Playbill 2023-24 Musical

DearFriendsofO’GormanHighSchoolTheatre,

We extend a warm welcome to our esteemed patrons, celebrating the heart and soul of O’Gorman High School Theatre. Our outstanding theatre department is a beacon of creativity, led by a dedicated director and supported by a remarkable staff. Our students are the stars, consistently exceeding expectations with their exceptional talent and unwavering passion. With a rich history that we honor and a profound sense of being truly blessed in a Catholic school, we invite you to join us on a journey of theatrical excellence that transcends the stage.

Unveiling Exceptional Talent

- Our students shine as they bring stories to life on stage, captivating audiences with their extraordinary talent. Their dedication and commitment are second to none, a testament to the nurturing environment of our Catholic school. With each performance, they exceed expectations and inspire us all.

Guided by Tradition, Fueled by Faith - O’Gorman High School Theatre stands on a foundation of rich history and tradition. We carry forward the legacy of those who came before us, embracing the values of faith, community, and service. It’s a privilege to be part of a Catholic school where these principles shape our journey, making every production an opportunity to celebrate the blessings of faith and creativity.

Thank you for being part of our audience and for supporting our students, director, and support staff. Together, we embark on a theatrical experience that is truly exceptional, rooted in history, talent, and the grace of a Catholic education.

Enjoytheshow!

Kyle L. Groos President

SPOTLIGHT ON AIDEN GEIVER

2022-2023 Thespian Award Recipient

Aiden Geiver was no stranger to the stage at O’Gorman High School. Last year, after dedicating four years to the performing arts, he took his final bow after playing “Ren” in Footloose. It goes without saying that everyone knew Aiden during his time at O’Gorman. He was involved in 25 activities ranging from athletic training, pole vaulting, HOSA, and the knitting club…just to name a few. He was heavily involved with band, oral interp, and choir on top of theatre. If one is ever seeking advice about time management, Aiden Geiver is your guy. He balanced his time and managed to bring his best to all his activities.

Aiden is currently a freshman at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) majoring in Diagnostic Genetic Sciences. He was asked to reflect back on his time with the O’Gorman Theatre Department. When asked what his favorite role was he stated: “The Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz.”

His favorite show goes way back to his freshmen year when the cast wrote an original One-act play called, Marvel-Us. Aiden believes that: “The theatre serves the community by providing both a space for young actors, singers and dancers to express

and foster their talents while also providing remarkable experiences for the audience and a great embodiment of O’Gorman’s spirit of success.”

“One of my favorite memories was hosting the state One-Act Play Festival my freshman year. As one of only 2 freshmen in the cast I got to bond with many of the seniors and juniors in the show. I remember blasting music while running to McDonald’s for lunch or sleeping in the library between shows. Moments like that provided me a sense of community and friendship that I’ll never forget.” said Aiden.

When asked what advice he would give to current students, he had this to say: “You can pursue as many passions as you want, and you can be successful in all of them. Don’t let anyone tell you what you are or are not capable of in pursuing your goals. My only regret at O’Gorman was not being more involved, my schedule was pretty full but I think I could have thrown a couple more sports in there,” he offered with a smile.

Ask former directors about Aiden Geiver, and they will all say the same thing: “When it comes to natural talent and determination, there is nothing that Aiden Geiver cannot do.”

Now we wait to see what Aiden will set his sights on in Connecticut and beyond.

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Nicely-Nicely Johnson Jonah Astrup

Benny Southstreet

Rusty Charlie

Sarah Brown

Arvida Abernathy

Steve Penisten

Owen Tschetter

Maria Glatt

Olivia Duncan

Lt. Brannigan Quinn Buus

Nathan Detroit Isaac Solomon

Miss Adelaide

Sky Masterson

MISSION BAND

Gen. Matilda B. Cartwright

.Kaylee Hulme

Jacob Thomas

Paiten Lewis

Agatha Cari Nohr

Calvin

Martha

CRAP SHOOTERS

Big Jule

Samuel Prairie

Rebecca Messier

Krayton Raasch

Harry the Horse Gavin Rook

Liver Lips Louie

Angie The Ox

Joey Biltmore

Tony Brickowski

Crocodile Joe

Wilainu Farhat

Hudson Connelly

Garvey Mueller

Connor Woody

.John Kovash

Spike Gonzales Jonah Crowe

Society Max Keaton Raasch

Michael “Nugget” Nuggington

Jesse Kingpin

Max Crawford

HOT BOX GIRLS

Micah Benjamin

Simon Ellenbecker

Zach Greble

Mimi Maggie Baloun

Allison

Ferguson

Vernon

Betty

Alice Masters

.Madeline Fritz

Olivia Duncan

Bornitz Trixie Bella Johnson

Jenny

Candy

Missy

Tiffany

Cherry

Kaci Wilson

Lexie Lemon

Lucy Baloun

Molly Johnson

Monica Simon

Ginger Nora Johnson

Kitty

ENSEMBLE

Bobby Soxers

Sightseeing Guide

Sightseers

Twins

Actresses

Two shady characters

Policeman

Two chorus girls

Two bobby soxers

Two well dressed women

Two chorus girls

Man

Elderly street vendor

Texan and his wife

Sidewalk photographer

Paper doll vendor/ & lady

Heavyweight fighter

Blind man

Pickpocket

HAVANA SCENE

Waiters

Cuban Dancers

Nway Thai

Audrey Arend

Adud Arop

.Sarina Ellenbecker

Madelyn Nekvinda

Grace Godshall

Grace Johnson

Brooklyn Bailey

Libby Ernst

Lauren Harvison

Monica Simon

Micah Benjamin

Keaton Raasch

Quinn Buus

Raina Labi

Lisa Glatt

.Nway Thai

Camryn Mages

Dru Collins

Lillian Kerr

Sienna Struck

Gianna Geraets

Jonah Crowe

Molly Johnson

Gavin Rook

Maisie Honerman

Sofia Izagairre

Samuel Prairie

Maddie Devaney

Simon Ellenbecker

Connor Woody

Wilainu Farhat

Micah Benjamin

Keaton Raasch

Sofia Izaguirre

Kaci Wilson

Lucy Baloun

Madeline Fritz

Maggie Baloun

Raena Manning

Steve Penisten

Owen Tschetter

Krayton Raasch

Wilainu Farhat

John Kovash

Zach Greble

Guys & Dolls Scene Breakdown

ACT I

Scene 1 A New York Street

Fugue for Tinhorns (Nicely, Benny, Rusty)

Follow the Fold (Mission Band and cast)

Oldest Established (Nathan, Nicely, Benny, Crapshooters)

Scene 2 Interior Save A Soul Mission

I’ll Know (Sky & Sarah)

Scene 3 Payphone

Scene 4 Hotbox Club

Bushel and a Peck (Adelaide and Hotbox Girls)

Adelaide’s Lament

Scene 5 A New York Street

Guys & Dolls (All cast)

Scene 6 Interior Save A Soul Mission

Scene 7 A New York Street

Scene 8&9 Havana

If I Were A Bell (Sarah)

Scene 10 Mission exterior

My Time of Day (Sky)

I’ve Never Been in Love

ACT II

Scene 1

The Hotbox Club

Take Back Your Mink (Adelaide and Hotbox Girls)

Adelaide’s 2nd Lament (Adelaide)

Scene 2 A New York Street

More I Cannot Wish You (Arvida)

Scene 3 In the Sewer

Luck Be a Lady (Sky and Crapshooters)

Scene 4 A New York Street

Sue Me (Adelaide and Nathan)

Scene 5 Interior Save A Soul Mission

Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat (Nicely and Cast)

Scene 6 A New York Street

Adelaide Meets Sarah (Adelaide and Sarah)

Marry the Man Today

Scene 7 A New York Street

The Happy Ending (All cast)

Vocal Director

Technical Director

Orchestra Conductor

Teresa Fester

Nick Engbers

Kevin Humke

Ben Koch

Costume Director Mrs Kendra Dexter

Asst

Costume Director

Choreographer

Student Directors

Janet Liesinger

Ms

Meredith Molseed

Aidan Kanable

Sienna Struck

Kaci Wilson

Asst Choreographers Madeline Fritz

Annie Olson

Kaci Wilson Isaac Solomon

Theatre Manager

Activities Assistant

Mr . Aaron Strand

Mrs

Chelsea Gannon

House Manager Aidan Kanable

Playbill Photos

Playbill Coordinator

Box Office

Trumpet 1

Trumpet 2

Trumpet 3

Horn

Trombone

Mrs

Mrs

Mrs

Orchestra

Jeanie Johnson

Summer Wagner

Chelsea Gannon

Mr

Robbie Miller

Emily Myscofski

Jonah Jorgenson

Landon Sohre

Myles Adamiak

Alto Sax/Flute/Piccolo Ella Adamiak

Flute

Clarinet/Bass Clarinet

Alto Sax/Clarinet

Tenor Sax/Clarinet

Tenor Sax

Bari Sax/Bass Clarinet

Violin A

Violin B

Violin C

Violin D

Cello

Sarah Ulin

Lander Bell

Brenna Olson

Adilyn McIntyre

Jake Gonzales

Shahid Shaik

Owen Watson

Avila Casanova

Rebecca Harvill

Sarah Jamous

Sam Reckling

Bass Edwar Arteaga-Cruz

Drumset Nate Muller

Percussion

Piano

Austin Labahn

Alia Skaleski

.Hugh Barnes

Acknowledgements

Box Office Volunteers

Costuming Volunteers

Flower and Favors Volunteers

Jeannie Johnson and Yellow Bug Photography

Mr . Aaron Strand

Mr . Alex Anderson

Mr . Neil Hoogendoorn

Elsa Bell

Eve Nielsen

Joslynn Herrera

Brayden Carlson

Cael Lynch

Gabe Prairie

Gabriella Picconi

Ian Winter

Mr . Steve Kueter

Mrs . Chelsea Gannon

Mrs . Joan Mahoney

Mrs . Jodi Rysavy

Mrs Tara VanDenBos

Parents of Cast, Orchestra, Costumes, and Technical Crew

Costumes

Leah Nielsen

Macee Bortnem

Natalie Ulin

Joshua Brower

Kylie Roemen

Lander Bell

Lucas Johnson

Sienna Castelluzzo

Teagan Garbers

Peter Klatt

Riley Hagen

Wilnel Farhat Technical Crew

Matthew Schulte

Sydney VanDenHemel Orchestra

Robbie Sealey

Shya Stencil

Front: Shahid Shaik, Sarah Jamous, Adilyn McIntyre, Ella Adamiak, Lander Bell, Brenna Olson

Middle: Austin Labahn, Jake Gonzales, Emily Myscofski, Owen Watson, Sarah Ulin, Myles Adamiak, Avila Casanova, Jonah Jorgenson, Landon Sohre, Sam Reckling, Mr Robbie Miller

Back: Rebecca Harvill, Hugh Barnes, Nate Muller, Alia Skaleski, Edwar Arteaga-Cruz

Costumes

Technical Crew Members

Freshmen

Camryn Mages, Paiten Lewis, Maisie Honerman Lillian Kerr, Lisa Glatt, Micah Benjamin, Nway Thai, Quinn Buus

Front: Natalie Ulin, Teagan Garbers, Elsa Bell, Joslynn Herrera, Back: Sienna Castelluzzo, Macee Bortnem, Eve Nielsen, Leah Nielsen Not pictured: Sydney VanDenHemel

Front: Cael Lynch, Matthew Schulte, Robbie Sealey

Middle: Wilnel Farhat, Lander Bell, Shya Stencil, Kylie Roemen, Riley Hagen, Gabriella Picconi

Back: Ian Winter, Peter Klatt, Lucas Johnson, Gabe Prairie, Joshua Brower, Brayden Carlson

Sophomores

Front: Grace Johnson, Gianna Geraets, Brooklyn Bailey, Lucy Baloun, Libby Ernst, Adud Arop

Middle: Grace Godshall, Sarina Ellenbecker, Madelyn Nekvinda, Molly Johnson, John Kovash

Back: Raina Labi, Garvey Mueller, Owen Tschetter, Audrey Arend, Keaton Raasch, Zach Greble

Not pictured: Jonah Crowe

Juniors

Middle: Anya Bornitz, Monica Simon, Lauren Harvison, Cari Nohr, Kaci Wilson

Back: Jacob Thomas, Isaac Solomon, Bella Johnson, Sienna Struck, Madelyn Devaney

Front: Connor Woody, Stephanie Rutten, Rebecca Messier, Sofia Izaguirre, Kaylee Hulme

Seniors

Aidan Kanable Alia Skaleski Alice Masters Annie Olson Dru Collins

Elsa Bell Emily Myscofski Eve Nielsen Gavin Rook Gabe Prairie Hudson Connelly Ian Winter Jonah Astrup Joshua Brower Krayton Raasch

Kylie Roemen Lexie Lemon Lucas Johnson Macee Bortnem Madeline Fritz

Maggie Baloun Maria Glatt Matthew Schulte Monica Simon Myles Adamiak

Seniors

Nora Johnson Olivia Duncan Owen Watson Peter Klatt Raena Manning

Rebecca Harvill Riley Hagen Samuel Prairie Sienna Castelluzzo Simon Ellenbecker

Steve Penisten Teagan Garbers Wilainu Farhat

Sydney VanDenHemel

Orchestra Conductor

Mr . Ben Koch Director

Ms . Teresa Fester Vocal Director

Mr . Nick Engbers and Family

Costume Director

Mrs . Kendra Dexter and Family

Technical Director

Mr . Kevin Humke and Family

Knight Notes...

Good luck, Maisie!

We are so proud of you .

—Love, mom and dad

JT, We are amazed by you every day and love you!

—Mom, Dad, and Emily

Anya, Have the best time! So proud of the cast and crew!

—Mike and Carri Bornitz

Jake Gonzales, Love you sharing music with guys and dolls of O’G!

—Mom, dad, and Gabe

Maddie, it has been a joy to watch you on the stage!

—Dad, Mom, Libby and Liam

Gianna, you shine when you sing and dance! We love watching you!

—Love the fam

Steve, you are the G .O .A .T!

—Love! Louie the Dog and Family!

Proud of our Bunkey for stretching her limits and having fun!

—La Familia

Libby, We are proud of you! Keep shining and smiling! Love You!

—Hubers

Sparkle Shirley!!!

—We love you!!! Xxoo

Lauren, so proud of you! Keep shining bright! ❤ You!

—Mom, Dad, Brooke, Eric, and Ozz

So very proud of you!!

Love you most!

—DAH

Kaylee, Way to go for it this year! We love you a bushel and a peck!

—Mom and Dad

Micah, We are so darn proud of you! Break a leg!

—Love, Mom and Dad

Huddie, you don’t apologize for who you are and we ❤ you for it!

—Mom, Dad and B

Hudson, you are the best big brother ever . I ❤ You

—Sabrina

Gavin, your fam is proud of the many years of hard work you gave the Pac!

Bella and Molly, bravo from heaven! We love you!

—Grandpa Geo and Grandma DI

Break a leg Rebecca!

—Love, Mom, Dad, Hannah, Samantha and Cameron

Sarina, Bravo, our shining star! Love you!

—Xo Mom and Dad

Beaming with pride as Simon takes his talent to the stage! Bravo!

—Xo-Mom and Dad

Sienna, You “Doll”! We`re proud to watch your talents on stage!

—Mom and Dad

Bella and Molly! We love you! Can’t wait to see you shine!

—Mom and Dad

Great job Hugh! We love watching you share your talent!

—Love, Mom and Dad

Monica Lee Simon, you continue to amaze us . Love you Peanut!

—Mom and Dad

Break a leg Libster, ❤

Lucy, the dedication and joy you bring to the stage inspires!

—Break legs, the Fam

Sydney, We love your sewing and impeccable sense of style! Proud of all of you, always!

Maggie, 4 years of amazing O’G shows! You light up any stage!

—Break legs, the Fam

ACTOR:

Msgr. James Andraschko

Michael and Mary Kay Bannwarth

Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern SD

Mark and Jeanie Conzemius

Don and Janet Fischer

Keith and Anna Gauer

Andy and Lea Johnson

James and Lynn Josten

Bishop Donald Kettler

Kathleen Kunkel

Leroy and Kathy LaPlante

Mark and Aleta Lindell

Kelly & Tanya Manning

Jon and Jessie Schmidt

David and Julie Elson

Carrie Wilson

DIRECTOR:

Michael and Sandy Fitzgibbons

Tom and Kareen Dougherty

John and Katy Billion

Tom and Doris Fiorita

Courtland and Julianna Hall

John and Molly Heisler

Jack and Gina Hopkins

Steven and Brigetta Klein

Fr. James Morgan

Brian and Patricia Vognild

The O’Gorman Performing Arts Department wishes to thank the following for their patron support

PRODUCER:

Brett Baloun and Jennifer White

Michael and Carri Bornitz

Clint and Erin Brunner

A Friend of OG

Fr. Charles Cimpl

Shawn and Julie Cleary

The Dance Line

Tom and Kareen Dougherty

The Duncan Law Firm, LLP

Nick Earley

Jon and Jenny Ellenbecker

Wallace and Pamela Fritz

Dave and Teri Geiver

Quintin and Mary Honerman

Matthew and Annette Johnson

Paul Josten

David Krogman

Gregory and Kaye LaFollette

Thomas and Linda Penisten

Jon and Nancy Schulte

Peggy Shlanta

Barry and Carol Solomon

Ben and Tricia Solomon

Mike and Dawn Thomas

Daryl and Anita Thuringer

Stuart and Pamela Tiede

Brad and Teresa Schoenfelder

Richard (Dick) & Kathleen Sweetman

Jay and Caryn Kappenman

All In The Family A Tribute to the Schulte Family

For the past 24 years, there has been one element in every single O’Gorman production that most theatre goers may be unaware of. There are some hidden gems that are truly the secret to our success with every production. That secret is all in the family; the Schulte family. Parents, Jon and Nancy Schulte, met in the Twin Cities through a young adult group at their Catholic church. They married and Jon’s work allowed him to transfer to Sioux Falls to raise a family…a big one. Ten kids to be exact. All who would attend Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools and all who would be actively involved with the theatre department. All of the Schulte kids have worked behind the scenes on the technical crew. A few even managed to balance their time acting in a show and working on the technical crew.

In the Fall of 1998, a tradition spanning over two decades was about to begin. The eldest son, Philip, started spending time after school getting involved with technical theatre. Philip recalls getting his start in the technical world back in 6th grade. Christ the King church was closed for renovations so mass services were held in the gym

every weekend. That meant setting up a portable sound system.

“I learned how to do that and helped them set it up. I think it was 6th grade as well where we did a class trip to go see an O’Gorman musical. I remember looking in the back and seeing an upperclassman I knew running spotlight for it. I knew I wanted to do that someday,” said Philip. Once he started high school he showed up after school to work on the technical crew.

“I got involved and since that day I was hooked.”

Philip asked the technical director at the time, Mr. Kevin Brick, to show him how the equipment worked. “He gave me a crash course on lights and sound,” Philip explained. In fact, Philip remembers during his sophomore year being called to the main office several times to get the sound or lighting system up and running before an event happening in the auditorium.

“I would say I spent a good chunk of my nights and weekends helping build the sets, hang and focus lights, and set the sound system. I felt at home in the theatre and loved playing with the technology. It was only natural that I would go to college

for it and make a living doing what I love,” shared Philip.

Philip also unwillingly started what those involved in the theatre department would call the “ip” era. When asked how it all started, Philip recalls: “It started in marching band and I was an annoying freshman. A bunch of the upperclassman decided to start calling me “Pip.”

Apparently, Philip reminded them of a character in South Park. “I didn’t like it at first so I resisted, which just made them call me it more. Finally, I just embraced it and have been called that since. Unfortunately for my siblings it started a little bit of a tradition.”

Cue the “ip” era. Somehow, the naming of Philip would become a Schulte family tradition and be passed down to the siblings. Steven was soon known as “Stip”, Laura “Lip”, Brian “Bip”, Deborah “Dip”, Michael “Mip”, Kimberly “Kip”, Teresa “Tip” and well… it started to fizzle out when Anita started high school because “Anip” just didn’t have the same one syllable vibe as the prior nicknames. Philip is the only one to still use his OG appointed name, Pip.

currently a senior at O’Gorman and will graduate in 2024. We feel more blessed than ever to have a Schulte behind the scenes. In November of 2022, Matthew and his mother Nancy were involved in a bad car accident. Matthew suffered a brain injury and his future was uncertain. But

Matthew using his tech expertise for the high school theatre.

the Schulte family is resilient and with the help of great medical care, a few weeks at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, and an army of prayer warriors, Matthew would walk back into O’Gorman High School to finish his junior year. Matthew can be found working in the scene shop, running lights in the booth, and even acting on stage this year. Current Technical Director, Mr. Kevin Humke, has worked with all of the Schultes and is grateful for their years of meticulous work and willingness to patiently teach other students in the scene shop. And while Matthew will be the last of Jon and Nancy’s children to serve the theatre department, Mr. Humke knows he can always depend on them as they are always a phone call away!

children. You can find Deborah up in the Science Wing teaching at O’Gorman High School.

• Michael is married and has a baby girl. He lives in Omaha, Nebraska and is completing his residency in Family Practice Medicine.

What are they doing now?

• Philip “Pip” is married and lives in Pierce, Nebraska. He is an ETCP Certified Rigger and Entertainment Electrician and has worked as Lighting Crew Chief for some pretty impressive entertainers such as Drake, Backstreet Boys, J Balvin, Janet Jackson, Fall Out Boy, and Hunter Hayes. He worked as Lighting Tech for Aerosmith, the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Demi Lovato, Panic! At the Disco, Coldplay, and John Mayer.

• Laura lives in Sioux Falls and works as a nurse at Avera Hospital. She is married to Jordan Gerdes (a fellow OGHS alumni) and has four children.

• Brian is married and has a little boy and lives in Burnsville, MN and works as an Electrical Engineer.

• Deborah is married and has three

• Kimberly is just across the parking lot teaching math at O’Gorman Junior High.

• Teresa is in Sioux City completing an online Master’s program in Social Work through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota- Winona and works part time.

• Anita is at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and majoring in Music Education.

• Matthew is a senior at O’Gorman and can be seen working in the scene shop and acting on stage.

Currently, each year a worthy senior receives the “Outstanding Technical Crew Member” Award in honor of Steven Schulte. In April of 2002, Steven was diagnosed with Leukemia in his central nervous system. He didn’t let his diagnosis slow him down as he spent what would be his final summer going back and forth between chemotherapy treatments and working Boy Scout camp. He also spent time learning to ride his motorcycle. On August 31st at the beginning of his junior year of high school, Steven passed away surrounded by his family. We are so proud to award a senior each year who embodies the character of Steven and the Schulte family.

Steven Schulte

O†GOrman Thespian award

presenTed TO The BesT aLL-arOUnd drama sTUdenT in memOry Of Jeff dOnneLLy

Sioux Falls - Sioux City - Rapid City

“Let

In Memory of Mr. Gary Siska

Reflections from former students, Sam Kalda and Mr. Pat Frankman

Mr. Gary Siska dedicated 40 years of his talents to molding and shaping countless art students at O’Gorman Catholic School before his retirement in 2019. He passed away peacefully this past June after a brave battle with cancer. We reached out to two of his former students to speak about the impact Mr. Siska had on so many.

Sam Kalda is an illustrator and artist based in Saint Paul. His commissioned works includeeditorial,book,advertisingand patternillustration.Hisclientlistincludes originalworksforTheNewYorkTimes, TheWallStreetJournal,WarbyParker, DisneyDigital,Barnes&Noble,Vogue.com, ArchitectMagazine,andmanymore.

What is your favorite memory of Mr. Siska as a teacher?

I remember Mr. Siska taking a small number of us pottery students, mostly seniors, to a farm in early summer for a raku firing. Raku firing is a quick, dramatic, and kind of magical process. You never know how the fire and heat will interact with the glaze. It was a festive atmosphere with a lot of “oohing” and “awing” as the pots came out of the fire. He was just as awed by the process as we were.

In what ways did Mr. Siska help guide you into the work you do today?

Mr. Siska always encouraged experimentation with materials. I learned so much about the creative process in his class. He’s also quite literally responsible for

what artistic success I’ve had because he helped me prepare my portfolio for art school. I needed to submit slides, of all things, for my application, and he took time outside of his already busy schedule to light and photograph my work. The bulk of that work I made was during his classes.

How would you describe his legacy? His legacy is his students. In my graduating class alone, there were quite a few of us who went on to study art in college. I’ve talked to so many O’G grads about the hours we spent in the old art room. We all have such fond memories of the calm, focused atmosphere he cultivated in there. So many of us, regardless of whether we maintain a regular studio practice or simply learned how to channel our creativity into a focused process, have Siska to thank.

Mr. Patrick Frankmancurrentlyservesas theArtTeacheratO’GormanHighSchool.

You are working on a special project in honor of Mr. Siska. Please share how you plan on honoring Mr. Siska.

Currently, I have a stained-glass piece of art that Gary created for the old art room. He saved the pieces of glass from the chapel in the old building. Gary never let things go to waste. He transformed the colored pieces of glass into a beautiful knight window. Most students that took art in the old building remember the Knight window. When the building was remodeled, Gary saved the pieces, and had hopes to turn it into a display piece in the new

building. In honor of him, we are working with a local company to get it put back together and framed with a light behind it. It will be hung in the current building.

What would you like people to know about Mr. Siska, his talent, and how he influenced you personally?

Gary was mostly self-taught in regards to his pottery. He loved experimenting with Raku, which is an ancient Japanese form of earthenware pottery. His pieces are stunning and they have been displayed in several galleries and are now cherished works of art in many homes. He was also a very talented painter. Gary single handedly developed the curriculum at O’G and made the department what it is today. Through his trials, research, commitment and caring, he provided countless hours of guidance to thousands of art students.

For me personally, Mr. Siska provided a path for me in High School that allowed creativity, focus, peace, and ultimately success. He selflessly gave his time to help me prepare for art shows and showed me how to prepare for the rigors of art school and life. He paved a path for my teaching career as well. He helped me find my calling. Without Gary, I would not be doing what I love every day. He showed me the way. Gary Siska was my mentor and a dear friend.

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