10 Summer Saints Spirit - Saint Thomas Aquinas High School

Table of Contents
Saints Masses............................................... 3
Extravaganza................................................ 4
Fund-a-Need................................................ 5
Student News.............................................. 6
Saints Marrying Saints................................. 7
Class of 2010..............................................8-9
Bob Aley Retirement..................................10
Alumni Spotlight........................................12
Meet Mike Thomas.....................................16
Winter Sports Recap..................................17
Miller Family..............................................18
Class Notes................................................ 20
In Memoriam............................................ 23
Memorial Program.................................... 24
Inspiring Messages..................................... 25
Community Calendar................................ 26
Reunions............................................... 26-27
Facebook .....................................Back Cover
Trivia Night Attracts Near 300
to First-Time Event
Almost 300 alumni, alumni parents and current parents
– 25 teams in all – participated in the Saint Thomas
Aquinas High School First Annual Saints Trivia Challenge
in the Commons on Saturday, January 30, 2010.
The event, which will be held annually to celebrate
Catholic Schools Week and the Feast of the school’s
patron saint St. Thomas Aquinas, was spearheaded by
alumni/current parent Beth Hartung. The organizing
committee included Kelly Sherman, Anne Kaveski, Liz and
Brendan Mitchell, Jerry Drew, Stacy and Dave Watson,
Ann Casey, Donna and Kurt Schmidt, Sean Reilly, Ed
Pyle and Shannon Hopfinger. Father Andrew Strobl,
Saint Thomas Aquinas Chaplain, celebrated Mass in the
Chapel preceding the Challenge and Bit Clark and Karen
Kellerman helped with planning the liturgy.
Congratulations to the $1,000 first place table, the Ten
Chocolatiers! Runner-up team Gilligan’s Island won $750,
and third place team, Kaleidoscope and best decorated table
Ducks Unlimited each received $300 in prize money.
Mark your calendar for January 22, 2011, for the second
annual Saints Trivia Challenge. All are welcome at this
lively, competitive but always-friendly event, and alumni
are especially encouraged to participate! Start putting your
team together TODAY!
The Saints Spirit magazine is a publication of the Saint
Thomas Aquinas Advancement Office. We welcome your
comments or questions. Call or write:
Bryan Thrasher
Director of Communications
bthrasher@stasaints.net
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
11411 Pflumm Road
Overland Park, Kansas 66215-4816
913.319.2425
William Ford, Ed.D.
President
Teresa Ahrens
Director of Special Events
Mary Bridget Kratofil
Director of Media Relations
Michon Quick
Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations
Cindy Winkler
Advancement Office Manager
2
The “Ten Chocolatiers” team was awarded the Trivia Challenge
Traveling Trophy by Dr. Bill Ford. Pictured above: Robert and Lisa
Ruisch, Eric and Heather Carter, David Vogt, Dr. Ford, Lynne and Ken
Moran, Amy and Matt Dierks, Lisa Vogt.
Cover: During the month of May, the Saint Thomas
Aquinas community was invited to bring flowers to
adorn the statue of our Holy Mother outside the
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. The lovely
“May Altar” was a beautiful reminder of Mary’s
important role as the Mother of God.
For this the fairest blooms were plucked
And placed below her image there,
To offer beauty as a gift
And fragrance as a prayer.
(excerpt from the poem May Altar, first published in the Columbia Journal 1954)
Saints Masses
Saints Masses at KU and K-State
Each year approximately one-third of the Saint Thomas
Aquinas graduating class heads off to one of the two largest
public universities in Kansas. In an effort to continue the
mission of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, the Saints
Alumni Office hosts an annual Mass and dinner at each
Catholic campus center to encourage students and their
families to visit the Center and also reconnect with other
Saints alumni at their university.
3rd Annual Saints Mass at KU
September 27, 2009
2nd Annual Saints Mass at K-State
April 18, 2010
Right: Father Steve Beseau, ‘84, welcomed
guests to the St. Lawrence Catholic
Campus Center at the University of
Kansas, where he is chaplain and director.
Below: Gathering in the Social Hall
following Mass are Suzanne Billam, ‘03,
Andrew Billam, ‘07, Maureen Billam,
grandbaby Billam, Tom Billam, Molly
Peterson, Derek Peterson, ‘07, and Rick
Peterson.
Saintly Wildcats attended Mass at St. Isidore’s on the KSU campus
and then enjoyed BBQ dinner at the KSU Alumni Center across the
street. Pictured clockwise from center/left are: Holly Robben, ‘07, Rachel
Robben, ‘09, Brittany Boddicker, ‘07, Alex Lopez, ‘07, Danny Linder,
’09, Brian Sullivan, ‘07, Robert Fields, ‘07; (back row, l-r) Kevin Goebel,
‘06, Colin Cummings, ‘06, Dalton Cummings, ‘08, Pat Reazin, ‘08;
(middle row, l-r) P.J. Greer, ‘09, Carl Specht, ‘08, Kevin Ahrens, ‘08,
Johnny Tompkins, ‘06; (front row, l-r) Christina Farmer, ‘09, Jimmy
Wernel, ‘07 (visitor from KU). Not pictured: Derek Lopez, ‘08
Right: The Nigro
family -- George,
Katie, ‘02, Patty,
and Angie, ‘08
-- enjoyed Mexican
cuisine from Tequilla
Harry’s.
Bottom: Pictured
left-to-right are
Ryan Dennihan,
‘07, Austin Quick,
‘07, Mary Helen
Dennihan, Dennis
“Denny” Dennihan,
and Jackie
Dennihan,’05.
Parents and friends of KSU Saints who attended the Saints Mass at
K-State in April 2010 are: ( left to right, back row) Jim Fields, Michon
Quick, Lisa Cummings, Lisa Boddicker, Nancy Reazin, Anne Fields,
Susie Taylor, and (front row): Teresa Ahrens, Kelly Specht, Shelly
Sullivan, Barry Sullivan.
www.aquinascommunity.com
3
Extravaganza
Extravaganza 2009 – That’s Entertainment! was held on Saturday,
November 14, netting $160,000 for student activities at Saint
Thomas Aquinas High School. The Commons and Gym
were transformed into a Hollywood vision with white feather
centerpieces, a 3-D Academy Award statue, gold screens and
twinkling lights. The 60th anniversary of ‘The Greatest Year
of Movies – 1939’ was also portrayed in the Student Baskets,
incorporating themes from Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Mr.
Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Gulliver’s Travels, Hunchback of
Notre Dame, and Goodbye Mr. Chips to name a few.
Right: Current/alumni
parents Keith & Bit Clark
and parents Kathleen
& Michael Gremillion
co-chaired Extravaganza
2009, the largest
fundraising event for
Saint Thomas Aquinas
High School.
Right: Emcee Mike Thompson from WDAF Fox and STA chaplain
Fr. Andrew Strobl prepare to auction “Dinner with Father Andrew,”
generously hosted by Maureen & Mike Bukaty. Over 460 live and silent
auction items were donated for the event.
One of the most popular auction items among guests
was the Faculty & Staff Gift for which many donated a
favorite beverage with a story about his/her selection. The
collection was displayed beautifully and auctioned with an
accompanying wine refrigerator for $3,600.
Right: Dressed as Dorothy
from the 1939 Oscar
winning film, Wizard of
Oz, junior Annie Clark
and a puppy named
“Oscar” fit nicely into the
evening’s Hollywood theme.
Below: Senior students
Meggie Carroll, Erin
Bunker, Sean Tokic, Sarah
Moore and Annie Sneed
joined 60 other Senior
Envoys to serve guests at
the annual dinner and
auction.
Bottom Right: Extravaganza emcee Mike
Thompson jams with John Michaels, ’90,
and Buck Rogers band members at the dance
following the dinner and auction. Along
with John, several alumni participated in
entertainment for the evening: Evan Maslak,
‘09, Austin Quick, ‘07, Paul Shinn, ‘06, and
Jim Tharp, ‘91.
Below: Alumni, parents and friends –
including Beverage co-chairs Maureen &
Dan Carroll and Bobbi Turek – were
encouraged to visit the Extravaganza
website prior to the event to peruse the
Auction Preview.
Live Auction chairs Robin & Jim Wooten and Kirk
Kowalewski were instrumental in establishing ways for
those not attending the event to participate, including
an on-line only raffle for a 52” LCDHD TV and online
guaranteed bidding for selected items.
4
Fund-A-Need
Fund-a-Need Raises
Awareness and $75,000
The wheels
on the “Dueling
Buses” went
‘round and ‘round
on March 6th to
the BarrelHouse
Piano Bar in
Lawrence, Kansas.
A sign-up event
at Extravaganza
2009, the trip
was enjoyed by
Dueling Bus Co-Chairs Terri Thelen, left, (Class
120 happy travelers of ‘77 and Alumni Parent ‘04 and ‘08) and
Joyce Didde (‘08, ‘12) with Bob Fitzpatrick
and hosted by
(Alumni Parent ‘01, ‘04 and ‘07), owner of
alumni parents
BarrelHouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
and BarrelHouse
owners Kathy &
Bob Fitzpatrick. Special thanks to Joyce & David Didde
and Terri & Phil Thelen for organizing the trip. Bus emcees
Mark Radetic and Troy Reazin kept the travelers entertained
to and from Lawrence. Denise & Dan Keating of Beat the
Bookstore at KU donated beverage coozies for everyone, and
other donations were provided by Jack Bondon of Berbiglia
and Dueling Buses underwriters: Sara & David Baker,
Terry & Bill Biggins, Tracy & Toby Boschert, Allison &
Rick Clark, Joyce & David Didde, Paula & Emmett Logan,
Nancy & Troy Reazin, and Terri & Phil Thelen. Dueling
Buses generated $6,000 for Extravaganza 2009, the proceeds
benefitting the school’s student activities.
Alumni parents John and Barb O’Donnell join Dorothy and
Michael Eagan in supporting the Guardian Angel Fund at
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.
On November 14 at the 2009 Extravaganza, guests
learned or were reminded that many families in our
own community rely on the gifts of others to be able
to provide their children with a Catholic education at
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.
In a very moving presentation during the evening’s
Live Auction, current/alumni parent Michael Eagan
addressed the guests to explain the purpose and
importance of the school’s Guardian Angel Fund.
Speaking with sincerity and compassion, Michael
explained that the Guardian Angel Fund is different
from the school’s financial assistance program which
provides tuition remission for approximately 19.7%
of our students totaling $627,300. The Guardian
Angel Fund assists those families who experience
unforeseen financial difficulties during the year such
as job loss, death of a parent or an extreme medical
situation. Last year alone, an additional $47,878 was
requested by 24 families needing tuition assistance
through the Guardian Angel Fund.
Within minutes following Michael’s speech and
with the help of the Nigro Brothers Auctioneers
and master of ceremonies Mike Thompson, over
$75,000 was raised to subsidize tuition for families in
immediate need of assistance.
Over 200 parent and student volunteers helped to create Extravaganza
2009, including current/alumni parents Linda Boring, Nancy Reazin,
Mary Woody, Mary Beth Mecca and Teresa Reilly.
Saint Thomas Aquinas does not conduct a Fund-aNeed project at Extravaganza in most years, but with
the current economic climate and the need greater
than ever, Dr. Ford was quoted as saying “THIS is
who we are. THIS is what we do – we help people
when they are in-need, just as Jesus would.”
www.aquinascommunity.com
5
Student News
Saints on a Mission
Top left: During spring break, a group of 17 seniors and three
sponsors traveled to northwest Arizona east of Flagstaff in what
they described as “the middle of nowhere.” The nearest civilization
(Holbrook) was 75 miles away.
The group discovered upon arriving at their destination that there was
no running water and very limited electricity. The accommodations were
a church where the girls slept and a “Hogan” which housed the boys.
According to Phil Farnan, STA English teacher who accompanied the
group, “the kids adjusted well and had great attitudes.”
National Merit Scholarship
Scholars
The above seniors were honored by the National
Merit Scholarship Program. They are: Stephanie Trouba
(finalist), David Edklund, Amanda Robison, Stephen
Brand; 2nd row, Matt Coombs (finalist), Hannah
Zimmerman, Katie Heit and James Slaven.
Saint Thomas Aquinas juniors
chosen for national choir and
band
Three Saint Thomas
Aquinas juniors have been
invited to participate in the
Music Education National
Convention (MENC) to be
held in Washington, D.C.
June 24-29. Trombone
Saint Thomas Aquinas juniors
player Paul Radke will
Paul Radke, left, Molly Porter and
join 49 other musicians
Anthony Fortino, will participate
in the National Band and Choir
from across the country
in Washington, D.C. this summer.
to play with a jazz band.
Molly Porter and Anthony
Fortino will sing with the 82-member National Choir
and both groups will perform at the Kennedy Center.
The talented music and voice students competed at
the district and state levels to make it into this national
competition. Details about the event are available online
at www.mencevents.org/menceventshonorspage.htm.
Correction
The students roofed, painted, installed insulation, dry-wall, and helped
with plumbing (though the owners were only hopeful that one day
there would be water). The hard-working group accomplished a great
deal in one week. The seniors were pleased with their work at the end
of the trip and will recall it as a truly memorable adventure.
6
In the Winter 2010 issue of Saints Spirit, Dominique
Vestal, junior at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, was
inadvertently omitted from the list of cast members for
the 2009 Fall Musical. Dominique played the role of Miss
Krumbholtz in the Saints production of How to Succeed in
Business without Really Trying.
SAINTS MARRYING SAINTS
Brandenburgh - Ellis
Sara Brandenburgh, ‘03, and Russell Ellis, ‘97,
were married on October 24, 2009, at Church
of the Ascension in Overland Park, Kansas, with
Father Gary Pennings as celebrant. Russ works
at Proctor & Gamble and Sara is a nurse at
Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Sara and Russ
live in Gardner, Kansas, and like movies and fine
food, working in the yard, and hanging out with
family and friends. They are also expecting a new
addition to their family in August 2010!
Pictured left to right are: Stacy Block, Nicole
Weitkamp, ‘03, Julie Fishburn, Sara Brandenburgh
Ellis, ‘03, Russell Ellis, ‘97, Steve Barry, Jason
Fishburn, Lance Brandenburgh, ‘04, Jordan
Brandenburgh, ‘09.
Quick - Fields
Ashley Quick, ‘03, and Patrick Fields,
‘04, were married on Saturday, August
1, 2009, at Visitation Catholic Church
in Kansas City, Missouri. Monsignor
Vince Krische, retired Chaplain of the
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at
the University of Kansas, presided. Ashley
graduated from the University of Kansas
in 2007, with a degree in Early Childhood
Special Education. She is currently the lead
autism teacher at Children’s Therapeutic
Learning Center (TLC) in Kansas
City, Missouri. Patrick graduated from
Marquette University in 2008. He works
for Aflac and plans to attend law school.
The couple resides near the Country Club
Plaza in Kansas City with their dog, Jerry.
Pictured left to right: Megan Mulryan, Molly McMeekin, Jessica Haney,
‘08, Kelsey Barr, Laura Davis, Michelle Walter, Casey Quick (flower girl),
Ashley Quick Fields, ‘03, Patrick Fields, ‘04, Ryan McAllen (ring bearer),
Robert Fields, ‘07, Denny Alfonsin, ‘04, Lance Brandenburgh, ‘04, Nathan
Mann, ‘04, Drew Huppe, ‘04, and Tom Philipps, ‘04. Front row: A.J.
Quick, class of 2014, Austin Quick, ‘07, and Andrew Quick, ‘08.
Kristen Brand, ‘03, Kristin Fitzpatrick, ‘04, Jen Flaspohler, ‘03,
Brittany Jeter, ‘04, Alisa Molle, ‘03, and Jerry Wohletz, ‘08, also
participated in the Mass.
www.aquinascommunity.com
7
Class of 2010
The Class of 2010 -- Where Are They Going?
Allen County Community
College
Nathan Russell
Boston College
Alexandria Spenner
Arkansas State University
Megan Baska
Bowling Green State
University
Amanda Nelson
University of Arkansas
Kyle Ahern
John Bertels
Anna T Bono
Renee L Flagler
Kevin Klein
Sarah Moore
Auburn University
Margaret Clark
Butler University
Micaela Ritschl
University of Central
Missouri
Samantha Tyler
Coe College
Christina Miller
Avila University
Joe Hermsen
University of Colorado at
Boulder
Fernanda Quezada
Benedictine College
Erin Bunker
Michael Feuerborn
Stephanie Fragale
Mary Cate Halling
Nicholas Loughman
Ashley Marie Mattingly
Johnathan McGown
Michael Miller
Katelyn Nill
Eddie Regan
Michelle Tranckino
Stephanie Trouba
Jordan Zarse
Bentley University
Alyssa Gonyea
8
University of Denver
Erin Henderson
DePaul University
Kelsey Childers
Elizabeth DeKraai
Sean Latz
Kevin John Watson
Emporia State University
Colleen Coffin
Nicole Jara
Andrea Piezuch
University of Evansville
Spencer Shain
Indiana University at
Bloomington
Anna McCabe
Iowa State University
Elizabeth Ashley
Laura Talken
Colorado State University
Kate O’Connell
Creighton University
Carolyn Carmosino
Morgan Commodore
Hallie Dusselier
Meagan Wilderson
Johnson County Community
College
Jesse Bouler
James Bryant
Ann Budd
Chelsey Campbell
Seth M Canzoneri
Catherine Cellitti
Samantha Hanson
Shawn Patrick Hill
Lindsey Hopfinger
Steven Hornung
Andrew S Hunt
Jennifer Jirovec
Colleen Michalski
JCCC, cont’d
Chris Miller
Sumey Mohammadrabie
Meg Muckey
Joseph Nicely
Shelby Renne Pittman
Ryan Smith
Matthew Swan
Kellie White
Kansas State University
Alyssa Adamany
Lauren Atcheson
Travis Barmby
Alex Bolin
Audrey Boring
Valerie Castaneda
Jacob Corrigan
Kristin Davis
Beth DeMars
Justin Drake
Ellen Drummond
Erin Ebeling
David Ecklund
Michael Finley
Adam Fox
Marie Gardner
Steven Geist
Lauren Geller
Amelia (Molly) Glenn
David Glenski
Mitchell Golubski
Jacob Hammer
Cassie Hernandez
Madison Huber
Ashley Krone
Heath Lilek
Kelci Lucas
Alexis Lundy
Juliana Malone
Jonathan (Blake) Martin
Kayla McMullen
Anastacia Miller
Jacob Miller
Kory Miller
Gianna Misenhelter
Harold Mitts
Janelle Morgan
Ryan Mueller
Elisa Navickas
Kelsey Nygren
Kaitlin Oldenhuis
Michael Peabody
Jamie Prendergast
Molly Reilly
Kathryn Robertson
Matthew James Ryan
Kelly Service
Emily Smith
Matthew Urban
Lexi J Vaughan
Carrie Waters
Matthew Wheeler
Michael Whitehead
Joney Wong
Hannah Zimmerman
University of Kansas
Andrew Adford
Michael Armentrout
Parker Beck
Alex Biddlecombe
Taylor Byrd
Geoffrey Calvert
Shelby Cato
John (Jack) Charles
Natalie Cherry
Paul Cherry
Devin James Clement
Bridget Collins
Brian Patrick Connaughton
Matthew Coombs
Sarah Coplen
Justin Crane
Ali DeBoest
Andrew Delaorra
Emily DeLong
Sharon Disidore
James Dold
Daine Dvorak
Stephanie Edmondson
Hannah Enenbach
Jason Falen
William Franke
Matthew Gasparovich
Elizabeth Gohde
Joanie Greffet
Phillip Grosdidier
Thomas Harrison
Christine Hoang
Andrew Hovorka
Michael (Garrett) Jones
Alec Joseph
John Kindscher
Mary (Katie) Krim
Sarah Kwapiszeski
Alexandra Lanning
Lauren Lawton
Olivia Lisbon
Josh Lodoly
Madeline Luther
Amanda MacLeod
Nicholas Malley
Brianna Maltby
Adrienne Mather
Lindsey Mayfield
Steven Mayfield
Sarah McKernan
Stephen Nelson
Michael Newman
Ryan James O’Connell
Kaelen O’Grady
Christopher Patterson
Kyle Patterson
Katelyn Elizabeth Peter
Amanda Pigott
Andrew Radiel
Kerry P Redmond
Amanda Rixey
Janelle Savage
Class of 2010
Univ of Kansas, cont’d
Molly Schard
Jonathan Seib
Rose Shriver
Annie Sneed
Christian Sparrow
Jacqueline Teahan
Kelly Thomas
Justin Thornbrugh
Sean Anthony Tokic
Andrew Tyler
Emily Wagner
Brigid Walton
Paige Watson
Bill Wilson
Cara Winkley
Univ of Missouri/Columbia
Ladye Carew
Eleanor C Coatar
Tricia Dierks
Haley Dodd
David Porter Edelman
Alexander Hanson
Jacob Heckman
Matthew Hinck
Zachary Horn
Jenna Lewis
Elizabeth Perry
Blakely Swanson
Krista Thomas
Elizabeth Zack
Loyola Marymount
University
Marissa Morgan
University of Notre Dame
Katie Heit
Cathryn Jenkins
Clayton Pauls
James Slaven
Southeastern Louisiana
University
Annelise Brancato
Southern Methodist
University
Mark Redlingshafer
Oklahoma State University
Valerie Whited
Marquette University
Clarissa Shields
Camial VanHoet
University of Nebraska/Lincoln
Charles Sullivan
University of Michigan
Erin Jefferson
Middle Tennessee State
University
Trenton Miller
Missouri State University
Ashley Washburn
Missouri University of
Science and Technology
Jack S. Savage
University of Nebraska/Omaha
Andrew Aley
Darren Cloud
University of New Mexico
Monica Dudley
Vassar College
Natalie Phillips
University of Virginia
Stephen Brand
University of Oklahoma
Meggie Carroll
Ottawa University
Kevin Cahill
Pepperdine University
Mitchell Higgins
Newman University
Joshua B Prilliman
University of Nor. Colorado
Quinn Mathias Brewer
Megan Lenhausen
University of Utah
James Boddicker
Texas A&M University
Tim Armstrong
Pittsburg State University
Kelsey Sullivan
Northern Arizona University
Bridget Petersen
United States Merchant
Marine Academy
Thomas Walker
The Ohio State University
Libby Reichmuth
Lauren Woody
University of Missouri, KC
Alexander Shinn
University of Maryland,
Baltimore County
Marty Bloyer
Savannah College of Art and
Design
Alexa Osbourn
Rockhurst University
Nikki Fontana
Elise Mitchell
Melanie Siscos
George Skevington
Beatriz Mae Boyles
Saint Louis University
Leslie Mecca
Erica Miller
Elizabeth Ann Petersen
Abby Willis
Texas Christian University
Caroline Berko
Alex Erker
Andrew Hanson
Frances Ronan
Mary Thesing
Dan Woodward
Truman State University
Ted P Clemons
Megan Greving
Amanda Robison
University of Tulsa
Riley Ayer
Andrew William Ney
Maggie Turek
Wichita State University
Thomas Kearns
William Jewell College
Kathryn Beaver
Colby Martin
Savannah Bourquin Rieke
Erin Taylor
US Army
Adam Woods
US Marines
James Dunham
The Class of 2010 by the
Numbers
64 – Number of colleges being attended in the fall
25 – Number of states class of 2010 will populate
24 – State championships since freshman year
64 – State of Kansas scholars
8 – National Merit Scholarship Commended and
Finalists
$10,300,000 – Scholarship money
278 – Graduating seniors
www.aquinascommunity.com
9
BOB aley Retirement
After 45 years, long career in Catholic
education ends for Bob Aley
As he begins the task of packing up
his books, crosses, pictures, statues,
and other items that helped create
an image-filled and quiet, spiritual
setting for student formation above
the school’s media center, Bob Aley
admits to being nostalgic about
retiring.
“I love the Saint Thomas Aquinas
community, the students, parents,
teachers and staff, those here now
and the many who have graduated
and moved on and away, so it’s with
a tinge of sadness that I close this
chapter of my life. But after 45 years, I
know it’s time,” he said, emphasizing
the word time.
Last year was a rough one for Bob
health-wise when he suffered four
grand mal seizures, the first one while
talking with a student. The incident
prompted a two-week hospital stay and
changes in medication. It also made
him rethink putting his knowledge
and experience to good use in other
ways he has not yet decided upon.
Bob and his wife Teresa have been
married 43 years -- they are the parents
of six children (two boys and four
girls) and 12 grandchildren. Bob
quickly credits Teresa with providing
a secure, stable environment at home
while he attended the many activities
and events surrounding a Catholic
high school. All of Bob and Teresa’s
children are married and reside in the
Johnson County area except Joel who
lives in Chicago. They get together
often and the house gets very noisy
but the grandparents wouldn’t have
it any other way. Faith and family are
Bob’s highest priority. Serving God’s
people is at the top too.
An only child, Bob grew up in
Topeka planning to be a priest. He
entered Conception Seminary in 1960
10
after high school and studied two
years of Theology when he decided
that education was the vocation
calling him.
Considering that his involvement
with Catholic education has spanned
four and a half decades, he has made
remarkably few school changes. His
career began at Hayden High School
in Topeka where he was a counselor
and taught Theology. From there he
moved to Salina and Sacred Heart
High School for four years serving
one as president, followed by Aquinas
High School in Shawnee where he
was Principal before coming to Saint
Thomas Aquinas to be a counselor.
Working with students through
the student formation program has
given him an opportunity to share
the simple message that “God loves
each one of us, right here and now,
just the way we are and without
reservation.” He adds that as direct
as the message is, it is a hard one to
believe; nonetheless, he is unrelenting
in delivering it to the young people
with whom he works.
Through the years, students have
often turned to him to understand
themselves, their peers, parents and
the world around them and Bob has
responded with comforting words
and genuine concern. He is never
condescending because he respects
the individual and declares that
being critical and judgmental can
be harmful. He would rather bring
about positive change and spiritual
awareness by encouraging students to
listen to God through prayer and in
some cases, networking with former
students and other adults who have
overcome adversity and succeeded.
When Bob initially meets with
students he asks them to meditate
Photo of Bob Aley taken when he was serving
as principal of Aquinas High School.
on John’s gospel message: “God is
love and whoever lives in love, lives
in God and God lives in him.” And
then he adds, “In a nutshell, this
scripture explains our existence.” But
he adds that this is a difficult thing to
comprehend.
Cyndy Novacek has worked with
Bob as an assistant for ten years in
Spiritual Formation. She said, “Bob
has impacted so many students’ lives it
is unbelievable. He is always accepting
of who the student is as a person. He
doesn’t judge and he always shows
unconditional love to the students
who at the time feel worthless and
unlovable. He reflects God’s love back
to them. What a difference it can
make. Many years after they graduate
they still come to see him or email
him. Many times Bob has asked me
to come read an email sent to him
from a former student telling Bob
how he helped turn their life around
and how grateful he or she is. It has
been a privilege to work with Bob and
be on the sidelines of the great and
powerful work this man has done for
our students. He is truly a physical
BOB aley Retirement
reflection of the
Father’s love.”
Fellow counselor
Laura Cline believes
that because Bob
has always treated
students with dignity,
they know their
emotions are safe with
him. And this is why
students from decades
ago still remember
his genuine, positive
regard for them.
The Aley Family at Shawnee Mission Park in spring 2009.
Laura also
1st row: Resa Aley Thomas, ‘99 (holding son Jaxson), Addison Aley, Christian Scharpenburg, Dillon Scharpenburg,
describes Bob as
“non-judgmental and Aiden Aley, Carson Klover, Marcus Coleman, Tiffany Aley Coleman, ‘92 (holding Tyler); 2nd row: Matt Thomas,
Dave Scharpenburg, Megan Scharpenburg, ‘93 (holding Ellie), Teresa and Bob Aley, Melanie Aley Klover, ’87 (holding
accepting. He works
Madalyn), Nate Klover, Mick Coleman; 3rd row: Alyssa Hirt Aley, ‘91, and Aaron Aley, ‘90, Amanda and Joel Aley,
to empty himself out
‘97, and Andrew Aley, ‘10
so that God can use
him. His spiritual
studies, wisdom and
deeply troubled and survived has a
educational community. He said he
life experiences are unmatched by
huge impact on students who really
leaves knowing the school is in good
anyone I know.”
need help,” Bob says.
hands with Dr. Ford at the top making
A retreat in the New Mexico desert
wise decisions, “always with our
The Aley family and the Saint
15 years ago had a life-changing effect
Thomas Aquinas community were the mission underlying them.”
on Bob – and he has shared the
first test groups for Bob’s profound
In retirement Bob will have more
lessons learned from Father Richard
new awareness of God’s love. He
time to read, reflect and deepen his
Rohr, O.F.M., an internationally
speaks of his metanoia with reverence
faith and he looks forward to this.
known retreat director, author
and conviction. And he has shared
His grandson Andrew graduated in
and lecturer ever since. One of the
it often with seniors on one of the
May, so together they will bid farewell
exercises was to go out into the desert
over 30 Kairos retreats with which he
to Saint Thomas Aquinas. Bob plans
for five hours of solid meditation
has assisted since its establishment at
to “live in the moment,” enjoy every
and contemplation. He came away
Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1998.
minute and follow where God leads
from the experience knowing that
According to Bob, “Kairos is really a him.
no matter how hard one tries, you
piece of heaven in its loving, accepting
can’t change another person. What
atmosphere. There have been some
Companions on the journey
you CAN control is yourself, your
life-changing
transformations
because
This is what Yahweh asks of you,
attitude and how you REACT to
another person. All day every day, you of those four days.”
to act justly,
make choices in this regard. And Bob
As he walks around the school
love tenderly
explains how incredibly empowering
today, Bob Aley is pleased with what
and walk humbly with your God.
and spiritually enriching it is to make
he sees – faith-filled students, teachers Micah 6:8
deliberate choices to take the “high
and parents comprising a dynamic
road.”
Ben Schloegel, ’96, is grateful to
Bob for his persistent message of hope
(see accompanying story) and has
returned the favor of Bob’s help by
volunteering to talk with young people
who have similar stories. “A positive
outlook from someone who has been
Do you have a special Retirement Wish for Bob?
Please send your well-wishes to:
Mr. Bob Aley,
c/o Saint Thomas Aquinas High School,
11411 Pflumm Road, Overland Park, KS 66215
www.aquinascommunity.com
11
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Professional Triathlete Attributes Success and Overcoming
Obstacles to Counselor at STA
Bob Aley, Aquinas High School principal from 1984-1988 and guidance counselor at Saint Thomas Aquinas
High School from 1988-2010, retired this spring after 45 years in Catholic education.
Ben Schloegel, ‘96,
didn’t really know his
cousin, Bob – fourteen
years his senior – when
Ben ran into him at a
health club in spring
2001. Ben had gotten
his life back together,
and gym workouts
provided an ample
outlet during his 60/70hour weeks of work and
going to school.
A few days earlier,
Ben had been sitting
on the side of the pool
Bob spends a few moments with Ben Schloegel, ’96.
watching a boy swim. “Sure
seems like there’s a rhythm to Read more about Bob and Ben’s friendship on page 10.
what you’re doing,” he said.
Ben’s curiosity was a lure into the
pool, and when his cousin asked Ben
The oldest child of Debby and Jake
to join him for a swim, Ben thought to
Schloegel, Ben Schloegel grew up in
himself, “All I have to do is just swim
Leawood, Kansas, with his younger
in his bubbles and keep up.”
sister, Ali, and two younger brothers,
Ben’s cousin Bob Schloegel, a nowPeter and Charlie. He attended St.
45-year-old Kansas City pediatrician,
Elizabeth’s and Leawood Elementary
father of three and successful
and Middle schools before entering
triathlete, invited Ben to compete in a Saint Thomas Aquinas High School as
local triathlon the next week. Unlike
a freshman in 1992.
most ‘normal’ people would, Ben
Ben knew he wasn’t a great student,
accepted the challenge and signed
but as he began his high school years,
up for the race. He’d never swam,
he wanted to work hard and do well.
biked or ran competitively, much less
Not long after 9th grade began, Ben
attempt to put all three disciplines
was elected Class President. He was
together in one outing. He bought a
meeting lots of new friends and
bicycle the night before the event and
playing soccer, including lifelong
had no idea how to switch gears, much
buddies, Mark Roennigke, ‘96, and
less transition from the bike to the
A.J. Delaney, ‘96. Then he took a turn
run-portion of the race.
that would haunt him and his family
Ben, then 23 years old, completed
for years.
the race and instantly became
Ben began making unhealthy
“hooked” on the sport of triathlon.
personal choices. Disregard for school
But the story doesn’t end there. Nor
soon followed. Despite being elected
did it begin there.
sophomore Class President, Ben’s
grades were plummeting. By second
Dangerous liaisons …
12
“Bob Aley is a cornerstone for
what the community of Saint
Thomas Aquinas is and will
always be built on. His ‘kids’
don’t come to him on a winning
streak; he takes in the weak and
shelters them from the world.
He works with those who are at
risk and brings them back from
the brink. They don’t get credit
or award ceremonies for what to
them is a major milestone. As
adults, these become the strongest
leaders and the true foundation
of what defines community
success. Take a kid that doesn’t
care, has lost hope – show them
a life worth living and save a
soul. Bob Aley has done it onehundred times over. Bob earned
his spot in the long line of great
saints a long time ago, just by
signing up for such a task. They
should be hanging his banner in
the gym.”
- Ben Schloegel
semester of sophomore year, Ben
Schloegel was expelled from Saint
Thomas Aquinas for lack of academic
performance.
At a nearby public high school, Ben
continued making poor decisions
yet stayed in touch with his buddies
at STA. By this time, Ben was an
angry teenager with virtually no self
esteem. His friends at Saint Thomas
Aquinas made it clear to Ben that they
would not condone his behavior nor
participate with him in his chosen
social activities. Yet they stood by
Ben and continued their friendship.
By Christmas of his junior year, Ben
begged to return to STA. Ben’s mom
remembers then-president of the
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
school Blake Mulvany calling her
about a letter he’d received from Ben.
“Mr. Mulvany said he wanted to give
Ben the benefit of the doubt and that
Saint Thomas Aquinas missed him.”
Ben continued to play soccer during
his junior and senior years, but didn’t
have much success. “I had a good
‘engine’ but lacked the footwork,”
he recalls. Ben had friends, but his
lack of self confidence and mounting
strained relationships with his parents
and siblings simply fueled his
negative behaviors.
One very bright spot in Ben’s
life during high school was his
relationship with STA guidance
counselor Bob Aley, who retired
this spring after 45 years in Catholic
education for the Archdiocese of
Kansas City in Kansas. Ben and Mr.
Aley met regularly, and Bob soon
became THE positive, adult influence
that Ben needed. “Mr. Aley respected
me for who I was, encouraged me to
confront my own issues, and allowed
me to see my strengths for myself.”
The next few years would be rocky,
to put it mildly. By the age of 18,
Ben spent a collective few nights in
the hospital and in jail as a result of
his habits. His relationships with his
family, including his little sister who
was also a student at Saint Thomas
Aquinas, became strained because of
his explosive attitude and tendency
to get into trouble. “We were doing
everything we could to try to help
Ben. We just couldn’t reach him,”
Debby recalls.
Immediately following
graduation, Ben moved out
of his parents’ house and
enrolled in culinary school at
Johnson County Community
College. Nine months later,
he dropped out and moved to
California, where he worked
odd construction jobs for his
uncle. He was 19.
A very strong work
ethic…
Schloegel brothers Pete, Ben and Charlie celebrate with
Ben had always been a hard
their sis, Allie Schloegel Dunn, ‘98, on her wedding day.
worker. At the age of 14, Ben’s Allie married Tim Dunn on February 6, 2010.
dad, Jake, took him into the
PB&J Restaurants construction
had pushed away his family and lost a
trailer at the Yia’s Yia’s site on 119th
friend to suicide. He had been at the
& Roe. Ben was hired as a bus boy
bottom of the barrel, including waking
and over the next few years he moved
up in a ditch in Western Kansas,
up the ranks to dish washer, then line
having no idea how he got there.
chef, and eventually into management
Finally, at his own will, Ben attended
for the locally-owned restaurant chain.
his first 12-Step Program meeting. His
Paul Khoury, STA parent and
addictions had consumed him. Not
co-owner of PB&J Restaurants, Inc.,
long after, he committed to himself
fondly remembers Ben’s work ethic
to turn his life around. Ben Schloegel
and personality. “Everyone loved
has been alcohol and drug-free since
working with Ben Schloegel. He was
Memorial Day 1998.
always in a good mood.” Paul laughed,
He’d just completed his first
recalling when Ben would dress up
triathlon in 2001 when his cousin,
in a red bird suit while managing the
Bob, invited Ben to join him on
Red Robin restaurant. “The kids got
Thursdays for regular bike, swim and
the biggest kick out of him…and so
run workouts. They met every week
did we!”
and Ben’s goal was just to keep up
When Ben returned from California with his older, newly-found friend.
to Kansas City in 2000, he went
“The first three years were simply to
directly to Paul to get his job back.
learn all I could from Bob and hold on
He enrolled in the Food & Beverage
for dear, dear life. I can tell you exactly
Management program at JCCC
what that man’s rear profile looks like
and traveled between the various
and what detergent his wife uses!”
restaurant locations
By the end of that summer, Ben
in the Kansas City
competed in his first Half Ironman
area, trouble-shooting
(1.2 mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1 mile
and assisting in daily
run) and signed up for two Ironman
management duties.
races the following year (2.4 mile
swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2 mile run).
He won his age group in the first three
of four Ironman races he competed
in, and set course records at three of
By the age of 20, Ben
Schloegel had endured a them (Wisconsin and Florida, 2002,
lifetime of challenges. He and Coure de’Alene, 2003).
The rest of the
story...
www.aquinascommunity.com
13
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
bikes in the yard – the stakes get much
higher than you can imagine.”
On faith and forgiveness:
“Things and people are certainly capable of
change on the deepest level. We just need the
right guidance and insight into who and what
we are and how it affects those around us.”
Ben decided to become a
professional triathlete in 2006. So
when he’s not running a business or
saving lives, he competes against the
best athletes in the entire world. “I
spent my entire life doing the bare
minimum and just getting by. As a
young adult, I wised up a bit and
learned that it would serve me well to
lose my “edge” and not fight everyone
all the time. It was not until I found
the sport of triathlon that I finally
put myself out there: no fibbing,
no hiding and no excuses. Instead
Still working for PB&J Restaurants,
Ben decided to become a firefighter in
order to have more time for training.
He enrolled in the Johnson County
Fire Academy, finishing a year-and-ahalf later in addition to earning his
EMT license. In 2003, Ben landed his
first job as a firefighter in Leawood,
Kansas, and currently serves Kansas
City, Missouri’s east side at Station 41,
Truck #8, “C” shift.
When asked if he gets scared while
doing his job, Ben responds that
being afraid doesn’t do anyone any
good. “When we (the firefighters)
are working, we have a job to do.
The crew and the people that need
our services count on us to come
through. It isn’t like a sales job, that
if you don’t meet your deadline or
if the goods don’t ship on the right
date, you may have an angry customer
or, worse yet, lose your commission.
When a mother hands you her fivemonth-old baby who isn’t breathing
and looks scared out of her mind,
when you are cutting family out of
a crumpled mess that used to be an
SUV, or when you roll up on a house
in the middle of the night that has
fire and heavy black smoke pouring
from every inch of the eaves with both
cars parked in the driveway and kids’
14
privileges. Even still, the guys at the
firehouse don’t get what it’s like to
train to race against Ironman pros. And
the guys in the pro fields, when they
talk about how they had a bad night’s
sleep or they picked up a little bug
prior to the race, it’s tough not to roll
my eyes.” He quips, “Often times I’ve
been eating firehouse meatloaf or on a
fire for three days straight, breathing in
all sorts of toxic fumes. That’s what my
race week might look like!”
A caring voice of
reason …
Ben Schloegel attributes his ability
to take control of his destiny to Bob
Aley. ...
“When I first met Bob, I denied
that I had any problems or addictions.
But he pegged me. Over the next few
years, Bob never lost faith in me. He
encouraged me and always told me
that despite my challenges, I AM a
good person.”
Bob Aley, Aquinas High School
principal from 1984-1988 and
guidance counselor at Saint Thomas
On dedication:
“What are we committing to? What are we
really getting ourselves into? Decide and train,
race and act like you want to be a part of it,
not just another person who wants to check
off the distance. I am not talking about speed
either. No one cares how fast you go; they care
about how you carry yourself to the finish and
what you leave out there. They respect the
person that overcomes the most, not conquers
the others.”
of running away from who I am, I
embrace who I am. Plus, I can fail
miserably in public and not totally
embarrass myself!”
Reporter Holly Bennett from Inside
Triathlon recently asked Ben how
he manages his various pursuits.
He answered that his two worlds of
fire-fighting and triathlon are very
different. “When I became a fireman
I made the commitment to always give
110 percent and never ask for special
On the heroes of September 11th:
“As much as we could learn about hate and
ignorance, we could learn so much more
about true commitment, heroism, and selfless
dedication to others. Those who went in to
save others regardless of their race, sex, creed or
color, they simply went in and charged against
impossibility because at one of our darkest
hours as humans, the spirit of good shined
brightest in those two buildings. Do not forget
them or what they stood for.”
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Aquinas High School from 19892010, recalls their relationship during
Ben’s high school years. “Ben is such
a lovable guy. When he was asked to
leave Saint Thomas Aquinas, it was a
killer for me emotionally.”
Explains Ben about Bob’s ability
to guide him, “Bob Aley’s realm was
in a world completely apart from the
classroom, and what he tested you on
was your spiritual life and ailments of
a personal nature. He would let you
know you were loved and at the same
time show you, through your own
investigation which he facilitated, how
you could be better and learn to love
yourself a bit.”
Bob respects the real trust that
he and Ben have always had for
each other. He admires Ben’s great
work ethic and his ability to “call a
spade a spade.” Out of the many,
many relationships that Bob still has
with graduates, he thinks that Ben
Schloegel’s life-turnaround has been
the most miraculous and unbelievable
of all. “Ben puts everything he has
into what he does. I admire his good
heart and that he would do anything
for another person in need.”
Ben and Mr. Aley keep in touch and
Bob occasionally asks him to visit oneon-one with students who may benefit
from Ben’s experiences. “I’m not
sure how it happened, but when Ben
was welcomed back to Saint Thomas
Aquinas, it turned out to be a blessing
for us all.”
“To say that Bob Aley has played
a significant role in my life is an
understatement,” says Ben. “It would
be much fairer to say that Bob saved
my life. I was a kid that demanded a
ton of attention. I pushed away every
single person who tried to help me.
Bob was the one person that took the
time to try and figure me out.”
It’s all about family …
On his days off from the fire house,
Ben Schloegel’s training regimen
includes cyberspace sessions with his
coach who lives in Wisconsin. “My
trainer provides a weekly training plan
for me, I download my workout stats
for his review, and we talk regularly by
phone and email.”
His dog, Sammy, a Lab/Sharpee
mix that he rescued from a neglectful
owner, is his best friend -- that is,
besides his mentor, Cousin Bob. He
enjoys a good cup of coffee, sleep,
crossword puzzles, and hanging out
with his girlfriend. Ben also volunteers
for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. “If you
don’t give back, you don’t deserve
what you get.”
Ben has also started a new business
venture with three other coaches,
called “Endurance Management
Group.” He and his partners plan to
enhance the multi-sport community
in Kansas City by attracting triathletes
of all levels and experience, offering
regular group training opportunities
and also sponsor-discounts for
participants.
Ben’s family remains a strong
foundation for him. His siblings are
his best friends; his many cousins have
formed an incredible support system.
Despite their “tough love” by making
Ben accountable for his own actions,
his parents have always been there
for him.
“Without my family I would have
and be nothing. My parents taught me
everything it takes to be a solid athlete
and how to handle success and failure.
My mother has an unlimited source
of energy and never lets me forget the
Ben said a few
words to the
faculty about
Bob Aley and
their relationship
at Bob’s
retirement party.
absolute rule of “balance.” My father
taught me to work harder than anyone
else if I want to be the best at what
I do, to do the job right and back it
with my word. My sister Ali has always
understood the difference between
“right” and “wrong” just as clearly as
black and white. There is definitely
a line and she will not cross it. My
brother Peter reminds me to let go
and be passionate about life and get
everything I can out of it. My youngest
brother Charlie is the most loyal and
dependable person I know. Those five
key traits make for great rules to live
by. I do my best to honor this in each
of my family members in training,
competition and life.
“My dad told us kids years ago, ‘If
you don’t have your family, you’ve got
nothing.’ I have always held that near
to me, and I know that my family and
folks like Bob Aley are THE reason I
was able to turn my life around.”
Ben Schloegel Triathlon Results
Ironman (IM) Overall/Professional
Results
2nd World’s Hardest Half IM 2008
10th IM Wisconsin 2008
11th IM CDA 2008
15th Half IM Steelhead (Michigan) 2008
2nd IM Silverman (Nevada) 2007
7th IM Kentucky 2007
8th IM Wisconsin 2006
3rd US National Half IM Champ. 2005
8th IM CDA 2005
9th IM CDA 2003
Age-Group Results (Amateur)
8th – IM Kona World Championships
(Hawaii) 2005
1st – IM Arizona 2005
1st – IM CDA 2004 (course record)
2nd – IM CDA 2003
1st – IM Florida 2002 (course record)
1st – IM Wisconsin 2002 (course record)
www.aquinascommunity.com
15
Our NEW Football Coach
Meet Mike Thomas
Math teacher, husband/dad/grandpa, and Saints head football coach!
At the beginning of the
season, the success of the
2009 football team was
questionable with the loss
of 43 graduated seniors
who left many spots open
to first-time starters. But
with each win and top
rankings among area
sports writers, the Saints
celebrated the victory with
high hopes for the next
game. The season ended
with a 10-2 record and
a 49-7 loss to GardnerEdgerton in the Kansas
5A sub-state finals.
The leadership of Mike Thomas has
a whole lot to do with the program’s
success. The math teacher and
assistant football coach was asked to
be the interim head football coach
in late summer last year. Parents,
players and assistant coaches were
in agreement that Coach Thomas’s
strong leadership, experience,
intelligence and passion for the game
composed a winning combination. In
January, Mike was officially named
the 2010 head football coach at Saint
Thomas Aquinas High School. We
asked him the following:
What is your background?
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
in 1955 and also lived in Columbus,
Ohio, though most of my life I’ve
lived in Kansas – Fairway, Atchison,
Overland Park and Olathe. My
parents are Ramona and H. Edward,
(deceased), Thomas. I have an
older sister, Luan, and five younger
brothers – Bill, Pat, Ted, Joe and
Paul. I graduated from Bishop Miege
in 1973 where I played four years of
basketball and football. Our team
won the 1972 state championship in
16
Nina and Mike Thomas,
center, with their Saintsalumni children, in-laws
and grandchildren.
Back row, from left:
Andrew, ‘96, Sarah, and
Emma Thomas; Judah,
David, and Julia, ‘00,
Blackford; Mike and Nina
Thomas; Rachelle, ‘98,
Lilly, and Mike Martin.
Front row, from left: Tyler
Thomas; Ashton and Isaac
Blackford; Tommy, Mikey,
Anita, and Ethan Martin.
football my senior year. I also played
football at Benedictine College where
I graduated with a B.S. in Math. I
received my Master’s in Education
from Baker University in 1996. I
married my high school sweetheart,
Nina LaGue, in 1976 and we have
three children: Andrew, ‘96, Rachelle
(Martin), ‘98, and Julia (Blackford),
‘00. We have 12 grandchildren with
another one on the way!
all members of the community. Most
important is for each student to have a
relationship with God.
How many years have you coached and
been a teacher?
Do you have any important lessons you’d
like to share?
I have taught math for 32 years
and coached for 31 years, and started
at Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1988,
the year the new school opened. I
have coached football, boys and girls
basketball and volleyball.
What is your coaching philosophy that
drives your football program?
I am concerned with the whole
student athlete – spiritually, mentally
and physically. I want to help build
character in the athlete to prepare
him to be the best young man he can
be. Our coaching staff’s number-one
goal is to develop Godly men who
are good people at the core, whether
single or married, husbands, fathers –
Who was your mentor(s) or someone you
personally admired?
My head basketball and assistant
football coach in high school – Walt
Tylicki, my head football coach in
high school – Len Molman, and
especially my parents.
Two that stick with me:
1) No matter what situation I’m in,
good or bad, I can learn something
from the experience.
2) In every situation, look to God
for help. When I’ve tried to do things
on my own, it didn’t work very well.
Always turn to God to help figure out
what to do!
What is the most rewarding part of
being a coach?
Watching the players succeed.
Looking at the expressions on the
players’ faces after a big win, and
hearing from former players about
what a great memory they have of
their time here at STA.
Winter Sports Recap
Two alumni involved with presenting
Team-of-the-Week Award
On April 7, prior to
the “Pink Out” game
with St. James to benefit
breast cancer research,
the Saints girls soccer
team was honored as
the Metro Sports -Cable-Dahmer High
School Team of the
Week Award. John
Michaels, ’90, presented
the award to Coach
Craig Ewing on behalf of
Cable Dahmer while Joe
Novacek, ’94, provided
camera coverage.
Winter Sports
Boys Basketball
Season Record: 6-14
League Record: 1-9
EKL Second Team: Joe Downey
Coaches: Sean Reilly (head), Rick Allison, Jim
Halling, Brian White, Jude Gerstner, Chip
Ahern (assistant)
Girls Basketball
Record: 23-2
State: 2nd
League: 10-0 1st Place
Regional/SubState finish – 1st Place
All Sun Country: DaShawn Harden
All Metro: DaShawn Harden (1st team)
All State: DaShawn Harden
Coaches: Rick Hetzel (head), Bob Harbour,
Bill Kolich, Jon Novacek, Justin Wrigley
Top: John Michaels, ’90,
and current Aquinas
parent, presented the
award to the girls soccer
team.
Boys Swimming
Left: Joe Novacek,
’94, covered the award
presentation for Metro
Sports where he is a
producer and on-air
personality.
School Record: Andrew Hovorka, Joe
Hermsen, Ryan Kelly, Phil Grosdidier
– 1:42.93
Coaches: Rick Jenkins (head), Nick Erker
(assistant)
League Record: 3-2
League Finish: 5th Place
State: 5th
Wrestling
Season: 3-3
League: 3rd Place
Regional/Substate: 2nd Place
Coaches: Lorne Parks (head), Clint Slyster,
Tom Williams, Bob Golubski, Phillip
Henes, Kirk Berggren (assistant)
EKL First Team: Tommy Williams, Jake
Walker, Eric Mason
Fall Sports (correction)
Girls Tennis
Once a Saint, always a Saint! The two alumni are invited to get in the picture!
Don’t forget to let us know
when you move!!! Log onto
www.aquinascommunity.com.
STATE CHAMPIONS
League: 2nd Place
Regional: 1st Place
State – 1st Place 5A
5A Singles State Champion -- Nicole Jara
5A Singles State Runner-up -- Natalie Looney
9th at State: Lauren Huddlestun/Adreanne Orlanes
State Qualifiers: Katie Krim, Morgan Hicks
Coaches: David Shriver, Amy Person
www.aquinascommunity.com
17
Miller Family
Christina remains positive through
painful ordeal and counts her blessings
by Kevin Watson, ‘10 (reprinted from The Shield, April 2010)
The power of positive thinking does
more to help the sick and oppressed
than one can imagine. Senior
Christina Miller knows this is true.
She lives each day thanking God for all
of her blessings, and makes a sincere
effort to bring happiness to those she
encounters.
In her 18 years of life, she has had
32 surgeries, countless IV’s, and too
many labs and blood work taken to
count. Christina and her twin sister
Ana were both born prematurely at 26
½ weeks. Christina was also born with
a condition called hydrocephalus. This
condition causes excess cerebrospinal
fluid to collect on the brain because
it doesn’t drain properly. One of her
first surgeries was to put in a shunt
that goes through her ventricles
down through her neck and into her
abdomen where all the excess fluid
is then absorbed. She went almost
11 years without any major health
problems. That healthy streak ended
freshman year.
Christina holding her twin Anastacia
18
Growth to adulthood is
hard on any teenager, but
for Christina it involves
extra difficulties. She has
had to undergo two cranial
expansion surgeries. The
last surgery took place right
before spring break. The
first occurred when she
was only four. During the
surgery, doctors “shaved”
the inside of her skull bone
to expand the space inside
Christina getting haircut before surgery
and allow more room for
her growing brain.
meningitis infection.
“My brain was literally too big for
After all that Christina has gone
my skull,” joked Christina.
through, people are amazed to
She spent 24 consecutive days in
find her so positive and upbeat.
Children’s Mercy Hospital during
She considers her rough times and
February and March 2010. She hid
challenges as a blessing from God.
severe headaches that she began
She accepts God’s blessings and gains
having in early January from her
strength.
family and doctors. She has had
“I try to make the most of these
enough experience from CT scans
blessings, and make life better around
and headaches to know that nothing
me by being positive, because me
can be done until the pain is almost
being negative doesn’t help anything
unbearable. Christina’s pain was first
at all,” Christina said.
discovered when she collapsed and
blacked out.
Christina has drawn on the Saint
Thomas
Aquinas community for
While the rest of the Saint Thomas
strength,
friendship and inspiration.
Aquinas students were enjoying their
extended snow day break from school, Cross country runners, especially, gave
Christina spent the time hospitalized. Christina support.
Only two weeks later, after the
“Cross country taught me a lot
medicine had failed to alleviate her
about being happy during rough
headaches, she had another surgery. A times,” she said. “I couldn’t go
lumbarperitineal shunt was put in her through everything that I have if I
back and wrapped around internally
didn’t try to make the world around
to the end of her ventriperitineal
me better. I am too stubborn to simply
shunt. The rest of this semester has
end up wallowing in self pity.”
been more of the same as Christina
“She is the most energetic person I
was sent home, allowed to return to
know. She is always very positive, full
school, and made many return trips
of energy and life at all times, even
to the hospital for a staph form of
when she was in the hospital,” said
Miller Family
senior Meagan Wilderson. She said
Christina is always herself and admires
how Christina “was having brain
surgery and was so much less dramatic
than people getting their wisdom teeth
pulled out.”
Although Christina has no usable
veins left in her arms or hands due
to scar tissue and constant blood
work, she does have a lifeline of
support at STA. Senior Morgan
Commodore felt driven to help her
classmate and fellow cross country
runner in some way. After tossing
around fundraising ideas with English
teacher Ms. Susan Dillingham and
her mom Mrs. Sheila Commodore,
the three decided to host a bake
sale and a pizza day at Imo’s Pizza at
135th and Quivira. The restaurant
is owned by the Commodore family,
and six of the thirteen employees are
current students or alumni of Saint
Thomas Aquinas. The Commodores
generously agreed to donate 20
percent of the day’s sales to help offset
the Miller’s medical bills.
Mrs. Commodore said that
Morgan and Ms. Dillingham were
instrumental in getting approval and
publicity for the fundraiser going on
very short notice. Dillingham gives
most of the credit to Morgan for
getting things moving. She said that
Christina, “one of our own,” needed
help and that she just helped out
with whatever was needed. This was
the first event of this kind that Imo’s
has sponsored. Mrs. Commodore
said that she had been involved with
other fundraisers “but nothing of
this magnitude!” Approximately one
thousand dollars was raised by the
Saints community during the Imo’s
Pizza Day for the Miller family. “Dr.
Ford gives a great example to the
students,” said Mrs. Commodore.
She said that in her experience
with the Saint Thomas Aquinas
community, “whenever anyone needs
something, everyone just goes with it
and tries to help and they did this in
a tremendous way! The
students and faculty
were amazing!”
The Miller family (2nd row,
Ana, Cathy, Christina,
and 1st row, Elizabeth
and Caterina) moved out
of their home during the
renovation.
Extreme Makeover: Saints and Streaks
Edition
St. Joseph alumnus Hank
Bednar, ‘80, owner of Bednar
Interiors Remodeling and Design
in Shawnee, has spearheaded
a home renovation project for
the Miller family in conjunction
with the “Rebuilding Together
Shawnee.” Hank pushed to have
the Miller home be one of those
scheduled to undergo a facelift
through this community effort. In
reality, the home is experiencing
an “extreme makeover” with
some areas being gutted down to
the studs. Most of the labor and
materials have been donated or
provided at cost.
Single mother Cathy
Nielsen Miller, ‘79, and her
four daughters moved out
of the house and into one
down the street owned by
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Green,
during the construction.
Cathy is in constant contact
with Hank, her fellow St.
Joseph alumnus, and has
been overwhelmed with
the support of the Bednars
and a legion of contractors,
and members of the St.
Joseph and Saint Thomas
Aquinas communities who
have pitched in to help with
fundraisers, dinners, and physical
labor and constant prayers.
Cathy described Saint Thomas
Aquinas president Dr. Ford as “a
guardian angel.”
Cathy’s goal is to host a
graduation party for Christina and
Ana at their remodeled home. It’s
been a long road for the Miller
family to get to the twins’ high
school graduation. It calls for a
celebration!
Watch for renovation pictures
of the Miller home in the next
issue of Saints Spirit!
The Miller home was gutted down to the studs in
the kitchen.
www.aquinascommunity.com
19
CLASS NOTES
Class Notes
1976
Christopher Seago is in his last year of
formation to become a permanent deacon in
spring 2011 for the Archdiocese of Kansas City
in Kansas. In conjunction with St. Meinrad
Seminary, the Archdiocese has been preparing
the very first class of permanent deacons for
the diocese. Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts
degree in Religious Studies from Benedictine
College in 1980 and his Masters degree in
Social Work from the University of Kansas in
1988. He works for the Department of Social
and Rehabilitation Services for the State of
Kansas, licensing Community Mental Health
centers, Psychiatric Residential Treatment
facilities, Residential Care facilities, and
private psychiatric hospitals. Chris and his wife
Julia live in Topeka, Kansas, with their two
daughters, Erica, 25, and Marissa, 17.
1977
Michael Skahan and his wife Julie of
Shawnee, Kansas, welcomed their son Gavin
Quinn Skahan on October 27, 2009, weighing
8 lbs., and measuring 20 inches long. Says
dad, “GQ can’t wait to run the ball for the
Saints as he has grown off-the-charts: 22 lbs.
at six months. I am feeding him anything and
everything to bulk up for those STA two-adays.” Julie has taught in the Shawnee Mission
School District for 10 years and was a Kansas
Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2008. Michael is
a Vice President for iModules Software, Inc.
1992
Evelyn “Berni” Malinowski and her husband
David Krudwig, pictured above right with
Mike Jones live in Kansas City, Missouri, where
his brother Aaron Krudwig, ‘96, enlisted in
Mike is regional sales manager for Field Turf,
the US Marine Corps shortly after graduating
an artificial turf manufacturer. They have two
from Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.
children, Mallory, 24, and Murphy, 21.
He served in active duty from fall 1992 to late
summer 1996.
1980
Sr. Bridget Dickason, OSB, teaches religion
at Bishop LeBlond High School in Atchison,
Kansas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree
in English and Secondary Education from
Benedictine College in 1984, her Master of Arts
degree in Theology from the University of San
Francisco in 1998, and her Master of Education
Administration degree from Benedictine in
2002. Sr. Bridget enjoys fishing in her spare
time.
1981
Vicky Zimmerman Chalstrom and her
husband John live in North Pole, Alaska, where
she is personal-lines insurance supervisor for
Rural Alaska Insurance Agency and John is a
maintenance inspector for the Federal Aviation
Administration. They have two children,
Patrick, 21, and Kathryn, 19.
1990
Paula Krudwig received
her board certification as a
registered nurse in 2005, and
worked in ICU at Research
Medical Center in Kansas
City, Missouri, for four years
before moving to Truman
Medical Center in Independence, Missouri,
where she is currently a surgical nurse.
20
David is currently teaching theater and
drama and is head of the Performing Arts
Department at Parkview High School in
Springfield, Missouri, where he lives with his
wife, Brandy, and their two daughters. Brandy
teaches math in Ozark, Missouri.
Above is the cast and grand staircase from
the Parkview High School production of Annie,
directed by David Krudwig, ‘92. To see other
examples of David’s extraordinary theater
set-designs, go to http://www.phstheatre.org/
productions.html.
Protecting our Planet
Laura Elliott, ‘99, has been working in the environmental office for the US Antarctic
Program (USAP) as a support contractor since early October 2009. The work involves
environmental remediation, compliance, monitoring and education for all aspects of the
US program on the continent. The Antarctic Treaty (1961) and the Antarctic Conservation
Act (1978) mandated protections for Antarctica’s pristine environment. The firm is there to
assist the USAP and National Science Foundation’s grantees doing science on the continent
in complying with their environmental responsibilities. She feels lucky that her job requires
a good deal of traveling and has enabled her to visit Byrd Surface Camp, the South Pole
station, and many field camps in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Prior to this job, she worked as a
hydrogeologist at an environmental consulting firm in Portland.
Left: When the alumni office caught up
with Laura in February, she was traveling
to New Zealand and Australia. She sent
a photo taken at the South Pole on New
Year’s Day, adding, “Yes, there really is a
pole there!”
Below: Laura Elliott poses next to an
Antarctica landmark.
CLASS NOTES
1993
Nicki Werkowitch Merfen and her
husband, Scott, live in Olathe, Kansas, with
their children, John, 6, Patrick, 3, Nicholas, 2,
and Cate, 6 months. Nicki is a full-time mom,
and Scott is an elementary principal for the
Shawnee Mission School District.
Amy Bannister DiGiacomo and her
husband, Carlo, of Kansas City, MO,
welcomed a daughter Lucy Marzia on April
4, 2009. Amy is the Public Relations and
Marketing Manager for Olathe Health System.
Serving his Country
Aaron Krudwig, ‘96, graduated from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, in
2000, with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences in
Wildlife Conservation and Management. He earned his master’s degree in Higher Education
Management and Student Affairs from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, in spring
2003. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 2003.
1995
After completing his Military Occupational Specialty Training at Camp Pendleton, CA,
Aaron was awarded an appointment to Marine Corps Officers Candidate School (OCS) on a
contract for Navy Marine Flight Training. He was commissioned a Marine 2LT in December
2004, and received his Navy Marine flight training wings in July 2007. He received further
training and certification in the Marine CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter – the largest
helicopter in the western hemisphere. At the time he received his wings, Aaron was ranked
academically in the top 10 percent of all current and former Navy Marine pilots.
Dr. Brian Milligan and his wife, Cheri, live
in Rochester, MN with their children Adele
Elizabeth, 2, Robert Allen, 7 months. Brian
will complete his neurosurgical residency at the
Mayo Clinic in June 2011.
Aaron is currently a captain, aircraft commander and section leader based at Marine Corps
Air Station, Miramar, CA. He is on his second deployment to the Middle East, first serving in
Iraq with additional duties as the Logistics Officer in 2008-2009. He has been in Afghanistan
since January 2010 with additional duties as the Administration and Legal Officer for the
squadron.
Dr. Dan Wientzen graduated from
Creighton University in 2000 and earned his
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) from
Des Moines University in 2006. He and his
wife Sara live in Decorah, Iowa, where Dan is
a family physician for the Gundersen-Lutheran
Health System. Dan enjoys soccer, poker and
travel.
Cpt. Aaron Krudwig has received two Strike/Flight Air Medals, NATO Medal, Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
1996
Tom Rohr, his wife Melissa, and their child,
Myles, live in St. Joseph, Missouri, where Tom
is a wholesale parts specialist for Superior
Chevrolet.
John Euston and family welcomed Jeorgia
Delphene Euston on June 17, 2009.
1997
Kara Furst Steele and her husband, Eric,
welcomed their first child, Zoey Elizabeth
Steele, on July 8, 2009.
1998
John McGurk, an attorney at Polsinelli
Shughart in Kansas City, was one of 23
candidates who competed in the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society – Kansas City
Chapter’s 2010 “Man and Woman of the
Year” fundraising campaign. John said the
competition was a lot of work but “the cause
is such a good one, it was a privilege to be
involved with LLS.”
2000
Andrew and Lindsey Mackey Calovich
welcomed their second child, Henry Andrew
Calovich, on April 16, 2010, weighing
7 lbs., 1 oz.
Cpt. Aaron Krudwig, second from left, preparing with his crew for his first deployment as a
Navy Marine pilot. The flag, carried on the mission, was presented to the family of a WWII
Marine pilot. The photo at right is an enhanced image of Cpt. Krudwig.
Jennifer Walters Gardner earned her
nursing degree from Fort Hays State University
in 2005. She and her husband, Tim, were
married on November 29, 2008. They reside in
Lenexa, Kansas.
Melissa live in Fort Carson, Colorado, with
their three children, Reagan, 7, Grant, 5, and
Vincent, 1.
Burton Harding has opened a law office
in Girard, Kansas, 110 miles directly south
of Overland Park near Pittsburg, Kansas. He
earned his J.D. and MBA degrees from the
University of Kansas in spring 2009.
Mindy Sieve is a dietician and Assistant
Director of Patient Services for ARAMARK in
the Carondelet Health System. She earned her
Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science
from Indiana University in 2005, and married
her husband, Brian, in July 2007. Brian is a
financial analyst with Payless Shoe Source. The
couple lives in Shawnee, Kansas.
Michael J. Scaletty, Captain for the
United States Army, was deployed to Iraq
in spring 2010. While in Iraq, he will serve
as the Operational Law and Military Justice
Attorney for the Third Brigade Combat Team
of the Fourth Infantry Division. He will be
training and assisting Iraqi prosecutors in
the prosecution of terrorists. He and his wife
2001
www.aquinascommunity.com
21
Class Notes
2002
2004
Elizabeth Pyle Mortimer is a sales agent
for Reece and Nichols Residential Real Estate
in Shawnee, Kansas. Her husband, Jeff, is a
district sales manager for Monsanto. They live
in Lenexa, Kansas, with their son, Drew, 1.
Hillary Frost
and Bobby Carter
are tying the knot
on October 15,
2010, in Kansas
City. They were
engaged on
November 27,
2009.
2003
Megan Bickimer has been named “Child
Advocate of the Year” by The Sunflower
House, an organization in Shawnee, Kansas,
that prevents child physical and sexual abuse
and provides services for victims and their
families.
Jen with the LLS poster boy of the year,
Ethan Potter
Jennifer Flaspohler is a realtor for
REMAX and was one of 23 candidates for the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Kansas
City Chapter’s 2010 “Man and Woman of the
Year” fundraising competition. This cause has
been particularly close to Jen’s heart since her
cousin, Madeline Pyle, ’08, was diagnosed with
leukemia as a five-year-old kindergartner almost
15 years ago. Several members of Jen’s “team”
who helped her plan events and publicize her
campaign efforts are Saint Thomas Aquinas
graduates. As Jen’s mom Debbie Flaspohler
said, “This speaks volumes about the sense of
giving back that was instilled by STA and the
parents of this group of young adults.”
2005
Eric Barnes is an IT Support Specialist for
Intouch Solutions, a Pharmaceutical Digital
Marketing company in Overland Park, Kansas.
Max Mitchell is an Operation Specialist
Petty Officer third class for the United States
Navy.
2006
Kelsey Gustafson graduated Summa Cum
Laude from the College of St. Benedict in St.
Joseph, MN. She has been invited to join the
national Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Kelsey
will be spending the 2010-11 academic year
teaching English in China.
Aaron Saule
will graduate in
May 2010 from
Lindenwood
University, located
in St. Charles, MO,
with a degree in
Graphic Design
and a minor in
Philosophy. Aaron
plans to attend graduate school at Lindenwood
next fall, coaching the swim team and also
completing his last year of eligibility for Water
Polo.
Christina Saxer graduated from St. Louis
University’s John and Lucy Cook School of
Business this spring with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Business Marketing. After working
for two years at the Clubhouse on Baltimore
(the former Kansas City Club in downtown
Kansas City) and also earning her wedding
coordination certification, Christina has
started her own business, Celebrations of Love
- Weddings and Events by Christine.
Kelsey Jeter and Grace Kueser, friends
from high school both graduated in May
2010 from the University of Arkansas. Kelsey
earned her degree in Dietetics and will be
pursuing her masters at the KU Medical
Center in Nutrition. Grace graduated in
Apparel Studies with a
minor in Marketing and
will be working in the
Design and Development
Department for private
label handbags at Dillards
in Little Rock, Arkansas.
STA alumnus honored as nation’s top
student leader
Caitlyn with the LLS poster girl of the year,
Hailey Johnson.
Caitlyn Meyers received a B.A. in Mass
Communications from Kansas State and
currently works for Major Brands, a premium
beverage distributor in Missouri, as a
promotions manager. She has been with the
company for just over two years. Last summer
she became a first-time home buyer and
resides in Prairie Village. Caitlyn participated
in the 2010 “Man and Woman of the Year”
fundraising competition sponsored by the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of
her uncle, grandfather and other members of
her family fighting cancer.
22
Brent Blazek, ‘05, president of
the Student Alumni Leadership
Board at the University of
Kansas for the 2009-2010 year,
was honored as the nation’s
Outstanding Student Leader
at the national convention for
student alumni programs in
Baltimore last August. The award
was presented by the Council for
the Advancement and Support of
Education (CASE), a professional
organization that oversees
advancement professionals at
thousands of colleges, universities
and independent schools and also guides student programs sponsored by alumni associations.
As a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Board while an undergraduate at the
University of Kansas, Blazek has helped promote events and activities for the KU Alumni
Association and also served as an official student representative for the organization. Brent
earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education this spring, and plans to begin
graduate school in the fall, studying sports management at KU.
In Memoriam
Alumna Honored with “Spirit of Creighton” Award
Marley Doyle, ‘02, and one other student
received the prestigious Spirit of Creighton
Award at Creighton University’s commencement
ceremonies on Saturday, May 15, 2010.
The Spirit of Creighton Award is given annually
to the students who exemplify the best qualities
of the University’s founders. Recipients are
honored for their initiative, enterprise, academic
achievement and outstanding character traits.
Doyle, who served as 2010 medical class
president, has been described by faculty and
students alike as selfless, altruistic, compassionate,
empathetic, and a woman of incomparable
integrity with a tremendous respect for others,
regardless of their socio-economic status. At
Creighton, she became active in the Magis
Clinic, a health clinic established and run by
Creighton medical students for the homeless and
medically underserved. She came to realize that
many indigent people have primary or secondary
psychiatric illnesses, and she went on to found
and direct Magis psychiatry clinics for both
adults and child/adolescents. She also served as
vice president of the Student National Medical
Association for one year, organizing numerous
service events in the Omaha area, including a
health fair and mentoring program.
In 2006, Doyle earned Creighton’s Aesculapian
Award, given annually to one student from each
medical school class for guidance, compassion and
selfless service to the class, the community and
the University. This spring, she was inducted into
the prestigious Gold Humanism Honor Society,
a national honor society that recognizes senior
medical students, residents, physician-teachers
and others for demonstrated excellence in clinical
care, leadership, compassion and dedication to
service. Doyle will pursue a psychiatry residency
at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern
University in Chicago.
In Memoriam
Robert Heidlage, age 72, of Claremore,
Oklahoma, died on February 16, 2010. He is
the brother of Dr. Rebecca Heidlage, Associate
Principal for Academic Affairs at Saint
Thomas Aquinas High School.
David S. Lee, age 61, of Leawood, Kansas,
passed away on February 17, 2010 after a
valiant struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. He is
survived by his wife, Sara Tobin Lee, and his
three children, Maggie Lee, ‘00, Katie Lee, ‘04,
and Mollie Lee, ‘04.
Mildred Nachbar LeCluyse, ‘45, age 82, of
Lenexa, Kansas, passed away on January 26,
2010. She is the wife of Bill LeCluyse, ‘44, and
the mother of John LeCluyse, Geri LeCluyse
John, ‘69, Patty LeCluyse Lutz, ‘72, Mary Beth
LeCluyse Alston, ‘75, and Bill LeCluyse, Jr.,
‘78 (Kendra McMullen LeCluyse, ‘80). She is
also the grandmother of Ellesha LeCluyse, ‘07,
and sister of Mickey Nachbar Zarda, ‘53 (Tom
Zarda, ‘52).
Berniece Beatrice “B” Miller, age 77, of
Kansas City, Kansas, passed away on February
2, 2010. She is the mother of Steven Miller,
‘73, Deb Miller Shackelford, ‘75, David Miller,
‘77, Diane Miller Hydeman, ‘79, and Joseph
Miller, ‘84.
Pamela Anne Soetaert Nelson, ‘64, age
63, of Atlanta, Georgia and Lake Lotawana,
Missouri, passed away on February 28, 2010,
at Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.
She is the sister of alumni Patrick Soetaert,
‘61, Michael Soetaert, ‘66, Thomas Soetaert,
‘68 (Sharon Charlton Soetaert, ‘70), and Judy
Soetaert Geraghty, ‘69.
Tony Nigro, age 85, of Kansas City, Kansas,
passed away on the Feast of St. Joseph, Friday,
March 19, 2010. He is the father of George
(Patty) Nigro, ‘68, Tony (Josephine) Nigro,
‘72, and David (Anita) Nigro, ‘75. He is the
grandfather of Marisa (Nathan) Nigro Frymire,
‘00, Katie Nigro, ‘02, Serena (Brandon) Nigro
Moyer, ‘02, Austin Nigro, ‘04, David Nigro,
‘07, Angie Nigro, ‘08, and also Michael
(Allison) Nigro and John-Paul Nigro. He is
the great- grandfather of Ava Joelle Frymire
and Keegan Moyer, and the brother of Marie
Cascio. Tony was preceded in death by his wife
of 60 years, Lucy Nigro, in 2008.
Francis Oppold, age 91, of Iowa Falls, Iowa,
passed away on January 18, 2010. He is the
father of alumni parent Mark (Kathi) Oppold
and grandfather of Tricia Oppold Vogel, ‘94,
Steven Oppold, ‘97, and Michael Oppold, ‘01.
Henry J. “Hank” Soetaert, age 90, of
Paola, Kansas, passed away at the Sweet Life
in Shawnee on February 20, 2010. He is the
father of alumni of Patrick Soetaert, ‘61,
Pamela Soetaert Nelson, ‘64, Michael Soetaert,
‘66, Thomas Soetaert, ‘68, (Sharon Charlton
Soetaert, ‘70), and Judy Soetaert Geraghty, ‘69.
Carol Dees Tutor, ‘79, age 48, of Chandler,
Texas, passed away on December 3, 2009. A
U.S. Navy veteran, Carol is survived by her
husband, Boyd, and four children, Matthew,
Joseph, Scott and Cindy; her mother Alice
Jean Dees of Lenexa, Kansas, and her siblings,
Clarence Dees, ‘75, of Lenexa, Kansas, Robert
Dees, ‘77, of San Diego, California, Joseph
Dees, ‘80, of Olathe, Kansas, and sister Jean
Ann Eastman, ‘85, of Overland Park, Kansas.
Albert C. VanLeBerg, age 88, of Shawnee,
Kansas, passed away on March 23, 2010.
He is the father of alumni/current parent
Joanne (Taylor) Preston, and grandfather of
Ryan Preston, ‘05, Ben Preston, ‘07, and Sam
Preston, class of 2014.
Helen P. Waggoner, age 86, of Wichita,
Kansas, passed away on February, 21, 2010.
Helen is the mother of parent Tom Waggoner
and grandmother of Kyle Waggoner, ‘07, and
Margaret Waggoner, class of 2011.
www.aquinascommunity.com
23
MEMORIAL PROGRAM
Memorial Program
Book of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance at Saint Thomas Aquinas gives
families the opportunity to permanently memorialize their
deceased loved ones.
Entries may be submitted online at
www.aquinascommunity.com/remembrance or in person by
contacting the STA Office of Advancement at 913.319.2425.
Memorial Mass
The Mass of Remembrance will be held annually in February
around Valentine’s Day, to memorialize deceased loved ones
from the preceding calendar year.
Please contact the STA Office of Advancement at 913.319.2425
to report or update records for the deceased.
Mass Intentions Throughout the Year
Names of the deceased that have been submitted for the
Book of Remembrance before or at the annual Mass of
Remembrance will be included in the next academic year’s AllSchool Mass intentions.
Saints Memorial Fund
There are several ways to memorialize those dear to you. Gifts
may be contributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in
memory of deceased persons, to honor living persons, or to
commemorate anniversaries or other special events. All gifts
are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Gifts in Lieu of Flowers
It may be appropriate to remember a loved one by requesting
that “in lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions
be made to Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.”
Memorial Plaque Gifts
At any time, a gift or series of gifts can be contributed to Saint
Thomas Aquinas High School for the name of the deceased to
be added to the Memorial Wall located in the hall outside the
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Thomas Aquinas
High School.
To have a memorial plaque made and installed, gifts in memory
of a loved one should collectively total $250 or more.
Contributions earmarked for named gifts and endowed
memorial scholarships will also initiate the addition of a plaque
to the Memorial Wall.
24
Named Memorial Gifts
From time to time, specific projects and permanent
items located at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School may
be earmarked for Named Gift opportunities. For more
information, please contact Michon Quick in the Office of
Advancement at 913.319.2437.
Named Endowed Memorial Scholarships
A named memorial scholarship may be set up at Saint Thomas
Aquinas High School through the establishment of a named
endowment fund.
All endowed funds are held by the Catholic Foundation of
Northeast Kansas for Saint Thomas Aquinas High School.
The principal balance of each endowed memorial scholarship
will be held in perpetuity and spent in accordance with
guidelines set up by the donor and approved by the Saint
Thomas Aquinas Board of Trustees.
Funds expended will equal interest proceeds as allocated by
the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas.
The minimum gift amount to establish an endowed memorial
scholarship is $25,000. The principal may be added to at
any time, increasing the annual proceeds-expenditure for
scholarships.
An endowed fund may also be set up as a “pending-endowed”
fund, with an initial gift of $5,000 and the pledge to fully
endow the scholarship over a period of five years.
For more information about setting up an endowed memorial
scholarship, please contact Michon Quick in the Office of
Advancement at 913.319.2437.
Saint Thomas
Aquinas chaplain,
Father Andrew
Strobl, celebrated
Mass during the
second annual Mass
of Remembrance on
February 10, 2010.
Inspiring Messages
From a former parent
who has moved from
the area:
current school and the fact that he
never actually attended STA. Another
endorsement from a happy junior in
high school!
After four years of NOT connecting
with Saint Thomas Aquinas High
School, our phone conversation today
happened to spontaneously spark my
memory as to just how wonderful STA
really is as a high school and I feel like
I need to share that with you.
You have one incredible school
and unfortunately, we sometimes
appreciate things even more when we
don’t have them…Such the case with
STA.
When our family lived in Kansas
City, we absolutely loved Saint
Thomas Aquinas, appreciated the
school and community, and were
quite blessed that our daughter was
so happy in high school (not an
accomplishment we take for granted,
especially during the challenging high
school years).
When we decided to relocate to
another state, our direction/criteria
for our son’s high school experience
was to find the “Aquinas” in our new
community. We found a similar high
school very near to our house, and
we are very happy at the school. Our
son is currently a junior, doing very
well in the academic program, playing
two varsity sports and very blessed
with a great group of friends that has
contributed to a great high school
experience for him (again, not an
accomplishment we take for granted).
However, our family believes Saint
Thomas Aquinas is the gold standard
for a high school experience. Our
daughter, a senior in college, still talks
about STA as the best years of her life.
She has said on numerous occasions
that she would repeat those four years
exactly the same if she could. Wow,
what an endorsement from a very
happy young woman!
Our son still refers to Saint Thomas
Aquinas as THE high school to
attend, despite his happiness at his
I could go on and on as to the
specifics, but I wanted you to take
a moment to reflect on just how
wonderful STA is as a high school.
From the administration and
leadership to All-School Masses,
school spirit, faculty, volunteers,
Extravaganza, first class standards, very
special Chaplain, sports programs,
students, faith, culture, quality of
education, value of the education,
class T-Shirts, pep rallies, retreats, etc…
You have one great school!
You should feel so proud to be
affiliated with such a wonderful school
that has such a lasting impression on
many, many people for their entire
life. I will never forget those four
wonderful years and remain thankful
for the impact STA has made on my
family.
Thank you again.
Tom Millweard
Chief Operating Officer
RAZOR Business Strategy Consultants
Dallas, Texas
Renewing your magazine
subscriptions is now easier than ever
and also a great way to support the
students at Saint Thomas Aquinas
High School! Anytime you see a
magazine you would like to receive at
your home or when your subscription
is about to lapse, simply go to www.
qsp.com, and use school account
#425007423. All profits from the
sale support student extra-curricular
activities, which are an integral part
of each student’s development while
here at Saint Thomas Aquinas. Order
or renew your favorite magazines and
help support the Saints!
Memorial Gift Honors Wife of Santa
Marta Resident
Dr. Ed Hall, right, and his
grandson, James Meyer, STA
sophomore, presented Dr.
Bill Ford with a memorial gift
in honor of Judith Hall, Ed’s
wife and James’s grandma.
Her name will be added to
the Memorial plaque in the
hall outside the Chapel of
the Immaculate Conception.
Dr. Hall lives at the Santa
Marta Retirement community and says with a wink, “I have a telescope on
the parking lot over here to keep an eye on James.”
www.aquinascommunity.com
25
Community Calendar
St. Joseph Class of 1960
50th Reunion
September 10-11, 2010
Friday Evening, September 10, 2010
Casual Get-Together
Beginning 5:30 p.m.
SAINTS Pub & Patio*
9720 Quivira Rd Lenexa, KS 66215
Cash Bar/Open Menu
*Note change in location from the Save-the-Date card!
Saturday Evening, September 11, 2010
Gold Medal Club Pinning & Dinner
Milburn Country Club
7501 W. 69th Street Overland Park, KS 66204
6:30 Cocktail Hour - 7:30 Dinner Buffet
$40 per person; Cash Bar
Please send your check by August 31, 2010 to:
Joyce Beam-Bradshaw
25910 W. 69th Terrace Shawnee, KS 66226
For questions or to RSVP, contact a committe
member below!
Bring photos and memorabilia to share!
Class of 1960 “Lost Alumni”
Donna Alexandar
Richard Cametti
Diane Dunning, Berry
Ronnie Fisher
Barbara Hunt
Thomas Kane
Sandra Mathis
Joan Muszynski
John Paschel
Kathy Senn
Linda Leitner
Gary Atwell
John Connaghan
Russell Elliott
Larry Green
Carol Johnson
George Madden
Marilyn McIntosh
Larry Nusbaum
Rosalia Schege-Gehle
Doris Wright
Ann Marie Lagoski
If you know how to locate any of these alumni,
please contact:
Bob Garrett
bgins@swbell.net
913-631-8269 wk
Joyce Beam-Bradshaw
parkwayre@kcnet.com
913-441-0016 hm
Mike Logan
913-888-9306 hm
Ann Hayes-Blanner
annblanner@mac.com
913-631-8523 hm
Joan Rieke-Brady
jb@reeceandnichols.com
913-307-4000 wk
26
Community
Calendar
See page 26-27 for more complete class-reunion information.
June
25-26� Class of 1975 Reunion
July
23-25� Class of 2000 Reunion
30-31�� Class of 1990 Reunion
31������� Class of 1980 Reunion
August
2�������� Class of 2010 Yearbook Signing & Ice Cream Social
13������ Freshman-Parent Gift Gathering for Extravaganza
14������� Sophomore-Parent Gift Gathering for Extravaganza
17������� First Day of School
20������ Junior-Parent Gift Gathering for Extravaganza
21������� Senior-Parent Gift Gathering for Extravaganza
26������ All-School Mass of the Holy Spirit*
28������ Class of 1970 Reunion
September
1�������� Back-to-School Night
10������� Blue & Gold Kickoff Event
10-11�� Class of 1960 Reunion
16������� Grandparents Day Mass*
October
7�������� Homecoming All-School Mass*
8�������� Homecoming Tailgate & Ftball Game vs. Webb City
8�������� All-Years Alumni Mixer after the Homecoming Game
– Auxiliary Gym (new location)
8-9������ Class of 1955 Reunion
8-9������ Class of 1985 Reunion
31������� Open House
November
1�������� All Saints All-School Mass*
13������ Extravaganza
23������ Thanksgiving All-School Mass*
27������� Class of 2005 Reunion
December
8�������� Feast of the Immaculate Conception*
17������� First Day of Christmas Break
January 2011
4�������� Second Semester Begins
8�������� Placement Test, Class of 2015
22������ Saints Trivia Challenge in the Commons
28������ Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas Mass*
February
9�������� Memorial Mass, 7 p.m. in the Chapel
*All are welcome to attend All-School Masses at Saint Thomas
Aquinas! Please check the school website to confirm the date and
time. Most liturgies begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Gym.
CLASS REUNIONS
Class Reunions – Fives and Tens!
2010 is the year for classes ending
in ZERO (0) or FIVE (5) to have your
class reunion!
Plans are in the works for many of
you. An invitation with final details
and reservation information will
be mailed prior to each event listed
below.
Class of 1970
Class of 1990
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Friday-Saturday, July 30-31, 2010
At Tanner’s Bar & Grill in western
Shawnee.
At Barley’s Brewhaus Private Room in
Shawnee on Friday evening;
Contact/Reservation Information:
Dennis “DJ” Zarda at
dennis.zarda@gmail.com, or Barb Kievlan
Fowler at barbfowler@everestkc.net.
At Brio on the Plaza on Saturday evening.
If you don’t find your class listed
below and would like to organize a gettogether, we can help!
Facebook Search: St. Josephs HS
Shawnee, KS Class of 1970 40th Reunion
Please contact Michon Quick,
Director of Alumni & Constituent
Relations, at mquick@stasaints.net or
913-319-2437 for more information.
Class of 1975
Reunions in Progress:
Class of 1950
Look for photos from the 60-Year
Reunion event – held on May 22-23, 2010
– in the Fall/Winter issue of Saints Spirit!
Class of 1955
Friday - Saturday, October 8-9, 2010.
Homecoming Tailgate/Game/All-Years
Mixer at Saint Thomas Aquinas on Friday
evening;
Contact/Reservation Information:
Stephanie Maxedon Mavek,
smaxedon@sbcglobal.net or 214-597-1962.
Class of 2000
Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
July 23-25, 2010
Friday and Saturday, June 25-26, 2010
At Johnny’s Tavern in Shawnee on Friday
evening;
At Lake Quivira Country Club on
Saturday evening.
At the Back Room at the Levee on Friday
evening;
At Saint Thomas Aquinas High School on
Saturday evening;
At Shawnee Mission Park on Sunday.
At Contact/Reservation Information:
David Spieker, 913-962-5243 or
dspieker@kc.rr.com, or
Kathy Regan Dorman, 913-706-0867 or
Kathy.Dorman@gmail.com.
Facebook Search: St. Joseph Shawnee
Class of ‘75
Reservations: by JULY 9, 2010, to
stareunion00@gmail.com.
Contact for information:
Lindsey Mackey Calovich,
lindsey.calovich@gmail.com or
913-710-0405, or Liz Kisthardt Samples,
elizabethksamples@gmail.com or
913-219-1422.
Class of 1980
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Class of 2005
At Barley’s Brewhaus Private Room in
Shawnee.
November 26-27, 2010 (Thanksgiving
Weekend) in the Kansas City area;
Contact/Reservation Information:
Marianne Blake at 916-351-5945 or
maablake@att.net, or Ted Horning at
TEDFH@aol.com.
Contact/Reservation Information: Dan
Pflumm at 913-631-6203 or
dpflumm@dancosystems.com, or
Julie Soetaert King at 913-631-9284 or
jking@archkckcs.org.
More information to follow.
Class of 1960 Golden
Anniversary!
Class of 1985
Saturday plans to be determined.
Friday and Saturday,
September 10-11, 2010
see Page 26 for details
Friday - Saturday, October 8-9, 2010
Homecoming Game/All-Years Mixer at
Saint Thomas Aquinas on Friday evening;
Saturday plans to be determined.
Regularly visit
www.aquinascommunity.com
for Class Reunion updates!
Contact/Reservation Information:
Laura Cindrich Foote, cindrichL@hawks.
rockhurst.edu.
Contact/Reservation Information:
Pat Regan,
pregan@cbregan.com or
913-226-0110.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Don’t forget to let us know
when you move!!! Log onto
www.aquinascommunity.com.
www.aquinascommunity.com
27
Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
11411 Pflumm Road
Overland Park, Kansas 66215-4816
Saints on Facebook
For the Official page, search:
“Saint Thomas Aquinas
Alumni - Overland Park,
KS” (organization)
Individual class-years may want to set up individual Facebook
Group pages to communicate with classmates. Let us know
if you would like to create a link from the official Saint
Thomas Aquinas page to your site! (Contact Bryan Thrasher at
bthrasher@stasaints.net)
You may also want to check out the alumni
community site at www.aquinascommunity.com.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SHAWNEE MISSION, KANSAS
PERMIT NO. 22