MAY 2019
Catholic
HIGHLIGHTS
YOUR LOOK INSIDE LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Drawing In A New Age
IN THIS Issue
3 MONTHLY CLASS NOTES 4 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:
Catching Up With AJ Blodgett ‘16
7 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
An Unforgettable Trip For Caraline
8 A LOOK INSIDE IN THE NEWS:
9 Digital Drawing With Bot 10 Alton Honored With Golden Apple 11 Three To Retire After 2018-19 Year 12 Four Earn St. Augustine Scholar 13 Scarff Signs NFL Deal With Ravens 14 Eleven Students Head To FBLA States 14 FPA Department Selected As Case Study 14 Graduation Ceremony Live Stream 15 Jefferson Nabs PA Player Of The Year 15 May Day Success
MONTHLY
Class Notes
Andie Petrillo ‘12 received her Master of Arts in English at Millersville University. Dr. Stephen Roda ‘72 was named a practitioner with the Wound Healing Center in East Hempfield Township. After graduating from Lancaster Catholic in 1972, Dr. Roda earned his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University and a medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Annaliese Schreder ‘16 was named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team for the second-straight year. Schreder, a basketball student-athlete, has an international relations and economics double-major at William Smith College. Sara (Hackman) Bires ‘14 graduated from Penn State University Justice and Safety Institute in May. The 19-week basic training program is required of all law enforcement officers who wish to serve as a sheriff or deputy sheriff in Pennsylvania, covering topics mandated by the Commonwealth. Only sworn sheriffs or deputy sheriffs may participate in this program. Sara received the Michael Van Kuren Memorial Award for Defense Tactics. This is the second time the award went to a female and the first time since 2006. She currently serves at the Lancaster County Court House as a Deputy Sheriff. Melissa Ramos ‘13 & Thomas Mattaini ‘13 are recently engaged to be married. Sarah Davis ‘13 & Robert Cybulski ‘13 are recently engaged to be married.
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ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
Catching Up With AJ Blodgett ‘16
AJ, surfing off the coast of Rossnowlagh, Donegal, Ireland, in some rare down time. Q: What is it like to do missionary work in a different country? A: The first word that comes to my mind is “privilege.” Having volunteered in Ireland, Australia, and now South Africa, I have experienced a vast range of different cultures and personalities. However, I have found that humans everywhere are all looking for the same things - they’re looking to be loved, seen, and be given a purpose in their lives. Q: What at Lancaster Catholic prepared you for what you do on a daily basis? A: Lancaster Catholic gave me the freedom to explore and grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus. It introduced me to a community of other young Catholics and fostered my learning about the Catholic faith, both the history and the lifestyle we are meant to live our faith as. 4 | Catholic Highlights
Q: When you miss home, what/who do you lean on? A: The constant source of life has always been surrendering everything I have and everything I am feeling to God. My normal prayer for the last five years has been something along the lines of “Jesus, I’m homesick and miss everything from my favorite restaurant to my friends and family. But I didn’t come for me, I came for You.” During my first year with NET, I was an 18 year old straight out of high school who had never been away from home before. I leaned on my weekly calls with my parents. Whenever I wanted to give in and throw in the towel, my mom spoke truth to my heart about the call God placed in my life and told me I was not allowed to come home. Three years later, I do not get nearly as homesick, but still love my calls with my mom and dad and love them for making me press on and not give up.
ALUMNI Q: Who inspired you to do this at first? What continues to motivate you? A: When I was a senior, I was lost about what to do following graduation. One night at the St. James youth group, I was talking about this with Joe Amidon, class of 2018, who had previously encountered a NET team. He mentioned that I could be good at it, and made a comment that NET was also in other countries, which ultimately sparked my curiosity. Since then, the young people of the world are who continue to motivate my vision of sharing my story of how Jesus has worked in my life and the hope, light, and love I have found in Him. Knowing how much young people are searching for the Truth continues to keep me going. Q: What is the best story that you can tell about your time doing this work? A: Last week we were at an all-girls school running an Encounter Day with the grade 10’s. One of the girls in my small group sat quietly the whole day, but took in everything we brought to them, listened to our small group discussions, and invested in the activities. During session three in our time of prayer, I asked this girl what she would like prayers for. Her response was wanting prayers for Jesus to be a bigger part of her life. She also shared that her friends were atheist, but she was hearing from teachers that God was real. As I was praying with her through her confusion, I could sense her fear and hesitation in allowing Jesus into her heart. I said a prayer asking Jesus to take her hand and bring peace to any doubts she was having. As I prayed, the girl began crying. Later, she told me that she had experienced Jesus touch her heart in a way she hadn’t
SPOTLIGHT
been expecting. Her face, though still streaked with tears, shone with a new light and her eyes held a peace and contentment that had not been there that morning. Q: Tell me all about Ireland. A: Wow, what a country. Everything you hear about the Emerald Isle’s scenery is true and then some. My team at the time and I were able to make it to many of the big touristy destinations, including the Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, and Dublin City. Every time I was absolutely blown away by God’s glory in creation. In terms of the culture, I found the Irish people to be reserved compared to the average American personality, but still more than welcoming.
AJ enjoying scenery in Glendalough. Catholic Highlights | 5
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT AJ Blodgett (cont.)
Q: Tell me all about Australia. A: I can safely say that I fell in love with Australia. My hope and dream is to move back sometime after my time in Cape Town is finished. Unlike the Irish, the Australians have a much more cultural personality like Americans, but I found them to be heavily influenced by the secular world. I spent my time in the position of a campus minister in an all-boys high school in Brisbane. Brisbane is flourishing with a vibrant Catholic community and offered a nice sense of family in an otherwise spiritually dry area. I was able to enjoy the wildlife that resides there. I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (upper right), hold a koala and feed a kangaroo. Overall, despite the suffocating heat, Australia is a beautiful place and is full of hope with the growing Catholic circle.
Q: Tell me all about South Africa. A: Surrounded by amazing mountains, Cape Town offers a stunning view of the peaks everywhere we turn. We have already been to a cheetah sanctuary and were able to get up close and pat them. My team and I were just discussing today how friendly people here in Cape Town (lower left) are compared to places in America and Australia. We walk past someone in the street and smile and we get a smile and a hello in return; which is something that is lacking in most areas of the other two countries. Q: What do you miss most about Lancaster? A: I seriously miss the horse and buggies, the rolling fields of farmland, and the delicious food from Caruso’s Italian Restaurant in Lititz as well as Moe’s Monday with cheap burritos. Q: What is the best food that you’ve eaten that you had never had before? What’s the worst? A: Ostrich and kangaroo are not that bad, but Irish pudding (made from either pig’s fat or pig’s blood) still has my skin crawling.
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STUDENT
SPOTLIGHT
An Unforgettable Trip For Caraline Earlier this spring, Caraline Young ‘19 tagged along with her father on a business trip. But this wasn’t a routine trip. This trip was to Israel, and she was kind enough to capture some of her experiences through the lens of her camera. All captions are her words.
This is Bethlehem, and this picture is of the two churches built on top of the cave that Jesus was born in. We normally think of Jesus being born in a manger, but manger actually means cave. The Catholic Church and Greek Orthodox Church fight over the cave, so they divided the cave in half with a limestone wall. In Bethlehem and Jerusalem, all the buildings must be built with the natural limestone of the area. Bethlehem is under Palestinian control, so the Israeli people are not allowed to enter. I thought that was very interesting because I did not know that Bethlehem was not technically a part of Israel. Arabs from Bethlehem are also not allowed to enter into Jerusalem and other parts of Israel.
This is of the Greek Orthodox Church that owns the other half of the cave. It was very ornamental and very interesting.
This is the Catholic Church above Jesus’ cave in Bethlehem.
Riding a camel in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea.
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IN THE
NEWS A Look Inside Marilyn (Mester) Berger ‘50 and her Class of 1950 classmates that attended the Purple & Gold Gala where Marilyn was honored with the Pope John Paul II Excellence in Leadership Award.
Members of the Women in Business Club volunteered at Clare House for a Service Day with the Lancaster Chamber. Clare House is a community where all women and children have a sense of optimism, confidence and hope for the future.
Winners of the Catholic Schools Art Contest are (l-r) Logan Paulukow, Gabrielle Kambouroglos, Kathryn Keane, Annie Morris and Anthony Andrews.
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IN THE
NEWS
Digital Drawing With Bot
At Lancaster Catholic High School, artists now have the opportunity to create works of art with paint that never needs to dry through the creation of a Digital Illustration Program which includes interactive canvases, design software on brand-new iMacs and a professional digital illustration instructor. With over 25 years of digital illustration experience and knowledge, John “Bot” Roda ‘70, has taken the course under his wing. In a world that is increasingly digital, students interested in digital illustration and artwork have the ability to use the Wacom Cintiq 22 inch HD Creative Pen Displays that allow them to draw and paint directly on the Amanda Mueller ‘20 works with Bot Roda ‘70 on the display’s surface screen to create masterpieces new Wacom Cintiq computer. in the digital realm. As a highschooler at Lancaster Catholic, Bot Roda was known for his caricatures of his fellow classmates and teachers. After a time in the US Navy and at Godfrey Advertising in Lancaster, Bot spends his time as a freelance illustrator and storyboard artist. “I will be mentoring the art students and teaching them how to sketch in layers in Photoshop while creating from the back forward,” said Bot Roda. “Adobe Photoshop is pretty complex but I found it to be tremendous as a painting program and for creating digital art.” According to Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop layers are like sheets of stacked acetate paper. You can see through transparent areas of a layer to the layers below while still having the ability to move a layer to position the content on the layer, like sliding a sheet of acetate in a stack. “Layer functions, the various tools and how you can manipulate the tool functions in Photoshop can create different effects. In a way, it is similar to watercolor techniques,” explained Bot Roda. “You begin with a sketch and then gradually fill in with color. By working in layers you have an infinite ability to change any part of your art work whether it is globally or if you’d want to center in on one thing.” The Digital Illustration Program is open to all Art I and Art II students who express interest in learning more about digital design. Amanda Mueller, a junior in Art II,was selected to participate in the Digital Illustration Program. “Mr. Ressel thought that I would benefit and be able to impact the school with my artistic talents through the Digital Illustration Program,” said Miss Mueller. “Mr. Roda is a very knowledgeable instructor and mentor in this field since he is an active illustrator. He is able to teach us about certain designs and the history that goes into it while giving us a jumpstart into graphic design.” Catholic Highlights | 9
IN THE
NEWS
Alton Honored With Golden Apple
Mrs. Kathleen Alton has been teaching theology at Lancaster Catholic High School since 2003 and has impacted the lives of students since her arrival. Last month, she was honored with the Golden Apple Award. The Golden Apple award symbolizes a teacher’s professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values, and devotion to teaching in Catholic schools. “Teaching the Catholic faith is a responsibility and privilege I take very seriously,” Alton said. “I thank God every day for placing me at Lancaster Catholic High School. It is through His abundant grace, and not my own merit, that I am able to stand in a classroom and teach. The love I give is only possible because of the love I received. He is the vine, I am the branch. Without Him, I can do nothing.”
Kathy Alton (top right) with Bishop Ronald Gainer and other Golden Apple Award Winners in the Diocese, including Kristy Legenstein, Kindergarten Teacher at Resurrection Catholic School. 10 | Catholic Highlights
IN THE
NEWS
Three To Retire After 2018-19 Year
The 2018-19 school year will be the last for a trio that have combined to work more than 60 years at Lancaster Catholic. Scott Drackley will retire following this year after 24 years at Lancaster Catholic High School. He started in 1995 and has been very visible at Juliette Avenue, teaching music, conducting choirs and directing plays and musicals. He has mentored thousands of Crusaders throughout the years and he began the Concert Choir as an auditioned group and it has blossomed into a mainstay at school Masses. Drackley will focus his talents on his new venture, the Penn Square Music Festival, where he is the Founder and Artistic Director Scott Drackley of the local young artist program focusing on Opera performance. The cafeteria staff will have a new leader as Denise Rooff is retiring after 24 years at LCHS. She is famous, not only for her everyday lunch program, but for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mardi Gras lunches that students and faculty and staff raved about. Cindy Shomo also recently announced her retirement from the Front Office Staff. She helped out in numerous facets in the everyday life of Crusaders while focusing on helping the School Counseling staff while helping with attendance and transportation. All three will be missed inside the halls of Catholic High.
Denise Rooff
Cindy Shomo Catholic Highlights | 11
IN THE
NEWS
Four Earn St. Augustine Scholar
A quartet of Crusaders have been added to the ranks of Lancaster Catholic seniors who have earned the St. Augustine Scholar distinction. The St. Augustine Scholars Program was created in 2012 to recognize students who excel academically. To graduate with this distinction, students must fulfill a number of rigorous academic requirements as well as complete a senior thesis. The following students have fulfilled this requirement (l-r in photo): Ben Ryan The Theory of Universal Energy and the Possibility of Extra Dimensions Mr. Jim Rothwell - Faculty Advisor Alison Stauffer The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Everything New Parents Should Know To Be Educated Caregivers of the Patient Ms. Dana Kinsey - Faculty Advisor Johann Imperial The Role Of Deng Xiaoping In Modernization And Industrialization Of China Mr. Daniel Martin - Faculty Advisor & Director of the St. Augustine Scholars Program Sebastian Klemmer Earl Warren’s Impact On The Rights Of Criminal Defendants Dr. Mike Hayes - Faculty Advisor
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IN THE
NEWS
Scarff Signs NFL Deal With Ravens
Charles Scarff ‘14 recently inked an undrafted free agent contract with the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. After a standout career at University of Delaware, the former Crusader star will now return back to wearing the Purple & Gold. Scarff had a breakout year in 2018, earning First Team All-CAA and Third-Team AllAmerican accolades. He finished with a team-leading 43 catches for 498 yards and a teamleading seven TDs. The 43 receptions is the most by a Delaware tight end since Ben Patrick in 2006 and the second-most ever. His 11 career receiving TDs is also the second-highest total for a Blue Hen tight end. At Catholic High, Scarff was a four-year starter under head coach Bruch Harbach earning First-Team LL honors as a wide receiver during his senior year. He was also a member of the 2011 State Championship squad that went 16-0.
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IN THE
NEWS
Eleven Students Head To FBLA States
Lancaster Catholic had 11 students participate and all 11 made it to the state competition! Business Ethics Performance Event Team: Chris Martin, Daniel Baksh, Liam Badger Business Communications: Katy Arnold Marketing: Jenna Danielson & Maddy Nolt Business Calculations: Tony Zhao Securities and Investments: Matthew Idoeta Agribusiness: Patrick Hyrb Intro to Business Communications: Jerry Dai Health Care Administration: Brendan McNamara
FPA Department Selected As Case Study
The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools has selected Lancaster Catholic’s Fine & Performing Arts Department to be a Case Study for the Music Program of Distinction which provides key advice on building a quality music program! Click this link to view the PDF of the completed case study.
Graduation Ceremony Live Stream
Enjoy the Ninety-First Annual Catholic High Commencement Ceremony via our new Live Stream by clicking this link on Thursday, May 23 at 7 p.m.
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IN THE
NEWS
Jefferson Nabs Pa Player Of The Year
Talk about capping your high school career in style. Kiki Jefferson had an amazing four-year ride for Lancaster Catholic’s girls basketball team. And she put a bow on her Crusaders’ journey by being named Pennsylvania’s Class 4A Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Jefferson was the unanimous selection based on voting from media across the state as 4A Player of the Year. Jefferson, who wrapped up her prep career with 2,510 points, second most in LancasterLebanon League history, also earned PA Sports Writers Class 4A first-team all-state honors, and the James Madison University recruit was an all-state selection in all four of her seasons Kiki Jefferson ‘19 for Lancaster Catholic. Jefferson, who recently earned a USA Today All-Pennsylvania all-star nod, averaged 20.6 points and 10.6 rebounds with 28 3-pointers this past season for Lancaster Catholic, which went 30-1 with L-L League and District Three championships.
May Day Success
Our first annual May Day Celebration was a huge success thanks to all of those who donated on and leading up to May 1st. Thanks to your generosity, Catholic High raised $65,744.20 from 272 Donors and 61 New Donors for the Lancaster Catholic Annual Fund.
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Now Offering Transfer Tuition Grants of $3,000 for the upcoming school year! Come Share in the Tradition that Transforms
Contact Kyla today at 717-509-0313
Lancaster Catholic High School www.lchsyes.org