Fall/Winter 2012 Moeller Magazine

FALL/WINTER 2012

M ELLER A C a t h o l i c S c h o o l i n t h e M a r i a n i s t Tr a d i t i o n

D e v e l o p i n g L e a d e r s h i p i n Yo u n g M e n

Exploring Environmental Connections

While academic training is certainly important, I often find myself thinking that Moeller, as much as producing academically competent young men, wants those same young men to be character-filled, confident, giving, and instilled with capacity.

Steve Jobs once said, while trying to define passion about something, “I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ “And whenever that answer was “yes,” he knew he’d found what passion was all about.

There are often times when I think Moeller, being the non-stop, vibrant community that it is, runs primarily on passion. And when I witness that passion I find myself sometimes asking, What do we want for the Men of Moeller? What do they need from education; what do they need from us?

While academic training is certainly important, I often find myself thinking that Moeller, as much as producing academically competent young men, wants those same young men to be character-filled, confident, giving, and instilled with capacity.

• A Man of Moeller with good character should intend to do what is just, right, and good.

• A Man of Moeller with confidence has the assuredness needed to act effectively and to demonstrate and build competence and character in challenging situations.

• A giving Man of Moeller uses these other attributes to give to others.

• A Man of Moeller with capacity gets involved in the life of the school, and he finds his mind and days being incredibly full.

That fullness often means that his time management skills become honed, lifelong assets.

With nearly 50 graduating classes, Moeller High School has entered an age where alumni and friends must consider contributing to the school through planned giving.”

Jim Grau ’69

“We believe in the lasting gift of a Moeller education for future generations.”

Pat & Bruce Buckley ’67

In addition to these good qualities, we must teach our Men of Moeller, and show by our example, that all can be greatly enhanced by their sense of caring.

When we truly care for them and put them first, they will know. There is nothing like true caring. It is one of the backbones of our lives.

Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, at Mass, in the hallways, or on retreat, we adults teach and demonstrate the values our young men possess. The best way Moeller can collectively change the values of the students entrusted to our care is by living our lives in such a way that they are able to see how we demonstrate these core values.

This is what I think we want for our Men of Moeller. This is what I think they need from us. They should be our passion.

Bill Hunt, President

“I always think about the potential that endowment funds hold.

You can help make sure that Moeller is vibrant in the future with your planned gift. Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Together we can ensure a stable financial future for our students.”

Blane Collison, Principal

Our Lady of Moeller Society Archbishop Moeller High School established Our Lady of Moeller Society to recognize individuals and families who have included the school in their estate plans. Planned gifts will play a critical role in ensuring the future of Moeller by providing the financial resources necessary to offer the outstanding educational opportunities for the next generation.

You have the power to make a lasting impact on Moeller through a planned gift.

These types of charitable arrangements enable you to support our students and programs far into the future, while also providing tax and other benefits to you.

Membership in Our Lady of Moeller Society is open to alumni, parents, family, friends, or anyone who makes a commitment to Moeller through their estate or other planned gifts.

If you have already included Moeller as a beneficiary of your estate plan, please contact us so that we can personally thank you and invite you to become a member of this important circle of friends.

Scott Schuster, Director of Development

This year’s Veterans Day Program was special.

I wish you could have been there. A bagpipe player lead the entrance of the colors, while more than 40 veterans, many dressed in their military attire, followed. Eveslage Chaplain Michael Staun’13 called all to praise and remembrance, and School Captain Harry Wahl ’13 gave a brief history of the significance of Veterans Day. Then there was a moment of remembrance for Marine Sgt. John “J.P.” Huling ‘04 who was killed in Afghanistan this past May. His mother, Debbie Huling, pictured left, introduced as Moeller’s special guest, stood up with tears glistening, and the Men of Moeller gave her a standing ovation.*

the Honor Flight Network, flies World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the military memorials created in their honor. Afterward, the Men of Moeller donated more than $2,000, which will provide five veterans with this opportunity.

I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

The Veterans Day Program was a poignant remembrance and salute to those who serve our county, and the Men of Moeller embraced it with reverence. Like I said, I wish you could have been there…

In this issue I hope you read the many more reasons to feel proud of the Men of Moeller – as well as all those who work tirelessly to support their growth in mind, body, heart, and spirit. As Principal Blane Collison often says, we are developing the best leaders for the world: Men who feel a call to duty much like the men and women who serve our country. May we all make them proud.

Mary’s peace to you,

Ed Finke ’64 explained to the Men of Moeller how their school mascot came to be known as the “Crusader”: In 1960 a few weeks after Moeller first opened its doors to 196 freshmen, Brother Keyes, S.M., held a contest to give the new school a mascot identity. The administration chose “Crusader,” and two freshmen had provided that name, Ed and Dennis Cronin ’64. They split a $10 gift certificate to the bookstore. Ed, however, didn’t let anyone know right away that he was one of the winners, because at the time there was a cartoon character named “Crusader Rabbit,” and though he hadn’t chosen the name because of the cartoon, he was sure that his fellow classmates and football teammates would think he did and make fun of him.

Johanna Kremer Communications Director JKremer@Moeller.org

Army veteran Ed Finke ’64, pictured above, a member of Moeller’s first graduating class, spoke about how Moeller became known as the “Crusaders,” and about his passionate support for the military veterans of World War II. His program,

P.S. The long-awaited Moeller Veterans Memorial will become a reality this spring. Check our website under Support Moeller/Veterans Memorial in February 2013 for up-to-date information. In addition, there is a Veterans Day Program slideshow on that Web page. *J.P. was one of three Moeller alumni who lost their lives in service to their country.

David S. Reilly ’66 and Dennis Michael Boland ’67 were killed during the Vietnam War.

M ELLER FALL/WINTER 2012-13

Moeller Magazine is an official publication of Archbishop Moeller High School for alumni, family, and friends. Comments and questions are encouraged. Please send your comments to Johanna Kremer, editor/communications director, at JKremer@Moeller.org.

EDITOR Johanna Kremer, Communications Director Archbishop Moeller High School 9001 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45242-7780 Voice Mail: (513) 791-1680, ext. 1330 Email: JKremer@Moeller.org CONTRIBUTORS Bill Balbach ’72 Dick Beerman Barry Borman ’64 Blane Collison Mary Fischer Chris Anne Gaier Bill Hunt Marcia Lechner Betsy Morgan Cindy Neuhaus Scott Schuster ADMINISTRATION Bill Hunt, President Blane Collison, Principal Chris Wilke, Dean of Academics Carl Kremer, Dean of Students BOARD OF TRUSTEES Charley Blum Therese Esswein Tom Fitz Chris Gilles ’82 Jim Hubbard, Secretary Pete Kimener Leon Loewenstine Jr. Dan Neyer’77 Bob Niehaus’65 Sally Nugent, Vice Chair Mark Rippe’72, Chair Father Larry Tensi LAYOUT & DESIGN James Wilmink ’85, Insignia Design Email: jim@insigniadesign.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dennis Cronin ’64 Maureen Diesslin Mary Fischer Johanna Kremer PRINTING Larry Kuhlman ’81, Bramkamp Printing www.Bramkamp.com DISTRIBUTION Ginny Bauer ©2012. All rights reserved. Archbishop Moeller High School is owned and operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati and adheres to its policies.

WWW.MOELLER.ORG

Cover photo by Maureen Diesslin

cover story 25 QUALITY EDUCATION:

Exploring Environmental Connections Cross-Curricular Program Forges New Pathways

features 9

6 HOUSES, 1 ROOF: House System Key to Moeller’s ‘Home’ Environment

11 GREEN TITANS: Alums Profiled for their Green Commitment

departments

Inside Cover FROM THE PRESIDENT 1

EDITOR’S INTRO

3

PRINCIPAL’S NOTE

4

MOELLER TODAY

19

CRUSADER CONNECTIONS The Tale of 2 Brothers, 4 Kidneys, and 2 Lives…Saved

25

ALUMNI NOTES

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GETTING THE STORY STRAIGHT: In response to an article in the spring/summer 2012 edition of Moeller Magazine (“Four More State Championships: A New Record for Moeller’s ‘Winning Tradition’!”) we heard from reader Charles MacMillan (Westlake, OH): “Being a fan of high school sports and a graduate of Catholic schools (St. Edward High School, University of Notre Dame) and educator for 40 years, I was perplexed by your reference to four state championships in one school year. I have to point out that if your reasoning is correct St. Edward won seven state titles this year: four in wrestling, one in indoor track, one in track & field, and one in rugby.

Or they won four TEAM championships.”

Charles is correct. References to schools’ state championships are “officially” for teams and state-sanctioned sports only. For school purposes, we decided to also recognize our students’ individual titles, including those not officially sanctioned by the state, and we meant to qualify that more clearly in the article. My apologies for the omission.

Alumnus Brian Schings ’07 also pointed out that using our internal measure of state championship success, Moeller had five state titles in 2006-07: team state championships in basketball and volleyball and individual state championships in wrestling (two) and swimming. We gladly stand corrected!

“Moeller seeks to bring clearer focus and heightened awareness of environmental concerns to our school community so that we may demonstrate our stewardship for God’s creation by choosing to make ethical decisions.”

This year Moeller enters the second year of the Interdisciplinary initiative that focuses on the environment. The environment affects us all, creating the need to explore the issues so vital to maintaining the natural world in which we live and that sustains our life.

Some of the topics we are exploring include the ethical use and preservation of natural resources, the effect of the environment on our health, the issues surrounding sustainability, various alternative energy resources and their long-term impact, and how technological advances help and hinder our environment.

As Catholics we are called to be good stewards of all that God has created. Understanding one’s place in the world allows us to enjoy the beauty of creation and to be grateful for the earth that provides for our needs. Each of us is challenged to make decisions regarding how we can make use of the natural resources at our disposal and to create the means for sustainability for generations to come.

Pope John Paul II stated in 1990 “that we cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations.”

With the many issues related to the environment impacting us today, Moeller seeks to bring clearer focus and heightened awareness of environmental concerns to our school community so that we may demonstrate our stewardship for God’s creation by choosing to make ethical decisions.

Through the interdisciplinary initiatives taking place in a wide range of academic content areas, we aim to instill in our students the wonder of the natural world God has created, explore the means for being good stewards of our natural resources, and begin to understand the ethical ways in which our environment must be cared for to ensure that we leave a legacy of using our resources wisely for the benefit of all.

Yours in service,

Edward O. Wilson (June 10, 1929 - ) American biologist and active environmentalist known for his study of ants.

Blane Collison

As E.O. Wilson once proclaimed, “If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.”

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2012-13 Interdisciplinary Study Program On The Environment COVER PHOTO/ WATER CONSERVATION FIELD TRIP: As part of the AP environmental science curriculum, the students took a field trip to Nisbet Park. "They analyzed the river and gave it a score to determine the quality of the river that day,” said Dan Shannon, their environmental science teacher. “The kids were broken into groups and worked with the Ohio River Foundation education staff, where they learned about various methods of testing the river for indicators that are used to determine the health of the river. You have to look at the river physically, chemically, and biologically to get an understanding of what is happening. The river didn’t grade out well that day and scored below standards due to high heat and lack of rainfall.” (See slideshow and follow-up information on the Moeller website: www.Moeller.org: About Moeller/News & Media/ Spotlight.) Pictured left is Jared Diesslin ’15.

AP STUDENTS’ TEST SCORES SET NEW SCHOOL RECORD! Of the 14 AP classes that the school offers, Moeller students scored above the national average on nine of them, which is a school record. During the past five years, Moeller has increased the number of students taking AP tests by 75% and increased students’ average scores on 12 of the 14 AP offerings. Last year the school administered 345 AP tests and had 31 AP scholars, 4 National Merit Scholar Commended students, and 2 National Merit Scholar finalists. “From our expansive AP program to our Student Support Services program, our community is committed to challenging and enriching all of our students, regardless of ability,” said Blane Collison.

(Pictured above: Class of 2013 AP Scholars)

SPEAKERS WANTED FOR SYMPOSIUM: In preparation for the April 15, 2013, Environmental Symposium, Dean of Academics Chris Wilke is soliciting speakers and panel discussion participants who have an expertise in any of the areas related to the “green” industry. Please contact him if you are interested: Call (513) 791-1680 or email CWilke@Moeller.org.

MONDAY MOVIE NIGHTS: As part of this year’s interdisciplinary program focusing on the environment, Moeller is offering free movies and presentations periodically throughout the year.

The first film, No Impact Man, followed a Manhattan-based family as they abandoned their high-consumption 5th Avenue lifestyle and tried to live a year while making no net environmental impact. The second presentation, “After Black Friday: Trash and Waste Disposal” and involved the mini-documentary, The Story of Stuff, a fast-paced, fact-filled film that exposed the connections between environmental and social issues. After the movie there was a panel with representatives from Rumpke and the Cincinnati Solid Waste District Management.

All films and presentations are open to the public and currently include the following dates: December 12, 2012; January 7, 2013; February 11; and March 11 or 18. See Moeller’s website for up-to-date information.

NEW SMART TEAM: Science Teacher Dan Shannon initiated a new academic co-curricular this fall called the SMART Team (Students Modeling a Research Topic). This program connects students with active researchers on specific projects. This year’s project The Moeller SMART Team members will involves the students designing and collaborate regularly on the project throughout constructing a physical model of a protein the fall and winter. Once their project is and then telling the story of the research approved, in the spring they will travel to in progress on that protein. SMART Boston to present their work at the 2013 Teams exist nationwide, but Moeller is Annual American Society for Biochemistry the only school in Ohio to have a team. and Molecular Biology. Pictured above: (Jacob Menke '15, Ethan Callahan '15, The students are working with Krishna Kurup '15, and Evan Holloway Biology Teacher Dan Shannon and '16). Not pictured: Jack Taylor, AJ Reinhart, Dr. Karen Gregerson (College of Peter Sharpshair, Mark Bugada, Bobby Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati) Schantz, Ali Fazlani, Jared Diesselin, and will be studying Dr. Gregerson's Gus Sharpshair, Steven (Austin) Sanders, research on the protein prolactin and and Austin Mills. its link to breast cancer. The students will design a poster and develop a 10-minute oral presentation that will tell the story of Dr. Gregerson’s research on prolactin. If all goes well, the SMART Team will present their work at the 2013 Annual American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) meeting in Boston in April. “As the mother of a member of the SMART team,” says Francine Bugada, “I am impressed by the high level of thinking and understanding that these students are capable of. The exposure to this level of research and opportunity to work with a research scientist in her field is invaluable and rare at the high school level.”

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLAR STUDENTS: More than 1.5 million students took the 2011 SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test last October, and Nick Staresinic ’13 was named a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. Performers in the top 5% are named “Commended Students,” which includes the following Moeller students: Andrew Benza, Andrew Brinker, Benjamin Bruggemann, Brian Butz, James Breitenbach, Steve Lair, and Drew Klosterman.

NEW BRITISH LIT TRIP: In June, two of Moeller’s English faculty members, Michael Rose and Eric Eble, took a group of juniors on a British Lit trip, experiencing first hand many of the settings they’ve been reading in their classes throughout the year. “Students visited Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Sherlock Holmes museum, the Tower of London, Shakespeare's home in Stratford, Oxford University, Hadrian's Wall, Edinburgh Castle, Windsor Castle, the Edinburgh Writer's Museum, and much more,” said Rose. “This was the maiden voyage of what will now be an annual June trip for juniors. Next year we will be traveling to London, Oxford, Stratford, Bath, Somerset, and Winchester.”

LATIN AWARD: Latin Teacher and Certamen Moderator Brian Compton received the Summa Cum Laude Sponsor Award during Moeller’s fall Academic Awards ceremony.

ACADEMIC AWARDS: Principal Blane Collison poses with Kevin Schmitt ’13 who received the Rensselaer Medal Award for excellence in math & science at Moeller’s annual fall Academic Awards Program. This program honors sophomores-seniors for their academic achievements during 2011-12 to set the tone for the upcoming year. In May each year Moeller honors the seniors for their academic success."Our academic awards ceremonies are the most important assemblies we have in coming together as community, other than a school liturgy," says Collison. "We recognize the dedication, commitment, perseverance and sacrifice it takes to achieve honors at Moeller. Due to the rigorous curriculum students are provided by our faculty, it is truly an accomplishment when our students achieve academic success in so many content areas.”

5 • FALL/WINTER 2012

Nick Staresinic ’13 is also an AP Scholar with Distinction.

During the fall Academic Awards ceremony he received the George Eastman Young Leaders Award, which is presented for outstanding academic achievement and leadership. Nick was also a delegate to Buckeye Boys State.

MOELLER WRITING CENTER GOING STRONG: Under the leadership of English Teacher Eric Eble, Moeller’s new Writing Center, which is available on B-Days during M-Block and after school, has become a valuable resource for students. "Students bring their ideas, outlines, and first drafts to the Chaminade Library,” he explains, “and talented and friendly senior writing consultants build Moeller culture by dialoguing with students about papers and ideas.”

FIRST MOELLER ‘MOLE DAY’: At 6:02 AM on a chilly October 23 morning, Moeller Chemistry Teacher Russ Pinkerton launched the school’s first “Mole Day.” Every October 23 is Mole Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated by chemists from 6:02 AM to 6:02 PM. The goal of Mole Day is to encourage interest in chemistry.

The time and date are derived from Avogadro’s number, which is approximately 6.02 x 1023, defining the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in one mole of substance, one of the seven base SI units. Mole Day originated in an article in The Science Teacher in the early 1980s. Inspired by this article, Maurice Oehler, now a retired high school chemistry teacher from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, founded the National Mole Day Foundation in 1991. Now many schools around the US, South Africa, Australia, and Canada celebrate Mole Day with various activities often related to chemistry or moles. Moeller’s inaugural celebration included stuffed moles catapulting from a chemistry powered launch, a mole sculpture contest, mole races, and more. “We originally were going to announce a “mole king,’ ” says Pinkerton, “but two students tied, and they did not want to do the tie-breaker event (a chemistry problem), so we will have to wait until next year to crown the first Mole King.”

(Pictured is Jake Barbara’14 preparing for the mole-making contest.)

Educating Service, Justice &forPeace

HERO-TO-HERO PROGRAM BLOOD DRIVE: The Pastoral Ministry Program holds Hoxworth Blood Drives throughout the year. Those who gave blood in November participated in the Hero-to-Hero Program by writing a brief note of thanks to one of our soldiers serving in Afghanistan. In addition, a special care package was attached to each note.

STUDENTS HOLD FUNDRAISER FOR CANCERFREE KIDS: Moeller sophomores Alex Marchionda, Matthew Wolf, Andrew Johnson, and Erik Mueller helped raise more than $1,000 for CancerFree Kids with their Haunted Trails fundraiser in October. This event is held in the Miami Trails neighborhood in Loveland, and the young men created and set up an entire haunted trail that entertained the neighborhood children. They raised the kids’ spirits for Halloween, and at the same time they raised money to fund pediatric cancer research. “We just can’t say enough about these young men,” said Marla Hricovsky from CancerFree Kids. “They are another fine example of the Men of Moeller in our community.”

ST. JOSEPH’S SERVICE PROJECT: Thirteen Men of Moeller helped clean out and organize two garages and several storage and record rooms at the St. Joseph Parish in the West End: Brett Carlin, Mitch Hoelker, Adam Gigax, Connor Hanson, Patrick Schenk, Mitch Meece, Will Ittenbach, Andrew Olinger, Matt Messina, Jake Wermes, Daniel Bruns, Chris Wright, and Nick Wright. (Beth and Steve Wright, along with Rick Ittenbach provided the parental support.) “St. Joseph’s has a really strong community,” says parent volunteer Wright. “The parish and school date from 1846, and it’s the longest-operating Catholic grade school in Cincinnati. The parish was originally mostly Germans, as you might guess, and the original church records are in German and Latin.

VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION: One of Moeller’s annual celebrations is the Veterans Day Assembly honoring those who served our nation. This year Moeller focused on our World War II veterans by supporting the Honor Flight Network, which is directed locally by Moeller alumnus Ed Finke ’64. Honor Flight takes World War II veterans to the memorials in Washington, D.C., free of charge. Following the Veterans Day assembly, Moeller took a collection in Mentor Group to help send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flights Program. The Veterans Day Program keynote speaker, alumnus Ed Finke ’64, described his passion for recognizing the men and women who served America during World War II. The students collected more than $2K, which will send five World War II vets to Washington, D.C. Debbie Huling was Moeller’s special guest. She is the mother of J.P. Huling ’04 who was killed in May while serving in Afghanistan.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS: In October Moeller teamed up with Elder 200 for the Pink Ribbon Girls who support women with breast cancer.

This year they raised more than $3,200 for the Pink Ribbon Girls who support women with breast cancer.

Pictured: Michelle Hodge (mother of senior football player Charlie Hodge) and Tracie Metzger (co-founder/executive director, Pink Ribbon Girls) pose at the PINK Ribbon game. The football players collected an additional $500 at the gate.

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF: The families of Chaminade High School in Mineola Long Island, NY, were hit hard by Hurricane Sandy, and some families completely lost their homes. Bro. Dick Hartz, S.M., a Marianist Brother at Chaminade, told Bro. Flaherty, S.M., that financial support would be beneficial to their community at this time. Therefore, Moeller is sponsoring a collection at the Family Mass on December 9 to benefit the Chaminade community in Long Island. If you would like to help this Marianist community, please send your financial donation to Moeller, c/o Pastoral Ministry, (Hurricane Sandy Relief), 9001 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242.

MEN OF FAITH

Educating for Family Spirit BRO. RON LUKSIC, S.M., RECEIVES EF FOUNDATION AWARD: In May Bro. Ron Luksic, S.M., accepted the EF Foundation’s Global Excellence Award. Each year, the EF Foundation for Foreign Study, a leader in high school exchange programs, recognizes schools across the country for excellence in global education. Bro. Ron has been leading Moeller’s exchange programs for more than two decades.

The EF award is presented to high schools/school districts that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to international understanding and global awareness.

“Bro. Ron plays an integral part in the program’s success,” says Moeller’s Alumni Relations Director Mary Fischer who hosted an EF student from Norway in 2011-12. “More than 100 high school students from all over the world have come to Moeller and experienced not only a world-class education but the Moeller Family Spirit as well. It is a win-win experience for all – for the students who come to study at Moeller, for the host families, and for the student body who experience different cultures from regions around the world.”

Bro. Ron’s love of travel began in the summer of 1976 when he worked at a Marianist school in Dublin, Ireland, and secured a Eurail pass to backpack through Europe. Soon afterward as an educator for Chaminade Julienne High School in Dayton and then at Moeller, Bro. Ron began coordinating student trips. “These trips are a great way for students to end their high school tenure,” he said. “They spend time with 40-50 of their friends; they get a global experience; and they talk about the trip for years. I think the global education influences many of the students to do semester trips abroad in college. They get a little taste of the world outside of Cincinnati and Hilton Head.”

BRO. HAMM, S.M., CELEBRATES 70TH JUBILEE: Bro. Wilbert Hamm, S.M., a longtime volunteer at Moeller, recently celebrated his 70th jubilee as a Marianist Brother.

He retired from Purcell Marian HS in 2006 after completing 43 years of service as a teacher, driver’s education instructor, receptionist, and active volunteer. After more than 65 years overall of service, Purcell Marian honored him with the Praestans Inter Omnes Award, meaning “Outstanding Among All.” A Purcell Marian commemorative proclamation noted that “Whenever Purcell and Purcell Marian alums gather, there are always fond recollections of Bro. Hamm. They remember his coin jar and the money he raised for Marianist missions. Many have stated how they feared his discipline, but now, looking back, they realize how much they learned from his high expectations of them.”

The Purcell Marian student paper, Cavalier, noted the following about their beloved educator: “Here at Purcell Marian High School it is that dedication to the thirst for knowledge, the value of the individual, and the quest for Christ through Mary, the Marianist Tradition, that we see in Bro. Hamm.”

‘A TASTE OF ITALY’ INVITATION: In conjunction with Moeller’s Main Event theme – “An Evening in Tuscany” – Bro. Ron is offering a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tuscany and Rome, leaving September 2013. This 11-day tour includes stops in Florence, Siena, Assisi, Orvieto, and Rome. Optional activities for participants include a cooking class, a wine tasting, guided sightseeing, dinner with the tenors, and a papal audience. It’s not necessary to be a part of the Moeller community to attend – anyone is welcome to travel. “In 2009, I organized a similar tour to Italy, and participants had the time of their lives!” said Bro. Ron. “People have been asking me to plan another trip to Italy, and we thought this would be a great connection to our Main Event Charity Auction.”

With almost 30 years of tour guiding in Italy, Luksic knows the secrets to making a trip memorable. “If you are really thinking about travelling, do it with someone who knows the area – your trip will be so much more enjoyable.” So, another perk of travelling with Bro. Ron is his long-standing relationship with Enrico, his tour director on every trip since 1999. “Enrico speaks the language and helps resolve any issue that might come up,” Bro. Ron explains. “Plus, Enrico has so much history and knowledge of where we’re going. He doubles the value of the trip.”

In addition, because of Luksic’s long-standing relationship and connection with EF tours, the tour guide is making a generous donation to Moeller's Tuition Assistance Program, as part of Moeller’s Main Event.

Enrollment is open for the trip, which departs September 16, 2013. The cost is $3976/per person, and it includes airfare, transfers, bus, hotels, daily breakfast, some dinners, wine tastings, most excursions, and sightseeing. For enrollment information and more details, contact Louise Hoelker at LHoelker@Moeller.org or call (513) 791-1680, ext. 1304.

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Since coming to Moeller, Bro. Hamm has been a regular volunteer in Main Office. "He calls every morning at 8:50 AM to find out his assignment for the day," says Administrative Assistant Edie Vicario, "and he is always happy to see a new face in the Main Office, so he can show them a card trick or two." Bro. Hamm has become renowned for his expertise with a deck of cards. Last year he went dressed as a card shark to the student ambassadors' Christmas party. "The Moeller boys were climbing over each other to see Bro. Hamm’s card tricks," said Matt McLaughlin, Admissions Office assistant.

"His tricks were engaging and mind-bending. It was amazing to see him connecting with today’s youth in a real and honest way."

Developing in YoungLeadership Men 50th CLASS CELEBRATION: The “MOEmentum” has begun!: During the opening senior meeting, new Senior Moderator Doug Rosfeld introduced MOEmentum, which is the tag phrase for this year’s celebration of Moeller’s 50th graduating class, the Class of 2013. He gave out T-shirts provided by the 50th Class Celebration Committee (special thanks to members Kelly Collison, Beth Wright, Mary DiGiandomenico [logo designer], Ann Johnson, and Jenny Schmalz.) The shirts introduce the logo for this special class celebration, and the student committee will plan more celebratory activities during the upcoming year.

Bro. Hamm was born in Pittsburgh in 1927 and experienced the Marianist culture during his middle school years.

Soon afterward he felt called to pursue his vocation as a Brother, so after serving his Noviate in Beacon, NY, he professed his Marianist vows on August 24, 1942.

Bro. Hamm studied to be an educator at St. Louis and Dayton, graduating from the University of Dayton in 1944. He later earned his master’s in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 1955.

His first assignment was as a prefect and part-time teacher at St. John’s Home for Boys in Brooklyn, NY (1944-1946). He next served one year as an accounting teacher at Purcell HS before moving to Cathedral Latin HS in Cleveland through 1952.

Bro. Hamm became a second noviate in Eureka, Missouri, before teaching again in Cleveland, Dayton (Chaminade HS), and Hamilton. He then returned to Purcell from 1959-63.

From December 1963 to August 1965 Bro. Hamm was the secretary and accountant to the head of temporalities at the Marianist General Administration Headquarters in Rome, Italy. He next served a one-year stint at St. Joseph HS in Cleveland before returning once more to Purcell to serve 11 more years (1960-77) as a teacher and driving instructor.

He was needed at Moeller HS (1977-78) for one year, but he returned to Purcell and served 28 more years before he retired.

PRAYER BOOKS: Moeller’s newly published book of prayers is filled with prose written by Moeller students for Moeller students. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, they are available in the Spirit Shop for a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds go to Pastoral Ministry’s Retreat and Service Trip Scholarship Fund.

PARENT RECEIVES NECC AWARD: At the annual Red Ribbon Breakfast, Beth Wright, Moeller parent and co-moderator for the Northeast Community Challenge Youth Coalition (NECC), received their 2012 Award of Appreciation. “Beth is a parent, a friend, and an advocate to her sons and the youth of our communities,” said Guidance Counselor Gail Dorsey. “Her efforts are far reaching. She embodies what we are each called to do – encourage our youth to make healthy and sound choices through empowering them and being a positive role model." Pictured above, right are Beth Wright, and Moeller students from the Class of 2015: Nick Wright, Jake Wermes, Blake Crowley, Luke Weber, and Nick Spuzzillo. The Youth Coalition is comprised of students from Moeller, CHCA, Sycamore, and Ursuline who come together to help promote the mission of NECC, which is to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors in the community while building healthy communities and healthy youth.

RYAN RINN SELECTED AS ROTARY STUDENT OF THE MONTH! The Rotary Club selected senior Ryan Rinn as their student of the month for October 2012. “I am very impressed with Ryan,” says Guidance Counselor Michelle Meyer. “Not only is Ryan a very strong student, but he has a strong commitment to service and to his faith, a true Man of Moeller. Ryan also received the service award for both his sophomore and junior year.”

TWO STUDENTS TO REPRESENT MOELLER AT THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM! Juniors Chandler Wheat and Scott Rumsey were selected to represent Moeller at the National Leadership Forum on National Security, a weeklong study in Washington, D.C., that is designed to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of US foreign policy within the complex context of contemporary international political structures and ever-unfolding world events. (See article and slideshow on the Moeller website: www.Moeller.org: About Moeller/News & Media/Spotlight.)

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: Five students were selected to attend the annual Mayerson Leadership Conference. Moeller alumnus Will Tardio was selected to be the Mayerson keynote speaker. He is one of the founding members of Unified for UNIFAT (u4u) – the student-led organization that works to support the UNIFAT school in Uganda. As part of the follow up to the seminar, Moeller joined with St. Xavier and collected toiletries for St. Vincent de Paul.

Educating for Adaptation and Change

Moeller’s ‘Green Titans’ Three Alums Profiled for Green Commitment From the Editor: Unbeknownst to him, Best Magazine Editor Doug Sandhage featured three Moeller alumni in his recent issue about “Living, Breathing, Working Green” in Cincinnati.

Steve Melink ’76 and John Hueber ’71 even graced the cover. (Dan Neyer ’77 is the third alumnus profiled.)

All were identified as “leaders in the city’s burgeoning green industry.”

Sandhage said, “The five people we picked to profile… were deliberately chosen because they not only live a green lifestyle, they own, manage, or work for a company that provides green services or products. The overwhelming truth behind each of them is that they see a world that is changing its ways.”

He goes on to say that Melink and Hueber are part of his “Gang of Four” who are committed to helping Cincinnati become the “greenest city in America, worthy of a presidential visit, attention in the national press, and a reputation as a model for other cities.” A laudable goal, don’t you think?

Sandhage’s 23rd edition of Best Magazine proceeded from that vision, and his objective is to help readers understand what it means to live “green.”* Below are brief excerpts from the magazine profiles about our alums. I encourage you to read the full versions, for our alumni are more than just green lifestyle models. They exemplify the Marianist Characteristic of “educating for adaptation and change.” We can learn a great deal from them.

Johanna Kremer Communications Director

*The annual Being Green in Cincinnati edition is available at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Weston Art Gallery, and Frame & Save in Hyde Park.

More information is available at www.bestmagazinecincinnati.com.

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John Hueber ’71 (John Hueber Homes) John, age 59, says his first exposure to green was growing up with four brothers and five sisters on St. Charles Place in Hyde Park. “We never got any toys,” says John. Instead, his father, Ken, built all the kids their own bicycles using spare parts picked up in a junkyard. “My father was a German (descent) mechanical genius who could fix anything.

He built cars; he built tractors; he could build a house. He raised 10 kids and started in the lawnmower repair business.

He worked 12 hours a day, and, of course, he would take me and my brothers with him to work right along beside him. He taught me to be a problem solver. That’s what mechanical geniuses are; they can envision and solve problems.

I just think that kind of self-sufficiency was ingrained in me,” says John, adding that very little was wasted in the Hueber household. To take the family on vacations, John says his dad “bought a 1953 school bus, converting it into an RV…The bus was so ingenious because it could sleep all of the kids in slung hammocks, like a submarine. We even had a kitchen. We used to go everywhere in that thing. That whole way of living influenced my way of life.

Being green is finding your connection to that universal, harmonious fabric that is right in front of us. I really think that’s it. It’s something more than recycling…” (pp. 25-26)

The Neyer half-acre property atop steep Wiedemann Hill in Newport was perfectly suited to erect a ground mount to hold 12 solar panels able to generate 2.1 kilowatts of electricity. Neyer also has 24 panels installed on the peaks of the roof, able to generate another four kilowatts. In all, the two solar arrays provide about 50% of the home's energy needs. Melink Corporation of Milford supplied the solar power package to the home.

Steve Melink ’76 (Melink Corporation) Steve, the fifth of nine, was born in 1957. “It was very frugal growing up; it was hard work,” he says. He adds that perhaps his recycling education came from wearing hand-me-down clothes. “I probably had two shirts to my name. I remember going out with my friends and not having the money to go to Frisch’s or Skyline I would just sit there at the table and have a glass of water.” But he also remembers that money saved by his parents went to making sure the Melink siblings had “the best education they could provide.” Steve graduated from St. Columban Elementary in Loveland and Moeller High School…

Overall, Steve says that three things happened in the last decade that “I think helped put me where I am today.” First, the death of his father. “It put a greater sense of responsibility on me,” he says. Second, “I read a book called Visioneering that has a strong faith component to it. This made me think of the opportunity I have, that any leader has, to potentially change lives.” And third, the part that nearly anyone who has heard Steve speak seems to remember the most, “I went to a green building conference in Cleveland in 2004. It was an inspirational transforming experience. You think, how could a building conference, which seems pretty mundane, be interesting?

But compared to the heating and air-conditioning industry, where you have a bunch of engineers walking the walls with no passion, here (at the building conference) people were passionate. It was like ‘Hey, we’ve got to change the way we design and make buildings. This is unsustainable.’

I thought we are growing our (Melink) business, we are in the throes of designing our own building, and this is a perfect opportunity to do it right, design it, and build it in the way that shows we believe in energy efficiency…

It changed my job to be not only a career but a vocation.” (pp. 67, 69-70)

Dan Neyer ’76 (Neyer Properties) Dan was born in Dillonvale to Don and Phyllis, one of eight kids. The family later moved to Kenwood. His first job at 13 was working in the company his great-grandfather, Joseph Neyer, founded in 1894. There he learned the basics, including “sweeping and cleaning up.” He graduated from Miami University in 1981 with a degree in finance and accounting, and for the next 15 years, starting as an estimator and leaving as a land development manager, worked for Al Neyer… But deep inside he yearned to be his own boss, and during the evenings and weekends worked on “buying and fixing up small residential and commercial buildings,” he says. He liked what he saw and started Neyer Properties in 1995…

In 2005, Dan became aware of a new green building program being developed by the US Green Building Council known as LEED – Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design. “I was reading about it and trying to figure out how to implement it from a marketing and PR standpoint,” he says. In the half-dozen years since, Neyer has completed 12 LEED projects having received a gold, silver, or certification level. He believes he is #1 in Cincinnati in building the most LEED commercial properties, with the American Red Cross being one of his favorites. (pp. 105, 107) FALL/WINTER 2012 • 10

Exploring Environmental Connections

Cross-Curricular Program Forges New Pathways

By Chris Wilke, Dean of Academics

What’s the connection between English and the environment? How does AP Physics connect to our understanding of renewable energy? Where does art fit into our understanding about the physical world? What does Catholic Social Teaching have to say about environmental sustainability? These are all questions that Moeller’s new curricular initiative will explore.

As a college-preparatory institution, we seek to infuse our curriculum with what Educational Specialist Bill Daggett of the International Center for Leadership in Education refers to as “the new 3 Rs: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships.”* As part of this effort, Moeller students and teachers are now engaged in our second year of what we call the Four-Year Interdisciplinary Program (4IP).

Year I of the program was dedicated to exploring the death penalty through the lens of our Catholic Social Teaching and Marianist culture. For the second and current year, our study focuses on the environment and our God-appointed roles as stewards of the environments.

An Ohio River Foundation Educator instructs one of the AP environmental science groups.

Pictured, from left: AJ Reinhart, Mitch Meece, Noah Worobetz, Devin DeGroft, Aiden Dalton, Jared Diesslin, Sam Waldbillig, and Sam Simpson.

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To illustrate how the interdisciplinary study looks in practice, let’s look back on last year. Highlights from 2011-12 included a school-wide summer reading of the book Dead Man Walking by Sr. Helen Prejean, and our capstone event was a night with the author herself, Sr. Helen. More than 800 students, parents, and community members packed into the gym to hear her heartfelt and first-hand perspective of how the death penalty rips at the fiber of human dignity and the culture of life so courageously championed by Pope John Paul II.

*You can find more information about Dr. Bill Daggett of the International Center for Leadership in Education and the new 3 Rs – rigor, relevance, and relationships – at the Center’s website: www.leadered.com.

LOOKING AHEAD: Year III of the Four-Year Interdisciplinary Study will explore the topic of how war impacts “forgotten” populations and creates lasting obstacles to peace.

Christ calls us to be agents of peace.

We will look to the past and present for understanding how war must be overcome and avoided to create the reign of peace that Christ calls us toward. Year IV of the study is still under consideration, but possible topics include globalization, poverty, gender, or other topics of international significance.

The following day we took a group of students on a trip with Sr. Helen to Lucasville State Prison to take part in a vigil being held in protest of an execution, and then onto the Ohio State Capitol to lobby against the death penalty with state representatives and senators. Members of our group met with multiple legislators both in and around the capitol building, including one session directly in the chambers of the Ohio State Senate. Our young men presented their case with a level of directness, courage, and intelligence that left one legislator saying, “This isn’t how my typical visit with high students usually goes.”

The 4IP is a culmination of experiences such as these, along with a year-long movie series and the involvement of our teachers who incorporated reflections and lessons of the death penalty into their daily classes, assignments, and projects.

So why does Moeller think that interdisciplinary education is so important? The reasons are numerous.

As a Catholic school, we are dedicated to Catholic Social Teaching and educating our students as to what the Bishops and the Pope teach about various global and moral issues.

As a Marianist school, we are dedicated to the Characteristics of a Marianist Education, and the interdisciplinary learning is part of our “providing an integral, quality education” and “educating for service, justice, and peace” for all of our students.

Studying the environment touches on all of these factors of a meaningful education. As a practical matter, we believe that much of our students’ futures will be impacted by the environment, and not just as a matter of living. Green energy, sustainable agriculture, energysaving engineering, and countless other “green” concepts will make up a substantial part of the future job market.

We want the Men of Moeller to be critically aware and able to successfully navigate the world they will enter upon their graduation.

As I mentioned earlier in the article, this year’s study of the environment and last year’s study of the death penalty are part of a larger, four-year thematic cycle that all current and future Moeller students will encounter.

Eventually, all students will experience all four themes as part of their Moeller Marianist education. And as a Marianist school that teaches for “adaption and change,” we are committed to constantly improving this endeavor, keeping Daggett’s 3 Rs in mind: rigor, relevance, and relationships. We see this model as our innovative stamp on shaping the intellectual development of all current and future Men of Moeller.

In terms of ongoing structure, our Year II study will have some features that we started during our first year. First FALL/WINTER 2012 • 12

and foremost is the common summer reading assignment. This year we read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. At times, the book is entertaining. At other times, it is unsettling. We will be using this book as a reference point throughout the year in our ongoing discussion of the environment. We will also be using it as a springboard to offer a unique opportunity to our students at the conclusion of the school year. Our plan is to break interested students up into smaller groups and to hike portions of the Appalachian Trail.

The new Interdisciplinary Council (IDC) chose this book, in part, because of its readability to any student from freshman to senior. The book also has a powerful message for the state of our environment, but not in any theoretical, overly-scientific, or political way. Rather, through humor Bill Bryson seeks to make the reader stand up and take notice of what is happening in his or her own back yard. From the point of view of an untrained, casual, almost accidental observer, the environment is presented as a beautiful, yet fragile, resource that must be actively and conscientiously maintained.

That message is very consistent with Catholic social teaching and our role as stewards of God’s creation. And last but not least, another reason for the selection of A Walk in the Woods is the friendship and brotherhood that exists between Bill Bryson and his hapless companion, Katz. What else more succinctly defines Moeller than the idea of brotherhood.

This new Interdisciplinary Council is comprised of all nine department chairs and replaces the former Academic Council. The IDC name indicates the revised focus and purpose of the group – to break down the traditional “silos” that have historically divided our academic departments and work toward greater future curricular connections amongst our teachers.

The second 4IP structure is our popular movie series. These are community-wide events where parents, siblings, and other members of the community at large gather in the auditorium to watch a movie related to the theme for the year. The first film of the year was No Impact Man, a documentarylike movie that followed the Manhattan-based Beavan family as they abandoned their high-consumption, 5th-Avenue lifestyle and tried to live a year without making an environmental impact. Later this year we will be showing The Lorax, Dr. Seuss's environmentally themed tale about a young boy who encounters a cantankerous forest creature after venturing outside of his artificial city in search of a tree.

It is a high-interest film for all ages with a serious message. We hope our showing of this movie to be a true family affair, and we will be inviting our young men to bring their siblings, cousins, or 13 • FALL/WINTER 2012

hool eller sc ods o M e Wo r th umme in the g the s d A Walk isciplinary s n i r u D ar wa rd rea the ye unity ’s inte comm f this year irst film of night films re a to ef y as par ogram. Th ore Monda ol year and re r o o p h M c m y . s d r n e o u a f st ct M oughout th e website a ights.) p N m thr ovie . (Se No I n c M i l w y b o a u h nd es ep will b open to th ademics/Mo c d n A a r e e e d n fr ation u inform

Sophomores in Dan Shannon's AP environmental science class are learning procedures to test the water quality of the Little Miami River.

Jared Diesslin and Andrew Wilder are "seining" or using a fishing dragnet to filter the tributary, while Aiden Dalton uses the capture bucket.

friends for a night of fun and family.

Additional movies and nights will be announced in the upcoming months.

In addition to these outside of the classroom experiences, our faculty will be weaving the topic into their classes where appropriate.

New to this year is the Environmental Symposium on April 15, 2013. Although last year’s presentation by Sr. Helen was fantastic, the capstone experience was only experienced by the 50 students who went on the trip with Sr. Helen to Lucasville and Columbus. This year, we are seeking to involve more students by introducing this event. The symposium will consist mainly of projects, labs, and other learning experiences that were researched and presented as part of their regular classes. These projects and labs will then be re-presented during the symposium to a larger audience.

A symposium was chosen for multiple reasons. One, as a college-preparatory school, we wanted to introduce our students to the experience of researching and presenting their findings to a broader academic community.

Secondly, the symposium will be viewed by hundreds of our students, enriching their knowledge of the environment and understanding of the interdisciplinary connects. It is a more effective way of getting our students to not only learn their lessons, but to live them as well. It is quite simply the new “3 Rs” in action.

The final part of the 4IP structure is to bring in outside professionals and organizations from various environmental fields share their wisdom, as well as

career advice, to our young men. Again, we are seeking to use this interdisciplinary approach to take our curriculum beyond the classroom and connect the various components in real and substantive ways to enrich our students’ understanding of their world, as well as their stewardship role in it.

We hope that all members of the Moeller Family, past and present, as well as friend and neighbors, feel welcome to participate in all public events that are associated with our interdisciplinary study. This endeavor will continue to change and evolve as time goes on, and we are always open to outside help and perspective.

If you feel that you can contribute or improve our efforts, please contact me at CWilke@Moeller. org. As I mentioned earlier, rigor, relevance, and relationships are the keys to meaningful and substantial academic experience. We know Moeller has rigor because we can point to numerous accomplishments, such as AP scores, National Merit qualifiers, and acceptances rates to colleges of choice.

We know we have relationships because of our wonderfully successful House System and the involvement of our parents and alums. What the interdisciplinary initiative brings to Moeller is a creative, concrete, and collaborative plan of how relevance is fostered between the Men of Moeller and the curriculum that they encounter. M FALL/WINTER 2012 • 14

House System Key to Moeller’s ‘Home’ Environment

By Karen Matuszek, House System Director

EIGHT YEARS AGO, Archbishop Moeller High School introduced The New Spirit of the Crusaders – The House System. After the first student exchange in February 2003 between Australia’s St. Patrick’s College and Moeller – and under the leadership of Bro. Ron Luksic, S.M. – the new system of student governance was launched.

Students from all four grade levels were divided randomly into six Houses: Eveslage, Pillar, Quiroga, Trinity, Zaragoza, and Zehler. Six faculty members were then chosen to be the first House Deans and were charged with designing and developing their House identity.

Creating a Culture of Pastoral Care, Leadership, and Community The Moeller House System Founding Deans, top photo, from left: Jim Champlin ’72: Trinity House; (standing) Rob Rogers: Quiroga House; Bruce Nelson: Zehler; Ed Jamieson: Pillar; (standing) Mike Moroski: Zaragoza House, and Karen Matuszek: Eveslage House.

Photo above: Current House Leadership: House Director Karen Matuszek, School Vice Captain Chris Wright ’13, School Captain Harry Wahl ’13, and School Vice Captain Dom Starvaggi ’13.

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Although much has changed throughout the course of the House System, much remains the same. The primary purpose, which is to further the mission of the school by providing greater pastoral care and leadership development to all students, while strengthening our sense of community, still holds true.

The goal of having a Dean and Mentor Teacher monitor and support the academic, social, spiritual, and behavioral growth of each student is realized daily in Mentor Group and during the M-Block portion of the weekly schedule. (See “House System Terminology” on page 17.)

The goal of strengthening the bonds of the Moeller Family among 9th-12th grade students is evident every year at Homecoming. The annual dance that traditionally was only open to juniors and seniors is now an all-school dance. Freshmen and sophomores now join the upperclassmen and cheer on their senior representatives on the Homecoming Court. (Photos page 17.)

Marianist Cup Winners 2006 Winner – Eveslage House 2007 Winner – Trinity House 2008 Winner – Eveslage House 2009 Winner – Pillar House 2010 Winner – Eveslage House 2011 Winner – Eveslage House 2012 Winner – Pillar House

The goal of providing opportunities for all seniors to be trained as leaders becomes reality every May at Camp Kern during Junior Leadership Training. Juniors look forward to their annual leadership training at Camp Kern where they compete in Moeller’s version of the “Amazing Race.” (Photos page 17.)

DEANS TODAY Eveslage House Dean Anthony Corder I have enjoyed the camaraderie and collaboration with my fellow Deans who are like my brothers and among my best friends at Moeller. We are all charged with the same task, guiding our Houses to create environments and opportunities that foster growth through positive experiences and relationships. The House Captains and I try to use Catholic Social Teaching to run the Eveslage House. We try to take care of those who need extra help or need to be included, and to build community. As a Dean, I stress servant leadership among my Captains: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). Like my own family, I don’t demand that they become the best athletes or first in their class; I just want them to learn to be good human beings, strengthening their hearts through prayer and service.

Pillar House Dean Clayton Graham Last year Pillar House won the Marianist House Cup in a close battle with Quiroga House. We made wristbands that were given out to all students to celebrate our victory. This year has not started off great, but we are still battling to make our way up to the top. The main focus for Pillar House this year is Mentor Group. The senior leaders and I are making sure that activities or discussions are taking place on B-Days.

Quiroga House Dean Mike Schaffer I am in the fourth year of being the Quiroga House Dean. In those four years, I have emphasized community in all things. This emphasis can be seen in the students who stay to watch House sports. It can be seen in our leadership in the Fall Raffle, where our students see the value in contributing to tuition assistance. It can be seen in the pride that students have in declaring themselves a member of Quiroga House.

Trinity House Dean Dan Dever Our House philosophy is to be the best you can be with your Trinity brothers – Esto Optimus. Our style is to make our journey through Moeller and life meaningful and fun. My leadership style is to make contact with the Mentor Groups as much as I can. The little known secret of success is the power of enthusiasm. I want my enthusiasm to spread throughout the whole House so that we can be successful in everything we do.

Zaragoza House Dean Alex Thompson Eight years ago Dean Mike Moroski established a mission for Zaragoza House. That mission was to instill the virtues of courage, honor, and loyalty in young men. The courage to do what is right. Honoring the Marianist heritage that set Moeller High School in motion and sustains it.

Loyalty to Moeller, Zaragoza House, and the faith that guides us. Though much has changed in eight years, these qualities remain at the forefront.

Zehler House Dean Bruce Nelson Being the “elder statesman” in the Deans’ Den, the only remaining original Dean, certainly gives me an interesting perspective. The House System, I feel, has been one of the most impactful changes that Moeller has instituted during the recent years. Its structure allows for leadership opportunities, increased pastoral care, and multi-grade interaction. As Dean of Zehler House, the motto on our crest is “Ehre deinem Bruder,” which translates to “honor your brother.” We have tried to live up to that original motto by instilling and living out the Marianist Characteristics.

By each of our Zehler boys striving to be Men of Moeller, we honor our past, present, and future brothers.

FALL/WINTER 2012 • 16

Strengthening the bonds of Family Spirit, the traditional Homecoming Dance is now open to all grade levels.

This year's dance involved more than 700 students.

House System Terminology House: Communities of approximately students in grades 9-12 who are randomly selected and who stay together throughout their years at Moeller House Dean: A faculty member who is chosen to oversee the effective development of the students within the House

Houses still compete annually for the Marianist Cup awarded to the House that has accumulated the highest number of points for positive and friendly competition throughout the school year.

Competitions are academic (i.e., the number of Honor Roll students each quarter), athletic (i.e., House football), and community-service oriented (i.e., Canned Food Drive, Penny War, and Clothing Drive). The culminating activity for the Marianist Cup competition is the annual spring event called the “Crusader Games” where students and Mentor Teachers compete against other Houses in front of the entire student body and parents.

House Director: The faculty member who is chosen to lead the development of the House Deans and House programs

An Evolving Environment

School Captain and two Vice Captains:

What has changed during the past eight years at Moeller is the environment – meaning the circumstances or conditions that surround one; the combination of external physical conditions that affect and influence the growth, development, and survival of organisms; the complex of social and cultural conditions affecting the nature of an individual or community.

The three seniors who are chosen by their peers and the faculty to lead the students during the academic year (much like “president” and vice president” roles)

House Captains: The two seniors within each House who are chosen to lead the students and their House-specific activities

Mentor Teachers: The faculty members within each House who are assigned to oversee the development of a specific Mentor Group (similar to a homeroom only more focused on the pastoral care and academic development of the students) Mentor Groups: Communities of approximately 20 students, grades 9-12, within each House M-Block: The M-Block is part of the school’s block schedule system that was implemented to accommodate time for using technology effectively as a tool. The schedule involves rotating “A” and “B” days comprised of classes that meet for an hour and half every other day. The M-Block is a one-hour, multi-purpose block of time at the end of the B-Day schedule that is used for a variety of purposes during the year (i.e., study time, mentoring, assemblies, clubs, etc.). Freshmen and sophomores are required to stay for M-Block so that their Mentor Teachers can help them develop their study skills.

Marianist Cup: Each year the six Houses compete for the Marianist Cup Award. This award is given to the House that accumulates the most points in various events and competitions that are academic, athletic, community service, leadership, and school spirit oriented. The goal of the Marianist Cup is to promote healthy competition that encourages academic success, boosts spirit, and enhances school pride.

17 • FALL/WINTER 2012

Enhanced House Identity: While students still experience class pride, they are more likely now to identify with their House. As prospective students are shown the House plaques in the main hallway, they are vocal about their hope of being placed in a certain House based on their brother or friend’s experience. Freshmen are quick to learn about the history of their House and can proudly boast about its achievements.

“I love the House System,” says Daniel Kopcha ’16. “I keep track of the competitions and know who has won the Marianist Cup in the past and who’s winning right now.”

House crests and symbols are now visible on laptops, athletic uniforms, and fleece jackets. For the first time in Moeller history, students were introduced by House at the May 2012 graduation ceremony, and they were congratulated by their Dean as they received their diplomas.

There have been many systemic changes as well.

Academic Intervention: Monthly academic intervention days take place during Mentor Groups with Mentor Teachers collaborating with the guidance counselors.

Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, each House will have

one guidance counselor strictly dedicated to the academic and emotional needs of the members of that House.

MAN OF MOELLER COURSE

Man of Moeller Classes: To assist students to progressively assume leadership roles within their Houses and receive age-appropriate training along the way, Man of Moeller classes have been designed by the Deans for both freshmen and sophomores. These classes have been instrumental in teaching students about the five Marianist Characteristics and the Stephen Covey leadership model.**

Archbishop Moeller High School is a Catholic school in the Marianist tradition. The Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, founder of the Marianist Order, had a vision for education that encompassed five principle characteristics of educating the whole person.

• Educating for faith formation; • Providing an integral, quality education; • Educating in the Family Spirit; • Educating for service, peace, and justice; and • Educating for adaptation and change.

Service & Faith Formation: Freshmen and sophomores spend one day during the first semester with their House performing community service, and sophomores will soon participate in annual retreats by House.

Characteristics of a Marianist Education

House Parliament Structure: The newly formed House Parliament is comprised of School Captains, House Captains, and House Chaplains. Students select membership in one or more committees, and they work with leadership teams from other Houses on various school events and initiatives. Seniors meet regularly with Doug Rosfeld, senior advisor, for additional leadership and team-building activities. It is quite evident that the bonds between House and class members are strong as a result of the implementation and development of the House System.

The House System began under the leadership of Bro. Ron and continued under House Director Ed Jamieson as a new tradition that would hopefully strengthen an already strong and vibrant Moeller Family. After having served as Dean of Eveslage House for the first six years of the House System, I am honored to now serve as House Director and privileged to work daily with the Deans who truly have a vision for the continual improvement of the House System and who work consistently to help students live the motto Esto Optimus – “Be the Best.”

Former Marianist Provincial Bro. Steve Glodeck says, “If I had to name the culture a Marianist milieu of Family Spirit denotes, it is a culture of home. Our educational ministries are meant to be safe homes where lessons are learned, discipline imparted, faith nurtured, and the whole person educated – in body, mind, and spirit. The House System at Moeller High School has most definitely created a home for our students, and the Family Spirit M is alive and well!” *A brief history of the House System is located on Moeller’s website under Campus Life/House System.

Before he retired from Moeller, Art Department Chair Bro. Charlie Wanda, S.M., created the glass etchings that now grace Moeller’s main hallway depicting the five Characteristics of a Marianist Education.

Bro. Wanda now resides at the University of Dayton and is a full-time artist in residence and Marianist educator.

Stephen Covey 7 Habits Leadership Model

Education in the Family Spirit

Crusader Connections

Dear Alumni & Friends,

THE DECADE CAPTAINS:

Our Alumni Association continues to grow and take shape. Back in August, we launched a slightly revised version of the Alumni Board by naming “Decade Captains” for each decade of our alumni base. We are very thankful that Nick Haverkos ’67, John Costello ’79, Rob Hornback ’88, Joe Buckley ’96, and Tony Lane ’01 Class of ’77 have all agreed to perform these critical roles for our new structure and serve on our Board. These five gentlemen are helping our individual Class Captains continue to get the word out to their classmates regarding alumni activities, and they are working to continue to drive our Annual Fund engagement at the alumni level. Our goal is to keep you fully Class of ’92 abreast of what’s going on at Moeller, keep you apprised of opportunities to get involved, and provide you with a way to reconnect with your classmates. Please feel free to contact your Decade Captain or your respective Class Captain (contact information Golf Outing available online at www.Moeller.org/Support Moeller/Alumni/ Named Scholarship Donor Dr. Tim Kremchek Class Captains) with any comments or questions spoke about the importance of giving back, the you may have. See page21 for more information. impact of Moeller on his father’s life, and the

On behalf of Mike Munafo, Phil Kreiner, Mary Fischer, and the rest of the Alumni Board, I wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude and excitement for all of the great things going on at Moeller from an alumnus perspective. Three months into my role as president of the Alumni Association, I remain humbled and honored to be serving in this role for Moeller and to be working with such a great and committed team of individuals to drive our alumni engagement to the next level. I truly believe the efforts of all of our alumni are bearing fruit.

Kyle Zimmerman ’14 poses with Moeller President Bill Hunt at the Scholarship Breakfast. “I love being asked to speak about my experiences at Moeller because they are all good. Moeller is my favorite place on earth. I don’t ever want to leave. I can’t imagine my life without Moeller. Your gift of a scholarship is what allows me to be a Man of Moeller.”

joy of watching and working with the Moeller students. The five students who are recipients of his scholarship fund gave him a standing ovation afterward.

NAMED SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST: Earlier this year, I had the good fortune to be able to attend Moeller’s Scholarship Breakfast with our student recipients and our endowed scholarship donors. Dr. Timothy Kremchek and Kyle Zimmerman ’14 both offered their thoughts on the positive impact that Moeller has had on their lives. Every student I engaged that day showed pride and recognition of the importance of their Moeller experience, and all offered thanksgiving for such an opportunity. I was blessed with the opportunity to see the young Men of Moeller reflecting on how special their experience truly is, and it was one of those moments where I felt like the Moeller I remember is alive and well, and even enhanced from my day, and I left feeling rewarded for the hard work that all of us alumni are doing to continue the Moeller legacy.

19 • FALL/WINTER 2012

REUNION WEEKEND: We were all energized by the great alumni turnout at our Reunion Weekend and our Crusader Classic Golf Outing back on October 5 & 6. More than 200 alumni participated in at least one event offered that weekend, which included 18 holes of golf, the Moe Town Tailgate before the Moeller-Elder Homecoming game, an alumni Mass, and a reunion gathering on Saturday night at the Tap House Grill, hosted by owner Dave Seeger ’88.

The Class of ’77, led by classmate Dan Leuger, organized a 35-mile bike ride on the Loveland Trail, which was so successful it may become an annual event.

Thank you to everyone for your participation in this great weekend. And thanks to our class Reunion Weekend chairs for all their hard work in putting together such a special weekend for our reunion classes.

Education in the Family Spirit

Crusader Connections REUNIONS 2013: Planning has begun for next year’s Reunion Weekend (for classes ending in ‘3 and ‘8). We are looking for individuals from each respective year to help lead their class’s reunion activities next year, so please contact Mary Fischer if you would like to be involved.

ANNUAL FUND: Before I sign off, I wanted to comment on the Annual Fund. Thank you to all who donated to this important cause as it helped us reach our goal and set another Moeller record with $1.27M raised!!! What a great year. And we increased our alumni participation rate to nearly 8.5%.

As you all know, the Annual Fund helps bridge the $2,357 gap between the cost for Moeller to educate a student and the cost of tuition, and it is a direct way to provide tuition assistance for Moeller students.

My experience at the Scholarship Breakfast only re-affirmed my commitment to participate in the Annual Fund, and I truly hope that you will all prayerfully consider doing the same. Our Annual Fund goal for this fiscal year is $1.45M, and we need your help to continue to drive our alumni participation rate further. Alumni Vice President Mike Munafo ’00 will be helping roll out our “For the Love of Moeller” Annual Fund campaign this year to alumni, and we truly appreciate your consideration to this important cause.

There is always something exciting going on at Moeller to keep all of us on the Alumni Board passionate about the opportunities at hand. We are committed to making your experience in the Alumni Association compelling and rewarding. I truly thank you all for your efforts to make the Moeller Alumni Association great, and I hope to see more and more of you at our alumni events throughout the year.

My love for Moeller all started with my father. I remember as a child my father talking about BIG MOE and how it was the best school in the nation. His dream was for my brother and me to be Men of Moeller.

My father Vince was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 29. My father was always a religious man and believed in a Catholic education. As a child I knew no better, but as I grew up I was able to see the direct impact Moeller had on my family.

On August 24, 1993, my brother Tony was about to begin his first day at Moeller. My father, now 39, was in Hospice care but was so excited to see his son go to Moeller. I still remember the excitement in the air at our house knowing this was the big day! As my brother was riding the bus to Moeller, my father passed away. My mother called the school, and Father Mike met my brother at the front doors of Moeller. He told my brother Tony that he needed to go home. This is when we were introduced to the Moeller Family.

As most kids were off to their first week of school, we were dealing with the loss of our father. Much of that week is a blur in memory, but I do remember one thing. As I entered the church for my father’s funeral, there sat the Men of Moeller. Never once had any of them met my brother Tony or my family, but there they were, all wearing ties, sitting in church.

After the Mass I remember them telling us that we are family. They helped us through the toughest point in our life; they helped us grow and learn from this life experience. Moeller has truly made me the man I am today, and I want the same for my two boys.

This is why “For the Love of Moeller” means so much to me. The Moeller Family gave me Hope, Faith, Love, and the support I needed to grow up to be the man I am today. Without Moeller I do not know how my life would be.

I am very fortunate that my mother was able to send me to Moeller, but many are not. Imagine how many future Men of Moeller will miss their opportunity to attend such a great school. Should financial hardships hinder your sons or the sons of your neighbors, co-workers, or friends from attending Moeller? You can truly make the difference in someone’s life. I ask you to give back and make someone’s dream come true like mine.

Give what you can, even if it’s 10 dollars, it will make a difference. I am challenging everyone in the Moeller Family to make a difference this year.

Thank You & God Bless,

Thank you and God Bless,

Nick Hodge ’94 Moeller Alumni Association President NHodge@Moeller.org

Mike Munafo ’00 Alumni Association Vice President Tyler Munafo, age 4, Future Man of Moeller.

FALL/WINTER 2012 • 20

Education in the Family Spirit

Crusader Connections

The 2012-13 Moeller Alumni Association Introduces Decade Captains In a continued effort to improve communication and engage more Moeller alumni, President Nick Hodge ’94, Vice President Mike Munafo ’00, and Past President Phil Kreiner ’76 have implemented a Decade Captain system along with the current Class Captain structure already in place. Decade Captains are responsible for class relations within a decade of classes (i.e., 1990-1999). They serve as a conduit of information and foster communication among the classes, chiefly through their Class Captains, and help recruit new members to get involved in the organization.

They also function as a liaison between the Class Captains and the Alumni Association and are members of the Alumni Association Board.

THE 2012-13 DECADE CAPTAINS:

The 2012 Alumni Awardees TED H. TORBECK ’74 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD: Presented to a graduate who has given outstanding service to his community and who has distinguished himself as a Moeller alumnus.

Ted Torbeck ’74 is the president and general manager of Cincinnati Bell Communications. He is responsible for all Cincinnati-based communication businesses, which include Cincinnati Bell Telephone/Wireless and Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions. Prior to joining Cincinnati Bell, Ted was the CEO of the Freedom Group, a company that generates approximately $950 million in annual revenues in firearms, ammunition, and related products.

Ted is on the board of directors for United Way of Greater Cincinnati and the USA Regional Chamber Board.

In addition, he serves on the Minority Business Accelerator Leadership Council for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and is a member of the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee. A native of Cincinnati, Ted earned his bachelor’s in marketing from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and his MBA at Xavier University.

MIKE FOLCHI ’79 BROTHER EVESLAGE AWARD:

’60s Nick Haverkos nickhaverkos@gmail.com ’70s John Costello john.costello@neacelukens.com ’80s Rob Hornback hornback.ra@pg.com ’90s Joe Buckley joseph_buckley4@yahoo.com ’00s Tony Lane TLane@barnesdennig.com If you are interested in joining our Class Captain Team, please contact your Decade Captain or the Alumni Office at (513) 791-1680, ext. 1310. We welcome your support and really need your help in supporting the Alumni Association’s initiatives and events.

GET CONNECTED: If you are currently not receiving monthly updates or have not heard from your Decade or Class Captain, please update your email with us at MFischer@Moeller.org or log on to www.Moeller.org/Alumni to update your information online.

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Presented to an individual who through years of tireless effort has made significant contributions to the growth of Moeller.

Mike Folchi ’79 is the owner of Folchi’s Fine Men’s Apparel & Formal Wear stores in Kenwood, West Chester, and Anderson. His businesses have been providing formal wear for the gentlemen of the Greater Cincinnati area, especially the Men of Moeller, since 1973. “Mike has been a loyal supporter of Moeller for many years, donating items for our Fashion Shows, Main Event Charity Auctions, and more,” says Advancement Director Debbie Geiger.

“He also employs dozens of Moeller students.”

Special Recognition to the Alumni of the Class of 2012 Brian Markgraf ’12 (middle) Man of Moeller Award (University of Dayton)

Michael Riney ’12 (far left) Gold Shield Awardee (University of Kentucky)

Scott Nugent ’12 (far right) Fr. Chaminade Service Awardee (Boston University)

The Class of 2013 Moeller Athletic Hall of Fame The Moeller Athletic Department has announced the Class of 2013 for induction into the Moeller Athletic Hall of Fame. The luncheon and induction ceremony is scheduled for Friday, January 25, 2013, at Cooper Creek at the Blue Ash Golf Course.

Online registration begins on December 15, 2012.

For more information, contact Ginny Bauer at (513) 791-1680, ext. 1300 or go online to Moeller.org.

Patrick Watt – Class of 2005 Pat Watt saw action in three varsity seasons in football and basketball.

In football, Pat ended his career as the leading receiver in receptions (62) for a single season and with the most touchdowns (11) in 2004. For his total career, he finished second in receptions and fifth in scoring. During his senior year, Pat was awarded All-GCL, All-City, and All-State honors. In basketball, Pat was a member of the 2003 State Championship Basketball Team and was awarded All-GCL status his senior year.

Nick Lukens – Class of 2001 Nick Lukens finished a great wrestling career at Moeller by winning the 2001 State Championship for the 171 lb. weight classification. During his time as a Moeller wrestler, Nick was a GCL Champion in 2000 & 2001, Sectional Champion in 2000 & 2001, and a State Qualifier in 2000 & 2001. Nick finished with a winning percentage of 82%. In football, Nick was a two-year starter at linebacker and was selected to the GCL All-Star Team his senior year.

Drew Walter – Class of 1999 Drew won the State Pole Vault Championship as a senior with a vault of 15’6”, which to this day is the Moeller record in the event. During his junior and senior years, Drew was the GCL, District, and Regional Champion. Drew was a three-time State Qualifier and was named First Team All-Ohio and All-American his senior year.

ALUMNI CALENDAR December 2012 Basketball Alumni Night Saturday, December 22, 2012 Moeller vs. Middletown, 7:30 PM See www.Moeller.org (under Athletics or Support Moeller/Alumni) for more information or contact the Alumni Office at (513) 791-1680, ext. 1310.

Follow Moeller basketball as they play in the Gulfshore Invitational December 27 – 31 in Naples, Florida.

The 2012 Shootout will be held at Golden Gate's 2,000-seat gymnasium and includes 20 teams representing 15 states, as well as a pair of international programs. There will be a full 16-team bracket as well as a four-team sub-bracket.

(If you will be in the area, let us know, we would love to meet up or host an alumni event.)

January 2013 Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon Friday, January 25, 2013 Cooper Creek at the Blue Ash Golf Course

February 2013 Annual Alumni Association Sports Stag: TBA For up-to-date information, see Moeller website. Register early as this is sure to be a sell-out again this year.

Sunday, February 24, 2013 Father/Son Mass & Breakfast 9 AM Moeller Auditorium and Cafeteria

April 2013 Saturday, April 20, 2013 Main Event 2013: “An Evening in Tuscany” Savannah Center in West Chester, OH Proceeds benefit the Moeller Tuition Assistance Program. See the Moeller website, www.Moeller.org (Support Moeller), for online registration. For more information, contact Main Event Coordinator Louise Hoelker at (513) 791-1680, ext. 1304, or email her at LHoelker@Moeller.org.

May 2013 Watch for details this spring for Moeller Day at the Cincinnati Reds.

The Alumni Board Association will have bi-monthly meetings and socials in December, February, and April. Stay tuned for location and times.

All are welcome. Bring a classmate and get reacquainted with what is going on at Moeller.

For the most up-to-date information: www.Moeller.org.

Education in the Family Spirit

Crusader Connection The Tale of Four Brothers, Four Kidneys, and Two Lives Saved

Bob found out that his functioning capacity had hit the alarm stage in December of 2011. Although he knew it was coming, it still hit him as a bit of a surprise. “It came quicker than I had thought,” says Niehaus. “My wife knew as well as my brother Tom ’70, but we wanted to get through the holidays before we talked with the rest of the family.”

By Mary Fischer, Alumni Relations Director

The Match

The Prognosis

And so the donor matching began. For both Greg and Bob, four potential donors were identified, and rigorous amounts of testing began to determine the best match for them.

When Greg Hopkins ’74 found out that he had kidney disease at the age of 17, he in no way thought he would be sitting next to his brother, Dan ’85, in the Moeller Board Room, telling his kidney transplant story.

“I was trying to get into the Navy with a fellow Moeller graduate when during a routine exam they found the problem,” says Greg. “They told me I had IgA nephropathy, an autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys. It could remain dormant, progress very slowly or progress at a quickened pace so it would be a wait and watch with yearly monitoring.”

Bob Niehaus ’65 found himself in that same Board Room, ironically, telling a very similar story. He found out that he had IgA nephropathy about eight years ago. He, too, was told that he would have to be monitored closely for progress of the disease, but at that point it could be managed with good diet, exercise, and overall good health. In no way did Bob realize that a fellow Moeller alumnus would be on a similar course and timetable for a kidney transplant.

The Decline Fast forward to late 2011 when both gentlemen learned that their kidney functions had deteriorated to a 15% functioning rate, the threshold for decisions regarding dialysis or transplant.

For Greg, it has been a three-year spiral, and it began to get serious. “On the outside, I looked perfectly fine,” says Hopkins.

“But in the inside, I was getting pretty sick.

My kidneys were not filtering properly, so I was dealing with lots of toxins and began prescription medication.”

So the conversation began that the ideal solution was going to be a kidney transplant, and all research showed that a sibling would be the best match.

Greg, who is one of 11 siblings, needed to find a donor. “I didn’t want it to be a sibling,” says Hopkins. “It would be easier if it was a stranger. Blind trust is easier psychologically, but the closer the match, the less the chance for rejection and the less use of drugs needed by the recipient.

That is important.”

23 • FALL/WINTER 2012

For Greg, it meant testing four of his siblings. Four had automatically been eliminated. Four remained. For Bob, it included his brother Tom and three of his children.

When the results were returned, it was clear that the best matches for Bob would be his brother Tom, and for Greg, it was his brother Dan. “When the donor transplant team takes over,” says Tom, “they ask you over and over again if you are willing to be a transplant donor. They don’t want you giving under duress.” The news came as a phone call, and Tom simply said yes.

For Dan, his emotions were mixed. He received his phone call as he was leaving the Verizon phone store with his new phone. When he was told that he had been selected as Greg’s best match, he knew he was going to say yes, but he admitted that he was scared. He had four children, a business to handle, and he couldn’t die now.

What happened next was about a five-month wait filled with extensive testing for both donors and a strict preparation period for Bob and Greg. Tom had to lose a little weight, but Dan was put through a very stressful period with some hidden medical findings coming to light. In the end, both were willing and ready to truly give the gift of life to their brothers.

The Support When asked about their spouses, all brothers responded the same: There was 100% support from their spouses. As they explained, this is a family decision. Although there was bound to be some apprehension and questions, there remains a presence of faith and love that each family has for one another.

“It wasn’t just Dan donating his kidney,” says Greg. “It affects the whole family. Dan’s wife Nancy was just as much part of the process as he was, and I am grateful for her support. My wife Peggy was a wonderful personal-care advocate. They were both there for us the whole time.”

The Niehaus brothers were no different. For them, there was complete support from the whole family. “My son Brian was very disappointed he could not be the donor,” says Bob. “There was a sense of wanting to be the one to help out and not being left out when it comes to this kind of thing.”

The Surgery The threads of similarity between the two stories continued as the surgery date neared. One of them is golf. Brothers Bob and Tom played a Greg and brother Dan, a picture of good full round of 18 the day before the health after many months of preparation transplant, and Bob won the game for the gift of life. that day with no discussion of the upcoming transplant. Greg won his game with his brother Dan as well.

(Dan now likes to say that he lost his kidney in a golf match.)

Both transplants occurred at Christ Hospital. Both transplants were staged the same way. The donor was wheeled into surgery 30 minutes prior to the transplant recipients’ surgery. The waiting rooms were filled with close family and friends. Both families were optimistic yet guarded about the outcome.

Greg received his new kidney in May 2012; Bob received his two months later.

The Epilogue Bob and Tom have fully recovered with just follow-up appointments scheduled for Bob as his doctors continue to monitor his kidney function and numbers. (Bob says it’s because he inherited his brother’s sweet tooth since the surgery.)

Greg’s post-surgery experience was a little more difficult. Approximately 10 days after the transplant he suffered a severe set back from an allergic reaction to the blood thinner he was given. Although it was “touch and go” regarding the kidney for a while, he now has fully recovered.

The Gift On separate meetings at Moeller, each brother and alumnus shared their story around the Board Room table. And it was a story of family. “I have a new appreciation of what family really is about,” said Greg. “It is humbling to know how much people really love you, how much we really love each other.”

Dan remembers going to Mass when he learned he was the best match.

“I went to communion and felt completely washed with the Holy Spirit.

I felt a complete sense of peace. I knew it was going to be okay.”

For Bob and Tom as well, there was a huge sense of gratefulness.

Bob is grateful for the gift of life from his new kidney. Tom is grateful he could give. Both were a little surprised and certainly comforted by the amount of prayer that was offered for the both of them. “It makes a difference,” said Bob. Both agreed that in part Moeller instilled in them that sense of family. Through Marianist teachings, they learned to stay close to God. They learned to pray.

They learned to give selflessly. For them it was just “business as usual” to do what they did. Just an example of what it means to be “Men of Moeller.”

For more information on donor transplants, you can see Bob and Tom’s story on Fox 19 at the link: www.fox19.com/.../gift-oflife-even-strangers-are-donatingkidneys?

Bob Niehaus ’65 served as the president of the Moeller Board of Trustees for six years. He continues to serve on the board and in many other ways. He is the chair of the Annual Fund Committee, an Alumni Association Class Captain, and an Admissions Committee member. In addition, Bob was awarded one of Moeller’s highest honors, the Founder’s Award.

Greg Hopkins ’74 recently opened up a Named Scholarship at Moeller to honor his brother Dan (and his wife) for his selfless gift of life and to give more students the financial assistance they need to become Men of Moeller.

Tom Niehaus ’70 listens intently to his brother Bob as he describes his Journey to good health.

Charles R. Blanford (affectionately known as “Mr. B”) is a former Moeller Latin and Spanish teacher (1962-1975). He is pictured right with Terry Herweh ’65 in front of an antique shop in Sturgis, KY, a few miles from Blanford’s home in Henderson, KY. Mr. B. is 79.

Steele, Tom ’77 is the owner of Steele Realtors and a past president of the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors, as well as a recipient of the CABR REALTOR of the Year award. But he is best known as an Emmy Award-winning musician.

“Influenced by music artists Billy Joel, James Taylor, and John Denver, Tom’s music has contrasts of opposing genres of jazz, blues, swing, and country,” says one recent article. In November 2012, Tom produced a show at the Redmoor in Mt. Lookout called “Young & Forever with Tom Steele,” which included comics Michael Flannery and Dan Donnellon, the music from High Street A Cappella, and harmonies from his three sons. (See more below.)

Tom writes, “As you may or may not know, I recorded two albums of original music a few years ago. They were actually fairly popular and got great reviews in the local market. At the same time, behind the scenes, I was one of those voices you constantly heard on the radio and TV singing (hundreds) and eventually writing and arranging scores of jingles. My solo career in the late ‘70s-‘80s at places like the Blind Lemon and McLevy’s (among many other clubs) was followed by joining the TOAST and SLICE guys. Recently, I was invited back into the studio to write theme songs for several new documentaries.

Those efforts earned me three nominations and two Emmys for Composition and Arranging.”

Emmy Award-Winning Musician Tom Steele (Moeller Class of ’77 ) Produces Show at Redmoor in Mt. Lookout

Melink, Steve ’76, Hueber, John ’71, and Neyer, Dan ’77 were featured in the Best Magazine, Cincinnati’s “Green Issue.” Best presents Cincinnati’s most interesting people telling their stories from inside their homes. Founded in 2005 by Doug and Marianne Sandhage, Best has now published 23 issues. In issue 23, three of the five people picked to profile were Moeller alumni. They were deliberately chosen because they not only live a green lifestyle, but they own, manage, or work for a company that provides green services or products. Steve ’76 is the owner of Melink Corporation, a net-zero energy building in Milford and lives green in Indian Hill. John ’71 is the owner of John Hueber Homes, Ohio’s #1 builder of LEED certified custom-built homes and lives green in Loveland. And Dan ’77 is the owner of Neyer Properties, builder of LEED certified commercial buildings and lives in Newport, KY. (See a portion of the article on pp. XX, “Green Titans: Living, Breathing, and Working Green” by Best Magazine publisher Doug Sandhage.)

25 • FALL/WINTER 2012

Lifelong Cincinnati native Tom Steele is a singer/songwriter, as well as Emmy Award-winning film composer, writer, arranger, and the voice behind hundreds of local commercials in Cincinnati (i.e., jingles from Goldstar, Furniture Fair, and Dreamland Waterbeds).

Tom’s recent concert, named “Young Forever,” featured musical works of his career and music from his new compilation CD of his albums Everyday Ballad Singer and Climbin’. The evening featured his original tunes, along with favorite singles from Jim Croce, James Taylor, Billy Joel, and others. He was joined on stage with several other musical artists, including Chris Shenton, Michele Wells, and his three sons.

Tom donated a portion of his ticket sales to the Animal Friends Humane Society. (See www.YoungForeverShow.com for more information.)

SOURCE: http://www.examiner.com/article/tom-steele-singer-songwriter-at-redmoor-mt-lookout

Two Alumni Make UC’s All-Time All-Star Team!

To mark the 125th year of football at the University of Cincinnati, Enquirer reporter Bill Koch put together an all-time UC All-Star team (October 4, 2012). He selected two Moeller alumni, Karl Woods ’77 (#45) and Doug Rosfeld ’97 (at UC from 1997-00).

Woods was selected as Second Team Defense. During his time at UC, he was a career leader in tackles (502).

Rosfeld was selected as Second Team Offense. While at UC, he was named the John Pease awardee as the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 1999 and 2000; First Team All-Conference USA in 1999; and Second Team Offense in 2000. Rosfeld is currently teaching at Moeller and coaching varsity football.

Weibel, Paul ’82 is a finance and insurance manager at Powder Keg Harley Davidson in Mason, OH. Meador, Denny ’90 was appointed deputy chief of the Deer Park-Silverton Joint Fire District in April 2011.

He has been employed with the Fire District since 1999, becoming a full-time member of the fire department in 2007.

Meador began his career as a volunteer with the City of Silverton Fire Department in 1997. He is working toward his associate of applied science

Davis, Nathan ’01 is the director of veterans affairs at Xavier University. He spoke at the 2012 Democratic Convention about his perspective on the American Dream: “Iraq was the first time I had a world view… When I went to Iraq…

degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University.

A life-long Cincinnati-area resident, he and his wife, Kellie, reside in Amberley Village.

Hermes, Ryan ’01 married Amanda Heareth on June 8, 2012.

Bell, Drew ’95 married his partner of three years, Curtis Thompson, in Reykjavik, Iceland, on September 7, 2011.

Antenucci, Brian ’99 recently returned to Cincinnati from Chicago to join the private investment firm Bartlett & Co after 10 years of experience serving private clients, foundations, and endowments in Chicago.

While a student, Antenucci played an active role at Moeller – captain of the ski team, member of the lacrosse team, and participant in pastoral work – and he continues his involvement today through his fundraising efforts. bantenucci@bartlett1898.com

Finegan, Sean ’08 is currently a student-athlete at the University of Delaware where he is a member of the Men’s Lacrosse Team.

After being red-shirted his freshman year, as a sophomore he was 4th attackman on the CAA Conference Championship Team (the team lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to North Carolina by a goal 13-14). During his junior year he started every game throughout the season as the team won the CAA Championship for the second consecutive year. He scored two goals and one assist against Duke on national television (ESPN) in the first round of the NCAA tournament, was third on the team in points with 29 (21 goals, 8 assists), and

I thought these were just a bunch of crazy people running around and blowing things up.

When I got there, I realized they were people who liked the things I liked, felt pain the way I felt pain, and just wanted to be happy and free.”

Thompson, Mark ’05 writes, “I was forwarded a copy of the news release regarding Moeller’s recently awarded Siemens PLM grant. This is really exciting! As a mechanical engineer with the Product Definition Engineering Group at GE Aviation, I use NX every day. Prior to GE I worked for an automotive manufacturing company utilizing NX for machine tool design. Exposure to 3D modeling software is a great way to generate excitement about engineering and technology.” markalan.thompson@ge.com

led the team with the highest shooting percentage. As a senior he began the year strong with eight points in the first two games, scored a goal, and had an assist on national television (ESPN) against Johns Hopkins, but an ankle injury slowed down his progress for the rest of the season. He is now in his fifth year of eligibility.

FALL/WINTER 2012 • 26

Family Spirit

Alumni Notes

Becker, Frank ’07 married Katie Driscoll on October 6, 2012.

Sue Franz writes, “Here's a picture of Craig, his older brother Michael '07), my husband, and me in St. Peter's Square after the Papal audience. Brother Ron was kind enough to get us tickets, and we met up with the group – an unforgettable family experience!”

Hauck, Kyle ’07 married Marylee Helton on September 15, 2012. His wedding included fellow Moeller classmates Trevor Stein ’07 (best man) and Thomas Schmidt ’07 (groomsman). The ceremony celebrant was Moeller Teacher Jason Schlotman.

Kyle’s sister, Katie, and husband (Tim Anderson) welcomed son Joseph Anderson on July 19, 2012. Joseph is also the grandson of Athletic Department Administrative Assistant Kim Hauck.

Matt Rooks ’98 Inducted into Bethel University Hall of Fame Alumnus Matt Rooks is a 2002 Bethel University graduate with a degree in business administration. During his college career he scored 2,183 points and is third all-time on the scoring list in men's basketball. He ranks eighth in field goals made, 19th in rebounding, fifth in all-time steals, and 12th in all-time assists. Matt is still Bethel’s all-time leader in free throws made with 491 and third in three-pointers made with 214. He was a KIAC First Team selection both his junior and senior seasons and an Honorable Mention All-American both of those seasons. Matt was a key member of the only Bethel Men’s Basketball Team to advance to the NAIA Division II National Tournament with the Cats going to Branson, Missouri, in 2002. After his playing career at Bethel he served as a student assistant for one semester. He then returned to Longtime Bethel PA Announcer his hometown of Cincinnati and became an Kerry McElhinney said, “In my assistant basketball coach at Moeller. Recently he 16 years as public address accepted the head coaching position for boys’ basketball at Wyoming High School. Bethel announcer, there have been Head Coach Jeff Britt said, “An outstanding very few players in Matt’s class. teacher, husband, and father, Matt is a credit to He was a great player on the his profession and Bethel University. He was a great player for us, but even more so he is simply court and great person off the a great individual. His numbers speak for court. I am so pleased for him themselves, but his heart and passion is even and his family for this honor is more profound.”

well deserved.”

27 • FALL/WINTER 2012

Matt and his wife, Michelle, and son, Drew, live in Cincinnati.

Source: http://www.bethelathletics.com/article/2710.php

Fischer, Nick ’08 has begun his senior year this fall at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and was recently selected to be one of only two Basic Cadet Training Squadron Commanders for the summer. “Things were touch and go for a while this past summer with all of the wildfires in the Colorado Springs area,” reports his father, Tim. “They could see the fires from the cadet area, and the Academy evacuated all the non-essential personnel.

Nick said he had to draft up a contingency plan for evacuating his entire squadron if the need arrived. Luckily, the winds eventually died down, and they got some much-needed rain that helped contain the fires.”

Korn, Brian '08 graduated cum laude from Thomas More College with a bachelor of arts in business administration. He is currently working for Consolidated Graphics at Hennegan Company of Florence, KY, in their three-year Leadership Development Program.

He lives in Florence, KY. Troy Stehlin ’08 is employed with Deep Dish Lacrosse based out of Chicago, IL. “We are a program that focuses on the development of the game of lacrosse and its players,” he writes.

“We take small, selective groups of players from the surrounding communities and try to replicate as close as possible the collegerecruiting process to better prepare our boys and girls teams. We travel summer, fall, and winter with the same group of players. As a relatively new program in an area ripe for the development of the sport, we have seen a great deal of success already and are already organizing for the fall and winter of next year.

We will be offering a spring break tournament to teams this spring as well. As always, Go Moe and God Bless!”

Danny O’Keefe ’02 Brutally Stabbed While Saving Sister from Violent Attack LETTER FROM Kevin Buckley ’02 Dear Alumni & Friends, A best friend and fellow classmate of myself and Eric Eble, Danny O’Keefe ’02, was brutally attacked on May 6, 2011.

Both Danny and his sister Kelly sustained brain-damaging injuries, though his injuries were far worse. Danny heroically intervened to save his sister's life. Kelly’s recovery has been incredible, as she is back working as a Butler County assistant prosecutor.

However, Danny’s road to recovery has been much longer.

His situation is somewhat similar to that of Senator Gabrielle Giffords, as he suffers from a type of aphasia.

Essentially, Danny can understand language but has had to relearn how to speak. Because of the extensive damage on the left side of his head, his motor functions on the right side of his body have been severely affected, and he has also had to relearn how to walk.

The good news is that his parents, Jim and Kathy, are hoping to send Danny to a “boot camp” at the University of Michigan which specializes in this sort of rehabilitation. Danny's father Jim was featured on Scott Sloan's 700 WLW show (LINK: http://www.700wlw.com/player/? station=WLW-AM&program_name=podcast&program_ id=scott_sloan.xml&mid=22235408). I have tried to summarize this story, but the truth is much more harrowing and frightening. To paraphrase Jim, “This is the sort of thing that you'd never expect to happen to your own family. But it can and it did.”

If any of the Moeller Family can offer their support, donations can be made at any Fifth Third Bank to the O'Keefe Family Assistance Fund. Every little bit helps, and there is no donation too small.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kevin Buckley ’02 FOR UPDATES ON DANNY’S AMAZING PROGRESS: www.helptheokeefes.blogspot.com Follow-up Note: In October as part of “Make a Difference Day,” Suzy DeYoung, current Moeller parent (mother of Christoph ’15 and Luc ’16) and the owner/chef of La Petite in Madeira made and sold potato, minestrone, and chicken noodle soup for $10 quart to benefit Danny O’Keefe and his family. If you would also like to “make a difference” for Danny, please go to the www.helpthe okeefes.blogspot.com.

Suter, Brent ’08 was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 31st round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA).

Suter maintained a 3.43 GPA in environmental science and public policy and was one of Harvard’s five honorees on the Ivy League Spring All-Academic Team. In August Suter was promoted to the Single A Farm Team of the Milwaukee Brewers. Suter helped the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers win their first Midwest League Championship in September by closing two games, including the final win.

Hoffmann, Nathan ’09 is a Lance Corporal with the 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, Combat Engineer Company, 2nd Platoon. He is presently stationed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Nate’s family asks that the Moeller Family keep him in their prayers as he serves his country.

Brennan, Kevin ’10 and his sisters, Meagan ’04 (MND) and Maureen ’06 (MND), have made it a family affair by working at the Cintas Corporation. Meagan was hired first in June of 2008, followed

by Maureen. Kevin was accepted as an intern in their scholarship program. He is finishing up his degree at Capital University in Columbus.

Fiessinger, Charlie ’11 (#17 pictured above) is the newest Moeller alumni to join the Notre Dame Football Team.

He “walked on” to the team in the spring of 2012.

Class of 2012 grads Nick Buehler and Robby Thompson at “The Grove” at Ole Miss.

In Memoriam We express our condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these and other members of the Moeller Family who have passed on: Albrinck, Florence Apking, Albert Arbino, Anthony ’67 Augenstein, Carole Beckenhaupt, Thelma Chapman, Wes Dunlap, Vivian Elmlinger, Jeffrey ’73 Farrell, Michael Fitzpatric, Michael ’69 Gertz, Michael R. Gerwel, Richard Grinstead, John ’76 Gross, David Ian Hamm, Marion Higgins, Brian ’83 Hollmeyer, Laura Jaeger, Christopher

Kerkhoff, Marjorie McCarty, Jay McCormick, David McEwan, Ruth McNaul, Margaret McPhillips, Maureen Morand, Agnes Otten, Janice Pierce, Ian Repasy, Mary Beth Ripperger, Mary Rosselot, James ’73 Simpson, Michael ’67 Singh, Kelly Steinberg, Madelyn Zerges, Ron Zilch, Delores

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE

PAID CINCINNATI, OHIO Permit No. 9931 9001 Montgomery Road Cincinnati, OH 45242-7780 Return Service Requested Just in time for Christmas, you can get the 50-year history of Moeller athletics as viewed through Dick Beerman, Moeller’s archivist and former Athletic Director. He recently published We Are the ‘Big Moe’: A Year-by-year, Sport-by-Sport History of One of the Greatest High School Athletic Programs in the Nation, Covering the First 50 Seasons. The book is available online (www.WeAreTheBigMoe.com) and costs $39.95, plus shipping/handling. Thanks to Dick’s generosity, all proceeds support Moeller’s Tuition Assistance Program.

A publication for alumni, family, and friends of Archbishop Moeller High School

The December 2, 2012, headline of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Sports section read, “Crusade Completed: Eighth State Championship Rekindles Memories of Glory Days.”

The night before the Moeller Crusaders defeated the Toledo Whitmer Panthers for the Division I State Championship, 20-12.

It was the Crusader’s 12th state final game and their first state title since 1985. Moeller began earning its national reputation in the mid-1970s when the Crusaders won state championships in 1975, ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’82, and ’85.

Read more on Moeller's website: www.Moeller.org (select “Athletics”) or LetsGoBigMoe.com.

CRUSADE COMPLETED 8th State Championship Rekindles Memories of Glory Days