Spring 2020 Moeller Magazine

Moeller Magazine 2020 Spring 2020 Spring Magazine

Moeller Family I hope everyone is staying healthy and doing well. This is a challenging time for people dealing with health issues/concerns, those struggling financially, and the general uncertainty in our lives. Please know that our prayers at Moeller High School are with you, your families, and our broader community.

One of the Characteristics of a Marianist education is Adaptation & Change and our entire community is living this out during this unprecedented time. I personally could not be prouder of our faculty & staff’s response to the mandated close of school, and how they are living out our Mission – Catholic. Marianist. Forming our Students into Remarkable Men. – every day. I’m confident that not only will we successfully get through this, but we’ll also be stronger on the other side.

Moeller’s academic philosophy (REALearning) was founded on the research that young men learn differently. As you’ll see in this issue, it was apparent that this philosophy transcended the normal school day and is alive and well in our newly created remote classrooms. REALearning – Relational, Experiential and Authentic learning is just as much at play during our remote learning as it is on campus at 9001 Montgomery Road.

Thank you for your continued commitment to Moeller High School and please pray for our students, our faculty & staff, and the entire Moeller Family.

God bless,

President Marshall Hyzdu ’96 Chief Financial Officer Nathan Beiersdorfer ’95 Design Katie Lane Tara Grewe, Communications Director Editors Ann Niehaus, Development Coordinator Tara Grewe, Communications Director Contributors Susan Bailey, Business Department Jim Bauer, Business Department Christine Bookbank, Ed.D., Dean of Academics Justin Claypool, English Department Kevin Conlon, Science Department & Chess Coach Brian Conti, Special Education Services Jerry DiCristoforo, Religious Studies Department Eric Eble, English Department Tom Hertlein ’00, School Counselor Sean James, Campus Minister Steve Joebgen, Campus Minister Sean Leugers ’96, Science Department Kristen Merica, School Counselor Michael Mullins, Class of 2020 Mike Munafo ’00, President, Alumni Association Ann Niehaus, Development Coordinator Samuel Speyer ’13, Alumni Association Josh Wellen, Social Studies Department Derek Williams ’91, English Department Copy Editors Ann Niehaus, Development Coordinator Mike Cloran ’83 Archbishop Moeller is an all-male, college preparatory school internationally known for our academic prowess, House System, campus ministry, retreats, exchange programs, cutting-edge technology, and athletic success.

Catholic. Marianist.

Forming our Students into Remarkable Men.

The Moeller Family coupled with Your Generosity

The Marianist Society recognizes the commitment and support of Moeller’s most generous and mission-minded investors. Members take a leadership role by making a minimum annual donation of $1,000 during one fiscal year, July 1-June 30 and are eligible for renewal each year.

These generous gifts support the area of greatest need and helps to ensure the quality, security, and effectiveness of our facilities and campus.

Pledge payments can be made annually, quarterly, or monthly. Members may also designate their contribution from Donor Designated Funds.

Make your gift today by going online to donate.moeller.org.

For more information, contact Mary Fischer in the Advancement Office at (513) 238-3968.

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creates the

Marianist Society

In This Issue 6 New Places, New Faces – Welcome to the New Teachers and Staff 9 Mr. Shaffer, The Jack of All Trades 10 Relational, Experiential, Authentic – It’s REALearning 12 Coach Elder Comes Home

14 Crusader Calvary Leads the Crowd 15 Zach Sence and The Moeller Brotherhood 16 2020 Founder's Day Honorees 17 35 Years with Mr. Bohne

RELATIONAL

18 Golf Team's Winning Season 19 Mission, Vision, Diversity 20 Debate Team Makes its Mark 22 Cross Country's Primetime 22 Canned Food Builds Community 23 Molecular Modeling Club Fights Parkinson's 23 Jake Buschelmann '20 and Enerfab 24 Chess Team Lands in First 25 Mr. Leugers Leads Future Engineers in Guatemala

EXPERIENTIAL

26 Authentic Manhood Plays out in Macbeth 27 LIFE in San Antonio 28 School Counseling 30 CCP Classes Helping with College Costs 31 Spreadsheet Savvy 31 Freshmen Foundations Class

AUTHENTIC

32 Alumni News 34 Mr. Beitman on Safety 36 Leave a Legacy 37 Virtually Everything

LIFELONG

New

Faces New Places T

B ria n C o n ti

here are a lot of new faces walking the hallways at Moeller this year...and they don’t all belong to the Class of 2023. Big Moe welcomed 14 new faculty and staff members to the family for the 2019-20 school year; in addition, we also saw Matt Weisenborn transition from his post in Campus Ministry to become our new director of enrollment, while Jessica Fager accepted a new position in the school counseling department. Despite the varying backgrounds and talents that have made this group a breath of fresh air overall, we thought it would be interesting to ask each member of this cohort the same six questions in order to drill down a bit regarding their individual experiences on campus thus far: What is your favorite part about Moeller?

What is your biggest surprise about Moeller?

What is your favorite vacation spot?

What is the last gift you gave and who was it for?

What are your thoughts on garden gnomes?

If you have the choice between being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

As you might expect, answers varied wildly, opening some interesting portholes into the newest Crusaders’ vantage points and eccentric personalities.

Kate George was already the proud parent of Zach, Class of 2021, prior to coming on board this year to join the Advancement team. She indicated that her understanding of all that goes on “behind the scenes” here at Moeller has increased exponentially since joining the team. Her energy and attention to detail have been a great addition to the third-floor ambiance. The last gift Kate recalls giving was a weighted blanket that she bestowed upon a friend, simply because Kate “wanted her to feel wrapped in a hug whenever she needed a little bit of comforting.” You don’t need to know anything else about Kate to have an idea of why she has truly advanced the advancement department in her brief time representing the shield.

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Eric Schmitt '07 returned “home” to continue his career as an educator on the same hallowed ground where it all began. His roles as a social studies teacher and Crusader Cavalry Five-Star General alone are enough to make him a fan favorite, but it doesn’t take long when talking to Eric to recognize his ability to build rapport with anyone who crosses his path…which ultimately inspires reverie amongst his colleagues. While Eric’s triumphant return to Montgomery Road has by and large been a resounding success by most measures, Schmitt was quick to lament his one disappointment when answering the questions above; namely, it turns out there is not a pool on the roof here at Moeller…a fact that Eric finally had to come to terms with on his second go ’round on campus.

From left to right: Matt Weisenborn, Chad Murphy, Diane Horvath, Eric Schmitt, Nick Battista, Molly Roebker, Mary Ernst, Brian Conti, James Prugh Not pictured: Kate George, Tom Hertlein, Sean James, Jessica Fager, Lindy DeMaria, Barrett Cohen, Jennifer Heisel, Barrett Cohen

Tom Hertlein '00 is yet another proud Moeller alumnus who came home to roost in 2019-20. He officially turned his blue-and-gold tassels wayyyyy back at the dawn of the millennium (Class of 2000), but says that Moeller still has the same essence to it two decades later, acknowledging that he is grateful to be back walking through the doors each morning.

Hertlein is a school counselor, working to help the Men of Moeller find their individual paths to success, both during their time on campus and beyond.

Molly Roebker is another member of the School Counseling team new to Big Moe this year. She is quick to point out that the Marianist family spirit is alive and well on this campus and believes it has permeated every aspect of the warm welcome she has received this year. Molly is the parent of four teenagers of her own, so she is all too familiar with the responsibility that comes with being a caregiver and role

model to the next generation of leaders. The call of duty is so strong with Roebker that it even impacts her answers to contrived super-power dichotomies! When asked to choose between having the power of invisibility or the ability to fly, Molly briefly ruminated about the wondrous doors that might open with a cloak of invisibility at her disposal but then she snapped back to reality, thought of her kids and the impact her newfound ability to disappear might have on them and played it safe by opting for her hypothetical wings.

Now THAT is a parent/counselor/Crusader, through and through!

Brian Conti joined our Special Education team this fall. He says he relates well to students who sometimes go “off road” when traveling between points A and B, and he relishes the challenge of getting teenagers ready for the “real world” that awaits them upon graduation. In addition to his work in the SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 7

classroom, Brian also dabbles a bit as a writer, contributing periodically to this very publication (whenever the real creative professionals are stuck in traffic or on strike, at least). A longtime Westsider, Mr. Conti had this to say about the biggest surprise during his time thus far working on the other side of town: “The biggest surprise for me since coming on board at Moeller has been witnessing nearly a thousand people existing within the same four walls, nearly all of whom make a concerted effort to hold the door for one another.

A small gesture maybe. But I am big proponent of social etiquette being the grease that allows the gears of society to function harmoniously, and I’ve never been anywhere where I’ve had the door held for me more often. Bravo, Crusaders.”

This is me…writing about me…and I couldn’t have said it better myself!

For a long time, Jessica Fager’s smiling face was the first image that greeted Moeller students the moment they opened the door to the College and Career Counseling wing.

Times change, however, and students must now search the labyrinth of counseling services a bit more thoroughly to get their daily dose of Ms. Fager’s upbeat sense of humor. For the 2019-20 odyssey, Jessica traded in her role as registrar and resident Queen of All Trades to assume a new position as resident counselor of Pillar House. Regardless of job title, Jessica cites simply being a member of the Crusader Family as her favorite aspect of working at Moeller. Oh, that and the chocolate chip cookies from the cafeteria, of course. Duh. Mary Ernst has been a welcome addition to the renowned Science Department here at Moeller this year. She is quite possibly the most organized person on Earth (poll results still pending), and we’re guessing her obsession with color coordination probably extends beyond her legendary work planner, ultimately infiltrating the home front on numerous levels (foodstuffs, socks, lawn care equipment, etc.). She is a self-professed “chemistry nerd,” which works out wonderfully in that she also teaches chemistry when she’s not rearranging random things throughout the building to meet her organizational preferences. Truly a favorite amongst the students she serves, Mary is an eternal optimist and consummate team player. In fact, she would be the first to tell you, “If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the precipitate!” (see, chemistry can be fun…ish) Jennifer Heisel is not new to Moeller, per se, but she is back and more mathematically inclined than ever! Jen is a longtime member of the Crusader family but continues to be impressed by the respect that our student body demonstrates both amongst themselves, but also with the staff they interact with on a daily basis. Jennifer is family oriented, both at work and at home, citing the ability to fly as her chosen superpower simply to facilitate the never-ending chore of familial soccer practice transport that awaits her whenever she isn’t putting two and two together on campus.

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Nick Battista is the Social Studies Department’s newest addition. We could ramble on and on about knowing his craft, being a team player, and building rapport with students – all of which are characteristics that Nick has already demonstrated in his brief time on campus – but most importantly, Nick is the only member of the New-B Employee Cohort of 2019-20 that emphatically embraces the little inanimate gnomes that watch over plotted gardens.

Battista respects their versatility, keeping small animal invaders on their toes and acting as an aesthetically pleasing décor piece, all while rocking a beard fit for a wizard. Yup, Nick is a keeper.

James Prugh came to Moeller this year after an esteemed tenure teaching the nuances of mathematics at Indian Hill Exempted Village School District. Unlike Mr. Conti (see above), Mr. Prugh actually recognizes that the most efficient path between hypothetical points A and B is, in fact, a straight line…and in that utilitarian vein, he opened up on our questionnaire and reminisced about an exam time not long ago when he extended to his pre-calc students the opportunity to use a notecard with the useful information of their choosing written in ¼-point font. It is often wondered around here, whenever the holidays roll around, what DO you get a lawless group of precalculus savants who already have everything? You do the math.

Lindy DeMaria came on board here at Big Moe this year to teach the young men entrusted to her tutelage the finer points of the English language. Not surprisingly, Lindy responded to our questionnaire in 30 pages or less (barely), articulating her appreciation for the general camaraderie that exists on campus, the exemplary manners exhibited by the herd of adolescent males that graze upon gerunds and participles each day in her classroom, and her propensity to be outdoorsy with her free time.

Chad Murphy is an intervention specialist and budding superstar coach on the gridiron who came over from Hamilton High School this year to join the Crusader movement. Mr. Murphy wasted no time in putting on display his innate ability to build rapport with students from varying backgrounds, which has served him well in both of his new roles here on campus. A proud father with five daughters of his own to mentor, Chad balances his natural leadership tendencies with the humility and compassion needed to be the consummate team player whenever the situation calls for it. In terms of his favorite vacation spot, Mr. Murphy kept it simple: “Anything with the word ‘Beach’ in it.” We hear ya, Coach…we hear ya.

Barrett Cohen is yet another transplant on campus this year, leaving La Salle behind to come to the East Side to become one of the official faces/voices of Moeller.

Barrett is an impossibly talented multimedia savant, (Continued on Page 38)

To m H e rtl e i n '00

W

hen you enter Moeller’s main office, you may sometimes question why you are hearing “The Long and Winding Road” or “Yesterday,” but chances are those songs are coming from the office of Mr. Mike Shaffer, dean of student life at Moeller. Mr. Shaffer has had several different roles during his Moeller career, including teaching religion and AP psychology, serving as the interdisciplinary theme director and Catino Scholars director. He also has been a mentor teacher, a house dean, and a cross country and track coach. To say he has been a vital part of Moeller since 2003 would be an understatement.

Since becoming the dean of student life, Mr. Shaffer

has

‘‘

‘‘

Jack of All Trades... and a Master of All

found great rewards in assisting students with the problems they are dealing with in their everyday lives. “Adolescence can be the most challenging time in a person’s life, so I like helping guys navigate it,” explains Shaffer. That journey through the school years is no simple task for Moeller students, and the school is blessed to have the expertise of Mr. Shaffer.

Although being called to the main office to meet with an administrator may, at first, cause a student to feel anxious, he may be pleasantly surprised to discover a calm presence in Mr. Shaffer’s office. “I have learned that many students approach conversations with authority in a defensive posture, expecting the authority to come at them. But students are almost always rational, and if you can be in their corner, they will rise to the occasion.” Mr. Shaffer observes that students often recognize the need to be held accountable, especially when they are being supported and guided, not being judged.

Adolescence can be the most challenging time in a person’s life, so I like helping guys navigate it

Shaffer’s main job in the Catino Scholars program is to work with the students in the program to ensure that they are achieving as much as they can. He holds them accountable for their grades and other metrics, but also tries to push them to be their best. This accountability does not always come easy for students, but Mr. Shaffer continually provides support and encouragement along the way.

A passion of Mr. Shaffer’s for nearly 20 years has been playing the guitar, and his favorite tunes to play come from The Beatles. When he was in college, he decided to take an elective course because he always wanted to learn to play, and he has never looked back. Mr. Shaffer has a guitar at home, as well as the one in his office that he often plays while interacting with students. “It’s a great conversation starter with any fellow guitar players or music enthusiasts,” Shaffer explains.

Mr. Shaffer’s career path may have headed in several directions over the course of his time, and his commitment to the students has always remained strong, which is an inspiration to us all.

SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 9

IT'S WHY Archbishop Moeller High School has a rich

IS THE

LEADER IN EDUCATING YOUNG MEN

history – educating over 12,000 young men in the Cincinnati community. Although the ethos of a Moeller education – the Moeller family environment – remains foundational to our young men’s learning environment,

we

continually

reflect

upon and adapt our practices based on emerging neuroeducational research and action-based research on how young men learn best.

Relational

Experiential

Young men thrive in learning environments that foster genuine, trusting relationships with their teachers. In Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys, authors Michael Reichert and Richard Hawley, state that “boys experience their teachers before they experience the lessons they teach.”

Additionally, they cite research suggesting that “the formal curriculum may tend to be the ‘main game’ in the teaching of girls. For boys…that is but one narrative in the classroom; running parallel or in conflict is the relational narrative.” The Moeller family is dedicated to forming the individual Man of Moeller. Our faculty recognize that the acquisition of knowledge and skills is intricately connected to an understanding of the young men they are teaching. Our world-recognized House System provides time in our class schedule for students to meet with their mentor group and mentor teacher every day for four years. And, each year, our students participate in retreats, deepening their relationship with God, peers and their teachers.

Young men learn when they are active, immersed and interested in their classroom material. Decades of research on the best instructional methods for young men guide our design of learning environments for young men to thrive. Our remodeled classrooms provide a flexible learning environment for students to take ownership of their learning.

Our 90-minute block classes provide time for collaboration, inquiry, and exploration.

Learning also extends beyond the classroom walls, we offer global immersion experiences and service learning projects for students to apply their learning in and out of the classroom.

Our students discover their passions and accomplish their goals throughout their four years at Moeller.

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Based on our evaluation of the research and decades of experience forming students into remarkable men, we developed our REALearning model: rooted in relational, experiential, authentic, and lifelong learning. How young men learn and the environment they need to thrive is at the forefront of every decision we make as an administration and faculty. This academic year, we joined the International Boys School Coalition (IBSC), our faculty participated in a book study on Reaching Boys, Teaching Boys, our departmental Professional Learning Communities engaged in critical discussion on curriculum design in light of the research on how young men learn best, and we will welcome Dr. Michael Reichert in the fall to Moeller as a keynote speaker for our interdisciplinary theme of study: Authentic Manhood.

We are intentional in how we teach and form young men; we teach how young men learn best.

Authentic

Lifelong

Young men thrive in an environment that is connected to their interests and career aspirations. At Moeller, a young man’s education is customized and tailored to him.

Because we offer over 50 electives and over 30 Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus (CCP) classes, students can personalize their education to foster their intellectual curiosity and enhance their college and career aspirations. Students may also enroll in a mixture of leveled classes depending on their particular strengths in subject areas. The Class of 2019 earned over 240 credit hours through the CCP programs in engineering, business and information technology.

The foundational years of high school are transformative in a young man’s education and understanding of self. Researchers, such as Angela Duckworth, Carol Dweck and Barry Zimmerman, continually cite the importance of grit, mindset and self-regulation in supporting lifelong learning. Our recent and future graduates encounter a workforce and higher education landscape vastly different than their predecessors. Thus, it is essential that our students are provided the skills to adapt and embrace change – one of the five characteristics of a Marianist education. Through our comprehensive counseling program, students learn self-advocacy and decision-making skills.

In our classrooms, students are challenged to view learning as a process, not simply defined by a grade. We are also strategically committed to connect more alumni with current students as a testament to the Moeller brotherhood.

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Mark

Elder Comes Home Mi c h a e l M u l l in s '2 0

A

rchbishop Moeller High School announced Mark Elder as its eighth head football coach.

Coach Elder comes to Moeller with 20 years of coaching experience, recently the head coach at Eastern Kentucky University.

Since Moeller created its football program in 1960, the program has had nine state championships, and five national championships.

Moeller Athletic Director Mike Asbeck said, “we didn’t open up the interview process publicly, but we received much interest from around the area.”

Applicants sent in their resumes, and Asbeck and the hiring team were able to break them down into their interest level and category. The applicants were then brought in for an interview.

Asbeck remarked, “We were looking for leadership, experience, passion, and somebody who could develop our players.” Asbeck felt that there were a number of qualified people who demonstrated those characteristics, but Mark Elder rose to the top in a number of areas.

Coach Elder has a set of core values. They’re effort, teammate, and toughness. These three values aren’t just for on the field or in the weight room, they’re for life.

“Effort is doing your best with everything every time,” says Elder, “it’s about being the best student you can be, being the best son, and the best player.” Toughness is choosing should over want, and teammate is about acting on what’s best for the team vision. And, again, Coach Elder said it transcends the football team to family.

Moeller Athletics is looking forward to Elder’s passion, leadership, accountability, championship attitude, and ability to develop players. “Doing all

12 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

those things well, will lead to success on the field, and I’m confident that is not far around the corner,” Asbeck said.

Elder is excited to be able to come back to Cincinnati, and raise his children in the same city he grew up in. Elder said, “I loved my childhood here. I think Cincinnati is a fantastic place to raise kids.” This was a big part of his decision to come to Moeller.

Elder knows there is going to be an adjustment coaching high school athletes. “The last time I was around high school football was in 1995 and I was playing,” he said.

Elder is expecting some adjustment, but he is a quick learner.

Coming to Moeller was the first choice for Elder. He said. “I took this job before the college cycle went through. It was the first choice, it wasn’t a comparison,

RELATIONAL it was the right choice for us. I wanted to have a stable environment for our family.” Elder and his wife Lindsey had a lot of discussion and prayer, they felt like it was the right move.

player, Elder applauded his coaches’ ability to create an environment that allowed him to have an unbelievable experience. Elder wants to replicate that and create the same type of experience for our players here. “It’s going to be about developing young men to be fully invested

‘‘

Elder is not too worried about the expectations to win. “I’ve been in some pressure cookers before. I’ve coached at Tennessee, where there are about one hundred thousand fans in attendance, so I’m used to being in that It’s going to be about developing young type of environment,” Elder said. “It’s not men to be fully invested in something going to be an overnight transformation though.” that is bigger than themselves.

Elder is thrilled to be at Moeller, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to create an unbelievable experience for the players.”

When considering his own experience as a high school

in something that is bigger than themselves,” Elder said when talking about his plan for success, “It’s not about any individual; it’s about the collective of Moeller football and making sacrifices and a commitment to something bigger than you. This is where the core values will become our foundation.”

Elder believes you find success when you commit to something bigger than yourself and put everything into it. “Teaching this lesson is a very important part of growing as a man, you are always going to be a part of something bigger than you,” he said.

Nate Pabst, Moeller defensive end and rising senior, is looking forward to the changing coaching staff and new season. Nate said, “I have to fill the roles of great leaders before me and pick up the energy on this team.” Nate has shown great interest in becoming a senior captain next year.

Nate believes that keeping a strong culture “lies within all of us in the weight room, where no one else is around except the football team.”

With many recent changes in leadership, Nate is excited for a fresh start and to build on what wasn’t there before, “I’m looking forward to seeing a new team out of us, more energy, more hype, and more brotherhood.”

Moeller Football opens its 2020 season at Middletown High School on August 28th.

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Crusader Cavalry B

B rian C onti

ehind every great man or woman exists a support system that they can revel with in times of triumph and lean on for guidance when the proverbial chips are down. The President has his Cabinet, Kermit the Frog has the rest of his Muppet crew, and athletes at Archbishop Moeller High School have the renowned Crusader Cavalry. It is common knowledge that it takes a village to raise a child; but a less-discussed adage amongst those same children and villagers is the realization that it usually takes a fervid student body in order to ultimately hoist a state championship banner. Thankfully, the Cavalry here at Moeller has that base covered.

The history of this esteemed mob of Big Moe supporters dates back to the 1980s, with numerous Crusader legends having taken the reins and led the charge of school spirit over the years. The current iteration of the Cavalry is led by Mr. Eric Schmitt ’07, who has taken the bull by the horns this year with a level of enthusiasm that only a proud, savvy alum could ever hope to 14 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

harness. The Cavalry’s mission is simple: Let the world know that behind every athletic team we roll out onto the field of play exists a support system of Crusaders, 874 strong, that stands unified behind the athletes that represent us. Whether acting as the ambassadors of pep during organized rallies on campus, developing creative themes and cheers for our fans to participate in on GameDay to highlight the supportive cohesion that drives this juggernaut of a fan base or representing our hallowed institution at various community events… the Crusader Cavalry certainly has the market cornered when it comes to school spirit.

Jeremy Duncan, Class of 2020, perhaps summed it up best: “We want to be America’s most passionate student section year in and year out. We’ll put our spirit up against any fans in the U.S. at the high school, college, or pro level.”

Yes we will, Jeremy. Yes. We. Will.

Go Big Moe!

RELATIONAL F

The Tenacity of One. The Support of All. The Brotherhood of Moeller.

Brian C onti

Scott Fitzgerald immortalized the words: “Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”

These are honorable enough words to live by, but for most people they end up being just that… words. However, to Zach Sence – a senior at Archbishop Moeller High School -- the spirit behind Fitzgerald’s sentiment has been a way of life for as long as he can remember.

Last June, when most of Zach’s classmates were hanging out at the pool, going to catch a movie with friends, or just generally enjoying their summer vacation, Zach was recovering from his latest bout under the knife, a 15-hour procedure that ended up being far more arduous than doctors originally thought. At a time when most human beings would wallow at finding themselves at the nadir of their life’s trajectory, Zach drew upon the strength of his fellow Crusaders, who came to visit him each day he lay tethered to a hospital bed. Though Zach was unable to compete with his beloved LAX teammates during his

‘‘

Zach was diagnosed at birth with coarctation of the aorta with sub-aortic stenosis. To some, that would have proven to be a long-winded medical term for a lifetime of defeat. Thankfully, Zach Sence is not most people.

‘‘

should come as no surprise to this community. After all, that is what Crusaders do.

They’re my rock.

They’re my brothers.

Case in point: Most people do not have four open-heart surgeries on their resume by the age of 16.

And most people do not come back stronger each time, intent on resuming the life they temporarily put on pause.

To Zach, the surgeries he has endured (and the underlying condition that rendered them a necessary evil) have never represented a final defeat, as he continues undaunted in the pursuit of his dream to play on the Crusader lacrosse team and ultimately graduate with his teammates in the spring. But as resilient as Zach is, he will be the first to tell you that he could not have traveled this journey alone. As anyone who has ever spent any significant time on this campus will attest to, no Crusader goes into battle alone…whether on the playing field, in the classroom, or when navigating the various obstacles one has to clear in the course of their personal life.

Though Zach’s story is certainly inspiring, the fact that he is quick to credit his Moeller brothers with providing the morale boost he needs when times are at their toughest

recovery, his Moeller brothers unsurprisingly still had his back, lighting a candle for Zach each day so that he was side by side with them on the practice field, at least in spirit.

The long-term prognosis for Zach is encouraging, as doctors are hopeful that this latest procedure could dramatically improve his quality of life going forward (and lessen the need for future operations). So when most 18 year-olds around the country suddenly find themselves in a big hurry to get to their next destination, Zach and his band of Moeller brothers will likely take a little longer to live in the moment and reflect on the journey that has brought them to this point.

But, it’s important to remember: Zach Sence is not like most people, and Moeller is not like most schools.

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2020 Founder’s Award Honorees Live Out Their Vocations Each Day S t ev e J o e b g e n

T

he Founder’s Award acknowledges a person who exhibits a continuous commitment to the Marianist values in education by promoting the dignity and rights of all people, accepting others with love and respect, being dedicated to a collaborative and honest search for truth, undertaking the intellectual life as a form of service in the interest of justice and truth, and exhibiting the Marian traits of openness, hospitality, graciousness, and faith in a loving God. This year’s honorees are Mary Dees and Kevin Kozlowski.

Mary has worked in the Campus Ministry office for the past nine years. One of her nominators wrote, “Mary lives out her vocation in a way that truly makes other people feel like she is family to them. She is the most unselfish person I know. Though there have been several different youth ministers in the Campus Ministry office, she keeps the same programs humming along with efficiency, kindness, and grace. Perhaps the only reason she hasn’t been recognized for this award yet is her deep humility. She never asks for the spotlight, yet she profoundly deserves it.” Seldom does a student, teacher, or staff member walk through the main hallway without seeing Mary’s smiling face peeking out from behind her computer in Campus Ministry. What makes Mary deserving of this award is not simply how she accomplishes her daily tasks, but the relationships she builds and the attitude with which she approaches each day here at Moeller.

Honoree Mary Dees

Kevin, or “Koz” as he’s known to many of our students, has been the director of youth programming at the Bergamo Center for over 20 years. He has worked with Moeller students in the junior (Spiritus) retreat for the past decade. Over that time, he has consistently shown his commitment to the Moeller Family. Even though Kevin works with dozens of schools and over a thousand youth each year, he makes the time to craft a unique experience for Moeller retreats because Moeller and the Marianist Family hold such a special place in his heart. If nothing else, the sheer volume of Moeller students whose lives Kevin has affected would be enough for him to be deserving of this award. However, it is the manner in which Kevin has contributed to the mission of Archbishop Moeller High School through his personal faith, attachment to the Society of Mary, and his professionalism in the field of youth ministry that truly sets him apart as exceptionally deserving of this award.

The Founders Day celebration takes place every year in January on the anniversary of the founding of the Society of Mary.

16 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

RELATIONAL An Enthusiasm Unknown To Mankind J e r ry DiC ristofor o

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior (Lk. 1:46-47).” In these words Mary speaks to the enduring trust and excitement she has for Jesus, our Savior. It reminds me of the way Rick Bohne has served the Moeller Family. “With an enthusiasm unknown to mankind,” (a favorite Bohne saying). Rick has passionately and humbly tried to share his faith: teaching in word and action that trust in the Holy Trinity will satisfy our hearts.

Rick arrived at Moeller through an invitation by Dan Ragland to coach basketball. After a few years his energy directed toward the golf program, which through his leadership ascended to one of the top programs in the state, reaching the state tournament 15 times and winning it all in 2014. In the classroom Rick taught religion at Moeller for 35 years, serving as department chair for 22 of them. In 2015 Rick was awarded the Marianist Founder’s Award for promoting and living out the Marianist values at Moeller. In teaching, coaching, or as House Manager for our theater productions, Rick’s enthusiasm for life, his faith, and his love of others has made him a beloved member of the Moeller family.

In retirement Rick will continue to share his gifts at his favorite charities: Tender Mercies, Our Daily Bread, and Children’s Hospital. He looks forward to reading and sharing time with friends and family (particularly his granddaughter Maeve).

He has long dreamed of spending time in the New England area during the fall with his lovely wife, Janet.

Wherever you go, Rick, may you always know the difference you made in the lives of so many students and faculty at Moeller. And may we all follow your lead and our Mother Mary, that we too may proclaim the greatness of the Lord!

SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 17

EX Golf Team Makes State Congratulations on an outstanding 2019 season! From start to finish these young men mastered the game winning, or placing in 11 tournaments and finishing 4th overall in the state tournament.

Led by Head Coach Dan Dunlap and two assistants, Andrew O’Bryan and Andrew Horner, the season was full of highlights and successes. Dunlap reflects on their success, “Our season was a success due to the leadership on our team. Our three captains– Nolan Lyon, Jake Buschelmann and Michael Currin – were instrumental in our success as they had the respect of the entire team and led by example.” Leading the team to state was the culmination of a great season.

2019 Individual Awards: • 1st team all-southwest Ohio: Thomas Henderson • 2nd team all-southwest Ohio: Matt Daulton • 2nd team all GCL: Matt Daulton, Brock Rumpke, Ryan Kelly • Mike Cassity Memorial Award: Zach Sense • Man of Moeller Award: Nolan Lyon and Michael Currin

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XPERIENTIAL Mission, Vision, Diversity

Moeller Vision Initiative founder Derek Williams '91

I

will also seek to retain these non-traditional students n the fall of 2017, Moeller embarked on a strategic and encourage them to participate in all aspects of planning project that sought to improve many the Moeller experience. In addition, outreach to our aspects of the school. As ideas were proposed and diverse alumni and parents will provide our students expounded upon, several paths to improvement began with a more diverse atmosphere as well as a support to emerge from these brainstorming sessions. One idea network for everyone involved. in particular that seemed to pulse with importance was the need to develop a The initiative will have three plan to measurably increase distinct arms, the first being the diversity of the student The Vision Classroom. This Simply put, an body at Moeller High School. is currently called Marianist One of the characteristics of intentional movement to Community Development a Marianist education is to (MCD) class, which is provide an integral, quality fulfill the mission of the committed to retaining education, and this part of the students from nonMarianist Charism. mission states that Marianist traditional backgrounds schools should “foster a and challenging them to play diverse faculty and staff as important roles in student well as a diverse student body.” life. The second arm will be the Moeller Vision Project, a student-based organization made up of the varied With this idea in mind, a program was developed that types of young men who populate Moeller High School. has evolved into the Moeller Vision Initiative. The Their goal will be to encourage their fellow students to Moeller Vision Initiative is an intentional movement learn more about, accept and appreciate the cultural to fulfill the mission of the Marianist Charism. The uniqueness of others. The third and final arm will be goal will be not only to welcome students from all the Vision Alumni and Parents Association, which will backgrounds to Moeller, but to foster an appreciation of (Continued on page 38) other cultures amongst all our students. This initiative SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 19

Not Even a Debate: Of Course There Will be a Debate Team

EX

Eric Eble

F

our years ago, Carl Kremer approached me with a question. “What would you think about being in charge of starting and coaching a Debate Team at Moeller?” he asked me, then dean of students.

At the time, I had few thoughts about being in charge of starting and coaching a Debate Team at Moeller. For the previous six years as a Crusader teacher, I only taught English and served as a “coach” on the cross country team (Let’s put it this way: I yelled at guys and told them to run faster; Dave Prenger let me call myself a coach); otherwise, my experience in such a capacity was pretty limited.

But one of the thoughts I had was clear: I think I would like this very much. Maybe being steeped in the Marianist charism at the University of Dayton and Moeller had imbued me with the capacity to say yes (I took the whole “Do whatever he tells you” fiat from Mary at the Wedding Feast at Cana thought I knew) via televised partisan bickering and social a bit too seriously). As I sat in that office, though, I couldn’t media one-upmanship; to after-school practices where, like have known that I would be saying yes to so much: To the a first-year teacher, I had little idea what we were doing; to recruiting and developing of early, entire Saturdays at meets a team of young men for a (and sometimes Fridays, too) away largely academic event at an Maybe being steeped in the from my patient wife and new ostensibly “jock school”; to Marianist charism at the children, spending days drinking standing in front of a room of lukewarm coffee and listening to University of Dayton and kids interested in the event fast-talking high schoolers in suits Moeller had imbued me with next to a precocious freshman and business skirts yelling at walls the capacity to say yes. captain (more on him later) (more on that later) or going back and pretending to know and forth on light topics like the what I was talking about; to abolishment of plea bargaining and learning the intricacies of debate, a word which I knew (or universal basic income and nuclear weapons; to defeat and 20 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

XPERIENTIAL laughter and growth and celebration, as the young men who trusted me developed from rookie talkers to competent thinkers to seasoned speakers and debaters.

Those young men are the aspect of this experience who, four years into my involvement in the Speech and Debate Team (not just debate anymore!), have been the best and most fulfilling part of that “yes.” So I want to pay homage to the seniors on the team, particularly those who have been involved since the start who have helped shape this squad throughout their tenure at Moeller.

Senior debaters (from left to right): Carson Bellamy, Luke Haggarty, Max Barcomb, Joe Podborny, Will Carty, Xander Kennedy to attend medical school to become a clinical psychiatrist.

Will Carty: Since joining the team in his sophomore year, Will (Son of Amy and Rick Carty) has gravitated from LincolnDouglass debate to the speech team, which Moeller added last season. As our first entry in humorous interpretation in the history of the program, Will memorizes scripts and performs multiple characters Last year, he acted as Batman, Robin, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy in Batman fan fiction script; this year, he has perfected the various characters in Bad Detective, a farcical crime noir script which he selected as an homage to his favorite detectives in film and comics. Showing a dedication to technical skill in developing his characters, Will has established himself as a funny guy and a diligent worker, and will be missed

Carson Bellamy: Koko and Tom Bellamy’s son Carson has developed from a unique, quiet freshman who sat in the corner to the senior captain of Student Congressional Debate. Student Congress is just as it sounds: Students form mock legislative bodies. Carson gravitated towards Congress because he has a natural flair for the dramatic and unconventional; he has mastered the art of extemporaneous speaking about many topic areas. Carson is undecided as to where he will attend college next year, but he would like to study psychology in order

greatly next year. He plans to attend Ohio State, University of Cincinnati, or Xavier University and major in graphic design or photography, which he hopes to use as a graphic designer or a concert photographer with a major music label.

Xander Kennedy: Son of Peggy and John Kennedy, Xander helped start the team; he was (and is) the aforementioned freshman captain who waltzed into our initial meeting, shook my hand and introduced himself, and joined me at the front of the room as I spoke about the Debate team. He has since demonstrated a keen capacity to motivate and organize high schoolers and high school English teachers, pioneering our Lincoln-Douglass Debate squad (LD), which involves two (Continued on page 38)

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Running With the Night As Lionel Richie says,

Bria n Co nti

The dawn of any new athletic season is littered with emotions and expectations. Athletes – along with the parents, friends and classmates who support them – often run the emotional gamut in the days leading up to their sport’s version of Opening Day. But when it comes to the Moeller Cross Country team, the gamut they (literally) run is unlike that of any other faction of the Crusader athletic conglomerate. Back in 2011, a few visionaries here on campus came up with the idea to launch an event to commemorate the beginning of the new cross country season, and in the process, instill a little excitement in the community for the long journey ahead. Forward-

Building Community while Giving to the Community

T

Sea n Ja m e s

he canned-food drive has been running at Moeller for over 20 years. In the first year of this drive, Moeller packed around 50 boxes for families in need.

Through alumni and current Moeller family support, this past year, the entire school packed over 1300 boxes of canned food and hygiene items for the communities at St. Vincent de Paul and St. George Food Pantry.

The food drive expanded to the Freshman Day of Service when the Class of 2023 delivered 700 boxes of food to

22 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

EX

thinking Crusaders like Charlie Lytle and Jay McCarty were not content to put the Moeller stamp on just any run-of -the -mill, cookiecutter race. Though the planning would be intricate, the commitment steadfast, and the work arduous, a plan eventually came to light: Big Moe will own the night.

And, thus, The Primetime was born.

For the last few years, The Primetime has unfurled its winding course on the grounds of Christ’s Church. From the 11 teams that participated in the inaugural running nearly a decade ago, to the 29 teams that plan to test their distance-running mettle in the 2020 iteration, The Primetime is an event that has cemented itself in Moeller athletic lore. And what started as a competition to allow Crusader athletes the opportunity to represent their school, has now blossomed into a community event that represents all that is good about Moeller, and those who call it home.

the new St. Vincent de Paul building on Bank Street.

St. George Food Pantry worked with Pillar and Quiroga houses to help stock their pantry for months to come.

The canned-food drive is an opportunity for students to give back to the people of Cincinnati and work collaboratively with their Moeller brothers to engage in the community.

A little competition never hurts to produce better results. The houses compete to see who can collect the most food. From the canned-food drive kickoff to the Freshmen Day of Service where the boxes are delivered, this program truly helps to create men of faith and character.

XPERIENTIAL Molecular Modeling Club Fights Parkinson's Disease

E

ach year, the members of Moeller Molecular Modeling team pair up with a researcher studying a specific protein. This year’s mentor is Dr. JaiJie Diao from the University of Cincinnati Medical College. Dr. Diao is studying alpha-synuclein, a very simple protein that plays a role in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to the death of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia niagra region of the brain. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that controls several things like fine muscle movements.

This lack of dopamine is the reason behind

tremors, a common symptom of Parkinson’s patients. Alpha-synuclein has been linked to Parkinson’s disease because autopsies of the brains of Parkinson’s patients have shown the prevalence of alpha-synuclein clumps and tangles, known as aggregates.

Members of the team also toured Dr. Diao’s lab, allowing them to see the application of classroom learning in a real-world environment. Students continued their study of this protein by preparing a 3-D model and a presentation board.

Engineering Outside of the Classroom Jake Buschelmann had the opportunity to work a (somewhat abbreviated) internship at Enerfab Industries in Norwood. Founded in 1901, Enerfab has become an industry leader in fabrication, construction and maintenance services within the utility and heavy industrial markets. When asked what he learned in class that he saw at work at Enerfab, he responded, “Going into this internship, I didn't know much about the different fields of engineering. Enerfab is a civil and mechanical engineering company that designs and builds containers that hold toxic chemicals and liquids.

They must be built a specific way or else it becomes unworkable. Every calculation has to be exact for everything to work. Although it may intimidate some people, I am really intrigued by this. There is a lot of pressure to solve a calculation perfectly or else the structure will not be properly built. This is something relatively new to me; there isn’t quite that much pressure in math classes at school. Even though software exists and is used to solve the problems, you have to be able to know where everything goes. It's almost like a puzzle with consequences.” Jake has brought back to school this better understanding of the practical uses of engineering and is able to share that with his classmates and teachers. He plans on attending either University of Cincinnati or Ohio State in the fall.

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First in strategy, problem solving, and fun K evi n Co nl o n The Moeller Chess Team is in its 16th year and plays in the Greater Cincinnati Scholastic Chess League. The league also includes Indian Hill, Deer Park, Madeira, St. Xavier, Milford and Roger Bacon. There are currently 10 students on the Moeller team – broken into Varsity and JV squads. The main benefit players experience is fellowship, as students play others in the game of strategy which exercises the brain and helps to develop problemsolving skills. Moeller, league champ in 2011, hopes to draw more students in future years.

The team begins practicing in October and the season goes until the first weekend in March. We play St. Xavier and Roger Bacon three times a year, and a tournament at the end of the season for the whole league. In a dramatic battle for first place in our chess division, it came down to board 1 with Frank Anastasia. He pulled through with a victory helping the team to beat St. Xavier. Will Sieber (board 2) and Garrett Poetker (board 3) also had solid victories for the day. Will Sapp (board 4) lost a tough match.

The Moeller Chess Team had a great regular season and placed first in the division.

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EX

XPERIENTIAL Students Apply Classroom Learning to Help Those in Need S ea n L e ug e r s '9 6 Students Mitch Garboden, Jack Garboden, Tyler Graham, Carson Klonne, Josh Hershiser, Ethan Collins, Sam Hossenlopp and Matthew Semoya put their skills and talents to work in service of others in Guatemala. This certainly was a practical application of the Gospels, specifically Jesus’ parables of the talents (Matt 25:14-30) and the workers in the vineyard (Matt 20:1-16).

We went to Antigua, Guatemala from June 23-July 1.

During that time, we traveled to Ahuachapan, a small village in El Salvador, to design and build a hydroponics facility. While we worked on the hydroponics facility, two nurses from our group set up a medical clinic, which gave some of our students the opportunity to assist in caring for residents who visited the clinic.

After three days of work on the hydroponics facility, the people of the village had a sustainable method of farming that was capable of producing vegetables year round. The villagers can either eat the vegetables or sell them at the market, serving as both a source of food and income. We also toured Antigua where we visited Guatemala City Mall, which is known for its extravagance. It helped us to better understand the economic disparity in Guatemala. Then we hiked Mt. Fuego, an active volcano that was not too active at the time. We attended Mass at the cathedral, which was built during the Spanish colonial period.

We experienced the Mass in a different language with different customs all the while experiencing the unity of the Eucharist. We also prayed the Liturgy of the Hours each night and had discussions about our experiences. Being immersed in a different culture helped us learn a lot about ourselves while using our talents to help those in need.

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Authentic Manhood: An Interdiscliplinary Study Since 2011, Moeller has selected a different topic to study together throughout the school year. This schoolwide theme begins each summer – with a single book read by every student and all faculty and staff – and becomes a year-long program of speakers, special assignments, events and a capstone schoolwide symposium. Topics over the years have included often-contentious issues such as Immigration and the Death Penalty, as well as broader considerations of War, the Environment, Mental Health, Addiction, and last year’s “Life Online.”

The theme this year is Authentic Manhood, a catchall term for what it means to be a man in the 21st century.

Or, perhaps, any century. One of Moeller’s core missions is “forming our students into remarkable men” and the idea of what a remarkable son/brother/friend/husband/ leader, etc., is built upon a complicated blend of our biology, history, evolving culture and our faith. The summer book was WILD AT HEART by John Eldredge, selected by a combination of teachers and the students in Moeller’s National Honor Society. (The NHS students also selected the year’s topic!) The book utilizes history, the Bible, modern movies, science, sports and personal stories to explore the topic of being a man. While readers had different reactions, it set the stage for a year of discussions, | SPRING | SPRING 26 ARCHBISHOPMOELLER MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE 26 ••ARCHBISHOP HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE 20202020

debate and growth. Since August, classes in all disciplines have explored other readings and views on authentic manhood – from the language department looking at how manhood is viewed in other cultures to the Art Department designing graphic images around the topic.

In addition to class work, members of the Moeller community have been giving brief talks about manhood during several M-blocks. Each “MOE talk” is open to all students. Speakers have included senior Joseph Podborny, who combined Super Heroes and the teachings of Aristotle to discuss manhood; Latin teacher Mr. Compton’s talk: “This. Is. Sparta! Notions of manhood in ancient cultures”; and talks by Mr. Leugers (the role of suffering in manhood), Mr. Naumann (modern sports and manhood). Upcoming talks will be hosted by Deacon Nathan Beiersdorfer (Top 10 films you haven’t seen about authentic manhood).

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company visited Moeller for two abridged performances of Macbeth, a play that explores a character who gets in major trouble trying to be a man in the way he and those around him think a man should be.

AUTHENTIC

LIFE in San

Antonio

When presented with the opportunity to spend a week in Dayton during the summer, many members of the Living In Faith Experience (LIFE) program think there might be better things to do for six days in July. But when Kevin Wood, moderator of LIFE, tells them that many have met the person they later take to homecoming, the outlook changes a bit.

“Marianist LIFE is a national faith-formation program rooted in Catholic and Marianist tradition and targeted to the needs of high school students. LIFE offers students an opportunity for fellowship and fun in a caring, upbeat context.” said Toni Mesina, National LIFE coordinator.

Throughout the year, the number one goal of LIFE is to build Christian community. We do this by meeting periodically through the year, during school, after school,

and weekends. We attend Mass together and have faith sharing and social meetings as well.

LIFE doesn’t end for the summer, four or five students from Moeller go to University of Dayton for LIFE’s summer program. It is part leadership development, part retreat, and all community building, with the upbeat attitude at the core of LIFE . This year, the program turns 50. In celebration of this milestone, LIFE students, moderators and staff from all over the United States, Puerto Rico and Ireland will be traveling to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

This memorable celebration will include a keynote speech

by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy Industries.

SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 27

99% 1% 498

College Enrollment Military Enrollment

Scholarships Offered

Academic: $18.1M Art: $200,000 Athletic: $2.0M

78

students were recognized as AP Scholars during the 2018-2019 school year

読

capaz 流利

culture

재능

GLOBAL SEAL OF BILITERACY

To date, 29 students achieved the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Functional Fluency and nine students achieved the Ohio Seal of Biliteracy

Over

25,000 ACT

30

hours spent serving the community

40% of seniors achieved a 30 on the ACT

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From the First Da College Counseli Kristen Merica Tom Hertlein '00 ‘00

Mid-September 2019, an extensive collection of colleges and universities visited Moeller to share information about the admissions process, student life on campus, programs offered and what makes their schools unique. To date, 111 schools have scheduled visits this school year to talk to our students. Traditional four-year universities such as the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton, Xavier University, the University of Michigan and the Ohio State University, as well as many institutions from around the United States all visited with interested Crusaders. This year, students were also fortunate to meet with highly selective schools, such as the University of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University and Georgetown University. Attending these college visits gives

AUTHENTIC

ay of School to the Last – ing Department Has Your Back students an opportunity to meet with admissions representatives who are the same individuals reviewing college applications.

Visits with college admission representatives are just one piece of a comprehensive college and career counseling program available to all students at Moeller. Starting as freshmen, students learn the skills required to be successful in the classroom and later in the workforce. Learning how to stay organized, manage time, set priorities and develop goals helps students grow the skills necessary to be productive in their future careers. Sophomores are introduced to the world of work through a variety of career and personality assessments and activities.

These activities help students discern which careers might be a good fit based on their unique sets of

interests, skills and values. Students also create four-year academic plans that help tie their work in the classroom to future college and career goals.

Juniors begin the real work of planning for college and have individualized support from dedicated and knowledgeable counselors. Through a series of classroom, small-group and individual counseling activities, juniors begin the college research and application process. Senior year means college application season, and students and parents are supported throughout the hectic fall months as essays are written, letters of recommendation are requested and college applications are finalized. Moeller’s School Program is comprehensive and uniquely personalized, supporting all students to help them achieve their goals.

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IT + UC + CCP = $ Jim B au e r In 2017, Moeller partnered with the University of Cincinnati’s School of Information Technology (IT) to offer six college courses in IT. Today, these courses are taught by certified UC adjuncts and Moeller IT teachers, Mr. Gavin Gray and Mr. Jim Bauer. Students who complete six IT classes and three other College Credit Plus (CCP) classes during high school are automatically accepted to UC as sophomore IT majors and immediately eligible for co-op placement. The co-op program not only offers paid positions, but students gain networking opportunities and practical experience as well.

The six courses at Moeller are Computer Programming 1, Web Development, System Administration, Networking, Database Management and Fundamentals of IT. Moeller students who have taken advantage of these opportunities have entered their colleges as second semester freshmen or, in some cases, college sophomores.

This provides a substantial savings in college costs.

Moeller’s IT Director, Mr. Jeff Gaier, was the driving force in introducing the Early IT program to Moeller students.

It has been estimated that over 2,000 IT jobs went unfilled in Greater Cincinnati due to skills gaps. Those who enroll in a CCP course enhance their academic IT pathway and broaden their career options.

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AUTHENTIC

Excelling with Excel Susan Bailey

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in Excel differentiates our students and increases their productivity at school and in the future workplace. It arms students with spreadsheet application skills that are essential in the science, technology, engineering and business fields. Many colleges recognize the need for Excel knowledge in the academic world and for future employment, and they are now requiring courses in Excel and spreadsheet applications. These students are a step ahead of the competition, their resumes stand out and they are well prepared for the future. Congratulations to Zach Clemons, Vinny deStefano, Preston Farwell, James George, Ryan Kelly, Jack Klosterman, Danny Koterba, Bryce Mathein, Matt Morris, Sean Mulvaney, Zach Potter, Garrett Schenk, Thomas Schwartz, Eli Smiddy and Aaron Trach on receiving MOS certification.

To m H e rtl e i n '00 Another example of Moeller’s commitment to REALearning is the new Freshman Foundations class. This class – or perhaps life skills seminar – includes financial teaching and career development and has been expanded from its former format to include the Moeller counseling curriculum.

Flourishing Freshmen “Not only has the Freshmen Foundations course provided our students with the essential technology skills needed to navigate the first year at Moeller, it has also exposed them to key stakeholders who can help them better transition to high school,” explains Mrs. Susan Bailey, who worked with the counseling department to revamp the course.

Moeller counselors have been a part of the class by addressing issues unique to freshman year: study skills, time management, taking healthy risks, and coping with anxiety and stress. In addition, during the second semester, students will begin to use a new software called

Naviance Course Planner to assist in the class scheduling process. When selecting courses, students can see career pathways, graduation requirements, and how well their course load matches the standards of colleges and universities. “Naviance Course Planner is an invaluable tool for Moeller students because it empowers them to create a four-year academic action plan that aligns

Naviance Course Planner is an invaluable tool for Moeller students because it empowers them to create a four-year academic action plan that aligns with their college and career goals,” -Molly Roebker, Quiroga counselor with their college and career goals,” explains Mrs. Molly Roebker, Quiroga counselor. Roebker continues, “(Course Planner) also prompts important conversations between a student and his parents about how he is using his innate, God-given abilities to take full advantage of Moeller’s robust college-preparatory curriculum.” By using this new tool, the counselors expect to see students take greater ownership of their academic progress and become more confident and resourceful as a result.

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Alumni

News

Bruce Buckley ’67 retired as CFO of McCormick Equipment Co. after a 47-year career. He and his wife are currently finishing a new home near Moeller so they can be even closer to their 23 grandchildren.

Richard Smith ’70 has recently returned to his acting career after taking a 20-year hiatus. He can currently be seen as a guest star in season 7 of Ray Donovan on Showtime.

Mark Glevicky ’71 worked for 38 years as a design project engineer at GE, now he has partnered with his son Gavin and taken ownership of Pleasant Run Service Center in Fairfield, OH. Terry Byrnes ’73 is a proud father of 4 children, Robyn, Scott ’01, Kelly and Nick ’16. He is also a proud grandfather of 9 grandchildren.

John George ’74, sharing a picture of his two grandsons, Alex Langford (Moeller 2028) and Quinn Cundall (Moeller 2029) with Miles McBride ’19.

Mark Porta ’77 just completed his 14th season with NBC Sunday Night Football and is looking forward to his 25th year of Reds TV broadcasts.

Larry Misleh ’83 has been owner of Madison Bowl and Diner for 13 years now. Proud father of 5 adult boys, grandfather to 3 grandchildren, and married to a beautiful wife of 33 years. Involved with the Moeller Alumni Association as the class captain for 1983.

Barry Burns ’90 and his wife Suzanne, have lived in Jacksonville with their daughter Fiona (8) and dog Finnegan since 2015. Barry has worked for several years in the sports and entertainment ticketing business and now works for GotSoccer, a software company that processes youth soccer registrations, handles state associations’ software needs, and produces league and tournament schedules from the youth level all the way up to professional leagues.

Dru Brown ’97 co-founded and launched a vacation rental and property management company, Island Time | SPRING | SPRING 32 ••ARCHBISHOP HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE 20202020 32 ARCHBISHOPMOELLER MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE

Hilton Head in Hilton Head Island, SC. Take advantage of special offers for Moeller alumni!

Joshua Pike ’00 was nominated and awarded the Top 20 Under 40 Spotlight for the Cincinnati Insurance Board.

Andrew Walton ’00 was recently promoted to vice president with the Chicagobased civil engineering firm Orion Engineers, LLC, where he is responsible for the business development activity, growth/ sales forecasting and technical oversight of the Transportation Department. Andrew is also the very proud father of 9-year-old son Jack.

Chris Vollat ’00 senior buyer at Jungle Jim’s, was spotlighted in the cover story for the biggest issue of the year that is released for the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) Convention for Refrigerated & Frozen Buyer Magazine. Chris is a member of the NFRA and the article is about how he operates within the quickly changing retail and grocery store industry.

Nate ’03 and Kasi Detmer in addition to their 4 year old, Austin, welcomed their second son, Denver Hayes, on October 13, 2019.

Trevor Snider ’04 and his wife Elise welcomed the birth of their second son Brycen in 2019. Trevor also began his own auto detailing business, Snider’s Detailing LLC. David Niemeyer ’07 music specialist and selfemployed working musician and music teacher, works with Moe/MND band and also teaches private lessons.

Michael Periatt ’10 graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2019 and began his career as a litigator at Schulte Roth & Zabel in New York City.

Bradley Riney ’17 is currently enrolled in welding at Live Oaks were he will graduate in July 2020.

Daniel Hopkins ’04 and wife Anna, show off their Moeller pride with their son, Daniel Ward Hopkins, born on November 19, 2014. They are preparing their little guy as a future man of Moeller.

LIFELONG 1960 Society

Men of Moeller –

Find your Captain and Come Aboard

This event produced great dialogue, which will help the Alumni Association continue to make needed improvements.

Special thanks to Associate Director of Alumni Engagement Sam Speyer ’11, who helped organize this event and who is always willing to help us in efforts to get our fellow alumni more engaged with Moeller.

Our Moe-Mentum is stronger than ever at Moeller High School! If you are an alumnus, a past parent or a member of the Moeller Family in some other way, this is a great time to get involved with Moeller and help the Alumni Association carry the flag forward. If you haven’t I would also like to thank the members walked through the front doors of the Alumni Board, whose hard work lately, I strongly encourage you to the past two years has really begun to pay do so. You will see that our school off, with increased alumni involvement is transforming and doing it all in a in reunion weekend, the Sports Stag, in first-class manner. Come check out and out of town alumni social events and the new classrooms and locker-free other activities. In addition to serving on hallways and meet new members Mike Munafo the Board at Large, each Alumni Board of school leadership. I am sure you President, Alumni Association member chairs or co-chairs a committee are starting to hear the buzz around that has a mission focused on one aspect additional facility updates, a new baseball stadium and our academic programs. We have a of alumni engagement. lot to be proud of to say the least!

Alumni Board Committees and Chairmen: Moeller has amazing alumni, but we haven’t always done everything we can to engage and energize them.

I am proud to say that we have been addressing those problems by better organizing the Alumni Association and working to increase alumni involvement. We are now led by a strong Alumni Board and dedicated Decade and Class Captains. The phenomenal part is that we haven’t even scratched the surface of where we will go!

We are actively growing the roster of Class Captains to ensure that each graduating class has multiple captains.

Please let me know if you are interested in being a captain for your class.

Communication Marketing- Rob Hornback ’88

Be sure to check out the school’s social media presence where you can look behind the scenes of all things Moeller thanks to Director of Alumni and Athletic Engagement Barrett Cohen. He frequently spotlights both our current Remarkable Men of Moeller and our Alumni.

We are always looking for members of the Moeller Family to join one of our committees. If you would like to get more involved with a committee, contact me at mike@ prolilnkstaff.com, Sam at sspeyer@moeller.org, Barrett at bcohen@moeller.org, one of the members of the Alumni Board or one of your Decade or Class Captains.

We had an incredible Captains and Leaders Social on February 6, with over 85 dedicated alumni in attendance, including most of our newly appointed Decade Captains.

-Mike Munafo '00

Out of State Committee- Mike Jackson ’00 Alumni / Young Alumni- Billy Wersel ’09 Reunion- Mike Munafo ’00 & Barrett Cohen Sports Alumni Relations- Eric Surkamp ’05 Golden Crusader Club- Brother Ron Ludsik Capital Campaign- Michael Hyzdu ’85 Class/Decade Captain- Andy Simon ’94, Sam Speyer ’11, Mike Munafo ’00

SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 33

It's Safety First for Mr. Beitman

Beitman dedicated his life to public service, calling Montgomery police department home for thirty years. He retired from the force as their chief of police.

Fodor Dostoyevsky once wrote, “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.” For Jerry Beitman, Moeller’s director of security, that purpose lives in brotherhood. As people of faith, members of the Moeller community are called to carry out God’s will through service to others; for Beitman, that service has a deep history rooted in our community.

Having sustained his relationship with Moeller, it was a natural move when Mr. Beitman stepped into the role of director of security. Mr. Beitman elevated the role to be more than reactionary; he created a presence at Moeller that ensures the safety and security of everyone on campus. He speaks in classrooms about safety and legal issues, trains all classes on ALICE protocol and takes it ever further by staging an active shooter drill each year. He helps Mr. Shaffer with discipline issues, assists Mrs. Neuhaus with drug testing and manages all elements of Moeller traffic – which is a monumental task each day.

Beitman is a 1976 graduate of Moeller High School.

“Moeller gave a great foundation for the rest of my life,” he says, adding that the family spirit at Moeller embraced him through some tough times.

Mr. Beitman’s presence and commitment to our protection allows us all to concentrate on our roles all here at Moeller. It’s because of this and so much more that our appreciation for all he does is immeasurable.

Josh Wellen

34 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

LIFELONG Taking the Plunge In the summers starting after high school graduation in 1994, Mr. Justin Claypool worked at Camp Lutheridge—a Lutheran/ Christian camp near Asheville, North Carolina dedicated to kids of all backgrounds. Mr. Claypool remembers, “Some of my most memorable assignments were those weeks I was a counselor for mentally challenged campers. Ranging from all ages and abilities, these kids with disabilities taught me a great deal about their personalities, desires, goals, and struggles, essentially their intense humanity.

They taught me much about myself, as well.” Something that really affected him was the pride many of the kids earned from competing in the Special Olympics. As they returned each summer, from all around the south, he would hear about the training and victories of several campers.

It was this experience at Camp Lutheridge that lead Mr. Claypool to organize a team for the Polar Plunge. For almost three years, he has been a part of an all-male workout called F3 which he calls his “medicine”. F3 stands for: Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith. The bootcamp-style workouts, which always occur outside in whatever weather, have pushed him past his comfort zone. “The friends I’ve made keep me coming back. Because of these guys I’ve been inspired to be a better man, husband, and father. The last ‘F’, the ‘Faith’ part, is belief in something greater than yourself. It’s about thinking past your own circles and becoming active in the community.

Organizing a team for the Polar Plunge is my attempt at fulfilling the third ‘F.’”

FA

ILY SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 35

1960 society Leave a Legacy

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For over 60 years, Archbishop Moeller High School has been working toward one Mission – Catholic. Marianist. Forming our Students into Remarkable Men. These are men of faith, men of academic excellence, and men of character.

When Archbishop Moeller High School opened its doors in September 1960 to freshmen from 15 parishes in the northeastern part of greater Cincinnati and Hamilton county, something very special started to happen; a brotherhood of men so powerful, that over 60 years later, it remains strong and vibrant.

Now, as then, the Mission of Moeller depends upon the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends who make planned gifts to the school. The 1960 Society is an invitation to all members of the Moeller Family to be the ones that secure Moeller’s future through planned giving commitments and ensure that the school’s sacred Mission lives on forever…leaving a legacy for those that follow.

Leaving a legacy to those who follow begins with a conversation about where your passions and interests align with Moeller, its Mission, and the Men of Moeller. Let’s explore together opportunities to leverage the power of the Moeller Endowment to advance Moeller’s important Mission into the future.

For those who have included Moeller High School in their estate plans, sharing those plans today opens the door to designation of your gift, positions Moeller to maximize the impact of the gift, and provides Moeller the opportunity to appropriately engage our partners in personally meaningful ways including enrollment into the 1960 Society.

We invite you to begin a planned giving conversation today.

Learn more by contacting the Mary Fischer at (513) 238-3968.

36 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

LIFELONG

Zoom Zoom!

We all find ourselves in a unique situation with remote learning. Navigating virtual classrooms, virtual office hours, virtual meetings, virtual mentor groups, virtual prayer, has been both virtually fun and at times, virtually frustrating! But one thing is for sure – the faculty at Moeller hasn’t lost their sense of humor and their ability to laugh. We thought we’d give you a sneak peek into the Math Department’s weekly meeting – with special guest Mr. Williams! We also thank all of you who have made the transition to distance, online, remote learning... whatever you call it, easier than it would have been without you. You all keep the Moeller Family strong.

SPRING MAGAZINE 2020 | ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL • 37

Names & Faces Continued from Page 5 and it would be difficult to find an event on campus this year that has NOT had his fingerprints all over it. Moeller is lucky to have landed the city’s preeminent social media ambassador, but more importantly, Barrett is truly a man of the people…routinely carving time out of his unrelenting schedule to touch base with the various figures on campus, thereby forever keeping an ear to the street (or at least to Montgomery Rd., as it were). Very few human beings ever arrive at an institution and become an institution in short order, but Barrett Cohen is an exception. After all, Barrett Cohen has inside jokes with complete strangers. Barrett Cohen doesn’t wear a watch; he decides what time it is.

Barrett Cohen doesn’t sleep, he waits. Barrett Cohen is part man, part myth, and now, thankfully, he is 100% Moeller.

Matt Weisenborn did not have to travel far this year to begin the next leg of his personal vocational journey. In fact, Matt walked about 10 feet down the hallway, knocked on the door, and right into his role on the admissions team, and middle schoolers around the land have been showing up in droves ever since. Not content to simply bring newcomers into the fold, Matt also teaches a leadership class to supplement his program and also coordinates the summer camp circuit here on campus. He is a true Renaissance man, though he is oddly quiet about his contempt for garden gnomes, according to our questionnaire. Don’t ask.

Debaters Continued from Page 21 debaters arguing public policy. In four years, Xander has developed into an exceptional reasoner and arguer. For college, he awaits word from Colorado Springs regarding his admission to the Air Force Academy; though he would like to be a commercial pilot (he already has his pilot’s license), Xander has demonstrated through debate that he would succeed as a litigator. This team (and coach) will sorely miss his skill, guidance, and humor next year.

Diane Horvath is a new addition to the counseling wing in 2019-20, directing traffic from her position at the front desk.

Ms. Horvath appreciates the prevalence of the Catholic faith on campus, as shared between students and staff members alike. When not (literally) guiding students towards their future college decisions, Diane is a frequenter of our nation’s capital, where she revels in all the city has to offer. When it came to the super-power debate, Ms. Horvath answered with the practicality of a seasoned Moeller veteran: She is not a big fan of motion sickness, so, invisibility it is!

Sean James is the newest member of the Campus Ministry Team. While having the same initials as Steve Joebgen wasn’t necessarily a requirement to be hired for the position, the newest ‘SJ’ on campus certainly had a leg up during the interview process. Since then, however, we have had a chance to witness first hand Sean’s extraordinary ability to coordinate the chaos of 800 students moving in different directions to achieve the same goal. Amidst the bins and boxes and other tools of his trade, you can often find Sean putting the finishing touches on yet another successful community outreach campaign. When at ease, Sean looks forward each year to his annual trip to the UP and Mackinac Island where he visits with aunts, uncles, cousins and his siblings, when he finally gets to put down his Pied Piper Flute and enjoy a little much deserved R&R. And there we have it, folks – Moeller’s rookie class of 2019-20.

Max Barcomb: In terms of range of skills, Max has proven adept at every speech or debate category he has entered.

Son of Ginette and Paul Barcomb, Max has participated in LD debate, Student Congress, Original Oratory (in which students write and deliver their own persuasive speeches), and his current activity, Humorous Interpretation. This season, Max has been performing Dr. Wilderness, a spin on the late Steve Irwin, known in popular culture as “The Crocodile Hunter.”

Following in Mr. Irwin’s footsteps, Max hopes to attend Augusta University to major in ecology and become an “edutainer.”

Moeller Vision Initiative Continued from Page 19 be a parent and alumni group that invites adults outside the walls of the school to play an active role in supporting students and providing students with adult figures to model themselves after.

All in all, the Moeller Vision Initiative is an ambitious plan to enhance the educational experience for all students.

Working towards a more diverse student body will not only provide opportunities for non-traditional and underrepresented student groups, it will also provide our traditional students with opportunities to be exposed to people, ideas, and customs that will serve them well in a world where diversity is the norm.

38 • ARCHBISHOP MOELLER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING MAGAZINE 2020

Reunion

Weekend Friday, June 19 at 6:30pm

All Alumni Bourbon and Cigar Stag Come back to Moeller to see how your classmates have aged while you sip bourbon, puff cigars and nosh on appetizers.

Moeller High School Courtyard

Saturday, June 22

Class Gatherings If you graduated in 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 this is your year!

If you have questions regarding your reunion gathering, call Sam Speyer at (513) 746-1222 or email sspeyer@moeller.org

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