A Publication of the CATHOLIC MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Community
Crusader
Chronicles
blu 293
yelo 116
WINTER 2016
excellence trust
Caritas in Omnibus
RESPECT
IN this ISSUE
Alumni Class Notes
Events Calendar
Upcoming Reunions
Legacy Dinner Alumni Awards
Scrima Scholarship
Campaign Update
INCLUSIVENESS
FAITH
MEMORIAL
professionalism
Events Calendar
CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS
PERFORMANCES
JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6, 2016
National Catholic Schools Week
FEBRUARY 12-14, 19-21, 25-28, 2016
Hello Dolly Musical
FEBRUARY 4, 2016
Innovation Wing Ribbon Cutting and
Open House
APRIL 27-MAY 1, 2016
Spring Play
FEBRUARY 19, 2016
CMH Drama Alumni Reception
MAY 10, 2016
Jazz Ensemble, Blues Band and
Show Choir Concert
MARCH 5, 2016
35th Annual Crusader Auction
MAY 12-13, 2016
CMH Student Art Show
APRIL 20-22, 2016
Senior Retreat
MAY 14, 2016
Chorale, Chamber Orchestra and
Concert Band Concert
APRIL 27, 2016
Project Lead the Way Student
Presentations
MAY 18, 2016
Band and Choir Spring Concert
MAY 13, 2016
Celebrating Lives of Service Mass and
Luncheon
MAY 29, 2016
Commencement
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
JUNE 5-11, 2016
Catholic Heart Workcamp
JUNE 13, 2016
28th Annual Crusader Golf Outing
The CMH Athletic Hall of Fame honors outstanding
athletes, coaches, managers, and other individuals
who have made contributions to the winning tradition
of the CMH Crusaders. More information and criteria,
along with a nomination form can be found at:
CATHOLICMEMORIAL.NET/ALUMNI/NEW-HALL-OF-FAME-INFO.ASPX
UPCOMING REUNIONS
For updates and information on reunions and planning for the classes
below, please contact Karri Duerwachter at [email protected].
1956 60 yrs.
1961 55 yrs.
1966 50 yrs.
1971 45 yrs.
2
1976 40 yrs.
1981 35 yrs.
1986 30 yrs.
1991 25 yrs.
1996 20 yrs.
2001 15 yrs.
2006 10 yrs.
2011 5 yrs.
Nancy Kaminski Keller, Anna Dorff
Duerwachter, and Lisa Youngers
from the Class of 1985 reunion
For updates and complete information on CMH events, please visit www.catholicmemorial.net.
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Catholic Memorial Family:
2015-2016 CMH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William West ‘79, Chairman
Ann Marie Wick ‘88, Chair Elect/Treasurer
Thomas Taugher ‘79, Secretary
Michael Grubich, HR Chair
Rev. Mark Brandl
Marcy Hinkes Dunlap ‘76
Dr. William Henk
Dr. Paul McInerny
Mark Mirsberger
Susan Nelson
Randy North ‘84
Dolores Ocampo Brown ‘95
Rev. Ken Omernick
Kelly Cleary-Rebholz
Shawn Reilly ‘79
Rev. Dave Reith
Stephanie Riesch-Knapp ‘01
Rev. Tony Zimmer
Happy New Year! CMH alumni are part of a great legacy of
over 11,000 graduates spread throughout the world. As we
begin a new calendar year and a new semester at CMH, I
am happy to share with you a new means of communication
for our CMH alumni family. Crusader Chronicles has been
created to share alumni news and to spotlight the stories of
our alumni who have taken the CMH values, The Memorial
Way, into their professions and communities as they serve
the Church and the world. I hope you are as proud as I am
to call yourself a member of the Crusader family! We are a
family of faith, shared values, and unparalleled
accomplishments.
As you embark on a new year, I pray that you feel the
excitement and anticipation for all that will happen in 2016.
Please keep our students, faculty and staff, and the entire
CMH family in your prayers. If you have not been back to
visit recently, please know that you are always welcome. We
hope to see you soon!
Our Lady of Memorial, pray for us!
ADMINISTRATION
Very Rev. Paul B. R. Hartmann ‘84, President
Dr. Robert Hall, Principal
Dawn Keller, Director of Finance
and Business Administration
Jessica Karis Mulligan, Director of Development
Julie Lindahl ‘91, Director of Admissions
and Recruitment
Steve Plechaty ‘74, Dean of Students
Greg Gamalski, Director of Athletics
Very Reverend Paul B. R. Hartmann, ‘84
President
Jon Brzeski ‘99, Director of Campus Ministry
Contact the Development Office to help stop
duplicate and undeliverable mail by updating your
address. Your help is appreciated.
601 E College Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186
www.catholicmemorial.net
262-542-7101
Printed by Crossmark Graphics
www.facebook.com/CatholicMemorialHighSchool
www.twitter.com/CMHCrusaders
[email protected]
Articles written by Michael Popke ‘86 of Two Lakes Media Group
3
Alumni Class Notes
SAM LUKACH ‘14 won first place at the
CEO national conference in Kansas City,
Mo., for his HUK TV Mounts business in
December 2015. The junior at UWWhitewater finished in the top three in the
nation at a competition in Chicago and
took
home a
$2,000
prize.
Daymond
John
from the
TV show
Shark
Tank was
one of
the judges.
JENNIFER MURPHY ‘04 married Michael
Galinski of Chicago on June 6, 2015.
DR. KATIE KRUEGER SAM ‘97 announced
the opening of her office Waukesha Family
Chiropractic.
ALEC ALDRED ‘12 performed in two
ensembles that won the Undergraduate
awards at the 2015 Downbeat Student
Musicians Awards.
PATRICK REILLY ‘97
spent four months
on a 4,000-mile,
cross-country
bicycle trip to raise
$8,000 for the Bryon
Riesch Paralysis
Foundation,
inspired by his
friend BRYON RIESCH ‘97, who is
paralyzed from the chest down. The
organization has made a tremendous
impact on the lives of thousands of
individuals affected by paralysis and
supports the latest medical research with
the goal of finding a cure.
MICHAEL SENGLAUB ‘10 was admitted to
St. Francis de Sales Seminary to begin
formation for the priesthood. Please keep
Michael in your prayers!
TONY MILAZZO ‘93 now owns eight
Culver’s franchise restaurants in Wisconsin
and Illinois; his newest one opened in late
2015.
JEFF CONDIT ‘09 took first place in his age TOM HRUZ ‘91 was appointed a Wisconsin
State Appellate Judge by Governor Scott
division in the Ironman Competition in
Walker on July 21, 2014. Hruz joins fellow
Mukoka Canada in September 2015.
CMH graduates PAUL REILLY ‘80 and
MARA FLECKENSTEIN ‘09 and WES
MARK GUNDRUM ‘88, who currently serve
STASIK ‘09 were married in September
as judges at the Appellate level.
2015.
MIKE GOTZLER ‘89 launched a new
DAYTON YOUNG ‘08 and NATALIE
employment and human resources law firm
WALSH ‘08 celebrated their wedding in
named Clark & Gotzler in Waukesha and
September 2015.
Madison, with Jane Clark.
JULIA LEWIS LEE ‘06 published her book,
Seven Stones.
LAURA DAMON ‘05 married Ryan Hanson
of Wauwatosa on
September 27,
2014.
JASON
GROSSKREUTZ ‘05
married
Ashley Hahn of
Waukesha on
September 26, 2015
at St. John Vianney in Brookfield.
DEAN BELLANTI ‘86 and his wife Carry
welcomed their third daughter Nicole on
April 22, 2015. Dean is also a Social
Studies teacher at CMH and the Head
Boys’ Basketball Coach.
SARAH FISH ‘86 co-authored the published
article, The Development of Antonym
Knowledge in American Sign Language
(ASL) and Its Relationship to Reading
Comprehension in English in November
2014.
KIM CEILLE DANDREA ‘82 made All
American for the USA Triathlon in her age
group in 2014 and joined M3 Insurance in
March 2015.
BARB ENGSTROM FLUDER ‘60 and her
husband, Robert celebrated their 51st
wedding anniversary June 20, 2015.
TELL US YOUR NEWS
Keep us posted on the exciting
things happening in your life!
Job offers, engagements,
weddings, anniversaries,
accomplishments...anything
you’re proud of! We’ll share your
news in future issues. We love
pictures, too; send them to
[email protected].
UPDATE YOUR INFO
Keeping your alumni information
up-to-date means you get the
most recent publications,
invitations, and news from your
alma mater. Contact information
is not shared or published
without your consent. To update
your info, go to the website at
the bottom of this page and fill
out the form.
ALUMNI CONTACT
Karri Duerwachter,
Alumni Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
262-542-7101 ext. 564
CATHOLICMEMORIAL.NET/ALUMNI/TELL-US.ASPX
4
In Memoriam
October 2014 - December 2015
We prayerfully remember all those in
the Catholic Memorial community who
have passed away.
Frederick P. Beckmann ‘56
John P. Beres, Sr., father of Therese Zivney ‘71,
John Jr. ‘72, Maureen Pohle ‘75, Steve ‘78, Patti
Kaye ‘80, Vince ‘81, Monica Jennaro ‘83, Pauline
Rosecky ‘87, and Chris ‘89, father-in-law of Chris
Rosecky ‘88, grandfather of David ‘04, Patti ‘05,
and Amanda Pohle ‘09, Thomas ‘14 and Sarah
Rosecky ‘16, Vincent Jennaro ‘16, Josephine Beres
‘18, and uncle of Dawn Keller, current CMH staff
Myla Burgett, infant daughter of Amy Thompson
Burgett ‘00
Irene G. Galecki, mother of Mary Kral ‘76, Michael
‘78, Kathy Williamson ‘79, Anne Scherwinski ‘80,
and Russ ‘85, mother-in-law of Chuck Scherwinski
‘80, and grandmother of Andy ‘02 and Britney
Scherwinski ‘06, Moriah ‘09, and Nora Kral ‘12
Patricia “Pat” Garrot, former CMH faculty ‘76-’03
Paul Gehred ‘75, brother of Michael ‘74, Anne
Gehred-Schultz ‘76, John ‘78, Clare Matranga ‘79,
James ‘81, Beth ‘83, Meg Matranga ‘85, and Bob
‘90
Thomas Glancey, grandfather of Matthew Waite
‘04, Katie Krebsbach ‘06, TJ Waite ‘07, and Sean
Waite ‘11
Thomas M. Greisinger ‘85, brother of Tim W.
Greisinger ‘84 and Susan Brown ‘88
Raymond “Ray” Prossen, father of Gregg ‘76,
Kristin Mullin ‘78, and Scott ‘81, and father-in-law of
Maureen Wegner Prossen ‘81
Mary A. Pytlik, mother of Alex ‘07, Christian ‘10,
and Claire ‘13
Wayne A. Radabaugh, father of Mary “Beth” ‘94
John A. Rankin, father of Sharon Cook ‘80 and Jim
‘81, and father-in-law of Jennifer Dable Rankin ‘84
John G. Reuteman, father of Cindi Vetter ‘66, Terry
Johnston ‘66, and father-in-law to John Wolak ‘76
Dick Richards, grandfather of Greg ‘05, and Brian
Richards ‘10, and Whitney ‘11, and Haley Zahn ‘14.
Michael Riesch ‘05, brother
of Jack ‘96, Bryon ‘97, and
Stephanie Riesch-Knapp ‘01,
and brother-in-law of Daniel
Knapp ‘97, and Katie Warns
Riesch ‘98
Dan Campbell, father of John ‘14
Marciele J. Gresch, mother of John A. Gresch, Jr.
‘71
John D. Ceille, father of Kim Dandrea ‘82, Kaye
‘84, and Kelle Ketchum ‘86
Bernard “Bernie” Gruenke, father of Heidi Emery
‘83, and Gunar ‘86
Cecelia “Celia” Chudzik, mother of Jerome ‘60,
mother-in-law of Jennie Lynn Swyer Chudzik ‘60,
grandmother of Eric ‘83, Jennifer Smith ‘84, Bridget
Boyle ‘87, Chris ‘91, and Laura Geisler ‘94
Theresa Hanlon, sister of Kathy Hanlon Sampon
and sister-in-law of Michael Sampon, current CMH
faculty members, aunt of Shelly ‘91 and Matthew
‘97
Joseph Sage, grandfather of
John ‘83, Robert ‘85, Daniel
‘98, Susanne Wypasek ‘93, and Thomas ‘04
Patricia A. “Patty” Cleppe ‘77, daughter of Louise
Cleppe, former CMH staff, and sister of Kenneth
‘74, and David ‘76
Ronald H. Hannegiesser, father of Gary ‘67
Mary E. Sager, wife of Michael Sager, former CMH
employee
Joan V. Dergin, mother of Mary Bichanich ‘73,
Donna West ‘75, Mark ‘77, mother-in-law of John
West ‘75, and Renee Andres Dergin ‘80, and
grandmother of Jordan ‘99, Mike ‘02, Sarah Briggs
‘03, Rachel ‘05, and Anna Bichanich ‘08
Richard Kormanik ‘86, brother of Karen Klug ‘89,
and Ellen ‘90
Jane Pankratz Dewar ‘62, cousin of Mary Pankratz
Hess ‘62
Elise C. Kubiak, mother of Chuck ‘84 and Laura ‘88, Mary Thomas, great-grandmother of Brandon
Jackson ‘15
mother-in-law of Karen Shay-Kubiak ‘85
Philip J. “Doc” Dougherty, M.D., grandfather of
Mary Kate ‘13
Salvatore Dragotta, grandfather of Jack ‘17 and
Francesca Lambie ‘19
Robert A. Einweck, father of Charlotte Brunner
‘74, Robert ‘77, and Michael ‘80
Rev. Paul Esser, former CMH faculty ‘61-’68
Frances Fedyczkowski, mother of Louise
Fedyczkowski Stone ‘74, and Carl ‘66, mother-inlaw of Nancy Neuser Fenwick ‘67, and grandmother
of Kaitlin Stone ‘07
Krystina A. Finn ‘07, sister of Serai Schueller ‘00,
Michael ‘02, Bridget ‘03, Molly ‘05, and Tyler ‘12
Harry Fischer, father of Susan Ritchie, current CMH
staff
Susan Fricano, mother of Joe Fricano, current CMH
faculty
Ann Atkinson Huggett ‘56
Evelyn Kreidler, mother of JoAnn Presta ‘68, John
‘69, Janis Rodden ‘72, James ‘76, and Jean Wolf
‘77
Elizabeth “Betty” Kuemmel, mother of Daniel ‘66,
Tom ‘73, Mary Petrie ‘76 and current CMH faculty,
Ted ‘70, mother-in-law of Mary Pagano Kuemmel
‘70, and grandmother of Angela ‘00, Rebecca Perry
‘03, Katie Powell ‘08, and Timothy ‘02, Steve ‘05,
Robert ‘08, and Laura Petrie ‘11
Sheila E. Lavin, mother of Timothy ‘72, Maggie
Ryan ‘76, Michael ‘79, and Katie Kelly ‘84, and
grandmother of Ryan Kelly ‘19
Michael Ronan ‘68
Patrick Schrader ‘64, brother of Tom ‘63, and
brother-in-law of Mary Alice Anheuser Schrader ‘63
Edwin Sienkiewicz, father of Ellen Greb ‘76
Zachary Sprader, grandson of Annette Werra
Sprader ‘65
Richard “Dick” Weinfurt, brother of Greg ‘63, and
grandfather of Joseph ‘09, Jamie ‘13, and Jenna
‘19
Henry Wengelewski, grandfather of Sarah Helton
‘03, Laura McGaver ‘05, Matthew ‘13, and Hannah
Petre ‘15, and Zachery ‘07, Jessica ‘10, and Valerie
Zanotelli ‘15
Regina “Jeanne” Weiss, mother of Jennifer
Zenzick ‘92, and Michael ‘96
Phillip “Phil” E. Lefebvre, father of Barbara Wolff
‘78, Mark ‘80, Kathy Everly ‘82 and Theresa Worrall
‘86
Charles C. Young, father of Daniel ‘78 and James
‘81
Ruth and John Leising, parents of Sue Lehsten,
current CMH parent and staff member, and
grandparents of Lauren Lehsten ‘17
Victor L. Young, father of Gregory ‘77, James ‘78,
Tom ‘80 and current CMH faculty, Daniel ‘85, Dave
‘86, and Mary Beth Lewis ‘90, and grandfather of
Kathryn ‘02 and David Dehli-Young ‘05
Ronald J. and Constance J. “Connie” Prahl,
father- and mother-in-law of Tom Taugher ‘79 and
grandparents of Lauren ‘06, Leah ‘08, Ryan ‘12,
Marissa ‘15, and Kelsey Taugher ‘18, and Matthew
‘16 and Miranda Prahl ‘18
Please notify CMH of the death of any alumni by
emailing [email protected]. We
apologize for any errors or omissions that occur in
this In Memoriam section.
5
Friends of Catholic Memorial shine a light on our mission to educate,
guide and prepare leaders who serve the Church and the world.
On November 11, 2015, Catholic Memorial High School held
its biennial Legacy Dinner at Country Springs Hotel in
Pewaukee to celebrate alumni and friends of the school who
exemplify and sustain the CMH Mission.
What is The Memorial Way? CMH students, staff, parents and
alumni strive to live daily by eight core values: faith, trust,
respect, inclusiveness, excellence, caritas in omnibus,
professionalism and memorial. At CMH, we educate students
as individuals, both intellectually and spiritually. We guide
students to work to their highest God-given potential, and we
prepare them for post-secondary education and to become
leaders who serve the Church and the world.
Proceeds from the 2015 Legacy Dinner provide a portion of
the $700,000 awarded to 20% of CMH students who
demonstrate financial need. A most gracious thank you goes
out to our generous sponsors and the guests who attended
the event to honor alumni leaders of CMH.
Articles by Michael Popke ‘86
Serve the World
DEBRA BEHRING SCHNEIDER
Caritas Service Award
Some friendships formed in high school last a
lifetime. In the case of Debra Behring Schneider
and her Catholic Memorial High School classmate
Ellen Campbell, that friendship formed the basis
of a career spent improving the educational
opportunities for students with special needs.
’79
While Deb knew the professional path she wanted
to follow after high school, she also took full
advantage of her years at CMH. “I was on student
council, and one of my favorite memories is when
we were given the green light to plan Homecoming
Week,” she said, adding that at the time festivities
included a lunchtime cookout, a bonfire and
In the 1970s, Ellen’s little brother, Dan—now building a parade float with a dragon that breathed
53-years-old and an artist—was one of the first real smoke. “It’s amazing what we were able to do
students with Down Syndrome to be integrated that week. There are so many good memories.”
into a traditional classroom at Waukesha North
High School. “Ellen’s family fought for inclusion As one of six Behring girls to graduate from
for Dan, and the family has stayed an important Catholic Memorial, Deb understands the value of
part of my life,” Deb said. “Ellen’s mom became a Catholic education and the important role it
my mentor and showed me that ‘special needs’ plays in shaping young lives. That’s why she and
does not mean ‘useless to society.’”
her husband, Brian, sent their two sons, Jacob ‘05
and Benjamin ‘09, to CMH.
That reality became even clearer when, during her
senior year as part of a work-study class at Catholic Deb also has watched some of her students from
Memorial, Deb volunteered in a special-needs St. Paul, and other schools in the area, go on to
classroom at Randall Elementary School in enjoy successful high school careers at Catholic
Waukesha.
Memorial.
“I just knew I was going to be someone who helped kids,”
she said. “It’s all I ever wanted to do.”
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin–
Whitewater in 1982, Deb set up the first earlychildhood special-needs classroom in Brillion, Wis.
For the past 15 years, she’s worked as a tutor at St.
Paul Catholic School in Genesee Depot, using the
phonics-based Orton-Gillingham method to help
children become better readers.
6
“I believe in Catholic education from the bottom
of my feet to the top of my head, and if we’re
going to keep kids in Catholic schools, we need to
provide these services,” she said about her work
with special-needs students. “Catholic Memorial
does an incredible job making sure kids learn
according to their learning style. My proudest
accomplishments are my past and present
students who continue to flourish under the loving
care of the staff at CMH. Watching them become
young adults brings me such joy.”
Debra Behring Schneider ‘79, Molly Finn ‘05, Marie Smith O’Brien ‘80, Mary and Art Stout AP ‘03,
‘06, ‘11 at the Legacy Dinner on November 11, 2015.
MARIE SMITH O’BRIEN
Professional Achievement Award
Just about every intangible Marie Smith O’Brien
needed to successfully run a business—including
time management, diplomacy, political savvy and
financial responsibility—she learned at Catholic
Memorial High School.
Marie and her four siblings paid their own tuition
by working at such, now long-gone, establishments
as Burger Chef and Gimbels rather than attend
Brookfield East High School. “In my mind, there
really was no choice,” said Marie, who participated
in cheerleading, choir, forensics, Latin Club,
Madrigal Singers, Pep Club, drama and student
council at CMH—culminating in her term as senior
class president.
In addition to receiving CMH’s Alumni Award for
Professional Achievement, Marie has been
honored as one of the Milwaukee Business
Journal’s 2014 Women of Influence and won the
2012 Madonna Award for Professional Excellence
from Mount Mary University.
She attributes much of her success to her
experience at Catholic Memorial. In fact, one
example of the determination and self-discipline
that guided Marie later in life can be traced back
to her freshman year at CMH. “I wanted to be a
cheerleader, because that involved athletics and
teamwork,” she said, explaining how she put
herself on a rigid physical training and eating
program to become one of 10 girls (chosen from
100) to be on that year’s squad. “I love football, so
it was really important for me to be a cheerleader.
That gave me the experience of being on a team,
being a leader and making a difference outside of
the classroom.”
’80
Marie battled health issues shortly after graduating
from CMH, but she didn’t let a series of surgeries
over the next decade deter her from pursuing a
degree
in
business
and
professional
communication—which she ultimately attained in
2008 from Mount Mary University. While
completing her degree, Marie co-developed Another part of her CMH experience involved a
Management Alliance Programs, Inc. (MAP), a deepening of Marie’s faith—a strength she called
workforce solutions company.
upon often when battling cancer. “I wasn’t in
control, so I needed faith,” she said.
Today, she is a 20-year breast cancer survivor and
president/chief executive officer of Enterforce,
Inc., a Milwaukee-based workforce management “We’re all on a journey, and our interactions at every step
firm founded by Marie in 2001. Seven years later, of that journey determine our destination. My destination
Entrepreneur magazine ranked Enterforce among
was determined by the foundation established at Catholic
the top five “fastest-growing women-led
companies in North America.” Marie’s brother, Memorial. There’s nothing like it.”
Ron Smith ‘84, is a vice president at Enterforce.
7
Mary and Art Stout with their daughters,
Maria ‘11, Cathy ‘03 and Monica ‘06
ART AND MARY STOUT
Memorial Award
Alumni
Parents
’03, ’06, ’11
Art Stout still remembers the words he spoke one “Art was the keeper of the keys for over ten years,
night in 2002 that changed his life.
and there was not a show that his hand didn’t have
a part in,” Andacht said. “Mary, through [CMH’s]
He picked up his oldest daughter, Cathy, from play Friends of the Arts, made positive changes in our
practice, took one look at the still-under- ability to serve our kids. The success achieved in
construction set and offered his services: “Looks our program is, in many ways, a direct result of
like you could use some help.”
their involvement, passion and willingness to share
With that statement, Art and his wife, Mary’s, their gifts.”
names became nearly as synonymous with Catholic
Memorial’s drama department as longtime drama
director “Chris Andacht.” While Art worked
behind the scenes constructing sets, building a
tech booth, remodeling the costume room and
helping out with lights, Mary served as cast
supervisor, costume shopper and ticket-sales
assistant.
Collectively, the couple (which did not attend
Catholic Memorial and had no prior drama-related
experience) has dedicated countless volunteer
hours since 2002 assisting with 10 musicals, four
summer plays, seven one-act plays, seven spring
plays and six of the school’s Sticky Rhinoceros
youth-improvisational performances. Art even
made a cameo appearance as a cop in 2006’s
production of “Wonderful Town.”
“Drama was not a tradition in our family,” Mary
said. “This came out of the clear blue.” Sometimes
that’s how the best things in life happen.
8
Each of the Stouts’ daughters played a valuable
role in the school’s drama program, too. Cathy ’03
worked behind the scenes as stage manager, and
Monica ’06 and Maria ’11 played leading ladies in
many memorable productions, including “Guys
and Dolls,” “The Importance of Being Earnest”
and “State Fair.”
The Stouts live in Pewaukee and could have sent
their daughters to Arrowhead High School instead
of Catholic Memorial, but they were impressed by
the post-secondary graduation rates of CMH
alumni and never regretted their Catholic
Memorial decision. “We would not have wanted
to do things any differently,” Art said.
All three Stout girls went on to graduate from
Marquette University and work in fields outside of
the performing arts. But Art and Mary keep going.
He still works on sets and lights, and she helps out
when needed. “It’s still fun,” Art said. “I don’t see
a reason to stop doing this.”
Legacy Dinner videos on CMH’s YouTube page.
Search “Catholic Memorial High School.”
The Finn Family: (back row) Molly ‘05, Tyler ‘12, Michael ‘02,
Mike, Mary, (front row) Krystina ‘07, Skye Schueller, Bridget ‘03,
Scott Schueller holding baby Brecken, and Serai Schueller ‘00.
KRYSTINA FINN
“it was love”
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
For someone who died so young, Krystina Finn
lived as full a life as possible. Upon graduating
from Catholic Memorial in 2007, she merged her
love of art, travel and architecture into a global
venture that’s still making an impact today.
local materials, and proceeds help improve
nutrition, education and health programs in the
Kipsongo community.
Around the same time she established The
Kipsongo Project, Krystina was diagnosed with a
rare atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT),
which initially began in her lower spine but quickly
spread to her upper spine, arms and brain. “She
never used that as an excuse and never lost hope,”
Molly said. “She still did everything she could
every day. She pushed through a lot.”
“Krystina had a knack for doing what she loved,”
said her older sister, Molly Finn ’05, who accepted
Krystina’s 2015 Distinguished Young Alumni
Award, given posthumously at the CMH Legacy
Dinner in November. “The confidence she gained
from Catholic Memorial to do that is important to
note. CMH definitely contributed to her exploring
All told, six Finn children attended Catholic
and experimenting in art and travel.”
Memorial, and Molly has fond memories of
Molly cites longtime (and soon-to-be-retiring) art carpooling from Pewaukee with Krystina and other
teachers Mike and Kathy Hanlon Sampon as major classmates. “We would often be late to school,
influences in Krystina’s love of oil painting, and Krystina would always make up stories about
sculpture and photography—which eventually why we were late,” Molly laughed.
translated into architecture and inspired her
postgraduate studies at the Universities of When she needed to be, though, Krystina could
be serious. During hospital stays, it wasn’t
Minnesota and Colorado.
uncommon for her to work on construction plans
Similarly, a French Club trip to France during for a watering system in Rwanda or brainstorm
Krystina’s junior year at CMH marked her first new products for The Kipsongo Project. She even
experience abroad and led to many more. “Once schooled the hospital staff in ways to reduce the
she went to France, she wanted to go everywhere,” amount of waste the facility generated.
Molly said, estimating that her sister visited more
Krystina passed away Dec. 6, 2014, at age 25. But
than 20 countries.
her impact—and The Kipsongo Project—live on.
While in Kenya in 2012, Krystina co-founded The The Finn family hosts an annual 5K run/walk for
Kipsongo Project, a nonprofit organization that the organization, and in 2015, the event attracted
builds long-term and sustainable living situations a record 400 participants, including many CMH
for residents of the Kipsongo Slum. They design alumni, and raised $30,000.
and make jewelry, home goods and clothing using
’07
“If Krystina left one thing behind,” Molly said, “it was love.”
THE KIPSONGO PROJECT
www.thekipsongoproject.org
9
ROSE & LOUIS
SCRIMA
SCHOLARSHIP
by Michael Popke ‘86
Leave a Legacy
Jim Scrima ‘61 with his current Scrima Scholarship
recipients, (left to right) Samuel Kramer ’18,
Josef Oechsner ’19, Ryan Kopulos ’17
and Matthew Wickeham ’16.
Jim Scrima almost didn’t graduate from Catholic Memorial High
School. “School was hard for me,” admitted Jim, now 73-years-old
and a lifelong Waukesha resident. “After my senior year, I was still
a half-credit short of graduating.”
regularly drops in to visit with CMH staff members in the
Development, Alumni and Admissions offices. “They tell me what
they’re doing in school and how things are going. They’re
tearjerkers when you read them.”
That’s when Rev. John Hanley, the late CMH principal from 1958 to
1971, gave Jim a half-credit in physical education — allowing him
to graduate with the rest of the Class of 1961.
Jim’s financial commitment to Catholic Memorial and, by extension,
some of its brightest students, stands as an excellent example of
how CMH’s scholarship and endowment funds strengthen the
school. Administrators recognize that tuition at a private high
school is a major consideration for families, as they juggle budgets
with projected college costs and other responsibilities. But because
CMH was founded by families for families, the school strives to
make education as affordable as possible. A tuition assistance gift
like Jim’s annual contribution to CMH eases the burden for students
and their families.
Jim never forgot Fr. Hanley’s act of kindness, which allowed him to
go out into the world and eventually become co-owner of the
original Scrima’s Pizza in Waukesha with other members of his
family.
In fact, he’s paid that act of kindness forward by helping students
attend Catholic Memorial since 1998. Jim established and funds
the Rose and Louis Scrima Scholarship—named in honor of his
parents, who sacrificed to send Jim and his four siblings to CMH.
Back then, tuition was less than $100 per year, but that was
considered a lot of money at the time.
Louis Scrima, who founded the original Scrima’s Pizza on the corner
of Main Street and Hartwell Avenue in the 1950s, died in 1994 at
age 89. Rose Scrima lived to be 90, passing away in 2002.
And Jim’s not done yet; his generous spirit has him cooking up
long-term plans to leave a legacy even after he is gone.
“When I pass away, a second Scrima scholarship will be established
to help another family,” he said.
As one of only a few merit-based scholarships available at CMH, the
Rose and Louis Scrima Scholarship awards $1,500 to one incoming
freshman each year and is renewable every year until that student
graduates from Catholic Memorial—for a grand total of $6,000 in
tuition assistance. As eighth graders, prospective freshmen take a
placement test the November prior to beginning classes at CMH,
and the ten with the highest scores are invited to an interview with
Jim and a panel made up of CMH faculty and staff members. From
that pool, one Scrima Scholarship recipient is chosen.
The four students currently receiving the Scrima Scholarship are
senior Matthew Wickeham ’16, junior Ryan Kopulos ’17, sophomore
Samuel Kramer ’18 and freshman Josef Oechsner ’19.
“Many of these kids send me letters, thanking me,” said Jim, who
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The old Scrima’s Pizza on the corner of Main Street
and Hartwell Avenue in Waukesha.
Photo from “A Day In Waukesha: May 6, 1988,” taken by Casey Lake.
The Crusading For Excellence $10 million campaign will fund
key initiatives outlined in Catholic Memorial High School’s
strategic plan, Vision 2020. Its student-focused objectives
promote the growth and enhancement of the school’s physical
building, student body, faculty and staff, building on the
already strong foundation of Catholic Memorial High School.
The first projects completed in 2014-2015 include:
the state-of-the-art Innovation Wing, Academic
Resource Center (ARC), energy efficient windows,
331 lockers installed, synthetic turf, and air conditioning.
Pillars of Excellence
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
$1.5 MILLION
• Renew focus on spirituality in all areas of academic and school life
• Enhance Catholic identity and faith formation planning
• Improve Campus Ministry and Guidance access for students
• Set prayer and Sacramental offers at the center of school life
ACADEMICS
$2.6 MILLION
• Create state-of-the-art Innovation Wing and Academic Resource
Center (ARC)
• Optimize faculty professional development opportunities, including
International Baccalaureate training for the entire faculty
• Develop greater success strategies for students
• Make technology upgrades to serve the 21st Century student
TUITION SUPPORT
$2.5 MILLION
• Establish Tuition Support Endowment Fund
• Increase diversity and community accessibility
• Promote enrollment stability
FACILITIES
$3.4 MILLION
• Renew and renovate classrooms and infrastructure
• Make enhancements and upgrades to Valley Field
TOTAL CAMPAIGN INVESTMENT: $10 MILLION
CATHOLICMEMORIAL.NET/SUPPORT-CMHS/NEW-CAPITAL-CAMPAIGN.ASPX
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Crusader
Chronicles
WINTER 2016
Catholic Memorial High School
601 East College Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186
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Waukesha, WI
2015 Girls’ Volleyball State Champions, the team’s second consecutive title.
262-542-7101 • www.catholicmemorial.net • [email protected]