THE
Raider
A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI, STUDENTS, PARENTS & FRIENDS OF REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
SAFE & SOUND R e g i s J e s u i t ’s c o m p re h e n s i v e a p p ro a c h t o campus safety
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE • A B O U T O U R N E X T P R E S I D E N T:
D AV I D C A R D ' 8 7 • THE ALUMNI WHO PROTECT US • 2015-16 YEAR IN REVIEW
SUMMER 2016
SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE COVER
Three members of the Regis Jesuit campus security team
INTERIM PRESIDENT/VP OF OPERATIONS Rick Sullivan
SCHOOL NEWS
INCOMING PRESIDENT David Card '87
Message from the Interim President 3 Meet Our New President: David Card '87 4 My Brother’s Keeper 5 Safe Haven: Campus Safety and Security 6 2015-16 Year in Review 8 Athletics and Activities Wrap Up 10
THE ALUMNI RAIDER
Heroes Among Us: Alumni who Serve and Protect 13 Class Notes 17 Where Are They Now: Rod Card '61 20
COMMUNITY NEWS
Faculty Notes 21 Celebrating Campbell Campus 25 22 Central LARK Event Report 25 Raider Journeys 26 In Memoriam 27 Upcoming Events Back Cover
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Rhonda Morroni VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT John Jackson DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Charisse J. Broderick King CONTRIBUTORS Bianca Abbott '19 Helen Bingham Patrick Britti '17 Lucia Carruthers Adam Dawkins '98 Sara Dougherty Maxine Fuselier '19 Katie Haley Traci Holinger John Jackson Paul Miller '04 Courtney Oakes, The Aurora Sentinel Bethany Paul Matthew Pawlowski '18 RJ Media Program Erika Rasmussen '16 Amanda Shepherd Colin St. John '01 Mary Zimmerman
PRINTING: Unique Litho, Inc
Regis Jesuit High School, a Catholic educational community, affirms the uniqueness and dignity of individuals, inspires the pursuit of excellence, fosters faith and a commitment to service and justice, and strives to develop a connection to the world community.
“ The RJ community has been very kind and generous to me over the course of the school year. Serving the students, employees, parents and alumni as the Interim President has been an honor and positive experience.”
PRINCIPALS: Alan Carruthers – Boys Division Gretchen M. Kessler – Girls Division
DESIGN: ChopBlock Collective, Inc.
Mission Statement
MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT
Printed on environmentally-friendly paper using sustainable production methods.
The Raider and Alumni Raider are published by Regis Jesuit High School twice a year [summer and winter]. Your comments, opinions, inquiries about the magazine, Regis Jesuit High School, its programs or community members including alumni are welcome to communications@regisjesuit.com. Story ideas and submissions are welcome as well. Regis Jesuit High School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Final 02.28.10
T
he books are closed on the 2015-16 school year, which again had many highlights including:
• Three State championship team titles, several individual State titles and multiple teams that played well into the post-season • The Mock Trial A Team taking the second place trophy at the State competition • Two successful theatre productions and the second collaboration with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance for The Radiance Renewed • Three students who made All-State Choir and 20 who participated in the Continental League Music Festival • The Speech & Debate program was selected as a Top 100 Chapter for the seventh year in a row • Nine Kairos Retreats took place—the girls are up to K44 and the boys are at K109 • The fourth annual Day for Others allcommunity day of service sent nearly 900 people out across the metro area to help those in need • The 410 members of the class of 2016 were awarded nearly $43 million in scholarships; they will matriculate to more than 130 colleges and universities On August 1, my tenure as Interim President will conclude and David Card '87 will begin as President. He will be an excellent leader who listens, learns, understands and has high expectations for achieving our Jesuit mission. Dave is an alumnus from the Class of 1987 and worked at Regis
Jesuit as the Director of Advancement during the Tradition Touching Tomorrow capital campaign. He and his wife, Janalee, are parents of three wonderful girls, the eldest of which is in the class of 2020. A major focus of this issue of The Raider is campus safety and security. Early in my career as a teacher, I never imagined that campus safety would be a significant priority for all school employees and students. For the last ten years, Regis Jesuit has been evaluating and implementing best practices to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. Some of the major additions include almost 100 cameras, five security personnel, reverse communication software, federally-approved incident training for all employees, first aid training for all coaches and many other employees, visitor check-in protocols, entry vestibule for the Girls Division Tradition Hall, expanded drills, off-site reunification sites, threat assessment team and a detailed safety manual. Leaders in school safety from the metro area have also generously given of their time to train our employees. I hope this issue helps you understand how important safety is to the school and that we will not stop implementing ideas that help secure our campus. The RJ community has been very kind and generous to me over the course of the school year. Serving the students, employees, parents and alumni as the Interim President has been an honor and positive experience. I look forward
to resuming my previous role as Vice President of Operations in August. Below are some of the lessons I have learned over the years that were reinforced during my work with the RJ community this year: • The ability to listen and understand the ideas and concerns of our stakeholders is critical. • There are many ways to accomplish our goals and being open to new paths is important. • Honesty and transparency are good practices and should not be feared. • When multiple approaches exist regarding change or new ideas, having a caring, respectful and healthy dialog and exchange is essential. • No issue or topic should be “off the table” or discussion discouraged. • The core principles and philosophy of the Jesuits are proven and effective. • Living our faith through service with and for others is the foundation of all we do. I wish you a restful and fun summer and hope you will stay connected to Regis Jesuit and the friends you have from our community. Peace,
Rick Sullivan Interim President
SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Regis Jesuit’s New President: David Card '87 BY ERIKA RASMUSSEN '16, RJ MEDIA
R
egis Jesuit was in need of a new President. But not just any President. One who understands the Jesuit mission, knows the inner workings of the institution and holds hopes for the future of the school community. After months of search, Regis Jesuit has found their guy. His name is David Card, and he is thrilled. Card has in fact had a long relationship with Regis Jesuit. His father Rod '61 taught health, P.E. and science here for 42 years, and served as head coach for the track and field team. So Card spent a lot of time on campus as a boy, and later attended RJ and graduated in 1987. He returned as Development Director from 1999 to 2003, and now, after 13 years as President of Escuela de Guadalupe, a dual-language K-5 school in Denver, Card is returning to serve as President of Regis Jesuit in August. “I really grew up with Regis Jesuit,” he said. “So for me to be coming back now, I just feel like it’s something that I bring unique perspective to.” The history Card has with the school has created an evident love for it, and he has high hopes for his presidency.
“I would say that I am fed by Ignatian spirituality, so to be back in an institution where it is so alive, and where I get to be part of passing that along to students, I think that’s probably what excites me the most.” Card hopes that in his role as President he can address this issue head on. There is no doubt that he will lead Regis Jesuit to reach great heights with his experience and dedication to the community. “This is something that I’ve wondered about for a long time, if this is a role that I might be able to serve, and so to now have the opportunity, I couldn’t be more excited,” said Card.
“I'm currently a member of the Board of Trustees, and last June we adopted a new strategic plan that outlines a number of goals, and certainly those will become my goals,” Card said of his future plans. “I think we will continue to focus on excellence in programming for our students. We can make sure our science and STEM programming is excellent.”
“An issue that I think faces Catholic education across the country is accessibility. We really want to be able to offer a Regis Jesuit education to anyone who is a qualified student,” he said. “The cost of education today, there’s a tension there. And we have to figure out how we are going to make sure that Regis Jesuit can be accessible to every family.”
BY BIANCA ABBOTT '19, MAXINE FUSELIER '19 AND MATTHEW PAWLOWSKI '18, RJ MEDIA
“There was nothing we could've done...” Close your eyes, and imagine this: It’s a typical Saturday night and you’re chilling out, just watching TV. You’re home alone with your little brother and his friend, who are playing in another room. Suddenly, you feel an incredible warmth coming up from the floor, and a faint smoky smell creeps into the room. The haze covering the TV screen snaps you out of your daze and you jump up to look out of your window. What you see is terrifying. Flames are climbing the side of your house from the mouth of the garage. You grab your brother, his friend, as many pets as you can hold and bolt. Before you know it your childhood home, the place you’ve lived your whole life, has been swallowed by flames. As you watch your possessions subdued to ashes, you wish that there was something you could have done.
Freddie the Hero This was a very real story for Freddie Ingham '19 and his family. On the night of November 21, 2015, a lithium battery inside his younger brother Charlie’s toy truck caught fire. By the time Freddie realized the fire had started, it was already too late. “I smelled smoke and got up to look around the upstairs floor. When I went back into my room, I felt warmth underneath my feet,” Freddie said. “I looked outside and there was a giant flame that just came right up through my window.”
Upon hearing the news, Freddie’s mother rushed back from her vacation to console her family and attempt to start picking up the pieces of their suddenly shattered life. “Looking back,” Freddie says, “I couldn’t have stopped the fire anyway because we really didn’t have anything to stop it with. It was too big.” While he admits the accident comes with a lot of guilt, his family and friends continue to call him a hero.
Rebuilding the Future The Family Card: Dave with his wife Janalee and their daughters (L-R) Mae, Allie and Delaney '20
Freddie Ingham '19 (with a shaved head for swimming finals) saved his brother, brother’s friend and four out of the six family pets in a devastating house fire.
Freddie Ingham’s '19 quick reaction to a fire in his family’s home saved lives
Within minutes the garage was engulfed in flames. Freddie took action and got the two younger boys, two dogs and a cat to safety. The boys’ father, Fred Ingham ‘86 was out at an RJ boys swimming function at the time of the event, and their mom, Ann Ingham, was away in the mountains. When Fred arrived at the scene he went into shock. “He was in tears, he seemed really mad, not so much sad,” Freddie said.
Along with further focus on programming, Card wants to make RJ more accessible to deserving students.
This story originally was published in the April issue of Elevate, the RJ student news magazine.
His Brother’s Keeper
The week following the event, Thanksgiving weekend, was very hard. “We were all kind of in a shock,” says Freddie. Loss
of sleep and paranoia continued to plague the family weeks later. Getting back into school was difficult for both Freddie and his brother. “I couldn’t sit in a place that was silent because my mind would start thinking about the worst things that could happen,” Freddie said. Charlie also admits that he was paranoid at first. “I would get up and look out the window to make sure that everything was okay,” he said. While their old home is being rebuilt, the family is living in a rental house, which they say they are very fortunate to have found. But it isn’t the same, and the process of rebuilding has become, according to Freddie, “more stress than anything.” The family has struggled with insurance, claiming and recording lost items, repurchasing those items and dealing with rebuilding. But through the struggle has also come support. Friends and relationships at Regis Jesuit have helped tremendously. “It’s just been awesome,” Freddie says, “Everyone’s been there for me.” People he does not even know well are reaching out to him and his family. “I think what helped me the most was that people didn’t want to see me as the kid whose house burned down. They saw me as who I was before the fire,” he said. While the rental house gives them some peace of mind for now, Mr. Ingham says, “You don’t just replace a home. We lived in that home for 14 years.” They can’t just replace the past and it’s very difficult to leave it behind, but the family has found solace in perspective. “We thought more about the memories instead of the possessions,” Freddie says. “Just because your life turns upside down, and you’re trying to put the pieces back together, doesn’t mean your life doesn’t go on,” Mr. Ingham says. “Things don’t matter,” Charlie says. “It’s the people who matter.” This article was originally published in the April issue of Elevate, the student news magazine.
MORE FROM RJTV
Matthew Pawlowski '18 sits down with Freddie, his brother and dad to talk about that fateful day: www.regisjesuit.com/SummerRaider2016-BrothersKeeper SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Safe Haven Combining innovation, law enforcement expertise and industry best practices, Regis Jesuit administrators are committed to keeping our community safe. BY LUCIA CARRUTHERS
Seventeen years ago, the Columbine High School massacre transformed the way school administrators would approach safety in their communities, and Regis Jesuit Interim President Rick Sullivan was no exception. “Before Columbine we were focused on fire drills, slippery floors and training,” says Sullivan, who was Principal at the time of the mass shooting in Littleton. “After Columbine there was this realization that I could die in my school trying to protect kids.” It was a turning point for the nation and for Regis Jesuit, as administrators initiated a long and thoughtful campaign to improve physical security and best practices at the school. Their goal: to identify and preempt security threats, improve the response time for all security concerns, and also buy students, faculty and staff valuable time in the worst case scenario: an active shooter event.
Embracing a New Reality With more school shootings occurring across the United States, there was a growing concern among school community members that Regis Jesuit needed to do more. As Vice President of Operations, Sullivan began to research best practices, attending workshops and collaborating with other local schools to develop a five-year plan to bolster campus security. “We began to look at the entire spectrum of how to keep kids and employees safe at school,” Sullivan says. “We started drilling differently. We created a safety manual, put ‘go kits’ in classrooms and implemented new protocols. We looked at the small procedural details of how we’re locking doors or how teachers report a concern. Those were important changes, and they weren’t expensive to implement.” But it was a 2010 LARK appeal that provided a muchneeded jolt to the school’s security budget. The auction raised more than $97,000 for campus improvements, including the installation of close to 30 security cameras. It also funded the addition of an onsite security officer, increased faculty and staff training, and the purchase of SchoolMessenger, a notification system that allows administrators to quickly alert the school community via text, email and voice messaging. But these improvements would only be one piece of a complex structure to save lives.
“Classroom teachers should know what to do no matter where they are in the building.” Regular drills continue to be an important part of preparedness. And school Security Specialist Jim Farrell, a 33-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department, says that this type of training undoubtedly saves lives. “When something bad happens, you don’t have to think about it,” he says. “You simply revert back to your training.” While the school still drills for natural disasters and fire emergencies, securing the school’s perimeter through a “lockout” (when the perceived danger is in the general vicinity of the school) or secure themselves in locked rooms for a threat on campus through “lockdown” are newer concepts for the school community. These events present different challenges, says Kelli Lotito, Girls Division Dean of Students and chair of the school’s security team. “We need to make sure our students understand these drills and the expectations no matter where they are on campus,” she says. “We must continue to assess and train and improve on all that we do.”
Hardening the Target
A retired command officer with the Aurora Police Department and former federal marshal, Farrell is one of three Security Specialists who serve as the eyes and ears of Regis Jesuit on a daily basis. His team, which also includes two Campus Monitors, patrols the campus from end to end throughout the school day and during after school activities, looking for potentially dangerous or suspicious items or activities: unclaimed backpacks, unlocked doors, strangers in the parking lot or kids playing ball where they shouldn’t be.
With three main buildings and a field house where classes are held throughout the day, the RJ campus presents some unique security concerns compared with most area high schools. One of the school’s recent priorities has been to “harden the target,” as Farrell says, or make it more difficult for a shooter to enter our buildings. “If someone came on campus to inflict destruction, you get tipped off if they have to force their way into a door,” he says. Last summer’s renovation of the Girls Division entrance incorporated a double-door security system as well as reinforced, bullet-resistant glass film. Administrators hope to implement a similar change to the Boys Division entrance soon.
Farrell says it’s a great gig for a retired officer who also spent six years as a member of the University of Colorado police force. The challenge, he says, is to maintain vigilance and be mindful that crime can happen anywhere. “It would be easy to fall asleep at the wheel in a community like this. But we are always paying attention to duty, and no one knows where we will be at any given time.” In the coming months, the Board of Trustees will consider a proposal to arm the school’s Security Specialists. Many public schools already employ some form of armed security personnel on campus, and Farrell believes it’s the next logical step in keeping our kids safe. “In 40 years of police work, I’ve used my gun twice, so the odds are pretty good that no one will have to use a handgun here,” he says. “But when you consider that most active shooter events are over in five to six minutes, we can’t afford to be defenseless.” The Board will consider input from the RJ community, review the pros and cons of the proposed policy and determine what is best for the safety of the students, employees and all campus visitors and supports the school’s mission.
• Ensure you always sign in at the school’s front desk and wear a visitor’s badge. Students, faculty and staff are asked to report any individuals who are not wearing badges on campus.
• Always contact a school employee or Safe2Tell (1.877.542.7233 or www.safe2tell.org) with any concerns that threaten the safety of students or school personnel. Guy Farrell, Pat McIntosh and Jim Farrell are three of the five members of RJ's campus security team
Looking to the future, security team members say they are investigating high-tech key cards or automatic locking systems that would allow them to tailor and restrict access to certain buildings at certain times—just more proof that security is an ever-changing endeavor.
Enlisting the Community In every active shooter situation, somebody knew about the potential threat before the violence occurred. That’s why, Lotito says, communication among community members— faculty, staff, parents and students—is the school’s greatest asset. “Students in particular are on the front lines of security,” she says. “We ask them to think ahead, plan for what they may do in an emergency, be observant of their surroundings and notify us about anything that doesn’t feel right.” Thirty years ago kids didn't want to be a snitch, but kids today, Sullivan says, get it. “Regis Jesuit has a strong sense of community and care, and kids and parents are willing to come forward to help. That bodes well for us.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Add the school’s phone numbers to your contact list, so you can report any issues you observe immediately from a cell phone. Boys Division Main Office 303.269.8000; Girls Division Main Office 303.269.8100.
Training for the Unexpected One of the most important additions to the school’s safety arsenal, Sullivan says, was incident command training, which assigns every faculty and staff member a specific role in emergency situations. “When police or fire personnel show up, we have a procedure in place to engage them and resolve the situation,” he says.
Employing Security Experts
DID YOU KNOW? The difference between a lockout and a lockdown: Lockout—The perceived danger is outside of the school. Administrators move all students and activities inside and ensure the building’s perimeter is secured. Classes can continue with minimal disruption. Lockdown—The perceived danger is inside the building, and a standard response protocol is initiated, including locking classroom doors, turning off lights, and moving students away from doors and windows. SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Year in Review 2015-16
CLASS OF 2016 HIGHLIGHTS
Year in Review 2015-16
COLLEGE SIGNINGS
VALEDICTORIAN
BOYS DIVISION
GIRLS DIVISION
Boys Division – Frank Cahill, Harvard University
Zach Bodeau – lacrosse, Rockhurst University Cole Boland – lacrosse, Loyola University Maryland Austin Campbell – track, Pennsylvania State University Ryan Cornell – track, Seattle University Quin Cotton – baseball, Grand Canyon University Tim Daly – football, University of St. Thomas (Minn.) Casen Dunn – rugby, Grand Canyon University Alec Barnes – lacrosse, University of Denver Ace Escobedo – football, University of Pennsylvania Jax Hindmarch – soccer, New York University Patrick Kenny – baseball, Wittenberg University Travis Marr – baseball, Clemson University Tyler Reynolds – lacrosse, Sacred Heart University Drew Schlegel – football, University of Kentucky Nick Spiliotis – baseball, University of Dayton Jack Stoll – football, University of Nebraska T Michael Thomas – lacrosse, Hendrich College Bo Weiss – baseball, University of North Carolina Skylar Whinery – lacrosse, Colorado College
Kensi Austin – diving, University of Georgia Haylee Blach – soccer, Creighton University Paige Bolton – rowing, Creighton University Kaylie Breslin – swimming, West Point Academy Rory Brown – soccer, University of San Diego TaeKenya Cleveland – basketball, American University Kyleigh Crist – soccer, Creighton University Emily Griffith – soccer, University of New Mexico Ezekia Johnson – basketball, Biola University Emily Langenderfer – soccer, Boston College Amy Lenderink – swimming, University of Iowa Lindsey Painton – swimming, University of Missouri Emily Protz – swimming, Seattle University Kathleen Roe – lacrosse, University of Notre Dame Katie Schilmoeller – lacrosse, Regis University Claire Stemper – field hockey, University of Michigan Mary Weinstein – golf, Regis University
Girls Division – Kateri Sheber Howard, Saint Louis University with a full-ride President’s Scholarship SALUTATORIAN Boys Division – Constantine “Dean” Hampers, Georgetown University Girls Division – Alexa DeSanctis, Santa Clara University
Frank Cahill
Kateri Sheber Howard
Constantine “Dean” Hampers
Alexa DeSanctis
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS* National Merit Finalists Frank M. Cahill and Sarah Henderson National Merit Commended Students Alexa DeSanctis, Morgan Dewey, Julia Drexelius, Lucia Espiñeira, Jack Guenther, Jun Kim, Anna Kozler, Matthew M. LaRouche, Paul Thomas Lucero, John McIntire, Margaret McKenna, Ryan Mohler, Ryan O'Leary, Kateri Sheber Howard National Merit Hispanic Scholars Julia Drexelius, Andre Dugas, Lucia Espiñeira, Rudy Gonzalez Hill, Maria Nelson, Juliana Trujillo National Merit Raytheon Scholarship Matthew M. LaRouche National Merit Macy’s Inc. Scholarship Paul Thomas Lucero
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES The 410 members of the Regis Jesuit class of 2016 (231 boys and 179 girls) will take nearly $43 million in scholarships and grants to more than 130 colleges and universities. More than 30% of the class of 2016 will matriculate to Catholic colleges and universities, including 19 of the 28 Jesuit universities. To see the full list of schools, please visit www.regisjesuit.com/Classof2016Colleges. *We list only the names of Regis Jesuit students who receive national level or full-ride scholarships. Annually, Regis Jesuit students receive numerous competitive monetary awards totaling tens of millions of dollars in academic scholarships. Every effort has been made to record accurately those who have been awarded scholarships or have signed to play sports in college. We sincerely regret any errors or omissions.
United States Military Service Jack Guenther – Naval ROTC Scholarship, Villanova University Jared Marien – Enlisting in United States Air Force Kaylie Breslin – Army, United States Military Academy at West Point
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Year in Review 2015-16 FALL SPORTS Girls Division CROSS COUNTRY Julia Vitella '17 finished eighth at Regionals and the team qualified for the State Championships, finishing 21st overall. FIELD HOCKEY After finishing the regular season 7-2, the Raiders earned a No. 2 seed in the playoffs and took down Kent Denver in the quarterfinals capturing their first ever playoff win! In an instant classic, the Raiders fell just short of Cherry Creek in the semi-finals 1-0. Spencer Wagner was voted Coach of the Year. RUGBY Finishing fifth overall in club play, the Girls Rugby team qualified two players to the All-State team; Daisy Reich '17 and Mary Emmerling '16. SOFTBALL It was tough year for the Raiders, as they finished 6-13 overall. For the fourth consecutive year, the team played Rock Canyon in the annual Catch for the Cure game for breast cancer awareness. More than $3200 was raised in support of the Jill Lamb Foundation, a local organization that provides financial assistance and services to families dealing with breast cancer. VOLLEYBALL The Raiders finished the regular season hot, winning four of their last five games. In the State tournament, they lost their first match in pool play, but closed out the season with a four-set win over Cherry Creek to take fifth place in the tournament.
Boys Division CROSS COUNTRY Jack Davidson '16 finished fourth at Regionals and the team qualified for the State Championships, finishing 22nd overall. FOOTBALL After losing the opener to Cherry Creek, the Raiders won seven of their last eight games, finishing the regular season 7-2. Their season came to an end in the quarterfinals in a tough contest in the snow against undefeated Columbine Rebels.
ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES WRAP UP
GOLF STATE CHAMPS! Tyler Zhang’s '17 birdie on the par-4 No. 18 at Fort Collins Country Club gave the Raiders their fifth State championship in six seasons! SOCCER The Raiders fell to Aurora Central in the first round of the State playoffs. A young squad will look to rebound next season. TENNIS The Raiders dominated Regionals sweeping all seven positions! A solid performance at State earned them a fourth place finish. Both the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams won the championship. The team was awarded the CHSAA Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive year.
WRESTLING The 4-3-1 varsity squad had a fifth place finish at the Evergreen Invitational on January 16. Congrats to Brandon Minear '17 and Nick Elgin '16, who completed in the State tournament.
SPRING SPORTS Girls Division GOLF Golf started the season coming off back-to-back State championships as a front-runner heading into the State tournament in May. Mary Weinstein ‘16 was named the Colorado Women’s Golf Association’s Junior Player of the Year and went on to clinch the 5A State individual title, the first individual title in program history. The team captured second place at State.
Boys Division BASEBALL The boys of spring ended their season 16-5 as the Continental League Champion. Matt Darr was named Continental League Coach of the Year; Quin Cotton '16 and Travis Marr '16 were named players of the year; and Bo Weiss '16 was named pitcher of the year. LACROSSE STATE CHAMPS! Finished the season 16-2 and the League Champion. The Raiders beat Arapahoe 11-5 to win the State Championship for the second time in three years. The Colorado High School Coaches’ Association also awarded them the Ken Ranta Sportsmanship Award.
WINTER SPORTS Girls Division
RUGBY STATE CHAMPS! It was a season to remember for the Raiders who beat East 17-14 to win the State Championship title. Ryan Maxfield '16 won Player of the Year; Zach Fenoglio '07 won Coach of the Year and the team was awarded the Sportsmanship award.
BASKETBALL Basketball placed third in the league behind State Champion Thunder Ridge and runner up Highlands Ranch. POMS & CHEER Both teams had great seasons and qualified for Nationals, where Poms took tenth in their division. Cheer made it to finals at State for the first time in many years. The RJ “Mighty 13" took on powerhouse cheer schools and held their own. Congratulations to Alexa DeSanctis '16 who was selected to the Colorado Elite Squad.
LACROSSE The team had a slow start, but picked up the pace and continued to be factor led by All -American candidate, Notre Dame-bound Kathleen Roe '16. The team ended their season 7-8.
SWIM & DIVE Swimming had an unbelievable State meet and won their final event in the 4x100 relay to jump from the third spot into second place. McKensi Austin '16 won her third State championship in a row in diving.
SOCCER Soccer had one of its best seasons ever with big wins over Rock Canyon and Mountain Vista. The team went 13-4-1, clinching the Continental League Championship for the first time in program history.
Boys Division
TENNIS Young and improving, the Raiders gave it their all at the State tournament, which included an epic rally by Mackenzy Pedrie '16 and Francesca Belibi '19 to claim third place in No. 3 Doubles. The team ended their season 7-2 with an 11th place finish at State.
BASKETBALL Basketball posted a 22-win season and advanced to the final eight. Congratulations to Coach Shaw on his 700th career win this season. HOCKEY STATE CHAMPS! Hockey had an unbelievable regular season record, losing only one game. The team culminated their year with a dominating victory over Monarch to capture the State title.
TRACK & FIELD The girls team trained and ran hard all season, finishing in 15th place at the State meet.
SWIM & DIVE Seeded eighth going in to the State meet, Boys Swim & Dive swam hard and took second – amazing effort! The team of Simon Barshay '16, Alexander Strepman '17, Ty Coen '18 and Elijah Warren '18 swam to victory and All-American status in the 200-yard medley relay. TRACK & FIELD With a strong team this year, the boys went to League Championships and State where they finished fifth overall. Austin Campbell '16 won the 5A State title for high jump. VOLLEYBALL Boys Volleyball completed their first season with new coach Ryan Ammerman. The goal of this team is to learn the game and to have some fun. They certainly accomplished both!
STATE ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015-16 Team Titles · Boys Golf · Boys Lacrosse
· Boys Hockey · Boys Rugby SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Year in Review 2015-16
INVESTMENT CLUB Last fall the BD Investment team competed against 40 other schools at the annual Investment Conference at DU. Alex Strepman '17, David O'Neill '16, Spencer Rohlwing '16, Keegan Krahn '17, Nick Rotello '17 and Alex Carlson '16 comprised the winning team.
MOCK TRIAL The Regis Jesuit Mock Trial teams had a stellar performance at Regionals. The A team took first place and won the region. They also received the Professionalism Award. The B team took fourth place and Ermias Araia '17 won Best Attorney. Jacob Botaish '19 also won Best Witness for C team. Both A and B teams continued to State where the A team took second place.
PERFORMING ARTS Sophie Goodwin '17, Cole Kromer '16 and Connor Sullivan '17 were named to the Colorado All-State Choir.
RAIDER
CLUBS, ARTS & ACTIVITIES WRAP UP
RJ MEDIA At the State J-Day Journalism Conference RJTV won third place for Best of Show for video broadcast program. Rjtoday.org also garnered an honorable mention for Large School Website. Tommy Gaessler '16 took home a national award at the JEA Journalism Convention in Orlando for his photography portfolio. Nick Sangalis '18 was awarded Colorado Broadcast Journalist of the Year runner-up in the first every year of the competition. SCIENCE Congratulations to our winning teams the online science fair eCYBERMISSION sponsored by the Army Educational Outreach Program. The team of Jackie Cal '19, Nicole Schonebaum '19, Isa Sevilla '19 and Annie Seier '19 took first place.
MU ALPHA THETA The Mu Alpha Theta Clubs from both Divisions sent three teams of four competitors each to the Annual Metro State University Math Day. The BD team of Frank Cahill '16, Sam Dorchuck '17, Jack Guenther '16 and Paul Lucero '16 finished second in the Geometry Competition and first in the Algebra and Analysis portion. Way to represent, Raiders!
ALUMNI
SPECIAL OLYMPICS CLUB The club added a Project UNIFY soccer league and also participated in the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Walk and the Polar Plunge. Two great highlights of the year included a co-divisional student pep rally where the Project UNIFY basketball team beat the Rowdies. The club also held the second Annual Dance Marathon, raising more than $11,400 for Special Olympics Colorado. SPEECH & DEBATE The Speech & Debate Team had a number of records this season including: 18 letter persons, 167 members and degrees in the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), two NSDA All-Americans, 160 awards won in competition and selection to the World Debate Team, Jaylem Allen-Durousseau '16 competed at the National Speech Tournament in Salt Lake City in June.
There are many clubs that perform outstanding work who are not recognized above due to space constraints. Read weekly recaps in the Red & White and follow Regis Jesuit High School on Facebook and Twitter for updates on clubs and sports throughout the year.
Heroes Among Us Alumni providing for our safety and security BY COLIN ST. JOHN '01
F
or many grads of Regis Jesuit, service is something that just stuck with us. Most other schools don’t put a premium on it, so there’s something special about the experience that was afforded in soup kitchens, special education classrooms and even the impoverished neighborhoods of other countries. And whether you’re a weekly volunteer in a shelter or make a yearly donation to a favorite charity, chances are you’re more inclined to these words from St. Ignatius than most: “Teach us to give and not to count the cost.” Several alums have taken up that torch in their daily lives. Here, we profile alums who have chosen professions of service, from battlefields to emergency rooms. These heroes are committed to doing justice in whatever way they can.
May the Force Be With You Matthew Schmitz '96 attended the Air Force Academy out of high school, taking a scholarship to play football. The decision has taken him all over the world. He attended med school in Chicago at Loyola University before heading to San Antonio, Washington, DC and San Diego. Now, he’s back in Texas. “I work at San Antonio Military Medical Center which is a large joint-service Army and Air Force Hospital,” he says. “We are also a teaching program and I serve as the director for the orthopedic surgery residency, training residents to become orthopedic surgeons. I care for sports injuries in adolescents and young adults and have patients flown in from across the globe for their hip problems. I am also heavily involved in medical research, writing articles for medical journals and chapters for orthopedic textbooks.” Schmitz currently serves in the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. He specializes in pediatric and adolescent sports medicine, as well as young adult hip preservation.
Perhaps the most exciting opportunity for Schmitz has been role as team physician for the U.S. National Rugby Team. It’s taken him to Europe multiple times, including to England for the 2015 World Cup. It’s also afforded him the chance to work with another Regis Jesuit grad, Zach Fenoglio '07, hooker for the team. Schmitz adds, “In addition, the military has allowed me to participate with Project Perfect World, a nonprofit company which helps fund yearly trips to a children’s hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador.” When asked if Regis Jesuit inspired him to enter a career in the military, Schmitz reflects. “The educational rigors of Regis prepared me well. In addition, the background of missionary work and education which is fundamental to the Jesuit training was instilled in my career choice. I am adamant about my missionary work. Not only in other countries, but I have a strong conviction that surgeons should care for the underserved and poor here in the States, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.” Schmitz says he owes a debt of gratitude to Bill Gold, who encouraged him to switch from soccer to football, a decision that has led to where he is today.
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Police Academy
A Few Good Men and Women
Rob McGregor '87 started down his career path when he was still a student at Regis Jesuit. “While attending Regis, I had an interest in law enforcement and, at that time, Brother Fava was a Denver Police chaplain. He suggested that I join a police explorer unit and, so, I joined the Aurora Police Department unit at the age of 16. This gave me an opportunity to ride with officers and gave me some exposure to the other units within the police department.” All these years later, McGregor is a commander with Aurora Police and oversees eight major units. He’s been with the City of Aurora for 21 years, and spent five years with the Dallas Police Department.
While attending the University of Denver, Joseph Murdy '03 had a revelation, “realizing that I had wanted to serve in the United States military.” He was with the Marine Corps for eight years, beginning in 2007. Murdy participated in humanitarian and combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan was awarded a Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Achievement Medal with Valor device, and Combat Action Ribbon. In Afghanistan, he would live for up to 53 days at a time in combat areas. “Our first engagement placed enemy combatants at over 300 to less than 70 reconnaissance Marines from Charlie Company. Despite this we were able to successfully begin the recapture of Sangin, and disrupt the poppy trade in the area,” he says. His second enlistment was in Panama City Beach as a dive instructor, where he was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for superior service. Honorably discharged as a staff sergeant, Murdy has returned to the University of Denver to finish his degree. When asked about what motivated his entry into the military, Murdy points to a day he experienced as a student at Regis Jesuit. “September 11, 2001 was a normal Tuesday while I got ready for school. To be honest, I may have actually missed a weightlifting session with swim team, much to the chagrin of then Coach Doherty. I was watching the news with my mom before leaving for class. Driving into class I would have never expected to witness what I would on the television, I’ll never forget seeing the second plane crash into the South Tower. Those events coupled with Regis’ motto of Men for Others became resounding themes that would ultimately lead to my decision to join the military. Regis will forever have a lasting impact on my life, it was the ethics, morals, and code of conduct that I learned there that would help shape who I was ultimately helping make the decision to serve my country.”
When asked if he’s had a particularly memorable moment on the force, McGregor says, “The badge is the ticket to the greatest show on Earth! I have walked away from many different incidents shaking my head thinking, “I couldn’t make some of this stuff up that I just witnessed.” On a more serious note, he cites a shooting incident in Dallas and the Aurora movie theater shooting as career touchstones. He oversaw the investigation of the latter and is particularly proud of the department’s role in helping to heal the community afterward. McGregor says that another person instrumental to his service was Rob Kehr '88. He was also involved in the explorer unit, was the best man at McGregor’s wedding and eventually went on to a career in counseling. Unfortunately, Kehr’s life was cut short by an accident in Alaska. “I believe the Regis experience prepares students to perform all kinds of work and I also believe law enforcement today more than any other time in history needs people who share the values that are taught there. The Regis experience had such an impact on my life that I chose to share that experience with my boys who have recently graduated.” McGregor has also created a teen citizens police academy to show more young folks “what law enforcement is all about.”
Jess Bates '07 also got the military itch at a young age. “From the time I was about five, I knew I wanted to be in the military,” she says. “My dad was in the Navy, and I wanted to be just like him.
And being from Colorado, I knew all about the military academies thanks to the United States Air Force.” And wouldn’t you know it? That’s exactly where she ended up. She is currently a personnel officer with the Air Force, where she has been commissioned for more than five years. She’s been in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nevada with the military. And, also Qatar. “I was fortunate enough to serve on our Dignified Transfer teams which offloaded and onloaded our fallen warriors onto the planes which took them out of the Middle East and brought them home to their families. Additionally, since we are the Mortuary Team, we would de-ice and re-ice the bodies to prepare them for proper transport. It was the most honorable and humbling experience of my life.” “Being in one of the first classes at the Regis Jesuit Girls Division, I was the first girl to want to attend a military academy,” Bates goes on. “Being surrounded by strong and independent women supported my desire to pursue the military life and become an officer.” She credits her Catholic faith development as pushing her toward the Air Force. She name checks teachers and administrators like Jim Broderick King '87, Jeff Howard '88, Kathleen Willson, Fr. John Apel, SJ and Rick Sullivan as inspirational. Of Sullivan shes says, “When my brother started Regis Jesuit in 1992, I told Mr. Sullivan that I was going to attend RJHS one day too. Everyone laughed at me then, but 11 years later, I was right. I was fortunate to follow in my big brother’s footsteps and am glad that I was able to be the first woman from Regis Jesuit to attend a military academy. I attribute my success in my military career to my experiences and relationships from Regis Jesuit.”
John Topolski '01 got his itch very early on, saying, “I had long decided to apply to the Naval Academy, since I was about eight or nine years old. It became my goal once I realized that was the place to go to become a Marine Corps officer.” The Marines took him to New Mexico and California, where he was a tank officer. In 2010 and 2011, he was deployed to Afghanistan. “The most sobering times were the ramp ceremonies we would attend when Marines killed in action were loaded onto cargo planes for their final flight home,” Topolski says. He resigned in 2013 to pursue a civilian career, “but the decision to serve will always be one of the best I have ever made,” he reports.
About his experience at Regis Jesuit, he says, “I think all of the teachers, coaches and classmates I had were inspirations in some way. Some of the most important were coaches Pramuk, Hill and McPhee, and teachers Mr. Broderick King '87, Mrs. Shipman, and the late Mr. Lechuga '82, with whom I was blessed to participate in prayer lunches. The camaraderie and spirit of our classes and teams formed a great experience and I was lucky to have shared in that.” He goes on, “One striking memory I have from my time at Regis was of the old class photos that adorned the hallway by the Main Office. I would always make it a point to look at them on the way by; they intrigued me since many were from classes before World War II. I used to think about what it would have been like to be in high school at that time as a major war was brewing in the world. I get chills thinking about it now because just four months after my graduation, the September 11 attacks occurred and I lived through a similar time. I think it’s a lesson to look to the past and be prepared for what could lie ahead.” Topolski also name-checked Dan Hoffman '00 as a close friend and inspiration in his Army duties. Hoffman’s deployments included Operation Iraqi Freedom as a part of physical security detachment platoon, a battalion maintenance officer, tank platoon leader and executive officer. He also served in Operation Enduring Freedom as a site manager.
Mike Gallardo '68 volunteered for the Army in 1972 and spent three years with the Military Police. After training, he served at the Presidio of San Francisco with a unit that won the Eagle Award for best stateside service. A third of the time, Gallardo served in the honor guard on funeral duty. “There were a lot of funerals,” says Gallardo of those years, during the Vietnam War. As with many of these Regis Jesuit alums, Gallardo deflects attention. He names Clifford Gardell '67 as an inspiration. Gardell was in the Army, too, but was killed in the Tet Offensive. “He’s the hero,” Gallardo says. “He gave his life.” After the Army, Gallardo became a treasury policeman at U.S. Mint then went on to be a postal inspector and special agent in the Department of Education. All told, Gallardo served 24 years in law enforcement. And whether or not he’s willing to admit it, he’s a hero, too.
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TO PROTECT & SERVE Our Alumni in Military, Police, Fire or EMT Service
Class Notes 1940s Christopher McConnell, DDS '78 was elected president of Delta Sigma Delta International Dental Fraternity at their annual meeting November 2015. Dr. McConnell will lead “Delta Sig” members with graduate/alumni and undergraduate dental school chapters in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and throughout the United States. Founded in the United States in 1882, Delta Sigma Delta has mentored and guided dental students and graduate dentists alike as a professional fraternity with a primary mission of service to community.
We know that the list below doesn’t scratch the service of how many heroes we have in our alumni community. If you or one of your classmates has served or is serving as a member of the military or is a police officer, firefighter, paramedic or EMT, and is not listed below, please contact the Alumni Office (alumnioffice@regisjesuit.com) so that we can update our records.
Gurdon Frederick Smith Jr. '41 – United States Army Mike Haffey '54 – United States Navy Richard Moore '54 – United States Navy Mike Boian '57 – United States Marine (ret.) Mike Gallardo '68 – United States Army Ken Galasso '69 – Denver Police Department (ret.) Michael Greer '69 – Denver Police Department Jim Keelan '69 – Firefighter Danny Passerella '69 – United States Navy; Firefighter David Sanko '82 – Paramedic/Firefighter Rob McGregor '87 – Aurora Police Commander Chris Gartland '94 – United States Army Matthew Schmitz '96 – United States Air Force Kenneth Boyd '97 – Senior Deputy District Attorney in Denver James Houtsma '98 – Senior Deputy District Attorney in Adams and Broomfield Counties John Topolski '01 – United States Marines Joseph Murdy '03 – United States Marines Jess Bates '07 – United States Air Force Nick Geraci '07 – United States Navy Matthew Barber '10 – United States Military Academy Craig Berry '10 – United States Navy Theresa Cameron '10 – United States Air Force Academy Nathaniel Gallegos '10 – United States Navy Philip Harlan '10 – United States Naval Academy Alexandra Jewell '10 – California Maritime Academy Megan O’Neil '10 – United States Air Force Academy Emerald Peoples '10 – United States Air Force Academy Marcus Walker '10 – United States Air Force Academy James Coyne '11 – United States Air Force Academy James Dillon '12 – New Mexico Military Institute Carter Fortuin '12 – United States Navy Seals Benjamin Fry '12 – United States Naval Academy Christine La '12 – United States Naval Academy
Luke Leathers '12 – United States Air Force Academy Kevin McMahan '12 – United States Merchant Marine Academy JL Sollender '12 – United States Air Force Thomas Anders Griebel '13 – United States Marine Corps Heaven Maradiaga '13 – United States Army Sydney Rohlwing '13 – United States Air Force Academy Jackson Burns '14 – Naval ROTC, Florida State University Alec Christian '14 – Air Force ROTC, Metropolitan State University of Denver Dottie Deane '14 – Army ROTC, Gonzaga University Bailee Harris '14 – United States Navy TJ Kessler '14 – Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M Jasmine Lennert '14 – Naval ROTC, MIT Blake Maher '14 – Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M Vincent Sabin '14 – United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School Chet Dunston '15 – United States Air Force Academy Stephen Haag '15 – Air Force ROTC, Colorado State University Jackson Kochevar '15 – Army ROTC, University of Wyoming Adam Kratt '15 – United States Air Force Academy Jess Lewis '15 – United States Military Academy at West Point Gunner Patterson '15 – United States Military Academy at West Point Connor Shea '16 – Naval ROTC, University of San Diego Grayson Sollender '15 – Naval ROTC, The Citadel Military College Kaylie Breslin '16 – United States Military Academy at West Point Jack Guenther '16 – Naval ROTC Scholarship, Villanova University Jared Marien '16 – United States Air Force
1980s Above: Fr. Leo Weber, SJ '44 received a Papal Blessing all the way from Rome on his 90th birthday, which he celebrated in April at Arrupe Jesuit High School where he is currently missioned. 1950s Terrence Reynolds '56 captained an effort to help raise $5000 from the classes of 1955 and 1956 in order to commission a bust in honor of Fr. Al Hahn, SJ. The bust will be hung on the Jesuit Wall of Fame in the Steele Center. For more information, visit www.coloradogives.org/5556Hahn.
Tim Donohoue '80 and Jeff Tootle '80 will be named into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame this summer. Jeff and Tim were members of the Colorado Mesa football team in 1982 and 1983 that has been selected for induction into the RMAC Hall of Fame. Tootle was a three-time All-Conference linebacker as well as a two-time All-District and All-American. Donohoue was also a three-time All-Conference defensive back as well as a three-year All-District and an AllAmerican in 1984. Andy Nemechek '82 received his master’s degree in healthcare delivery science from Dartmouth College.
The Department of the Navy recognized and presented James DeFrancia '59 with one of the three top Civilian Service Honorary Awards – the Distinguished Civilian Service Award. DeFrancia has devoted much of his life to the Navy. He first attended the Naval Academy in 1959 and went on to serve seven years of active duty and was in the reserves for 20 years. 1960s After graduating from Regis High School, Pat Kelly '69 (right) attended the University of Colorado in Boulder on a baseball and basketball scholarship. His son currently is with the New York Mets organization. 1970s Bill Garnett '78 reflected on his experience playing basketball at Regis Jesuit and Wyoming in a Denver Post article. Check it out at www.regisjesuit.com/alumniinthenews.
Above: Paul Buck '86 was ordained a permanent deacon in December 2015. His two sons served as altar servers at the first Mass he served as deacon. David Card '87 was chosen as the first lay president of Regis Jesuit High School. He is the second alum to serve as the school’s leader. He will assume his new role on August 1, 2016.
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1990s
2000s RJ Director of Alumni Relations Paul Miller '04 married Abbey Leichliter on December 31, 2015 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Paul’s brothers Tim '00 and Mark '11 served as groomsmen and many other Raider alums were also in attendance.
Above: Doug Tisdale '94 married Bethany Lillis in July 2015. The ceremony was in her hometown of Coldwater, Mich. with a “locals” reception in Cherry Hills Village last August. Sean Masterson '96 married Colleen Davidson on July 18, 2015. He currently is the managing director for Scripps Family Enterprises.
Roger Espinoza '05, a midfielder for Sporting KC, returned to Santa Barbara, Honduras to teach soccer skills to impoverished children. Read the full story at www.regisjesuit.com/alumniinthenews.
Tomas Gallegos '07 returned to Regis Jesuit to teach Spanish. He also coaches soccer and rugby. Check out a feature on Tomas at www.rjtoday.org. Congratulations and blessing to Matt Magee '07, who was ordained a priest in May by Archbishop Aquila. Shannon Sandrock '07 and David Forsberg '00 were married on April 9, 2016 in Vail. Dustin Croy '08 plays for the Glendale Raptors rugby football club.
Dan Ficke '05 is an assistant basketball coach at the University of Denver. Earlier in the year, he participated in “Suits and Sneakers Week,” when college coaches across the country wear sneakers with their suits in the fight against cancer. Learn more about Coach Ficke’s story and about the day of giving at www.regisjesuit.com/alumniinthenews. Michael Koenigs '05 tango-trekked his way through Chile and Argentina. Watch a recap of his travels and the viral story at www.regisjesuit.com/alumniinthenews. Above: Katherine DeGreef’s '09 Clement Moore-style poem about the Broncos went viral leading into Super Bowl 50. Chris O'Dowd '09 was recently signed to a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Above: Kenneth Boyd '97 is running for Denver District Attorney. Since graduating from RJ, he has stayed connected to his alma mater through coaching football, supporting Alumni Class Scholarships, attending alumni events and more. Currently, he is a senior deputy district attorney in the Denver DA’s Office. You can learn more about Boyd’s campaign at www.kennethboydda.com. FROM THE ARCHIVES Daniel Glackin '91 Below, Daniel Glackin '91 details his memories of graduating from Regis Jesuit High School “I remember my last year of Regis Jesuit High School as the first graduating class of the new school. Spending my first three years at the old campus in Denver, it was important to me to graduate from Regis with my friends and finish the best education I started. My parents told me they wanted me to stay more local, but I persisted and finished at the new school. I remember staring out the library windows at the majestic Rockies, watching the ducks in the retaining pond, and most importantly the camaraderie the students and teachers had. One of my fondest memories is the meditation classes we had in the Blessed Rupert Mayer Chapel. I still use many of the techniques today to deal with my PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). I remember putting on my headband, putting red and white war paint on, and running the Regis colors across the stands during football games. Of course, the ultimate memory is of that first graduation at the new campus with 102 classmates in the courtyard in May of 1991. Since graduation I had served in the Army for 4-1/2 years, gotten married, have three daughters, and served as a Marine for 16-1/2 years retiring as a Marine. During the military years I did two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. I now live in Danville, Kentucky and work at Hobart as line leader for industrial ware-wash machines. As I am once a Marine, Always a Marine, I will forever be a Raider.”
2010s Stephanie Biller '10 was a student teacher in the Regis Jesuit Girls Division this past semester. She will heading to St. Xavier in Palm Desert, CA to teach art next year.
Above: Klint Kubiak '05 will be joining his father on the coaching staff for the Denver Broncos. He will serve as the team’s offensive assistant to the quarterbacks. Kubiak has five years of coaching experience, which followed his four-year playing career at Colorado State.
Sam Kissel '10 is a field engineer for Solar and Emerging Renewables Group. Thank you to Connor Wist '10 for being part of the Alumni Mentorship Series at Regis Jesuit High School. You can check out her presentation at rjtoday.org.
Above: Miranda Morton '11, Fordham senior and Boren scholarship recipient is preparing to work for Middle East water security.
Left: Eric Ruble '11, who graduated with honors from University of Southern California (USC) in May 2015, began work as a reporter for CBS 11, KTVA in Anchorage, Alaska last July.
Evan Batten '12 is a sales and marketing manager at Kirkwood. Bridget Bowers '12 and Erica Nemechek '12, will serve in the Alum Service Corps next school year. Congrats to Brian Burlage '12 who was awarded a Fulbright student grant! He will be heading to Malaysia to teach English. Marquelle Dent '12 was named to both the All-Mountain West and All-Defensive Teams for the second year in a row. She also joined the U.S. College National Basketball Team. Jake Pogue '12 graduated from Gonzaga in May having majored in accounting and minor in finance and entrepreneurship. He has accepted a position with Grant Thornton in Seattle. Missy Franklin’s '13 book, Relentless Spirit: The Unconventional Raising of a Champion, written with her parents, will release in December 2016. Be sure to like Regis Jesuit Alumni on Facebook to follow her Olympic journey this summer.
Above (right): Jillian Dann '06, PharmD Candidate at the University of Colorado Skaggs Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, achieved second place among 129 teams at the ASHP Clinical Skills National Competition in New Orleans in December.
Alain Matthews '13 received the Regis University Man of the Year Award for the Men’s Lacrosse team. Above: As a senior at UC San Diego, Drew Dyer '11 scored his 1000th career point on January 1, becoming only the 13th Triton to pass this mark. He also broke UCSD’s all-time singleseason record for three-pointers made.
Madison Rose '14 was named a 2016 Newman Civic Fellow in recognition for her work for students with learning disabilities. SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Faculty & Staff Notes
Where Are They Now?
In this feature of The Raider, we list milestone occasions and awards or events for members of the faculty and staff.
B a b y Bo o m l e t
M r. R o d C a r d ' 6 1
BY PAUL MILLER '04, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
Mr. Card 1972 Faculty Portrait
What years did you teach at Regis Jesuit and what were the subjects you taught and positions held? I taught at Regis from 1966-2010. During my time at Regis I taught health, physical education, biology, general science, typing and computers. Other positions I held at Regis Jesuit included Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, Assistant Football Coach, Head Wrestling Coach, Assistant Wrestling Coach, Head Cross Country Coach and Head Track & Field Coach. You are a graduate from the Class of 1961. When you think back to your time as a student, what’s the first memory that comes to mind? I remember as a freshman riding the bus from East Denver out to Regis each day. I had to go downtown first and then transfer to the bus that went out to Regis. I also remember how I looked up to the juniors and seniors. What reasons were behind you wanting to return to Regis Jesuit to become a teacher and coach? As a student, Guy Gibbs '47 was one of my role models. As I observed him teaching and coaching, I thought that I might like to do the same one day. After graduating from Colorado State University, I got my first teaching and coaching job at Roncalli High School in Pueblo. A year later, Mr. Gibbs called and offered me a teaching and coaching position at Regis. I was honored to return to my alma mater as a teacher and coach and to be part of the faculty with Mr. Gibbs. What was your greatest accomplishment as a teacher or administrator at RJ? As a teacher of physical education, I think I came in and expanded the program. I remember adding gymnastics and archery to the program. Later I helped develop a program called Lifetime Sports. It was a senior-oriented program that offered such activities as golf, tennis, swimming, racquetball, bowling and badminton. I helped Bob McPhee set up the Health Program as well. As Athletic Director I felt that all of our programs were very competitive. I remember our football team playing Cherry Creek in the State Championship at Jefferson County Stadium.
Mr. Card with former faculty members and friends Mike Buckley '63 and Ray Rosenbaugh. They all retired the same year.
Patented Mr. Card smile
During your time as a teacher, I am sure you handed out your share of JUGS. Is there anyone in particular that stands out? As Athletic Director, I had a big hand in the upkeep of our fields and the football stadium on 50th Avenue at the old campus. A lot of the JUGS that I handed out came in handy as free labor on the fields and in the stadium. You’ve worn a lot of different hats at Regis Jesuit—student, teacher, administrator, parent. Which has been your favorite to wear? I would say that my best memories were in two areas. First, as a teacher I enjoyed the interaction with my students. I tried to set high standards for students and hopefully it helped them be successful in life. I also look back on my times in athletics and think of the great people that I got to know at Regis and other schools. Many of them are still my friends today such as Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Giarratano, Mr. Rosenbaugh, Mr. Jelinek and Mr. Martin. How do you feel about your son becoming the next President of Regis Jesuit High School? My wife Joan and I are so proud and happy for David and his family as he steps into his role as President at Regis Jesuit. With my long association, Dave has been around Regis Jesuit and knows a lot about the school. I think his previous work experience both at RJ and at Escuela de Guadalupe have prepared him well for his new position. Where do you live now and what are you up to? Joan and I still live in Arvada. Our family moved there when Regis Jesuit was at the old campus. Nowadays I spend a lot of time on my hobby—woodworking. I also like to work with stained glass. During the spring, I officiate Track & Field so that I can stay in touch with RJ’s team and my former coaching friends. I also volunteer as a driver at our local food bank and at our community recreation center. My wife and I enjoy following our grandchildren in their sports and other school activities. We also enjoy traveling.
Colette Cynthia joined the growing Crane family on November 14, 2015 of Girls Division theology teacher Alex '05 and his wife Ashley.
Director of Admissions in the Boys Division, Paul Muller and his wife Kathy welcomed second son Rowan Anthony on January 9, 2016.
On February 4, 2016, Cody Jesse entered the world as the third child of Lead Groundskeeper David Beasley and his wife Danielle.
Amanda Shepherd, Communications Coordinator, and her husband Tyler welcomed their third child, Hansen Skram Shepherd, on March 15, 2016.
Tied the Knot Daughter Magdalene “Maggie” Day joined the family of Girls Division Service Director Kristen Kraus, her husband Jon and sons, Joseph and Sam on April 14, 2016.
Boys Division theology teacher, Sarah Kernan and her husband Matthew welcomed first child Mary Josephine “Mollie” Kernan on a snowy April 16, 2016.
Director of Alumni Relations Paul Miller '04 and Abbey Leichliter rang in the New Year as newlyweds after their wedding on December 31, 2015.
Shauna Petersen, Boys Division French teacher, married Kevin Mingus on November 22, 2015.
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Milestone Anniversaries
What do you miss most about teaching at Regis Jesuit? I miss all the great friendships that I had with the faculty. After teaching and coaching for 40+ years, I am enjoying spending more time with my wife and family. I don’t miss the drive to and from school though. Our carpool made the drive for 20 years. Science teacher Malory Peterson married Adam Yarnell on November 28, 2015.
On December 12, 2015, Jennifer Byrne, Girls Division Spanish teacher, married Philippe Becquet.
With the end of the 2015-16 school year, two beloved teachers were recognized for their long years with the school. Charlie Saulino marked 35 years and Tim Newton 40 years of dedicated service to Regis Jesuit. In their time, they have blessed generations of students with their wisdom and witness as Men with and for Others. We are so grateful that they will continue to impact students for the foreseeable future. SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Twenty-Five Years of Learning on Campbell Campus
that the enrollment at the high school would remain stable if the school remained in Denver. The community, in the south metro area, however, showed promise for growth.
How the move to Aurora changed Regis Jesuit and its community
The land donation would help offset the cost of the move, but building a new campus from scratch would require more money than was available. Fortunately, Regis College was looking to expand and after years of negotiating they bought the high school’s “new building.” With the money from the sale, the high school approached Tryba Architects to design the new building. What the designers came back with was described as a combination of “classicism” and “pragmatism.” Architect David Owen Tryba utilized designs from town squares that St. Ignatius might have been familiar with to create a 94,000 square foot educational space. The hill surrounding the campus was barren– the homes to the east and Arapahoe Crossings to the west had yet to be built. There was nothing as far as the eye could see–earning it the student moniker “Saudi Aurora.”
BY PATRICK BRITTI '17, RJ MEDIA
A
chapter of Regis Jesuit history began when the Class of 1991 graduated. They became the first students to graduate from the Campbell Campus, the fourth and current site of Regis Jesuit High School. In the quarter century since the high school moved from north Denver, the Aurora site has grown from what is now the Girls Division to the sprawling complex seen today. With the development of the land has come development of the community, along with adaption for the 21st century. Reflecting back on these years shows not only how much the school has evolved, but how it has stayed the same.
A New School “High schools with religious affiliations were considered primarily religious institutions,” Ralph Taylor, Regis Jesuit teacher for more than 50 years, remembers. “Whereas a college or university was considered a primary education institution,” he continues. This meant that government funds available for dorms and class buildings could not be given to a facility incorporating a high school. With the governmental aid constraints, then Regis College (now Regis University) was forced to part ways with the high school. Upon the separation, what was then Regis High School left the “Pink Palace,” a building that had been home to both the college and high school for almost 80 years. The high school was given a donation to move to an on-campus site. For the six years on the north side, Regis College and High School shared a campus, but were different educational corporations. This new building was a step in separating the two schools, but it quickly became problematic for the high school. The building had been designed for high school students, yet lacked many of the expected amenities. Many students lacked desks; there were few elective options; and the athletic facilities were poor. “I was coaching freshman baseball, and we
had basically a weed patch that we played on,” said Charlie Saulino, who has taught at Regis Jesuit since 1981, “The guys would grab the ball and hurt their hands because the stickers were on the ball.” In the so-called “new building,” the high school faced declining enrollment numbers and serious budgetary constraints. “The numbers were going down dramatically,” said Saulino. To further separate the school from Regis College, the high school decided to rebrand. After considering “Regis Prep,” the name “Regis Jesuit” was settled upon. But it became clear this was not enough, and some proposed a move from the north side. “The discussion began in the early 80s,” said Taylor. It was at that time that Dick Campbell '54 came to offer the school a plot of land in what was then unincorporated Arapahoe County.
Leaving Denver The donation came with a catch, though. “The stipulation on it was that it had to be used for educational purposes,” said Taylor. “A number of people that wanted to sell the land and use the money to refurbish the north campus.” The school debated whether a move to Aurora would be worth it. The high school hired research companies and determined
With then Archbishop J. Francis Stafford and Aurora Mayor Paul Tauer present, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Campbell Campus took place September 16, 1989. Also present were Regis Jesuit’s first President, Fr. Ralph Houlihan, SJ and Principal Fr. James Knapp, SJ, both of whom played a significant role in the separation from the college and the move to Aurora. The cornerstone laid that day is located in the present day Girls Division, just outside the east cafeteria entrance. Fr. Houlihan remembers the event, saying “[The Archbishop] turned to me and said 'You Jesuits' and shook his head, laughing. What he meant was 'This is a great spot. '” Fr. Houlihan left Regis Jesuit a few years later, but recently visited to take part in the 2016 Mass of Thanksgiving and bless the 25th class to graduate from this campus.
Cornerstone: Then Archbishop Stafford in front of the dedication plaque that is still on the east side of the GD building today.
largely be attributed to the differing demographics around the two campuses. “The community now is a little more affluent. On the north side, it was more of a blue-collar community,” said Taylor. For some families, the transit became too long. To combat this, discussions were held with RTD, and a busing system was established. Others voiced opposition to the tuition hike. Despite that, more freshmen were entering the school. “[O]ur incoming class has gone from 125 two years ago to 155 last year to 180 for this fall, and that’s encouraging,” said Houlihan in May 1990. The increase was justified as a way to retain teachers. “We would get good teachers. We’d keep them two years and then they’d leave to make $10,000, $20,000 dollars more teaching at Cherry Creek,” said Taylor.
Finding the Funding
With a limited fundraising apparatus, Regis Jesuit’s administration worked overtime to bring in steady contributions. The school tried to leverage the LARK auction which had been started as a fundraiser in the 70s, but it was a slow-go in supporting the new incarnation at first. “I recall The move and the rebranding were not without their going to a Gift Gathering Party, and I was the only critics though. Fr. Houlihan, speaking to The Denver one who showed up,” said Fr. Houlihan. Adding Post in 1990, said that the enrollment of Regis Jesuit to tensions was that, as the construction began, a recession, what Campbell cited as “worst economy went from 660 to 500 after the announcement of to hit Denver in a long time” also struck. the move. The shift in the school’s population can Groundbreaking: (c.1989): In a wide open field, Fr. Ralph Houlihan, SJ, then President and Chair of the Board of Regis Jesuit, breaks ground on what would become Campbell Campus.
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Fear regarding the student population and the school’s viability were both questioned. But by the last year on north side, LARK was raising $100,000 a year, and the first LARK after the move took in over $250,000. Houlihan quotes:
“The people of southeast Denver, they supported this school in huge numbers and I think that’s something for which we should always feel grateful and appreciative,”
Central LARK: An Evening in the Park MORE ON THE WEB Visit www.regisjesuit.com/CampbellCampus25 to see more photos of the beginning of Campbell Campus and its evolution over the last quarter century, as well to hear from the eight men who have served as Chairs of the Board of Trustees since the school separated officially from Regis University.
Long-term Legacy Since the beginning of classes in 1990, Regis Jesuit’s Campbell Campus has undergone many evolutions. The addition of the Girls Division in 2003, the move of the Boys Division to its current building in 2004, and the completion of the Steele Center in 2014 have all dramatically altered its landscape. Yet there is a sense of unity between the past and present felt by those who have been here through it all. In 1990, Mr. Saulino commented on his belief that there was a continuity, saying,
Poet’s Walk On Saturday, April 30 the Plaza at The Denver Mart played host to Central LARK: An Evening in the Park. This year’s nearly 800 guests were welcomed into a registration area by student street performers. Guests dressed in sport coats and sundresses enjoyed manhattans and cosmopolitans as they made their way into Central Park. The decorations duo of Wendy Crist and Heidi Kassal did a tremendous job transforming the Denver Mart into a complete Evening in the Park experience.
A Tavern on the Green
“Regis isn’t bricks and mortar, but people, attitudes and students.” More than 25 years on, he feels the same. “The college and the high school came together for the Mass of Holy Spirit. We still have that tradition,” said Mr. Saulino. “Nothing has really changed. We're bigger; we have different facilities; there are more students; but we are the same.”
BY KATIE HALEY
Little School on the Prairie: Even in 1995, Regis Jesuit was one of the only buildings on the wide open plains. Here, with a sign of God’s covenant.
The Silent Auction kicked off the night with a bang. Guests munched on parkinspired fare prepared by Kevin & Mary McNicholas’ Continental “Divine” Catering while strolling throughout the venue bidding on an amazing variety of items and opportunities before sitting down to an even more sumptuous dinner. CBS Channel 4’s intrepid Jim Benemann once again emceed the evening’s program. Together with returning auctioneer Gary Corbett, they led the crowd through the Live Auction with good humor and, more importantly, success! Bidding was lively on old favorites like the Inspirato vacation to
Thank you to all who supported Regis Jesuit at Central LARK: An Evening in the Park.
Mexico and new items like Adele floor tickets and of course, a trip to New York City!
Streetlamps of Support The evening was further highlighted by the incredible show of support for the Campbell Campus Chairmen. These leaders were responsible for ensuring the long-term financial accessibility of the Raider experience to any student regardless of means during their time as Board Chair. They remain dedicated to guaranteeing the affordability of tuition at Regis Jesuit. The crowd went wild, raising $360,000 to support the new Chairmen’s Scholarship, part of our endowment for tuition assistance. What a wonderful way to honor these leaders and extend their legacy into the future.
LARK 2016 BY THE NUMBERS
Strawberry Fields of Friends Under the incredible leadership of event chairs John & Tracy Goodwin and Bob & Stephanie Whittelsey, who worked side-by-side with Director of Events Helen Bingham, the Steering Committee and the scores of volunteers, this year’s event raised $830,000 to support tuition assistance and offset operational expenses.
• 765 total attendees • 75 alumni • 164 volunteers • The LARK Autumn Raffle raised a record of more than $125,000 • $360,000 was raised during the Paddle Raiser for the Chairmen’s Scholarship • More than $830,000 was raised in total!
MORE ON THE WEB See photos showing the spirit of this year’s LARK at:
Even as surroundings change, the goals of a Jesuit education do not. “If we can convince the majority of our students that at least part of [their career] decision is can I really help others? That is why Regis exists,” said Taylor. “You want to hang on to the essentials.”
www.regisjesuit.com/LARKPics. Learn more about the Chairmen’s Scholarship: www.regisjesuit.comChairmensScholarship
This article was originally published in the April issue of Elevate, the student news magazine.
Look for the full fiscal report on LARK 2016 in the Annual Report this fall. Save the date for LARK 2017 to be held on Saturday, April 29, 2017. Aerial View: The 64 acres of buildings, fields, parking lots and open space that comprise Campbell Campus today.
The eight men who have served as Regis Jesuit's Board Chairs take the stage during the Paddle Raiser SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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In Memoriam
Raider Journeys A returning recurring feature in The Raider, where we share photos from members of the globetrotting community of Regis Jesuit.
The BKs Encounter 'The Bean' – sporting their Raider best, the Broderick Kings (Amelia '21 hopeful, Madeline '18, Charisse and Jim '87) snap a "groufie" in Chicago’s Millennium Park
The Drexelius Family – Ann and Rick with Ricky '11, Katie '14 and Julia '16 – takes on the Land of the Rising Sun
The entire community of Regis Jesuit extends its sincere sympathy to the family and friends of loved ones who have died recently. The following are remembered in our prayers:
ALUMNI
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Listed in ascending order by year of graduation
Listed alphabetically by last name
Donald R. De Lille '40 John A. Yelenick '40 James T. Dolan '50 Richard L. Ott '50 Richard A. Berens '54 Leo H. Connell '54 Joseph Pedotto '59, Robert L. McHugh '61 Jerome C. Arvidson '62 Michael S. Coons '62 Charles “Chuck” N. Threlkeld '63 Lee Ricciardi Gerstner '70 Christopher Reale '72 John V. Curtis '77 Danny P. Smith '92 Kevin Randall '99 Emile “Daniel” D. de la Mar '13 We have also been informed recently of the deaths of the following alumni and extend our sympathies and prayers to their loved ones.
Listed in ascending order by year of graduation Frank Charles Davis Jr. '42 John M. Evert '45 James M. Kohut '46
Declan Brown '14 outside the Duomo in Florence, Italy
The Meades take Manhattan – Brothers Zach '17. Joey '22 hopeful, and Seth '24 hopeful Meade at the 911 Memorial over Spring Break
Erika '16 and Lukas '16 Rasmussen in Brussels, Belgium last summer
To submit a photo for inclusion in Raider Journeys, send your picture(s) [resolution of 300 dpi or better – standard for most digital cameras and smart phones] to communications@regisjesuit.com.
Vince Boryla, father of Vincent '77 and Michael '69; grandfather of Matty '03, Jonathan '06, Nicholas '05, Mark '98 and Kristopher '15 Deborah Bushnell, Former counselor in the Boys Division Richard Casey, father of Matthew '72 and Richard '75 Stacy Craven, mother of Danielle '12 and Ashley '09 Minnie A. Diss, mother of Girls Division teacher Sarah Warren, William C. '74, John T. '76 and Fred J '79 and mother-in-law to Steve Robertson '79; grandmother of Jonathan '02 and James '06 Sundby, Charlie Sabin '13, Brian Diss '03, Joseph '15 and Amy Robertson '12, Andrew '11, Jeremy '13, Noah '14 and Sophie '17 Warren Fisseha G. Egziabher, father of Brook '15 Jake Herman, former science teacher and assistant coach for football and lacrosse Thomas Kelly, brother of Daniel Kelly '77 Betty Gloria Lucero, mother of Eugene '74 Ann Matt, wife of Stephen '70, mother of Stephen '05 Thomas McAleer, father to Tim '78, Terry '81, Tom '82 and Matt '84 John Joseph McDonald, father of former Board of Trustees member Maureen McDonald; grandfather to Elisabeth Baker '10
Patricia McGrath, mother of Francis '68; grandmother to Ryan '03 and Sean '08 Judy Merkowitz, mother of Justin P. Merkowitz '98 Thomas J. Monaghan, father of Shane '09 and Meagan '13 Lou Mortellaro, father of Louie '90 and Lori (spouse – Larry '74, Board of Trustees) Finch; grandfather to Anthony '10, Alyssa '11, Ann '13 and Christina '18 Finch John Muldoon, father of theology teacher Mary Muldoon; grandfather of John '13 and Kathleen '16 Weis Todd D. Sherman, father of Ryland '18 David Thomas, husband of former RJ teacher Pam† Thomas Helen Clare Sillstrop, wife of Charles '48†, mother of Ted '74, Louis '77, John '80 and Nancy (spouse – Mike '74, Council of Regents) Zoellner; grandmother of Michael '05 and Caroline '08 Harrison Cody Wilderman, brother of Alexis '17 Mary Ann Zeman, mother of Charles '73 and Matthew '81; grandmother to Chase '03
† Deceased The names recorded in this section represent those made known to us between November 5, 2015 and April 30, 2016. Any deaths after that date will be listed in the winter 2016 issue. We make every effort to account accurately for the passing of any alumnus/a, student, faculty or staff member as well as that of any of their parents, spouses, siblings or children. If we are aware of other relationships the deceased had to members of our community, we do our best to list them as well. We also share news of the deaths of all members of our extended community on the In Memoriam page of our website (www.regisjesuit.com/inmemoriam). We sincerely regret any oversights or errors that may occur. SUMMER 2016 T H E R A I D E R
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Calendar Highlights 2016 Friday, July 15-Saturday, July 16
Raiders Reunion 2016
Wednesday, August 17
First Day of Classes
Saturday, August 20
27th Annual Pig Roast at the Jesuit Residence
Thursday, September 1
Mass of the Holy Spirit
Tuesday, September 6.
12th Annual Fall Classic Golf Tournament at Colorado Golf Club
Saturday, September 10.
5th Annual RJ Day for Others All-community Day of Service
Friday, October 7
Together for Tradition: Alumni Homecoming BBQ and Football Game
Friday, October 7.
LARK Autumn Raffle Drawing – Halftime at the Homecoming Game
Sunday, October 23
Admissions Open House
Friday, November 4
Remembrance Mass
November 4-6 and 11-13
RJHS Theatre presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Sunday, November 20
Grandparents Day
Saturday, December 5
Class of 2021 Entrance Exam
December TBA.
Red & White Christmas: Raiders Reunion for the Class of 2011
Saturday, December 24
Young Alumni Christmas Eve Mass
For full details on upcoming alumni events, visit
www.regisjesuit.com/alumnievents.
For full details on all upcoming events at Regis Jesuit, visit www.regisjesuit.com/calendar.
All events are held at the school unless otherwise noted. For more information: 303.269.8000 (BD) 303.269.8100 (GD) 303.269.8047 (ALUMNI)