OLSHighlights Spring 2009

SPRING 2009

stew´ărd·ship the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care (n.)

CREDITS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elizabeth A. Santillo EDITOR Cheryl Karashin WRITERS Ashley Andoga Jannah Jablonowski ‘11 Cheryl Karashin Elizabeth A. Santillo CONTRIBUTORS Jessica Cerchiaro Sr. Mary Francine Horos ‘68 Deena Swank ‘92 DESIGNER Michael J. Cerchiaro ‘96 PHOTOGRAPHY Jeff Hulbert Superior Image Photography PRINTING Multi Print Media SPECIAL THANKS Sr. Mary Andrew Budinski ‘60 Sr. Mary Johnna Ciezobka Dr. Neil Fanelli ‘77 Gina Rhawn Marton ‘91 Sr. Mary Clare Nalitz Maureen Steuernagel OLSH School Archives OLSH Yearbook Committee OLSHighlights is published by the Advancement Office of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School and mailed free of charge to alumni, faculty, staff, students, families, and friends of OLSH. Contributions to Class Notes and address changes may be sent to: OLSH Advancement Office 1504 Woodcrest Avenue Coraopolis, PA 15108-3054 Phone: (412) 264-5140 Fax: (412) 264-4143 E-mail: alumni@olsh.org

OLSHighlights Spring 2009

In This Issue OLSH Spotlights Maureen Steuernagel, English Teacher........................2 Dr. Neil Fanelli ‘77.....................................................3 Gina (Rhawn) Marton ‘91............................................4 Sr. M. Johnna Ciezobka, CSSF.....................................8

Features Sr. Mary Clare Takes Her Final Vows..........................6 OLSH Students Seek the Future...................................7 Notre Dame Vision...................................................11 AAC Renovation.......................................................13 OLSH Football Program............................................13 Legacy Awards..........................................................14

In Every Issue What’s Happening Around OLSH.............................12 Stories from the Principal..........................................14 Alumni News & Notes..............................................15 Where in the World..................................................18

ON THE COVER: Planting flowers at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima CORRECTION: The sidewalk chalk drawing on page 10 was the work of Michael Thimons, a member of the Class of 2010. The graduation year was misidentified in the last issue. We regret the error.

Letter from the President Dear Friend of OLSH, St. Francis is credited with instructing, “preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” He stewarded his God-given gifts by teaching by example, and to this day, we feel the impact of his efforts.

Stewardship involves prudently and responsibly managing something entrusted to your care. Christian stewardship is that careful management of the gifts that God has granted to you.

OLSH is blessed to have received many gifts in its 77 years. These gifts have taken many forms; some are tangible, and some are not. Countless of these gifts were given by the Felician Sisters, who have made contributions of time, expertise and capital in support of our school.

In the early days of OLSH, the Sisters staffed the entire school, donating their teaching and administration expertise to the school, and living in the convent on campus. These gifts of self are the foundation on which the school has thrived. As time passed, the courage to change became the gift that the Sisters shared with our community. In 1970, under the direction of Sr. Mary Pulcheria Saukaitis, OLSH became a co-educational institution. Without embracing this change, OLSH may not have become the strong and thriving school that it is today. In 2003, the Sisters gave us the gift of a major renovation of the school and provincial house, which yielded the beautiful facility in which we operate today. Looking forward, the Sisters give us the gift of hope.

In fact, on November 21, 2009, the Felician Sisters will consolidate their eight North American provinces into one, called Our Lady of Hope. Our stewardship of their gifts necessitates our prayer for the Sisters that this change will be a positive, “hope-filled” one.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops authored a pastoral letter on stewardship in which they said that stewarding one’s gifts involves “returning them with increase to the Lord.” We see many instances of this description of stewardship throughout our OLSH community.

In this issue of OLSHighlights, we shine the spotlight on stewardship. We’ll highlight Maureen Steuernagel, a member of the OLSH English faculty, who believes her charge is to train the stewards of tomorrow. You will learn about Dr. Neal Fanelli, OLSH 1977, who has built a successful business in the community and yet finds time to lend a hand in building stronger communities. We’ll profile Gina Rhawn Marton, OLSH 1991, who has dedicated her life to raising the daughter “blessed with an extra chromosome” and increasing awareness about all children with Down syndrome, and you will read about Sr. Johnna Ciezobka, the Felician Sister who, taking a leap of faith, left OLSH to minister to God’s impoverished people in Kingstree, South Carolina.

As I am writing to you, in every room around me, students, teachers, and Board members are making phone calls in support of our annual phonathon fundraiser. While I am so grateful for each and every gift we have received, I am feeling most grateful tonight for the gift of these students. What a wonderful gift their parents have given us in allowing us to know them. Our stewardship of that gift is all of the hard work our team does to build a strong school.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us!

Elizabeth A. Santillo President

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 1

Maureen Steuernagel:

Teaching Tomorrow’s Stewards “ Sometimes you receive gifts that are so valuable, you want to repay the giver, but what’s often best is to pay that kindness forward,” Maureen Steuernagel, OLSH English teacher and impassioned steward.

M

aureen Steuernagel received gifts she never expected during the most turbulent of times in her life. In August 1979, her husband, Ed Young, died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. In addition to a devoted wife, he left behind four very small children, ranging in age from 5 years to 1 year. Everything changed in one day: Steuernagel assumed sole responsibility for raising the children and became the family’s breadwinner instantaneously, without warning.

For the next six months, Steuernagel would return home to find, once a week, bags of groceries left on her front porch by generous neighbors. She says, “The thing that struck me about that kindness is that my neighbors didn’t have any money to spare. It was a true sacrifice for them to be able to help my family.”

Knowing that her neighbors wouldn’t want her to repay the kindness, she decided to steward the gift by, she says, “paying it forward.” Her stewardship of the long-ago gift is demonstrated daily in the OLSH Community.

Mrs. Steuernagel is known among the students as a caretaker, someone who will listen and someone who will care. This year, she is teaching them about stewardship.

She says, “young people have received gifts, tangible and spiritual, and they should learn to steward their gifts.” In fact, Steuernagel often prompts them to be cheerful givers without expecting anything in return. She says, “this year when the students raised money for Our Lady’s Pantry, I encouraged them to consider whether they would be enthusiastic fundraisers if they weren’t being rewarded with a dress-down day.”

Mrs. Steuernagel became involved in the OLSH community in the early 1990s when her two younger daughters were students here: Maria Young graduated in the class of 1994 and Aimee Young in the class of 1996. In 1993, Mrs. Steuernagel began working in the school’s development office and teaching a few English classes, and in 2000, she joined the English faculty full-time.

As a development officer, she was masterful at stewarding gifts given to the school. She says, “our major donors 2 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

needed to feel secure that their gifts were being put to the best possible use,” and the officers communicated with them regularly to recount how their funds were being used.

However, Steuernagel believed that the best use for her God-given talents was in the classroom. Teaching is her passion. Though there are challenges that accompany her chosen profession, she loves “getting to know the kids.” She says that the biggest challenge of teaching is “taking a stand without alienating the students.”

In her view, teachers are caretakers. They face the challenge of caring for their students without overstepping their boundaries. “We never know what impression we make on kids,” she says, “but we always repeat the positive message and hope that through repetition, it sticks with them.”

Students Respond This year, Steuernagel is focusing on stewardship in her classroom. She wants the students to recognize their gifts and to steward them by giving with increase. She wants them “to do something for the common good without expecting a reward.”

She has facilitated class discussions on stewardship and even had the students write about it. Their descriptions of stewardship, several of which follow, show a varied and developing sense of responsibility, which is precisely what Mrs. Steuernagel hopes to impart. 

“

In my opinion, to be a steward, you need to sacrifice for others.”

Tim Johnson, Class of 2012

“ “

Being a good steward is being like Christ, because Christ served others and did not expect anything in return. We should follow Christ’s example and be good stewards.”

Noah Hebb, Class of 2012

Share your advantages Trust that it will make you happy in the end Eliminate chaos Wonder about future conflicts Acknowledge the unacknowledged Reward others who truly need you Determine to change the future Start today; never stop Help those who don’t have a voice Investigate the pursuit of happiness Put the world in the presence of peace” Valerie Malick, Class of 2012

Dr. Neal Fanelli:

A Community Caretaker

D

r. Neal Fanelli, OLSH Class of 1977, has taken the lessons in stewardship he learned at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School and made them central to his career and his lifestyle.

He uses his gifts not only in his field of chiropractic care, but also to give back to the community through his involvement with the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce and his volunteer work with municipal employees and other public servants.

When asked, Dr. Fanelli commented that his, “genuine gift of caring for others,” his genuine interest “in being a part of people’s lives and helping them to make it better,” and his ability to “listen to people with [his] heart and truly find resolution,” have made him successful in his career and life of service. These gifts are also what drew him to the field of health care.

After graduating from OLSH, Dr. Fanelli continued his education with his sights set on a career in health care. He first attended the University of Pittsburgh and studied pre-med. After two and a q u a r t e r ye a r s , h e t r a n s f e r r e d t o National University of Health Sciences in West Chicago to complete his B.S. in Human Biology and his Doctorate of Chiropractic Medicine. He continued at National University for two more years to complete post-graduate training in sports medicine, earning him the title of Certified Chiropractic Sports Orthopedist.

He then went to Los Angeles College for further post-graduate study in orthopedics.

Dr. Fanelli currently works as a physician at Allegheny Medical Occupational & Physical Medicine Center, where he is also the President and CEO. While he acknowledges the difficulties associated with working in health care in the current climate, he is dedicated to providing quality patient care. He says the best part of his work is helping people with “some of the most difficult conditions recover when no one else could, changing that person’s life for the better.” Allegheny Medical, with Dr. Fanelli at the helm, was named the Best of Pittsburgh Health Care Providers for 2008. This designation is awarded by an independent firm that compares providers throughout Pittsburgh based on information from businesses and the community at large.

In addition to running his practice, for the past ten years, Dr. Fanelli has been a member of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, and for the past two years, he served as the chair of the board. He views his participation in this organization as an investment in his community and the businesses within it. It is important to him to work toward the improvement of the region, since he believes that “investing in the region and steering the Chamber to become a large active component of the region has allowed growth and opportunity to happen when many areas of the country are struggling.” His work with the Chamber earned him the 2008 Jenny Award, the highest honor from the Chamber of Commerce, awarded for service above and beyond expectations as well as diligent work to bring about growth and development in all sectors of business and community.

Dr. Fanelli stewards the gifts he received early in his life by taking responsibility to help educate and support others. For the past four years he has donated his time and services to educate “municipal employees, firefighters, EMS, police, schools employees, and administrations of more than 20 communities to help improve health and wellness with a designed performance program including fitness prescription and nutritional

counseling. We have put hundreds through this, saving some from heart attack and stroke.”

The importance of giving back to the community is engrained in Dr. Fanelli’s character. When asked why he does so much for the community, he says, “First it is a sign of being grateful for the opportunity. Second, it instills the fact that we can not do it alone and that we are all in this together.” He recognizes the importance of people taking care of each other in order to strengthen our communities.

Looking back, Dr. Fanelli calls his time at OLSH “some of the best times of my life”.

He credits the school with supporting him academically and socially, giving him the opportunity to participate in athletics, student government and clubs, while also providing a well-rounded education.

His active participation at OLSH taught him to juggle many responsibilities at once, but he says that everything was run “with the emphasis on education and responsibility.” He hopes that current and future OLSH students will open themselves to all of the opportunities and possibilities available to them. He says, “It’s important for anyone to look at themselves and say if it were at all possible (which it is always) what would I really like to be, or do, rather than what are my limits. All things are possible; every day we see it.” 

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 3

Gina Marton’s Amazing Gift

How She’s Embraced God’s Plan

Photo by Melody Farrin Photography

and later as a professional nanny, Gina was utilizing and developing her God given gifts as He was preparing her for what would become her life’s mission.

W

hen graduating from high school, often times a student has a plan laid out and a path paved to achieve his/her dream job or ideal life.

When Gina (Rhawn) Marton graduated from OLSH in 1991, she was on the path to become a nurse. Even though she set aside dreams to become a Navy fighter pilot after being told that as a woman she would not have the opportunity to fly, Gina, “recognized the opportunity to nurture in a career as a nurse.” Gina enrolled in the Duquesne University’s School of Nursing, and after her studies at Duquesne worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at West Penn Hospital. Gina enjoyed pediatrics and working as a maternity nurse. She had the natural gifts of empathy, compassion, assertiveness, and strong interpersonal skills, which made nursing a fitting field; however, this would not be God’s ultimate plan for Gina.

Gina graduated from Duquesne in 1995, a rough year for the field of nursing. Job openings were sparse, and Gina lost out on an opportunity in West Penn’s NICU due to seniority. Gina began work in home health care in 1996. Though she enjoyed working with the elderly, the stressful conditions helped her to determine that it was not to be her long term career. Gina believes, “The most rewarding aspect of nursing for me was the ability to nurture and the ability to make a difference in someone else’s life for the better.”

During her experience in nursing, home health, 4 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

As is it often said, a baby changes everything; in late 2005 Gina learned that she was expecting her first child.

Because of a family history of Spina Bifida, the doctor suggested that Gina undergo a level II ultrasound. During the ultrasound, the doctor noticed some abnormalities, and recommended an amniocentesis, a prenatal exam that can detect chromosomal abnormality. This test found that Gina’s baby had Down syndrome. Gina knew that worrying would not achieve anything, and she used the time during her pregnancy to educate herself on Down syndrome.

She was told that Children’s Hospital had a Down syndrome clinic, and decided to call them. When she told the woman who answered that she was pregnant with a baby with Down syndrome, the woman said she would send her information. Gina expected to receive a few copies of articles in the mail, but to her surprise the clinic sent her literature, books and even a calendar. She appreciated the positive nature of the books that highlighted the accomplishments of different persons with Down syndrome, and the ways in which they are similar rather than different from other children. She felt that doctors were highlighting all of the negative aspects of the condition, and she was grateful that the clinic provided her with positive information.

More tests during her pregnancy confirmed that her child would be born with an intestinal defect that would need corrected within the first 24 hours of life.

Finally, in August of 2006, Maeve Ann was born. She was born without complication and Gina was happy to enjoy a half an hour with Maeve before the doctors had to transport her to Children’s Hospital for the surgery. Coming from a strong Catholic family, Gina was determined to have Maeve baptized before she went into surgery. After an evening of phone calls, arrangements were made for the baptism. So on Maeve’s first full day of life she was baptized and underwent her first surgery. Maeve would remain in the hospital for 55 days.

During her stay at Children’s the doctors also discovered that Maeve was in congestive heart failure and suffering from pulmonary hypertension.

The doctors hoped to delay heart surgery until she

reached six months of age. Maeve we n t h o m e a i d e d b y a n o x y g e n machine, a feeding tube, and a heart monitor. Gina was happy to bring her baby home, and felt confident in her ability to care for Maeve because of her training as a neonatal nurse. Because Maeve was unable to sustain proper levels of oxygen without the oxygen machine, the doctors decided to perform the open heart surgery when she was just shy of four months old.

Maeve has had nine surgeries in these the first two and a half years of her life. During this time Gina has learned from Maeve Ann, “to live each day as the best day of your life.” She explains, “I never know what our day may bring – a new goal met or a trip to the Emergency Department. And I have learned that it is okay to wear your heart on your sleeve and speak your mind – you only have this one time on earth to make a difference.”

And make a difference Gina does. Her life experiences and God’s blessing of having Maeve Ann have resulted in quite a busy life for this “stay at home mom.” Gina ‘speaks her mind’ and ‘makes a difference’ by sitting on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh (DSAP), where she is currently the chair of Pittsburgh’s 2009 Buddy Walk.

She was also recently invited to sit on the board of the Family Forum at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. In addition, Gina is a member of the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.

W h e n a s k e d w h y she felt called to be active in such organizations, she answered, “In one word – AWARENESS! Society has such a negative stereotype of our community members who have special needs.

They do not recognize the value they bring to our community and many are blind to all of their abilities.” Gina first became active with the DSAP by volunteering for the 2007 Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk is a national walk to promote understanding and

acceptance of people with Down syndrome. She realized, “that (her) community connections would become invaluable, as well as (her) desire to raise awareness in the Pittsburgh and tri-state community,” which led her to take on greater roles in the walk.

As the Chair of the 2009 Buddy Walk, Gina is currently working on recruiting p a r e n t vo l u n t e e r s a n d s e c u r i n g sponsorships for the event. This year’s walk will be held on Saturday, October 17th at Hartwood Acres.

Gina’s latest undertaking is serving as a Board member for the Family Forum at Children’s Hospital. She admits that it has been a challenge dealing with all of Maeve’s health issues. Her position in the Family Forum will allow her to share her family’s stories and experiences with the hospital staff, families, and the community, in order to promote family centered care at CHP. Her experiences have also prompted her to be involved with family education through the Family Forum. As she puts it, “it is often more effective to learn from a parent who has been in your shoes, than hospital staff who know the clinical steps and procedures, but may not know how to juggle that with home, work and family life.”

When asked what she is doing with her life, Gina is quick to reply, that she is a “proud stay at home mother of a 2 year old daughter, Maeve Ann, who also happens to be blessed with an extra chromosome.”

In her spare time, Gina spreads her positive attitude about Down syndrome through designing and creating boutique children’s clothing and accessories with awareness designs and logos. Her original clothing items are embroidered with phrases like “Got 47?,” referring to the 47 chromosomes a person with Down syndrome has compared to the average person’s 46 chromosomes, “Designer Genes,” and “Cuteness comes with an extra chromosome.” She sells the products

at Down syndrome conventions and on her b l o g , w w w. got47.blogspot.com.

Gina Marton fits the description of a Christian steward.

She uses her Godgiven gifts not only to provide a happy life for Maeve, but also to help others better understand a n d appreciate persons with Down syndrome.

Gina had a plan for her life, and God had a different plan.

Her openness to accept and embrace God’s plan for her gifts and talents has benefited many in the Pittsburgh Down syndrome community and beyond.

And Gina has much more left to give, and many more lives to touch. 

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 5

Sr. Mary Clare Nalitz

Takes Her Final Vows

O

n February 1, 2009, with Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, presiding, Sr. Mary Clare Nalitz took her final vows as a Felician Sister at the chapel of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. This celebration comes after years of working to educate young people in the faith while exploring her own vocation.

Sr. Clare first began her journey toward religious life at the age of 25. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden and taught at Quigley Catholic High School. It was there that she met Father David Zubik, now Bishop Zubik, and two Felician Sisters, Sister Mary Roberta Debski ‘38, and Sister Mary Charlene Ozanick ‘63, both of whom had taught at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. However, after about four years, and before making her first vows, Sr. Clare decided that she was not called to be a Josephite.

Although she left the Sisters of St. Joseph, she continued to work in religious education. She was the Director of Religious Education at St. Alphonsus in Springdale from 1984-1987. She taught at St. Francis Academy from 1987 until it closed in 1991 and at St. Joseph High School from 1991 to 1996. After teaching at St. Joseph, she took a job as the Director of Faith Formation at St. Mary of Czestochowa in New Kensington. It was there that she was reunited with the Felician Sisters she had known at Quigley.

About twenty years after having left the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sr. Clare felt called once again to religious life, but this time as a Franciscan. Both Sr. Roberta and Sr. Charlene lived at St. Mary of Czestochowa, where Sr. Clare was working.

When she told them that she was considering entering the Whitehall Franciscans, Sr. Roberta invited her to join the Felician Sisters.

Sr. Clare accepted the invitation. She became a candidate on September 26, 1999, a postulant on May 25, 2000, and was invested as a novice on February 2, 2001. She professed her first vows on February 2, 2003, and renewed those vows every February 2nd, until she took her final vows this year.

Sr. Clare had the special honor of having Bishop David Zubik at her final vows. “Because we are an international congregation we usually don’t have a bishop preside,” says Sr. Clare, “but because I have known Bishop Zubik since Quigley Catholic in 1981, he very graciously came to preside and preach the homily.”

Sr. Clare’s students have shared in her journey toward her final vows. Each year, she has taken some of her students to experience the renewal of her vows, and this year, many were present for her final vows. When asked if she feels different after having taken her final vows, Sr. Clare says: “I actually do feel different. God gives us the grace when He wants, not when we want. And we do get the ring at final profession. Many students said they finally understood the phrase ‘Bride of Christ’ after they saw me with the new ring.”

She says, “To anyone considering a vocation I would say, ‘Come and see! The Lord calls each of us differently, and you need to come and live the life to see if that is where God wants you.’” 

After making her final vows, Sr. Clare poses with Bishop Zubik. Joining in the celebration are, (L toR) Brandon Adams ‘11, Brianna Flasco ‘09, Dan Clayton ‘09, and Tom Johnson ‘09.

6 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

OLSH Students Seek The Future

By Celebrating The Past

Around the time of Catholic Schools Week, the Pittsburgh Catholic published articles centered on daily life in Pittsburgh-area Catholic schools. While most of the Catholic high schools published stories which were written by adults at their schools, the story about OLSH was written by one of our students. We are please to reprint the story, written by budding journalist Jannah Jablonowski, here.

Reprinted with permission from: THE PITTSBURGH CATHOLIC

By JannaH Jablonowski ‘11

W

ith everything t h a t i s happening in t o d a y ’s w o r l d , the future seems uncertain. People spend a great deal of time planning and saving to build a future, but guidance and assurance are hard to find. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School (OLSH) believes that one of the best ways to build the future is to honor the past. Our past at OLSH is filled with many devoted Felician sisters whose vision, work and commitment helped to build the present. Their lives and work form a valuable lesson that OLSH instills in each of its students.

The OLSH Intergenerational Program began three years ago when the school decided to strengthen itself spiritually.

As part of this focus on spirituality, there was an effort to enhance the connection with the many Felician sisters who reside at the convent and share the grounds and facilities.

Through the Intergenerational Program, students have the opportunity to interact with and learn from the Sisters. One main goal of the program is to encourage the students to relate to people who are different from themselves and to make personal connections.

Through the program, students have the opportunity to talk about their school, their clubs and sports, their activities and their lives in general with the Sisters. Basically, the students and the Sisters engage in activities that enable them to share stories, learn new things together, and have time to enjoy each other ’s company. This program usually begins activities in September

with the sisters teaching the seniors to pray at the Labyrinth, a nature filled prayer site on the property. In May, a “Tea Social,” sponsored by the Sisters, typically ends the school year.

Some events that have been part of the Intergenerational Gathering Program in the past few years include: a peaceful nature walk with a biology class, a computer class technology lesson, a “team” spelling bee, and a Spanish activity.

Another activity turned the tables and gave the Sisters the opportunity to learn something from the students.

Many of the OLSH students who attended World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, this past summer made a presentation about their pilgrimage.

The kids shared stories about what they saw, what they did, who they met and all of their exciting experiences in Australia, including Mass with the Pope. Tenth-grader Marissa Conlin said, “The Sisters were very excited to hear stories about our trip!”

While the program itself is pretty impressive, it is nothing compared to the people who work to carefully coordinate, plan, and carry out all of the activities. Principal Sr. M. Francine Horos spends a great deal of time coordinating schedules with the sisters while Ms. Susan Fahey thoughtfully p l a n s c r e a t i ve activities for the meetings, and Mrs. Nancy Jarocki oversees the entire program.

Through the Intergenerational Program, OLSH

Sr. M. Marcia Rydzewski ‘55 and Jessica Kennedy ‘10 are perfecting their Valentine’s Day cards

students are given the chance to learn about the past that helped shape their lives from the people who experienced it first hand. While the Sisters are seen as a source of guidance, the students are not the only ones benefiting from the program. Through interacting with the students, the Sisters get to witness the future, the next generation of leaders, and have a part in their development. Many of the Sisters also just enjoy being young again with the students. Overall, the program has many benefits and at least one message: Although the future seems uncertain at times, the sisters are living evidence that dedication to God provides the promise of a wonderful and blessed future, no matter what your age. 

Students and Sisters walk through the Prayer Labrynth

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 7

8 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

Faith for the Journey:

Sr. Johnna’s Call to Kingstree

I

f you attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School from 1980 to 1992, then it is likely that your life was touched in some way by Sr. Mary Johnna Ciezobka, CSSF. During her time at OLSH, Sr. Johnna taught religion and history, organized overnight retreats and weekend mission trips, and even coached the softball team. In her own words, she is a “jack of all trades.” Sr. Johnna now runs the St. Ann Catholic Outreach Center in Kingstree, SC where she continues to explore her own talents and her own call to ministry, always conscious of the need to serve others.

Sr. Johnna was a student at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart from 1965 to 1968. She enrolled in and began living at the school when she was 14 years old, with the intention of becoming a

Felician Sister. However, after her junior year, Sr. Johnna decided that not only did she not want to become a Felician Sister, but she didn’t want to become a Sister at all. “I felt that I needed to go and see what was out in the world,” she explains. “There was such turmoil in the U.S.A. and in the Church at the time. Things were changing.”

Sr. Johnna never forgot her time at OLSH. She decided to become a teacher and entered secondary education because she wanted to teach at OLSH. “I wanted to be a teacher,” she says, “because I thought it was a special way to touch the lives of kids. I remembered the teachers who had made a difference in my life and how important that was to me.” One teacher who particularly inspired Sr. Johnna was Sr. Mary Margaret Mysliwiec, whom she credits with sparking her love of history. She describes Sr. Margaret as approachable and unafraid to show genuine interest in her students: “There was a human side to her that Sisters of that era many times kept hidden. Sister was also a great teacher, and she taught me to love history. Maybe that’s why I became a history teacher.” In May 1983, Sr. Johnna earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies, theology, and secondary education from Carlow College. She later earned her master’s degree in theology at Duquesne University.

Although she left the convent in high school, Sr. Johnna felt called back to both Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and religious life. She returned to OLSH as a teacher in 1980 and took her final vows as a Felician Sister on August 7, 1983.

While at OLSH, Sr. Johnna provided her students with a variety of learning experiences. She often went beyond the textbook to provide her students with experiences that she felt would help them grow not just as students, but as individuals. She says, “My favorite day was always graduation day, when we would send this powerpacked, energetic, ‘I can do anything’ group out into the world. I always hoped that I had done my part well.”

By 1990, Sr. Johnna began to explore a change in her vocation: “I began to feel God’s call to something different. I wasn’t sure exactly what it would be, but it was at that point that I began to pray and discern what God was asking of me.”

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 9

Sr. Johnna continued Sr. Johnna answered God’s call by making a major change. She left the familiarity and security of the OLSH community and relocated to the Diocese of Charleston in South Carolina, serving the needy at the St. Ann Catholic Outreach Center in Kingstree, South Carolina.

Among other things, Sr. Johnna, her co-director, Sr. Mary Susanne Dziedzic, a Felician Sister from Buffalo, NY, and their volunteers provide emergency food and clothing, assistance for dental and vision treatment, prescription assistance, legal aid assistance, and tutoring programs to the community. For children, they run a summer day camp and after-school homework and enrichment programs. They regularly challenge their students to earn educational field trips by presenting homework and tests with passing marks. They operate according to the teaching in Matthew’s Gospel, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40)” Sr. Johnna lives among the people she serves, sharing their joys, their fears, and their challenges. “The most important part of our ministry is our ‘presence’ to the people,” she says. “We live in the neighborhood that we serve. It has a reputation for drugs, shootings and bad things. The Catholic Center is a safe place where acceptance and assistance are given.”

Sr. Johnna says that the center is, “a place where God is important, prayer is daily and the people know it. The community knows what we stand for and that we will not back down or compromise our morals and values.

Being present to the people has helped us gain their trust, understand their situations and helped us learn how better to live the vow of poverty that we profess.”

The living example of service and stewardship provided

by Sr. Johnna has led others to seek opportunities to serve.

Each year, she has more than 30 tutors volunteer to work in the center’s after-school program. She has five women running the Clothing Closet, providing much-needed clothing to the community. Six other area churches, none of them Catholic, now help the center with their various projects.

In addition, college students come to the center to volunteer during their spring breaks, and Felician Sisters from all over the country come to Kingstree over the summer to offer their assistance. Sr. Johnna believes that the opportunity for and example of stewardship draw people to Kingstree. She says, “God has blessed us and touched the hearts of so many people to want to help. We are accountable, and we work hard. We are leaders, and we support and help all people, not just those in material need.”

When asked what advice she would give to others exploring 10 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

ways to steward their gifts, Sr. Johnna says, “fall in love with the people, and the people will call forth from you what they need.” She adds, “trust in God for all that you need, dedicate yourself to God and His people, love who you are and what you do, take people’s life stories to heart, and read Matthew 25 often.”

The St. Ann Catholic Outreach Center celebrates 19 years of faithful service this year. 

Notre Dame Vision

How Will Your Gifts Change the World?

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ince 2002 the lectures, and University discussions. of Notre Dame Perhaps one has hosted a of the most five-day retreat active portions each summer of the week is for high school in the small students across group dialogue America to led by Notre inspire selfDame students. reflection by D u r i n g providing them those times, with a new one former vision. Called participant ND Vision, claims, teens the seminar are meeting touches on other teens with several subjects similar concerns including life, from across faith, individual t h e c o u n t r y, God-given (back L to R) Kristin Suehr, Sean Fitzpatrick, Ben Stock, Brandon Adams, Michael Dubois, Sierra Hooge enabling them gifts, and how (front L to R) Sarah Molka, Antoinette Lucchini, Katie Gasior, Sandy Cahalan, Sherry Greek, Alena Chetoka t o s h a r e “ a (missing) Jonathon Lach brief moment” every person is uniquely called which shapes upon by God to a monumental steward those gifts during a lifelong “How will YOU answer?” Activities part of their lives; a moment that journey to change the world. throughout the five days teach perhaps they would not—or could not, students how individually to answer share with friends from home.

Fortunately, since the summer of that question through their actions 2005, the Tisch family has graciously in everyday life. This year’s theme OLSH students will return home f u n d e d s c h o l a r s h i p s f o r O L S H for the conference is “How will your with a brand-new appreciation of students to attend ND Vision. This gifts change the world?” DeLorenzo themselves and the gifts they have year, a new challenge will be added acknowledges that this task can be been given. Katie Gasior, OLSH to the participants’ agendas: to very difficult for teenagers because it sophomore, states: “Many of my pursue active stewardship by giving is not always a celebratory ride. At friends were lucky enough to have back to the school community, and the week’s end, however, students had the opportunity to go to ND subsequently, throughout life. The become so engaged in what they have Vision, and I heard wonderful things students will continue to build on the learned, their God given gifts become about it. I also believe it will help me ideas and lessons of ND Vision by ingrained into their daily thoughts grow in my faith so that I can pass it participating in an activity at OLSH and experiences. Sherry Greek, a on to others around me.” where throughout next school year sophomore at OLSH, is anxious to they will be challenged to use their expand on her strong interpersonal OLSHighlights will follow these 13 talents to benefit the lives of others. and leadership skills as well as learn OLSH students through their summer Many of the 13 students attending this about new gifts with which God has odyssey and back. Next fall, we’ll summer expect to develop the gifts blessed her. Moreover, she looks update you on how these students they are aware of, and they anticipate forward to “learning to act as an are stewarding both the scholarship discovering new gifts of which they independent person and meeting new gift from the Tisch family and their have been unaware. people” as well as encouraging others God-given gifts at home in the OLSH to experience all that ND Vision has community.  L e n n y D e L o r e n z o , t h e e v e n t ’s to offer. host, enlightens the attendees by explaining that “God is calling!” and ND Vision is able to achieve this confronts them with the question: through self-designed musicals, OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 11

What’s Happening

Around OLSH

Basketball Playoffs

T

his year, both the boys and girls basketball teams ended exciting seasons in the playoffs and showed that even if Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is small, our athletes know how to play big.

In his first year as head coach, Mike Rodriguez took the boys to a 17 and 6 overall record. The teams also won the Windber Rotary Christmas Tournament, defeating Westmont Hilltop in the finals. Junior Jimmy Orie and senior Anthony Scappe both made the AllTournament Team. Orie led the team this year in average points per game Chargers basketball vs. with 23 points per game, long time rivals Cornell Raiders and Scappe was close behind with an average of 19 points per game. The team defeated Bentworth in the first round of the playoffs, but lost to Serra Catholic in the quarter-finals, ending an exciting season for the boys.

The girls also had a productive season under the leadership of head coach Don Eckerle. In his sixth season as head coach, he led the girls to an 18 and 9 overall record. Senior Devin McGrath finished her career at OLSH as the lead scorer with over 1,600 points. The girls defeated Aliquippa in the preliminary round of the playoffs and went on to defeat Shadyside Academy in the first round and Jeanette in the quarter-finals. It took WPIAL Champions Sto-Rox to knock the OLSH girls out of the playoffs in the semi-finals. In the last 6 years, the girls’ team has been to the WPIAL finals twice, the WPIAL semi-finals three times, and PIAA playoffs four times. We look for exciting achievements from them in the future. 

Going Green at OLSH

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n Saturday April 25, 2009, OLSH hosted its second annual Green Eco-Fair in observation of Earth Day. The day started with a school wide clean-up project, attended by both students and faculty members, followed by the afternoon’s Green E-Fair. Many local organizations, offering a variety of products and services (from recycling of compact 12 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

fluorescent light bulbs, building materials, and batteries to consignment shops, solar energy consultants, and water conservation experts) were in attendance at this free event.

Other highlights of the day included: an OLSH art expo, entertainment, a virtual Green tour of OLSH, a class of 2009 tree planting, and a “green” movie (Wall-E) and more.

Theresa Long ‘86, OLSH English teacher & moderator of the OLSH environmental club “TreeHuggers,” began the E-Fair last spring after speaking with Sr. Francine and Sr. Christopher about possible service opportunities. A campus clean up had been an annual event in the past, but had not taken place in years. Ms. Long said that she decided to, “take this idea a step further and incorporate some Green education and some fun (music, crafts, and games...) so the E-Co fair was begun.” Long plans to continue the event next year, saying, “Green education is a vital component of an OLSH education. Stewardship and service are core values we attempt to instill in our students.

This event does both.” 

OLSH Spring Musical

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n early March, OLSH presented their production of Hello Dolly.

This traditional, light-hearted musical tells the story of widow Dolly Levi Gallagher (senior Caitlin O’Connor) and her attempts to play matchmaker with nearly everyone she meets. The show had a little bit of everything, f r o m I r e n e M o l l o y ’s ( j u n i o r K y l e i g h Ta y l o r ) s e n t i m e n t a l Caitlin O’Connor ‘09 as Dolly Levi “Ribbons Down My Back” to the comical men’s number “Takes A Woman” led by Horace Vandergelder and his store clerks (junior Jason Sealy, senior Matt Cahalan, and freshman Tom Stewart). The cast of 44 students delighted audiences with their fancy footwork in “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” and the classic, “Hello Dolly”. This year’s stage crew, led by alumna Amy Lynn Greek ’06, expertly handled some tricky set changes with OLSH’s most complicated set in the last few years. The show received rave reviews from those attending, including some of its biggest fans – the Felician Sisters – many of whom came to see the show multiple times! The cast, crew, and production staff are now anxiously awaiting the Gene Kelly Awards in late May. The Awards recognize excellence in high school musical theater, and OLSH has been nominated for and received many of these awards in the past. 

New on Campus:

AAC Renovation

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he Angela Activities Center will undergo a comprehensive facelift this year. The facility, which was constructed in 1985-86, was designed to meet the needs of the then-current enrollment of 247 students. Since then, the school’s population has increased to 350, and the number of sports offered at the school has also increased.

photo courtesy of L. F. Gilberti Architects, Inc.

In 2005, the OLSH Athletic Boosters secured permission from the Felician Sisters to pursue construction of a weight room at the back of the facility and undertook a fundraising campaign to accomplish it. The Felician Sisters joined the campaign and initiated a more complete renovation of the gymnasium for the benefit of the OLSH community.

This project is the final step in making the campus completely environmentally friendly, or “green.” The Sisters have made their facilities green in aligning with their Franciscan values, which include the care of all creation and the desire to be responsible stewards of God’s resources.

Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2009. Naming opportunities in the new facility are available. Contact Cheryl Karashin at ckarashin@olsh.org or (412) 269-7726 for more information.

The newly renovated space will include: A state-of-the-art weight room Seating for 625 people in the gymnasium A practice facility 2 technology-enabled classrooms A café-style concession stand with a dining area Locker rooms for teams, coaches, and officials Offices for athletic officials

OLSH Establishes New Football Program F

or the first time in 45 years, a new high school football team is being created by an established western PA school. OLSH will field a varsity team beginning with the 2010 season.

Start-up of the OLSH Chargers team will be overseen by former Pitt head football coach Foge Fazio who will help OLSH administrators select and hire a permanent head coach.

“A football program will complement and enrich our already robust line-up of extracurricular activites and athletic teams,” said President Elizabeth Santillo.

OLSH currently offers 46 after-school activities and 18 sports programs, including a cooperative sport arrangement with nearby Cornell High School for football and boys and girls swimming. Plans call for OLSH’s newly selected coach to collaborate with Cornell’s coaching staff during the 2009 season and then transition to an independent purple and gold OLSH squad the following season.

The team will play home games at Youthtowne, a non-profit recreation complex in nearby Findlay Township. Practices will be conducted on the school’s own athletic fields or in the school’s new Angela Activities Center.  OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 13

Stories from the Principal:

Student and Class Rings Reunited A

s our alumni know, it is our tradition here at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart to hold a Ring Day ceremony in order to bless the students’ class rings. Though the specifics of this ceremony have changed throughout the years, the practice of receiving class rings in this manner has become something special to our students.

This past November, h o we ve r, R i n g D a y turned out to be a less than joyful memory for one student and her mother.

While many students buy new class rings from Jostens, some choose to bring in their own rings to have blessed.

This was the case with one young lady who wanted to wear her mother’s class ring and have it blessed in the ceremony.

She brought the ring to the school in a small plastic bag, as directed, but when the rings were gathered before the ceremony, hers was missing.

The school offered to replace the ring, but the student said it just wouldn’t be the same. She wanted to wear her mother’s ring, not a new one. She and her mother were heartbroken, and the student opted not to attend the Ring Day ceremony.

The gentleman who picks up the used ink cartridges for recycling, which are kept in small plastic storage bags, had found the young lady’s ring. Though he lived out in Penn Hills, he drove the ring the whole way back to the school and reunited the ring with its owner. Needless to say, the young lady and her mother were grateful to have the ring returned.

Though this story of a ring and owner reunion is touching, yet another came in January of this year, and this one was even more incredible. Another gentleman from Penn Hills called the school and said that he had found a class ring from an OLSH graduate. The name of the owner was engraved inside the ring, but the man hadn’t had any luck locating him. Still, he was determined to find the owner.

The owner of the ring was Shane Cavanaugh, class of 1988. We found him living in Aliquippa and contacted him with the good news about his ring. He had lost the ring while working at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Crafton when he was 17 years old, and now it had reappeared and been returned to him 21 years later. He had thought it was gone for good, but one man’s persistence proved him wrong.

When you wonder if there are still good people out there who do the right thing just because it is the right thing, perhaps you will remember these stories and know that these people do exist. People still look out for each other in this world and bring joy when they do.

In December, however, a little bit of luck and a good Samaritan stepped in and brought some Christmas cheer.

On May 9, 2009 at the inaugural Legacy Gala, OLSH friends gathered at the Holiday Inn on University Boulevard to honor the recipients of The Legacy Awards, which are given to individuals who have made major contributions to ensuring that the legacy of OLSH continues long into the future.

T h e i n a u g u r a l r e c i p i e n t s o f t h i s a wa r d are Sr. Mary Christopher Moore, ’ 6 3 , a n d W i l l i a m J . Wo l f , f o u n d e r o f The Maronda Foundation. Deserving of this award, Sr. Chris has served the OLSH community for many years, as English teacher, principal and

14 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

currently, as provincial minister. Sr. Chris’ vision for OLSH is undeniably what has kept our school strong when so many schools in this region have closed.

Mr. Wolf, who established the Youthtowne Youth Scholars program at OLSH in 1994 and has provided financial aid for hundreds of OLSH families, was honored posthumously with this award. We celebrated with Mary Wolf, Bill’s widow, and their children. His commitment to Catholic education, and especially to OLSH, has propelled our school to the forefront of Catholic education in this region. 

Alumni News & Notes 1972 DONNA (JOHNSTON) LOCKLEAR MCCABE moved in with her elderly parents to care for them. She currently works for the Recorder of Deeds in Sussex County, DE.

1978 MARY ALICE (MINAHAN) O’TOOLE has been working for Pittsburgh Technical Institute for the past 18 years. She presently holds the position of Director of Scheduling and Curriculum. She also teaches online classes in psychology, critical thinking, and human relations in organizations. She is working on her Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

1988 MARY P. MURRAY has been the Magisterial District Judge for Moon, Coraopolis, Crescent and Neville Island for the last 5 years. She is running for re-election this year. She was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Minor Court Rules Committee and serves as Chair of the Rules Committee for the State Association of Special Court Judges. She is also the secretary for the Allegheny County Special Court Judges Association, a Board Member for Amen Corner, a lector and Eucharistic Minister for St. Margaret Mary Parish in Moon, and a member of the West Hills Area Women’s Club, the Women’s Business Network and the Elks. Mary also maintains a private law practice specializing in estate planning and administration.

1993 BRYCE WALAT is engaged to Anastasia “Stacy” Louise Matejka of McCandless.

An October 17, 2009, wedding at Duquesne University’s chapel is planned.

1995 MARISA (ROMANO) GRECO married Tony Greco in July of 2007. After teaching for 9

years and earning her master’s degree and principal certification, she now works for the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit as their Technology Coordinator.

1996 JAMIE (CALABRESE) KEARNS has been living in Greenville, SC, for about 5 years and working as an occupational therapist for a home health agency. She has two children, Tyler (9 years old) and Helayana (20 months old).

STEPHANIE (ROSSER) EVANS received a Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation Teacher Award in 2008. She was one of 50 teachers in the United States to be honored with the National Child Care Teacher Award. Stephanie has worked at the Tender Care of Robinson Township for ten years. Stephanie and her husband, Todd, have a five-year-old son, Stephen.

2001 LAURA SCHOLL and STEPHEN DANIEL, JR., who attended OLSH from 1996-1998, recently announced their engagement.

The couple is planning their wedding for the summer of 2009. Laura is a Research Methodology Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pittsburgh and also teaches graduate level statistics at Pitt. Stephen does custom residential construction and is also employed by the Pittsburgh Public Schools.

2002 TIMOTHY ROSSER has been working with two acting troupes. He finished his second year of the BMI musical theater workshop with a successful judging, which keeps him in the program as long as he wants to stay.

2003 MARGUERITE COSTANTINO graduated from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute with a degree in Baking and Patisserie. She and her fiancé, JEFFREY MEADER, moved to London to participate in a work abroad program.

CHELSIE (BETZ) FIKE is currently teaching art in the Albert Gallatin Area School District. She graduated from Seton Hill University in 2007 with a B.A. in Art Education. Chelsie married Richard M. Fike on January 5, 2008.

CORRIE (CIUFI) PHILLIPS graduated from Carlow University in 2007 with a B.A. in Business/Communications. She is now working for Dale Carnegie Training as a General Manager for the Jackson, Mississippi, and Northern Louisiana territories. Corrie married Brian Taylor Phillips on October 18, 2007, and has a son, Ethan Alexander Phillips.

NATHAN SILVESTRI graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Aviation Management. He is currently working for Continental Airlines as a First Officer, flying a 37-seat regional aircraft.

2004 ERICA FLASCO graduated from Robert Morris University in December 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in education.

JENNIFER LESTER became engaged to Ronny Neff of Atlanta, TX, on December 23, 2008.

ERIC METCALF, after graduating from John Carroll University with a B.A. in Economics, went to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania West Africa with the United States Peace Corps. He qualified for a p o s i t i o n i n t h e Sma l l E n t e rp ri s e Development (SED) sector, which works with small businesses. He now lives in Kiffa,

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 15

Alumni News & Notes in the western part of the country. He works with women in and around Kiffa, teaching a basic business class for them and teaching a math class for girls who dropped out of school. He also teaches a computer class for students after school.

2005 KELLI BAGATINI was inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society at Duquesne University. She is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, the Golden Key International Honor Society, and the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. She will graduate from Duquesne in May 2009.

JESSAMYN CAVANAUGH graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in Psychology in December 2008.

KELLY GASIOR announced her engagement to Daniel Pittner. Kelly is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN with a Bachelors in Business Administration. The wedding is planned for July.

2007 JILLIAN BABISH set a school indoor record for Westminster College in the shot put with a distance of 4.83 meters.

ERIC POLESKY was invited to attend the Presidential Inauguration based on his performance at the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine. He was able to witness the swearing-in of the new President of the United States and attend a Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball.

2008 Monica Gehring was recently named an Ambassador for Mercyhurst College.

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In Memoriam Thomas Clayton Father of DAN CLAYTON ‘98 and KACIE (CLAYTON) JANKOSKI ‘99 SISTER MARY CLAUDIA FLORENCE FORNAL ‘42 February 25, 2009 Sister Mary Damien Irene Jablonowski November 27, 2008 Librarian at OLSH from 1989-1991 SISTER MARY ELECTA WANDA GUTOWSKI ‘38 April 5, 2009 Charles Raymond Kloes January 9, 2009 Father of CHARLES KLOES ‘80 Mary M. Krivanek January 9, 2009 Mother of MARY LOU (KRIVANEK) O’BRIEN ‘63

Ina Barnes Misal February 7, 2009 Mother of art teacher, Christine Stubna, and grandmother of JANE (STUBNA) IRWIN ‘01, EMILY (STUBNA) ZUBANCIC ‘03, STEPHEN STUBNA ‘03, and JOHN STUBNA ‘06.

Betty Lou Murray January 14, 2009 Mother of KATHLEEN (MURRAY) WITCOP ‘87 and WILLIAM MURRAY ‘90 Elizabeth Stubna January 25, 2009 Grandmother of JANE (STUBNA) IRWIN ‘01, EMILY (STUBNA) ZUBANCIC ‘03, STEPHEN STUBNA ‘03, and JOHN STUBNA ‘06.

James Trimmer March 17, 2009 Father of MARY TRIMMER ‘70 and the late JOANNE (TRIMMER) SHOOK ‘71

BIRTHS JENNIFER (SHOAFF) FORTH ‘96 and her husband welcomed their second son, Jared Zachary Forth, into the world on June 3, 2008. He joins older brother, Jonathan.

Jennifer and her family live in Syracuse,NY, where she works as a social worker, supervising a program for The Salvation Army that works with families at risk of having their children placed in foster care.

THOMAS THIMONS ‘03 and his wife, Annemarie, would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Mia, born on October 25, 2008. The family resides in Rye Brook, NY, where Thomas works as Regional Director of the Cardinal’s Appeal for the Archdiocese of New York.

Bill Stickman ’98 and his wife Leanne announced the birth of their daughter, Anna Katherine, born on March 9, 2009. Anna joins brother Will who is 2½ years old.

AMBER (SHADURSKY) TRUMPOWER ‘04 and Brent Trumpower welcomed their first daughter, Alexa Nicole, into the world on April 28, 2008.

Things sure have changed over 77 years.

Sr. Melanie Marie Bajorek teaching in the computer lab c.1984

We’re sure you have too.

Why don’t you tell us about it? OLSHighlights is looking for class news from all OLSH alumni. Promotions, weddings, babies, get-togethers with other alumni, retirements – don’t be shy. We want to hear it all...and we want to see the pictures too!

ALUMNI NEWS

Send your news to alumni@olsh.org, or enter it at www.olsh.org or cut out the alumni news form below and mail it to us!

Name:_ _______________________________________________________ Class of:____________________ Address:_ __________________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________________ State:___________ Zip:____________________ Home Phone:_______________________________ Work Phone:_________________________________ E-Mail Address:_____________________________________________________________________________ Profession/Position:_ _____________________________________________________________________ Employer Name:____________________________________________________________________________ Spouse’s Name:_____________________________________________________________________________ Children’s names and ages:_______________________________________________________________ News Item:_ ________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM TO: OLSH Advancement Office, 1504 Woodcrest Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

Or send your news via e-mail to alumni@olsh.org or fax 412/264-4143

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 1715

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School 1504 Woodcrest Avenue • Coraopolis, PA 15108-3054

Where in the World T

his month, OLSHighlights magazine traveled across the globe to West Africa and Rome. The question is: where in the world can you take OLSHighlights? Our alumni live and travel across the country and around the world. Now it’s

your chance to show us the places you live, work, and visit.

Send a photo of yourself holding your OLSHighlights and a description of the location and why you are there to alumni@ olsh.org. We can’t wait to see all the places you’ve been! 

SR. MELANIE MARIE BAJOREK ‘67 “Greetings from Rome! I am standing in St. Peter’s Square below the office area of the English section of the Secretariat of State, where I work. My office window is on the other side of the building looking out to the Papal Residence and down to its main entrance. I will be here for five years and will be happy to connect with members of the OLSH family who might be visiting the Eternal City. In this picture St. Peter’s Basilica is to my right.”

Eric Metcalf ‘04 in the back streets of Kiffa in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, West Africa.