Spring '11 by Carmel Catholic High School

ALL SPORTS ISSUE

Currents

The Alumni Magazine of Carmel Catholic High School

CORSAIR FAMILY ATHLETES

Stories of Athletic Exceptionalism The Mikruts The Venegonis The Pudlos The Krombachs

Sarah Mikrut â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;93 on the balance beam, senior year

Spring 2011

David Venegoni â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;08 running the court

Michael Pudlo â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;10 focused at the plate

Mitch Krombach â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;02 celebrating on the ďŹ eld

For nearly 50 years, hundreds of families of Carmel athletes have contributed to the establishment of our reputation in the community as a focal point of athletic superiority. Carmel Catholic High School’s Athletic program tradition of excellence is built on the triumphs of the ones who came before, who cleared a path for the succeeding team to build upon. As a result, as we approach our 2011-2012 school year, a little bit of the dynamism and vitality of the very first Carmel sports teams will fill the hearts, minds and muscles of these arriving teams. This is how generations are built and legacies founded. Our gratitude for your contibutions to Carmel knows no bounds. In this inaugural all sports issue of Carmel Currents, we could not feature every family who has significantly enhanced the Carmel Catholic Athletic program. In fact, only a few names of certain families are listed here including our feature stories. However, ALL of the families throughout our history have left indelible footprints on the fiber of the Carmel Catholic Athletic program. Your stories would fill volumes.

THANK YOU!

Keller Adamski McKiernan Godwin Zgonina Mueller Stahoviak May Mierski Kristan

PRESIDENT Judith Mucheck, Ph.D. OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT STAFF Director of Institutional Advancement Claress S. L. Pettengill

Currents Spring 2011, Volume 26, Issue 1

The Alumni Magazine of Carmel Catholic High School

Director of Planned, Major Giving and Corporate Relations Michael C. Looby ‘75 Publications Coordinator Sarah O'Donnell Alumni Relations Director Christine LeBrun Special Events Director Laurie Wienke Data Services Coordinator Grace Fong Administrative Assistant Jane Maciolek Editorial Board Margaret Ring Gillock ‘75 Margaret Nichols ‘69 Katherine O’Brien ‘83 Charmaine Smith Wright ‘95

TABLE

CONTENTS

Features Corsair Family Athletes .....................................................................................2 Planning Ahead for Aging Parents ..................................................................12

In Every Issue President's Letter ................................................................................................1 Advancement News ...........................................................................................16

Currents magazine is published three times a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Please send address changes to: Carmel Catholic High School Office of Institutional Advancement One Carmel Parkway Mundelein, Illinois 60060 (847) 388-3361 jmaciolek@carmelhs.org For verification purposes, please include the 9-digit ID number found in the magazine address area. Send comments and suggestions about the magazine to: Christine LeBrun, Alumni Relations Director One Carmel Parkway Mundelein, Illinois 60060 (847) 388-3382 clebrun@carmelhs.org

Alumni News .......................................................................................................20 Class Notes ..........................................................................................................23 Engagements and Marriages ............................................................................24 Births and Adoptions .........................................................................................24 In Memoriam.......................................................................................................25 Calendar of Events ........................................................................... Back Cover

ON THE COVERS Sarah Mikrut ‘93, gymnastics powerhouse, State Championship teammate and coach. David Venegoni ‘08, Daily Herald Male Athlete of the Year. Michael Pudlo ‘10, member of the Super Sectionals Baseball Team. Mitch Krombach ‘02, member of the Conference Championship Football Team.

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President ‘ s Letter Dear Carmel Alumni, Among the many publications I subscribe to there is a free one which lands on my desk about three times a year. Its mailing list includes anyone affiliated with IHSA (Illinois High School Association) as a member school. As an organization, IHSA sets standards for and regulates athletics as well as drama, chess, and debate. Their mission is to support activities in a secondary school setting which, “…enrich the educational experience (www.ihsa.org).” Our American system of education and its view toward the extracurricular programs in high schools is well-aligned with the mission of IHSA. Schools take great pains to ensure that there is “something for everyone” on their slate of offerings for the students who want to participate in an activity outside of the classroom yet side-by-side with their classmates. Augmenting the academic program with extracurriculars is a budgetary concern to be sure, however, the benefits of this type of participation has immeasurable dividends for young people. Some schools refer to clubs and other activities as “co-curriculars,” meaning to stand side-by-side with the academic curriculum, imparting an even more significant importance to their presence in a high school. Let’s face it, at some time in our lives each of us was picked last for the team or marginalized because we couldn’t compete at the same level as our colleagues. Even these experiences taught us resilience and the necessity of looking for (and finding!) those talents and gifts that we didn’t know we had. When we finally identified that niche, joined a group, and participated fully in some activity we felt a deep sense of success – also an amazingly important lesson for the adolescent. Participating on an athletic team teaches young people how to depend on each other, how to take direction, how to manage time, how to win, how to lose, how to be proud without being arrogant, and so much more. Under the tutelage of dedicated coaches and others associated with an athletic program, young people can thrive within a highly disciplined milieu. This issue of Currents highlights members of the community who excelled in athletics during their tenure as a student at Carmel. I have no doubt that each of these individuals learned valuable lessons as a Corsair athlete, many of which have served them well in life. Congratulations to each of you and thank you for the positive impact you continue to have on our school community. As we adjourn for summer vacation, be assured of the prayers of all of us for you and those you love! Sincerely,

n Judith Mucheck, Ph.D. President

Spring 2011

CORSAIR FAMILY ATHLETES

THE VENEGONIS THE MIKRUTS

DAVID | JENNA | MARK | LUKE

CHRISTOPHER | SARAH | JONATHAN | ANDREW

THE PUDLOS THE KROMBACHS

JOEY | JOE | MICHAEL

LUKE | COLLEEN | KELLY | CAITLIN | MITCH

THE MIKRUTS ATHLETIC GIFTS MEET COACHING APTITUDE Can bleaching your hair blonde make you a better baseball player? Can one of the most humiliating moments of your life mark your biggest achievement? Well, if you ask Jon Mikrut ’01 about the role a bottle of bleach played in his baseball career, the answer may surprise you. And for Christopher “Chris” Mikrut ’89, the oldest of the four Mikrut siblings to achieve remarkable excellence in athletics at Carmel, the answer to the latter question is yes because there is no question that on one particular day on his way to practice, in the midst of a very public scolding in the gym, he was summarily pulled aside and lectured by his mentor.

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The Mikruts, Chris, Sarah, Andrew and Jon, like adept runners in a relay, would go on, one by one, to set and raise the bar of athletic excellence at Carmel. It all started with Chris in 1985 and ended with Jon receiving the last baton in 1998, then finishing the family’s journey in 2001 as one of the best Carmel soccer goalies, football kickers and baseball players in our history. All this success was flanked by Andrew, a very smart, patient athlete who helped our baseball team win a significant Regional Championship during his senior year as the closing pitcher. And yet, the story actually doesn’t end there. Sarah, their beautiful, strong and determined sister has achieved what only her mentor and former coach accomplished as a Carmel Gymnastics coach: back-to- back State Championship trophies.

CHRISTOPHER ‘89 How Chris began his journey as a great soccer player is so cavalier yet so poignant that one can’t help but express amusement at the often overlooked intuition of a perceptive child. Chris was riding his bike one day when he saw “some kids kicking around a ball” and he told his parents he’d “like to try and play that.” He began to play and practice soccer from then on through his junior year at Carmel when the soccer team was one of the best teams we had to date. Chris comments, “The best soccer team that I was on, was my junior year at Carmel. We had Rodrigo Bustamante, Christian Iantoni…We lost in the play-offs to Barrington that year because our goalie, Timothy Deck, could not attend the game (Tim Deck eventually went on to Wisconsin and became an All-American goalie). Chris continues, “We lost 2-1…regardless, it was the best team that I’d been on.”

“But truthfully with all the friendships I made from basketball and soccer, the losses blur in with the wins because the friends I made during these years mean the world to me, win or lose.” Chris also had many stellar years as a basketball player recalling that he became a player because of Carmel coach, Frank Belmont. When Chris thinks of his basketball days at Carmel he can’t help but mention one very controversial basketball game. He says, “Senior year we played against Warren in the Sectional Championships and we were down 3 points and I made a critical last shot that put the game into OT. The place was packed- they had to turn people away. We lost that game but for me it was the greatest moment in my sporting career. Being called on to hit an important shot and actually making it is such a great feeling. In OT, a bad call was made and it sealed the game in favor of the other team…It broke my mom’s heart- she was going to write every newspaper in the country because she was so shocked by the call–we lost because of it! But truthfully with all the

friendships I made from basketball and soccer, the losses blur in with the wins because the friends I made during these years mean the world to me, win or lose.” Chris currently coaches Girls Soccer at Crown Point High School in Indiana and he credits his coaching success and style to his Carmel roots. During his school years he had the opportunity to be coached and inﬂuenced by many people. From Scott Rosberg to Bob Kuykendall to Tom Reagan, Chris states his coaching style is a blend of all the things he learned from these important mentors and techniques he’s picked up along the way. Though he states that he places Bob up high on the heap, saying “Bob always trained his athletes to be warriors on the mat, scholars in the classroom, and gentleman in the community,” it is his mother Judy and father Jerry Mikrut that he raises above all other mentors. Chris states simply, “My mother’s enthusiasm for her children is remarkable. She is more proud of us than we will ever be of ourselves. And my father, he possessed the qualities that I wanted to have because I knew they would make me a better and more successful person. I saw the passion he had for coaching and how important being an educator was to him and the fun he had doing it. I knew through him then, that this was the life for me.”

ANDREW ‘95

Coaching is also “the life” of his other three siblings. The second Mikrut son, Andrew Mikrut ’95, currently teaches at Conant High School in Hoffman Estates and coaches Girls Bowling (he also spent a few years traveling to Fremd High School as well) for the past 11 years. As a student athlete at Carmel, Andrew played soccer his freshman, sophomore and junior year; basketball his freshman year and baseball all four years. Though he loved all three sports, baseball was the sport he was the most successful at and the one he enjoyed the most. Andrew humbly states, “The levels of achievement between us siblings really spans the spectrum…But I can say that my one athletic niche was being a side-arm throwing pitcher and I was able to make the most of it when I was at CHS.” Andrew knows a thing or two about making the most of many things. He just completed an advanced degree program and earned a Master’s in Education with a focus on becoming a Reading Specialist. Andrew’s perspective on life is also a “make the most out of it” outlook we can all support and aspire to practice. He says that his life motto is “Keep it simple.” He continues, “I’ve learned over the years that life doesn’t always go the way you would like it to or the way you thought it would, however, we all have the ability to control those stresses to a certain degree. When we keep things simple and stop to focus on what we have, what we’ve been given and appreciate how lucky we are to be on this planet, it’s hard to remain over-stressed for too long. There will always be challenges and obstacles throughout life but our ability to face them with a positive attitude can make a difference. We all have to stop every now and then and just smile at the miraculous nature of life.”

“We all have to stop every now and then and just smile at the miraculous nature of life.”

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SARAH ‘93 Andrew’s older sister, Sarah Mikrut Doyle ’93, would agree with Andrew and add that while keeping it simple is great, “it’s fun to do the impossible.” Sarah’s favorite aphorism parallels her life story as a gymnastics powerhouse athlete and awe-inspiring coach.

Over a 15-year career in gymnastics, Sarah has accomplished so much as an athlete that it’s hard to keep track. In 1992, Sarah and her teammates won for Carmel the first team State Championship in our history. Winning that trophy was tremendous but winning it with her best friends was icing on the cake. On her own, Sarah went on to win the individual State Bar Championship in 1993 (after getting hurt three weeks priorthinking her season was over). Then while attending Ball State, Sarah earned a 10.0 on the vault in 1997. These athletic achievements symbolize the hard work and sacrifice she put into gymnastics and they represented the achievement of the long term goals she set out for herself and her team. However, from athlete Sarah Mikrut to Coach “Mike,” Sarah has a tough record to surpass with each coming year: breaking her own. During the 2009-2010 school year, Coach Mike and her team brought Carmel home a State Championship. Then, “doing the impossible,” Coach Mike brought home State trophy number two with her as coach, during the 2010-2011 school year. She makes the impossible look easy. When asked to pinpoint what motivates her and who were her biggest influences, she quickly points to her parents. She says, “Our mother deserves a world of credit for her role in our athletic achievements. She coached some of our teams growing up as well as my dad, and then lugged us around to any and everything we had going on. My dad had an exceptional teaching and coaching career, and in the process touched so many lives. Later in my life, when I was done competing in gymnastics, my dad gently ‘nudged’ me in the direction of coaching high school gymnastics - and I have now been doing that for the past 15 years. He was also so helpful when I made my decision to become a teacher at Carmel. His patience and support were instrumental in me becoming acclimated to it and very comfortable in the field of Education. We are blessed to have had such role models in our parents.”

“It’s fun to do the impossible.”

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THE MIKRUTS

JONATHAN ‘01 To bookend the Mikruts’ story, we must return to the beginning and recall that bottle of bleach. While Jon was playing legion ball with Libertyville, it was his junior year and they had a really good team of players from Libertyville and Vernon Hills. For the tournament, Jon, along with his teammates, decided to bleach their hair blonde. They continued to win game after game. Then the coaches said to the team that if they won State, the coaches would bleach their hair blonde. The team handily won the State Championship and the coaches kept their promise. Bleaching your hair alone doesn’t affect the way you play baseball. But bleaching your hair in solidarity with a group of individuals who would do anything to ensure the success of the group as a whole… there’s something about the energy of that effort creating conditions for your desired outcome. Jerry Mikrut, Jon’s dad, who happened to be part of the legion ball’s coaching staff had to make good on the bleaching ‘blood oath’ and had to go to his place of work, Conant High School, with bleach blonde hair (his hair was naturally very dark). Jon says, “At the time, it was the funniest thing to see all of our dads with bleach blonde hair….My dad got teased a lot at Conant to the extent that they put up missing/wanted posters that read ‘Who is this man?’ Sadly for him but tremendously funny for us, he ended up taking that year’s school photo with bleach blonde hair.” The championship victory that year is one of many “W”s that Jon would go on to acquire in his lengthy career. One of the most memorable Ws, no hair-bleaching required, occurred while Jon was a sophomore playing for Carmel’s varsity team in a game vs. Antioch. Carmel had the lead late in the top of the seventh when Jon made an error at shortstop that allowed Antioch to take a 1 run lead. One of his teammates, a senior at the time, told Jon to forget about the error and to concentrate on his at bat. As upset as he was, Jon knew he had to focus. Carmel had a runner on base and Jon stepped up to the plate. Jon drove a fastball over the fence for his ﬁrst varsity homerun, which happened to be a walk-off homerun to win the game. Jon recalls, “I remember rounding third and seeing my teammates ready to celebrate at home plate which was an amazing feeling.” Thinking back on that game, Jon says he learned a lot about staying level-headed and not getting too high or too low. He says, “Baseball is the type of game where you have to have a short memory. You’re going to make mistakes, but there’s always another at bat, another pitch.” He says his parents and siblings taught him that learning from those tough moments is the only

way to be successful, not only on the field, but also in life. Eventually Jon says he started to enjoy being the guy on the mound with 2 outs with the bases loaded in a tie ballgame-when all his teammates were depending on him. “There’s a remarkable sense of responsibility there,” Jon says. He also says that it was his parents, the best “coaches” he’s ever had that taught him the true meaning of that word “responsibility.” He says they taught him that, “The most important thing that you have is the name you carry on your back. There are going to be moments where your actions, on the field or in life, will not only impact you but your teammates or your entire family…I don’t know any other two people who were more responsible or selfless in their decisions to their team---their family, than my parents.”

“Baseball is the type of game where you have to have a short memory. You’re going to make mistakes, but there’s always another at bat, another pitch.” Eventually Jon journeyed from Carmel athlete to playing baseball and shortstop/pitcher for Chicago’s own, prestigious, Northwestern University. He also went on to play professional baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals for four years until a shoulder injury initiated his release from the organization. His injury hasn’t kept him from baseball much since like his three sibling predecessors, you can ﬁnd Jon nowadays in the most conspicuous of places: on the ﬁeld. Jon is currently a member of the Northwestern University baseball coaching staff, now in his second year. Again, he says that his story of exceptional athleticism is not complete without relaying the incredible amount credit his parents deserve in supporting him to be the best person and athlete he could be. To Jerry and Judy Mikrut

Spring 2011

THE VENEGONIS THE VENEGONI FAMILY: QUITE A TEAM! by Margaret Ring Gillock ‘75 The Venegoni family members rarely played on the same teams at the same time at Carmel Catholic, but the wish to do as well as the others had done was always a driving force. The talent, dedication, and determination of the Venegoni family have made each of the four athletes admirable members of the larger Carmel Catholic High School family. Mark ‘04, Jenna ‘06, David ‘08, and Luke ‘11 each distinguished themselves as remarkable athletes and students at Carmel Catholic. Each is taking what they learned at school and in sports and in their studies to go on to make their mark in life. The parents of this group are John and Claudia Venegoni. John, who played basketball and football at University of Illinois, and Claudia, who is a musician, both set strong examples for excellence for their children.

AWARDS The list of awards for these four CCHS athletes would take more space than we have for this article! Here are some of the highlights:

David was named Daily Herald Male Athlete of the year on June 8, 2008. Luke received almost every award or commendation that was out there at the end of the season: Illinois High School Coaches Association 7A All-State 1st Team; ESCC All Conference 1st Team; ESCC Defensive Player of the Year; Chicago Tribune 1st Team All State; Daily Herald 1st Team All Area; Pioneer Press 1st Team All Area; New-Sun 1st Team All Area; Chicago Sun-Times 1st Team All State; ESPN Chicago All Area 1st Team; Rivals All-State 1st Team. In “The Continuity’s the theme for Carmel,” a Daily Herald article by Joe Aguilar, the author mentions that, “It’s the final year of Venegoni football at Carmel Catholic, for this is Luke’s senior year.” The article goes on to say that “Luke is the little brother of David and Mark and has made his mark, just like his brothers did.” Yes, it’s the same ol’ last names. And, yes, expect the same ol’ results. For Carmel, that means wins. The Corsairs finished the decade with 96 victories, including seven last season, which ended with a disappointing first-round playoff loss to Prospect. Carmel shared the East Suburban Catholic Conference championship with Joliet Catholic.”

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Each of the Venegonis (Mark, Jenna, David, and Luke) are remarkable athletes. At Carmel Catholic, Mark played football, basketball, and baseball (one year); Jenna played basketball (shooting guard freshman and sophomore years) and ran track sophomore and junior years (sprinter in the 100M, 200M, and occasionally the 400M) and was involved in relay teams (4X100M and 4X200M); David played baseball (catcher), basketball (point guard/shooting guard), and football (quarterback); Luke played basketball (as freshman), baseball (catcher), and football (linebacker).

MARK ‘04

Mark was a three-year letterwinner in both basketball and football and he set a CCHS school record in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He was a member of the State Championship team in 2003, a Champaign News-Gazette All-State selection in 2003, Chicago Tribune All-Stater in 2003, All-conference performer during 2002-03 seasons, and a two-time AllArea selection by the Daily Herald.

TEAMS

Luke and David did have the opportunity to play on the same team when Luke was a freshman. Both remember that as a great time. David recalls that “It was cool being able to play on the same team as my younger brother, Luke, something I couldn’t experience with Mark.”

“I never went into school with unfinished, thoughtless work. I put my all into both my academics and athletics.”

JENNA ‘06

FAVORITE CCHS MEMORIES Depending on whom you ask, favorite CCHS memories vary from one Venegoni athlete to the next. Jenna blazed her own trail. Both her basketball and track experiences were memorable, but her most treasured memory is that of her last basketball game. She recalls that “I was up and down the court, scoring more points than ever before. I’m sure other teams had seen me as a threat before, but not as much as this team. The girls on the other team would come at me and knock me down. I could hear the coach telling them to guard me. It was such a great feeling! There were a few minutes left in the game and this girl came out of nowhere and knocked me down causing the sac in my knee to burst making it swollen and impossible to bend. I shot two free throws and made them before being taken out of the game. It is my favorite memory because I really put forth everything I had in me despite being hurt. It was a great end to the season.”

DAVID ‘08 COMPETITION

Each of the Venegonis said that there was competition and the will to win in the family. As Mark mentioned, that will to win came to him from his father, John Venegoni, who was a star football player at the University of Illinois (class of 1982). Mark goes on to say that there was always “a family competition going on.” He is also very proud of his siblings for “being super successful at everything they did.” At the same time, he makes the point that “whenever there is an argument between us brothers [about] who had a better career, I always mention the three rings (prep bowl, state championship, and Rose Bowl) I have to their zero.” David picks up on this saying that “there was also a competiveness among the boys in the family, which brought us closer in the end. It was cool, however, being able to play on the same team as my younger brother, Luke, something I couldn’t experience with Mark.” Jenna puts the competition in a slightly different light. She says that “ I was always considered ‘Mark’s little sister’ so I felt pressure to try to make a name for myself and show that I was capable of being a good athlete. In the end, we are all extremely proud of one another. The best feeling is when I open a newspaper and ﬁnd an article about one of my brothers. It puts a smile on my face. I can’t help but be proud of them because they have spent countless hours working toward their goals.”

CCHS STUDIES Each of the Venegonis realized the vital importance of being not only an athlete but a student-athlete. As Mark stated, “I didn’t have a choice, academics were always the priority in the house, and my parents made sure that I was keeping up.” Jenna concurred and added that “balancing has never been something I have excelled at. I’m a procrastinator and perfectionist--two characteristics that tend to work against one another. If I had ample time to work on an assignment I would wait until the last minute. For me, I went to practice and did work when I got home. I needed to ﬁnish everything no matter how late I had to stay awake. I never went into school with unﬁnished, thoughtless work. I put my all into both my academics and athletics.”

LUKE ‘11

PRESENT PATH The differences in their ages put each of the Venegonis at different stages of their life. Mark went on to attend and graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - College of Business. He played football there and is now a Senior Credit Manager at Wells Fargo Financial in Chicago. Jenna attended and graduated cum laude from Miami University in Ohio; David is attending University of Illinois, School of Engineering; and Luke has signed to attend and play football at Western Illinois University. It looks as though we will continue to hear great things about the Venegonis for years to come!

Spring 2011

THE PUDLOS LET’S PLAY TWO! CATCHING UP WITH JOE, JOE L. AND MIKE by Katherine O’Brien ‘83 Behind all student athletes are dedicated parents driving to games, cheering on the team in all kinds of weather, supervising homework, juggling meals and the general household schedule and of course doing an awful lot of laundry. The sacriﬁces are great, but most parents and students wouldn’t trade their time together for anything. Many have found that the family that plays together stays together. “We are a close family,” says Melinda Pudlo of her husband Joe (1979) and sons Joey (2008) and Mike (2010). “The dedication to sports has taught our

family a lot about life: Working hard, dealing with ups and downs, commitment, working toward a goal, but mostly ﬁnding and having fun in something you enjoy doing.” Melinda says her sons spent a lot of time working out together and practicing with their father. “I cherish the times that I get to watch our boys play a sport that they have worked so hard at”, she says. “I am so very proud of them.”

JOE ‘79

BASEBALL, FOOTBALL AND SOMETHING TO DO IN THE WINTER Fishing is Joe Pudlo’s outdoor passion these days. But in his school days, he was a triple threat in football, baseball and wresting. “Wrestling was just something to do in the winter,” says Pudlo. “Baseball was my favorite sport and then football.” Pudlo, now a Vice President of Sales with Baxter Healthcare, says his Carmel athletic experience had a signiﬁcant impact on his career. “It sounds clichéd but the values of athletics translate very well, because you learn to work hard, set goals and overcome setbacks.”

Top row: Bobby Allport, Ward Nieds, Joe Pudlo, Jerry Pokorny Bottom row: Robert Sweeney, Steve Toporek

Joe and Melinda were proud to see their sons follow their dad’s athletic footsteps. Both boys played four years of Corsair baseball. Joe played one year of football and Mike played two. Mike won an academic scholarship to Loras College and starts at shortstop for the school’s baseball team. Joe, recipient of both an academic and baseball scholarship, is a junior at St. Joseph’s College, a Division II school in Rensselaer, IN. “We have had a winning season each of the past two years,” reports Joe Pudlo. “I have had the privilege to start in right field since the beginning of my sophomore year. I have also earned academic all-conference in each of my first two years here at school.” Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations find the Pudlo boys still playing sports together. “It is always like the old times where my brother, my dad and I will go and hit at the Slammers indoor

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facility in Lake Forest,” says Joe Pudlo. “We’ll also workout together in our basement for hours at a time trying to get better.” The elder Pudlo says that during the late 1970s, more students were multisport athletes. “But today the players are more athletic, bigger and better trained. The facilities are also ﬁrst class, something that generates a great deal of pride for the athletes.”

“It sounds clichéd but the values of athletics translate very well, because you learn to work hard, set goals and overcome setbacks.”

JOEY ‘08

REMEMBERING WHEN He cites Joe McPhee as a high school inspiration. “He was a great teacher and coach, demanding on and off the field and he always pushed us to be our very best,” he recalls. Teammates rather than a specific game or individual accomplishment are what he remembers best. “[It’s] the friendships and the togetherness that made the experience memorable.” The younger Joe Pudlo says former Carmel pitching coach Bill Taylor was a true mentor. “I spent many hours talking and working with Coach T on my pitching as well as all aspects of baseball and life. I am still thankful for my work with Coach T— we’ve kept in touch.” As a recent graduate, one victory remains fresh in Mike Pudlo’s mind. “When I was a senior we beat St. Rita,” he remembers. “They were a very well known team that always went to State. After the game everybody rushed the field and it was awesome.” In 2008, the Pudlos were thrilled to see their sons playing on the same Carmel baseball team. “In Joey’s senior year, he played baseball with Michael for the back half of the year,” their father recalls. “That was very special because the team went to the Super Sectionals. The memories they created and the friendships that resulted [for all of us] completed the picture.”

“If it wasn’t for my brother and dad I don’t know where I would be athletically.”

2008 also looms large in the younger Pudlo’s memory. “Beating Buffalo Grove for the Sectional Championship my senior year in 2008 [was a highlight],” he says. “I was 3-3 with a double in the game and it was the ﬁrst sectional championship the school had won in three years and was something that I was very proud of and still am to this day.” That same year, Pudlo set an IHSA state pitching record for fewest walks allowed in a single season—he allowed only three.

WORKING TOGETHER TO GET BETTER

MIKE ‘10

Sibling sports rivalry wasn’t an issue for Mike and Joe. As a freshman, Mike endured the indignity of being called “Pudlo’s Brother,” but he soon carved out his own identity. “We always wanted each other to do the best we could and worked very hard together,” explains Joe. “We both had high expectations because of our dad and his athletic honors. I can remember countless hours of practice and work that my brother and I put in along with my dad. Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon we would be out on Carmel’s field working out on our hitting or fielding to try and get better. If it wasn’t for my brother and dad I don’t know where I would be athletically.” Joe credits Carmel athletics with reinforcing the value of hard work. “Nothing was ever given to me while at Carmel,” he explains. “I had to work every year to better myself to be successful on the field. I have taken that dedication of hard work on the field and applied it to my life and studies off the field, as well as my athletics at the next level.”

Spring 2011

THE KROMBACHS KROMBACH KOMPETITION by Charmaine (Smith) Wright ‘95 Tradition, love of family, dedication, and perseverance—these are the ties that bind the Krombach family. And more often than not, these ties were on athletic shoes. The 5 Krombach kids—Colleen ’96, Kelly ‘00, Mitch ‘02 , Luke and Caitlin ‘04— were Carmel ﬁxtures in athletics, bringing prominence to the basketball and football programs during their respective eras.

They all mention a love of sports received from their parents and woven into their family’s fabric from the very beginning. Luke mentions peewee football (“or mass of ants as he calls it”) with Caitlin recalling wifﬂe ball as their earliest memories of sports, but all relay a love of competition and dedicated work ethic that translated into successful athletic endeavors.

COLLEEN ‘96 KELLY ‘00 CAITLIN ‘04 THE KROMBACH GIRLS All three girls found a passion for basketball above all other sports. Even after tearing her ACL her junior year and rehabbing for nine months, Caitlin still feels one of her greatest memories is her ﬁrst game back her senior year. After graduating, she was All Conference First Team and Conference MVP at McHenry County College, recently graduating as an R.N. last year. Kelly too found success in basketball at Carmel and beyond. After being hailed as top scorer and

She will never forget the feeling of absolute elation that followed winning that game when their fans rushed the court to celebrate. rebounder during her time at Carmel, she went on to play at St. Norbert’s where the team won the conference championship and tournament and received a berth to the NCAA tournament as an 11 seed. After travelling to Carlton College to play for the right to make the Sweet Sixteen, they ended up winning by 11 (against a 6 seed). She will never forget the feeling of absolute elation that followed winning that game when their fans rushed the court to celebrate. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the skill of the eldest girl Colleen—a quick google search of newspaper archives from 1995 reveals that her name was never written without “top scorer”, “tallying twenty [points]”, or “lead” far behind.

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MITCH ‘02 LUKE ‘04 THE KROMBACH BOYS Carmel Catholic head football coach Andy Bitto, says that the Krombach men helped Carmel Football explode into the most successful program in Lake County. On offensive line, Mitch helped the Corsairs win Conference his senior year. His favorite moment athletically was beating Mt. Carmel in the regular season that year. He mentions that all it took was a moment of understanding between he and Coach Bitto—before the game he looked Coach Bitto square in his eyes and Bitto glared right back

On offensive line, Mitch helped the Corsairs win Conference his senior year. Luke was a member of the greatest offensive lines in Carmel history who helped win the IHSA State Championship in 2004, a triumph for the entire school.

“Coach Berg coached the person, not just the athlete...”

and both gave a little nod, knowing what needed to be done to get the big win. Luke was a member of the greatest offensive lines in Carmel history who helped win the IHSA State Championship in 2004, a triumph for the entire school. He is extremely proud to be a part of that victory, and says the intangible special moments like playing “Sweet Home Alabama” after every win made the experience so memorable.

KOACHING AND KONFIDENCE Ben Berg had a hand in coaching and teaching all of the Krombach’s, and was roundly cited as the one who had the most signiﬁcant impact on the family athletically and personally. Caitlin mentioned that Coach Berg “coached the person, not just the athlete,” and was integral to her conﬁdence today. Coach Berg knew how to get the best out of the Krombach’s and they often recall his teachings now, all of them still athletic and competing whether it be in women’s rec basketball league, golf,

or triathalons. It’s therefore quite fitting that Ben Berg is Kelly’s immediate predecessor since Kelly has returned as Carmel’s head girls basketball coach. With large shoes to fill, chances are that Kelly will rely on those same ties that brought athletic success to her family with a passion that transcends whatever court or field on which they’re found.

Spring 2011

Planning Ahead for Aging Parents Part I WHEN CARETAKING SWITCHES HANDS There are so many questions that arise when one considers the path to caretaking for aging parents. Family situations, finances and resources vary greatly. And, most importantly, every parent is different. This subject is one that we all, truth be told, would rather broach as late as possible because the thought of it conjures up so many grim realities. This we know to be true: caretaking inevitably switches hands. In the spirit of opening up the lines of communication about a very hushed yet important topic, we reached out to our Carmel staff and asked them to share their paths to parental caretaking to provide our alumni and the Carmel community with some insight into a very personal yet universal subject. Andy Bitto courageously shared with us the emotions and decision-making process that took place when both of his

Louis Henry Bitto was born on the West side of Chicago on January 25, 1927. His mother Mary Murphy, a few years younger than Louis, was born in Hannibal, MO on July 28, 1931. Mary Murphy moved to Chicago when she was six years old when her father decided to work with the railroads. Louis attended Crane Technical High School and enlisted in the Navy in 1944. Louis had a happy Midwestern childhood and when he was 17, Louis joined the Navy at which time his gunnery captain was Gerald Ford (38th US President). He remained in the Navy until he was 19. After his time in the Navy, he returned to Chicago, and on a very important evening in 1947, he met and fell in love with the very beautiful Mary Murphy at a neighborhood roller rink. They were married on May 28, 1949. Shortly after getting married, Louis began working as a printer/typesetter and remained in this industry for many years. Mary remained at home once her first child arrived, Louis Anthony Bitto, Jr., born January 27, 1951. Mary went on to bear 11 more children including: Ronald John (3-6-52), Thomas Arthur (4-2-53), Steven James (7-18-54), Michael Joseph (10-13-55), Mark Paul (4-17-57), Louise Marie (4-24-59 d.), Christine Catherine (4-4-60),

parents became seriously ill. This is his story.

Many young people don’t know this today, but Chicago was known all over the world as one of the best places to roller skate. At the height of their popularity, “roller rinks” were the places you found most teenagers on any given Friday/Saturday night. Back then, you didn’t go to the movies or the mall, you went to the rink. Today, few of these rinks remain but what will never change for the Bitto family, especially Andy Bitto, is the fact that a special rink on the West side of Chicago is the place where his parents met and fell in love. Andrew “Andy” Bitto grew up in a large Irish-GermanCatholic family. His father,

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Back Row: Tom ‘71, Tony ‘69, Ron ’70, Steve ‘72. Middle Row: Louise ‘77, Matt ‘80, Andy ‘81, Christine ‘78. Front Row: Mike, Mitch ‘82, Alex ‘83, Mark ‘75.

Louis Henry Bitto and Mary Murphy Bitto on their wedding day on May 28, 1949.

Matthew Ryan (11-28-61), Andrew Peter (12-15-62), Mitchell Alan (1-1-64), Alexander Vincent (7-16-65). The Bitto children were as close in friendship and familiarity as their ages. Although they would all go on to move to different parts of the US and enter a variety of professions from teaching and coaching to the oil industry, carpentry and golf management, the Bitto children respected and honored where they called home for many years, Wildwood, IL. In the fall of 1984, tragedy struck the Bitto family when the 7th child, Louise Marie, was tragically killed in a car accident. She left behind two children, Sarah and Zachary, who Mary and Louis began to raise as the children’s primary custodians. Andy recalls that his father Louis Sr. was a loving father and husband “who worked very hard his entire life to provide for his family.” Andy goes on to say that “he encouraged his children’s participation in sports and attended hundreds of Carmel Catholic High School football games.” He also served as coach for the Gagewood Lions Club Little League for many years. Physically, Louis was a thin man and he was in relatively good physical shape. However, as was the norm during his generation, Louis was a heavy smoker and remained one until he suffered an aneurysm in the aorta of his heart in 1991. This aneurysm led to subsequent blood clots which in turn infiltrated his kidneys and legs, causing him to be placed on dialysis and require the use of prosthetics. Louis, at once an independent, spirited man, now in his current incapacitated state, was despondent and slowly began to show signs of depression shortly after starting dialysis. With his many dialysis appointments occurring thrice a week and lasting several hours, his life no longer had the freedom and spontaneity he was once so appreciative and fond of. Mary Bitto continued to care for Louis with the help of all her children for many years---nearly 11, until Louis made the decision to cease his dialysis treatments. Louis passed away within one week of communicating his decision, in the winter of 2002. His death is an event that marks a somber time for the family but they also acknowledge the way in which their bonds grew stronger and more deeply when they banded together to care for the great patriarch of their family. Louis was a generous, funny and resourceful man with lots of love for his wife and his children. Louis and Mary were married for 53 years. Subsequent to Louis’ death, Mary began working as a resource specialist for the Lakeview school. Working as a resource specialist, Mary was able to combine her two great passions in life: reading and children. Mary also greatly contributed to her church, helped seniors and found a little time to travel a few times a year. Through her ties to the community, her church and Carmel Catholic High School, she made many generations of friends throughout Lake County. Sadly, just 5 years after her husband’s death, Mary suffered a stroke on one side of her body in 2007 which incapacitated her for several months. Mary recovered and returned to leading a relatively normal life until she suffered a second stroke on the other side of her body which left her with the inability to swallow, walk, and severely continued on next page

What is long term care? Long-term care is needed when you or loved ones need help with bathing, dressing, using the toilet, transferring (to or from bed or chair), caring for incontinence, and eating.

Who needs it? About 70 percent of individuals over age 65 will require at least some type of long-term care services during their lifetime. Over 40 percent will need care in a nursing home for some period of time. (http://www.slﬁllinois. com/factsheetresident.html)

Where does it happen? • Care or assistance with activities of daily living in your home from an unpaid caregiver who can be a family member or friend; • Services at your home from a nurse, home health/home care aide, therapist, or homemaker; • Care in the community; and/or • Care in any of a variety of long-term facilities.

How do you plan for it? • Review the policies you have with your insurance advisor or beneﬁts counselor to learn what is covered and what is not. • Use tools to help you estimate how much money you will need and how you will pay for it (private versus public funding). (http://www.longtermcare.gov/LTC/Main_ Site/Planning_LTC/Considerations/Savings_ Calculator.aspx?rand=9)

Need help talking about the end of life with family? Five Wishes (http://www.agingwithdignity.org/ ﬁve-wishes.php) helps you or a loved one express: • Who you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them. • The kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want. • How comfortable you want to be. • How you want people to treat you. • What you want your loved ones to know. Charmaine (Smith) Wright ‘95

Spring 2011

Planning Ahead for Aging Parents Part I (cont.) slurred speech. Mary fought long and hard to recover but lost her battle with the subsequent complications from her second stroke. Mary expired on December 14, 2008. Prior to her passing Mary was very clear with her family that she had no desire to be artificially fed through tubes and she was not in favor of the use of any invasive procedure that would prolong her suffering or stay in the hospital. However, although Mary communicated her dying wishes to all her children, these wishes were not indicated in writing or in any legal documents. Therefore, as Mary’s condition progressed, the Bitto children had a very emotional family meeting during the days leading up to Mary’s death. As a result of the lack of a living will, Mary was appointed an attorney by the State of Illinois who assessed Mary’s wishes by contacting all of the Bitto children. The result of the attorney’s conversation with all 11 children led to Mary’s wishes eventually being honored. “Grandmother Mary” as she was affectionately called was laid to rest on December 20, 2008.

“Oftentimes, I wish I had spent more time with my mom and dad. Life tends to get in the way. I would recommend to everyone to spend time as much time with their parents while they are well and while they are aging or going through an illness and tell them that you love them as often as you can.” In reviewing his parents’ situation, Andy concedes that a living will would have eased the transition and facilitated communication between the family and the hospital. In his own words he states, “When it comes down to making choices on whether to administer life support or feeding tubes or not to, it would have been much easier if my parents would have outlined their wishes in writing prior to any severe illness. I do want to reiterate however that my parents received awesome doctor care-that I know with absolute certainty…Also, what truly amazed me was the helpfulness of hospice care. The hospice nurses were supportive beyond the call of duty.” Though Andy says he focuses on the memories of his parents when they were able-bodied and healthy, it’s difficult not to think about the things that were left unsaid, undone when they undergoing the aging process. He remarks, “Oftentimes, I wish I had spent more time with

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Andy Bitto with his two sons, (Jack 12, Pete 13).

Standing: Kelly Bitto, Kate Bitto (expecting), Patti Bitto and Elaine Billeck. Sitting: Mary Murphy Bitto and Delores Swanson.

my mom and dad. Life tends to get in the way. I would recommend to everyone to spend time as much time with their parents while they are well and while they are aging or going through an illness and tell them that you love them as often as you can.” He goes on to say that if you are already confronting a point where your parents are aging, use the time wisely. That it’s not just a time of worrying and waiting but more of sharing and even joy. He states, “I know for me that when my parents got sick it was an opportunity to spend more quality time with them.” Indeed, this time with aging parents is a unique and rare opportunity to have each other’s undivided, committed attention. It is not a common, everyday occurrence to focus on one another with such intensity and concentration. Bitto concludes his comments by stating, “For me, and for my family, their transition to heaven was comforting because of our faith and the knowledge that they are in a better place loving each other exponentially. My brothers and sisters and I were very lucky to have such wonderful parents. I am sure that it made my parents very proud to know that we were able to work together and love each other in their time of need.”

Planning Ahead for Aging Parents Part II GROW OLD WITH ME by Charmaine Wright ‘95 and Debbie Miller ‘79 One of my patients just told me that the secret to life is growing older but not old. I marvel at her ability to attend daily mass in the morning, and destroy her fellow card players at Bridge in the afternoon. She lives in an assisted living facility, plays Bocce, reads books, serves communion, learns new languages, and never fails to bring the office cookies. At our last visit, I asked a bit about her end-stage heart failure, but more about her grace. She said a large part of living well in her 80’s was knowing everything she could about where she was headed. Before her trip to Italy, she learned a new language, researched places to stay, booked her passage, and told her family and friends about what she wanted to do during her trip. She faces growing older with that same attitude. Thinking about my patient’s advice, I sat down with Condell Hospital Social Worker and Carmel alum Debbie Miller to help families start to plan and talk about growing older with their loved ones. Often these discussions start because an aging parent is ill and perhaps hospitalized, or knows someone who is. In the hospital setting, Debbie shares that social workers often provide community contacts to families when their parent is hospitalized, and written lists with resources related to which services are appropriate upon discharge. As a Social Worker, she prefers to sit down with the families individually to review the written resources to explain the difference between acute rehab, subacute rehab, home health, private caregivers and assisted living facilities. She also will review with the families the anticipated coverage of the aging parent’s insurance and direct the families to meet with a private caregiver agency or tour a couple of facilities before making a final decision. She encourages the families to consider their choices with the aging parent if possible or to keep in mind what environment will be suitable based on personality of the aging parent. We both agree that the single greatest worry we often hear from the families of an aging parent in the hospital is: what will my parent’s insurance plan cover and or reimburse for continued care post discharge. I often hear, “If my loved one wants to stay at home, who will help us?” Most often the aging parent will need some form of services on discharge largely due to decreasing length of stay in the hospital (now averaging 3-4 days) and time necessary to return to prior level of functioning. There are tools online (longtermcare.gov) to estimate costs for in home and out of home care, and to research public and private payment options. Debbie Miller often encourages families to contact the insurance agent who

sold the policies, or to take the policies with them to the admissions coordinator of the extended care facility, assisted living or private caregiver agency to review the parent’s covered benefits. And if loved ones can stay at home with family caregivers, I always tell them not to try to “go it alone”, to seek support, breaks, and advice from other caregivers. An even better time to discuss options, needs, and wishes is before an aging parent is hospitalized to prevent later stress and surprises. These discussions can be difficult because of a loved one’s desire to remain independent, but just as my patient learned a new language and told everyone what she wanted to do on her trip to Italy, so should we handle one of the most important trips our loved ones will take. Sitting down, learning, and talking about the options with an aging parent can take the burden off the families and they become more aware of the aging parent’s choices. These candid discussions open the door to smoother transition when the loved one becomes more dependent. Debbie Miller also encourages families to discuss with the aging parent to prepare a power of attorney for health care and estate to make decisions if they are not able to. There are many websites aiding in this process, but my favorite tool to frame the discussion and aid in decision-making is Five Wishes (http://www.agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes.php). If you don’t have a social worker to help you assess the needs of your loved one and aid in decision-making, there are many websites to help. Longtermcare.gov is a great place to learn about the different kinds of assisted care for loved ones, as well as payment and planning options. Silver Connections or the Department of Aging are national resources that will provide senior case management; Veterans have an Aid and Attendance program that will provide monetary assistance for caregiver support. Families are always able to contact the Social Services Department of the local hospital for community resources and contacts even if their parent is not a patient in the hospital. This is just a snapshot of the variables in caring for the senior aging parent. Many Carmel families have cared for their parents in beautiful ways and there is a wealth of experience among our alums. Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of us with questions.

Spring 2011

Advancement News DIRECTOR’S NOTE Leadership, teamwork, determination, character development and healthy lifestyles. These are only some of the life-long benefits that young people gain from sports and extracurricular activity involvement. There is mounting evidence that athletic participation has a positive effect on the lives of students, especially in an academic arena (Stegman & Stephens, 2003). Studies also show that youth involvement in sports programs promotes responsible social behaviors, confidence in one’s physical abilities, positive healthy practices and strong social bonds and friendships. Every now and again we hear stories from our alumni and students of how wearing the label of “student athlete” is something that they will always be proud of. Recalling rigorous days of participating in sports they love, while at the same time pushing themselves to excel academically, Carmel athletes would always offer to say that those were some of the best days of their high school lives. They attribute the positive academic and socializing influences of their teachers, coaches, school mentors and the requirements of team membership to helping enhance their personal resilience and esteem; and providing them with a sense of physical and mental empowerment. They would continue to say that the discipline and rigor, provided through the school’s structured academic and athletic programs, often carry throughout their four-year stay at Carmel. It also seems clear that parents play a big role in contributing to a young person’s sense of character when they engage in their children’s physical and non-academic activities. Moms and dads are a welcome fixture in the bleachers, cheering their children on and giving their love and unconditional support. Their consistent dedication, presence and encouragement are invaluable as they are essential in the development of life lessons for our young Corsairs. Students are taught responsibility, hard work, discipline, perseverance, work ethic, social skills, facing adversity, and goal setting and achievement – all of which impact their life decisions during their adult life. William Butler Yeats once said: “Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.” I believe that Carmel Catholic’s strong athletic program does ignite and unleash the individual and team potential of our students, honing them to be the best that they can be and preparing them to face a world of victories and potential, challenges and failures. For this Currents spring issue, we would like to heap praises, salute, recognize and thank all of our Corsairs alumni athletes who have not only shown the true meaning of sportsmanship, but most of all, who have lived their lives exemplifying the lessons and values learned from their years of athletic participation at Carmel. Some of these individuals may have made their names in the world, or some of them may not have earned the all trophies, awards and accolades; and yet all of them have remained grounded, strong and tenacious people. For us, they are all winners in themselves – a special group of individuals who share a collective legacy of Carmel memories, stories and friendships!

Gratefully,

Claress S. L. Pettengill Director of Institutional Advancement

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Annual Fund Progress

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Thank you for inspiring excellence and amazing opportunities! Carmel continues to shine as a school of excellence and distinction. Thanks to YOU, our Carmel family of alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff! Your loyalty, commitment and contributions of time, talent and ﬁnancial resources help us meet the evolving needs of Carmel’s Corsairs! Your investment towards Carmel Catholic’s Annual Fund makes a difference! We are committed to ensuring the educational advantage and the holistic development of our students. Thanks to your remarkable generosity, we are able to provide incredible opportunities and the best educational programs, create cutting-edge learning environments, retain quality faculty, and transform the lives of the many young women and men in our care.

To name one of them: during this school year, we were able to acquire tablet personal computers for our faculty members. These computers have proven to be highly effective classroom teaching tools. Carmel Catholic’s Annual Fund goal this school year is $400,000. Please help us make our goal that enhances Carmel’s rigorous academic curriculum and the students’ learning experiences within and outside the classroom. To make a contribution, please mail your check to: Ofﬁce of Institutional Advancement, Carmel Catholic High School, One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein, IL 60060. To make an online donation, please go to: http://www.carmelhs.org/. There is still time – please send in your gift today!

Please help us meet our goal! Our Goal: $400,000 30% left to go

$288,730

This year we have made tremendous strides throughout the school – all made possible by your support to our 2010-2011 Annual Fund.

FACULTY VOICE Carmel is turning 50 soon and I am proud to say that I am part of that rich history as both a student/athlete from ’97-’01 and now a teacher/coach from ’07-present. I have friends to this day that were part of that 2003 State Championship team for football and students now that won state in Gymnastics and Tennis. Carmel is blessed with amazing students who have incredible talent. As an athlete at Carmel I played sports year round in soccer, basketball and volleyball. When I went off to college I played for the Purdue Men’s Volleyball Team. While there I also got recruited to try out for the USA Men’s National Handball team. Team handball isn’t very popular here in the US, but it’s a physical, fast paced game and is a lot of fun. All the experiences I’ve had as an athlete have influenced me now as a coach. I’ve been able to help shape the future of our soccer and volleyball programs here at Carmel as the Sophomore Boys Soccer coach and Sophomore Boys Volleyball coach. As fun as it was competing when I went to school here, I am even more proud of watching the boys I coach improve and progress through their own careers. I even coached the little brother (Aaron Ogunro) of a friend of mine (Eddie Ogunro) that I graduated with in ’01. On the other side of things, Carmel has continued to shine as an Academic Leader. Many of you know of our four Blue Ribbon Awards, but the future is even more promising. We have been upgrading the technology within the building to keep up with the ever-changing world and hope to become a 1 to 1 school in the near future. 1 to 1 means every student will have their own computer and bring it with them to every classroom. This will help on so many levels, from going green by using less paper to technology training and computer literacy needed in the working world. We are still deciding a few things about the 1 to 1 implementation, but I know all of us here at Carmel are very excited for it. For me personally, Carmel has always felt like home. While it was never in my plans as a high school student to come back here and teach, I’m certainly glad things worked out the way they have. Dave Pazely ‘01

Spring 2011

REGISTER TODAY. STAY CONNECTED ALWAYS. What are my classmates up to now? Where’s my favorite Carmel teacher? When is my next reunion? These are just a few of the questions that pop up in our alums’ minds when they reflect on Carmel. When you register to be a member of our alumni community, not only can you get answers to these questions, but our alumni website is also a great resource for information on upcoming events and school news. Get answers before you have questions. Register today.

Here’s how: To Register: •

Go to www.corsairalumni.org

•

Select First Time Login (top left of toolbar)

•

Type your Last Name (try maiden name if married name does not appear)

•

Type your Constituent ID (if you do not see your constituent ID located above your address on this issue, email alumni@carmelhs.org)

•

Select radio button with your name

•

Click Next

You will now be directed to a page where you can enter information from current address to current employer, etc. On this page please update your information and be sure to create a user name and password.

Once you become a member, you can post a class note and/or a photo. Class notes that appear in the online alumni community are published in Currents.

Join the Alumni Association groups online! Questions regarding corsairalumni.org, reunions or class gift donations? Contact Alumni Relations at 847-388-3382 or alumni@carmelhs.org for more information.

Currents

Planned Giving

WHY WE MADE A PLANNED GIFT TO CARMEL CATHOLIC by Ted Bond, Jr., ’84, and Julie Bond

As an alum, I have come to realize that Carmel gave me the foundation for much of the success I have had in my life. The value of service to others, the leadership skills, the work ethic and the faith that I learned while in high school have continued to assist me both in my career and in my personal life. As time has passed, I have truly come to appreciate that there is no place like Carmel. As current parents of a Carmel student, we have seen these values for life being instilled in our own child. We often hear it said that there is something “different” about Carmel kids. “Different” is always used in only the most positive way imaginable. People in our community

use that word to mean more respectful, better behaved, hard working, conscientious and a pleasure to be around. As an estate planning attorney, I often see people struggling with what their legacy will be when they leave this earth. Our planned gift to Carmel is our way of showing how much the school meant to us and our family. We know that the gift we make will be used to pass on Carmel values and the Carmel tradition to another generation. What better way to say thank you than to help others have the same great experiences we have had.

Spring 2011

Thinking back on my four years in high school, I don’t immediately think of a particular science lesson or writing assignment. I can, however, recall where each of my homerooms were and who sat in my classes. The Brandsma Chapel still holds a special place in my heart as I remember my return from Kairos. I think back on the 100 hallway and thrill of finally being a senior fully anticipating college in the fall. I remember logging hours of at service projects and decorating the halls for Street Scenes. These are the moments that resound in my memories and that stuck with me as I moved forward in life. There are many examples of men and women around the world who have taken their calling of service to amazing new levels. For example, groups like ShelterBox provide tents, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items as disaster relief. There are also smaller based organizations such as CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, that train and rely on civilian support in times of local disaster. Perhaps we aren’t the professional athlete, famous author or rock star of our initial dreams, but the opportunity to be exceptional and to make a difference remains available. As adults and alums of Carmel, we are still called to the mission of our younger years: to serve others and be true to ourselves along the way. The Carmel Catholic High School Alumni Association provides events throughout the year to network, give back to the community and to rekindle friendships. I invite you to reconnect with Carmel in a more personal manner and embody the spirit we all had in our days roaming the hallways of the Corsairs. Meghan Donahue, ‘98 CCHSAA Vice President

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CA R

C LI

Socrates says, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Well, at fourteen, that might not have been an easy task. Yet, as my own children begin to grow up, I think ahead to the words of wisdom I hope to have ready for their teenage years. I think the best I can say is, we are all called to be people of compassion and wonder. There is no magic recipe for high school, expect to try your best to be respectful and learn from every moment.

CATH EL O M

When I think about the education I received at Carmel Catholic High School, I am gratified knowing my experience was multifaceted. Not only did I take classes in the core areas of learning, sprinkled with a few electives here and there, I truly walked away with a well rounded understanding of school, life and community. Excellence in academics coupled with athletics, service, fine arts and spirituality were at the root of my high school years and for good reason. My teachers, as well as my parents, understood that these components offered me the best of everything I needed as a young woman.

H SCHO O

President Christine Drew “97 cdrew137@yahoo.com

Vice President Meghan Donahue ‘98 meghandonahue@ comcast.net

Secretary Nicole Covganka ‘01 nicolec@rpgplan.com

Treasurer Rocco Pesola ‘77 roccopesola@comcast.net

Interested in becoming involved in the Alumni Association? Contact Christine LeBrun via email at clebrun@carmelhs.org or call 847.388.3382

ALUMNI EVENTS Spring 2011

WHERE IN THE

W RLD is the Corsair? Elephants love Corsairs! ape vel to C tired a r t s ir Corsa h Africa. Re CCHS Sout o T wn, trick Lawler, r, te Pa daugh es Judge its his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;66, vis ss who resid r n Le h he Megha nesburg wit r. e n a h p o o in J rist h nd Ch husba

At Ca pe Inter natio Town nal A irpor t. Table Mountain, In the shadow of Africa Cape Town South

The Corsair loves to know what is happening in our CCHS community! Are your traveling for a vacation or business? Are you graduating from college or celebrating an anniversary? Take the Corsair with you on your travels, to parties, sporting events or bring him to weddings and special occasions! He is the perfect guest! CCHS parents and students, email your Corsair photos to alumni@carmelhs.org. Alumni please post your Corsair photos on corsairalumni.org as a general class note or email photos to alumni@carmelhs.org. All photos should include a caption with the names of the people photographed and the location of the photograph.

Cu Currents urr

Cut out the Corsair and submit your photos today!

Alumni News CLASS NOTES

1969

1983

1992

The Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology (WSPP) Inc. named Carmel alumnus, Dale Bespalec ‘69 Ph.D., clinical psychologist, its new dean. He has been a member of the WSPP faculty since 1985.

Jeff Marsh ‘83, is still serving Latin Mass about 15 miles from home. He also works Bingo on Wednesday nights, verifying whether players have a Bingo or not. In addition, he is also a lector at his parish.

Linh Stevens Preston ‘92 has joined Cancer Support Community Central Indiana as Vice President of Fund Development and Community Relations. She also serves as First Vice Chair and Development Chair on the board of directors for Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis.

1971 Trine Grillo ‘71, has a new website. www.trinegrillo.com

1977 Sheri Salata ’77 has served as Executive Producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show since September 2006. She phoned in to “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” in early spring of this year to discuss the final episode of the iconic 25 year-long talk show. Sheri was named President of Harpo Studios in December 2009.

1983

Alum Larry Bobo ‘83 recently published a follow-up piece to his first book ,”The Outstanding Man”, another self-help read titled, “How To Find An Outstanding Man.” This book is geared towards women, young and old, single or married, seeking guidance on the right mate.

1987 Carmel Ironman! On May 1st, Larry Drolet ‘87, completed Ironman Australia, a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile marathon. This was his third Ironman event having completed one in Western Australia in 2010 and another in Arizona in 2009. Later this year he will compete in his fourth ironman event.

1991

Keith Forshaw ‘91 received his Masters in Business Administration Management (MBA) from Loyola University Chicago’s Graduate School of Business on November 7, 2009 also earning a certificate in corporate ethics policy. He spent 14 years as a Director of Technology at Hewitt Associates based in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Currently, he is a Senior Project Manager in IT Services at the University of Chicago.

1998

and development programs for Pact in Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Georgia and Myanmar. When she isn’t traveling for business or pleasure, Denise lives in Washington, DC with her husband Matt.

2001 Nicole Cogvanka ‘01, financial planner and current Secretary of the CCHS Alumni Association Board, recently wrote a very keen article that was featured on foxbusiness.com on the universal topic of fiances and finances.

2005 Julie (Hattas) Kennedy ‘98, Carmel alumna, Senior Editor & Design Director at St. Sebastian recently published a Parish Cookbook: “100 Years of Sharing a Table. She also runs her own graphic design firm from home. Julie is thrilled to have been able to use her talents to help the parish celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.

Molly Mattingly ‘05 will be working with the House of Brigid in Wexford, Ireland for the next two years beginning in September 2011. The lay community works with music and youth ministry at the Church of the Annunciation. www.houseofbrigid.org

2000 Denise Schroeder ‘00 recently became the Associate Director of New Business for the Middle East and Eurasia region for Save the Children. For the previous six years, she designed health

Spring 2011

Alumni News CLASS NOTES (CONT.)

2006

2007

Alumna, Anna Therese Day ‘06, is currently a freelance journalist and writer who has been covering the democratic upheavals throughout the Middle East. Anna is also a producer and activist.

Carbon Tigers (CT), a rapidly rising, up and coming rock/ indie band, consisting of alum Chris Wienke ‘07, Nick Cudone, Matt Irizarry, Aaron Sweatt, and Jeffrey Simonelli was recently awarded the Biggest Mouth Award on April 27.

Alum, Nikole Viltz ‘ 07, continues to be a gymnastics force to be reckoned with at Eastern Michigan University. Viltz competed on the vault posting a 9.675 for her performance. She attended EMU by way of a “full ride” scholarship for gymnastics and academics.

Tara Gille ‘07 traveled to Arusha, Tanzania, Africa with a group of fellow Purdue University students accompanied by their professor. In Tanzania, they taught at various schools in their assigned village as well as spent time visiting orphanages, including full immersion in the Tanzanian culture.

ENGAGEMENTS | MARRIAGES | BIRTHS | ADOPTIONS King ‘99 married Daniel Blackburn on 1 Lindsay November 13, 2010. Anderson ‘04 and Rachel Leman ‘04 married on 2 Joe September 4, 2010 in Milwaukee, WI.

Paul Nustra ‘03 to Amelia Pantone (not pictured). Snow Lutz-Sladdin was born to Catherine Lutz ‘90 3 Caleah and Michael Sladdin on September 20, 2010. Lee was born March 18, 2011 to Don and Kenna 4 Drake (Trahan ‘99) Arganbright. James (CJ) was born to Beth and Jim 5 Christopher Stamatakos ‘97. Here’s a recent photo. parents Nancy (Strang) Koltanowski ‘01 and 6 Proud Alexander Koltanowski Jr., welcomed

5 6 7

Jacob Alexander Koltanowski (born 12/04/10). and Madelyn Doyle born to Sarah (Mikrut) Doyle 7 Brooklyn ‘93 and Kevin Doyle. Bryce Matthew Mann born 12/15/10 to Christine (Kirchner) Mann 02’ and Kyle Mann (not pictured).

Post your birth announcement with a photo on corsairalumni.org and receive a ‘Corsair in Training’ t-shirt for your future Corsair! T-shirts are sent out quarterly and sent to alumni who post their happy news online. Online class notes are always available for alumni to view.

Currents

We try our best to include all photos submitted, but sometimes space restrictions do not allow us to publish all photos in Currents. However, all photos submitted are included in the Class Notes on www.corsairalumni.org

IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI

FATHER OF Hugh Boyle, father of Patrick ’98 and Shannon ‘00 John P. O’Connor, Sr., father of John Jr. ’83

Chuck Gillette ’68

Theodore “Ted” Raupp Sr., father of Irene (Raupp ‘80) Krempely, Carolyn (Raupp ‘90) and Theodore Jr., ’83; grandfather of Katie ’06 and Alex ’09 Krempely

John Patrick O’Connor, Jr. ‘83 James Porten ‘85, the brother of Matthew ’86 Tom Rajchel’s ‘03 Michael Werner ’78, brother of Daniel ’78 and Bridget (Werner ’84) Pyne

FACULTY/COACH John Cassidy, English teacher and coach in the ‘80’s

John Grala, father of Tim ’02 and Molly ’06 Timothy E. McCaskey, father of Kevin ’86 and Scott ’90

MOTHER OF Tawn Resetich, mother of Tatlin ’07 and Tylee ‘11

DAUGHTER OF

GRANDFATHER OF

Anna Mary Schroeder, daughter of Carolyn (McGuire ’85) Schroeder and niece of Suzanne McGuire ‘90

Wayne Tegler, grandfather of Katie ’13 and Jake ’11 Larson

BROTHER OF

James R. Zdon, grandfather of Jacqueline ‘05 and Stephanie ‘08 Zdon

GRANDMOTHER OF Marian Brodarick, grandmother of Robert ’07 and Anna ’09 Brodarick Jeanette Dundovich, grandmother of John ‘09 and Rob ‘06 McKay Joyce Johnson, grandmother of Allyson ’07 and Kayce ’09 Fabry Sally McCollister, grandmother of Patrick ’06, Elizabeth ’07 and Tim ’09 Sauerland Helene Rodems, grandmother of Kate ’00 and Danny ’04 Gucwa

William A. “Billy” Baker, brother of Nancy Baker ‘73 and Susan (Baker ‘77) Phillips, Donna (Baker ’75) Bishop and Laura Baker ’71 (deceased), uncle of Justin Pawlowski ’99 and Matthew Phillips ‘04

FATHER-IN-LAW OF Patrick D. Conway, father-inlaw of Eileen (Alfonsin ’81) Conway

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26

STAY IN TOUCH Do you have a new job or an addition to the family you would like to tell us about? Are you a newlywed or want to reconnect with former classmates and other alumni? Currents welcomes news of accomplishments or changes in your professional or personal life for inclusion in class notes. Please include your graduate name and class year, your present name and daytime phone number when you submit a class note. We publish photos as quality of photo and space allows. If available, include a photo caption listing the names of the people and where it was taken. Submissions to class notes are edited for space and clarity to adhere to the style and tone of the magazine. Submit news and photos to: Alumni Relations, Carmel Catholic High School One Carmel Parkway, Mundelein, IL 60060 Fax: 847-388-3497, Email: alumni@carmelhs.org Online at: www.corsairalumni.org/classnote Obituaries: CCHS relies on family members to inform us of the deaths of alumni and friends. If a newspaper obituary is available, we would appreciate a copy. Send notices to the address above. DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS: Currents is published in the summer, winter and spring. Class notes will be printed as space allows and when possible, in the order they are received. If you submit an item for the fall issue, for example, and it doesn’t appear, it most likely will be in the following issue. We encourage all alums to submit class notes online, where they are always available for alumni to view. Submit items for… Summer: by June 10 Fall: by September 9

Spring 2011

Non-Profit Org US Postage Paid Permit No 4854 Milwaukee, WI One Carmel Parkway | Mundelein, IL 60060

2011 JUNE 23

3rd Annual CCHS Alumni Awards

JULY 16 26 30

Class of 2006 Reunion Corsairs.Cocktails.Connect. Happy Hour Community Concert Featuring John Angotti

AUGUST 1 6 13 20 21 27

School Opens Class of 1976 Reunion Class of 1991 Reunion Class of 1966 Reunion Opening School Liturgy Class of 1981 Reunion

Carmel Catholic

CALENDAR OF EVENTS