February 2020
Catholic
HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR LOOK INSIDE LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Leading the Way in Safety
IN THIS Issue
3 CLASS NOTES 4 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
Catholic High Senior Wins Carlson
6 MONTHLY FEATURE:
Football Teams Up With Defend Your Head
8 A LOOK INSIDE IN THE NEWS:
11 2020 Scholastic Writing Award Winners 12 Football’s Mealy Resigns, Maiorino Promoted 13 A Reason To ‘Amazon’ Smile 14 2020 Alumni Citation Honorees 15 Athletic Achievements 16 Quiz Bowl Team Finishes Fifth 16 LCHS’s Murr Wins Teacher of the Year 17 Memorable March For Life Trip 17 2020 Gala Raffle Baskets
Class Notes Chris Wiley ‘01 was promoted as an Autodesk Certified Professional at RSG Associates. Marquis Lupton ‘02, Program Coordinator at Crispus Attucks Community Center, served as one of the speakers at the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast at Millersville University. Nikolas Baksh ‘07, currently doing Orthopedic residency at Oregon Health Sciences University, was accepted to the NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital Spine fellowship. He received the 2019 award for Orthopedics in Training Examination for attaining the highest score in the annual residency exam, 99th percentile nationally. He got engaged to Caitlin Harrington on 12/31/18, a general surgery resident, and they are to be wed on 7/18/2020. Sanjeethan Baksh ‘10, currently in the Tri-Institution (Cornell University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University) MD- PhD program, received the NIH F31 award, a grant awarded in the fall of 2018 to continue his research conducted at the Rockefeller University Dissecting the role of serine metabolism in tumor initiating stem cells. He received a rare perfect score in his thesis defense for this award. Invited speaker to Tri-State Cancer Metabolism Meeting at Princeton University July 2019, Starr Cancer Consortium Meeting, April 2019; and Tumor Metabolism Keystone Conference Feb 2019; and the American Society for Cell Biology in Dec 2019. This is for his thesis research on “Metabolic Coordination of Stem Cell Fate Drives Tumor Initiation”.
Emma Seibert ‘14 earned her bachelor’s of science in early childhood education from Bloomsburg University. Emily Kurisky ‘15 was named to the dean’s list at Loyola University of Maryland. Andrew St. Denis ‘15 earned his bachelor’s of science in business administration in finance from Bloomsburg University. Rachel Loretan ‘17 was named to the dean’s list at Loyola University of Maryland. Mackenzie Moody ‘19 graduated from US Air Focre Air National Guard basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Madelyn Nolt ‘19 was named to the dean’s list at University of Tampa with a 4.0 GPA in finance.
Class Reunions The Class of 1970’s 50th Reunion weekend will be October 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2020. The reunion celebration will be Saturday evening, October 17th, 2020.
Catholic Highlights | 3
STUDENT
SPOTLIGHT
Catholic High Senior Wins Carlson
Lancaster Catholic High School senior Sunri Song earned the 2019 CX Carlson Scholarship, as announced by the Red Raven Art Company in January. Song was judged on her entire 2019 portfolio, which included works titled My Lunch, Green Vase and SummerVibes. Song also worked on an Animation project where she worked primarily on the school’s new Wacom Cintiq creative pen displays. “Sunri is extremely talented as an artist and has made the transition into the digital technology pretty effortlessly,” Bot Roda ‘70 detailed. “This award is tremendous for Sunri, but it really allows the public to recognize that the talent is here at Catholic High. And the new technology that we have will only enhance that.” 4 | Catholic Highlights
The CX Carlson Scholarship includes a college scholarship of $11,500 over four years plus an art show of the winner’s work at the Red Raven in May. Song plans to attend the California College of Art in the Fall of 2020. The Red Raven Art Company, along with The CX Carlson Cultural Trust, feels that it is very important to encourage young local art students as they begin their journey into the art world. They annually judge the best high school senior art portfolios in Lancaster County and give out three awards totaling over $14,500. Bot Roda is in his second year as the Digital Illustration Instructor at his alma mater.
STUDENT
SPOTLIGHT
Sunri Song’s portfolio that won the CX Carlson Award included these pieces. (top) A digital cartoon, My Lunch, Green Vase & Summervibes.
Catholic Highlights | 5
MONTHLY FEATURE
Football Teams Up With Defend Your Head
Joseph ‘Jeb’ Besecker (far right) helps present a check to his alma mater to improve the safety of football games for 2020. Also pictured, new head football coach Chris Maiorino (center) Liam ‘20 and Martha Besecker, and Lisa Ertz with the Defend Your Head team.
Lancaster Catholic has partnered up with Defend Your Head in cooperation with the Emerald Foundation to help make football safer in 2020. Thanks to funding from the Besecker family, the Crusaders will have Defend Your Head’s innovative ProTech helmet covers for the upcoming season, giving each student-athlete better head protection that reduces collision force by as much as 72 percent. Jeb ‘75 and Martha Besecker made a connection with John Zeglinski, Defend Your Head’s Sr. Vice President of National Business Development, to bring the ProTech technology to Lancaster County. ProTech’s patented technology has been proven to absorb and dissipate energy for the reduction of injury due to blunt force 6 | Catholic Highlights
trauma. A three-year independent study by Penn State University concluded that Defend Your Head’s technology was the primary factor in reducing traumatic head impacts to Nittany Lion players. In addition to Penn State, more than 10,000 football players are wearing ProTechs, including student-athletes at Penn, Temple, Alabama, and Baylor. “We are thrilled to partner with Defend Your Head on this important safety initiative,” said Besecker, Founder, President and CEO of the Emerald Foundation. “Helping make studentathletes at Lancaster Catholic safer playing football is perfectly aligned with our focus on education, youth, health and safety awareness.”
MONTHLY FEATURE “As athletic directors and coaches, we want the safest playing environment possible for our student-athletes. ProTech has been proven to make football safer”, said Rich Hinnenkamp, Lancaster Catholic’s Athletic Director. We are very grateful to Beseckers and look forward to the benefits of this outstanding initiative.”
“
Helping make student-athletes at Lancaster Catholic safer playing football is perfectly aligned with our focus.
“
Lancaster Catholic High School will be the first school in the Lancaster-Lebanon League to use the new technology. Partner this innovation with the EDGE system from Reflexion, a company started by alums Matt Campagna ‘15 & Matt Roda ‘15, that every student uses in physical education courses, LCHS is at the forefront of technology when it comes to student-athlete safety. About Defend Your Head Based in Chester County, PA, Defend Your Head has been working to advance football helmet technology since 1986. Their ProTech model uses a patented softshell that complements existing helmets and has been tested at the highest levels to absorb and dissipate energy, reduce linear and rotational acceleration, and redirect collision force by as much as 72%. ProTech’s are labeled ‘SAFR’ – Scientifically Advanced Force Reduction. More than 250 colleges, high schools and youth programs are SAFR by wearing ProTechs. For more information, visit www.defendyourhead.com. Catholic Highlights | 7
IN THE
NEWS A Look Inside Members of the Arcudi family are present as the Lancaster Catholic basketball program unveils a sticker dedicated to Tony “Pops” Arcudi. Pops was instrumental in the program and stood for Leadership & Integrity. He passed away in July.
Prospective families attend the annual Activities Fair in January. The energetic event truly showcases all that Catholic High has to offer as all activities, sports and fine & performing arts programs are present to discuss their passions for those interested.
Members of Madame Cicioni’s French II class participate in French Show & Tell in January.
8 | Catholic Highlights
IN THE
NEWS
A Look Inside Members of Senora Ringlein’s Spanish III class were one of many who have used the new VR Goggles to explore Mexico.
Ten senior Crusader studentathletes signed their letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.
Bernadette Fertal ‘20 stars in the Fall Play “Little Women”. The Fine & Performing Arts Department will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on March 19-22.
Catholic Highlights | 9
IN THE
NEWS
10 | Catholic Highlights
IN THE
NEWS
2020 Scholastic Writing Award Winners
Lancaster Catholic is proud to announce that there were 26 winning submissions for the Scholastic Writing Competition. In total there were 2 Gold Keys, 10 Silver Keys and 14 Honorable Mentions. This year’s winners are: Gold Keys: Honorable Mention: Ross Conway Henry Greiner Madison Lewis Kevin Draeger Hannah Eckerd Bedei Gbala Silver Keys: Hope Abel Marian Joseph Aiden McShea (2) Ali Brewer Angeline Rann Cecilia Deel Sheridan Riva Xavier LeFevre Maria Martin Sabina Russoniello Leanna Smith Matthew Oleskowitz Riley Smith (2) Lizbeth Stephan Ian Witkowski Zack Stauffer Jillian Wnek Kaylie Vazquez
A Palette-able Affair 2020.indd 1
1/17/2020 9:11:25 AM
Catholic Highlights | 11
IN THE
NEWS
Football’s Mealy Resigns, Maiorino Promoted Lancaster Catholic High School’s head football coach Todd Mealy resigned in January due to other professional responsibilities. His assistant Chris Maiorino has been promoted to head coach, the school announced. Mealy guided the Crusaders for two seasons, winning a pair of Section 3 Championships while compiling a 20-3 overall record, including a 17-1 mark in league play. He served as the team’s defensive coordinator for the prior two seasons and as the head coach at Penn Manor for eight seasons (2007-14). Mealy, a History teacher at Penn Manor High School who owns a doctorate in American Studies, will pursue other opportunities outside of athletics while continuing to focus on his young family. “We would like to thank Coach Mealy for his dedication to the program over the last four years. He was a great head coach on and off the field, and we wish him nothing but great success in his future endeavors,” Athletic Director Rich Hinnenkamp said. “We are excited to stay in the program and keep the consistency from the last four years moving forward. I am very excited for Chris to be the head coach and believe he will bring great energy to the team, the school and to our feeder programs.” Maiorino served as the offensive/defensive line coach at LCHS for the past four years, joining the Crusader family with Mealy back in 2016. Lancaster Catholic ranked second in the Section rushing with 3,140 yards this year. The team’s top three running backs each averaged over 7.9 yards per attempt behind his line play. “I am honored to become the next head football coach at Lancaster Catholic. Being a part of this program over the past four years has meant a lot to my family, and I am excited to serve in this new role,” Maiorino said. “We look forward to building on the strong traditions in place as well as establishing new ones as we grow the football program. As a staff, we will aim to continue to build positive relationships with our players, their families and the Lancaster Catholic community.” Overall, Maiorino has coached high school football for 14 years, twelve of those with Mealy. While at Catholic High, he was instrumental in the program’s use of Hudl and other video work while also assisting in game management and other administrative duties. Maiorino graduated from Millersville University in 2004 with a degree in elementary education. He was a four-year member of the Marauder football program, serving as a team captain during his senior year. Maiorino currently is an Instructional Coach at Edward Hand Middle School in the School District of Lancaster, a role he has held for eight years. Chris and his wife, Lauren, live in Mountville with their four children, Julia, Bennett, Catherine and Lane. The Maiorinos are members of St. Leo the Great Parish and their two oldest children attend St. Leo the Great Catholic School. 12 | Catholic Highlights
IN THE
NEWS
A Reason To ‘Amazon’ Smile
You can now shop on Amazon and with just a click of a button, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to support Lancaster Catholic. Just be sure to use the smile.amazon.com website when you are checking out to make sure your donation counts!
Save The Date May 9, 2020 7:30 - 10:00 pm LCHS Cafeteria
Catholic Highlights | 13
IN THE
NEWS
2020 Alumni Citation Honorees
The Alumni Citation Award was created to recognize exceptional alumni and is the most prestigious honor to be bestowed upon a Lancaster Catholic graduate. The Alumni Citation Committee is pleased to announce the 2020 Honorees: Service to Lancaster Catholic High School Sam Kirchner ‘69 Professional Achievement / Service to Catholic Education Stephen Smith ‘64 Service to Humanity Claire Seguin Storm ‘57 Service to Catholic Education Brenda Weaver ‘70 Join us on Saturday, April 4, 2020 starting at 11:00 a.m. for brunch at the Hamilton Club, to celebrate this year’s honorees. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for $30.00 per person, please contact Lori Wagner, Special Events Coordinator, lwagner@lchsyes.org or call the Advancement Office at (717) 509-0313 by March 27, 2020.
14 | Catholic Highlights
IN THE
NEWS
Athletic Achievements Head boys basketball coach Joe Klazas earned his 300th career victory on January 31st with a victory over Donegal. This year’s boys team won the Section Title and is preparing for postseason play.
Head girls basketball coach Charlie Detz earned his 150th victory at Lancaster Catholic on January 21st against rival Northern Lebanon. This year’s team also won the Section Title and is preparing for postseason play.
Senior Sommer Reeser netted her 1,000th career point on January 17th and then broke the LL League career 3-point mark on January 31st by drilling 8 triples against Donegal on Senior Night. The old record was 205 treys, and after her magical night, Sommer had 212! A pair of sophomore wrestlers earned their 50th victory, halfway to the milestone 100win club. Eric Howe (right) currently sits at 55 wins and classmate Mason McClair has 51 with sectionals and districts right around the corner.
Catholic Highlights | 15
IN THE
NEWS
Quiz Bowl Team Finishes Fifth
For the second-straight year, the Lancaster Catholic Quiz Bowl team participated in the 40th-annual Scholarship Challenge in Sayre, Pa. on February 8. The competition pits 24 high school teams made up of juniors and seniors with four teams qualifying for The Finals. The Crusaders made the four-hour trip north and won their first two matches of the day convincingly, before falling in the day’s final to Spencer-Van Etten, a small public school in New York. The team, led by advisors Kevin Carver & Pat D’Elia earned $350 for the school, finishing second on the day and fifth overall. Pictured above (from left to right) are captain Oliver Klemmer ‘20, Ella Cassidy ‘21, Jacob Mercer ‘21 & Katie Keane ‘20. The alternate of the team (not pictured) was Riley Smith ‘20.
LCHS’s Murr Wins Teacher of the Year Congratulations to our very own Mr. Paul Murr for being selected as the recipient of the 2020 Lancaster- Lebanon Music Educators Association “Private Music Teacher of the Year” award. This is a well deserved award received by Mr. Murr, who not only teaches our students here at Lancaster Catholic, but also maintains a private studio, and is an adjunct Professor of Percussion Studies at Millersville University. The award was voted on by his peers in the LLMEA organization and will be officially presented in the Spring. BRAVO Mr. Murr. . .you make LCHS Proud.
16 | Catholic Highlights
IN THE
NEWS
Memorable March For Life Trip
President Tim Hamer, Campus Ministry Director Art Bamert, Chaplain Fr. Steven Arena (right) and over 60 Lancaster Catholic students made the trip south to our nation’s capital to participate in the March For Life Rally on January 24th. For the first time ever, a sitting United States President attended the event and spoke to the large crowd.
To Support the Purple & Gold Gala, Through Sponsorships or In-Kind Donations Please Contact Joe Sahd ‘01 jsahd@lchsyes.org
2020 Gala Raffle Baskets Lancaster Catholic is hosting an online raffle for 7 themed raffle baskets donated by the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes. The profits from the baskets support Lancaster Catholic’s mission. The themes for the seven baskets are Happy Hour, Gift Cards Galore, Oh, Those Summer Nights, Road Trip, Crusader Tailgate, All Around the World and Hostess with the Mostest! Tickets are 1 for $5, 5 for $10, 10 for $20, 25 for $50 & 50 for $100. Tickets can be purchased at www.accelevents.com/ e/2020PurpleGoldGalaRaffle. Winners will be drawn on Friday, February 21st, 2020 and notified via email. Catholic Highlights | 17