GIBBONS

GIBBONS CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE

2019-2020

OUGH FA IVES THR L G N I M ANSFOR TURE. TR U F E H T G EMBRAC ING THE PAST. SHAPIN

AND LEADERSHIP ITH, SERVICE, .

Rolling Out The Welcome Mat For Freshmen The school community comes out in full force to greet freshmen and welcome them to our family as they start their high school journey in this time-honored tradition known as Freshman Welcome Day.

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OUR HOMES THROUGH THE YEARS.

110 YEARS YOUNG PAGE 20

Our first location in 1909 was within the Cowper-Pulaski mansion, which also housed the chapel, convent, and dormitory.

In 1936, our school relocated to a new school building constructed next to the then Sacred Heart Cathedral.

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In 1962, the school relocated to a Western Blvd. site, now the location of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral.

In 1999, Gibbons relocated to its current Edwards Mill Road campus.

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL

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MISSION MOMENTS

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ADMINISTRATION

BEHIND THE SCENES

CRUSADER SNAPSHOTS

Most Reverend Luis Rafael Zarama Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh Michael J. Fedewa Ed.D. Superintendent of Catholic Formation & Education, Diocese of Raleigh Nancy A. Barkan, Principal

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CONVERSATIONS WITH ...

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EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHTS

TAKE FIVE: OUTREACH: LOVE IN ACTION

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Alumni Editor Susan Leigh ’87 Associate Director of Alumni Advancement Cover story and alumni spotlights written by Rachelle Garbarine

FYI

TWO VIEWS

Editor Rachelle Garbarine Director of Communications

Editing Rachelle Garbarine, Susan Leigh ’87, and Terri Ingraham

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Photography Azul Photography, Dogwood Media, Gibbons Media, Natasha Johnson

WHERE THINGS HAPPEN

GIBBONS is published twice a year in the fall/winter and the spring/summer

by Cardinal Gibbons High School for its parents, students, alumni, and friends.

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BACK IN THE DAY

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GIBBONS IMPACT

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GIBBONS ALUMNI

26 Alumni In Our Community

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THEN AND NOW

28 Alumni Spotlights

CONTACT US: If information has been omitted or incorrectly noted, please accept our apology. To notify us of the correction, to submit information for future issues of GIBBONS, or to request back issues of the magazine, please contact Rachelle Garbarine at (919)834-1625 x 206 or rgarbarine@cghsnc.org

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From the Principal | CONTINUING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE

W

hen I came to Cardinal Gibbons for the first time in June of 2003 for my interview with then principal Brother Michel Bettigole OSF, I remember seeing the sign “Cardinal Gibbons High School - Established in 1909.” I thought, “I want to be here for this school’s 100th anniversary.” I never imagined that I would not only be here for the 100th but now also for the 110th.

I don’t think I truly understood what that meant at the time. Like others, I discovered that Gibbons has a rich history that we are blessed to celebrate each year.

We learned the importance of celebrating our rich traditions: we embrace the mission of Jesus Christ - to love and serve one another.

Every religious order and principal who has led Gibbons welcomed the students, educators, and families to ensure this school formed men and women committed to living and preaching a message of love, hope, and truth.

We have now closed the book on our 110th year. We continue, however, to shape the future with our college-preparatory academic excellence and the purchase and renovation of our retreat center. We remain committed to our nationally-recognized model of technology integration, our successful athletics program, our state and nationally

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award-winning fine arts department, and our robotics program with six patents and a relationship with NASA. We have ensured continued support to the visual and performing arts and a robust computer programming and engineering program while expanding spiritual and leadership retreat opportunities.

Our achievements are not one and done.

We’ve been planning and celebrating our school each year - always looking for opportunities to improve. We didn’t accomplish these achievements overnight; they were the exponential results of years of dedication, years of visioning, and years of hard work.

The 110th anniversary is not a stop. We believe that by embracing the love of all of those we serve we can transform lives through faith, service, and leadership. From our school’s founding in 1909 it has been clear how blessed we are as a community and that our continued commitment to our mission is what transforms us each day.

Gratefully,

Nancy A. Barkan, Principal

FAITH

Mission Moments

T

he start of the school year ushered in the next chapter for the SHORT JOURNEY RETREAT CENTER. As our home away from home for retreats, the center will host 50+ SPIRITUAL FORMATION RETREATS as well as launch a new Gibbons tradition: freshmen will be the first class to attend retreats at Short Journey throughout their four years of high school.

“Connecting to God in a setting that allows them to feel at home empowers them to live out their faith after the retreat, create lasting memories, and grow together in community,” said Tim Yelenic. He and Crista Anders are the school’s retreat directors.

Returning to Short Journey for all retreats pleases Macie Pennisi ’23. “Having the retreats in the same place will enhance the experience,” she said.

The blessing ceremony held at the center this fall included the dedication of four rooms. They were named for Jason D. Curtis, Monsignor Gerald L. Lewis, Agnes Penny, and Monsignor John A. Wall. Each has a deep commitment to Short Journey.

At Gibbons, students have many other opportunities for prayerful reflection. Key among them is heading to the chapel for Mass, especially on Thursdays, when it is both a faith-enriching experience and a musical one. The reason is the Morning Music Ministry, an all-volunteer group of students and educators.

50+

RETREATS, including 12 serving over 500 middle school students.

“By having liturgical music that students can enjoy and participate in, they are drawn into closer connection to our Lord, our church, our school, and one another,” said theology educator Mark DeLaRosa who serves as the group’s moderator.

To learn more about Spiritual Life at Gibbons please visit cghsnc.org/retreats Fall/Winter 2019-2020 5

Mission Moments “Love is always at the service of others. Because love is seen in actions, not words.” P OP E FRA NCI S

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ove is boundless at Gibbons, where the Pope’s words are a mantra for our students, educators, alumni, and parents who spend NEARLY 200 DAYS EACH SCHOOL YEAR in service to others.

SERVICE

That service takes on many forms. So far this school year, it has included serving those families impacted by Hurricane Dorian as well as those still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Florence.

It also empowered our educators to live out the call to serve during the annual Gibbons Educator Day of Service at the same nonprofit organizations where our students perform their community outreach. Educators traveled in groups to one of nine different communities to help the most vulnerable among us.

“Service is as much about the encounter – the people we serve and those with whom we serve – as it is the work we do,” Gary Meyerl ’82, Director of Outreach Ministry, said.

And it has inspired us to carry on the legacy of sharing the joy of education through service to others. This year, two students are continuing an after-school tutoring program for disadvantaged children that began in 2014.

There is also our Gibbons Gives program.

Through it, our technology department donates computers to students or groups in developing countries and neighboring communities.

These activities don’t include our daily acts of service. They range from serving lunch to the hungry and engaging with senior citizens and adults with disabilities, to working at a Habitat for Humanity build site.

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Gibbons partners with

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SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS throughout the Triangle.

To learn more about Service at Gibbons please visit cghsnc.org/outreach

Mission Moments

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f there is one thing to know about Gibbons, it is the power and potential of the word leader. Here, students put that word into action through opportunities that help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

Gibbons offers NINE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES. They include everything from The Gibbons Leadership Community and the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy to the fall sports leadership program.

There also are myriad other leadership opportunities that enable students to explore, learn, and grow. They range from clubs to sports and include the adoption of an ATHLETICS CULTURE CODE. Athletic Director Todd Schuler said the culture code, “provides a blueprint for teams to make sport a formational experience within the context of our school’s mission.”

These opportunities offer compelling ways for our students to make a difference in their school and local community, explained Gabi Burn ’08, science educator and director of leadership formation. Students also are empowered to lead others through monthly meetings.

Leadership opportunities also extend to parents and younger students. An example is the Middle School Leadership Conference, held in October.

That’s when student leaders, using the skills they gained at Gibbons, helped over 90 middle school students from the Diocese of Raleigh discover those same skills, and learn how to use them effectively.

So, as John Quincy Adams famously stated, ”If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

There are many leaders at Gibbons.

To learn more about Leadership at Gibbons please visit cghsnc.org/campuslife/events/gibbons-leadership-conference

LEADERSHIP first-ever Added our

PARENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE for members of the Gibbons Family Association board for a total of 9 different types of leadership conferences.

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Crusader Snapshots Gibbons offers students as well as parents numerous opportunities to engage in our vibrant community and live out our mission of forming men and women of faith, service, and leadership in church and community. To read more stories about life at Gibbons, please visit cghsnc.org/gibbonsnews

GOOD MORNING AMERICA

Jenny Marks has been coaching cheerleading at Gibbons for 23 years, making her one of the longest-serving varsity coaches in the school’s history. She was honored at the start of this school year with a surprise visit from Good Morning America. Her Gibbons family, including Principal Nancy A. Barkan, were on hand to cheer for her.

FRESHMAN FOCUS

Freshman Focus, a program uniquely connected to Gibbons, celebrated its 10th anniversary in August. While over the last decade the program grew tremendously, its goal remains the same, to ease the first-day jitters of incoming freshmen and provide them with a glimpse of life at Gibbons.

STARTING THE YEAR WITH MASS The Gibbons community started the new academic year by joining in faithful prayer at an All School Mass led by the Most Rev. Luis Zarama, Bishop of Raleigh. The Mass, on August 15, honored the feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

PARENTS CARING FOR PARENTS

More than 300 freshman parents connected with and cared for one another at Freshman Parent Focus. The annual event, now in its fifth year, is a wonderful opportunity for the Gibbons parent community to come together to welcome new parents of the incoming freshman class.

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BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

More than 1,200 new and returning Gibbons parents gathered in fellowship for Back to School Night, Gibbons’ official welcome back event. The evening offers parents the opportunity to meet educators and visit their student’s classroom.

FAMILY FOOTBALL NIGHT

More than 2,000 people attended this muchanticipated fall event that brings together Gibbons families with those from 12 area schools to celebrate an evening of fellowship, football, and fun. During a special halftime presentation, the Crusaders received the NCHSAA 4A Wells Fargo Cup.

PLAYING GOLF, SUPPORTING GIBBONS

Some 119 parents, alumni, and friends of Gibbons headed to the links to engage with one another and support the school at the annual Crusader Classic Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit athletics programs through The Cardinal Gibbons Fund by supporting new and expanding student opportunities on campus.

THREE LOGOS

There is much to celebrate this year. We are commemorating our 110th anniversary and the opening of our own retreat center.

To reflect those milestones and to continue a branding process started years ago, school administrators commissioned the creation of two new logos and an update to Gibbons’ iconic 10-year-old spirit logo.

COMMEMORATING 9/11

The school community commemorated the 18th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks with a variety of reflection and prayer opportunities. Key among them were a collection of books on the topic in the library as well as a unique memorial display, sponsored by the History Club, that featured 2,977 flags, representing the number of people who died in the attacks.

COMING HOME AT HOMECOMING

In a nod to our school’s 110th anniversary, 150 alumni and their guests gathered in the Crusader Room, which houses reminders of Gibbons’ illustrious past, to celebrate Homecoming 2019. The alumni who attended the September homecoming reception, spanned graduation years from 1950 to 2019.

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Behind The Scenes

IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY TRANSFORMATION: Turn the main gym into a sacred space for All School Liturgies. This peek behind the scenes highlights how our students and educators selflessly give up hours of their time to turn a recreational area into a holy space where the Gibbons community can rejoice as one in God’s grace.

It also showcases the enormity of the task and, at the same time, the boundless joy Crusaders receive answering the call to serve, one that continues after Mass. That’s when they disassemble the room and return it to its original use – until the next Mass.

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Members of Strike Force Mass work with 60 students and nine educators for over two hours to convert the Fr. Price gym to a sacred place for the All School Mass to celebrate All Saints Day on November 1.

At 6 a.m., the gym eerily sits empty and quiet, awaiting the start of its transformation.

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Technical Theatre Director Karestin Harrison pilots the one-ton scissor lift to the Fr. Price gym. The lift enables workers to hang the drapes and cross that form the backdrop to the All School Mass altar.

Members of the varsity men’s and women’s basketball teams move the 15 essential items for the Mass from the Queen of All Saints Chapel to the gym. The items include candle holders, ambo, and the five pieces that comprise the large San Damiano Cross that will hang behind the altar.

At least ten helpers assemble the 18, 4’ x 4’ steel frame plywood panels and 73 legs that fit together like an intricate puzzle to form the stage. It will hold the altar, ambo, and several people.

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Twelve hundred! That is the number of folding chairs students and educators set up and arrange in neat rows for Mass.

Karestin Harrison, technical theatre director, and English educator Mike Sheehan discuss strategy during a break in their supervision of the gym’s transformation for the November 1 Mass. The pair have worked together for six years and have supervised over 36 such conversions.

Helpers stand atop the scissor lift, which rises to 21 feet to enable them to hang the curtains, assemble the five pieces of the San Damiano Cross, and position them behind the altar.

Helpers set the altar, candles, chairs, and ambo on the stage. Wires and cables are run for the microphones the priests and choir use during Mass. All that remains is the arrival of the Gibbons school community.

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5 TAKE

GIBBONS OUTREACH IS LOVE IN ACTION

Faith. Service. Leadership. While these values are the three core ingredients of all things Gibbons, we are invited to enrich our community and the lives of others through the service we provide those in need. You can find students, parents, educators, and even alumni serving at one of the agencies with which we partner several days a week throughout the year, thus putting into practice the Gospel’s call to “love one another.”

Gary Meyerl ’82 DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH MINISTRY

“It has been exciting to watch Gibbons Outreach grow over the years. The way that we serve – enabling our students, educators, parents, and alumni to roll up their sleeves and encounter the poor and marginalized – is transformative. It truly is a gift to be part of a Catholic school community that embraces the Gospel message the way we do at Gibbons.”

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Take Five Kristen Lopiano ’20 STUDENT

“While a smile and humility are vital to a meaningful service experience, serving one’s community also requires patience.

Not every moment is a positive, life-changing experience, but you cannot give up. During my time at 321 Coffee, the workers (who have Down Syndrome) sometimes got frustrated when they made a mistake. When they wanted to give up, it was my job to sit with them and help them get up and try again because if I gave up, so would they. Despite how hard it was to watch them become disappointed in themselves, their pride and moments where they overcame whatever made them upset made it all worth it.”

Joanie Madormo GIBBONS PARENT OF VICTOR ’15, ALEXANDER (AJ) ’18 AND TAYLOR ’20

“Compassion is also needed. It’s one thing to smile and serve with humility, but you also need to have empathy to be in front of the people you serve. For example, the first few times I worked Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen in Raleigh I couldn’t be in contact with the needy.

I would hide and work in the kitchen so not to see the people because I felt so bad for them. Compassion gave me the strength and the courage to help them face-to-face and make them comfortable.”

Jennifer Pinna ’00 ASSET MANAGER, B&B PROPERTIES AND ALUMNA

“When called to serve others, we must come with a heart full of gratitude. It is important to remember that “but by the grace of God” we have been spared some of the challenges that others face in life.

By remaining grateful for the many gifts that God has given us, we are better able to serve others with compassion and understanding, and to see Jesus Christ in all those we serve. God has given each of us many gifts so that we may share them with others. ”

Mary Clare Mazzocchi ’11 THEOLOGY EDUCATOR AND ALUMNA

“I will never forget Mr. Jesse, the senior citizen I spent time with during my visit to the Total Life Center as a Gibbons junior. I am so grateful that he invited me to dance and shared his joy and energy with me. He taught me that service is all about encountering others and keeping an open heart that says “yes” to everything the day has in store.”

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Conversations with

MAKERSPACE EDUCATORS AND MENTORS Jon Armfield

Technology educator and chair of the Technology department

When students step into one of Armfield’s three engineering classes in Room 120, they are immersed in gadgets, gears, and gizmos. Essentially, they are asked to take on the role of engineer, learning the skills to become critical thinkers and problem-solvers, and, in the process, how to turn ideas into reality.

“The hope is that students learn to solve problems creatively as well as gain both an appreciation for machines we use every day and a practical understanding of how to create them,” said Armfield.

Students also are encouraged to share ideas as well as tools as they explore possibilities where none now exists. And over time, they come to embrace those “ah-ha moments” when they realize both their potential and their path forward.

Diane Ripollone Science educator and moderator of the robotics club

The makerspace is where Ripollone and her club members built Roverto, our school’s replica of NASA’s Mars Rover.

It is also where they continue to improve the rover exploring ways to increase its speed as well as to add an LED glowing face to its head.

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Ripollone likes that the building process is ongoing, ensuring that the project not only remains part of the school community in the years ahead, but also cements it as a Gibbons legacy for the next generation.

She added that continuing to work on the rover has had its share of challenges, including lots of breaking parts. However, club members have embraced those challenges and, in the process, enhanced their problem-solving skills.

So, what’s the next significant improvement?

The hope, she said, is to give the rover a voice.

John Toebes

Parent of Gibbons alumni, founder and head coach of the robotics club

Six! That’s the number of federal patents, in various stages of approval, club members have to their credit. They have assigned all the patents to Gibbons, said Toebes.

The students came up with the patented innovations as novel ways for their robots to solve specific problems in competition.

Going through the patent application process provides students with an opportunity to learn engineering, technology, and business lessons.

In his 12 years as a coach, Toebes said he has worked with many students who have gone on to such engineering schools as Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, and NC State.

While club members learn life and career lessons Toebes said they also learn about dedication and building a team, as well as giving back, a key tenet of Gibbons’ mission.

where THINGS happen

Room 120, aka, the makerspace, is a science lab, workshop, computer room, and art studio rolled into one. It is where we create, invent, and learn while sharing ideas and engaging in science, engineering, robotics, and computers. It is where the possibilities are endless.

One of three 3D printers.

Robotics team members work on their creation.

Gadgets used to build things housed in a mobile kiosk.

Students work on electrical wiring on printed circuit board.

Students use the CNC router for milling, drilling, and cutting.

Student works on CNC ShopBot.

Student uses drill press.

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Educator Spotlights SUSAN ELLIS College counselor Susan Ellis, a 14-year Gibbons veteran, is her students’ chief advocate. She works with them through their four-year high school journey, alleviating tensions over deadlines as well as choosing both a college and major that fits them. She also supports them on their transition to college.

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RODOLFO ARGUETA Director of Classroom and Educator Tech Support Rodolfo Argueta is Gibbons’ Mr. Fix It and Mr. Rogers rolled into one. For Argueta, a Gibbons educator for five years, always being available is a must when you consider the 2,000 laptops, 148 educators, and 1,546 students he deals with each day.

Read more educator spotlights at cghsnc.org/educatorspotlights

WHITNEY CRABBE Latin educator Whitney Crabbe uses new technology to teach an old language.

Crabbe, a Gibbons educator for six years, loves the instant personalized feedback instructional technology provides to students. Her students, for whom Latin broadens their imagination and deepens their understanding of English grammar, love it, too.

Athletics Spotlight

FYI

When the Crusaders competed for a state title on December 14, they became part of Gibbons’ history. And their season of firsts was a fitting close to our school’s 110th anniversary year. It was the first time the team made it to the third round of the state playoffs, the first time it reached the regional finals, the first time it was named 4A East Regional champions, and the first time it made a state championship appearance. Though the final score of the state title game was 24-21 East Forsyth, it was an unforgettable season and a testament to the team’s hard work, determination, and dedication. Gibbons football is one of 49 different teams in 27 sports the school offers.

To view all the offerings, visit cghsnc.org/athletics Read more about the team’s historic season at cghsnc.org/gibbonsnews

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110 YEARS YOUNG EMBRACING THE PAST, SHAPING THE FUTURE, TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH FAITH, SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP

Adorning the wall across from the Queen of All Saints Chapel are photos of our school’s three earlier locations along with the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh’s Coat of Arms. Together they provide a powerful visual cue of how the diocese and Cardinal Gibbons are inextricably linked.

As the first Catholic secondary school in North Carolina, our school also reflects the changing profile of the state’s Catholic population. The changes have been significant.

Still, students, educators, and even visitors race by these photos on their way to somewhere else. But when they choose to stop, catch their breath, and truly see the images, they can’t help but wonder.

They marvel about how much Gibbons has grown. From its humble beginning in 1909 it has matured into a significant Catholic presence and academic force in the state, serving over 1,500 students.

For its 110th anniversary, the school adopted the motto, embracing the past, shaping the future, and transforming lives through faith, service, and leadership. If there is one thing to recognize about Cardinal Gibbons, however, it is the significance of the last line of that motto and its link to the school’s mission.

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“We are transformed because Gibbons is family, and because Gibbons is our second home. We are also transformed through joy, through acts of service, and through love,” Principal Nancy A. Barkan often says. “If we love one another as God loves us unconditionally, we will make the world a better place…”

It is also significant in the ways a 110-year-old diocesan school like Gibbons not only transforms lives but how it continuously tests its mettle, stretches its imagination, and seeks to be innovative and visionary.

Indeed, the school recently purchased and renovated its own retreat center, renamed Cardinal Gibbons Short Journey Retreat Center, making it one of the only high schools in the nation to do so.

It did so, however, not for the accolade but to ensure the school’s spiritual life would continue to be an equal partner with other programs like academics, athletics, and the arts. This year, 50+ retreats will be held at the center.

The school also is enhancing parts of its curriculum to make sure students are prepared for the 21stcentury college experience and life. And it plans to initiate a strategic planning process to guarantee it continues to blaze new trails when it comes to providing an outstanding Catholic education.

Meanwhile, as we close the book on our 110th year, Barkan says, “we continue to envision shaping the future with our college-preparatory academic excellence.” Aligned with that are planned additions to Gibbons’ already robust and extensive curriculum.

There are also wellness initiatives that are expanding in our college counseling as well as health and physical education programs. These reflect our mission, which supports the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit. The future could also include capital improvements.

Whatever the future brings, Gibbons always will stay true to its mission of forming men and women of faith, service, and leadership. Dr. Michael Fedewa, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Raleigh, describes Gibbons as “an essential ministry of the diocese, and one that excels in the execution of its mission.”

That has been true since its founding 110 years ago in that two-story framed house in that photo by the chapel. It is sure to remain true for the next 110 years.

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CELEBRATING 110 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION This year, we celebrate our story - the founding of Cardinal Gibbons High School 110 years ago. It is a story that tells of our school’s simple beginning and its steadfast determination and unmatched devotion to providing outstanding Catholic education for over a century to the faithful in the Diocese of Raleigh. It is a story that makes us beam with admiration, enthusiasm, and Crusader pride. It is one in which we embrace our past, shape our future, transform lives through faith, service, and leadership, and remain true to our motto, “Cum Deo Omnia Possum,” (With God, All Things Are Possible.).

1900s It started in 1909 with Catholic families in Raleigh that were part of Sacred Heart parish.

Fr. Thomas Griffin and four Dominican sisters from Newburgh, New York, opened our school in 1909 in the Cowper-Pulaski mansion, which also housed the chapel, convent, and dormitory.

1950s Before the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision to end segregation, the Most Rev. Vincent S. Waters, integrated all the schools and churches in the diocese, making our school the first integrated high school in North Carolina.

1930s In 1936, our school relocated to a new building next to Sacred Heart Cathedral. That building is the current home of Cathedral Elementary School.

1920s In 1924, the Diocese of Raleigh was established, and the then Sacred Heart Cathedral opened. Our school was named Cathedral Latin High School.

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1940s Our school colors were maroon and gold. Our sports teams were called the Cagers or the Latin Lassies.

1970s/1990s Bishop Waters asked the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio, to administer the school, which they did through 1990.

The sisters, however, continued to serve Gibbons and still do today.

1960s The school relocated in 1962 from downtown Raleigh to the site of the former orphanage on Western Blvd. That year we became Cardinal Gibbons High School.

Did You Know?

2020+

2000s-2010s In 2006, Jason D. Curtis led the school, together with assistant principals Nancy Barkan, Michael Curatolo, and Michael Rogosich ’90, through the end of the 201819 academic year. They provided the school with a distinctive new perspective that embraced the school’s history and traditions.

Gibbons continued to grow in offerings, gained new athletic facilities and a retreat center, and underwent an expansion with the construction of two new buildings.

1990s/2000s In 1994, the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, New York, administered our school and continued to do so through the 2005-2006 school year. They were responsible for seeing the school through its next phase of growth and, in turn, for overseeing the construction of the Edwards Mill Road campus, which opened in 1999.

In December, the Cardinal Gibbons High School Board of Trustees and the Head of School Search Committee announced the unanimous selection of Jeff Bell as Cardinal Gibbons’ Head of School, effective July 1, 2020. Jeff comes to Cardinal Gibbons from Beacon Academy in Evanston, IL, where he served as the founding Head of School since it opened in 2014. Jeff brings with him a wealth of experience as a secondary education administrator, educator, and coach.

Read more at cghsnc.org/ boardoftrustees

2019-2020 Nancy A. Barkan leads the school today as principal.

Joining her are assistant principals Michael Curatolo and Michael Rogosich ’90.

They continue to guide Gibbons with a vision towards innovation yet remain true to the school’s mission of faith, service, and leadership.

(Editor’s Note: We curated most of the content used in this timeline from a history of the school compiled by former Gibbons educators Eddie Wilson and Casey Caram, as well as a speech presented at the school’s 100th-anniversary celebration by Assistant Principal of Engagement Michael Rogosich ’90 and Alex Hubbell ’10.)

• In 1909, the year our school was founded, there were only 367 Catholics in Wake County, and the Diocese of Raleigh had not yet been established.

• In the 1930s, tuition at our school, then known as Cathedral Latin High School, was $10.00 a year!

• In the 1930s and 1940s, boys and girls were restricted to opposite sides of the playground during recess.

• In the 1950s, articles in national magazines cited our school as an example of successful integration.

However, for two years, we were forced to cancel our sports program because other schools would not play an integrated school.

• In 1960, even after sports at our school were reinstated, many other schools wouldn’t play against us. As a result, we ended our football program.

• In 1962, the first building constructed on the Western Blvd. campus was the gym. Even though we became Cardinal Gibbons High School that year, the athletic department called our school Raleigh Catholic, and The News & Observer followed that practice until the 1970s.

• Though the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral now sits on the site of the former Western Blvd. campus, the cornerstone of the old gym has been preserved as a historical reminder of our school’s past. It reads Raleigh Catholic and is the only real reminder of the Raleigh Catholic name today.

• In the 1980-1981 school year, spiritual retreats became a fixed tradition for each grade level. At this time, the school was designated a four-year college prep school, and the notion of it being a second home for students began.

• By 1990, the school’s curriculum had expanded to include Honors and Advancement Placement courses in almost every discipline.

• In 1999, the school population was around 800 students.

• In the summer of 2005, the first Gibbons Leadership Conference or GLC (then know as President’s Leadership Conference or PLC) took place.

• In the 2005-2006 school year, the first All School Mass was held, starting a tradition that continues today.

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Two Views On Student Council

RICHARD GOODWIN ’48

PROUD … to serve my school is how Richard Goodwin ’48 describes his stint as student council president.

He did so by organizing raffles with the proceeds going to improve the school. He also was a member of the football and basketball teams, president of the junior class, and the king of the senior prom, among other activities.

With 250 students in the school “we became family,” he notes, adding the life lesson he learned “was how to get along with different people.” That served him well when he was in the Navy and when he attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he majored in accounting. He carved out a career as a CPA, retiring in 1995.

He lives in Wilmington with his wife, Juanita.

NATALIE THORNBURG ’20

INVESTED … in all facets of Gibbons to work toward the overall betterment of the school community is how Natalie Thornburg describes her role as a senior officer on student council. Among her responsibilities are helping plan, organize, and run events. As a student council member, she says she uses “ordinary love” to further engage students. Through student council, she has learned, among other things, “how to coordinate with teachers and administrators, and how to be a person to lean on.” Being on student council for four years she adds, has given her new perspectives on leadership and helped her “understand and establish my core values.” She is also involved in the Green Army, Gibbons Drama, Gibbons Leadership Conference, Middle School Leadership Conference, and Chick-fil-A Leadership Team.

24 GIBBONS MAGAZINE

GIBBONS ALUMNI Alumni Weekend

Alumni Weekend

Alumni Career Expo

Alumni Career Expo

ALUMNI WEEKEND ’20

June 12 FRIDAY

7-9 p.m.

Food stations, live music, craft beer, and specialty wine pairings

June 13 SATURDAY

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Food Truck Rodeo and Lawn Games

June 14 SUNDAY

SPRING CALENDAR

ALUMNI CAREER EXPO Friday, March 20 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

GOLDEN CRUSADERS DINNER

Golden Crusaders Dinner

10 a.m.

Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral

Saturday, May 2 4 p.m. Reception and tours 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Dinner

June 15

ALUMNI WEEKEND

Soup Kitchen Morning of Service

Friday, June 12 – Monday, June 15

MONDAY

8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Fall/Winter 2019-2020 25

Alumni in Our Community

CAREER CONNECTIONS Ryan McAnallen ’11

INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE AT L CATTERTON | NEW YORK, NY

In a short time, Ryan has made an impact on the financial world. An investment banking opportunity with Bank of America Merrill Lynch led him to New York City after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2015. Two years later, he joined L Catterton, where he is an investment associate at the private equity firm.

“At Gibbons, Jim Liebler’s class was the first opportunity to learn about the key drivers of the economy, which ultimately led to a major in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance.”

-RYAN MCANALLEN ’11

Daniel Spuller ’01

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES AT CHAMBER OF DIGITAL COMMERCE | WASHINGTON, DC

Since 2012, Dan has been an advocate of bitcoin and blockchain technology, leading to multiple career opportunities. After an early career in North Carolina State Government, he joined the Washington-based Chamber of Digital Commerce in his current role. In 2014 Dan co-founded Cryptolina, the Carolinas’ first crypto conference, and was appointed co-chair of the NC Blockchain Initiative in 2019. He has served as an industry expert to federal and international entities, including the U.S. Department of State, Taiwan National Development Council, and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, among others.

Margaret (Meg) Niemann ’08

FOUNDER, PHOTOGRAPHER MSN PHOTOGRAPHY | NEW YORK, NY

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Arts Management at the College of Charleston, Meg headed to New York City to pursue a career in photography. In New York, she worked for companies including FAO Schwarz, New Balance, Lord & Taylor, and Uber Eats before co-founding (with Carolyn Niemann ’06) the popular Instagram page, Food In the Air. Her success as a photographer allowed Meg to launch her own company, Margaret Sullivan Photography, in 2015. She has worked with famous faces such as Drew Barrymore and Martha Stewart and well-known brands, including McDonald’s, Chelsea Market, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

26 GIBBONS MAGAZINE

Andrew Osterday ’99

FOUNDING PARTNER AND CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, LOCAL INDUSTRIES | ATLANTA, GA

Andrew co-founded Local Industries in 2015 after garnering experience in marketing with companies that include Airbnb, Coca Cola, The Home Depot, and Porsche. This experience, combined with his bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Advertising, and Design from UNC-Chapel Hill, has enabled Andrew to be a global leader in change marketing through design, digital, social, and mobile strategies for an extensive roster of clients.

Janelle Martin Bingham ’93

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST, BEYOND WORDS THERAPY, LLC | ATLANTA, GA

Janelle focused her studies on Communication Sciences and Disorders, obtaining a bachelor’s degree from NC A&T State University and her master’s from North Carolina Central University. As a speech language pathologist at Beyond Words Therapy, a practice she founded in the Atlanta, GA, area, Janelle evaluates, diagnoses, and treats children with a variety of developmental delays and language-based disorders.

Julie Carroll Roseland ’86

SENIOR CONSULTANT AT DAVIDSON GROUP HR SOLUTIONS | RALEIGH, NC

Julie has enjoyed a career in Human Resources since completing her bachelor’s degree in English at Appalachian State University. In her current role she advises clients throughout the Southeast on employee engagement and compliance issues, as well as talent acquisition and development. Julie also is grateful for opportunities to give back to the community. She serves on the board of the Hope Center at Pullen.

“A career in Human Resources has allowed me to work alongside others in our collective striving for excellence.”

-JULIE CARROLL ROSELAND ’86

Raymond Malouf ’05

VICE PRESIDENT & COO AT ECA FASHION | RALEIGH, NC

A bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in Diplomacy and International Relations and study abroad in Dubai, UAE, put Raymond in the perfect position to join his family business. The business, ECA Fashion, specializes in the sale, distribution, and financing of children’s wear around the globe. Malouf is vice president and COO and manages fulfillment procedures and a team of sales representatives across North America.

Fall/Winter 2019-2020 27

Alumni Spotlight

MARY ALICE ALICE KANNAN DEMOLLI ’61 & JOSEPH (JOE) KANNAN ’61 On a fall morning, Mary Alice Kannan DeMolli ’61 talked of growing up in Nazareth Orphanage with her twin brother, Joseph (Joe) Kannan ’61.

She talked of listening to the Sisters of Mercy who ran the orphanage, attending Gibbons, then named Cathedral Latin, and working hard and studying harder.

It was a telling tale of the bonds of place and time.

In 1954, after their mother died, the twins (who also had an older brother and younger sister) went to live at the orphanage on Western Blvd. For high school, they traveled by bus to Gibbons then in downtown Raleigh.

After high school, Mary Alice attended business college, married, and held several jobs, including becoming the first lay house parent at the orphanage. Later, she worked for the state legislature. Before retiring in 2008, Mary Alice received North Carolina ’s highest award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for her service and contributions to the state.

After he graduated, Joe worked construction jobs before serving three years in the Army. Later, he married, moved to Las Vegas, and entered the residential real estate business before taking a job in the city’s gaming industry. Though retired from gaming, Joseph continues to own and manage residential properties.

What is a favorite memory and lesson learned at Nazareth?

“It prepared me for life…”

Mary Alice

“It led to a path of happiness and success…”

Joe

JOE: The sisters held weekend dances and before Lent and on holidays made us pancakes.The sisters served God and us with love.

MARY ALICE : The girls raided the ice cream freezer weekly, but the boys got punished. The sisters taught me to stand on my own two feet, to be responsible, and treat people with respect.

How has your education impacted you?

MARY ALICE : It taught me what it means to serve others.

It prepared me for life. The sisters made you believe in yourself.

JOE: Aside from receiving an excellent education and

developing a strong work ethic, I also built lasting friendships, some enduring until today. It also led to a path of happiness and success.

28 GIBBONS MAGAZINE

Alumni Spotlight

STEVE STEIGERWALD ’79 AND MARIROSE KEYES STEIGERWALD ’80 For Steve Steigerwald ’79 and Marirose Keyes Steigerwald ’80 Gibbons is a family affair. Their three *children attended Gibbons as did all five of Steve’s siblings and Marirose’s brother.

Their story of family and legacy is a familiar one that spans generations. For the Steigerwalds the legacy continues. Marirose already describes her eight-yearold grandson, Chase William, as a future Crusader.

We asked the couple, who met in math class, to share how the school influenced their career paths and life journeys. Steve, an NC State trained engineer, has worked at several companies; the latest is Cree where he serves as an environment, health, and safety engineer. Marirose graduated from UNC Greensboro with a communications degree and has worked in leadership positions at various companies. She is a senior vice president at Delta Dental of North Carolina.

How has Gibbons impacted you?

MARIROSE: I obtained a well-rounded education … and

the educators were dedicated to our success. Sr. Mary Frances Taymans was the first person to call me a leader.

That stuck. Her guidance helped me create my career.

STEVE: The social aspect of the school had the most influence because it taught me teamwork.

What life lessons did you learn?

MARIROSE AND STEVE: For a small school, we had a

fairly diverse student body. Having those perspectives helped us develop a sense of social justice and collaboration and an appreciation of what differences can bring to a group.

“Gibbons has been a

Why did you send your children to Gibbons?

and leadership. Just look at

MARIROSE AND STEVE: It was never a question … The school prepared us for life and gave us confidence. We wanted that for our kids.

the alumni over the years

What is the value of a Catholic education?

have had in the world.”

MARIROSE AND STEVE: We received and wanted our

children to receive a strong base on which to grow their faith. Gibbons provided this and more … We are grateful!

bedrock in creating a community of faith, service

– it’s amazing, and also expected, what impact they Marirose and Steve *Caitlin Steigerwald Conklin ’07, Sean Steigerwald ’09, Marcy Steigerwald ’14

Fall/Winter 2019-2020 29

ALUMNI CELEBRATIONS

1

2 3

5 1. Bethany Coomes ’11 graduated with a Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University. She is currently working as a membership associate at Open Path Psychology Collective and resides in Brunswick, MD. 2. Emily Turgeon Cambra ’00 and her husband Josh welcomed Tillman “Tilly” Ruth Cambra on August 11, 2019.

3. Kamal Bell ’09 has started his doctoral studies at NC State in the Agriculture Extension Education Program. He founded Sankofa Farms LLC in 2016.

30 GIBBONS MAGAZINE

6 4. Brent Nolan ’05 and Melissa Zidar ’09 were married (by Father Daniel Oschwald) on June 8, 2019, in Pinehurst, NC. 5. John Krawczyk ’14 started a new position as a system sales engineer for Trane Carolinas based in Charlotte, NC. 6. Alfie Feliciano ’01 is a senior video game artist at The Coalition (Microsoft Game Studios) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. On September 2, 2019, he got engaged. Four days later a game he worked on, Gears 5, was released and garnered three million unique players in its first weekend.

7 7. Alyssa Nicholas ’17 completed her second year studying biomedical engineering at Duke University.

She recently licensed her healthcare startup, Drinktank, to a venture capital firm.

8. Alex Ingrassano ’14 recently relocated to New York City after graduating with a BA in Political Science from the University of South Carolina. She is employed as a development and marketing associate at Blanton-Peale, a nonprofit that provides affordable, holistic mental health care.

Read more online at cghsnc.org/alumni/celebrations

4

8

Day Back in the

The Fr. Price Gym was the heart of the Western Blvd campus. It was the main gathering space for ALL school events. It also was where Gibbons’ sense of community, history, and pride met. And for every student and parent who walked through that old gym, there is a once-in-a-lifetime memory.

Special thanks to Jim Taylor ’86, who submitted his memories. Here’s one. “My best memory was the homecoming dance, held in the gym in January. My first date with my wife, Linda Rogosich ’86, during junior year happened there. The rest is a wonderful and grateful history.

Man, did I love that gym.”

We invite you to send in your stories about courtyard on the Western Blvd. campus for the next issue of GIBBONS. Please send your submissions to alumni@cghsnc.org. Contributors will receive a small Gibbons gift.

Fall/Winter 2019-2020 31

GIBBONS IMPACT

THE GRELCK FAMILY As the youngest of four children, Laura Teder Grelck ’87 did NOT want to follow her siblings* to Gibbons. Ultimately, she did and says she is grateful her folks “made the financial sacrifice and had the foresight” to do so.

Fast forward to 2013. Laura, and her husband, Ken, are planning where their two children, Sam and Katie, should attend high school. The choice was clear – Gibbons.

Why? For the couple, it was all about appreciating the values of faith, service, and leadership and of building lifelong relationships.

“Having faith be a part of your daily life is an integral part of our journey and having the ability to pray individually and as a group is such a gift to have in high school, “ Laura said, adding that Gibbons also is a place where her children “could make lasting friendships.”

Laura acknowledged the impact her Gibbons education had on her and how she wanted the same for her children. She talked of strong academics, how service taught at Gibbons “is woven into the fabric of my life,”

and how the leadership skills she learned through sports and clubs stayed with her in college and beyond.

Her children, she noted, are benefiting from the same.

Having a strong academic foundation has led to a successful college experience for Sam, now a junior at UNC’s Kenan Flagler School of Business, and is setting the stage for Katie, a Gibbons junior, to follow suit.

As important, Laura added, both of her children have grown spiritually and personally, due in large measure to Gibbons educators who she described as faith-filled role models. “When an educator is a part of your dinner conversation, that is usually a positive impact,” she explained.

Asked to cite Gibbons’ legacy as it celebrates providing 110 years of Catholic education Laura said: “It prepares students to go out into the world, with the confidence to lead and serve others as they continue their faith journey. That is Gibbons’ legacy.”

Laura ’87, Ken, Sam ’19, and Katie ’21

*The Teder siblings, a Gibbons legacy in their own right: Karen Teder Meyer ’82, Mark Teder ’80 (his sons Josh Teder ’11 and Nick Teder ’14), Sr. Ann Teder, SND ’79

32 GIBBONS MAGAZINE

Home you are invited...

Jan. Feb.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Jan.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NIGHT

26-01 31

Feb.

MID-WINTER RECESS

Mar.

CAREER WEEK

Mar.

GIBBONS GATHERS

17-21 16-20 28

EASTER BREAK

May

GOLDEN CRUSADERS DINNER

May

SENIOR SUPPER

02

18

1992-2019: Retreats

1981-2019: Spirit Week

1955-2019 Freshman Welcome

1961-2019: School Mass

Apr.

09-17

Then

1991-2019: Student Council

1983 -2019 Service

May

22

May

24

BACCALAUREATE MASS

GRADUATION

1987-2019: First Day of School

For full calendar listings, visit cghsnc.org/calendar 1958-2019: Junior Mass

Now

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Raleigh, NC Permit #2212

1401 Edwards Mill Road Raleigh, NC 27607