Gilmour Magazine Spring 2024

100 YEARS OF TUDOR HOUSE

I genuinely enjoyed my time at GA and am forever grateful for the memories made, lessons learned, and people I connected with. It has left an imprint on my heart and an impact on my life that will forever be with me. Not only did Gilmour prepare me for college, but it prepared me for the real world.

I loved every second of being at GA. I really enjoy doing service and helping others and it’s one of the reasons I’m going into healthcare.

The challenge

is definitely worth it, as being used to the rigor in high school makes for a smoother transition into a

Living the Mission

RUNNING FOR A CAUSE

Two alumni have taken living the mission to heart, and to the finish line.

Matthew Lindley ’89, Gilmour social studies instructor and cross country coach, braved the cold for an honorable cause this past December. Alongside the boys cross country team he leads, which includes his sons Ben ’24, Nate ’26 and Evan ’27. Matt ran the Jingle Bell 5K to fundraise for the Arthritis Foundation in support of a close family member. The organization researches a cure for the condition and advocates for more accessible arthritis care through legislation and awareness.

As a lifelong runner, Lindley knows how to find the little joys in the sport. While it can be harder to identify those amidst Cleveland winters, he notes that “knowing how good you’ll feel and challenging yourself to reach a goal” is all the joy you need.

Bundled up in Lancer gear with a Christmas twist, the team gathered at Legacy Village with a sea of Santa hats cheering them on. “Though I am only a freshman,” participant Wyatt Tomasek ’27 reflected, “I am already learning that these kinds of experiences will be part of my Gilmour years.” Coach Lindley’s dedication and competitive spirit inspired participants to show up for the community, building camaraderie along the way.

“On a freezing morning like that, it would have been easy not to venture out,” he recalls, “but it was inspiring to see so many people there to raise money and have fun.”

For David Corvi ’03, running has had a powerful impact on his family, and throughout the Greater Cleveland community. It has helped him to honor the legacy of his infant son.

After experiencing the unimaginable loss of Charlie in October 2021, David vowed to create a network of support for fellow families with angel babies. The Corvi family has made it their mission to memorialize Charlie while bringing joy to others through physical movement.

“In the throes of heartbreak, wanting to stay isolated is a natural feeling,” David shared, “but we quickly realized that seeking community was better, psychologically and spiritually. There are so many people who have supported us, and many who still need to be supported by us.”

Thus the Charles Martin Corvi Fund, and Charlie’s Challenge, began. In the event’s debut, Charlie’s Champions participated in the Akron Marathon, raising $21,000 for organizations aiding those whose lives have been touched by pregnancy or infant loss. In 2023, participants ran and pedaled together through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Among the supporters were members of the Gilmour boys soccer team, which was extra special for David.

“The soccer team is very close to my heart, since I played during my time at Gilmour, and now I’m one of the coaches. They had a tie to Charlie early on, so it was really empowering that many of them (and their parents) came out to support.”

Events like Charlie’s Challenge are making strides to normalize the conversation around the stillbirth crisis in the U.S., enlightening others by sharing stories like Charlie’s. “When we feel Charlie’s presence, we call it a Charlie Wink,” David explained. Charlie’s siblings came up with the name after they noticed a huge cardinal that kept returning to their backyard. The cardinal and a wind chime gifted to their family are continual ways of keeping Charlie’s memory alive, and therefore inspired the foundation’s logo. These moments keep David and his family motivated to continue their mission of remembrance and solidarity, honoring precious lives lost far too soon.

 Melissa, Ben '24 and Matt '89 Lindley at Ben's cross country Senior Night this fall

 Daivd ’03 and Katherine Corvi

“In the throes of heartbreak, wanting to stay isolated is a natural feeling,” David shared, “but we quickly realized that seeking community was better, psychologically and spiritually. There are so many people who have supported us, and many who still need to be supported by us.”





Members of the boys soccer team and Chief Misssion Integration Officer Whitney Daly supporting Coach Corvi at the Akron Marathon

Members of the cross country team at the Jingle Bell 5K

catching up with THE PICCIANOS!

Andy and Margie Picciano are shining stars in the education world and both left their mark at Gilmour. Andy worked at GA from 1975 to 1986, teaching a variety of subjects including social studies, psychology, economics, civics and government. Margie followed later, serving as a math teacher in the Middle and Upper Schools from 2001 to 2011.

When asked what drove each to Gilmour at different times in their careers, the answer was the same for both - the sense of family. They agreed that when coworkers become friends, and friends become family, you never work a day in your life. That sense of family was so central to their Gilmour experience that they were even married at Gilmour by Fr. John Blazek, C.S.C. ’58. During their years at Gilmour, they also became close with the Teisls, the Haags and the McCamleys.

Andy fondly remembers emceeing an awards ceremony. Margie was quick to share that her favorite memory had to be the Christmas party in Tudor House. She loved that opportunity to gather as a community.

Both noted their reason for coming back to Gilmour year after year. They felt like Gilmour was an amazing place to teach. They cited the nice families, the way students responded to discipline and the sense that all the teachers were treated equally. Margie also added that a Gilmour student who might have just been an average student at another school, was able to bloom at Gilmour because of the teachers and the learning atmosphere.

Now both retired, the Piccianos have three children (including Cleveland WOIO’s

special projects reporter and producer Jen Picciano) and nine grandchildren ranging in age from 18 months to 12 years old. Every year after the holidays, the pair drives out west and spends three months in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Tucson.

While in Cleveland, Margie is a Red Coat usher at Playhouse Square and Andy works at Destination Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (including on the Christmas train), is a Cuyahoga County court-appointed Guardian ad Litem and is a surrogate parent for special ed foster children who deal with IEP issues.

 The Piccianos with their grandchildren

We love spotlighting the great work our young alumni are doing at colleges around the world. Let us know about the exciting projects recent Gilmour graduates are currently working on at communications@gilmour.org.

DesIree SMITH ’22

Cancer research is rapidly evolving, and Desiree Smith ’22 , a sophomore at Denison University, is right in stride with its latest developments. Smith spent her first college summer participating in two esteemed programs through Case Western Reserve University: American Cancer Society Diversity in Cancer Research (ACS-DICR), and Cancer-Focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR). A witness and contributor to real-time laboratory research, Desiree is building the foundation for her future career in medicine.

Alongside Dr. Abhishek Chakraborty at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Center, Desiree engaged in a directed study in cancer biology, focusing specifically on protein loss and how it impacts cell plasticity in kidney cancer. In addition to presenting this project to her colleagues, Desiree was also an active member of the greater Cleveland research community, engaging in every opportunity she could. From sitting in on weekly meetings to attending the Bench-to-Bedside Retreat, these programs cultivated more skills than pipetting, splitting cells and analyzing data; they reinforced a lifelong passion.

This experience furthered Desiree’s pre-existing interest in becoming a surgeon. Her appreciation for the medical profession started at a young age, as she navigated endless hospital and doctor visits throughout her own health journey. Her early exposure to the field encouraged her natural curiosity and she began asking critical questions and researching how this path might look for her. The care and interest she was shown by healthcare workers inspired Desiree to provide the same to others. “My ultimate goal is to bring [the] comfort to others that my doctors gave to me.”

Desiree credits her Gilmour education for her confidence to step out of her comfort zone in competitive application pools. There are jobs “that I felt unqualified for, but were actually the right fit for me,” Desiree notes. But through her experience as a Glen Oak Scholar and VECTOR participant, she learned how to communicate personally, make connections and ensure her application stood out. She emphasizes the importance of learning to network and confidently navigate professional opportunities. For peers interested in a similar career path, Desiree encourages persistence and building a strong resume, with the social acumen to back it up.

“There are going to be so many ‘nos’” she says, “but do not give up; all those ‘nos’ will prepare you for the perfect ‘yes.’”

in her space WITH

NINA PRUSOCK

“Gilmour is my family. This place has confidence in me and is supportive of what I do. It’s family, a family away from blood family.”

There’s a saying that they don’t make them like they used to. And that is certainly the case with Nina Prusock. Nina has worked at Gilmour for 35 years, starting as an aid in the traditional kindergarten classroom. After a couple of years working with the littlest Lancers, Nina made a switch to the computer lab, teaching typing and computer basics in the earliest days of technology on Gilmour’s campus. Many will also remember Nina as the Lower School librarian. Today, she continues to wear many hats, assisting with the Before Care program before school starts each morning, working in the library, and serving as the Lower School’s technology assistant and Lower School yearbook coordinator.

NINA, WHY GILMOUR?

Gilmour is my family. This place has confidence in me and is supportive of what I do. It’s family, a family away from blood family. All of the teachers were at my kid’s wedding, baby showers, First Communions and even my husband’s funeral.

I also love getting to work with students who are Lancer Legacies (families in which multiple generations have chosen a Gilmour or Glen Oak education for their children or grandchildren) and now I even work with some of my former students, who are part of the faculty/staff, too!

If I didn’t have Gilmour, I don’t know where I would be. This place got me through the roughest six months of my life when my husband, George, died. It’s a culture of taking care of each other.

WHAT

DOES A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE?

Every day, I am the first to arrive on campus. I unlock the building and get everything ready for the day. I then help out in the Before Care area, where students who need to be dropped off before school hours come. Once the school day starts, if I’m not sitting at my desk in the Lower School Office, you can find me in the library reading to students, helping students find books, organizing books or in the new Mac computer lab. If I’m not in the library or lab, I’m usually helping out students and teachers with their technology needs. I chaperone lunch in the Dominican Dining Hall, and then, I usually head back to my desk to work on curating photos for the yearbook and archives.

AFTER 35 YEARS, DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT RETIRING?

Absolutely not. I realized this even more after my husband George passed away. I was back at work within a week of his passing because I needed to be around my Gilmour family. And of course, the children were welcome distractions. All of the students made me cards that got me through. Gilmour is what I do for ME. You have no idea how lucky I am to have Gilmour.

IT’S PRETTY OBVIOUS, BUT WHAT DOES GILMOUR MEAN TO YOU?

Gilmour means everything to me. My favorite part of the job is helping people of all agesteachers, students, even the little babies in our Toddler program. I help people because God wants me to. This year across campus, our Holy Cross charism of the year is Divine Providence, which to me means believing that God does everything for a reason. It was Divine Providence for me to follow a friend to Gilmour in 1989. It was Divine Providence that I ended up in the technology department at Gilmour. It was Divine Providence that I made connections with so many students. It was Divine Providence that I have been here for as long as I have. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Do you know where this room is on campus and what it is used for today? Turn to page 17 to find out!

Thanks to the generosity of The Howley Foundation, last summer, Gilmour embarked on a long-awaited project - the restoration of the exterior of Tudor House. With the iconic building’s 100th birthday quickly approaching, serious work needed to be done to bring the building back to its former glory. The exterior work on the building itself was completed over the course of this school year, with the renovation of Tudor Garden slated to happen this summer. The next phase that needs to be addressed is the building's interior, which requires renovations of the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.

With the exterior of the building restored, it’s only fitting to take a look back at the many faces of Tudor House over the past century.

The beautiful Tudor structure was built in 1924 by Charles Schneider, the esteemed architect behind Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. The building was to be the summer estate of industrialist Francis Drury and his wife, Julia, and was a larger, near-replica of their mansion along Euclid Avenue. The estate was called Cedar Hill Farm.

The pair didn’t take to the location, however, finding it too far from the centers of culture in Cleveland and, after a year and a half, in 1926, they left the property, never to return. Francis died in 1932 in Augusta, Ga. and Julia in 1943 in her apartment in Shaker Square. The couple’s assets were left in trust to their surviving son and to charity. However, from the day they left the estate, the Drurys and, later the trustees of their estate, paid for the upkeep of Cedar Hill Farm, employing a handful of workers and providing pensions for many more employees for 20 years. Throughout the Depression, National City Bank sold off pieces of the Drurys’ estate, but still owned the buildings and 133 acres into the 1940s. In 1945, the estate

was eventually sold to the Brothers of Holy Cross, who were looking to build an all-boys Catholic boarding school in Cleveland. And the rest is history.

The school opened its doors in 1946, with Tudor House serving as the hub of campus. While the school has certainly expanded in the ensuing years, Tudor House still remains the most iconic building on campus, a building dripping with nostalgia, tradition and many memories. We are so grateful to The Howley Foundation for their support of the building's exterior renovations, ensuring those memories will continue to be made for the next 100 years.

Enjoy this visual trip through time as Tudor House evolved from country estate to campus center to today’s home to administrative offices. And with the completion of these renovations, it will once again be the site of social gatherings and celebrations for alumni, students, parents and friends of the Academy.

The Party of the Century Saturday, October 5

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Tudor House!

Invitations to follow.







 Construction crews doing repair work on the chimneys 2023



Tudor House Then and Now

pictured on previous page: Br. Loyola's music appreciation class in 1946

Southeast view of Tudor House in 1930

Tudor House 2023

Tudor Gardens in 1928

Friday night Welcome Back party in Tudor Gardens at 2018 Reunion Weekend

Tudor Gardens Then and Now

Tudor Lounge

Then and Now

MEMORIES OF TUDOR HOUSE

“Lunch was my favorite meal because it was quick and informal. Breakfast and dinner were much more regimented. Brother Richard at breakfast, and Brother Ivo at dinner, ran a tight ship as far as manners and punctuality. Sophomores with white jackets waited on tables and the whole process was begun with chimes and grace.”

-Al Lutz ’65 reflecting on meal time in Tudor House

 Tudor Lounge in the 1950s

 Head of School Kathy Kenny and her advisory meeting in Tudor Lounge in 2024

 A student studies in his dorm room in the second floor of

 That same dorm space being used in 2024 for Admissions/Marketing/Communications team meeting

MEMORIES OF TUDOR HOUSE

“While I was a student, I had no idea about the history of the place. No one was allowed to use the main staircase; you were ‘dead in the water’ if you did. The only time that we were allowed on that staircase was prom and graduation. Seniors still use that staircase on prom night for the Promenade. There was dance class you had to attend. You were taught how to dance and they brought in girls from Beaumont for the occasion. ”

- Fr. John Blazek, C.S.C. ’58 on the nuances of Tudor House

Dorm Room

Then and Now

Tudor House in 1953

MEMORIES OF TUDOR HOUSE

“I remember vividly when I arrived as a 14-year-old from Detroit and entered for the first time through that big heavy front door of Tudor House. I thought, ‘Whoa! Living in a mansion. I’m a long way from home, this is going to be quite an experience.’ And...it certainly was!”

- Chip Dawson ’65 reflecting on his initial impression of Tudor House

 Chip Dawson calling home

 Can you spot Father John as a dorm student?

 Class is in session! Today this space on the south end of Tudor House is home to Head of School Kathy Kenny's office

MEMORIES OF TUDOR HOUSE

“Anyone who knows me knows how important Gilmour was and is in my life. On my returns to school, there have been many, many changes. They have inspired awe, but it’s iconic Tudor House that remains the positive reinforcement and the recall of the years and memories. On more than one occasion, I’ve stood outside that great building and felt a tear or two rolling down my face.”

- Tom Ashley ’60 on the significance of Tudor House

Head of School Office Then and Now

After being named National Merit semifinalists in September, Julia Morgan ’24 and Samantha Stutler ’24 have now been named National Merit finalists!

To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official had to submit a detailed scholarship application, with information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay.

This finalist distinction is earned by less than 1 percent of seniors nationally! Of the students named finalists, approximately 7,500 will receive scholarship awards. Congratulations to Julia and Samantha!

TWO SENIORS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT FINALISTS

This fall, we celebrated the 30th annual Br. Richard Keller Thanksgiving Food Drive and the Gilmour community once again demonstrated their commitment to this campuswide initiative.

As part of this year’s drive, we:

• created more than 300 baskets filled with all the items needed for a Thanksgiving dinner

• hosted guests from the Fatima Center for a Thanksgiving meal served by our sixth graders at the Lower School

• surpassed our fundraising goal of $10,500 to cover the cost of the perishable items

• had 50 volunteers on campus loading up food baskets at Gilmour the day before Thanksgiving and more than 20 head out to distribute food at St. Patrick’s Hunger Center

• were blessed with more than 50 cars filled with GA families, faculty and alumni who delivered food to families in need

• collected a full vanload of extra food that was taken to St. Augustine’s Hunger Center.

This year was another testament to the GA family embracing our mission of developing the competence to see and the courage to act in creating a more humane and just society. Thank you to all who participated!

thanksgiving food drive

Junior earns perfect score on ACT!

When Michael Wu ’25 received the results of the February 2024 ACT, he discovered he had earned a perfect score of 36! This was only his second attempt at the test and he prepared by borrowing an ACT prep book, working through most of the practice problems in the book, and then completing a few full-length practice tests online. He said for him, the key to his success was time management.

What an incredible accomplishment, and he’s only a junior. Michael says he thinks he’d like to study something related to biology, but is also considering pharmacy or medicine.

Senior Selected as School Winner in Heisman High School Scholarship Competition

In late fall, the Heisman Trophy Trust announced their 2023 School Winners for the Heisman High School Scholarship.

The scholarship extends the prestige of the Heisman Trophy to the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. To be considered for the honor, seniors must have a cumulative weighted high school GPA of 3.0 or better, participate in at least one sport and be a leader in their school and community.

Congratulations to Gia Rosko ’24, who was named a School Winner from an applicant pool of thousands!

In the words of Lily Prebul ’24, “The best service you can give to any person or community is putting in valuable time and effort to be present with them, understand their hardships, and offer company and empathy.” Empathy was surely a theme of this October’s Upper School immersion trip, as eight students traveled to eastern Maine to learn about the socioeconomic challenges faced by the Wabanaki Confederation and partake in meaningful service to this community.

The Wabanaki Confederacy is a group of Native American tribes spanning from the northeastern region of the United States into Canada. In Maine particularly, they have had a contentious history advocating for the rights to their tribal land, which is constantly threatened by state legislation. Even in cases where land was granted or restored to the tribe, the water rights on it had been stripped, rendering it worthless for their needs. Wabanaki tradition centers around fishing, so this barrier proves a tremendous loss both logistically and culturally.

Throughout their immersion experience, Gilmour students traveled central and coastal Maine with Betsy Tietjen, who serves as Gilmour’s coordinator of experiential learning. They had the opportunity to stay

Wabanaki Trip

at Nibezun, a healing community nestled along the bank of the Penobscot River – the traditional meeting grounds of the Wabanaki. “It was really a special honor that we got to stay there as an outside group,” Betsy reflects in appreciation. As the first external group to visit since COVID, the Lancers bore witness to Nibezun’s mission, which is to preserve and teach the culture and language of the tribe to its children.

Anai McKinney ’24, Alex Chadwick ’25, Chuck Sustar ’25, Ruby Johnson ’25, Rachael Stasick ’24, Lily Prebul ’24, Sibo Wang ’26 and JJ Cistone ’26 also learned the realities of reservation life firsthand, through testimonies and one-on-one conversations with members of several different tribes. They engaged with the natural world through the lens of Wabanki culture, considering the environmental impact of colonialism while also discovering the healing and ceremonial practices of past generations on the same sacred ground.

The Gilmour immersion program aims to motivate its students to drive future social change. “We are now better equipped to face the challenges of environmental abuse and polarizing hatred,” Prebul shared, “with competence, compassion, and a greater understanding of how Wabanaki culture enriches our world.”

STUDENT LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL CONFERENCE

In December, a group of six student leaders, accompanied by Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer JaiCynthia Farmer, attended the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) titled Gateways to Freedom: A Confluence of Truth, Knowledge, Joy, and Power, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Our student leaders immersed themselves in a profound exploration of Bending the Arc Towards Justice. With a focus on radical optimism, transformative joy, resilience and brilliance, they engaged with peers from independent high schools across the country and abroad. Additionally, students delved into self-reflection, allyship and cross -cultural communication, crafting strategies for social justice through both conversations and the arts.

We recently asked our college-aged alumni to share feedback on their Gilmour experience and these are just a few of their responses.

Gilmour Academy fueled my curiosity through the elective courses offered as well as opportunities outside of the classroom. Being the president of the Digital Media Club and taking elective courses such as Economics and Entrepreneurship pushed me to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. Through these experiences, I have instilled a passion for lifelong learning.

Gilmour Academy has played a major role in my current academic success in college. Its focus on seminar-style classes and engaging in class discussions has honed my public speaking and articulation skills, which has proven beneficial in college. In addition, classes such as English have prepared me to tackle college-level essays with confidence.

Gilmour Academy not only provided me with a strong academic foundation but also fostered personal and spiritual growth. The supportive community, dedicated teachers, and diverse opportunities have left a lasting impact on my life. I am grateful for the education I received at Gilmour, which has shaped me into who I am today.

I feel as if I am prepared to take on the challenges that come with being a college student and beyond because of the way Gilmour shaped me. I also am excited to learn new things and build on the foundation laid at Gilmour. I also feel as though I am able to lead and feel comfortable speaking in front of others because of the opportunities I had at Gilmour.

Because of the emphasis on Socratic Seminars, I am comfortable participating in all of my classes. I learned the best way to study according to my learning style, which has been vital in my college experience. I learned how to take proper notes and understand concepts by myself, and how to advocate for myself.

Gilmour absolutely prepared me in every way possible in both athletics and academics. I couldn’t be any happier with the results!

Through our various projects and papers in our Socratic-style classes, Gilmour taught me how to think reflectively and analytically. Through Kairos, Mass, our GA culture, and all the religious opportunities, my faith strengthened immensely, furthering my journey of faith. Praxis and our service activities helped me become a more engaged global citizen.

I learned a monumental amount from all of the personal focus and one-onone time with all of my teachers, to discuss anything from schoolwork, to extracurriculars, or just intellectual conversations, which all helped me to foster skills.

I would say some of the most important and impactful things I was involved in were definitely the VECTOR Program and Honor Council. These two programs allowed me to delve into my interests and truly explore/research what I am passionate about. This also helped me to solidify what I enjoy doing and if I could see myself doing that in the future.

Being a Gilmour student changed me forever. Not only did the education shape me into being a well-rounded student, but the friends and memories that I made there I hold onto dearly. The memories, education and skills that I acquired while I was there are ones that I hold close to my heart, and use every single day. Gilmour helped me to be a well-rounded student that is confident and capable.

I genuinely enjoyed my time at GA and am forever grateful for the memories made, lessons learned, and people I connected with. It has left an imprint on my heart and an impact on my life that will forever be with me. Not only did Gilmour prepare me for college, but it prepared me for the real world.

I

loved every second of being at GA. I really enjoy doing service and helping others, and it’s one of the reasons I’m going into healthcare.

I learned my love for volunteering at GA.

The challenge is definitely worth it, as being used to the rigor in high school makes

for a smoother transition into a college environment and professional experience.

Paper writing and public speaking are the biggest areas that GA prepared me for. I was so far ahead of my teammates and classmates that attended other public and private schools.

I couldn’t imagine feeling more prepared for college than I do. I believe that Gilmour exceptionally prepared me for the rigorous course work of college, and that in a majority of my classes I am already well versed in how to complete a majority of assignments, citation styles, and overall utilize the writing/analytical skills taught to me at Gilmour.

I definitely learned how to write a paper properly and how to write it well. I almost never struggle with writing papers in college because I wrote so many papers at Gilmour and received good feedback on them.

Reflections from recent graduates

AlumNEWS

1958

Thomas E. Nelson is still alive. New hips, new eyes, new ears. He does Academy Appointments at two Catholic churches. Mrs. Nelson calls him the church mouse.

1961

CALLING ALL ALUMNI!

Each issue, we feature several alumni across all decades. Interested in being one of our Alumni In Focus? Share your story at communications@ gilmour.org.

James Bazzoli retired in September after a 47-year career as an OB-GYN in Marion, Ohio. One of his many accomplishments was the Marion Adolescent Pregnancy Program, an initiative he helped spearhead in 1980, when Marion had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Ohio. The rate has since dropped. In his retirement, James and his wife look forward to spending more time with their four grandchildren in Columbus.

1971

Congratulations to Rick DeJohn, who won the 2023 Stand Proudly with Lancer Nation car raffle! Rick won a 2023 GMC Acadia SLE, which was generously sponsored by Medina Auto Mall and Northern Ohio Buick GMC Dealers.

1974

Andrew T. Felber, a real estate professional, reports that while taking a sculpture class with Mr. Turkaly in 1973, he created a life-size clay bust of Albert Einstein. At the end of the semester, Mr. Turkaly encouraged him to make a plaster copy as the clay would eventually dry and crack, which he did. A half century later, after watching the Albert Einstein scene in the movie, Oppenheimer, Andrew was inspired and shipped the plaster bust off to a foundry for fabrication in bronze. Check out the result! Mr. Turkaly would be proud! ... Matt Moriarty retired at the end of 2022 after practicing law for 41 ½ years!

1979

Dr. Sandeep K. Aggarwal, a neurologist in Chicago who was born in India, returned to his native country with his wife, Neelum, for a two-week medical mission. While there, they saw 40-50 patients in the span of a few hours each day, noting that despite a lack of a formal education for many, they possessed incredible wisdom and experiential knowledge. He reflected after, “We formed bonds and connections in so many marvelous and unexpected ways not only with each other but also with the other volunteers, the land and its incredible people.” … Paul Lyden writes to let us know he is looking forward to a great turnout for the Class of ’79 Reunion and reminiscing about the great times in the dorms with Paul Dentscheff.

1980

Pat O’Neill and Tim Amato, along with Rob Miavitz ’87 enjoyed a few days fishing the Middle Keys in January.

1984

For the past 15 years, Mike Tucker has led a group called Team Spider Monkey that shaves their heads to raise money for St. Baldrick’s. After classmates David and Polly Duval DiCillo’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer, Mike connected the DiCillo family with St. Baldrick’s. The organization helped put them in touch with key researchers and oncologists, who led to their daughter’s cure. Classmate Frank Coyle joined the fundraising team in 2023 and shaved his head. This year, on March 23, David, Frank and Mike all shaved their heads in Atlanta as part of Mike’s team and Mark Lyons and Kevin Yon atttended as well. David shared that he and Polly believe the prayers of their family and friends (GA included) generated this miracle.

2003

Chelsea Knauer Hinrichsen and her husband, Sam Hinrichsen, welcomed their fourth baby, Wells Harris, on February 25, 2023. Wells, the lucky last, is adored by his three older siblings, Scarlett Grace (7), Everly Anne (5) and Charles Robert (2). They all live in Saint Charles, Ill.

2006

Congratulations to Tim O’Brien and his wife, who welcomed their son, Andrew Robert O’Brien, on October 25.

2008

Brandon Cook spent a recent 12-week sabbatical traveling the world, seeing nine countries including Italy, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, UAE Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Japan. In Ghana, Brandon connected with Br. Ken Goode, C.S.C. and went to the Holy Cross Center in Cape Coast. … Brian Pestotnik married Tess Miller on May 27, 2023.

2009

Barry Greenfield and his wife, Lauren, welcomed a baby, Madelyn Elizabeth Greenfield, on February 15.

2011

Cameron Carman ’11 and his wife, Candice, welcomed their baby, Grayson James Carmen, on February 2 ... Claire Wagner Lavigne and her husband, Troy, welcomed their daughter, Eleanor Rose, on February 23 ... Matthew Pestotnik and his wife, Amanda, welcomed Oskar Allan Pestotnik on August 10, 2023 ... Natalie Yuhas ’12 and Braeden Quast are engaged! Fall nuptials are planned for the newest Lancer Lovebirds.

Pestotnik Family

2012

Marissa Cangelosi married Ethan Santora on September 30, 2023 … Maggie

Schmidt Strippy and her husband, Zachary, welcomed Quinn Michael Strippy, born January 1, 2024 ... See 2011 for update on Natalie Yuhas and Braeden Quast ’11

Eleanor Rose Lavigne

Grayson James Carmen

Strippy Family

Cangelosi/Santora wedding

With the crowd roaring around him, his horse’s hooves thundering beneath him, and a knight’s lance reaching out eight feet in front of him, Bill O’Neill ’51 charged onto the Gilmour Academy football field clad in a suit of chainmail and a helmet as the first authentic Lancer in the school’s history. The only problem was he couldn’t really see where he was going.

“As you can imagine, I’d never really worn a suit of armor before,” Bill says, “and my horse had never seen a lance before. So when I lowered the lance, it spooked the horse. When he reared up, the visor on my helmet slammed shut and I couldn’t see. I didn’t want to ruin the effect by dropping the lance or stopping the horse, so I just went with it, riding blindly onto the field with the hope that I wouldn’t accidentally spear someone. When I felt like it was the right time, I halted the horse. Everything turned out okay, and it was definitely memorable.”

Bill says much of his sense of the world developed alongside horses, a passion of his grandfather’s. “My grandfather had no education, but he knew horses. Many of his most important lessons to me were conveyed using the horse as the modality. The first time I ever saw a horse, my grandfather told me to get on and ride. It didn’t matter to him that I had never done it before or that I was afraid I might fall off. He said to me that you have to fall off and get back on nine times before you can be a good rider. It was clear that he believed the key to success was perseverance, and my life has borne out the truth of that message.”

Starting at Gilmour in its second year of operation, Bill and his classmates found that they would experience both adversity and hardship as the school came into its own. “There were so few of us here that we couldn’t

even field a whole football team, but we did get to plow a lot of fresh ground. We started so many traditions and ideas that weren’t there before, and it helped me to realize that, just like the school, I could be whatever I wanted to be. There are lots of things in life that shape you, but those high school years shape our mindsets so powerfully.”

One of the most impactful shapers of Bill’s mindset was Br. Ivo Regan, whose courses exposed Bill and his classmates to outside-the-box thinking. “Ivo would challenge us to feel an experience, and then write it. Put your hands on the cold glass windows of Tudor House; now write that feeling.” Those exercises allowed Bill and his classmates to attach language and thought to their experience of the world, helping them to develop flexible and agile minds, to see the possibilities their lives could unfold.

It was that spirit of possibility that drove Bill through Georgetown and through Harvard Law, that led him to become a JAG Captain in the US Air Force in Dayton, and that led him back to his family in the form of his cousin’s company, Leaseway Transportation Corporation, where he eventually served as the GOO. When the company was purchased in a leveraged buyout, it was the spirit of possibility that led Bill to create the wealth management company that would eventually become CM Wealth Advisors. “At the time, I knew nothing about leading that sort of company, but I learned how to do it by asking for advice from professionals. Great mentors are what lead you to success.”

Since attempting to retire at the age of 70, (“Well, I built a home office over the garage to run our foundation, which is great,” Bill says, “but I find it makes me work even more!”), Bill has devoted time to finding ways to be that mentor to his grandchildren, much like his grandfather was to him. “One of my own grandfather’s best lessons was that you always feed your horse before yourself—that it is those who rely on you that you need to prioritize. So, I’ve started writing a series of letters to my grandchildren that they will each receive on their 18th birthday. I want to find some way of crystallizing and passing down some of my experience in a way they might find useful.”

So, at the age of 91, Bill O’Neill keeps working, keeps writing and keeps charging ahead into that unseen future, secure in the knowledge that resourcefulness, creativity and perseverance can overcome any obstacles in the way.

Alumni IN FOCUS

Bill O’Neill '51

IN FOCUS

No matter where he goes, Jim Johnson ’65 is always a Lancer. “I live all over the country: in Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado and Arizona, but everywhere I go, Gilmour seems to be a part of my conversations. For a tiny school, it comes up an awful lot.”

According to Jim, his time at Gilmour equipped him with the infrastructure to build a successful life. “The Gilmour experience was great for me. I had never been an academic or athletic star, but because Gilmour was so small and so supportive, I was able to earn seven letters and had the opportunity to go to college after I graduated.”

Jim attended Randolph-Macon College in Virginia, and he says he felt ahead of the game. “Most of my classmates struggled with being away from home, but for me, I had already had four years of that. I owe my comfort in college to Gilmour.”

After he finished college, Jim returned to the family business he had worked at since he was 14: Russell Standard. “My grandfather started the company in 1929. I worked for him, then I worked for his son, then I took over. It’s the only job I’ve ever had and when I retired, my son Matt became the fourth generation of our family to run the company.” Jim says it gave him great pleasure to watch his grandfather’s legacy grow over the years. “When I started, we only had about 50 employees and about $5 million in sales; but now we have 500 employees and about $250 million in sales.” The company provides specialty asphalt products and preservation treatments.

Jim says that desire for growth was instilled by his experiences at Gilmour. “I competed in track and wrestling, which were very important to me. They taught me a lot about perseverance.” And there were a few people on campus who also had an outsized role in Jim’s development. “Brother Ivo, in particular, was a true character. But Vern Weber was my coach, and I can’t

overstate how important he was. It’s funny to think, because when I knew him, he was only in his late 20s, but he seemed so much more mature than we were. It taught me that so much of age is really about how you carry yourself in the world.”

And it wasn’t just the staff who made Jim’s years at Gilmour memorable. “I’m still in touch with many of my classmates, like Chip Dawson, Peter Wolff and Bill Weisser. All of the guys I went to school with were and still are great friends, and Gilmour helped us all to be really very successful.”

As Jim thinks back over the life he has lived so far, and thinks of the challenges he has faced along the way, he says he is continually inspired by the philosophy of Jimmy Valvano: to try as hard as you can for as long as you can and to not ever give up.

Want to read some of our Alumni Spotlights from previous issues? Just scan the QR code below!

Alumni

Jim Johnson ’65

When Jennifer Long Chung ’96 embarked on her post-GA journey, she had no idea how widely her path would wander. “I had always been intrigued by so many different areas, so I never wanted to limit myself to just one thing. It’s really that attitude that has shaped all of the different pieces of my life.”

At the start of college, Jennifer thought she had her future all planned out as a civil engineering major. “But I could tell right away that engineering wasn’t enough for me; there was something I was missing out on,” she says. “So I became a double major in English, as well.” Crediting Kathy Kenny for being a big influence in that addition, Jennifer says it led to some awesome—and more balanced—days. “I would spend my mornings playing around with fluid dynamics and my evenings with British literature and Hitchcock movies!”

Jennifer says that the Gilmour community has played an impactful role throughout her life, not just in her academic decision-making. “I had an internship in project management with

Panzica construction that I got partially because of my Gilmour connections,” she says. “And so many of my management skills have their roots in my experiences with Mr. McCamley and Mrs. Janis. Socratic Seminars and Lincoln-Douglas debates gave me a great foundation for problem solving, for bringing people together, and for finding solutions before challenges even happen.”

But it wasn’t just the faculty and staff that helped shape Jennifer. “My peers were so invested in each other and in our futures. We’re still connected through social media, and my daughter’s godparents are my classmates from Gilmour. Those kinds of friendships are what made those years at Gilmour so meaningful, and, more than that, the Gilmour experience isn’t just four years; it’s forever.”

After working in technology at Accenture, Jennifer has spent the last decade as the Director of IT Service Operations at Vitamix, though she says that’s only a part of her full career. “I have five kids,

so I also say I’m a professional Uber driver and master scheduler. And, because I spend all that time attending my kids’ events, I decided to take up photography, too.” Jennifer says she is “a ‘yes’ person, not a ‘no’ person.”

“I just follow the advice of Matthew Kelly, who said ‘the purpose of life is to become the best version of yourself,’” she says. “I look at something I’m doing and I ask: how can I become the best at that?”

Jennifer says that her path in life hasn’t always been the most direct, but that is the point. “Change is certain, and at some times, I would have seen parts of my life as failure, when really those moments are just a kind of redirection.” When she has doubts about where the path may lead, Jennifer says she tells herself to follow a very simple rule: “Just do the next right thing.” So far, those words have never led her astray.

FOCUS

Alumni IN

Jennifer Long Chung '96

IN FOCUS

Macie McNichols ’14

After years of high-level athletic achievement, Macie McNichols ’14 is used to making waves. After a superstar career at Gilmour as a three-time state champion and two-time state runner-up in swimming, Macie secured a spot on the Ohio State University swim team. “I was sure at the time I entered college that I wanted to go into the medical field, but after an internship through the Bucks Go Pro program at OSU, I decided to switch my focus to sports management. Since that moment, everything else has kind of fallen into place.”

After her internship, Macie decided to pursue a master’s degree in kinesiology. When she learned that the degree required another internship, she knew just what she wanted to do. “I knew that USA Swimming offered several internships, and I was able to secure one in their sport development department. That internship led to a job and, five years later, I’m still with USA Swimming, only now I’m the manager of national events.”

Macie credits much of her career success to skills she honed in high school. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Gilmour. The Socratic method that Gilmour uses allows you to not just retain information, but to become immersed in it, to question it, and to do something with it. Professionally, that ability affects everything I do today. Everything I do is about collaboration and bettering not just the organization I work for, but the other members of that organization.”

One of Macie’s favorite things about her job is getting the chance to create meaningful experiences for other athletes. When the 2020 trials were delayed due to the pandemic, Macie had a hand in the planning of the new events. “One of the defining moments of my life was at one of those qualifying events, when one of my teammates from OSU qualified for the finals. She gave me a hug, and I realized that my work had allowed these athletes the chance to excel, enjoy the moment and make the most of their time.”

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Macie has come to love her new home in Colorado, which allows her to continue her athletic lifestyle. “I’ve always been a very active person and it was really easy to find a great community out here. Not only do I coach a club swimming team in Colorado Springs, but I also completed and am training for half-Ironman competitions. I just love finding ways to keep challenging myself.”

Macie says that her approach to her life is encapsulated in the Thoreau quote engraved in a ring given to her by her mother: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. “I would tell that to anyone who was questioning themselves or worried about the future,” she says. “Don’t hesitate: go confidently!”

Have You Attended One of the Parent Orgs’ Events Yet?

Our Parent Organizations Are the best!

Led by Women’s Club President Corey McNamara, Men’s Club President Dave Peterson, LSPO (Lower School Parents Organization) President Nicole Malanaphy and GAAPA (Gilmour Academy Alumni Parent Association) Arlene Slaght, these groups have planned a host of activities for students and parents alike this year. Every GA parent is already a member and all are invited to these great opportunities to connect with other GA families.

The Men’s and Women’s Clubs kicked the year off together, hosting the All-School Cookout and they’ve been going ever since. The Men’s Club has hosted a monthly networking breakfast, a sporting clays event in the fall, a fall service project at RePlay for Kids, the installation of thousands of Christmas lights thanks to a donation from the Panzica family, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Casino Night, a Spring Bowling Night, and Fall and Spring spiritual gatherings.

The Women’s Club hosts a monthly Book Club; and completed the annual Christmas decoration of Tudor House, the CPA and the Athletic Center; welcomed GA women for the Jingle and Mingle party; held a charcuterie board-making party; and hosted the Senior Mothers’ Luncheon, Prom and Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week.

The LSPO coordinated each of the class parties throughout the year, along with coffee socials, Trunk or Treat, the Santa Shop, Christmas Family Gathering, the Book Fair and the Spring Carnival Extravaganza.

Finally, GAAPA has ensured that all those whose children have already graduated remain connected to the school and to each other. They kicked things off in October with a care package assembly party for our college-aged alumni. They also hosted a Trivia Night, a wine tasting dinner and a night at the CPA to see the spring musical, Shrek

All the groups together hosted a Kentucky Derby party as well!

 Men's Club's Casino Night

LSPO's Christmas Family Gathering

 Women's Club's Sip and Shop

GAAPA's Wine Pairing Dinner

If you haven’t made it out to one of these community events yet, be sure to mark your calendars next year!

Thank you to all the parent organizations' Board members and volunteers, who make all these events possible.

REUNION 2024 1

GILMOUR ACADEMY GLEN OAK SCHOOL

4 9 WELCOME BACK

JUNE 31 MAY -

This year, classes ending in 4 and 9 are invited to return to campus for the 2024 Gilmour Academy and Glen Oak School Reunion. It's time to come back to celebrate!

REGISTER ONLINE AT GILMOUR.ORG/REUNION OR BY SCANNING THE QR CODE BELOW

NOTE: All events are free of charge for the Gilmour and Glen Oak Classes of 1974. Please see gilmour.org/reunion for updates, event information and hotel accommodations.

Questions? Contact Nicole Rodenfels at (440) 473-8091 or rodenfelsn@gilmour.org.

The Snow Never Bothered Us Anyway!

Even with a snowstorm that shut down school on Tuesday, November 28, the GA community showed up in force to celebrate #wegiveGILMOUR, a one-day giving event on Giving Tuesday.

In total, 195 donors gave more than $100,000.

Of note, the Class of 2027 had the most donations from current parents and more than 50 faculty and staff members gave to support GA!

34001 Cedar Rd. Gates Mills, OH 44040 gilmourlegacy.org

Contact: Ray Murphy (440)473-8089 murphyr@gilmour.org

Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for Gilmour Academy and its mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estateplanning, and philanthropic goals.

With smart planning, you may actually increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful contribution to Gilmour. Contact us and we can help you get started to make the difference you want.

We all want to make a difference, but sometimes we may feel we lack the ability or resources to have the impact we want. However, you may be surprised how easy it is. We have tools and ideas to help you save taxes and even create new income streams while helping Gilmour. No matter what you choose to do, or how you do it, we can help you.

The Basics

Appreciated Stock – Easily make charitable gifts by transferring appreciated stock to Gilmour Academy. We receive the present value of the stock, while you pay no capital gains tax and receive an income tax deduction. Most investors do not know they can do this.

Your Estate – Write or update your estate plan. Aside from the many benefits that come from planning, you can also create a gift for Gilmour Academy. Your will takes care of your family and a charitable gift in your will can reduce the taxes owed.

Income for Life

Charitable Gift Annuity – In addition to income and possible capital gains benefits, you, or you and one other person, receive fixed payments for life.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust – You choose who and what the trust pays, and how long it will last. It can also benefit more than two people.

Special Opportunities

Real Estate – You can donate property outright for tax savings or create a life estate which gives you a tax deduction today while you retain the right to live in it for life.

Life Insurance – Purchase or transfer a life insurance policy and give it to Gilmour or name Gilmour as a beneficiary. A few dollars can result in major benefits to establish your legacy.

The cell tower itself was installed this past fall and we recently received word that Verizon has been granted the necessary permissions and the tower should be live in May or June.

FLOYD E. STEFANSKI

ICE CENTER IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

The Ice Center Improvements project is now complete. The new space features:

• two new fully enclosed locker rooms with shower and restroom facilities

• a second-floor family viewing room above the locker rooms, overlooking Rink 2

• additional space for the girls hockey locker room by attaining Locker Room D

• reconfigured Locker Rooms A & B to accommodate rentals

Many thanks to the members of the Gilmour hockey community for your generous support of this project!

CELL TOWER UPDATE

Over the course of the summer, the Tudor Gardens project will be completed and, come fall, the space will be used for events, including the “Party of the Century” on October 5!

We are so grateful to The Howley Foundation for making The Howley Commons and Tudor House projects possible!

TUDOR GARDENS

Construction Projects Continue on

Campus

Anyone who has driven on campus recently has noticed the abundance of construction vehicles and the crews hard at work.

And the progress has been great.

As of press time, The Howley Commons project was heading into the final stretch. We are so excited to open the 2024-2025 school year with this brand new space fully functional!

THE HOWLEY COMMONS

SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD INSTALLED

Prior to the start of the season, the Conway Family Scoreboard was installed at the Bruce & Virginia Taylor Softball Field. It was the perfect finishing touch on this beautiful new complex!

LANCER ATHLETICS 2023-2024

Three State Titles in Four Years for Girls Indoor Track

At the 2024 Division II and III indoor track state championship, in a field of 205 teams, Gilmour’s girls team finished as the state champion for the third time in four years! And last year, they were the state runners-up. That’s quite a run (pun intended!) for the seniors in this mix of talented runners.

Additionally, Amy Webrecht ’24 finished as the state champion in the 1600, with an impressive time of 4:59, and was the state runner-up in the 800. The 4x200 relay team (Rielyn Jackson ’25, Lily Detzel ’27, Addie Nemeth ’24 and Mariyah Moore ’24) also finished as the state runner-up. And Mariyah Moore finished in fourth in the 60 and fifth in the 200. Finally, the 4x400 relay team of Nemeth, Jackson, Grace Kotora ’24 and Weybrecht also ran a great race.

On the boys’ side, we had two impressive finishes as well. Congratulations to Brayden Green ’24, who repeated as the triple jump state champion, jumping to 45’ 10.25”! He also finished fourth in the long jump. Finally, Lars Broberg ’25 placed sixth in the 200!

A STELLAR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER AMY WEYBRECHT ’24

Amy Weybrecht ’24 wrapped up an incredible cross country career at GA, qualifying for her fourth consecutive state championship, where she finished 33rd in the state. Next stop? Wake Forest, where she will compete in cross country and track and field for the Demon Deacons.

NOVEMBER 8 SIGNING

SIG N INGS

At the first two NCAA signing ceremonies of the year (held November 8 and February 23), five student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent, pledging their commitment to continue their athletic careers beyond high school. The final two ceremonies of the year will take place after press time and will be included in the next issue.

Congratulations to the following student athletes:

FEBRUARY 23 SIGNING

Stacy Barresi ’24 soccer at Division I Southern Utah University

Helen Holley ’24 basketball at Division I Michigan State University

Amy Weybrecht ’24 cross country and track & field at Division I Wake Forest University

Brooklyn Steiner ’24 soccer at Division II Lynn University

Brayden Green ’24 football and track & field at Division II Davenport University

Prep Hockey Wins Program’s First MPHL

Title

GA VB Competed in Fourth Consecutive State Championship

The girls volleyball team had another incredible season, advancing to their fourth consecutive state title game on Saturday, November 11. To get there, they defeated Bishop Hartley 25-14, 25-15, 25-14 in the semifinal matchup.

LAWLESS TIES SCHOOL RECORD FOR MOST THREES

On Friday, February 23, in a game against AndrewsOsborne Academy, Jimmy Lawless ’24 tied Rick Fletcher ’97 for the school record for most three pointers in a game with 10! Jimmy scored a total of 32 points in the game. Rick previously set the record back in 1995.

In the state championship game, the team faced Mercy McAuley in a match that could not have been any closer. The Lancers fell just short, losing 22-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-22, 14-16.

The team only graduated two seniors this year, so hopes are high for the 2024 season.

Congratulations to the boys prep hockey team, which brought home the first MPHL championship in Gilmour history after a 7-0 victory over Bishop’s College School Prep!

STRONG SHOWING AT SWIMMING STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The girls and boys swim program had some podium finishes at the state meet on Friday, February 23. The girls team finished in seventh place in Division II. Congratulations to the following swimmers, who placed at the meet:

4TH PLACE - 200 IM RELAY

Gianna Minotas ’25, Maddie Sammut ’24, Laina Collis ’24, Tinsley Zhang ’26

4TH PLACE - 400 FREE RELAY Collis, Zhang, Minotas, Sammut

8TH PLACE - 200 FREE Sammut

8TH PLACE - 50 FREE Collis

12TH PLACE - 100 BREAST Sammut

14TH PLACE - 100 FREE Collis

On the boys side, the following swimmers placed at states:

7TH PLACE - 100 FREE PJ Koerwitz ’26

11TH PLACE - 50 FREE Koerwitz

12TH PLACE - 200 IM RELAY

Ian Colleran ’24, JJ Cistone ’26, Conor Tietjen ’26, Koerwitz

13TH PLACE - 400 FREE RELAY

Koerwitz, Cistone, Tietjen, Andrew Varanese ’27

Gilmour Inducts 12 into the Athletics Hall of Fame

On September 8, Gilmour recognized the 12 newest members of the Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2023 class is composed of 12 former student-athletes, many of whom played multiple sports during their Lancer career and made a lasting impact on their respective programs.

Congratulations to the following inductees:

Meredith Batcheller ’03 - hockey, tennis and softball

Nathan Campbell ’08 - baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer

Katherine Gurley ’00 - baseball, basketball and cross country

Melanie Frank Kiener ’09 - cross country and track

Brittany Link ’11 - volleyball and basketball

Kyle Maggard ’06 - hockey

Therese Roche ’01 - softball, track, soccer and basketball

Stephen Teisl ’00 - soccer, football, basketball, tennis, and track and field

Candace Longino-Thomas ’11 - track and field

Brittany Tyree ’08 - cross country and track and field

Kelsey Rodgers Welhouse ’09 - volleyball, basketball and softball

Peter Wolff ’65 - tennis, soccer and swimming

Scan the QR code below to watch a video created by Tom Hollis ’13 of Rise Up Media, LLC recapping the inductees’ athletic career highlights.

Know a Lancer you’d like to nominate for the Athletics Hall of Fame?

Scan this QR code to submit your nomination!

In Memoriam

This list includes all alumni and family members of alumni and faculty/staff who passed away before March 21, 2024.

Gilmour Academy expresses sympathy to the families of the following alumni:

George A. Bates ’56, brother of Frank Bates ’67; father of Robert Bates ’93; and father-in-law of Elizabeth Tuttle Bates ’91

Bruce R. Bechhold ’58, brother of William Bechhold ’67 (deceased) and brother-in-law of Vincent Horrigan ’67

Francis J. Brady ’64

Dennis Brennan ’59, brother of Thomas ’61, John ’65 and James ’71 Brennan

Peter DeCrane ’73, son of former Trustee Vincent DeCrane (deceased); brother of Michael DeCrane ’76; brother-in-law of former Trustee Timothy Panzica ’73; uncle of Meredith Panzica Manning ’99 and Michael ’01, Matthew ’02 and Craig ’04 Panzica

Jim Hlavin ’52 , grandfather of Lily Elseser ’22

Jocelyn Julien Hondlik ’85, wife of Chrisopher Hondlik ’84; mother of Ryan ’20 and Lauren ’22 Hondlik

Richard Jefferys ’59

James J. Kelly ’52

William Langley ’58

John Lennon ’55, father of John ’78 and James ’80 Lennon; grandfather of Jimmy ’30, Casey ’30 and Katelyn ’32 Lennon

Peter H. McKnight ’52

Mariquita Morrison G.O. ’73

Daniel D. Mulvihill ’52

Michael Nestor ’98

Edward Rogers ’68

Thos Rohr ’57

Skylar Schambs ’14, cousin of Natalie Kalfas ’12

Robert P. Seng ’62

Leo Vovk ’81, brother of Marko Vovk ’79

Joseph R. Weber ’52

Megan Schaefer Wenker ’09

In addition, we extend our sympathy to the members of our Gilmour community who lost the following loved ones:

Carol Ackerman, grandmother of Special Events Coordinator Ashley Friedman

Barbara Adamski, grandmother of Grace Hruska ’25

Gregory Alexander, father of AVI associate Vee Graves

Arthur Althans, grandfather of Alison ’11, Olivia ’12, Jake ’14, Alex ’15 and Claudia ’17 Althans

Joan Ambrose, mother of Jackie Baird; mother-in-law of Trustee Mike Baird; and grandmother of Ian Baird ’23

Michael Barren, brother of Mary Lee Barren Sprung ’88 and son of former Athletic Director Daniel Barren (deceased)

Allee Bell, Sr., grandfather of AJ ’26 and Lauren ’28 Bell

Kevin Bishop, husband of Molly O’Toole G.O. ’77

Henry Bohlke, uncle of Shannon Traynor ’20

Cosmo Bordonaro, brother of former employee Helen Parisi

John Brown, father-in-law of Director of Campus Security John Dalessandro

Annie Burney, mother-in-law of Oanh Pickens, campus mail carrier

Eric Carmen, uncle of Cam Carmen ’11

Jeanne Cergol, mother of Abigail Cergol King ’87 and Molly Cergol Krist ’88

Helene Chambers, mother of Dennis ’72 and Thomas ’73 Chambers and Rosemary Chambers Niewolak ’86

Ora Dee Chapelle, mother of track and field coach James Chapelle

Larry Chernauskas, former varsity girls basketball coach

Joseph Crowe, father of Elizabeth ’06, Katie ’07 and Patrick ’08 Crowe

Marianne Culbertson, mother of William Culbertson ’85

A. Dene Dahm, mother of William Dahm ’69

Joseph Dahm, father of William Dahm ’69

Glen Darling, father of Kimberly G.0. ’74 and Makenzie Darling ’99

Catherine Downie-Gombach, former Upper School Instructor

Joyce Evans, grandmother of Olivia Evans ’16 and Fredericka Evans-Ralph ’18

David Fedor, father of Nick ’99, Nate ’05 and Gabe ’14 Fedor

Michael Feeney, grandfather of Edward V ’25 and Abigail ’27 Steiner

William Fesler, husband of former Upper School Director Elizabeth Fesler

Bonnie Gepfert, stepmother of Holly Gepfert

Kalfas G.O. ’79 and step-grandmother of Natalie Schambs Kalfas ’12

Margo Giordano, mother of David ’75, Anthony ’76 and Monica ’83 Giordano; grandmother of Christina ’05 and Anthony ’06 Giordano

Gertrude Gramaldi, mother-in-law of varsity boys lacrosse coach and Upper School proctor Brian Jenkins

Ralph Gray, father-in-law of former instructor Joy Gray

Lexi Hagen, half-sister of Carson Hundstad ’25

Jean Marie Hogen, stepmother of Nicholas Hogen ’87

Kyle Jackson, former student

Gerard Jankowski, father of Jill Jankowski Makee ’86

Ella Louise Jones, mother of Trustee and freshman boys basketball coach C. Randolph Keller; grandmother of Christian ’12 and Alexandria ’14 Keller

Caroline Kirchner, grandmother of Daniel Kirchner ’17

Lois Kowitz, grandmother of associate athletic director Spencer Kowitz

Betsy Lee Latore, grandmother of Katie Winovich Chapman ’13

Vince Lauricella , cousin of Trustee Lorraine Dodero

Sr. Mary Ann Lavelle, CSJ, sister of Headmaster Emeritus Br. Robert Lavelle, C.S.C.

Max Littlejohn, father-in-law of Middle School instructor Terri Littlejohn; grandfather of Kaitlyn Littlejohn ’19

Christine Maharg, mother of Lily Maharg ’21

Madelene Mazzurco, grandmother of Isabella Mazzurco ’21

Thomas McLaughlin, father of Kaley ’17 and Aidan McLaughlin

Brian McDonald, brother of Mark McDonald ’09

Allison McMullen, granddaughter of Jim McMullen ’51

Vail Miller, Sr., father of Brooke Hice; mother-inlaw of Trustee Sean Hice; and grandfather of Rocco ’23 and Mason ’24 Hice

Jennifer Opalich Mills, mother of Morgan Mills Converse ’11; sister of Georjanna Opalich ’09 and former softball coach Steve Opalich; aunt of Hope Regalo ’19; and mother-in-law of Edward (Mac) Converse ’09

Sr. Theresa Moser, RSCJ, former Glen Oak administrator

Karen O’Hara, mother of Tom ’80 and Kathy ’89 O’Hara and Chrissy O’Hara Hynes ’90

Vincent Panichi, father of Michael Panichi ’84

Laura Pizmoht, mother of Frances ’28 and Jane ’31 Pizmoht

Madeleine Popp, mother of Chief Financial Officer Kathy Popp

George Prusock, Sr., husband of Lower School technology associate and Before Care assistant Nina Prusock

Robert Rhode, son of Robert Rhode ’51 (deceased); nephew of former Trustee Raymond Rhode ’51 (deceased); cousin of Patrick ’88, Christopher ’93 and Matthew ’96 Rhode

Robert Riggins, grandfather of Ethan ’18 and Aiden ’20 Muchnicki

Charles Rohr, brother of Thos Rohr ’57

Daniel Ruminski, former Upper School instructor and basketball coach; brother of Donald Ruminski ’64; grandfather of Elaina Kline-Ruminski ’25

Sue Ryavec, former Women’s Club president, mother of Ron Ryavec ’16

Eileen Sanders, mother of Charlotte ’24, Liam ’26 and Reid ’29 Sanders

Inge Schmidt, mother of Megan Schmidt-Sane ’05 and Peter Schmidt-Sane ’09

June Schmunk, grandmother of Annual Giving Officer Nicole Rodenfels

Paula Sieminski, mother of Andrew Sieminski ’18

Jean Smith, mother of Matthew ’08, Tyler ’10 and Alex ’13 Smith

Shirley Smith, sister-in-law of Trustee Br. Charles Smith, C.S.C.

Hatti Spagnolo, mother of Dennis Spagnolo ’84

Eileen Stark, sister-in-law of former Lower School instructor Theresa Stark

Mary Agnes Sullivan, cousin of Headmaster Emeritus Br. Robert Lavelle, C.S.C.

Frank Urankar, former Upper School instructor and baseball coach; father of Thomas ’79; uncle of Stanley ’69, Paul ’75 and Anthony ’79 Urankar

Sharon Vogelsberger, mother of Brett ’91 and Ryan ’00 Vogelsberger

Jerry Walker, brother of All For You housekeeping associate Kelly Schaar; uncle of All For You housekeeping associate Natasha Henry

Herman Wenker, father of Christopher Wenker ’89

Patrick Wheeler, father of Upper School English instructor Sean Wheeler

Mary Wiehn, sister of Joseph Raguso ’58; aunt of Maureen Raguso Stewart ’92 and Carolyn Raguso Gwydir ’94

William Yanesh, grandfather of William Yanesh III ’07

FRANCIS J. BRADY ’64

Last August, former Gilmour Academy Trustee Francis J. Brady ’64 passed away. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees for three years, from 1978-1981, during which he was chair of the Finance Committee. Throughout the years, Frank was a loyal supporter of Gilmour.

Frank is survived by his wife of 54 years, Constance Hughes Brady, and his children, Kristen Macneil (Aaron) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Ryan (Valerie) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Matthew (April) of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Meghan England (Bryan) of Columbus, Ohio. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Community in Scottsdale.

To read Frank’s obituary, scan the QR code below.