walker playing varsity soccer
competition. The
team defeated
Norris High
School on Friday and went on to compete against Skutt
Catholic on Saturday. Though the team didn’t bring home
the state championship, they made Mercy as proud as can be.
As the school year began to draw to a close, students
were honored on several occasions: at the Athletic Banquet,
on Oscar Night and at the Honors Convocations. The lists
of outstanding achievements are long and the students have
much to be proud of.
On May 11 the seniors donned their caps and
gowns for the first time to celebrate May Crowning. The
17
rich and beautiful tradition holds a special place in the hearts
of students, faculty and alumnae. The school gathered to
celebrate Mary’s assumption into heaven, led by the members
of the 2009 May Court: freshman Anne Griffith and
Shelby Guhl, sophomores Allison Rickers and Gabby Bash,
juniors Christina DiSomma and Jill Shepherd, seniors Holly
Wheeler, Kathleen Griffith and myself, the May Queen. I
was so very humbled by the experience. Being chosen by
my classmates was a huge, huge honor and the experience
helped me grow closer to Mary, the ultimate role model for a
young girl. On the night of May Crowning the Outstanding
Seniors for 2009 were announced. The Seniors along with
the faculty and staff voted on the two seniors who stand
out in the class of already extraordinary women. I’m so very
proud to say Roz Parr and I were given this amazing honor.
are saying goodbye to Mercy along with us, thank you. A
thousand times thank you.
On May 22 at the Joslyn Art Museum in
Witherspoon Hall we found ourselves dressed in our caps
and gowns, processing down the aisle, reciting our class
prayer for the last time, hearing words of wisdom from
Valedictorian and Co-Salutatorians Ruthie Markey, Stephanie
Nelson and Katie Johanek and finally, finally receiving our
diplomas. How can I describe these past four years? Mercy
has been my life. It has become a way of life—one which I
hope my classmates and I never forget. To quote our class
prayer, “We know that in spirit we will never cease to shine—
Always in God’s hands, the class of 2009.” Congratulations
graduates! May God guide us as we find new adventures and
pursue new dreams.
The 2009 May Court. L to R: Anne Griffith, Gabrielle Bash, Christina
DiSomma, Holly Wheeler, Kathryn Wright, Kathleen Griffith, Jill Shepherd,
Allison Rickers and Shelby Guhl
L to R: Alyssa Hernandez, Katie Johanek, Ruthie Markey, and
Stephanie Nelson celebrate their graduation.
With finals over, the seniors worked hard to put on
Farewell Day. Fashioned after the hit reality TV show “Jon
and Kate + Eight” the class of 2009 chose to share their
greatest memories with the school during their play entitled
“Johanna and Jaworski
+ Eighty”. Co-director
Roz Parr said, “Farewell
Day is one of the
best Mercy traditions.
Reliving our favorite
memories and saying
goodbye to the school
is so very bittersweet.”
However, though
Farewell Day is typically
for saying goodbye to
the seniors, the seniors
have a few farewells to L to R: Shelby Janowski, Erin Dougherty,
Abby Lingo and Amy Lien during the
give as well. The faculty farewell play.
and staff at Mercy have
been ever supportive
and constantly encouraging. We have been blessed to
learn from them. So to all the teachers and administrators,
especially Mrs. Doyle, Ms. Vavrina and Sr. Johanna who
Facebook can help you
reconnect and plan your reunion
Join Mercy’s Facebook group, Mercy High School Alumnae,
Omaha, NE, and reconnect with over 500 alumnae
who have joined the group. This group provides
updates on what is new with Mercy and gives alumnae
an opportunity to connect with other alumnae, post
comments, and write on each other’s wall. Other Omaha
Mercy Facebook pages: Mercy Class of 1988 and Mercy
High School Class of 1996.
18
Reunion Notes
1954 St. John – 55th Reunion
A reunion brunch is scheduled for St. John class of 1954 on
Sunday, September 20, 11:00 a.m., Field Club. Please contact
Rosary Pisci Sorensen at (402) 733-7721 or rsorensen2@cox.
net with any questions.
1959 – 50th Reunion
The 50th class reunion is scheduled for August 14 & 15,
2009. Connie Orsi Crouch writes: “Many thanks to all who
have sent in their information sheets and reservations. The
committee is working hard to ensure that a good time will
be had by all. A slide show and a memory book are being
developed, which I’m sure everyone will enjoy. To those
who have not yet done so, please send in your information
sheets as soon as possible. Even if you cannot attend, we
would like to hear from you and include your information
in the memory book. The information is needed by the end
of June so that we can go to the printer. We also can use
more pictures for the slide show.” Please send a copy of the
photo (not originals) to Connie Orsi Crouch, 8715 Franklin
St., Omaha, NE 68114-1360 or contact Connie at (402) 3932970 or conniec59@cox.net.
1979 – 30th Reunion
Scheduled for June 26-27 and hosted by Barbara Bogatz
Healey.
1968
The Class of 1968 meets once a month for appetizers or
dinner at a different location for a “mini-reunion”. If
anyone wants to be on the mini-reunion list, please contact
Cilla Connelly Quinn at (402) 384-9334 or priscilla-1950@
hotmail.com.
1984 – 25th Reunion
Reunion activities will be held during the All School Reunion
weekend, July 26. Additional details to be determined.
Please contact Mary Beacom Emmer at mmemmer5@
msn.com for any questions. Join the Mercy High School 1984
Alumnae, Omaha, NE Facebook group to stay connect with
classmates and reunion updates.
1989 – 20th Reunion
If you are interested in doing some of the reunion
legwork for the reunion or you’d like to be on the reunion
committee, send Kelly Kennedy Tracer an e-mail at ktracer@
greeleytribune.com.
1992 – Since their 15th class reunion, 1992 classmates stay
connected on a Facebook group, Mercy High School Class of
1992. Erica Peterson Bush writes on a recent class gathering in February: “Even though we graduated 17 years ago,
we all realized some things never change...a Mercy Girl is a
Mercy girl forever!...The years, distance and the busyness of
everyday life may have separated us all but, once reunited
the laughter, fun and memories continue just like we have
never been apart from one another. We have all had a really
fun time reconnecting and decided we didn’t want to wait
till our 20 year reunion in 2012 to find out what was going
on with everybody. Our goal is to get together every couple
of months. God Bless Catherine McAuley!” Please contact
Erica Peterson Bush at (402) 660-6351 or Kari Stavneak
Anzalone at (402) 558-6411 for more information on the
gatherings.
Members of the class of 1991 at a February gathering. Front Row, L to R: Leah
Hollister Parkinson, Lori Rowan Hull, Erica Peterson Bush, Kelly Connelly Lawler
and Nicole Liebig Lakeman. Back Row, L to R: Sarah Flynn Lehotay, Christina
Fink, Antoinette Vacanti Boumstein, Kelly Daley Baveresco, Angie Marasco
O’Hanlon, Emily Keefe Dunn, Renee Timmins Fryant, Julie Keblesh Thompson
and Sarah Peterson Bergman.
1999 – 10th Reunion
Let’s celebrate our 10 year reunion.
Saturday, July 25th, Girls night out, location TBD
Sunday, July 26th, Family event, location TBD
Please watch for a mailing in the upcoming weeks. Stay
connected and join our class Facebook page, Mercy High
School Class of 1992. Contact Elizabeth Derry Watkins at
(402) 614-8084 or bmwatkins@cox.net or Kristen Owen
Velazquez at (619) 820-2142 or kristenvelazquez@hotmail.
com.
19
F
aculty
ocus
...on a current or former faculty member
For over 150 years, the mission of Catherine McAuley of educating poor women and
children, has called many women to the Sister of Mercy order and many, many lay colleagues
to keep the mission alive. Julie Vankat, theology chairperson at Mercy High School for 14
years, has embraced the call fully. “The mission of Catherine McAuley inspires me daily to
educate young women,” said Vankat, “There is passion in my heart to further the mission and
those of the devoted Sisters of Mercy order.”
Vankat leads the theology faculty and collaborates with them regarding curriculum design
and development, materials and resources, assessment tools, etc. She has introduced three
courses into the theology curriculum: Prayer and Loss–an experience of different styles of
prayer during times of grief and loss with incorporating the Paschal Mystery; Theology and
Arts–a discovery of the theological meaning and symbolism found in literature, film, art,
music and other areas of society; and Service in Action–a hands on experience for students
while learning the root causes of social injustices. Each class starts with prayer, lecture,
creative class activity, and discussion. These courses have been featured in the Omaha World
Herald newspaper.
“The primary goal for the girls is a deeper understanding of themselves as a creation of
God,” said Vankat. “To draw them closer to God through theologic teachings and find their
hidden gifts and talents through projects of self discovery.” Vankat enjoys watching the girls
grow in self confidence, critical thinking, and awareness of their faith as they become closer
to God on their spiritual journey.
The Mercy traditions enhance each girls unique spiritual journey and knowledge of the legacy
of Mother Catherine McAuley. “Mercy traditions are one of our greatest benefits: Mercy
Day, May Crowning, class retreats to name a few,” said Vankat. “The faculty facilitates these
traditions and the girls are able to learn, practice and participate in these traditions which
reinforces their uniqueness and giftedness.” The Mercy Day tradition, where the senior class
performs the life of Mother Catherine McAuley, is a big “ahha” moment for them.
Outside of the classroom, Vankat and her husband of 16 years, Dan, are busy raising a family
of five children, four girls and one boy. Their daughter, Rose (class of 2012) is a sophomore
at Mercy. Vankat’s mother, Maureen Danahy Parr
’60 and her aunt Kate Danahy Powell ’63 followed
the example of Catherine McAuley as they were
graduates of Mercy. Vankat has been published
in Youth Ministry Access website (www.cmdnet.
org.) for designing lesson plans, creating prayer,
and script writing. Youth and Campus Ministers
who are members of the website can download the
materials for use in their parish/school. In the fall
2009, she will write a focus piece on the Blessed
Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Vankat is currently
working towards a masters degree in theology from
Creighton University.
“Let us fit young
women for earth
without unfitting them
for Heaven.”
-Catherine McAuley
Students are
introduced to the beliefs and teachings of
the Catholic Church
from the viewpoint
of a young adult and
meet Christ in
others and in
themselves through a
myriad of service
opportunities.
Exploring Faith at
Mercy helps students
truly value what’s
inside - what really
matters for today,
tomorrow and
in eternity.
-www.mercyhigh.org
20
In Memoriam
The Mercy High School community extends sincere
sympathy to the families and friends of those who have died.
Grandmother
Amy Linenbrink Vogel ’87
Heather Baker Losole ’89
Ann Linenbrink Hoffman ’90
Nicole Tvrdik Paulus ’90
Lori Norman Irwin ’95
Ava Linenbrink ’96
Kelly Callahan ’99
Abi Linenbrink Croskey ’99
Alexis Neumann ’99
Alexandria Garcia ’08
Alison Neumann ’08
Jaime Garcia ’09
Grandfather-in-Law
Angela Taylor Langenfeld
’95
Step-Grandfather
Alexis Mayer ’12
Miranda Mayer ’12
All School Reunion
Sunday, July 26, 2009
St. John
St.
ary
SAVE THE DATE
M
ary
M er c y M
t. S
t
Women
of
Mercy
M
9:00 a.m.
Mass
10:30 a.m.
Brunch
11:00 a.m.
Program
- Induction of the Class of 1959
- Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM to receive the
McAuley Award
11:30 a.m.
Self Guided Tours
For more information contact Mary Emmer at
emmerm@mercyhigh.org or (402) 553-9424
St. John
St.
Father-in-Law
Becky Lane Elster ’68
Debbi Tessin Aliano ’71
Mary Wegworth Kersigo ’73
Kathleen Brayshaw Swanda
’74
Brother-in-Law
Rosemary Traynor Gentile,
SM ’51
Sue Danahy Sammin ’65
a ry
Father
Paula Strong Disterhaupt
’57
Dorothy Koch DeWitt ’59
Martha Waldmann Burchett
’64
Margaret Galus Sandlier ’64
Mary Ann Opitz Naumann
’66
Trudy Waldmann Salvo ’66
Mary Parise Nowaczyk ’67
Deborah Keating ’70
Barbara Jarosik Goree ’71
Susan Gewinner-Mauldin
’71
Carolyn Andreasen Taylor
’71
Rebecca Keating-Lefler ’73
Kim Kersigo ’92
Emily Aguilar ’00
Melanie Aguilar ’03
Sister
Therese Matras Petersen,
SM ’46
Jeanette Hahn Cushing,
SM ’53
Virginia Kuti Franzago ’59
Susan Turner Foreman ’61
Peggy Hanna Crouch ’62
Mary Grieser Kirkpatrick ’62
Ruth Hanna ’63
Jane Turner Schumaker ’64
Linda Walsh Fell ’65
Patricia Grieser Banter ’67
Judy Knutson ’67
Wanda Jablonski Galus ’71
Shelley Knutson ’71
Maureen O’Brien ’80
Christine O’Brien DeBuse
’82
Brother
Mary Ann Labanowski
Micek, SJ ’53
Patricia Gleason Masek ’59
Mary Gleason Likes ’61
Grandfather
Janel Elster Myers ’90
Salesia Elster Larson ’95
Katie Nowaczyk McClain ’95
Elizabeth Kersigo ’96
Jennifer Kersigo ’98
Erin Elster Tiedgen ’98
Becky Opitz Behrendt ’99
Megan Taylor Schneeman
’99
Liz Nowaczyk ’00
Andrea Kersigo ’01
Kristen Taylor ’02
Stephanie Opitz ’03
Theresa Ryck ’05
Mary Elster ’06
Alison Opitz ’07
Samantha Aguilar ’10
Rebecca Aguilar ’11
Rachel Andreasen ’12
Mercy Mt
.S
t.
Mother-in-Law
Grace Pontillo Mendlik,
SM ’52
Pricilla Connelly Quinn ’68
Laura Caniglia Callahan ’71
Deborah Joachim
Mathewson ’72
Michele Pawloski Whelan
’73
Lynda Caniglia Turnquist ’83
Son
Judy Grandinetti McMahan
’59
Step-Grandmother
Katie Wang ’04
.M
Mother
Sr. Therese Randolph, RSM
’56
Carmen Monaco Messineo
’59
Mary McMahon Stoneburner
’60
Mary Kathleen Burke
Schiessl ’61
Karen Glisman Thiem ’61
Cynthia Scholz Conner ’62
Donna Chleborad
Clatterbuck ’64
Rosemarie Lyons Estey ’64
Mary Prerost Incontro ’64
Kathy McMahon Norman ’64
Georgia Scholz Robino ’64
Patricia Burke Dunlap ’65
Diane Peterson Logan ’66
Christine Vavrick Menard ’66
Marilyn Cahill Savage ’67
Step-Mother
Jean Stackhouse Wang ’67
Kathy Marshall Andreasen
’76
Lisa Schneiderwind Jacoba
’85
Brenda Huse Norton ’94
ary
Husband
Doris Wood Widtfeldt, SJ ’40
Sally Fuccio Averill, SJ ’48
Mary Schwartz York, SM ’48
Patricia Ryan Ahern, SJ ’49
Judith Suing Harvey ’56
Mary Jo Danahy Ellis ’61
Joan Battaglia
Foreman-Mertz ’62
Barbara Vavrick ’68
Terri Lyons Webber ’69
Sharon Urzendowski
Sklenar ’70
Patricia McMahon ’71
Debra Lyons Strack ’71
Sheri Scholz Burns ’72
Kathy Baumgarner Drews
’75
Kate Cahill Fleming ’78
Angela Baumgarner
Hopkins ’78
Liz Ryan Culver ’79
Sharon Cahill Warga ’79
Sandra Baumgarner ’81
Rebecca Lyons Rodgers ’83
Margie Walsh Haik ’88
Becky Nordick ’93
Grandmother-in-Law
Sandy Smejkal Baker ’86
Rachel Burbach Burns ’94
Megan McCann Fletcher ’94
M
Alumnae
Anne McGuinness Birkel,
MSM ’28
Catherine Janecek Nelson,
SM ’32
Florence Hoye Scholz, SM
’32
Ellen Keane Arney, SM ’35
Virginia Camel Skocz, SM
’42
Sr. M. Catherine Kenny,
SM ’45
Dolores Budine Kravchuk,
SM ’45
Teresa Crestoni Wortman,
SJ ’50
Jeanne Barney Peabody,
SJ ’51
Rose Marie Legenza
Opperman, SM ’51
Mary Ann Curran Stewart,
SM ’51
Therese Marie Kuti Way,
SJ ’53
Kathleen Turner Jeffries ’62
Patricia Knutson Nordick ’63
Rita Grieser Johnson ’64
Julia Jablonski Green ’70
Colleen O’Brien ’80
Sister-in-Law
Helen Tomasiewicz Matras,
SJ ’41
Helen Sokolik Kravchuk,
SJ ’46
Louise Kravchuk Linstrom,
SJ ’46
Joan Orcutt O’Keefe ’59
Margaret Smith Bragg ’66
21
Memorials
The following have been entered into our Memorial Association from January 19, 2009 - June 4, 2009
Jerry Aguilar
John & Barbara Brannen
Gerald & Elaine Bostwick
Sandra S. Broslovik
Andrea & Jerry Christo
Debora A. Clifton
Tim & Mary Coyle
Mr. & Mrs. James P. Coyle,
III
Creighton University
Medical Center Radiology
Residency Program
William & Barbara Holst
Daley
Laural K. Dean
Eva M. Denton
Agnes Dohse
Marie A. Dowd
Danielle M. Epp
Christopher & Heidi
Connealy Farrow & Family
Jenny Fudge & John
Schinker
Sharon M. Herschlag
Carolyn Jaworski
King Science & Technology
Magnet Center Staff
Kathleen Larabee
Jim & Linda Leary
Micah C. McBride
Holly McCoy
Jean M. McGill
Kenneth Polacek
William A. Rasmussen
Joe & Carol Reifenrath
David & Karen Sater
Glen & Leola Skelton
James & Jeanne Weaver
Weidner Family
Sharon Behr
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Nystrom
Michael J. Bizzarri, Sr.
Joseph & Larri Smejkal
Caniglia
Terri Ganapini
Laura Ganapini
Lela Bokath
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Nystrom
Madeline Bozdeck
Bernie & Carol Krawczyk
Elizabeth W. Burke
Tish Connelly
Patricia Burke Dunlap
Carol Keefover
Mary Kathleen Burke
Schiesel
Gwendolyn M. Burnett
Mary Beth Lavelle
John R. Wingender, Jr.
Lori Centretto
Joseph & Larri Smejkal
Caniglia
Mathew Chambers
James & Josephine Caniglia
Lohmeier
Anne Frances Ciani
Laura Ganapini
Terri Ganapini
Lawrence J. “Larry”
Eckley
William & Barbara Holst
Daley
Janice Borgmeyer Degan
Bob Ellis
Carolyn Jaworski
Joe Forret
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Sharon Ekeler, RSM
Merle Gettler
Laura Ganapini
Terri Ganapini
Julia Jablonski Green ’70
Kate Janca Adams
Patricia Griffith
Tim & Mary Coyle
Sr. Karlanne Hanna, RSM
’57
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Tim & Mary Coyle
Joy Neneman
Barbara Seitz Putman
Sr. Mary Susan Severin,
RSM
Dick Harvey
Rosalie Coco Huetter
Walt & Jo Marcuzzo
Macaitis
Barbara Seward McCoy
Chuck Janousek
Linda Gallagher Bayerl
Sr. M. Theodore Jensen,
RSM
Alyce Smejkal Cagni
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Joseph & Larri Smejkal
Caniglia
Laura Ganapini
Terri Ganapini
Rita Grieser Johnson ’64
Jo Russo
Karla Kava ’64
Mrs. Helen Kava
William Keating
Ellen Ritzdorf Lierk
Sr. M. Catherine Kenny,
RSM, SM ’45
Margie Cunningham
Violet Cunningham DuRee
Dolores Budin Kravchuk,
SM ’45
Maryann Schneiderwind
Morris
Greg Martin
Sr. Marie Angele, RSM
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Tim & Mary Coyle
Maureen Falcon
Katie Hansen
Holly McCoy
Sr. Patricia McDermott,
RSM
Sr. Susan Severin, RSM
Jim Mertz
Bernie & Carol Krawczyk
Erma Nolette
Dr. & Mrs. W. J. Schlueter
Mrs. Betty Rossmiller
Mr. & Mrs. Frank Wessling
Patricia Knutson Nordick
’63
Carolyn Jaworski
Lorray D. Smith
Anne Caldwell Russell
Mr. Ed Russell
Sr. M. Brendan O’Malley,
RSM, MSM ’20
Vivian Gale Gast
Bernard Opitz
Margie Cunningham
Gaylord & Violet Duree
Jean Stackhouse Wang
Sr. M. Elizabeth
Sedlmayer, RSM
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Catherine M. Petersen
Mr. & Mrs. Elmer McCann
St. John 1944 Deceased
Classmates
Katherine Cook Nelson
Jack Pietramale
Sally Theiler
Rose Stachura
Helen Micek Ireland
Susan Janowiak Pille ‘64
Helen Janowiak
Betty A. Hannigan
Stackhouse
Virginia Kuzelka Budka
Mark & Louise Lloyd
Mary Ann Opitz Naumann
Joy Neneman
Don & Sue Nalty Schinzel
Jean Stackhouse Wang
Dorothy Hess Pokorny,
SJ ‘41
Bernice Adams
Terrence M. Connelly
Theresa Ordway Evans
Dick & Eileen Johns
Anne E. Kramar
Ed & Linda Kucerik
Lucille Langdon
Leonard L. Larson
Marcy Connelly Peterson
Deb & Eric Peterson
Betty Schneider
Barbara Witte
Vincent Miller
Terrence M. Connelly
Tish Connelly
Kathryn L. Presta
Carol Jo Guastello
Jo Marie Guastello
Paul & Gloria Guastello
Fran Miller
Tim & Mary Coyle
Carolyn Jaworski
Holly McCoy
Mary F. Quinn
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM
Marcy Connelly Peterson
Terrence M. Connelly
Louise Monaco
Bob & Connie Orsi Crouch
Sr. Mary Ellen Quinn,
RSM, SM ‘47
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Don Moran
Sally Theiler
Sr. M. Patricia Scanlon,
RSM
Sr. M. Cabrini Camel, RSM
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Elizabeth (Betsy) Mulliken
Sr. Susan Severin, RSM
Eula M. Ramsey
Laura Ganapini
Terri Ganapini
Catherine Nelson
Virginia Kuzelka Budka
Jo Marie Guastello
Patricia Tighe Rasmus
Jo Russo
Irene C. Stuben
Mrs. Katherine Nelson
Thomas J. Tarsney
Jeff & Jane Green Alseth
Cheryl Barada
Beringer Ciaccio Dennell
Mabrey, Inc.
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff
Mary Cormier
Tim & Mary Coyle
Diana Davis
William & Maile Doyle
Janelle & Mike Fitzgerald
Dr. Richard & Mrs. Judy
Fitzgerald
Dallas Gard
Marjorie H. Gillen
Jim & Kitty Kelly Grace
Bob & Mary Jo Guinan
Ruth Gross Harre
Robert M. Heenan
Carolyn Jaworski
Mary Kelly
Tom & Cathy Kessler
Mike & Molly Conboy Koley
Maureen Losee
Holly McCoy
Mercy High School Faculty
and Staff
Heather A. Newville
22
The Reeves Family
Larry & Carolyn Schmitz
Jo Ann Vacanti
Judy Hasenjager
Marcy Vancura
Bernie & Carol Krawczyk
Salvatore Vigliaturo
Jo Marie Guastello
Kathleen Shaffer
Vincentini ’57
Maureen McGrath
Carolyn Von Wolf
Larri Smejkal Caniglia
Terri Ganapini
Cecil Wagoner
Tim & Mary Coyle
Holly McCoy
Marian B. Walsh
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM
Carolyn Jaworski
Holly McCoy
Denis F. Walsh & Family
Therese Kuti Way, SJ ‘53
Joan Schroeder Brejnik
Jacki Lukowski Demkowski
Joan McGargill Durr
Marlene Mitilier Egbert
Connie Alter Jamieson
Mary DeGeorge Mayo
Mary Ann Zoucha McNealy
Janet Francl Papp
Frances Costello Pierson
Ann Palmesano Ponec
Frances Polito Trovato
Rose Kasun Ware
Marilyn Rotella Weak
Mary Ann Barfell White
Mary Whitley
Les & Kathleen McKenna
Horton
Gerald Zenk
Chris Zenk Rix
Darlene Zuber ’63
Betty Trout Eckley
Living Memorials
January 19, 2009 - June 4, 2009
Margaret Daley
(in honor of her 90th
birthday, for negotiated
tuition)
Joanne Daley Morey
Carolyn Jaworski
(in honor of her birthday)
Holly McCoy
Kaleen Murphy ’09 and
Holly Wheeler ’09
(in honor of their graduation)
J. Michael & Susan J. Price
Maureen McGrath ’57
(in honor of her 70th
birthday)
Judy Dargy Vohs
Sister Johanna Burnell,
RSM
(farewell tribute)
David & Nancy Abboud
Beverly Anzalone
Richard & Heidi Anzalone
Dr. George & Rose Marie
Bendon Basque
Jim & Lindy Blessington
Dan & Lauren Bopp
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff
Tom & Ann Connelly
Brannen
Karla & Mike Brown
Fred & Diana Bruce
Rich & Debbie Bujarski
Tom & Mary Beth Burton
Keith Butts & Christine
Slater
Bob & Laura Caniglia
Callahan
Patricia R. Callone
Sr. Marian Camel, RSM
Vicki Michalski Carpenter
Beckie Cleveland
Mary Beth Petersen Coate
Scott & Diane Cohoe
Sr. Madeleva Comiskey,
RSM
Sr. Corrine Connelly, RSM
Joe Connelly
Tony & Sue Connelly
Maurice E. & Junko Cox
Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss
Sr. M. Virginia Daly, RSM
Ric & Betty Darrell
Sr. M. Janet Daul, RSM
Mark & Connie Davis
Dr. Peter R. & Loreta L.
DeMarco
Rev. Tom Fangman
Judith M. Fisher
Gloria Jezewski Flynn
Neil & Melody Forbes
Louise Battaglia Franco
Sr. Catherine Marie Franey,
RSM
Jackie Frevert
John & Cathie Fullenkamp
Reloy, Milly & Elizabeth
Garcia
Msgr. Robert J. Gass
Armand & Mary Rae Metz
Gibbons
Mike & Laurie Gillespie
Bob & Mary Gonderinger
Sr. M. Jude Graham, RSM
Rose, Carmelo, & Jo Marie
Guastello
Mary Therese Gubbels
Jerry & Rita Gubbels
Leonard & Mary Lou Nemec
Gunia
Sr. Pat Guziec, RSM
Michael & Laurie HajekJones
Harry & Judy Enis Hall
Geoff & Liz Hall
Bruce & Marlene Haney
William & Mary Harvey
Sr. Judith Patricia Healy,
RSM
Jay & Debra Herink
Virginia A. Higgins
Lawrence & Connie Hinman
Merle & Nancy
Hoegermeyer
Mike & Sue Horgan
Steve & Marla Houston
Emily Howe
Tim & Ann Huber
Gary & Mary Huliska
Dave & Chris Insinger
Carolyn Jaworski
Chris & Jennifer Jerram
John & Nicole Hahn Jesse
The Jewell Family
Dick & Judie Jones
Kathy Daley Jones
Msgr. Eugene H. Kerwin
Tom & Cathy Kessler
Pete & Judy Kirst
Elizabeth Kish
Robert & Mary Krayneski
Virginia Krist
Joseph & Roberta Krol
Tom & Jane LaHood
John & Kathy Zahm Larsen
Les & Phyllis Lawless
Gerald & Karen Lenczowski
David & Mary Franco Levy
Gene & Roseann Lilla
John & Karrie Lingo
Randy Lukasiewicz
Rick Mapes
Tim & Mary Jo Cumberland
Markey
Holly McCoy
Kevin & Dee McCoy
Bob & Mary Kay McDonald
Patrick & Patricia McGinnis
Maureen McGrath
Mary Guziec Mendenhall
John & Nancy MengFrecker
Ted & Cindy Menzel
Dennis & Rose Ann
Michalski
Evelyn Mitchell
John & Renee Mixan
Louise Morello
Irene Morrison
Colleen Murnan
Joy Neneman
Joe & Patti Lynam
Neuberger
Ms. Heather Newville
Dao & Nuong Tx Nguyen
Joe & Lois Nigrin
John Nordick
Bob & Mary Parise
Nowaczyk
Janie O’Donnell
Rev. Ralph B. O’Donnell
Lucy O’Hanlon
Don O’Rourke
Ms. Dorothy Ostrowski
Joe & Therese Paladino
Pat & Mary Lou Parr
Dr. Wayne & Sarita Troia
Penka
Terry & Pauline Pesek
Jaime Piernicky
Larry & Diane Proulx
Ben & Carol Rangel
Larry, Pat, & Angela Reding
Kent & Karen Riesberg
Melvin & Mary Ann Ritzdorf
Tommy & Elaine Robinson
Wayne & Kathy Rosonke
Sr. Marilyn Ross, RSM
Jo Russo
Mike & Jacque Salerno
Jayne Samp & Melanie Bray
Ghazi & Amal Sawaged
Don & Sue Nalty Schinzel
Dick & Sue Shepherd
Loretta Kearney Siegele
Stan & Jane Simon
Bernie & Mary Slowik
Lorray Smith
Tom & Janet Sobczyk
Judy Niemoller Sorenson
Gene & Marilyn Spence
Butch & Shelly Stolinski
Ruth & Gabbie Sylvester
Jannette Taylor
Jim & Nancy Thompson
Terry Thurman
Kathy Tompkins
Ba & Lan Dinh Tran
Anthony & Teresa Vancura
Vacanti
Fran Vavra
Chuck & Nancy Veys
Sr. M. Kateri Vojir, RSM
Fred & Nancy Bertagni
Wackerhagen
Denis Walsh
A. J. & Patricia Ward
Sherri Wehr
John Wingender
Stuart & Joan Wood
Maury & Pat Zach
Joe & Chris Franco Zadina
Rev. Damien Zuerlein
Bernie Thell Martin ’66
(tribute and thanks to Bernie
and in memory of Max &
Irene Thell)
Scott A. Martin
The MERCIAN
Published 3x yearly by the Mercy High School
Alumnae/Advancement Office
Ingrid Kalinowski Borghoff ’65
Vice President for Advancement
Mary Beacom Emmer ’84
Alumnae Relations/Special Events Coordinator
Maureen Becka Falcon ’85
Communications/Publications
Amanda Fulton ’98
Alumnae Association President
Sr. Johanna Burnell, RSM President
Carolyn Jaworski ’64
Principal
(402) 553-9424 FAX (402) 553-0394
www.mercyhigh.org
23
Scholarship Memorials,
Scholarship & Tuition
Awards
January 19, 2009 - June 4, 2009
Agnes David Mauro
Scholarship
Scott & Mary Mauro Mitchell
Callone Family Tuition
Award
Patricia Callone & Bill Flynn
Bill Flynn
In honor of Pat Callone on
their 27th wedding
anniversary and Valentine’s
Day
Carol Kastl Memorial
Mathematics Scholarship
Marj Kastl Krawczyk
In memory of the following:
Peg Andreasen
John Blankenship
Robert Brigham
Kathleen Connolly
Ellen Downey
Frank & Mary Jane
Forman
Bob Fowler, Jr.
Dorothy Hug
Steve Kastl
Allen Kubat
Jo Kastl Henely
In honor of the following:
Elizabeth Kish on her
retirement from Marian
High School
Maury & Dorothy Seitzer
Rule, SM ‘47, on their
50th wedding
anniversary
In memory of the following:
Dixon Adams
Joe Snelling
Mary F. Quinn
Dick Harvey
Ann Nielson
Mr. J. L. Hermanek
In memory of the following:
Charles W. Kafka
Elsie Prerost
Ruth Povondra
In memory of the following:
Charles W. Kafka
Elsie Prerost
Marie Hason Soula
In memory of the following:
Sr. Catherine Kenny,
RSM, SM ‘45
Rev. Thomas R. Ward
General Scholarships
Bob & Connie Orsi Crouch
In memory of Jon McMahon
Kelly Ann Taylor Memorial
Scholarship
Joe & Carol Reifenrath
Kutilek-Mayer Family
Scholarship
Tom & Annette Mayer
Kutilek
In memory of the following:
Bob Otten
Sara Barchus
Michael J. Bizzarri, Sr.
Eleanor Codr
Tom Fogarty
Jenny Mathews
Darrel Moreland
Michael O’Brien
Bob Otten
Sol Parsow
Steven Parsow
Sr. Mary Ellen Quinn,
RSM
Pat Schall
James Smutny
Richard F. Chadek III
Senior Scholarship
Machele Smart Baratta
In memory of Richard J.
Chadek III
William & Patricia Stanek
Dworak Family Tuition
Award
Bill & Pat Stanek Dworak
In memory of the following;
Sara Markesi
Jim Smutney
Welcome Home to Mercy ~ Phonathon 2009
The Mercy High school community answered the call during the annual
fund Phonathon, Welcome Home to Mercy, held in March. Phonathon raised
over $120,600 with 1,592 donors This full spectrum of these unrestricted
dollars go directly toward the heart of Mercy’s mission, negotiated tuition.
Mercy must raise nearly $1 million annually strictly for negotiated tuition.
The annual fund supports our academic programs, competitive teachers’
salaries and upgrading ever changing technology.
Over 100 alumnae and parents volunteered their time and talent to recruit
volunteers, make calls and perform clerical duties during Phonathon.
Thank You, Phonathon Volunteers
Theresa Gunia Abbott ’83
Rebecca Gibbons Alfieri ’92
Colleen Rukas Bentley ’68
Linda Boadwee
Jessica A. Brown ’02
Kimberly H. Bryant ’01
D’Lynn Gannon Buck ’88
Virginia Kuzelka Budka ’56
Sharon Palladino Burns,
SM ’53
Tina & Michael Cameron
Holly Thomas ’92
Rose Baye Cutshall, SJ ’47
Mary Robino Czyz ’68
Barbara Holst Daley ’61
Susan Davis
Michele Davis
Bruce & Johanna Deats
Melanie Denny-Schiltz
Dan & Eve Donlan
Sarah J. Eades ’93
Betty Trout Eckley ’63
Daniell Hahn Emsick ’83
Tamara Emsick
Gloria Jezewski Flynn , SJ
’50
Ann Madej Fraser ’93
Rhoda Frazier
Amanda M. Fulton ’98
Sr. M. Jude Graham, RSM,
SM ’37
Chris & Stephanie Greger
Geoffrey Hall
Amy Ellsworth Hansen ’94
Beverly Higley Harral, SM
’50
Marcy A. Harrington ’85
Mary Jean Connelly
Harrington ’57
Laura Ganapini Hasenfratz
’80
Marilyn Smith Havel ’70
Mary Jo Havlicek, SM ’52
Sr. Judith Patricia Healy,
RSM ’60
Brenda Hopkins
Susan Wichert Hopping ’85
Claire M. Horner ’01
Cathy Katzenberger ’68
Danny & Maureen Kaven
Diane Hope Kean ’69
Gail Babb Kotulak ’82
Kelly Connelly Lawler ’92
Stacia Slezak Luther ’01
Chris & Gina Lypaczewski
Mary Jo Cumberland Markey
Bernie Thell Martin ’66
Sr. Joan Martin, RSM
Jennifer Taylor Mawson ’93*
Gail McCarty
Jeannine Cooney McNulty,
SJ ’47*
Shirley Sohler Mendenhall,
SM ’49
Ted & Cindy Menzel
Amanda Miller ’99
Julie Moore ’81
Tom & Judy Moragues
Brett & Margaret Nielsen
Tammie Spence Nussrallah
’86
Kelly Nystrom ’86
Kevin O’Connell & Maggie
Kalkowski
Denise O’Gara
Katherine Lewis Oleson ’01
Laura A. Pierce ’88
Margaret Ann Bock Pierson,
SM ’55
Patricia Runa Potter, SM ’52
Patricia Urbanovsky Pupkes,
SM ’54
Doug & Deb Raven
Josephine S. Russo, SJ ’48
Michael & Jacque Salerno
Bernadette Smith ’68
Lorray D. Smith ’67
Nancy Vaculik Smith ’73
Judy Niemoller Sorenson ’75
Carol Stolp
Cathy Swiniarski
Mary Lou Targy, SM ’52
Susan Bertagni Trigg ’68
Terri Vancura Vacanti ’73
Michaela Kubat Valentin ’92*
Sr. Jeanne Ward, RSM ’59
Margaret McWilliams Welsh,
SM ’51
Julie Wichert ’88
TereseWiese
Grant & Monica Willms
Jennifer Wrobleski ’91
Chris Trout Wulff ’71
*Class Chairs
Mercy High School
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