Winter 2014 Gael Gazette magazine

Bishop Gorman High School Alumni Newsletter | Winter 2014

It’s Not Just a building...

It’s a Home

C e l e b r at i n g 6 0 y e a r s

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h av i n g a c o m m u n i t y p r e s e n c e

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c r e at i n g a l e g a c y

notes of interest

Dear Friends, Merry Christmas! As the holidays quickly approach, we like to take some time to reflect on how much we have to be grateful for at Bishop Gorman. Our iPad initiative has been extremely successful in its inaugural year with the faculty and students alike embracing the technology. Our students are healthy and happy and continue to thrive. From award winning plays to life changing retreats, speech and debate accolades to the number 1 football team in the nation, we are proud of all their accomplishments and can’t wait to see what second semester has in store.

Our 60th Anniversary celebrations have been met with much enthusiasm and nostalgia. We began the festivities with a special Mass on Sunday, September 7th (page 13) marking 60 years to the day of our first day of school. Our attendance at our Homecoming events was exceptional and we were excited to have so many of our friends and alumni on campus to help us celebrate (page 16). The highlight had to be the release of our 60th Anniversary commemorative book (page 13) with interviews and stories capturing the essence of our Bishop Gorman history.

The most significant endeavor of 2014 has been our capital campaign, legacy now, which is only the second capital campaign in Bishop Gorman’s 60 year history. Thank you to those of you who have already made your gift to support tuition assistance,

faculty enrichment and capital replacements. It is our goal to not only raise funds to support these worthy causes but also to invite every member of our community to participate.

Over the years we have been extremely blessed by the generosity of our founding families, there has been a small group who has significantly supported Bishop Gorman and helped us get to where we are today. Now it is our turn! Our turn to give back to the community that has done so much for us. Our turn to make a difference in the life of a student and leave a lasting impression for generations to come. It is not about how much you can give, it is about doing your part. Remember, gifts can be made over a three year period and all commitments that are made by December 31, 2014, will be matched dollar for dollar by the families of Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and the Engelstad Family Foundation. See page 10 for more details. I hope we can count on your support!

May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and blessed New Year,

Bridget (Moore) Michlik ’95 Director of Advancement

we are gorman THINK HISTORY IS OLD? Gorman students and faculty respect the past and keep an eye on the future. In this issue, we mark the 60th Anniversary of creating a legacy for our future Gaels. We pride ourselves on the family, traditions and legacy that we have kept alive for many years. But one things is for sure, once a Gael...always a Gael.

For us, “home is where our story begins.” Read on. >>>

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contents

w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 | THE GAEL GA Z ETTE

legacy in action

faith on campus

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gael gatherings

Third Thursday!

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16 6 18 homecoming

1954 2014

Anniversary

advancement

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gael gatherings

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bishop gorman golf classic at spanish trails.

third thursday is going strong!

october 17, 2014: gaels check in from celebrating 60 years around the globe of gael pride!

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10

leadership events

helping out others is just a little something we can do to give back...and our students do it especially well!

fall sports recap

faith on campus

roll call

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4

legacy in action

advancement

legacy now class challenge

invite your friends, it’s a gathering for all gaels!

homecoming

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roll call

The Gael Gazette

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legacy in action

m a e t e m o h he

t

the fall sports season has come to an end for most teams. Our teams were very successful this season and took home several team and

women's volleyball

individual awards.

ed Rank e th #1 in n! o i t a N

women's tennis

men's soccer

football This season the Bishop Gorman Football team has been ranked #1 in the nation

by USA Today and MaxPreps! As the undefeated team moves on in the playoffs, keep an eye out for the Regional and State results in the next issue of Gazette.

If the Gaels win the State Championship game, they will make Nevada history by winning their sixth straight title as the Nevada Football State Champion.

Go Gaels!

women's soccer We congratulate all of our fall sports on a great season!

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Winter 2014

legacy in action national letter of intent signing day On November 12th we held the NCAA Fall Signing Day, the first of three signing days of the year. This was a special day for senior student athletes who are receiving scholarships to attend college.

Congratulations to: Baseball Austin Cram: Santa Clara University, CA Cadyn Grenier: Oregon State University, OR Alex Perron: University of San Diego, CA Brandon Wulff: Stanford University, CA Basketball Chase Jeter: Duke University, NC

te Sta les b Dou ps! m Cha

(W) Swimming Anne Boodt: Boise State University, ID Marley Maluafiti: San Jose University, CA (W) Volleyball Victoria Ewalefo: Northern Arizona University, AZ (M) Lacrosse Frank Gargano: St. Ambrose University, IA Mason Roik: Colorado Mesa University, CO Devin Thrower (Theodis Thrower ’88): Colorado State University-Pueblo, CO

men's tennis

In Men’s Tennis, Sam Sholeff ’16 and Skylar Davidson ’16 won the Division 1 Boys’ Doubles Championship in Reno.

Although they played singles most of the season, they teamed up before the Sunset Region tournament and became the best doubles team in the state. With Sholeff’s powerful serves and Davidson’s grinding style, they became the perfect complement to each other, dominating the state competition.

Women's golf

Men’s Cross Country In Men’s Cross Country, Robert Daseler ’16 (Frank Daseler ’76) and Jacob Holland ’15 showed they are some of the top runners in Las Vegas as they both qualified for the State meet. They both finished in the top 20 in the state of Nevada.

Suns e Regi t o Cham n ps!

Our Women’s Golf team continued their winning tradition.

They were undefeated in the Sunset Southwest League, won the Sunset Regional Tournament, and qualified for the State Tournament in Reno. Congratulations to the following on making the All Sunset Region Second Team: Danielle Oberlander ’17, Megan Orgad ’17, Sarah James ’16, Sabrina Schnur ’16 (Bette [Short] Schnur ’82), and to Coach Jim Stanfill ’83 on being named Coach of the Year.

The Gael Gazette

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legacy in action

on the ho

Community Leadership Events

Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast: This year, eight Bishop Gorman students attended the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on November 20th. This event was created over 50 years ago by Mayor Oran Gragson after attending a similar event hosted by President Eisenhower in Washington DC. The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is intended to provide unification among people from different types of business and celebrate the different faiths of our nation.

Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum: On November 13th, nearly 1,000 Las Vegas high school students participated in the 58th annual Sun Youth Forum to discuss hot-button topics such as abortion, gay marriage and gun control. Students are given the opportunity to share their opinions with their peers and community leaders. We congratulate the Bishop Gorman students who participated in this year’s Sun Youth Forum.

The following students participated in this year’s Community Leadership Events: Samantha Acton ’15, Karli Berry ’16, Connor Buckley ’15 (Shawn Buckley ’77), Cammi De La Cruz ’15, Janey Fielden ’15, Alexis Gulbransen ’15, John Hatton ’15, Corynne McEachern ’15 (Christi [Thomas] McEachern ’86), Jason Musni ’15, Hannah Rogers ’15 (Perry Rogers ’87), Simon Zemana ’15.

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Winter 2014

Honoring our Vets

On Veterans’ Day, November 11th, the entire student body, faculty and staff gathered for a special Veterans’ Day assembly to remember and honor those who have served, continue to serve and protect our country. Students gained an appreciation of the sacrifices others have made for the freedoms they enjoy. The assembly recognized and honored eleven faculty and staff members who have served our country in various branches of the armed forces.

To further honor and say thank you to our U.S. Veterans, there was a special Miracle Minute held that week to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Thanks to the generosity of the students, faculty and staff, Miracle Minute was a huge success raising $3,500!

Lost in Yonkers

After a stunning performance of Lost in Yonkers by the Bishop Gorman High School Theatre Guild, the team has been invited to perform at the 2015 International Thespian Festival this June! This invitation is the highest honor of achievement that a high school theatre troupe can attain. The cast includes Devin Beckwith ’15 (James Beckwith ’80), Bailee Day ’15, Nathan Hill ’15, Juliana Adams ’15, Aaron Stewart ’16, Darian Bertrand ’18, and Olivia Perry ’15 (Gina [Silvagni] Perry ’72).

legacy in action

me front

Marching Band

Congratulations to the BGHS Marching Band

on receiving the Outstanding Percussion Section award at the recent “Sounds Across the Valley” Marching Band Show at Sierra Vista High School.

Be sure to catch the Winter Arts Extravaganza, a Celebration of Theatre & Music, December 12th & 13th, 7-9pm at the Jim3 House of Performing Arts

Speech and Debate

Our Speech and Debate team competed on November 15th against 1000 contestants from 26 schools and we had 8 students place in the top three of several categories.

Congratulations and keep up the good work Gaels!

The Gael Gazette

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faith on campus

charity begi Over two weekends in September, approximately 200 art students, baseball and lacrosse players, other students, and staff, worked diligently to create a warm and inviting courtyard for the people of the New Genesis apartments.

New Genesis is a transitional non-profit housing that assists motivated homeless people to get off the streets and into a home where they can begin to build a productive life as Las Vegas citizens. Our volunteers spent many hours hauling rock, digging holes for plants, painting fences and murals, assembling picnic tables and benches, and generally overhauling a barren and lifeless courtyard. The finished product looks like a beautiful neighborhood park and the residents of New Genesis now feel good about spending time getting to know each other in the safe enclosed area that is their home. Thank you to Star Nursery- John Manfredi, Par 3 - Shawn Buckley '77 and Paul Jaramillo '78 for their support on this project. Our Gaels continue to give hope wherever it is needed.

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Winter 2014

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY COMMITTED TO FIGHTING HUNGER IN LAS VEGAS!

faith on campus

ins at home Every Tuesday throughout the school year from 5 to 7 p.m. over twenty National Honor Society students, along with their moderator, Mr. John Goertemiller, make the trek down to Three Square food bank to work wherever they are needed most. Sometimes, they are sorting massive donations of food that come from a variety of vendors, or they may be cleaning out the bins that hold bags for thousands of low-income CCSD students receiving a healthy lunch or food for the weekend. No matter what task they are given, these volunteers work hard and accomplish much. Patti Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator from Three Square, is always thrilled to have BGHS volunteers because they are consistent, hardworking, and always polite. Thank you to these students and Mr. Goertemiller, for making something so needed a true priority.

This marks the 10th year in which Bishop Gorman High School’s Team “BGHS Walks the Walk” participated in the Las Vegas Walk to End Alzheimer’s. With the largest team ever—more than 440 strong—it was a key presence at the annual event, held on October 25th at the Fashion Show Mall. In fact, BGHS was recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association and 8 News NOW’s Sherry Swensk during the opening ceremony as one of the top teams in Southern Nevada.

The team’s fundraising resulted in $4,759 donated to the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter, making it the third top team of all southern Nevada teams.

Longtime BGHS faculty members, Margaret Foy and Joanne Andrews ’78, the team’s co-captains are proud and grateful for the support from the students and the Bishop Gorman community.

The Gael Gazette

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advancement

calling

All Classes

You have been challenged to make a difference.

When you make your gift to legacy now, your class gets closer to the chance at winning the opportunity to host your next class event in Ryan Hall! (the 2nd floor of the Athletic Training Center overlooking Fertitta Field)

The class with the highest participation, not dollar amount, will be declared the winner!

Please consider making a three year pledge.

Remember, all pledges made by December 31, 2014, will be matched dollar for dollar by the families of Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and the Engelstad Family Foundation.

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Winter 2014

12,000 number of people in the Bishop Gorman community who received the legacy now mailing

40%

students who benefit from tuition assistance

deadline to make your legacy now gift and take advantage of the matching gift program

12/31/14

advancement

It's all in the numbers!

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legacy now case components: tuition assistance, faculty enrichment, capital replacements

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number of months you have to pay off your pledge

1,000/1,000,000 if 1,000 people gave $1,000 we would raise $1,000,000

To make your pledge and learn more about legacy now please visit our website: www.bishopgorman.org/legacynow

$27.77

your monthly payment if you made a $1,000 pledge over 36 months

The Gael Gazette

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The 29th Annual Bishop Gorman Golf Classic was held on Friday, November 14th. The tournament, which was brought back to Spanish Trail Country Club after 5 years at Badlands, SOLD OUT making it one of our most successful tournaments so far!

Money raised from the Golf Classic supports our students and school by providing unrestricted funds that can be used for immediate needs during the year.

Many thanks go out to all of our parents, alumni & friends who were a part of this event and helped to make it a success!

A special thanks to our Title Sponsor: Golden Gaming and other Major Sponsors: Wirtz Beverage of Nevada, Bentar Development, High Desert Petroleum, Terrible Herbst, Frazier Masonry, Helix Electric, OMEX, CC Construction, Blackboard Transact, Robco Electric, KHS&S, Sodexo, C7 Works, Freedom Underground, Rafael Construction, Chapman Dodge, Red Rock Harley Davidson, YESCO, and Lance & Roxanne Shoen.

Between the beautiful weather and all of the great people at the tournament, it was a fun day for all! The day was especially exciting for our tournament winners- Congratulations to Helix Electric and Par 3 Landscape.

We’re looking forward to the 30th Annual Golf Classic in Fall 2015 and hope to see you all there!

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Winter 2014

It has been a very special year at Bishop Gorman as we celebrate our 60th Anniversary. With the first day of school in Bishop Gorman history being September 7, 1954, the first weekend in September was the perfect time to kick-off the Bishop Gorman 60th Anniversary celebration.

On Friday evening, September 5th, a special tribute was held honoring our former Bishop Gorman football coaches at the varsity football game. Bill Casey, Norm Craft, Dave Erbach, Chuck Gerber, Dave Gerber, Hank Girardi, Frank Nails, and Jim Ward were all in attendance representing the many decades of Gaels football.

On Sunday, September 7th, the festivities continued with Mass celebrated by Father Bill Kenny ’62. Over 300 alumni, faculty, staff, current students and their families enjoyed a video presentation, taking a look back at the last 60 years of Bishop Gorman. Following the Mass, there was mingling and memory sharing at the coffee reception. It was a very special weekend at BGHS! To further celebrate this special time, our 60th Anniversary commemorative book was released during Homecoming week. The book is full of interviews and stories from alumni, former staff and friends as well as photos recalling BGHS memories from the very beginning.

The 60th Anniversary commemorative book is $50 and can be purchased in the Hammes Campus Store.

ne Admit O

Red Ro ck Casi no Resort Spa

Admit One

Admit One

Admit One

Knight of the Gael March 19, 2015

Admit One

Welcome to the team Janell, we are so happy you are here!

ne

Fun Fact: Janell’s parents, Julie (Womack) Gomez '75 & Richard Gomez '73, are BGHS Alumni Sweethearts and Janell's son, Brandon '18, is currently a freshman!

e h T e Sav ! e t a D

Admit O

Welcome Back Home!

We would like to welcome Janell (Gomez) Redding '97 as the newest member of the Advancement Team. As a Gael, through and through, she is the perfect addition to the team as the Alumni & Parent Relations Coordinator.

advancement

Pride in our Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring our Future

The Gael Gazette

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alumni spotlight

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o

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"Home Sweet Home"

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Celebrating 28 alumni who have returned home as Bishop Gorman faculty and staff.

Michele Cannella Young '02 Abigail Brown Jones '96 Lauren Blaney '04

Vikki Rodrigues '70

Angela Botti Knapik '08 Greg Cava '76

Bridget Moore Michlik '95

Lora Crammer Feely '98 Jay Bonar '82

Ann Lenzie Wozniak '83

Krystal Jackson '05 Kathy Ralenkotter Keating '91

Br. Dan Tripamer C.S.V. '84 Michelle Roberts '99

Sandy Segal Young '75

Mike Wright '91

Christi Thomas McEachern '86 Nicole Gagnon Davis '97

Janell Gomez Redding '97 Ryan Pietranton '92 Mary Catania Vance '05

Lisa Blasco Werksman '85

Chris Roberts '01 Gino DiMaria '84

Jackie White '98 Marisa Bevilacqua Delgado '04 14

Winter 2014

Corbin Tucker '08

Joanne Andrews '78

gael gatherings

Saturday, JANUARY 24th // 9777 S. Las Vegas Blvd,

Don’t miss out On these upcoming Spring Events!

January 24, 2015 Bishop Gorman vs. Findlay Prep

January 24, 2015 Pre-game at Cinch Saloon Tipoff 2pm at Southpoint Arena WEAR YOUR ORANGE & BLUE!

February 19, 2015 Third Thursday at Bomas

February 27 – March 8, 2015 Spring Musical: Little Women

March 14, 2015 Spring Fashion Affair

February 19TH // 8020 S. Durango Drive LOVE is in the air!

Come join us for Third Thursday with some delicious appetizers and catching up with old friends!

6pm - 8pm Alumni Sweethearts We’d love to see you there!

April 16TH // 3663 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Join us from 6:00-8:00pm at PBR Rock Bar & Grill located in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Enjoy complimentary wine, beer, and appetizers with your fellow alumni!

March 19, 2015 Knight of the Gael

April 16, 2015 third thursday at PBR Rock Bar & Grill

May 1 & 2, 2015 The Spring ARts SPectacular

May 8, 2015 Passport 2015 The Gael Gazette

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homecoming

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th

1954 2014

Anniversary There is no place like home

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Winter 2014

2014 Once a Gael

Always a Gael!

Our 60th Anniversary Homecoming 2014 was a great success! The day started off with our traditional Alumni Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel presided by Father Bill Kenny ’62. The National Honor Society provided campus tours of our beautiful campus and facilities. In the House of Glory, alumni, students, faculty and friends gathered to get pumped up for the big game. Reuniting with old classmates on the upper fields was a great treat. The night was complete as our football team came away with a victory against Legacy High School. Congratulations to our Homecoming King and Queen, Clark Adler '15 and Corynne McEachern '15 (Christi [Thomas] McEachern '86).

Thank you to everyone for their support, especially our sponsors!

homecoming

HOMECOMING

roll call

1960s

1990s

Mike Scobel was Bishop Gorman's basketball coach in the 1960's. He recently had a get-together for his former players where he presented them with a disc of game footage from when they were players.

Jennifer (Glover) Crafton ’97 and husband Michael are excited to announce the birth of their second little boy, Noah Michael, on May 20, 2014. They also have a five year old son, Ryan Wesley, who just started kindergarten at Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School. Along with being a busy mom, Jennifer is a dental hygienist.

Katherine Von Tobel ’62 and David Potter ’60 were married on October 3, 2014.

They once dated in ’61-’62 and found themselves back together.

Class of ’64 update: The 50th anniversary of our graduation was a night to remember! The reunion began Friday, October 17th with the Alumni Memorial Mass in the chapel at Bishop Gorman, followed by a coffee reception, tours of the school and a pep rally in the gym with other alumni, parents and current students. We enjoyed a tailgate party on the upper fields prior to the Homecoming Football game. Saturday morning, several couples went to the Linq and took a ride on the High Roller – all were amazed by the changes to the valley in 50 years! Father Bill Kenny ’62, the Bishop Gorman chaplain, gave the invocation at our banquet that evening. What made this reunion extra special was that, in memory of the 33 deceased members of our class, we were able to contribute over $6,000 to Bishop Gorman High School.

John Mowbray ’69 was elected as 1 of 31 Nevada lawyers to be named to the Mountain States Super Lawyers Top 100. He is the only Domer from Nevada on the 100 list.

1980s Gino DiMaria ’84 was recently named Head Varsity Baseball Coach, for Bishop Gorman High School.

Coach DiMaria is in his 18th year as a faculty member and/or coach at Bishop Gorman, brings over 25 years of baseball coaching experience to the position and a long history of tradition in the baseball community.

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Winter 2014

Jamie Martin ’95 married J Dapper on September 22, 2014, in San Diego, CA. Their intimate wedding was shared with close family members and friends.

Crystal (Clausen) Grivas ’97 and husband, Chris, welcomed a baby girl, Ivy Rose, on October 15, 2014. Baby Ivy was a healthy 7lbs 9oz.

At a special judges’ meeting on August 27, 2014, the judges of the Las Vegas Justice Court unanimously selected Vice Chief Judge Joe Bonaventure ’94 to be the court’s next chief judge; he will begin a two-year term in January 2015. Bonaventure was elected Justice of the Peace in Department 9 of Las Vegas Justice Court in 2004. He is a lifelong resident of Las Vegas and graduated from the business college at UNLV and the charter class at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.

2000s Katie McGoldrick ’05 married Alex Sonntag on September 5, 2010. They have since welcomed son Theo Alexander on January 15, 2012. Most recently, on August 6, 2014, Theo became a big brother to baby Nikolai Markus.

roll call

Nicole Reed ’05 earned the distinction of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Reed will be married in 2015 in Northern California, where she will open her practice.

Meghann Ditsworth ’04 married Dr. James Newman on July 26, 2014, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Henderson, NV. The wedding party included her father, Dr. Bradley Ditsworth ’78, Joelle Zarcone ’04 and Colin Ditsworth ’11. They reside in Richmond,VA were Meghann is a 7th grade teacher.

Congratulations

to Bishop Gorman

Gael, Grey Ruegamer ’95, on his induction into the ASU Hall of Fame! Ruegamer was a four-year starter at offensive line for the Sun Devils and then went on to play in the NFL with teams such as: Miami

Marisa (Bevilacqua) Delgado ’04 and husband Brian were blessed with their second child. Santino “Sonny” was born on May 7, 2014, weighing 6lbs 9oz. Marisa works as a Math teacher and Associated Student Government Class Monitor at Bishop Gorman High School.

Elizabeth Murtagh ’03 welcomed son, Thomas Kepler Ballog, in March 2014. Thomas, born in Sacramento, joins big brother, Patrick Albert Ballog, born in Pittsburgh in May 2012. The family currently lives in Clovis, CA.

Kayla Salemme ’08 and Matthew Di Filippo were married on July 25, 2014 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX. The couple currently resides in San Antonio, where Kayla is a teacher.

Victor Perea ’02 and Alyssa Averett were married October 13, 2014, in Henderson, NV. Alumni in the wedding party included: Jorge Perea ’99, Rene (Estrada) Ortiz ’02, and Tessa (Young) Kronbetter ’02. The ceremony was officiated by Brock Young ’02.

Dolphins, Pittsburg Steelers, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks. During his Bishop Gorman football career, he received three varsity letters in football. We’re proud of you Grey…GO GAELS!

In Our Prayers Dr. Gerald “Doc” Higgins passed away on August 10, 2014. Doc and Lucia, his wife of almost 60 years, were very special in the Bishop Gorman community. They sent all ten of their children through Bishop Gorman and their legacy has continued with many grandchildren attending as well. In 2003, Doc and Lucia were Bishop Gorman's Knight of the Gael honorees for their years of service and commitment to Catholic education.

Bishop Gorman's Mathematics teacher and Basketball Coach, Daniel "Dan" Miller, passed away on July 28th at age 79 surrounded in prayer by his family.

Dan is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Jane, their seven children and 19 grandchildren. All seven of their children graduated from Bishop Gorman High School, along with many grandchildren to come.

The Gael Gazette

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Bishop Gorman High School 5959 South Hualapai Way Las Vegas, Nevada 89148

www.bishopgorman.org

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We only print Roll Call news that is submitted by alumni or their families. We need to hear from you in order to tell your friends what you’re up to!

Please make sure to include your full name and graduation year with all submissions. We reserve the right to edit or omit entries for space, clarity and other considerations.

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E-mail your news and photos (JPG/TIF attachments, 300dpi) to: alumni@bishopgorman.org or mail to: Bishop Gorman High School Attn: The Gael Gazette 5959 S. Hualapai Way | Las Vegas, NV 89148